Diversity of Bee Pollinators and Flora in Cashew

Seven species of bee that maintained constancy on cashew flowers were identified from coastal Karnataka [(Pseudapis oxybeloides (Smith), Lasioglossum sp. and Halictus sp., Halictidae; Braunsapis sp., Ceratina smaragdula (F.) and Ceratina sp., Apidae)] and four species from coastal Tamil Nadu [(Ceratina (Pithitis) binghami Cockerell, C. smaragdula, Braunsapis sp. and P. oxybeloides)]. Time spent by bees for visiting the flowers ranged from 0.8 to 25.1 seconds per flower. Diversity of flora recorded during 2003-08 as floral resources for nectar for all the above bee species during lean and flowering periods of cashew - both at coastal Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - is presented in this paper

Configuration Validation of a Novel In-Space Propellant Storage and Transfer System

The concept of developing a new technology for on-orbit storage and refueling system has been a great interest among scientists for many decades. This study is about Centaur-based on-orbit propellant storage and transfer. This system takes the advantage of rotational settling to a simple fluid management (FM) system. Specifically, enabling settled fluid transfer and settled pressure control between two tanks. This thesis work focuses on configuration and validation of static and dynamic stability, mass gauging and CFD analysis of the rotational propellant transfer method in space. The application of this technology in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geo-Synchronous Orbit (GEO) would enable further extending the mission capabilities of modern day Commercial Launch Vehicles (CLV’S). Bulk Storage and handling of propellant liquids in space involves considerable technical challenge due to high vacuum and potential zero gravity environment. In order to raise the technology readiness level of this system, experimental study was conducted on (a) system dynamics, (b) mass gauging, (c) CFD analysis. The stability dynamics study showed the system to be stable about the minor axis with high rotational velocity. The mass gauging system was validated using experimental modal analysis. CFD analysis was used to analysis the fluid behavior during the transfer. These results provide a critical insight into the behavior and physical tendencies of the on-orbit refueling system

Modelling and Analysis of Real Time Power System With Cascaded Multilevel STATCOM Using Fuzzy Controller

Electric Power is a major concern that has generated more importance in electrical utilities and consumers. To assure a reliable and quality power system, all the bus are expected to maintain steady acceptable voltage before and after being subjected to any disturbance. Among the FACTs devices a static synchronous compensator(STATCOM) is analyzed to provide a reliable and feasible solution. The STATCOM has been developed using cascaded multilevel converter.  A FUZZY based controller for Cascaded Multilevel STATCOM is developed which produces improved performance.This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of CMC based STATCOM  with fuzzy controller in real time power system concerning the problem of variable loading and losses. A real time substation with 20 bus are analyzed with power flow analysis with and without STATCOM. Without the connection of STATCOM, a observable changes in the system voltage, line flows and losses are in system behaviour. But this influences the quality of grid and hence the customers are affected badly, indicating the need of power flow analysis and location of STATCOM on the system to improve the voltage profile. It is demonstrated that the described model works to an excellent level in improving the substation performance

Cloning and characterization of NBS-LRR resistance gene analogues of Musa spp. and their expression profiling studies against Pratylenchus coffeae

Resistance gene analogues (RGAs) were isolated from two banana cultivars viz., Karthobiumtham and Rose using degernate primers designed from the conserved motifs of different plant resistance genes. A total of 40 sequences were hit with various R genes, of which 20 sequences were having uninterrupted open reading frame (ORFs). Based on the conserved domains like P loop, internal kinase 2, kinase 3a and hydrophobic domain motifs of the deduced amino acid sequences were grouped as NBS-LRR class of resistant genes. The phylogentic analysis of RGAs showed that all the Musa RGAs are grouped under non-TIR branch and grouped into six distinct Musa RGA cluster. To investigate the expression profile of the RGAs, specific primers were designed for one representative RGA from each RGA cluster and it was found that C1 and C5 were induced upon root lesion nematode infection in the resistant (cv. Karthobiumtham) and not in susceptible (cv.Nendran) cultivar. C6 was expressed only in resistant cultivar not in susceptible one. But there was no change in the expression of C2 and C3 in both resistant and susceptible cultivars. These results indicate that in depth study on C1, and C5 RGAs will be helpful for further improvement of P. coffeae resistance in banana.Keywords: Banana, P. coffeae, resistance gene analogues, expression levelAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(27), pp. 4256-426

Cu Electrodeposition on Ru-Ta and Corrosion of Plasma Treated Cu in Post Etch Cleaning Solution

In this work, the possibility of Cu electrodeposition on Ru-Ta alloy thin films is explored. Ru and Ta were sputter deposited on Si substrate with different composition verified by RBS. Four point probe, XRD, TEM and AFM were used to study the properties of Ru-Ta thin films such as sheet resistance, crystallinity, grain size, etc. Cyclic voltammetry is used to study the Cu electrodeposition characteristics on Ru-Ta after various surface pretreatments. The results provide insights on the removal of Ta oxide such that it enables better Cu nucleation and adhesion. Bimetallic corrosion of Cu on modified Ru-Ta surface was studied in CMP related chemicals. In Cu interconnect fabrication process, the making of trenches and vias on low-k dielectric films involves the application of fluorocarbon plasma etch gases. Cu microdots deposited on Ru and Ta substrate were treated by fluorocarbon plasma etch gases such as CF4, CF4+O2, CH2F2, C4F8 and SF6 and investigated by using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle measurement and electrochemical techniques. Micropattern corrosion screening technique was used to measure the corrosion rate of plasma treated Cu. XPS results revealed different surface chemistry on Cu after treating with plasma etching. The fluorine/carbon ratio of the etching gases results in different extent of fluorocarbon polymer residues and affects the cleaning efficiency and Cu corrosion trends

A trans-Selective Hydroboration of Internal Alkynes

Violate the rule: The reigning stereochemical principle of hydroboration is the suprafacial delivery of hydrogen and boron to the same π-face of a given starting material. This fundamental rule of cis addition is now easily broken for internal alkynes with the help of [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3]PF6 (Cp*=η5-C5Me5) as the catalyst. The resulting trans-selective hydroboration opens a practical new entry into E-configured alkenylboron derivatives

Smart performance optimization of energy-aware scheduling model for resource sharing in 5G green communication systems

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of the Energy Aware Scheduling Algorithm (EASA) in a 5G green communication system. 5G green communication systems rely on EASA to manage resource sharing. The aim of the proposed model is to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of resource sharing in 5G green communication systems. The main objective is to address the challenges of achieving optimal resource utilization and minimizing energy consumption in these systems. To achieve this goal, the study proposes a novel energy-aware scheduling model that takes into consideration the specific characteristics of 5G green communication systems. This model incorporates intelligent techniques for optimizing resource allocation and scheduling decisions, while also considering energy consumption constraints. The methodology used involves a combination of mathematical analysis and simulation studies. The mathematical analysis is used to formulate the optimization problem and design the scheduling model, while the simulations are used to evaluate its performance in various scenarios. The proposed EASM reached a 91.58% false discovery rate, a 64.33% false omission rate, a 90.62% prevalence threshold, and a 91.23% critical success index. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of reducing energy consumption while maintaining a high level of resource utilization.© 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Engineering published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institution of Engineering and Technology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by direct RT-qPCR on nasopharyngeal specimens without extraction of viral RNA.

To circumvent the limited availability of RNA extraction reagents, we aimed to develop a protocol for direct RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs without RNA extraction. Nasopharyngeal specimens positive for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses collected in universal viral transport (UVT) medium were pre-processed by several commercial and laboratory-developed methods and tested by RT-qPCR assays without RNA extraction using different RT-qPCR master mixes. The results were compared to that of standard approach that involves RNA extraction. Incubation of specimens at 65°C for 10 minutes along with the use of TaqPath™ 1-Step RT-qPCR Master Mix provides higher analytical sensitivity for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA than many other conditions tested. The optimized direct RT-qPCR approach demonstrated a limit of detection of 6.6x103 copy/ml and high reproducibility (co-efficient of variation = 1.2%). In 132 nasopharyngeal specimens submitted for SARS-CoV-2 testing, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of our optimized approach were 95%, 99% and 98.5%, respectively, with reference to the standard approach. Also, the RT-qPCR CT values obtained by the two methods were positively correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.6971, p = 0.0013). The rate of PCR inhibition by the direct approach was 8% compared to 9% by the standard approach. Our simple approach to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA by direct RT-qPCR may help laboratories continue testing for the virus despite reagent shortages or expand their testing capacity in resource limited settings

Production of bioethanol from starchy tuber (amorphophallus commutatus) and antimicrobial activity study of its extracts

Bio-fuels have been regaining popularity due to the rising price of oil, along with the growing concern about global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions. Bio-fuels are processed from plant resources and are mostly made up of cellulose, which is one of the toughest materials. If cellulose can be turned into bio-fuel, it could be more efficient than other commercially available fuels starchy tuber. The of this study is on bio-ethanol production from starchy tuber. The comparative study was done between biological and chemical processes for the bio-ethanol production using Amorphophallus tubers. Amorphophallus commutatus species was selected because it shows higher starch content as per starch estimation. Tuber was collected in the lab and pre-treatment was given; followed by slurry was prepared and hydrolyzed by using fungal culture Aspergillus and Trichoderma. Three different conditions were maintained as two samples contain both fungal cultures, and one was having normal pH and temperature, and other was at normal temperature having pH 6, and third having only Aspergillus species and normal temp and pH. Hydrolysis was done by saccharification method. After hydrolysis sample is filtered and all three samples allows for fermentation process by using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) process is carried out for 12 to 15 days after fermentation the fermented sample was distilled by Soxlet Extraction method and lastly the sample was estimated for alcohol estimation by using specific gravity method. Two samples showed 11% alcohol content and third one shows 12% content when compared with alcoholometry table. Antimicrobial activity was also studied by using three extracts such as before hydrolysis, after hydrolysis and after fermentation against four types of organism’s two species Salmonella and S. aureus shows positive result while E. coli and Serratia sp. showed negative result. Results indicate that chemical process more productive compared to biological process. However, biological process is eco-friendly. It is also cost-effective. It can be produced on large scale for production of bio-ethanol

Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance encoded by mcr-1 gene in Escherichia coli co-carrying blaCTX-M-15 and blaNDM-1 genes in pediatric patients in Qatar

Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance encoded by mcr-1 gene in Escherichia coli co-carrying blaCTX-M-15 and blaNDM-1 genes in pediatric patients in Qata