Radish: A Cross Platform Meal Prepping App for Beginner Weightlifters

With the increasing ease of access and decreasing price of most food, obesity rates in the developing world have risen dramatically in recent years. As of March 23rd, 2019, obesity rates had reached 39.6%, a 6% increase in just 8 years. Research has shown that people with obesity have a significantly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, among other life-threatening diseases. In addition, 42% of people who begin weightlifting quit because it’s too difficult to follow a diet or workout regimen. We created Radish in an attempt to tackle these problems. Radish makes it easier for people to achieve fitness goals without having to do a large amount of diet and fitness research that generally overwhelms beginner weightlifters. Our contributions in this field are unique because we make decisions for the user so they have fewer disinhibitions from starting and continuing on their fitness journey. Our target demographic for this app are people with limited fitness experience who want to attempt to improve their health and aesthetics. We believe we’ve successfully created a strong proof of concept in the scope of this senior project. We will be continuing our work with this app after the completion of this quarter and we hope to release the app on the App Store and Google Play by the end of the year

GNA11 (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), alpha 11 (Gq class))

Review on GNA11 (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), alpha 11 (Gq class)), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

A New Efficient Approach for Melioration of Power Quality in Grid Interfacing with PV/Battery Hybrid System

This paper proposes grid integration of solar (PV)/Battery hybrid energy conversion system with (i) multi-functional features of micro grid-side bidirectional voltage source converter (μG-VSC) (ii) tight voltage regulation capability of battery converter (iii) MPPT tracking performance of high gain integrated cascaded boost (HGICB) dc-dc Converter with quadratic gain and less current ripple. The PV side HGICB Converter is controlled by P&O MPPT algorithm to extract the maximum power from the variable solar irradiation. This paper proposes a modified Instantaneous symmetrical components theory to the μG-VSC in micro-grid applications with following intelligent functionalities (a) to feed the generated active power i n proportional to irradiation levels into the grid (b) compensation of the reactive power, (c) load balancing and (d) mitigation of current harmonics generated by non-linear loads, if any, at the point of common coupling (PCC), thus enabling the grid to supply only sinusoidal current at unity power factor. The battery energy storage system (BESS) is regulated to balance the power between PV generation and utility grid. A new control algorithm is also proposed in this paper for the battery converter with tight DC link voltage regulation capability. The dynamic performance of battery converter is investigated and compared with conventional average current mode control (ACMC). The effectiveness of the proposed control strategies for HGICB converter and μG-VSC with battery energy conversion system are verified through MATLAB/SIMULINK results

GNAQ (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), q polypeptide)

Review on GNAQ (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), q polypeptide), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Sterile inflammation enhances ECM degradation in integrin β1 KO embryonic skin

Epidermal knockout of integrin β1 results in complete disorganization of the basement membrane (BM), resulting in neonatal lethality. Here, we report that this disorganization is exacerbated by an early embryonic inflammatory response involving the recruitment of tissue-resident and monocyte-derived macrophages to the dermal-epidermal junction, associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase activity. Remarkably, the skin barrier in the integrin β1 knockout animals is intact, suggesting that this inflammatory response is initiated in a sterile environment. We demonstrate that the molecular mechanism involves de novo expression of integrin αvβ6 in the basal epidermal cells, which activates a TGF-β1 driven inflammatory cascade resulting in upregulation of dermal NF-κB in a Tenascin C-dependent manner. Importantly, treatment of β1 KO embryos in utero with small molecule inhibitors of TGF-βR1 and NF-κB results in marked rescue of the BM defects and amelioration of immune response, revealing an unconventional immuno-protective role for integrin β1 during BM remodeling

Self-assembled hydrogel fibers for sensing the multi-compartment intracellular milieu

Targeted delivery of drugs and sensors into cells is an attractive technology with both medical and scientific applications. Existing delivery vehicles are generally limited by the complexity of their design, dependence on active transport, and inability to function within cellular compartments. Here, we developed self-assembled nanofibrous hydrogel fibers using a biologically inert, low-molecular-weight amphiphile. Self-assembled nanofibrous hydrogels offer unique physical/mechanical properties and can easily be loaded with a diverse range of payloads. Unlike commercially available E. coli membrane particles covalently bound to the pH reporting dye pHrodo, pHrodo encapsulated in self-assembled hydrogel-fibers internalizes into macrophages at both physiologic (37°C) and sub-physiologic (4°C) temperatures through an energy-independent, passive process. Unlike dye alone or pHrodo complexed to E. coli, pHrodo-SAFs report pH in both the cytoplasm and phagosomes, as well the nucleus. This new class of materials should be useful for next-generation sensing of the intracellular milieu

Physico-chemical, microbial and phytotoxicity evaluation of composts from sorghum, finger millet and soybean straws

Purpose Composting is an environmentally sustainable alternative for bioconversion of agricultural residues into a nutrient-rich product that can enhance soil fertility/microbial diversity and thereby improve agricultural productivity. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the decomposition pattern of the agro-residues and assess the maturity and phytotoxicity of the composts obtained using physico-chemical, microbial and statistical analyses. The study also attempted to determine a threshold germination index (GI) to serve as a maturity index for the composts by conducting seed germination assays with tomato, chickpea and soybean seeds. Methods Three agricultural residues/straws of Eleusine coracana (finger millet), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) and Glycine max (soybean) were subjected to aerobic composting for a period of 60 days to study the impact of saw dust on the decomposition pattern and the ultimate compost quality/characteristics. Results The results showed efficient decomposition pattern of the agricultural residues characterized by high temperature profiles (up to 70 °C), high microbial activity, a sharp decrease in C/N ratio of the composting materials, i.e., from an initial 41–61 to final 10–17. Conclusions Statistical evaluation of seed germination assays showed that only the compost obtained from sorghum straw + saw dust was mature and free from any phytotoxicity as all the tested seeds showed higher and statistically significant GIs. It was difficult to attribute a single threshold GI value to indicate maturity of compost and could not further be applied to different types of composts as different seeds responded differently to the same compost

Physico-chemical, microbial and phytotoxicity evaluation of composts from sorghum, finger millet and soybean straws

Purpose Composting is an environmentally sustainable alternative for bioconversion of agricultural residues into a nutrient-rich product that can enhance soil fertility/microbial diversity and thereby improve agricultural productivity. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the decomposition pattern of the agro-residues and assess the maturity and phytotoxicity of the composts obtained using physico-chemical, microbial and statistical analyses. The study also attempted to determine a threshold germination index (GI) to serve as a maturity index for the composts by conducting seed germination assays with tomato, chickpea and soybean seeds. Methods Three agricultural residues/straws of Eleusine coracana (finger millet), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) and Glycine max (soybean) were subjected to aerobic composting for a period of 60 days to study the impact of saw dust on the decomposition pattern and the ultimate compost quality/characteristics. Results The results showed efficient decomposition pattern of the agricultural residues characterized by high temperature profiles (up to 70 °C), high microbial activity, a sharp decrease in C/N ratio of the composting materials, i.e., from an initial 41–61 to final 10–17. Conclusions Statistical evaluation of seed germination assays showed that only the compost obtained from sorghum straw + saw dust was mature and free from any phytotoxicity as all the tested seeds showed higher and statistically significant GIs. It was difficult to attribute a single threshold GI value to indicate maturity of compost and could not further be applied to different types of composts as different seeds responded differently to the same compost

Heterotic pools in African and Asian origin populations of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Forty-five African or Asian origin pearl millet populations bred either in Africa or Asia were investigated to generate information on heterotic pools. They were clustered into seven groups (G1 to G7) when genotyped, using 29 highly polymorphic SSRs. Fourteen parental populations representing these seven marker-based groups were crossed in diallel mating design to generate 91 population hybrids. The hybrids evaluated at three locations in India showed mean panmictic mid-parent heterosis (PMPH) and better-parent heterosis (PBPH) for grain yield ranging from − 21.7 to 62.08% and − 32.51 to 42.99%, respectively. Higher grain yield and heterosis were observed in G2 × G6 (2462 kg ha− 1, 43.2%) and G2 × G5 (2455 kg ha− 1, 42.8%) marker group crosses compared to the most popular Indian open-pollinated variety (OPV) ICTP 8203. Two heterotic groups, Pearl millet Population Heterotic Pool-1 (PMPHP-1) comprising G2 populations and Pearl millet Population Heterotic Pool-2 (PMPHP- 2) comprising G5 and G6 populations, were identified based on hybrid performance, heterosis and combining ability among marker group crosses. Population hybrids from two heterotic groups, PMPHP-1 × PMPHP-2 demonstrated PMPH of 14.75% and PBPH of 6.8%. Populations of PMPHP-1 had linkages with either African or Asian origin populations, whereas PMPHP-2 composed of populations originating in Africa and later bred for Asian environments. Results indicated that parental populations from the two opposite heterotic groups can be used as base populations to derive superior inbred lines to develop high yielding hybrids/cultivars

Effect of integrated agronomic practices on hybrids and pure-line varieties under different environmental conditions in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]

The field experiment was conducted at two locations during kharif 2011 and 2012 at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, Maharashtra and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh to study the effect of various integrated agronomic practices on hybrids and pure-line varieties of pigeonpea. The genotypes used were three medium maturity group hybrids (ICPH 2671, ICPH 2740 and ICPH 3762) and three pure-line varieties (BDN 711, BSMR 736 and Asha) laid out in split-plot design with three replications in Vertisols. The experimental material was planted in three treatments viz., T1 [75 x 30 cm + 100 kg DAP (basal) + no protective irrigation]; T2 [75 x 60 cm + 50 N:100 P2O5 kg ha-1 (split application: 50% as basal and 50% at 60 days) + two protective irrigations (during mid-flowering and mid-pod development stage)]; and T3 [150 x 30 cm + 50 N:100 P2O5 kg ha-1 (split application: 50% as basal and 50% at 60 days) + two protective irrigations (mid-flowering and mid-pod development stage)]. The results indicated that significantly higher seed yield, biomass and harvest index was recorded in T2 at 3923.9 kg ha-1, 8816.6 kg ha-1 and 30.8%, respectively as compared to T3 (3262.5 kg ha-1, 7670.1 kg ha-1 and 29.8%, respectively) and T1 (2932.3 kg ha-1, 7633.3 kg ha-1 and 27.8%, respectively). Genotype × environment interaction indicated that over the two locations in two years, hybrids recorded higher seed yield as compared to pure-line varieties. However, G3T2 [ICPH 3762 + (75 x 60 cm + 50 kg N:100 P2O5 kg ha-1 (split application at 50% as basal and 50% at 60 days after sowing) + two irrigations (during mid-flowering and mid-pod development stage)] recorded the highest seed yield (4153.6 kg ha-1). Number of pods plant-1 and biomass weight (kg ha-1) showed significant variation in the interaction of environment × genotype × treatment (EGT). E1G3T3 recorded significantly higher number of pods plant-1 (1181.9) followed by E1G3T2 (1026.1) which significantly converted into higher seed yield plant-1 (237.1 g & 240.1 g respectively) while E2G2T2 exhibited significantly greater biomass (11977.9 kg ha-1). Among all the genotypes tested, Hybrid ICPH 3762 recorded highest number of pods plant-1 in T3 in almost all environments