Isolation of seed-borne fungi of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare pers.)

Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world after wheat, rice, maize and barley. The grain had been used for consumption of both humans and livestock and also different genes of the plant serve many other important uses. The crop has been suffer from various type of diseases, majority of them are known to be caused by fungi, which are mostly seed born. In present study Seed-borne fungi of sorghum in Marathwada region were surveyed. A total of 24 seed samples of eight different varieties from various locations, collected were tested, using the blotter and agar plate methods. Twenty eight fungal species of eighteen genera appeared in the seeds of eight different variety of Sorghum. In untreated seeds of the entire varieties maximum incidence was of Curvularia lunata. Treated seeds showed complete absence of Cladosporium herbarum, Trichothecium roseum and Absidia ramose. Agar plate method was found to be favorable for the maximum counts of saprophytic fungi and also favorable for detection of some specific fungi. Presence of many pathogenic fungi in considerable number of seed samples indicates the need of field surveys for these and other pathogens.Â

The high-pressure behavior of CaMoO4

We report a high-pressure study of tetragonal scheelite-type CaMoO4 up to 29 GPa. In order to characterize its high-pressure behavior, we have combined Raman and optical-absorption measurements with density-functional theory calculations. We have found evidence of a pressure-induced phase transition near 15 GPa. Experiments and calculations agree in assigning the high-pressure phase to a monoclinic fergusonite-type structure. The reported results are consistent with previous powder x-ray-diffraction experiments, but are in contradiction with the conclusions obtained from earlier Raman measurements, which support the existence of more than one phase transition in the pressure range covered by our studies. The observed scheelite-fergusonite transition induces significant changes in the electronic band gap and phonon spectrum of CaMoO4. We have determined the pressure evolution of the band gap for the low- and high-pressure phases as well as the frequencies and pressure dependences of the Raman-active and infrared-active modes. In addition, based upon calculations of the phonon dispersion of the scheelite phase, carried out at a pressure higher than the transition pressure, we propose a possible mechanism for the reported phase transition. Furthermore, from the calculations we determined the pressure dependence of the unit-cell parameters and atomic positions of the different phases and their room-temperature equations of state. These results are compared with previous experiments showing a very good agreement. Finally, information on bond compressibility is reported and correlated with the macroscopic compressibility of CaMoO4. The reported results are of interest for the many technological applications of this oxide.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figures, 8 table

Reduction of cogging torque of radial flux permanent magnet brushless DC motor by magnet shifting technique

  Introduction. In spite of many advantages of radial flux permanent magnet brushless DC motors it suffers from the distinct disadvantage of high cogging torque. The designer must emphasize to reduce the cogging torque during the design stage. This paper introduces magnet shifting technique to mitigate cogging torque of surface mounted radial flux brushless DC motor. Methodology. Initially 200 W, 1000 rpm surface mounted radial flux permanent magnet brushless DC motor is designed with symmetrical placement of permanent magnets with respect to each other on rotor core. Cogging torque profile of this initial motor is obtained by performing finite element modelling and analysis. Originality. This design has been improved by shifting the position of permanent magnets with respect to adjacent permanent magnets. The effect of magnet shifting on cogging torque has been analyzed by performing finite element analysis. Results. It has been examined that the peak to peak cogging torque is decreased from 1.1 N×m to 0.6 N×m with shifting of permanent magnets respectively.Вступ. Незважаючи на багато переваг безщіткових двигунів постійного струму з радіальним магнітним потоком, вони мають явний недолік, що полягає у високому крутному моменті зубчатої передачі. Проектувальник повинен зосередитись на зниженні крутного моменту зубчатої передачі на етапі проектування. У цій статті представлена методика зсуву магніту для зменшення крутного моменту зубчатої передачі безщіткового двигуна постійного струму з радіальним потоком, встановленого на поверхні. Методологія. Спочатку безщітковий двигун постійного струму з радіальним магнітним потоком потужністю 200 Вт, 1000 об/хв спроектований із симетричним розміщенням постійних магнітів відносно один одного на сердечнику ротора. Розподіл крутного моменту зубчатої передачі цього початкового двигуна отриманий шляхом аналізу методом скінчених елементів (МСЕ). Оригінальність. Ця конструкція була вдосконалена за рахунок зсуву положення постійних магнітів по відношенню до сусідніх постійних магнітів. Вплив зсуву магніту на крутний момент зубчатої передачі було проаналізовано за допомогою аналізу МСЕ. Результати. Досліджено, що піковий крутний  момент зубчатої передачі зменшився з 1,1 Н×м до 0,6 Н×м, відповідно, при зсуві постійних магнітів

Centrifuge modelling to determine the influence of pile stiffness on pile capacity

The stiffness of piles relates to their ability to resist deformation in response to an applied force. The modulus of elasticity of an uncracked concrete piles typically varies between 30-40kN/m2. Under axial loading these high stiffness piles transfer the load through the pile to the base. This results in low mobilisation of shaft friction as the stiff pile displaces uniformly and therefore the magnitude of skin friction along the entire length of the pile is small. In addition, base resistance of deep piles is mobilised at very high loads which may exceed the working load of the pile shaft. The adhesion factor, α, for bored piles in London Clay can range between 0.45 and 0.6 suggesting that a significant proportion of the soil strength cannot be mobilised. This low mobilisation of shaft resistance means that the ultimate bearing capacity is much reduced. The research investigated the behaviour of a low stiffness pile under axial load and compared this with a conventional high stiffness pile. The results demonstrated that the low stiffness pile exhibited marginally greater capacity at working load and a noticeably improved capacity at ultimate load

Optimization of cogging torque in interior permanent magnet synchronous motor using optimum magnet v-angle

Introduction. At present, the most important requirement in the field of electrical engineering is the better utilization of electrical power, due to its increasing demand and not-so-increasing availability. A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is increasingly gaining popularity in various household and industrial applications because of its superior performance compared to conventional electrical motors. Purpose. PMSM is designed based on the selection of various design variables and optimized to fulfill the same. Being superiorly advantageous over other motors, PMSM has the major disadvantage of higher cogging torque. Higher cogging torque generates torque ripple in the PMSM motor leading to various problems like vibration, rotor stress, and noisy operation during starting and steady state. The designer should aim to reduce the cogging torque at the design stage itself for overall better performance. Methods. An interior rotor v-shaped web-type PMSM is designed and its performance analysis is carried out using finite element analysis (FEA). Magnet v-angle is optimized with the objective of cogging torque reduction. Performance comparison is carried out between the optimized motor and the initially designed motor with FEA. Novelty. Magnet v-angle analysis is performed on the same keeping all other parameters constant, to obtain minimum cogging torque. The proposed method is practically viable as it does not incur extra costs and manufacturing complexity. Practical value. It is observed that the magnet v-angle is an effective technique in the reduction of cogging torque. Cogging torque is reduced from 0.554 N×m to 0.452 N×m with the application of the magnet v-angle optimization technique.Вступ. В даний час найважливішою вимогою в галузі електротехніки є найкраще використання електроенергії через зростаючу потребу в ній і не настільки зростаючу доступність. Синхронний двигун з постійними магнітами (СДПМ) набуває все більшої популярності в різних побутових та промислових застосуваннях завдяки своїм чудовим характеристикам у порівнянні зі звичайними електродвигунами. Мета. СДПМ, спроєктований на основі вибору різних конструктивних змінних та оптимізований для їх виконання. Будучи чудовим у порівнянні з іншими двигунами, СДПМ має головний недолік: вищий крутний момент. Вищий крутний момент викликає пульсації крутного моменту в двигуні з постійними магнітами, що призводить до різних проблем, таких як вібрація, напруга ротора і шумна робота під час запуску і режиму. Проєктувальник повинен прагнути зменшити крутний момент зубчастого колеса на стадії проєктування для підвищення загальної продуктивності. Методи. Розроблено СДПМ з внутрішнім ротором v-подібної форми та стрижневого типу, та аналіз його характеристик виконаний з використанням аналізу методом скінченних елементів (FEA). Кут v-подібного магніту оптимізовано з метою зниження зубчастого моменту. Порівняння продуктивності здійснюється між оптимізованим двигуном та двигуном, спочатку спроєктованим за допомогою FEA. Новизна. Аналіз кута v-подібного магніту виконується таким же чином, зберігаючи решту всіх параметрів постійними, щоб отримати мінімальний зубчастий крутний момент. Запропонований спосіб практично життєздатний, оскільки не вимагає додаткових витрат та складності виготовлення. Практична цінність. Помічено, що v-подібний кут магніту є ефективним способом зниження зубчастого моменту. Зубчастий крутний момент зменшений з 0,554 Н×м до 0,452 Н×м за рахунок застосування методу оптимізації v-подібного кута магніту

Proceedings from the OMS Resurgence Conference for resuming clinical practice after COVID-19 in the USA

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered and reshaped the delivery of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) over the past few months. As the USA gradually lifts restrictions and re-opens, surgeons must adjust accordingly. Therefore, the OMS Resurgence Conference: Safely Resuming Practice with a New Normal was organized for 11 May 2020 to gather and disseminate expert opinions and recommendations for OMSs to thoughtfully resume work with efficiency and safety. This manuscript offers a summary of the highlights from the conference discussion. © 202

Non-monotonic size dependence of the elastic modulus of nanocrystalline ZnO embedded in a nanocrystalline silver matrix

We present the first high pressure Raman study on nanocrystalline ZnO films with different average crystallite sizes. The problem of low Raman signals from nano sized particles was overcome by forming a nanocomposite of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles. The presence of the nanodispersed Ag particles leads to a substantial surface enhancement of the Raman signal from ZnO. We find that the elastic modulus of nanocrystalline ZnO shows a non-monotonic dependence on the crystallite size. We suggest that the non-monotonicity arises from an interplay between the elastic properties of the individual grains and the intergranular region.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Biomolecule surface patterning may enhance membrane association

Under dehydration conditions, amphipathic Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins fold spontaneously from a random conformation into alpha-helical structures and this transition is promoted by the presence of membranes. To gain insight into the thermodynamics of membrane association we model the resulting alpha-helical structures as infinite rigid cylinders patterned with hydrophobic and hydrophilic stripes oriented parallel to their axis. Statistical thermodynamic calculations using Single Chain Mean Field (SCMF) theory show that the relative thickness of the stripes controls the free energy of interaction of the alpha-helices with a phospholipid bilayer, as does the bilayer structure and the depth of the equilibrium penetration of the cylinders into the bilayer. The results may suggest the optimal thickness of the stripes to mimic the association of such protein with membranes.Comment: Published in ACS Nano http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/nn204736

Calibration of multi-layered probes with low/high magnetic moments

We present a comprehensive method for visualisation and quantification of the magnetic stray field of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) probes, applied to the particular case of custom-made multi-layered probes with controllable high/low magnetic moment states. The probes consist of two decoupled magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic interlayer, which results in four stable magnetic states: ±ferromagnetic (FM) and ±antiferromagnetic (A-FM). Direct visualisation of the stray field surrounding the probe apex using electron holography convincingly demonstrates a striking difference in the spatial distribution and strength of the magnetic flux in FM and A-FM states. In situ MFM studies of reference samples are used to determine the probe switching fields and spatial resolution. Furthermore, quantitative values of the probe magnetic moments are obtained by determining their real space tip transfer function (RSTTF). We also map the local Hall voltage in graphene Hall nanosensors induced by the probes in different states. The measured transport properties of nanosensors and RSTTF outcomes are introduced as an input in a numerical model of Hall devices to verify the probe magnetic moments. The modelling results fully match the experimental measurements, outlining an all-inclusive method for the calibration of complex magnetic probes with a controllable low/high magnetic moment

Equilibrium analysis in multi-echelon supply chain with multi-dimensional utilities of inertial players

In a supply chain, the importance of information elicitation from the supply chain players is vital to design supply chain network. The rationality and self-centredness of these players causes the information asymmetry in the supply chain and thus situation of conflict and non-participation of the players in the network design process. In such situations, it is required to analyse the supply chain players’ behaviour in order to explore potential for coordination through incentives. In this paper, a novel approach of social utility analysis is proposed to elicit the information for supply chain coordination among the supply chain players in a dyadic relationship – supplier and buyer. In principal, we consider a monopsony situation where buyer is a dominant player. With the objective of maximizing the social utility, efforts have been made to value behavioural issues in supply chain. On the other hand, the reluctance of player due to the information asymmetry is measured in the form of inertia – an offset to the supply chain profit. The suppliers’ behaviour is analysed with three distinct level of risk for two types of the product in procurement process. The useful insight from this paper is in supplier selection process where the reluctance of supplier offsets supply chain profit. The paper provides recommendations to supply chain managers for efficient decision-making ability in supplier selection process