Operational Trans-Resistance Amplifier Based Tunable Wave Active Filter

In this paper, Operational Trans-Resistance Amplifier (OTRA) based wave active filter structures are presented. They are flexible and modular, making them suitable to implement higher order filters. The circuits implement the resistors using matched transistors, operating in linear region, making them well suited for IC fabrication. They are insensitive to parasitic input capacitances and input resistances due to the internally grounded input terminals of OTRA. As an application, a doubly terminated third order Butterworth low pass filter has been implemented, by substituting OTRA based wave equivalents of passive elements. PSPICE simulations are given to verify the theoretical analysis

Solar cells in bulk InP using an open tube diffusion process

A simple open tube diffusion technique for the fabrication of n+p junction solar cells is described. Large area (greater than 0.25 square cm) solar cells have been made by this process with a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 15.2 percent under simulated AMO illumination. An ideality factor is 1.04 and a saturation current density of 9.6 times 10 to the minus 16th power A/square cm have been observed for these cells. These are the lowest (best) values reported to date for diffused structures in bulk InP

Enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of 2H-WS2 for hydrogen evolution via defect engineering

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS2 and WS2, are promising alternative non-noble metal catalysts to drive the electrocatalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER). However, their catalytic performance is inherently limited by the small number of active sites as well as their poor electrical conductivity. Here, we grow vertically aligned 2H-WS2 on different substrates to expose their edge sites for the HER and introduce a scalable approach to tune these active sites via defect engineering. In a thermal hydrogen treatment procedure, sulfur vacancies and metallic tungsten nanoparticles are formed. The extent of desulfurization, and thus the HER activity, can be tuned via controlling the H2 annealing conditions. The obtained W/WS2−x electrocatalysts are evaluated experimentally and theoretically to arrive at a better understanding of how to modify the inherently inert 2H-WS2 for more efficient HER

Extrinsic Fluorescent Dyes as Tools for Protein Characterization

Noncovalent, extrinsic fluorescent dyes are applied in various fields of protein analysis, e.g. to characterize folding intermediates, measure surface hydrophobicity, and detect aggregation or fibrillation. The main underlying mechanisms, which explain the fluorescence properties of many extrinsic dyes, are solvent relaxation processes and (twisted) intramolecular charge transfer reactions, which are affected by the environment and by interactions of the dyes with proteins. In recent time, the use of extrinsic fluorescent dyes such as ANS, Bis-ANS, Nile Red, Thioflavin T and others has increased, because of their versatility, sensitivity and suitability for high-throughput screening. The intention of this review is to give an overview of available extrinsic dyes, explain their spectral properties, and show illustrative examples of their various applications in protein characterization

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Socio-Legal Perspectives and the Concept of CSR

This article looks at changes in the legal requirements regarding CSR in Indian context. This is a review article which reviews the proposed legal reform. Different perspectives regarding making CSR mandatory are being discussed in the light of the discussions of proposals. The focus has shifted from Profit to People. The whole concept of CSR is based on the fact that the society provides resources for business and business has to give back to the society for its inclusive growth. Business goals have to be aligned with the social and environmental needs for its long term growth. A few corporate houses view the mandatory spending on CSR activities as an unjustified burden on corporates and is going to hit their bottom line because of additional spend of a minimum 2% of the profits on the prescribed CSR activities. There is criticism over the dictating terms of the legislatures for philanthropic initiatives of the companies

Primary nonendoscopic endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy in nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

Purpose: The aim is to compare the outcome of nonendoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (NEN DCR) with external DCR (EXT-DCR) in the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in children. Methods: A retrospective, comparative chart analysis of all consecutive children <16 years after EXT-DCR or NEN-DCR between June 2012 and February 2016. Results: Seventy-one children (79 eyes) underwent DCR in the study, of which 37 children (40 eyes) underwent EXT-DCR and 34 (39 eyes) NEN-DCR. Mean age of both groups (8.7 vs. 7.7 years) was comparable. Etiologically, persistent congenital NLDO was the most common indication (50% vs. 72%), followed by acquired and secondary NLDO. Mean duration was shorter for NEN-DCR (47 vs. 37 min; P = 0.0021). Mitomycin C 0.04% was used more often in NEN-DCR (10% vs. 56.41%). Success after primary EXT-DCR was 100% as compared to 75% for primary NEN-DCR at median follow-up of 12 and 16 months respectively. At revision, the main cause of failure was granuloma (60%). After revision, all eyes were symptom-free at a median follow-up of 9.5 months. Conclusion: Primary NEN-DCR has a poorer outcome than EXT-DCR in the treatment of NLDO in children and is more likely to need a revision procedure

Characterization of PAS domains in Frankia and selected Actinobacteria and their possible interaction with other co-domains for environmental adaptation

Functional domains are semi-autonomous parts of proteins. The Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain functions as signal-sensor in two-component systems of several bacteria. This domain exhibits large sequence diversity and is linked to other co-domains to modulate their function. In the present study, we analyzed the PAS domains found in the proteomes of several actinobacteria representing a variety of niches. PAS-domain containing proteins were identified with the HMMER program and characterized via an in silico approach. In general, the PAS proteins were found to be in the COG T (signal transduction) category implying their role was indeed in signal transduction. Most of the PAS proteins were found to be structurally conserved and moderately expressed. However, they showed a strong bias towards the lagging strand which may be a result of their involvement in adaptive evolution. A structure based phylogenetic analysis showed that PAS domains with similar interacting co-domains grouped together in a cluster irrespective of the bacterial genus from which they were identified. Thus, we may say that the association of PAS with its co-domains is based upon the PAS domain structure and not on the sequence

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present experiment was conducted in phased manner to observe the effect of improved nutrition and improved shelter either alone or in combination on serum proteins in Magra lambs. In phase-I, fifteen days old Magra lambs (n=40) born in autumn-winter season were used for present study in a randomized block design up to the six month of age during the period from September 2016 to Feb-March 2017 (up to 5th March) i.e. Autumn-Winter season (Season-1) at ARC-CSWRI and divided into four groups of 10 lambs in each group (T1-T4). In Phase-II, similar experiment was followed with the lambs born in spring-summer season (Season-II) during the period from early February 2017 (from 12th February) to early August 2017 (up to 12th August). Groups included T1-Sole grazing with traditional shelter (tree shade); T2-improved shelter (asbestos sheet-thatched roof/with curtains) with grazing; T3-improved nutrition and traditional shelter and T4- improved nutrition and improved shelter. In groups of (T3-T4) varying plane of nutrition was supplemented with creep mixture @ 1% of their body weight from 15 days of age to weaning while multinutrient mixture @ 1% of their body weight was provided from weaning up to six month of age in both seasons. There was wide variation in temperature and THI during the study period, which indicated that lambs were under thermal stress during various months of trial. Thermal stress caused alteration in mean values of serum proteins in control group (T1) which might be improved due to amelioration of the negative effects of thermal stress by provision of improved nutrition and shelter.Not Availabl