Preparation and Characterization of Nanostructured CaCu2.90 Zn0.10 Ti4O12 Ceramic

Nanostructure CaCu2.90Zn0.10Ti4O12 (CCZTO) electronic ceramic was synthesized by semi‐wet route. The objective of this route is to enable the calcination and sintering processes to go for completion in shorter time and at lower temperature.The samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM and EDX analyses. The crystallite size of the CCZTO ceramic, obtained by XRD using Debye Scherrer formula, range from 38‐74nm which is in good agreement with the particle size observed by TEM analysis. It was observed clearly that the grain size significantly increased with an increase in sintering duration. Dielectric measurements were carried out by LCR meter in the temperature range, 300‐  500K, at few selected frequencies. It was also observed that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of CCZTO are temperature independent in higher frequency whereas temperature dependent in low frequency region. The ceramics exhibit high dielectric constant of 1.35 x 10 4 at 1 kHz

Genome wide analysis of heat responsive microRNAs in banana during acquired thermo tolerance

MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs in plants, which play vital roles during various abiotic and abiotic stress conditions including plant processes. In this present study, we examined the expression of miRNAs and their predicted target expression levels during heat stress in banana. Out of 235 miRNA found in Musa, 40 miRNA showed homology to heat responsive miRNAs from other plants. Further, 14 targets for miRNA were predicted that are potentially regulated by their cognate miRNAs and were monitored under three stages of stress viz, induction, induction + lethal alone using qPCR analysis. The results suggest that generally, there is a negative relationship in the expression patterns of miRNA and their predicted cognate targets - HSP70, HSP90, SAP, DNAj genes. These were highly up regulated and their respective miRNAs showed lower expression. This is the first report in banana, which demonstrated that during induction stress, various thermo-protective genes are activated at initial stages of stress to achieve thermotolerance through altered miRNA expression. The results will help in broadening our understanding acquired thermotolerance and their regulation by miRNAs in plants

Security Requirement Analysis of Blockchain-based E-Voting Systems

In democratic countries such as India, voting is a fundamental right given to citizens of their countries. Citizens need to physically present and cast their vote in ballot-paper-based voting systems. Most of the citizens fail to fulfill this constraint and have stayed away from their fundamental duty. Electronic-voting systems are often considered one efficient alternative in such situations. Blockchain Technology is an emerging technology that can provide a real solution as it is characterized by immutable, transparent, anonymous, and decentralized properties. This paper presents a security requirement analysis for e-voting systems and evaluates blockchain technology against these requirements

Growth and physiological response of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso under elevated CO2 conditions

Atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to reach 460-560 ppm by the year 2050 with an increase of 3.2-4.0°C in temperature. Elevated CO2 and temperature affect fruit crops to a greater extent by affecting flowering, yield and quality of fruits. In the current study, the effect of eCO2 on mango cv. Alphonso was examined under open top chambers (OTC), with ambient CO2 (380 ppm) and elevated CO2 (550 ppm) levels, which were compared with the plants grown outside OTC under ambient conditions. The results revealed that the maximum number of vegetative shoot emergences was observed in OTC under both eCO2 and aCO2 conditions. The photosynthetic rate declined by 25% inside OTC due to increased air and leaf temperature compared to ambient plants placed outside the chambers. Significantly higher reproductive shoots emerged under aCO2 conditions, whereas, no reproductive shoots were observed in aCO2 under OTC, however, few reproductive shoots were observed under eCO2 in OTC. The stomatal number was increased inside OTC chambers under aCO2, but the same was not observed under eCO2 conditions. The other physiological parameters, such as specific leaf weight, chlorophyll content, relative water content, stem girth and total wax content were appeared to be better in eCO2 conditions compared to aCO2 inside OTC and ambient conditions outside OTC. The increase in stomatal number and complete repression of flowering inside OTC at aCO2 was mainly due to higher temperatures compared to outside and this effect of temperature was reduced by eCO2. The results of the study indicated that eCO2 may improve growth rates, flowering and reduce water loss in mango plants

Environmental monitoring in Sea cage culture

Cage culture is a fast growing industry all over the world and demands good environmental practices to assure sustainability. The sustained development of coastal aquaculture has reached a good understanding with the environment, respecting it and undertaking actions that tend to diminish the possible impacts that may arise from this activity. In order to do so, measures are to be taken in production to avoid degrading the environment, whilst still being appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable. In this sense, it has been considered necessary to develop some basic environmental strategies to assure the best site for the aquaculture purposes, avoiding possible confrontations with other coastal uses

A comparative evaluation of properties of zirconia reinforced high impact acrylic resin with that of high impact acrylic resin

AbstractStatement of the problemPoly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin, although being the most popular denture base material, is associated with poor mechanical properties. It has been documented that acrylic resin can be strengthened with an addition of structural component (filler) added in the acrylic matrix, to form a composite structure.ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the transverse strength, impact strength, surface hardness and water sorption of 10% and 20% zirconia (ZrO2) reinforced high impact acrylic resin with that of high impact acrylic resin (Trevalon HI, Dentsply India).Materials and methodsThere were 30 specimens in each of the four tests, amounting to a total of 120 specimens. Each of the tests had 10 specimens fabricated from high impact acrylic resin (control); 10 specimens fabricated from 10% zirconia (ZrO2) and 10 specimens fabricated from 20% zirconia (ZrO2) reinforced high impact acrylic resin. Specimens were subjected to the test of transverse strength in Universal Testing Machine, impact strength in Izod pendulum impact testing machine and surface hardness by Vickers Microhardness tester according to ISO Specification No. 1567. Water sorption was assessed according to ADA Specification No. 12. Data were analyzed by means of a one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison test.ResultsA significant increase in the transverse strength was observed in the reinforced specimens when compared to the control group. Impact strength and surface hardness were found having lesser values compared to the control group. Water sorption was found to increase on the addition of 10% and 20% zirconia (ZrO2) but the value lied below 0.8mg/cm2 i.e. within the limit of ADA Specification No. 12.ConclusionReinforcement of acrylic resin with zirconia powder affects its physical and mechanical properties significantly