The dynamics of electrons and ions in gaseous ionization detectors have been studied reasonably well with particle simulation models developed using the Garfield++ numerical simulation framework. ...This is an important area of study since it allows prediction of the detector response in a given experimental situation. In this work, a fluid simulation model has been developed in the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation framework to simulate the avalanche and streamer formation in GEM-based detectors. Possible detector geometries in 2D, 2D axisymmetric and 3D coordinate systems have been explored to find the optimum numerical configuration. Transport of charged fluids has been simulated in the optimized model for various operating voltage ranges suitable for single, double and triple GEM detectors using Ar-CO
2
(70-30) as the gas mixture. Simulated gain variations have been compared with experimental observations. Effect of space charge and its relation to streamer formation have been studied.
Control of the spin degree of freedom of an electron has brought about a new era in spin-based applications, particularly spin-based electronics, with the potential to outperform the traditional ...charge-based semiconductor technology for data storage and information processing. However, the realization of functional spin-based devices for information processing remains elusive due to several fundamental challenges such as the low Curie temperature of group III–V and II–VI semiconductors (<200 K), and the low spin-injection efficiencies of existing III–V, II–VI, and transparent conductive oxide semiconductors in a multilayer device structure, which are caused by precipitation and migration of dopants from the host layer to the adjacent layers. Here, we use catalyst-assisted pulsed laser deposition to grow, for the first time, oxygen vacancy defect-rich, dopant-free ZrO2 nanostructures with high T C (700 K) and high magnetization (5.9 emu/g). The observed magnetization is significantly greater than both doped and defect-rich transparent conductive oxide nanomaterials reported to date. We also provide the first experimental evidence that it is the amounts and types of oxygen vacancy defects in, and not the phase of ZrO2 that control the ferromagnetic order in undoped ZrO2 nanostructures. To explain the origin of ferromagnetism in these ZrO2 nanostructures, we hypothesize a new defect-induced bound polaron model, which is generally applicable to other defect-rich, dopant-free transparent conductive oxide nanostructures. These results provide new insights into magnetic ordering in undoped dilute ferromagnetic semiconductor oxides and contribute to the design of exotic magnetic and novel multifunctional materials.
Biochar is a useful material for carbon storage in soils. In this report, we explored conversion of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) to biochar as a sustainable weed management strategy, as it ...also has potential for improving soil quality. Eichornia biomass samples were carbonised with limited supply of air in a muffle furnace at varied temperature (200 to 500°C) and residence time (30 to 120min). The biochar yield decreased with temperature and time, but biochar carbon stability increased with temperature. The optimum condition for obtaining maximum stable carbon in Eichornia biochar (EBC) is 300–350°C temperature with 30–40min residence time. TGA and FTIR studies showed that EBC has increased aromaticity and carbon stability compared to the starting biomass. Impact of the EBC on soil quality was studied using a red soil, from Dhanbad, India. Soil biochemical properties (dehydrogenase, fluorescein hydrolases, catalase, respiration, active microbial biomass) and maize seedling growth were used to investigate the effects of biochar addition to the soil. Maize seedling vigour index increased from 1.0 at control to 1.61 in 20g/kg EBC treatment. The maximum increase in soil enzymes like acid phosphatase activity (+32%), alkaline phosphatase activity (+22.8%), and fluorescein hydrolases activity (50%) occurred at the EBC dose of 20g/kg. EBC significantly enhanced the soil biological activity particularly the active microbial biomass which has increased by 3 times and soil respiration by 1.9 times. The study shows that the waste Eichornia weed could be gainfully utilised as a soil quality amendment material by converting it to EBC.
•Conversion of Eichornia to biochar is a sustainable weed management strategy.•Pyrolysis at 300°C for 30min yielded the desired biochar from Eichornia.•H/C, O/C ratios, TGA, and FTIR indicated the aromaticity and stability of biochar.•Zea mays seedling vigour index increased (61%) due to biochar addition.•Soil enzymes and microbial activity increased due to biochar incorporation.
•Engine load, compression ratio and biodiesel blends were taken as input parameters.•Optimized operating parameters were found as CR18, 20% blend and 9.8 kg load.•Best possible performances were ...obtained with composites desirability of 0.97.•Optimized performance characteristics are BTE 26.77%, BSFC 0.284 kg/kW h.•Optimized emission characteristics are CO 0.0059%, HC 114.84 ppm, NOx 905.6 ppm.
The characteristics of multi-fuel VCR engine fuelled with Argemone Mexicana methyl ester, prepared by two step trans-esterification process and its diesel blends (20%, 40%, 60% and 100%) were evaluated with variation of load (3–12 kg) and compression ratio (16–18). In the current analysis engine load, compression ratio and biodiesel blends were taken as input parameters. Response Surface Methodology of Full Factorial Design was used for modelling and analyzing the response parameters with Minitab-14.0 software. Data regression, significance analysis and individual model coefficients were studied for the developed models and presented for validation of the model. Multi objective optimization was carried out for the responses by using the desirability function. Confirmation experiments were executed for validation of optimization results by setting input parameters (Load = 9.8 kg, CR = 18.0, Blend = 20%). Output responses from the mathematical modeling such as BTE 26.77%, BSFC 0.284 kg/kW h, CO 0.0059%, HC 114.84 ppm, NOx 905.6 ppm respectively were obtained using D-optimal test with composites desirability of 0.97009. The predictions of RSM results were obtained in concurrence with the experimental ones, with errors less than 5% excepting for CO model.
It has been established that the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is temperature-dependent. The Hsp70 response is considered as a cellular thermometer in response to heat stress and other ...stimuli. The variation in Hsp70 gene expression has been positively correlated with thermotolerance in Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, rodents and human. Goats have a wide range of ecological adaptability due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics; however, the productivity of the individual declines during thermal stress. The present study was carried out to analyze the expression of heat shock proteins in different tissues and to contrast heat stress phenotypes in response to chronic heat stress. The investigation has been carried out in Jamunapari, Barbari, Jakhrana and Sirohi goats. These breeds differ in size, coat colour and production performance. The heat stress assessment in goats was carried out at a temperature humidity index (THI) ranging from 85.36-89.80 over the period. Phenotyping for heat stress susceptibility was carried out by combining respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR). Based on the distribution of RR and HR over the breeds in the population, individual animals were recognized as heat stress-susceptible (HSS) and heat stresstolerant (HST). Based on their physiological responses, the selected animals were slaughtered for tissue collection during peak heat stress periods. The tissue samples from different organs such as liver, spleen, heart, testis, brain and lungs were collected and stored at -70 °C for future use. Hsp70 concentrations were analyzed from tissue extract with ELISA. mRNA expression levels were evaluated using the SYBR green method. Kidney, liver and heart had 1.5-2.0-fold higher Hsp70 concentrations as compared to other organs in the tissue extracts. Similarly, the gene expression pattern of Hsp70 in different organs indicated that the liver, spleen, brain and kidney exhibited 5.94, 4.96, 5.29 and 2.63-fold higher expression than control. Liver and brain tissues showed the highest gene expression at mRNA levels as compared to kidney, spleen and heart. HST individuals had higher levels of mRNA level expression than HSS individuals in all breeds. The Sirohi breed showed the highest (6.3-fold) mRNA expression levels as compared to the other three breeds, indicating the better heat stress regulation activity in the breed.
Subcellular fractionation in combination with mass spectrometry-based proteomics is a powerful tool to study localization of key proteins in health and disease. Here we offered a reliable and rapid ...method for mammalian cell fractionation, tuned for such proteomic analyses. This method proves readily applicable to different cell lines in which all the cellular contents are accounted for, while maintaining nuclear and nuclear envelope integrity. We demonstrated the method's utility by quantifying the effects of a nuclear export inhibitor on nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic proteomes.
Eukaryotic cells possess considerable internal complexity, differentiating them from prokaryotes. Eukaryogenesis, an evolutionary transitional period culminating in the last eukaryotic common ...ancestor (LECA), marked the origin of the eukaryotic endomembrane system. LECA is reconstructed as possessing intracellular complexity akin to modern eukaryotes. Construction of endomembrane compartments involved three key gene families: coatomer, BAR-domain proteins, and ESCRT. Each has a distinct evolutionary origin, but of these coatomer and BAR proteins are eukaryote specific, while ESCRT has more ancient origins. We discuss the structural motifs defining these three membrane-coating complexes and suggest that compared with BAR and ESCRT, the coatomer architecture had a unique ability to be readily and considerably modified, unlocking functional diversity and enabling the development of the eukaryotic cell.
C is an important consideration within safety assessments for proposed geological disposal facilities for radioactive wastes, since it is capable of re-entering the biosphere through the generation ...of
C bearing gases. The irradiation of graphite moderators in the UK gas-cooled nuclear power stations has led to the generation of a significant volume of
C-containing intermediate level wastes. Some of this
C is present as a carbonaceous deposit on channel wall surfaces. Within this study, the potential of biofilm growth upon irradiated and
C doped graphite at alkaline pH was investigated. Complex biofilms were established on both active and simulant samples. High throughput sequencing showed the biofilms to be dominated by Alcaligenes sp at pH 9.5 and Dietzia sp at pH 11.0. Surface characterisation revealed that the biofilms were limited to growth upon the graphite surface with no penetration of the deeper porosity. Biofilm formation resulted in the generation of a low porosity surface layer without the removal or modification of the surface deposits or the release of the associated
C/
C. Our results indicated that biofilm formation upon irradiated graphite is likely to occur at the pH values studied, without any additional release of the associated
C.
Various direct and indirect environmental constraints have an impact on livestock performance. The physiological parameters, such as rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, are the ...primary indicators of thermal stress. Under a stressed environment temperature humidity index (THI) had established as a vital measurement to identify the thermal stress in livestock. THI in association with climatic variations can define the environmental effect as stressful or comfortable for livestock. Goats are small ruminants that adapt to a wide range of ecological variations due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics. However, the productivity of animals declines at the individual level during thermal stress. Stress tolerance can be determined through genetic studies associated with at the cellular level using physiological as well as molecular approaches. Information on genetic association with thermal stress in goats is scanty, this severely affects their survival and hence productivity of livestock. The ever-increasing demand for food across the globe needs deciphering novel molecular markers as well as stress indicators that play a vital role in livestock improvement. This review represents an analysis of current knowledge of phenotypic differences during thermal stress and signifies the importance of physiological responses and their association at the cellular level in goats. The regulation of vital genes associated with thermal stress such as Aquaporins (AQP 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8), aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, 7, 9, and 10) and super-aquaporins (AQP 11, 12); BAX inhibitors such as PERK (PKR like ER kinase), IRE 1(inositol-requiring-1); Redox regulating genes such as NOX; Transport of Na+ and K+ such as ATPase (ATP1A1) and several heat shock proteins have been implicated in heat-stress related adaptations have been elucidated. As these changes have a significant impact on production performance as well as on livestock productivity. Such efforts may help in the development of molecular markers and will assist the breeders to develop heat-tolerant goats with improved productivity.
•Heat stress is a major issue in livestock, affecting animal performance and hampering global production performance.•The key indicators of thermal stress in goats include physiological responses and other factors such as reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency.•The importance of heat stress-tolerant and susceptible phenotypes, as well as their association with genetic markers and genetic analysis.•The genetic markers provide significant insights at the cellular level.•Such efforts may assist the breeders in the future to breed goats with improved productivity and survival under harsh climatic conditions.
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