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Improved Photocatalytic Activity of g-C3N4/ZnO: A PotentialDirect Z-Scheme Nanocomposite
In this study, a Z-scheme g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using exfoliation process, which was further characterized using XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, SEM-EDAX, PL, EIS, and TGA techniques. The properties of g-C3N4 were enhanced when fabricated with ZnO resulting in a better electron mobility, high redox potential, and excellent semiconducting properties. The performance of this heterostructure was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG) under visible light irradiation. The g-C3N4/ZnO heterostructure achieved a degradation of 84.3 % within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The degradation reaction follows a pseudo first-order kinetic model with a reaction rate constant of 0.0329 min?1. The nanocomposite demonstrated outstanding stability and recyclability. 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH -
Modified Rice Husk Silica from Biowaste: An Efficient Catalyst for Transesterification of Diethyl Malonate and Benzyl Alcohol
Abstract: Molybdenum and lanthanum oxide modified silica-based catalysts were prepared from the agricultural waste rice husk. These synthesized catalysts were characterized by various spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic techniques. The catalytic performance was investigated by transesterification reaction between diethyl malonate and benzyl alcohol in the liquid phase using modified silica as a heterogeneous catalyst. Molybdenum modified silica-based catalyst showed the highest conversion efficiency of 95.6% and selectivity of 96.8% for dibenzyl malonate. The reaction conditions were optimized to give maximum efficiency with the highest selectivity in a solvent-free green method. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2019, Springer Nature B.V. -
Long-term optical and infrared variability characteristics of Fermi blazars
We present long-term optical and near-infrared flux variability analysis of 37 blazars detected in the ?-ray band by the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. Among them, 30 are flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 7 are BL Lac objects (BL Lacs). The photometric data in the optical (BVR) and infrared (JK) bands were from the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System acquired between 2008-2018. From cross-correlation analysis of the light curves at different wavelengths, we did not find significant time delays between variations at different wavelengths, except for three sources, namely PKS 1144-379, PKS B1424-418, and 3C 273. For the blazars with both B- and J-band data, we found that in a majority of FSRQs and BL Lacs, the amplitude of variability (?m) in the J band is larger than that in B band, consistent with the dominance of the non-thermal jet over the thermal accretion disc component. Considering FSRQs and BL Lacs as a sample, there are indications of ?m to increase gradually towards longer wavelengths in both, however, found to be statistically significant only between B and J bands in FSRQs. In the B-J v/s J-colour magnitude diagram, we noticed complicated spectral variability patterns. Most of the objects showed a redder when brighter (RWB) behaviour. Few objects showed a bluer when brighter (BWB) trend, while in some objects both BWB and RWB behaviours were noticed. These results on flux and colour characteristics indicate that the jet emission of FSRQs and BL Lacs is indistinguishable. 2020 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. -
Lora-WAN Powered by Renewable Energy, and Its Operation with Siri / Google Assistant
LoRa WAN is a newly emerged game changing communication technology for sending small data packets of size 50 bytes or less, wirelessly over an area of up to 10 Km without the need of an internet connection. LoRa WAN has its own frequency band and the band is different for every country. This technology is now starring to boost WSN technology better than ever before. This paper aims to, power up a LoRa Enabled Device or a LoRa Gateway by using a reliable dual mode non-conventional energy resource for storage and utilization, find peak performances altering the data rate that can be achieved in a LoRa WAN Communication (using Indoor RAK Gateway), make use data compression techniques, data packet encoding/decoding, Coding Apple Shortcuts, setting up Siri and Google Assistant for voice control and future scope. 2020, Asian Research Association. All rights reserved. -
Unique Host Matrix to Disperse Pd Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Sensing of Morin: Sustainable Engineering Approach
Biomass-based carbon nanospheres derived from Mimosa pudica (commonly called "Touch-me-not") smeared on carbon fiber paper have been used as a host matrix for electrochemical deposition of palladium nanoparticles. The physicochemical characterization of modified electrodes was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the electroanalytical properties of the electrodes. The modified electrode demostrated an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of a flavonoid, morin, which gave a sensitive anodic peak at-0.30 V (vs SCE). An ultralow-level detection limit of 572 fM with a linear dynamic range of 37.50-130 pM was achieved. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully employed for the analysis of morin in mulberry and guava leaves. This is a sustainable engineering approach where a perfect unique host matrix is created using carbon nanospheres from biomass. Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society. -
A distinctive symmetric analyzation of improving air quality using multi-criteria decision making method under uncertainty conditions
This world has a wide range of technologies and possibilities that are available to control air pollution. Still, finding the best solution to control the contamination of the air without having any impact on humans is a complicated task. This proposal helps to improve the air quality using the multi-criteria decision making method. The decision to improve air quality is a challenging problem with todays technology and environmental development level. The multi-criteria decision making method is quite often faced with conditions of uncertainty, which can be tackled by employing fuzzy set theory. In this paper, based on an objective weighting method (CCSD), we explore the improved fuzzy MULTIMOORA approach. We use the classical Interval-Valued Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (IVTFNs), viz. the symmetric lower and upper triangular numbers, as the basis. The triangular fuzzy number is identified by the triplets; the lowest, the most promising, and the highest possible values, symmetric with respect to the most promising value. When the lower and upper membership functions are equated to one, we get the normalized interval-valued triangular fuzzy numbers, which consist of symmetric intervals. We evaluate five alternatives among the four criteria using an improved MULTIMOORA method and select the best method for improving air quality in Tamil Nadu, India. Finally, a numerical example is illustrated to show the efficiency of the proposed method. 2020, MDPI AG. All rights reserved. -
Covid-19 and indian commerce: an analysis of fast moving consumer goods (Fmcg), and retail industries of tomorrow
Introduction: This paper examines the effect of COVID-19 on Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Retail industries of India and examines emerging trends in these markets. Background: COVID-19 has impacted our lives from all the fronts. Businesses and Global Commerce will never be the same once the world restarts post COVID-19. Multiple new trends like Direct to Consumer model(D2C), Omnichannel fulfilment, etc. would emerge in the industries of tomorrow. Macroeconomic Dynamics, consumer behaviour and supply-side disruptions form a complex network that drives these trends in the economy. This network has to be studied to proactively identify the emerging trends in the industry. Methods: Existing literature on COVID-19 and its effect on business and commerce in India were retrieved through secondary research. The retrieved literature was analyzed to identify emerging trends. Conclusion: Emerging trends in FMCG and Retail industry suggest that the previously existing layers of wholesalers, distribu-tors, etc. between the producer and the end consumer is being eliminated. Companies are leveraging technology to achieve direct distribution and thus, are getting closer to the customer. 2020 Global Research Online. All rights reserved. -
RayleighBard convection in a non-Newtonian dielectric fluid with MaxwellCattaneo law under the effect of internal heat generation/consumption
Purpose: The study of instability due to the effects of MaxwellCattaneo law and internal heat source/sink on Casson dielectric fluid horizontal layer is an open question. Therefore, in this paper, the impact of internal heat generation/absorption on RayleighBard convection in a non-Newtonian dielectric fluid with MaxwellCattaneo heat flux is investigated. The horizontal layer of the fluid is cooled from the upper boundary, while an isothermal boundary condition is utilized at the lower boundary. Design/methodology/approach: The Casson fluid model is utilized to characterize the non-Newtonian fluid behavior. The horizontal layer of the fluid is cooled from the upper boundary, while an isothermal boundary condition is utilized at the lower boundary. The governing equations are non-dimensionalized using appropriate dimensionless variables and the subsequent equations are solved for the critical Rayleigh number using the normal mode technique (NMT). Findings: Results are presented for two different cases namely dielectric Newtonian fluid (DNF) and dielectric non-Newtonian Casson fluid (DNCF). The effects of Cattaneo number, Casson fluid parameter, heat source/sink parameter on critical Rayleigh number and wavenumber are analyzed in detail. It is found that the value Rayleigh number for non-Newtonian fluid is higher than that of Newtonian fluid; also the heat source aspect decreases the magnitude of the Rayleigh number. Originality/value: The effect of MaxwellCattaneo heat flux and internal heat source/sink on Rayleigh-Bard convection in Casson dielectric fluid is investigated for the first time. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Designing Biomass Rice Husk Silica as an Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Biofuel Additive n-Butyl Levulinate
The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass levulinic acid to biorefinery platform organic component n-butyl levulinate is done by an eco-friendly process. The catalyst used for this reaction was prepared by an innovative strategy of impregnating CeO2 and Sm2O3 on silica derived from rice husk, biomass of low economic value, using different methods. The impregnation of ceria and samaria into the silica framework led to a change in the textural properties which was confirmed by various spectroscopic methods. A comprehensive study of the influence of reaction parameters on the esterification of levulinic acid with n-butanol revealed the optimum conditions for maximum yield and selectivity. In the solvent-free condition, the reaction achieved 94.9% conversion of levulinic acid and 97.2% selectivity of n-butyl levulinate within a duration of 1.5h. The regenerated catalysts were stable and efficient up to four cycles. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Mixed radiated magneto Casson fluid flow with Arrhenius activation energy and Newtonian heating effects: Flow and sensitivity analysis
The characteristics of Stefan blowing effects in a magneto-hydrodynamic flow of a Casson fluid past a stretching sheet are investigated. The effects of radiation, heat source/sink, Newtonian heating, Arrhenius activation energy and binary chemical reaction are considered for heat and mass transfer analysis. The homotopy analysis method (HAM) was utilised to solve the transformed non-dimensionalized equations analytically. The impact of various physical parameters affecting the flow are investigated. Further, the relationship of various parameters on the skin friction and rate of heat and mass transfer was explored using correlation and probable error. A sensitivity analysis was carried out based on the Response Surface Methodology to analyse the effect of Stefan blowing parameter, magnetic parameter and stretching/shrinking parameter on the reduced Nusselt number and reduced Sherwood number. A constant positive sensitivity for the reduced Nusselt number towards the Stefan blowing parameter for all levels of magnetic parameter and stretching/shrinking parameter was found. Further, the reduced Sherwood number indicated a negative sensitivity towards the Stefan blowing parameter. 2020 Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University -
Synthetic polymer hydrogels as potential tissue phantoms in radiation therapy and dosimetry
The efficacy of synthetic polymers as hydrogel phantoms for radiation therapy and dosimetry has been investigated for photon and charged particle (electron, proton and alpha particle) interactions. Tissue equivalence has been studied in terms of photon mass energy-absorption coefficients, KERMA (kinetic energy released per unit mass), equivalent atomic number and energy absorption build-up factors, relative to human tissues (skin, soft tissue, cortical bone and skeletal muscle), in the energy range 0.015-15 MeV. For charged particle interactions, ratio of effective atomic number is examined for tissue-equivalence in the energy region of 10 keV-1 GeV. Well established theoretical formulations are used for computation of photon mass-energy absorption effective atomic number, electron density and KERMA. Five-parameter geometric progression (G-P) fitting approximation is used to compute the values of energy absorption build-up factors. Effective atomic number for charged particle interaction is determined using logarithmic interpolation method. Using the analytical methodology, it has been revealed that all the selected synthetic polymers have good tissue-equivalence relative to all tissue except cortical bone. In particular, polyglycolic acid (PGA) and poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) prove to be best substitute material for photon interactions. On the other hand, % difference between effective atomic number for charged particle relative to human tissues is found least for polyethylene glycol (PEG) demonstrating adequate tissue-equivalence. Therefore, the present study is expected to be useful to choose most appropriate phantom material for radiation therapy. 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd. -
Study of mineral and nutritional composition of some seaweeds found along the coast of Gulf of Mannar, India
The presence of Algae on the Earth is ubiquitous. The industry that widely uses algae is food industry, where the algae are used as a food supplement and also as an addition to the nutrient rich food. This study emphasizes on the mineral and nutritional composition of the selected fourteen algal species which are abundantly found along the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. The selected species of algae belong to different algal families such as Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta. The amount of minerals such as Ca, Zn, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, and Cu were estimated by employing the method of acid digestion followed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. We estimated the nutritional content based on the assessment of total protein, carbohydrate, phenol, ash and moisture contents of the algal species. The results based on the analysis of the mineral content in the algal seaweeds depicted that the seaweeds comprised of high amount of the macro minerals and trace minerals. Estimation of nutritional composition revealed that these algal species are rich in protein and carbohydrate. The ash contents were found to be very high in Jania rubens (86.66%), Padina boergesenii (85%) and Valoniopsis pachynema (84%). Based on the present study we infer that the algal seaweeds contained high amount of the nutritional compounds, which might pave the way for a higher standard of nutritional supply to the humans in the future. Jose & Xavier (2020). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). -
Cryptic species and taxonomic troubles: A rebuttal of the systematic treatment of the Asian ladies' tresses orchids (Spiranthes species; Orchidaceae) by Pace et al. (2019)
In a recent research article by Pace et al. (2019), the authors claimed to have used information from phenology, morphology and molecular phylogenetics in their nomenclatural review of the Spiranthes sinensis complex. However, there are several scientific and botanical nomenclature issues with the Pace et al. (2019) paper in addition to its many errors and misinformation, which can be severely misleading and have the potential to affect our understanding of the highly complex Asian Spiranthes group. Here, we compare and critique their study in light of our study published prior to the article in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. We suggest that the authors should have resorted to improved and new molecular data and a truly integrative analysis to support: (1) re-circumscription of the S. sinensis species complex for each of the six species they recognized, and the treatment of S. hongkongensis as a hybrid; and (2) all the new synonymies they proposed for Asian Spiranthes. 2020 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2020, 194, 375-381 -
A Review on Flood Prediction Algorithms and A Deep Neural Network Model for Estimation of Flood Occurrence
Flood occurs as often as possible happens due to many environmental changes in our planet in the present years. The occurrence and damages caused by flood is very high. Major cause of flood is due to heavy rainfall which in turn increases the water level of the rivers and other water bodies. The various factors that play a major role in the occurrence of rainfall are rise in temperature, humidity level, dew point, pressure in and around the area of concern, wind speed, etc. In order to reduce the number of victims due to flood it is necessary to have a system to predict flood occurrence. In this paper, we classify and analyzed the various prediction algorithms which show usage of Deep Neural Network produces better results. In addition, a design model has been proposed to predict the flood by training the Deep Neural Network with the above-mentioned factors. 2020, Asian Research Association. All rights reserved. -
Impact of social-emotional learning intervention on emotional intelligence of adolescents
Adolescents face a variety of challenges, some of which include social, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal. In order to help them with their emotions, adolescents should be taught a variety of skills to regulate and handle emotions better. With this intent in mind, a social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention module was developed by the researchers. This module covered aspects related to self-awareness, social awareness, responsibility, empathy and decision-making. These components also form the basis for emotional intelligence (EI) which is defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions of oneself and others. The present study aimed to understand if there arises any difference in scores of EI post the SEL intervention. Second, the gender differences with respect to EI were also be analyzed. The EI Scale (2014) was administered to 80 students between the age group of 13-14 years, from a CBSE school in Chennai. These adolescents were selected through the convenience sampling, and the four subscales were also analyzed. The findings from the study revealed a significant difference in scores from pretest to posttest (t = -4.66, P < 0.05). With respect to gender, no significant difference was found. On the subscales, two of four subscales showed significant difference in understanding emotions (Z = -4.63, P < 0.05) and handling emotions (Z = -4.023, P < 0.05). Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry. All Rights Reserved. -
Zirconia Supported on Rice Husk Silica from Biowaste: A Novel, Efficient, and Recoverable Nanocatalyst for the Green Synthesis of Tetrahydro-1-benzopyrans
Abstract: Zirconia supported silica from rice husk (an agricultural waste) has been utilized as a novel and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of bioactive tetrahydro-1-benzopyran derivatives via multicomponent condensation of various aldehydes with dimedone and malononitrile. This protocol offers various advantages such as high yields, simple experimental work-up procedure, short reaction time, no by-products, economic availability, easy purification, and reusability of the catalyst. 2020, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. -
Static voltage stability of reconfigurable radial distribution system considering voltage dependent load models
This paper presents the static voltage stability analysis of RDS. Initially the performance of RDS is evaluated using backward/forward load flow considering voltage-dependent load modeling. Later, the load flow solution is used for determining the static voltage stability of the system. The analysis is performed for different type of loads such as constant power, constant current, constant impedance, residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural and electric vehicle loads. The simulations are performed for standard and optimal reconfigured topology of standard IEEE 33-bus test system. The comparative study reveals the importance of load type and topology while assessing the static stability analysis of radial distribution systems. 2020, International Information and Engineering Technology Association. -
Optimal Feature Selection for the Classification of Hyperspectral Imagery Using Adaptive SpectralSpatial Clustering
Hyperspectral images captured through the hyperspectral sensors play an imperative part in remote sensing applications in the present context. Unlike traditional images sensed with few bands in the visible spectrum, the hyperspectral (HS) images are obtained with hundreds of spectral band ranges from infrared to ultraviolet regions. Because of its vast spatial and spectral data, it requires an extensive computational system for processing and its hidden features are needed to be unveiled in an effective manner specifically for the classification of HS imagery. This approach exploits the high spectral band correlation and rich spatial information of the HS images for the generation of feature vectors. To attain optimal feature space for the best probable classification, an adaptive approach is incorporated to adaptively choose spectralspatial features for feature selection to classify the pixels effectively. Furthermore, the HS image encompasses several bands including noisy bands. To categorize the images with great accuracy, it is suggested to eradicate the noisy bands whilst retaining the informative bands. In this research, an adaptive spectralspatial feature selection scheme is proposed for HS images where the extremely correlated representative bands are considered for analysis with uncorrelated and noisy spectral bands are judiciously discarded during its classification process. This hybrid approach not merely diminishes the computational time and also improves the general classification accuracy significantly. The empirical result displays that the proposed work surpasses the conventional approach of HS image classification systems. 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Exploring the dream pattern among the nightshift workers: A qualitative study
Nightshift workers are increasing day by day, but many times, people forget the health and sleep effects caused by the nightshift. One such impact is the altered circadian rhythm, which is very important for proper functioning of the body and a good sleep. This altered circadian rhythm can have an impact on waking and sleep life of the nightshift workers. This qualitative study is to find the dream pattern among the nightshift workers and to find the frequency in dreaming among this group. Dreams are the reflections of the waking life and dream patterns are seen among groups sharing similar wake life experiences. This study is conducted with nine nightshift and nine dayshift workers, dream journal was used to collect the dreams from the participants. The frequency of dreaming is seen more among the nightshift workers. The dream patterns among both the groups are similar but there are dreams that make the nightshift group different from the dayshift. The dreams of the nightshift group includes mainly their friends and the feelings of being stuck/in danger. Also, their dreams were more fantastic in nature and have more emotional content. The study shows that sexual dreams are seen majorly among the nightshift group. This finding can be further used to conduct researches on the impact of nightshift on the sexual health and overall well being of nightshift workers and the reflection of the same in their dreams. 2020. All Rights Reserved. -
Piperine, an alkaloid of black pepper seeds can effectively inhibit the antiviral enzymes of Dengue and Ebola viruses, an in silico molecular docking study
Ebola and Dengue are the critical diseases caused by RNA viruses, especially in the tropical parts of the globe, including Asia and Africa, and no prominent therapeutic options are available so far. Here, an effort was made to evaluate the efficacy of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) alkaloid Piperine as a potential drug through computational docking simulation. Eight structurally essential proteins of Dengue and Ebola virus were selected as in silico docking targets for Piperine. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion profile showed that Piperine was safe and possessed significant drug-like properties. Molecular dynamic simulation and binding free energy calculation showed that Piperine could inhibit Methyltransferase (PDB id 1L9K) of Dengue and VP35 Interferon Inhibitory Domain (PDB id 3FKE) of Ebola virus in comparison with the commercial antiviral Ribavirin. Furthermore, statistical analysis based on multivariate and clustering approaches revealed that Piperine had more affinity towards viral proteins than that of Ribavirin. 2020, Indian Virological Society.