A Framework for Optimizing the Process of Energy Harvesting from Ambient RF Sources

Energy harvesting has been an active research topic in the past half a decade with respect to wireless networks. We reviewed some of the recent techniques towards improving energy harvesting performance to find that there is a large scope of improvement in terms of optimization and addressing problems pertaining to low-powered communicating mobile nodes. Therefore, we present a framework for identifying available RF sources of energy and constructing a robust link between the energy source and the mobile device. We apply linear optimization approach to enhance the performance of energy harvesting. Probabilility theory is used for identification of event loss in the presence of different number of nodes as well as node distances. The objective of the proposed system is to offer better availability of RF signals as well as better probability of energy harvesting for mobile devices. The proposed technique is also found to be computationally cost effective

A novel and discernible plate assay method for the qualitative screening of bacterial keratinases

174-180Routinely, qualitative screening for keratinolytic activity exhibited by microorganisms is carried out on feather agar medium, containing keratin as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Formation of a clear zone of keratin hydrolysis may observed directly on feather agar medium or after flooding the plates with either 5% (w/v) trichloro acetic acid (TCA) or Commassie brilliant blue dye (CBB R-250) for 30 minutes followed by destaining. The main drawback of these methods is that the hydrolyzed area is not sharply discernible which makes judgment very difficult. Hence, an improved, novel and sharply discernible plate assay method is reported herein for the detection of extracellular keratinases production by bacteria and actinomycetes. In this method, feather agar plates are flooded with Gram’s iodine, which formed a bluish black complex with keratin but not with hydrolyzed keratin, giving sharp and distinct zones around the keratinase producing microbial colonies within 3 to 5 minutes. This new method being rapid as well as more effective than other methods in terms of visualization and measurement of zone size could easily be performed for screening a large number of microbial cultures

Histopathology of placenta in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

Background: Birth of healthy term baby depends on normal placenta. IUGR is a condition associated with placental insufficiency. There is a close relationship between IUGR and placental qualitative changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological and histological changes in placentas of IUGR fetuses and in placentas of normal uncomplicated pregnancies and to determine the relationship that exists between morphological change and frequency of IUGR.Methods: In a cross sectional study conducted in the department of Pathology, GMC Jammu, a total of 60 placenta were received, 30 placenta of IUGR fetus (group 1-case) and 30 placenta of uncomplicated pregnancy with normal single fetus (group 2-control). Exclusion criteria: Twin pregnancy, gestational hypertension, diabetes, congenital anomaly, antepartum hemorrhage and systemic disorder.Results: Placental weights in IUGR group were significantly lower than control group. Average placental weight in IUGR group was 425 gms while in the control group (normal placenta) it was 550 gms. Infarction, intervillous thrombosis, chorionic villitis, hemorrhagic endovasculitis, placental intravascular thrombi, perivillous fibrin deposition, fibrinoid necrosis and villous edema were found to be more common in IUGR group (Group 1-case group) than Normal (Group 2- control group).Conclusions: This study highlightened that significant pathological differences were found between the placentas of IUGR fetus and normal fetus. The gross and microscopic measurement of a placenta is a good way to get proper information about IUGR and helps in management of the pregnancy

Effects of opening in shear walls of 30- storey building

Tall towers and multi-storey buildings have fascinated mankind from the beginning of civilization, their construction being initially for defense and subsequently for ecclesiastical purposes. These tall buildings because of its height, is affected by lateral forces due to wind or earthquake actions tends to snap the building in shear and push it over in bending. In general, the rigidity (i.e. Resistance to lateral deflection) and stability (i.e. Resistance to overturning moments) requirement become more important. Shear walls (Structural walls) contribute significant lateral stiffness, strength, and overall ductility and energy dissipation capacity. In many structural walls a regular pattern of openings has to be provided due to various functional requirements such as to accommodate doors, windows and service ducts. Such type of openings reduces the stiffness of the shear wall to some extent depending on the shape and size of the opening. In the present parametric study, efforts are made to investigate and critically assess the effects of various size of openings in shear walls on the responses and behaviors of multi-storey buildings. The 30 storey Prototype buildings with different types of openings in shear wall with and without incorporating the volume of shear wall reduced in the boundary elements are analyzed using software E-TABS using Response spectrum method (1893(Part-1)-2002) and Time history method

Review of urine formation in Ayurveda

Urinary system (Mutravaha samsthana) of human body is explained in several Ayurveda text books and is meant for the formation and excretion of Mutra (Urine). Urine formation has major role in human physiology. Though there was no availability of microscope, the vision of Apta jana is so clear that the Mutra Nirrman Vidhi is highly appreciable. Ahara is said as Upstambha which after digestion is transformed into nutritive part (Ahara Rasa) and waste product (Urine and feces). The process of Mutra Nirman in Ayurveda is very controversial, so author have tried to prove that Ayurvedic concept of Mutra Nirman is how much scientific

Rhizosphere biology of aquatic microbes in order to access their bioremediation potential along with different aquatic macrophytes

Background: Contamination of the aquatic environment by toxic metal ions is a serious pollution problem. Aim: This study reviews the role of different Rhizospheric bacteria in bioremediation along with aquatic macrophytes. Methods and Materials: Literature searches were done to identify relevant studies in the concerned area. Results: Natural resources including plants and microorganisms are extensively explored to combat metal ion pollution. Certain compounds produced by bacteria have been shown to promote plant growth. Rhizospheric micro-organisms are well known for their coexistence with plants and for providing nutrition to plants. It was recently reported that these organisms facilitate the uptake of essential elements, such as iron, copper and zinc. Eichhornia crassipes showed increased removal efficiency of heavy metals through the activity of its Rhizospheric bacteria. The highly versatile metabolic capabilities of fungi and bacteria can be applied to reclaim polluted ecosystems and minimize the potential adverse effects of hazardous chemicals released to the environment. However, sufficient consortia of microorganisms, capable of degrading the contaminant(s), must be present, and environmental conditions conducive to degradation must be maintained. Conclusion: Moreover, the information presented, herein illustrates the potential for Rhizosphere microbial communities to remediate systems through biotransformation of hazardous organic compounds in the root zone. Future research in this area should include investigations of the possible role and characterization of the microorganisms associated with different plant species and different histories of toxicant exposure

Excess entropy, Diffusivity and Structural Order in liquids with water-like anomalies

The excess entropy, Se, defined as the difference between the entropies of the liquid and the ideal gas under identical density and temperature conditions, is shown to be the critical quantity connecting the structural, diffusional and density anomalies in water-like liquids. Based on simulations of silica and the two-scale ramp liquids, water-like density and diffusional anomalies can be seen as consequences of a characteristic non-monotonic density dependence of Se. The relationship between excess entropy, the order metrics and the structural anomaly can be understood using a pair correlation approximation to Se.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figues in ps forma