Virtual Reality-Based Experiential Model for Lost Historic Buildings

Historic buildings have always been facing severe threats of destruction. Historic buildings are the physical links to our past, and help in forming and imprinting a cultural memory within us. However, when a building gets totally destroyed, the resources available to learn about the past are very limited. The archaeological relics, photographs, sketches, textural records, etc. fail to create a complete picture of the lost structure in our mind due to their unorganized nature and lack of possibility to explore in and around the building. Virtual reality (VR) is an interactive technology that allows people to virtually walk inside built environments using digital tools, and enables us to experience them on a human scale. Virtual heritage (VH) applications have been a popular research area among the Architects, Archaeologists and Historians for more than two decades. Virtual heritage projects, excluding projects developed in the entertainment industry, are predominantly developed by researchers and academicians. These virtual heritage projects mainly focus on either the ‘Process’ (3D reconstruction mechanism) or the ‘Products’ (Virtual Reality systems) but do not consider the end-users, i.e. the ‘People’ going to use the system. Humans are cultural organisms and their cultural and demographical aspects differ from each other and hence the cultural interpretation, perception and reaction are subjective. Different cultural environment poses different meanings to different people. Hence, it is crucial to identify what end-users’ interests are in a virtual heritage environment in order to effectively educate about the past. This research attempts to investigate the experiences of users when a first-person Virtual Reality-based model of a lost building is presented to the visitors of the museum. the entertainment industry, are predominantly developed by researchers and academicians. These virtual heritage projects mainly focus on either the ‘Process’ (3D reconstruction mechanism) or the ‘Products’ (Virtual Reality systems) but do not consider the end-users, i.e. the ‘People’ going to use it. Humans are cultural organisms and their cultural and demographical aspects differ from each other and hence the cultural interpretation, perception and reaction are subjective. Different cultural environment poses different meanings to different people. Hence, it is crucial to identify what end-users’ interests are in a virtual heritage environment in order to effectively educate about the past. This research attempts to investigate the experiences of users when a first-person Virtual Reality-based model of a lost building is presented to the visitors of the museum

Bleaching of Sunflower Waste Oil by Absorption on Activated Carbon and Improved by Ozonisation

The present investigation attempts to bleach the sunflower waste oil which can be reused for many industrial applications. A comprehensive bleaching technology developed with activated carbon and liquid ozone under laboratory condition. Laboratory bleaching was performed with different concentrations of activated carbon (w/v) in a round bottom flask under a vacuum. During the bleaching process, coloring pigments like carotenoids, chlorophylls, gossypol, peroxides and other impurities are removed from the edible oil using activated carbon. The bleached oil was retreated with different concentrations of liquid ozone and incubated at room temperature (270C) for 24 to 120 hrs. The retreated oil samples were drawn at every interval of 24 hrs, analyzed and the bleaching capacity were measured with UV-VIS Spectrometer to measure light absorbance in the visible region at 455 nm. The absorbance values decreased with respect to the increased mass of activated carbon (w/v in %) and liquid ozone. Bleaching of crude oil with activated carbon and liquid ozone are affordable method for sunflower waste oil management and recycling

Possible role of Toxoplasma gondii in brain cancer through modulation of host microRNAs

Background: The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects humans and other warm-blooded animals and establishes a chronic infection in the central nervous system after invasion. Studies showing a positive correlation between anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and incidences of brain cancer have led to the notion that Toxoplasma infections increase the risk of brain cancer. However, molecular events involved in Toxoplasma induced brain cancers are not well understood. Presentation of the hypothesis Toxoplasma gains control of host cell functions including proliferation and apoptosis by channelizing parasite proteins into the cell cytoplasm and some of the proteins are targeted to the host nucleus. Recent studies have shown that Toxoplasma is capable of manipulating host micro RNAs (miRNAs), which play a central role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Therefore, we hypothesize that Toxoplasma promotes brain carcinogenesis by altering the host miRNAome using parasitic proteins and/or miRNAs. Testing the hypothesis The miRNA expression profiles of brain cancer specimens obtained from patients infected with Toxoplasma could be analyzed and compared with that of normal tissues as well as brain cancer tissues from Toxoplasma uninfected individuals to identify dysregulated miRNAs in Toxoplasma-driven brain cancer cells. Identified miRNAs will be further confirmed by studying cancer related miRNA profiles of the different types of brain cells before and after Toxoplasma infection using cell lines and experimental animals. Expected outcome The miRNAs specifically associated with brain cancers that are caused by Toxoplasma infection will be identified. Implications of the hypothesis Toxoplasma infection may promote initiation and progression of cancer by modifying the miRNAome in brain cells. If this hypothesis is true, the outcome of this research would lead to the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic tools against Toxoplasma driven brain cancers

Efficacy of Microalgae on the Removal of Pollutants from Wastewater

Expansion of urban populations, increased coverage of domestic water supply and sewerage give rise to greater quantities of municipal wastewater. With the current emphasis on environmental health and water pollution issues, there is an increasing discharge of waste water in developing countries. Present technologies in developing countries for treating waste water are not sufficient and cost effective. Chlorella vulgaris is a form of green microalgae efficient for pond-based wastewater treatment, rather than bacterial strains for their ability to flocculate Chlorella vulgaris in a culture suspension. A microbial flocculent would be significantly cheaper than traditional flocculants and is believed to be less potentially toxic than synthetic polymers which are currently available. Chlorella vulgaris absorbed more pollutant compared to Chlamydomonas sp., which reveals that Chlorella vulgaris is efficient than Chlamydomonas sp., for treating waste water.

Optimal selection of process parameters to reduce vibration during end milling of Al 356/SiC metal matrix composite

Machining performances are strongly influenced by vibration which occurs due to the dynamic nature of machine toolstructures. A self excited vibration commonly known as chatter is frequent debacle occurs during milling operations whichcause worsening outcomes such as excessive tool wear, poor surface finish and reduced tool life. In this paper an effort hasbeen tried to optimize the machining and geometrical parameters for reduced vibration using Taguchi method with greyrelational analysis during end milling of Al356/SiC metal matrix composites. The twin channel piezoelectric accelerometerhas been used to measure vibration. Acceleration amplitudes at two different positions, one in spindle and another in workpiece holder have been recorded for each experiment. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) have been applied to find theprominent parameters and the optimal parameter combination for best average response and signal to noise (S/N) ratio.Grey relational analysis has been implemented to find the optimal permutation of machining and geometrical parameters byconsidering both responses (acceleration amplitude taken at two different positions) simultaneously. Confirmation testsestablished that the grey-based Taguchi method has been successful in optimizing the process parameter for reducedvibration

Optimal selection of process parameters to reduce vibration during end milling of Al 356/SiC metal matrix composite

590-602Machining performances are strongly influenced by vibration which occurs due to the dynamic nature of machine tool structures. A self excited vibration commonly known as chatter is frequent debacle occurs during milling operations which cause worsening outcomes such as excessive tool wear, poor surface finish and reduced tool life. In this paper an effort has been tried to optimize the machining and geometrical parameters for reduced vibration using Taguchi method with grey relational analysis during end milling of Al356/SiC metal matrix composites. The twin channel piezoelectric accelerometer has been used to measure vibration. Acceleration amplitudes at two different positions, one in spindle and another in work piece holder have been recorded for each experiment. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) have been applied to find the prominent parameters and the optimal parameter combination for best average response and signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Grey relational analysis has been implemented to find the optimal permutation of machining and geometrical parameters by considering both responses (acceleration amplitude taken at two different positions) simultaneously. Confirmation tests established that the grey-based Taguchi method has been successful in optimizing the process parameter for reduced vibration

Linear friction weld process monitoring of fixture cassette deformations using empirical mode decomposition

Due to its inherent advantages, linear friction welding is a solid-state joining process of increasing importance to the aerospace, automotive, medical and power generation equipment industries. Tangential oscillations and forge stroke during the burn-off phase of the joining process introduce essential dynamic forces, which can also be detrimental to the welding process. Since burn-off is a critical phase in the manufacturing stage, process monitoring is fundamental for quality and stability control purposes. This study aims to improve workholding stability through the analysis of fixture cassette deformations. Methods and procedures for process monitoring are developed and implemented in a fail-or-pass assessment system for fixture cassette deformations during the burn-off phase. Additionally, the de-noised signals are compared to results from previous production runs. The observed deformations as a consequence of the forces acting on the fixture cassette are measured directly during the welding process. Data on the linear friction-welding machine are acquired and de-noised using empirical mode decomposition, before the burn-off phase is extracted. This approach enables a direct, objective comparison of the signal features with trends from previous successful welds. The capacity of the whole process monitoring system is validated and demonstrated through the analysis of a large number of signals obtained from welding experiments

Efficacy of Ancient Homa Therapy on Air Quality: A Case Study on Krishnarajendra Market Traffic Junction, Bengaluru City

Homa is a technical term from the Vedic science of bioenergy denoting the process of removing the toxic conditions of the atmosphere through the agency of fire. Air qualities during in the Krishnarajendra Market were monitored during homa and before homa. The detailed study of air quality on Krishnarajendra Market indicates that SPM, RSPM values have crossed permissible limit; SOX and NOX values in the study area are well within the prescribed ambient air quality standards, NAAQS- 2009 CPCB-Govt of India. Heavy metal pollution like Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Iron(Fe) and Lead (Pb) are recorded and the results indicate that lead and iron are the dominant metals in the ambient air in which lead (Pb) crossed permissible limit. Gaseous pollutions like oxides of Sulphur (Sox), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Carbon dioxide (CO2) slightly increased during homa. Biological air quality improved during homa. Biological pollution namely, bacterial and fungal numbers were decreased about 77.7% during homa. The study concludes that ancient Homa mitigating the bacterial and fungal pollution in air. Keyword

Potential Reduction in CO2 Emission and Saving in Electricity by Ground Source Heat Pump System for Space Heating Applications-A Study on Northern Part of India

AbstractGround source heat pump technology (GSHP) is an alternative solution for conventional heating and cooling systems. Due to its wide range of applications, the installed capacity of GSHP worldwide is increasing year by year. The installed GSHP systems are mainly concentrated in Western and European countries. The aim of the present study is to calculate the annual saving in electricity and CO2 by using GSHP during winter season in the northern region of India. This analysis is done by considering ten states under two different categories, first category of states with severe cold conditions and the second category of states with moderate cold conditions. Electricity and CO2 savings are calculated by comparing the conventional electric heating system with GSHP system under different COP conditions. The electricity used for space heating is calculated on the basis of population. Minimum electricity requirement for space heating in a year is around 1416.9 GW and CO2 emission for the production of this electricity is 1.078 million tons. The present study indicates that for the same heating load, the use of GSHP results in electricity saving to a minimum level of 708 GW and saving in CO2 emission is 0.539 million tons. Our analysis shows that an increase in COP of GSHP from 2 to 3 will reduce electricity consumption and CO2 production by about 25%. It is found that if GSHP is powered by renewable energy source, then the overall CO2 emission for the above heating load is only 0.049 million tons, which is 22 times less than the electric heating system powered by thermal power plants