11563 research outputs found
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Re-galvanizing water and crop management using remote sensing-based techniques
No full textEfficient irrigation management remains a critical challenge in modern agriculture, particularly in regions where water resources are limited and traditional practices lead to low water use efficiency and poor crop performance. Integrating satellite-based remote sensing with irrigation operations can be one of the solutions for optimizing irrigation scheduling and enhancing yield. We have estimated rabi season crop water requirements for the Dashela, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, covering an area of approximately 3,500 hectares (ha) using remote sensing techniques. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to identify significant crops in the area and then computed vegetation indices NDVI, NDMI, and EVI to monitor crop health and phenology. For crop classification, Ground truth data were collected through field visits and performed supervised classification within a GIS environment. It was found that castor (968.61 ha), wheat (915.07 ha), and potato (344.46 ha) were significant crops in the area. Next, using the crop coefficient method, the water requirements of different crops during different stages were estimated. The rabi seasonal water demand was 8.33 million cubic meters (MCM) for castor, 4.65 MCM for wheat, and 1.29 MCM for potato crops. Crop yields were estimated using the semi-physical approach by integrating APAR, intercepted PAR, and radiation use efficiency. The crop yields of castor, wheat, and potato were estimated to be 2.38 t/ha, 3.25 t/ha, and 27.28 t/ha respectively. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of remote sensing as a tool for decision-makers in the planning and performance evolution of irrigation and agricultural schemes, which can enhance productivity and resource-use efficiency in semi-arid farming systems
Next-Generation Cancer Theragnostic: Applications of Carbon Quantum Dots
No full textCarbon quantum dots (CQDs) are carbon-based nanoparticles that have some unique properties like fluorescence, surface chemistry, nanoscale size, low toxicity, and high photostability, which makes them applicable for various applications like bioimaging and photoacoustic imaging, enabling early tumor detection, drug delivery, and biosensing. CQDs can be tuned with functional groups and targeting ligands for specific tumor identification and surveillance. They also generate reactive oxygen species upon light irradiation, making them suitable for photodynamic therapy, a noninvasive cancer treatment. Additionally, CQDs can be encapsulated with therapeutic agents for targeted delivery to tumors, reducing off-target effects and enhancing treatment efficacy. They serve as biosensors for detecting cancer biomarkers, aiding early diagnosis and personalized treatment. CQDs can be combined with other nanomaterials to create multifunctional imaging, therapeutic, and drug-delivery platforms. Future research will focus on developing smart, responsive CQDs and integrating them with artificial intelligence for improved cancer management
A Parametric Study on Factors Affecting the Performance of Deep Mixed Soil Systems Using PLAXIS 3D
No full textDeep soil mixing (DSM) is an in-situ soil mixing process using binders like cement, lime, and flyash in slurry or powder form to create a column-like structure to enhance soil strength with reduced permeability and compressibility. The DSM technique has advantages like quick construction, lower noise and vibrations, and environmental friendly implementation. This technique has variety of applications for temporary and permanent structures in soft clays, loose deposits, and organic soils for both onshore and offshore construction. Before DSM technique is applied in field, laboratory experimental trials are necessary to finalize the optimum binder dosage and water-binder ratio. However, it is not always economical/feasible to perform detailed experimental studies for DSM. The solution for such issues is using numerical analysis with software like PLAXIS 3D. Furthermore, such studies help in extrapolation of results for different cases that are not experimentally studied. In current study, numerical analysis using PLAXIS 3D has been performed for embankment (with and without surcharge load) supported on deep soil mixed column (DSMC) modified soft clay. The preliminary investigation using PLAXIS 3D modeling for boundary sensitivity, meshing, and plane strain conditions have been accomplished and parametric studies by varying DSMC diameter and length have been carried to compare the settlement and excess pore water pressure characteristics. The maximum settlement and pore water pressure values were noted to be significantly reduce, viz. settlement reduces from 0.561 m to 0.080 m and excess pore water pressure from 21.19 kPa to 6.03 kPa, respectively, for soil combinations with and without DSMC. It is opined that such studies would be useful in optimizing the DSM design for different infrastructure projects that require ground improvement
A framework to integrate conditional simulation of multicomponent spatially varying ground motion field with seismic performance assessment and its application to medium-span bridges
No full textThe routine practice of seismic design and performance assessment employs three translational components of ground motion, but their spatial variability is rarely considered. A comprehensive framework that integrates the conditional simulation of multicomponent (three translational and three rotational) spatially varying ground motion field (accounting for the site-specific epistemic uncertainties) with the seismic performance assessment of a structure is not yet explored in the prior art. Along the same line, this paper is aimed to develop such a comprehensive framework and demonstrating its application to a medium-span reinforced concrete highway bridge. This is to offer dual objectives: i) understanding the influence of Spatially varying ground motion (SVGM) field on different engineering demand parameters (EDPs); and ii) influence of multicomponent excitation on the EDPs. Two types of bridges, namely, one simply supported and one 4-span continuous, are considered for this purpose. Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) employing the logic tree approach is carried out for selection and scaling of translational ground motion components. Conditional simulation of SVGM field for translational components is carried out using an evolutionary power spectral density-based framework accounting for the coherency and site-specific effects. Subsequently, the rotational components at each station are extracted using a single-station procedure. Nonlinear time history analysis of the bridge is carried out while considering various combinations of translational and rotational components of ground motion, and the results from SVGM field are compared with that computed using spatially uniform ground motion (SUGM). Overall, the nature and extent of influence contributed from the consideration of multicomponent SVGM field is contingent to the EDPs of interest as well as the structural configuration. The demand for a given EDP when subjected to SVGM field may either be amplified or deamplified depending on the structural configuration
Collective dissipation of oscillator dipoles strongly coupled to one-dimensional electromagnetic reservoirs
No full textWe study the collective dissipative dynamics of dipoles modeled as harmonic oscillators coupled to one-dimensional electromagnetic reservoirs. The bosonic nature of the dipole oscillators as well as the reservoir modes allows an exact numerical simulation of the dynamics for arbitrary coupling strengths. At weak coupling, apart from essentially recovering the dynamics expected from a Markovian Lindblad master equation, we also obtain non-Markovian effects for spatially separated two-level emitters. In the so-called ultrastrong coupling regime, we find the dynamics and steady state depends on the choice of the reservoir which is chosen as either an ideal cavity with equispaced, unbounded dispersion or a cavity array with a bounded dispersion. Moreover, at even higher coupling strengths, we find a decoupling between the light and matter degrees of freedom attributable to the increased importance of the diamagnetic term in the Hamiltonian. In this regime we find that the dependence of the dynamics on the separation between the dipoles is not important and the dynamics is dominated by the occupation of the polariton mode of lowest energy
Injectable self-healing dynamic aldehyde-gellan gum-based hydrogel nanocomposite with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant wound dressing to alleviate chronic skin wound
No full textThe difficult-to-heal wounds present a significant challenge for current treatment modalities due to factors such as impaired tissue microenvironments, disrupted inflammatory balance, impaired cellular proliferation, and opportunistic bacterial infections. Drawing inspiration from the biocompatibility of biological macromolecules, we fabricated injectable nanocomposite hydrogels using oxidized gellan gum, gelatin, and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The hydrogels demonstrated remarkable shear-thinning properties due to the reversible imine bonds. The incorporation of quercetin-loaded zein nanoparticles (QZnps) further enhanced the bioactivity of the hydrogels, including improved cell proliferation, antibacterial efficacy, and controlled release of quercetin in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that these engineered nanocomposite hydrogels significantly accelerated wound contraction rates in full-thickness wounds in rats. This was achieved through enhanced collagen deposition, optimized re-epithelialization, tissue remodeling, and the restoration of inflammatory balance. These dynamic QZnps-loaded nanocomposite hydrogels offer a promising approach for the treatment of chronic full-thickness wounds, obviating the need for additional antibiotics, traditional drugs, or exogenous cytokines. This versatile hydrogel system holds great potential for the effective management of chronic full-thickness wound healing
Small Molecule-Mediated Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
No full textCancer is the second leading cause of death globally, which can be treated through invasive chemotherapeutic strategies, leading to severe toxic side effects, injury, and trauma to the patients. Recently, phototherapy gained lots of attention as an alternative, non-invasive cancer therapy. However, developing novel small molecules as chemophototherapeutic agents remained a major challenge. To address this, herein, we have designed and synthesized a small molecule library consisting of aromatic moieties as π-donor, 3-methoxy-pyrrole as π-electron-rich pharmacophore, and cyanine or N-methyl-quinolinium ion as π-acceptor in a concise strategy. Upon screening in colon (HCT-116), cervical (HeLa), and lung (A549) cancer cells, one small molecule (6a) was identified to induce remarkable HCT-116 cell killing under 740 nm LED irradiation by generating a diverse array of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and showing negligible toxicity toward non-cancerous, kidney fibroblast-like Cos-7 cells. Interestingly, compound 6a self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles that homed into the lysosomal compartment of HCT-116 cells efficiently within 3 h, impaired the lysosomal membrane, followed by induction of autophagy and generation of ROS to trigger late apoptosis and necrosis with increased penetration efficiency in 3D-HeLa spheroids under light irradiation. Compound 6a can be a tool for the development of a novel chemo-photodynamic probe for cancer therapy
DNA Nano-Biomaterials Based Futuristic Technologies for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Therapeutics
No full textThe ability to completely repair or regenerate injured tissues or organs and restore their functionality has long been a goal of humankind. The advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have made this conceivable. With the ability to precisely manipulate nanoscale architectures for designing biomaterials, DNA nanotechnology has emerged as a groundbreaking technique in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. DNA-based nanostructures are well-suited for directing cellular interactions, delivering therapeutic drugs, and mimicking extracellular matrix components due to their exceptional biocompatibility, programmability, and molecular recognition capabilities. Recent developments have demonstrated that DNA nanodevices can be used to administer drugs and growth factors in a controlled manner, as well as to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Furthermore, their capacity to respond to biological stimuli enables dynamic and adaptable tissue regeneration techniques. This review highlights the latest advances in DNA nanotechnology for regenerative applications, its benefits over traditional biomaterials, and potential future pathways for clinical translation
