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Structural, DC Conductivity and Electric Modulus Studies of Polypyrrole Praseodymium Manganite Nanocomposites
Get PDFPraseodymium Calcium Manganite (PCM) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. Polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole–praseodymium manganite nanocomposites (PPy/PCM) were synthesized by in-situ chemical polymerization method. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed good crystallinity with 42-63 nm average particle size. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) exhibited well-defined core structure of PPy and the PPy/PCM nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of PPy showed amorphous nature and those of composites showed semicrystalline nature. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to study the energy band gap for all the nanocomposites and hence they may find a place in wide band gap applications. The UV (231nm) and visible (363 nm and 377 nm) emissions were observed from the spectrum. DC conductivity was studied from 473 to 303 K for all the nanocomposites and found that conduction is of semiconductor type. Analysis of electric modulus confirmed the contribution from grain and grain boundary, non-Debye type relaxation and dc conductivity obeyed Correlated Barrier Hopping (CBH) model
Impact of Kalvi (Education) Television Channel in Learning Science among High School Students in Tamilnadu
No full textA student's academic performance is determined not only by the understanding of the subject in the school environment, but also by the student's ability to learn that subject at the school level. If the school environment is not friendly, this should provide students with another alternative teaching method, allowing them to study their subjects online. To meet their academic needs, teachers can choose any type of deal to share their lessons among students. Kalvi TV is the most important tool for the student community to fill gaps in subject and study skills. In the school curriculum, science subject is considered the most important factor in determining a student's success in future careers and other academic development.To strengthen students' scientific knowledge, we can teach science subject online and improve their study skills to become masters of science subject. To engage students and meet their needs without interrupting the school year, an alternative to Kalvi TV programming is the best TV broadcasts to improve their study skills and academic performance. Modern society provides students with various educational opportunities to study their subjects. However, some natural disasters can disrupt daily educational activities, thereby affecting students' learning. Note the need for some alternative arrangements to keep students' skills and knowledge up to date, etc. kalvi TV is one of the best media for students to study subjects within their own time constraints. Also, the level of students improving their expertise through the kalvi TV channel is at an average leve
Citations to popular science magazines: a case of Science Reporter
Get PDFPopular science magazines are not considered scholarly publications by the academic and scientific community. Publishing in popular science magazines is not considered for academic appraisals or career advancements. Because of this, many researchers who have a passion for creative writing shy away from publishing in science magazines. Even though there are studies that have used the ‘Cited Reference Search’ feature to rank non-indexed journals, no such studies were carried out to rank popular science magazines. In the present study, we analyzed the articles cited by various citation databases. The study found that a considerable number of articles published in Science Reporter, one of the oldest and most prominent English science magazines published in India, have found a place in various citation databases like JCR and Google Scholar. The results of the present study can be used to rank the quality of science magazines and popularize popular science writing among the scientific community
Study of the thermal behaviour of a derivative based on a zirconium agent (modified montmorillonite) and determination of the physical characteristics
Get PDFIn this research, untreated Algerian maghnite has been used to develop two types of modified clays: the first one is a homo-ionic sodium clay (Na-Mag) which is a support to develop a montmorillonite by insertion of zirconium hydroxyl cations. The different series of techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ζ), have been used to define the physical characteristics of the clays by studying their particle size distribution as well as the thermal profile. In addition, the pillar-shaped montmorillonite (Maghnite) exhibit a negative charge even when its pH reach 2.8. This large negative surface charge of montmorillonite suggests optimal removal of organic molecule particles present in the aqueous medium. The results obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis show that the bands characterizing the presence of intercalating agents are visible. Thermography of the zirconium pillar species shows an improvement in the thermal stability of the silicate structure with two well differentiated zones. Adsorbed organic cations result in a reduction of the surface load, that is, a decrease of its negativity, as well as a cancellation of the charge
Moisture management properties and drying behaviour of knitted fabrics for inner layer applications
Get PDFThe present research work is focused on moisture management properties and drying behaviour of various knitted fabrics for inner layer application. Nineteen knitted samples have been prepared by changing the blend percentage of wool/acrylic, number of filaments in polypropylene yarn and structure of knitted fabric. Yarns of different blend ratio of wool/acrylic fibre are used to knit fabrics of different structure. Polypropylene yarns having different number of filaments are also used to knit samples of different structure. These fabrics are tested for moisture management properties and drying behaviour. Wetting time, absorption rate, spreading speed, wetting radius, accumulative one-way transport index (AOWTI), overall moisture management capacity (OMMC), drying time and drying rate of the fabrics have been studied. It is observed that the overall performance of polypropylene knitted fabric and cotton knitted fabric are better as compared to the wool/acrylic having same structural parameters. The OMMC index of polypropylene plain knit, pile knit and cotton knit fabric is found as 0.70, 0.60 and 0.75 respectively. The polypropylene and cotton knitted fabrics shows better results than others in terms of the parameters, like maximum wetting radius, AOWTI, etc. Polypropylene knitted pile structure fabric shows minimum drying time (0.228 h) and zero residual moisture after wash at 90 min under standard conditions. So, it is found that the higher wool content in fabrics gives better moisture management and drying behaviour. Polypropylene fabrics having high number of filaments in the constituent yarn show better moisture management and drying behaviour than the wool/acrylic fabrics. Moisture management and drying behaviour of pile fabrics are better than the plain and rib fabrics
Fuzzy based Irrigation Control System for Indian Subcontinent
Get PDFWater resource usage should be optimized as there is always a scarcity. This paper aims to provide an efficient way of water using sense and weather data and implementing a fuzzy decision model. An automated intelligent watering system is proposed in this paper using the internet of things and fuzzy logic. The weather data, coupled with Temperature, Relative Humidity, and soil moisture sensor data, is used to decide whether to switch on/off the motor. In-house-created prototypes of ground-moving robots have soil moisture, digital humidity, and temperature sensors implanted in them. The soil moisture sensor is attached to the Rack and pinion mechanism. The soil moisture sensor is pushed into the soil when the pinion rotates. It minimizes the use of sensors by using a distributed sensing method. Based on data obtained from sensors and meteorological information, the system will use this information to decide whether to Switch on/off the sprinkler motor. A fuzzy logic-based system decision is implemented on the input sensor and weather data, and the model will decide to switch on/off the actuator. An accuracy of 97% is achieved. The Android app is used to visualize sensor data, based on which the farmer can manually control the motor
Synthesis and characterization of highly substituted pyrazoles using silicaphosphoric acid nanoparticles as a recoverable heterogeneous solid acid catalyst
Get PDFHighly substituted pyrazoles have been prepared by condensing 1,3-diketones and various hydrazine derivatives using silica-phosphoric acid nanoparticles (nano-SPA). This nano solid catalyst has been prepared by the reaction of nano silica chloride with dry phosphoric acid. This green methodology has advantages such as short reaction times, simple work-up, high efficiency, reusability of the catalyst and no use of any solvents
Development of two novel methods using sensors to operate the industrial over-lock machine for loco-motor disabled person
Get PDFIn this research, two sensor-based methods have been developed to operate industrial over-lock sewing machine, especially for loco-motor disabled person. Generally, the over-lock sewing machine is operated using foot pedal and this sensor based method eliminates the foot pedal and use alternative ways to sew garment. The method-1 uses a flex-touch sensor and method-2 uses a textile sensor integrated wearable hand glove to operate the over-lock sewing machine. The seam efficiency of over-lock stitches performed using both the methods (1 & 2) has been assessed and compared with that of normal foot pedal method. A variety of woven and knitted garments are sewed by implementing both the methods, and results are evaluated to calibrate and standardize the sensors/methods to encourage loco-motor disabled persons as self-employed sewing operators
Anticancer potential of methanol extract of seeds of Artocarpus hirsutus in human breast cancer cell lines
Get PDFArtocarpus hirsutus, belonging to the family Moraceae, is used traditionally for the treatment of skin problems, diarrhoea, snake bite and ulcers. In the present study, the methanol extracts of fruit seeds of A. hirsutus (MAH) (Wild jack) were investigated for the presence of phytochemicals and anticancer activities against human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Methanolic extraction was done using soxhlet. The phytochemicals were determined by conventional qualitative tests and GC-HRMS. Cytotoxicity study was conducted using MTT assay. Apoptotic changes produced by the plant extract in the treated cells were determined by acridine orange ethidium bromide and hoechst staining. Apoptotic pathway was analysed using JC-1 staining and molecular expressions of Bcl-2. Protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were studied by performing western blot and RT-qPCR respectively. In the cytotoxicity study, MAH exhibited significant (p<0.05) reduction in per cent cell viability. The IC50 value was found to be 65.47±9.51 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells and 64.05±9.3 μg/mL in MCF-7 cells. Microscopic studies in both the cells after MAH treatment revealed morphological and nuclear alterations which were characteristics of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Significant (p<0.05) down regulation in the expression of anti-apoptotic gene and protein Bcl-2 was observed which confirmed the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The present study revealed a concentration dependent anticancer activity of methanol extract of seeds of A. hirsutus mediated through intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.
Quality risk assessment on traditional immunity booster plants cultivators in Punjab, India
Get PDFIn the aftermath of the COVID-19, India has witnessed an increase in the demand for immunity boosting plants. The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India through National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has decided to emerge medicinal plants as an attractive farming option in view of generating income for farmers. The aim of this work was to identify quality gaps through a descriptive study on the farmers of Punjab cultivating immunity booster plants and also conduct a quality risk assessment study to recognize various critical agricultural materials, processes and their impact on the critical quality attributes to ensure the pre-determined quality of medicinal plants. The use of chemical fertilizers, less availability of quality planting material, poor awareness of agro-climatic suitability, and Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), were some of the problems in ensuring good quality of immunity booster plants. In order to fill these gaps, quality risk assessment studies identified critical materials and processes such as seed, fertilizers, pesticides, water, soil, authentication, sowing, site selection, phytoremediation, harvesting, drying, etc. that affected various quality attributes viz. yield, active constituents, toxicity indicators, physicochemical ranges and microbial load of immunity booster plants. Maintaining consistency is one of the major hurdles in agriculture due to several interfering biological and other factors, hence this quality risk assessment technique would enable farmer to fine-tune parameters by evaluating possible interactions with in-depth understanding.