Observation of direct and indirect magnetoelectricity in lead free ferroelectric (Na 0.5Bi 0.5TiO 3)-magnetostrictive (CoFe 2O 4) particulate composite

A particulate composite consisting of 65 mol. % Na 0.5Bi 0.5TiO 3 and 35 mol. % CoFe 2O 4 was synthesized, and it's structure, microstructure, ferroelectric, magnetostrictive, magnetic, and direct/indirect magnetoelectric properties were studied. The composite showed different magnetization behaviour under electrically poled and un-poled conditions. The percentage change in magnetization as a result of poling is approximately -15% at 500 Oe magnetic field. Magnetostriction measurements displayed a value of λ 11 = -57 × 10 -6 and piezomagnetic coefficient δλ 11/δH = 0.022 × 10 -6 kOe -1 at 2.2 kOe for the composite. The maximum magnetoelectric output varied from 1350 mV/cm to 2000 mV/cm with change in the electrical poling condition

ETMS: Efficient Traffic Management System for Congestion Detection and Alert using HAAR Cascade

Rapid social development has resulted in the emergence of a new major societal issue: urban traffic congestion, which many cities must address. In addition to making  it more difficult for people to get around town, traffic jams are a major source of the city's pollution crisis. In order to address the problems of automobile exhaust pollution and congestion, this paper uses the system dynamics approach to develop a model to study the urban traffic congestion system from the perspectives of trucks,private cars, bikes and public transportation. This project proposes a system for detecting vehicles and sending alerts when traffic levels rise to dangerous levels using Haar Cascade and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCP). The proposed system uses Haar Cascade to detect moving vehicles, which are then classified using FCP. The system can make decisions based on partial or ambiguous information by utilising FCP, a soft computing technique, which allows it to learn from past actions. An algorithm for estimating traffic density is also used by the system to pinpoint active areas. In congested areas, the system will alert the driver if it anticipates a collision with another vehicle and also Experiments show that the proposed system is able to accurately detect vehicles and provide timely alerts to the driver, drastically lowering the probability of accidents occurring in heavily travelled areas. The importance of introducing such a system cannot be overstated in today's transportation system. It's a big deal for the future of intelligent urban planning and traffic control. Congestion relief, cleaner air, and increased security are just some of the long-term benefits that justify the high initial investment. To add, this system is adaptable to suburban and rural areas, which can also experience traffic congestion issues

Characteristics of friction welded AZ31B magnesium–commercial pure titanium dissimilar joints

It is essential to understand the weld interface characteristics and mechanical properties of dissimilar joints to improve its quality. This study is aimed at exploring the properties of friction welded magnesium–titanium dissimilar joint using tensile testing coupled with digital image correlation, optical and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and microhardness measurements. Microstructurally different regions such as contact zone, dynamic recrystallized zone, thermo-mechanically affected zone, and partially deformed zone in the magnesium side were observed. No discernible regions were observed in the titanium side, as it had not undergone any significant plastic deformation. Phase analysis indicated that the aluminium from the magnesium side diffused toward the weld interface and formed a thin continuous intermetallic layer by reacting with the titanium. Microhardness mapping showed a steep hardness gradient from the titanium to magnesium side. Critical analysis is done on the tensile characteristics of the specimen and the response of the local regions to the deformation process is mapped

Effect of CoFe2O4 mole percentage on multiferroic and magnetoelectric properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO 3/CoFe2O4 particulate composites

Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT), CoFe 2O4 (CFO) as well as particulate composites containing different mole percentages of NBT and CFO were synthesized by the solid-state sintering route and characterized for their ferroelectric and ferrimagnetic hysteresis loops, magnetostriction and magnetoelectric (ME) output. The mole% of CFO was found to influence the ferroelectric and ferrimagnetic hysteresis loops as well as magnetostriction and piezomagnetic coefficients which in turn had a significant effect on the magnetoelectric voltage coefficient. The highest magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (α) of 0.5 mV/cm/Oe was recorded in (65) NBT-(35) CFO composite

Ferroelectric, piezoelectric and mechanical properties in lead free (0.5)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–(0.5)(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 electroceramics

Barium zirconate titanate–barium calcium titanate [(0.5)BZT–(0.5)BCT], a solid solution ceramic, was synthesized by solid state route and its structure, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and mechanical properties were investigated. Unipolar and bipolar strain loops with minimal hysteresis were observed from strain measurements. The d33* values increased with increase in electric field, reached a maximum of 1257 pm/V at a field of 0.6 kV/mm, subsequently decreased to 530 pm/V at a field of 4.1 kV/mm and showed slim hysteresis. A high value of dielectric constant (εr~9700) was recorded with the variation of frequency at a temperature around 85 °C (Tc) indicating frequency independent transition. P vs. E and I vs. E hysteresis measurements confirmed the intrinsic ferroelectric character with Pr of ~9.1 µC/cm2 and EC of ~0.3 kV/mm. Polarization vs. electric field measurements at different electric fields showed slim and saturated hysteresis behaviour indicating a coarse grain structure. In the synthesized (0.5)BZT–(0.5)BCT, Vickers hardness, Young׳s modulus and fracture toughness were evaluated, and compared with those of lead based compounds and were found to be on par with them

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field