13 research outputs found
An Investigation of the use of Solaria as a source of Heat for House in New Zealand
No full textFull text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only.A solarium is normally viewed as an arcane method of capturing solar radiation to warm houses since the cost of heating them at night is likely to exceed the energy gains during the day. However with modern “smart building technologies” it may be possible to control the parameters of the building so that day time solar gains can be stored and nighttime losses minimized. In general application solaria are most effective at very low level of incident solar radiation whereas mass wall and Trombe wall systems are more efficient at higher level of incident solar radiation. However the heating problems of NZ buildings are important only in the cooler lower incident radiation part of the year. We are experimenting with a thermosyphon passive solar hot water collector system mounted on a north facing part of the solarium which could minimise summer overheating of the Solarium and provide hot water throughout the year to household. Excessive solar heat gain in summer is intended to be captured in insulated water storage tanks. Blinds/movable insulation is deployed to prevent excessive heat loss through the solarium’s glazing at night. This model requires meteorological data to approximate the sizing of the system for the building requirement and is sensitive to meteorological parameters such as solar radiation, temperature and wind. A numerical calculation corresponding to the thermal analysis of the building and meteorological data yields the scale and nature of the system that would perhaps give adequate living conditions all year or, if smaller, for a large part of the year
Mapping and Visualizing Research of COVID-19 with Immunology: A Bibliometric Study
No full textThis paper aims to demonstrate the World’s scientific contribution to COVID-19 and Immunology research for 2020–2022 and the emerging research pattern using various bibliometric parameters. The research publications were
retrieved from the SCOPUS database and analyzed using MS Excel, R Studio, and VOS Viewer software. The VOS Viewer software is mainly used for networking and visualization to understand the research pattern better. A total of 2877 documents were retrieved from SCOPUS using the search topic
COVID-19 and Immunology. The research found that DIAO B was a prolific author in COVID-19 and Immunology research, with 1247 publications. The most productive countries and institutions in this field were the USA (555 publications) and Huazhong university of science and technology (409
publications). The five hot author keywords are COVID-19, Sars-cov-2, Vaccine, Coronavirus and Antibody. The present study provides various networking map of research publications regarding the immune response
during COVID-19 infection. The results benefit researchers and practitioners in India and worldwide for understanding the pattern of research on COVID19 and identifying the potential immune response against SARS-CoV-
Assessment on ground-level nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia (NH3) at secondary forest of Mata Ayer and Kangar, Perlis
No full textA Scientometric Exploration of Global Publications of Yoga Research from 2002-2021
No full textThe paper aims to provide an in-depth evaluation of the research output of Yoga for a period of 20 years, from 2002-2021. A total of 3498 documents retrieved from the Web of Science(WoS) database are considered for this analysis. The research finds that Cramer, H. was a most prolific author in Yoga scientific research with the highest 79 publications and top 2980 global citations. The most productive country is the USA, with 23967 publications, followed by India (5822) and Australia (2258). There was a significant increase in publications during the period of study. Most articles were published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The highest number of Yoga research papers were contributed by two Indian institutions: All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences. Cramer H’ published the highest number of papers. The present study will be helpful for other researchers for further studies on Yoga research and policymakers for funding decisions and strategies
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Electrochemical and hot corrosion behaviour of steel reinforced with AlSiBeTiV high entropy alloy using friction stir processing
No full textStatement of Retraction: Electrochemical and hot corrosion behaviour of steel reinforced with AlSiBeTiV high entropy alloy using friction stir processingWe, the journal office and Publisher of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM), have retracted the following article:Sundaram, R., Nachimuthu, R., Sivanandam, A. K., & Natarajan, J. (2024). Electrochemical and hot corrosion behaviour of steel reinforced with AlSiBeTiV high entropy alloy using friction stir processing. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2024.2320083Following publication, the publisher was contacted by a third party with concerns about the integrity of the data, specifically:1. Apparent similarities between Figure 3a in the above article and the image in Figure 2d of:Singh, A., Akhil, U.V., Kishan, S.N., Anoosa Sree, R., Radhika, N., & Rajeshkumar, L (2024). Synthesis of a novel AlBeSiTiV light weight HEA coating on SS316 using atmospheric plasma spray process. Heliyon, 10(16). https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e359992. The XRD spectra plotted in Figure 15 appear to have the same background noise.When contacted by the journal for an explanation, the authors were unable to address the concerns raised. As a result of these concerns, the STAM office no longer has confidence in the validity of the findings in the article, and therefore we are retracting the article from the journal. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. The author does not agree with the retraction.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’
Growth of InAs Quantum Dots on Germanium Substrate Using Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition Technique
No full textAbstract Self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) were grown on germanium substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition technique. Effects of growth temperature and InAs coverage on the size, density, and height of quantum dots were investigated. Growth temperature was varied from 400 to 450 °C and InAs coverage was varied between 1.40 and 2.35 monolayers (MLs). The surface morphology and structural characteristics of the quantum dots analyzed by atomic force microscope revealed that the density of the InAs quantum dots first increased and then decreased with the amount of InAs coverage; whereas density decreased with increase in growth temperature. It was observed that the size and height of InAs quantum dots increased with increase in both temperature and InAs coverage. The density of QDs was effectively controlled by growth temperature and InAs coverage on GaAs buffer layer.</p
Avaliação da atividade antitumoral do extrato bruto e supercrítico de Cordia verbenacea
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Florianópolis, 2010O câncer está entre as causas mais freqüentes de morte no mundo. É considerado um importante problema de saúde pública em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento, sendo a segunda causa de morte no Brasil e no mundo, superado somente pelas doenças do sistema cardiovascular. Apesar disto até o momento não existe uma terapia efetiva para o tratamento de todos os tipos de câncer além de que a maioria dos quimioterápicos em uso apresentam elevada toxicidade. Esforços vêm sendo dirigidos no sentido de desenvolver fármacos antitumorais tão ou mais eficazes do que os quimioterápicos já disponíveis, porém com menor toxicidade e potencial para desenvolver resistência terapêutica. Muitos dos medicamentos utilizados atualmente resultaram da purificação de produtos naturais, principalmente vegetais. Neste contexto, o presente projeto objetivou avaliar o potencial antitumoral de Cordia verbenacea planta medicinal brasileira, vulgarmente conhecida como erva baleeira que é popularmente utilizada em Santa Catarina para tratamento de tumores e inflamações. Para se atingir tal objetivo foram realizados experimentos para avaliar a atividade citotóxica e antiproliferativa in vitro e antitumoral in vivo. Para tanto, realizou-se os ensaios de viabilidade celular (MTT) em células de tumor ascítico de Ehrlich (TAE) e MCF-7, proliferação celular (incorporação de [3H] timidina) e capacidade pró-poptótica (Brometo de etídio/Laranja de acridina (BE/LA)) em células TAE. Além disso, verificou-se o possível efeito dos extratos sobre o DNA plasmidial (atividade nucleásica) assim como a capacidade protetora do extrato sobre o DNA (com a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio com Fe-EDTA). Foi avaliada a expressão da COX-2 através de Wertern blot em células MCF-7. A determinação da atividade antitumoral in vivo foi realizada em camundongos Balb/c inoculados com o TAE e tratados com extrato bruto (EB) e supercrítico (ESC) nas concentrações de 37,5; 75 e 150 mg/Kg. Nos ensaios do MTT e incorporação de timidina triciada os resultados demonstraram que o EB e ESC reduziram de maneira significativa a viabilidade e proliferação celular. A coloração com BE/LA revelou que o provável tipo de morte celular induzida pelos tratamentos trata-se de apoptose, uma vez que a grande maioria das células adquiriram uma coloração laranja-avermelhada, característica de células apoptóticas. Os extratos mostraram-se ineficazes no teste de ativação nucleásica. O ESC foi capaz de reduzir significativamente a expressão da COX-2 em células MCF-7. Os ensaios in vivo demonstram que tanto EB quanto ESC apresentaram efeitos antitumorais, sendo os melhores resultados observados para a dose de 150 mg/Kg. O tratamento com os extratos também causou importante inibição do crescimento tumoral nos camundongos, principalmente o ESC. EB e ESC elevaram a proporção de células inviáveis/viáveis em mais de duas vezes quando comparado ao controle negativo. EB e ESC aumentaram o tempo médio de sobrevida e a concentração de GSH. De acordo com os resultados podemos concluir que ESC apresentou atividade antitumoral mais potente que o extrato bruto. Os resultados obtidos foram favoráveis à validação da utilidade de C. verbenacea como potencial agente antitumoral. Além disso, foi considerado que o método de extração supercrítica pode aprimorar a atividade antitumoral de C. verbenacea, como demonstrado com os resultados apresentados acima, uma vez que estes efeitos provavelmente se devam à presença de ?-humuleno e ?-cariofileno presente nos extratos, especialmente no extrato supercrítico. Também a partir dos resultados obtidos podemos supor que um possível mecanismo de ação antitumoral dos extratos possa ser a redução da expressão da COX-2, o que poderia levar a um bloqueio da sobrevivência celular e indução da apoptose
Clinical characteristics and novel mutations of omicron subvariant XBB in Tamil Nadu, India–a cohort study
No full textBackground Despite the continued vaccination efforts, there had been a surge in breakthrough infections, and the emergence of the B.1.1.529 omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India. There is a paucity of information globally on the role of newer XBB variants in community transmission. Here, we investigated the mutational patterns among hospitalised patients infected with the XBB omicron sub-variant, and checked if there was any association between the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and the observed novel mutations in Tamil Nadu, India. Methods Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were subjected to real-time PCR followed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to rule out the ambiguity of mutations in viruses isolated from the patients (n = 98). Using the phylogenetic association, the mutational patterns were used to corroborate clinico-demographic characteristics and disease severity among the patients. Findings Overall, we identified 43 mutations in the S gene across 98 sequences, of which two were novel mutations (A27S and T747I) that have not been reported previously with XBB sub-variants in the available literature. Additionally, the XBB sequences from our cohort had more mutations than omicron B.1.1.529. The phylogenetic analysis comprising six major branches clearly showed convergent evolution of XBB. Our data suggests that age, and underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease) or secondary complications confers increased susceptibility to infection rather than vaccination status or prior exposure. Many vaccinated individuals showed evidence of a breakthrough infection, with XBB.3 being the predominant variant identified in the study population. Interpretation Our study indicates that the XBB variant is highly evasive from available vaccines and may be more transmissible, and potentially could emerge as the 'next' predominant variant, which likely could overwhelm the existing variants of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants.Funding National Health Mission (India), SIDA SARC, VINNMER (Sweden), ORIP/NIH (USA).Copyright (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Funding Agencies|National Health Mission (India); SIDA SARC; VINNMER (Sweden); ORIP/NIH (USA)</p
Global consortium for the classification of fungi and fungus-like taxa
No full textThe Global Consortium for the Classification of Fungi and fungus-like taxa is an international initiative of more than 550 mycologists to develop an electronic structure for the classification of these organisms. The members of the Consortium originate from 55 countries/regions worldwide, from a wide range of disciplines, and include senior, mid-career and early-career mycologists and plant pathologists. The Consortium will publish a biannual update of the Outline of Fungi and fungus like taxa, to act as an international scheme for other scientists. Notes on all newly published taxa at or above the level of species will be prepared and published online on the Outline of Fungi website (https://www.outlineoffungi.org/), and these will be finally published in the biannual edition of the Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa. Comments on recent important taxonomic opinions on controversial topics will be included in the biannual outline. For example, ‘to promote a more stable taxonomy in Fusarium given the divergences over its generic delimitation’, or ‘are there too many genera in the Boletales?’ and even more importantly, ‘what should be done with the tremendously diverse ‘dark fungal taxa?’ There are undeniable differences in mycologists’ perceptions and opinions regarding species classification as well as the establishment of new species. Given the pluralistic nature of fungal taxonomy and its implications for species concepts and the nature of species, this consortium aims to provide a platform to better refine and stabilise fungal classification, taking into consideration views from different parties. In the future, a confidential voting system will be set up to gauge the opinions of all mycologists in the Consortium on important topics. The results of such surveys will be presented to the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF) and the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi (NCF) with opinions and percentages of votes for and against. Criticisms based on scientific evidence with regards to nomenclature, classifications, and taxonomic concepts will be welcomed, and any recommendations on specific taxonomic issues will also be encouraged; however, we will encourage professionally and ethically responsible criticisms of others’ work. This biannual ongoing project will provide an outlet for advances in various topics of fungal classification, nomenclature, and taxonomic concepts and lead to a community-agreed classification scheme for the fungi and fungus-like taxa. Interested parties should contact the lead author if they would like to be involved in future outlines
Global consortium for the classification of fungi and fungus-like taxa
No full textThe Global Consortium for the Classification of Fungi and fungus-like taxa is an international initiative of more than 550 mycologists to develop an electronic structure for the classification of these organisms. The members of the Consortium originate from 55 countries/regions worldwide, from a wide range of disciplines, and include senior, mid-career and early-career mycologists and plant pathologists. The Consortium will publish a biannual update of the Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa, to act as an international scheme for other scientists. Notes on all newly published taxa at or above the level of species will be prepared and published online on the Outline of Fungi website (https://www.outlineoffungi.org/), and these will be finally published in the biannual edition of the Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa. Comments on recent important taxonomic opinions on controversial topics will be included in the biannual outline. For example, 'to promote a more stable taxonomy in Fusarium given the divergences over its generic delimitation', or 'are there too many genera in the Boletales?' and even more importantly, 'what should be done with the tremendously diverse 'dark fungal taxa?' There are undeniable differences in mycologists' perceptions and opinions regarding species classification as well as the establishment of new species. Given the pluralistic nature of fungal taxonomy and its implications for species concepts and the nature of species, this consortium aims to provide a platform to better refine and stabilise fungal classification, taking into consideration views from different parties. In the future, a confidential voting system will be set up to gauge the opinions of all mycologists in the Consortium on important topics. The results of such surveys will be presented to the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF) and the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi (NCF) with opinions and percentages of votes for and against. Criticisms based on scientific evidence with regards to nomenclature, classifications, and taxonomic concepts will be welcomed, and any recommendations on specific taxonomic issues will also be encouraged; however, we will encourage professionally and ethically responsible criticisms of others' work. This biannual ongoing project will provide an outlet for advances in various topics of fungal classification, nomenclature, and taxonomic concepts and lead to a community-agreed classification scheme for the fungi and fungus-like taxa. Interested parties should contact the lead author if they would like to be involved in future outlines
