A significant growth in solar photovoltaic (PV) installation has observed during the last decade in standalone and grid-connected power generation systems. The solar PV system has a non-linear output ...characteristic because of weather intermittency, which tends to have a substantial effect on overall PV system output. Hence, to optimize the output of a PV system, different maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques have been used. But, the confusion lies while selecting an appropriate MPPT, as every method has its own merits and demerits. Therefore, a proper review of these techniques is essential. A "Google Scholar" survey of the last five years (2015-2020) was conducted. It has found that overall seventy-one review articles are published on different MPPT techniques; out of those seventy-one, only four are on uniform solar irradiance, seven on non-uniform and none on hybrid optimization MPPT techniques. Most of them have discussed the limited number of MPPT techniques, and none of them has discussed the online and offline under uniform and hybrid MPPT techniques under non-uniform solar irradiance conditions all together in one. Unfortunately, very few attempts have made in this regard. Therefore, a comprehensive review paper on this topic is need of time, in which almost all the well-known MPPT techniques should be encapsulated in one paper. This article focuses on classifications of online, offline, and hybrid optimization MPPT algorithms, under the uniform and non-uniform irradiance conditions. It summarizes various MPPT methods along with their mathematical expression, operating principle, and block diagram/flow charts. This research will provide a valuable pathway to researchers, energy engineers, and strategists for future research and implementation in the field of maximum power point tracking optimization.
Alopecia‐mental retardation syndrome (APMR) is a rare autosomal recessive neuro‐dermal disorder. It is characterized by heterogeneous phenotypic features, that is, absence of hair on the scalp, ...eyelashes, and eyebrows and mild to severe intellectual disability. So far, approximately 14 families (i.e., Iranian, Pakistani, and Swiss) with APMR have been reported in the scientific literature. Its precise prevalence is still unknown, but according to a predictive estimate, it prevails with the ratio of 1 in 1,000,000 persons worldwide. Until now, only four loci (two characterized and two uncharacterized) have been reported to be involved in APMR. The pathogenic variants in alpha‐2‐HS‐glycoprotein AHSG; APMR1 (MIM#203650) and lanosterol synthase LSS; APMR4 (MIM#618840) are the characterized genetic factors associated with APMR. Among them, AHSG was reported in a consanguineous Iranian family and LSS gene in a Swiss origin family, while the remaining two uncharacterized loci, that is, APMR2 and APMR3, are reported in the Pakistani population. The current mini‐report discusses the molecular genetics and mutational spectrum of APMR syndrome, its differential diagnosis from related disorders, and prediction of plausible candidate genes in two uncharacterized loci.
The paradigm shift from red ocean to blue ocean instilled a unique mindset among the corporations to create an uncontested market space to rise above the cutthroat competition, centring on ...sustainability. Six years after the idea was proposed in Harvard Business Review, the world was introduced to the fourth industrial revolution, i.e. Industry 4.0. In this research work, we explore the possibility of collaboration between the two approaches; owing to the fact that there has been a paucity of approaches that discuss the integration of the two concepts. It is posited that the fourth industrial revolution is a boon to the Blue Ocean Strategy. Through a systematic literature review and using a grounded theory approach, we have elicited a relationship between the two approaches and conclude that Industry 4.0 supplements the blue ocean approach and is a key enabler in its implementation. The four-action framework of the Blue Ocean Strategy can be appositely approached via integration with various Industry 4.0 facets. Delving further, it has been observed that the implementation of the six paths framework of the Blue Ocean Strategy is strongly influenced by the Industry 4.0 constituents, specifically BigData, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things; thus helping in achieving market leadership and business sustainability.
Sensitivity of hospital building environment due to presence of potential sources of wide range of airborne microbes, make it a complex environment. Present study aimed to investigate seasonal ...(winter & spring) variation in airborne microbial levels as well as species on various locations (i.e. operation theatres (OT1 & OT2), wards (GMW & SW), out-patient department (OPD) and emergency services (ES)) of a large hospital building. Air samples were collected during peak hours, twice a week, covering one month of each season. Statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) in bacterial concentrations over two seasons was found only for OPD. However, fungal concentrations significantly varied (p < 0.05) over two seasons for all sites except for OT1 and OT2. Concentrations among most of sites were significantly different. Highest bacterial level was found in OPD (mean: 1649.7 CFU/m3) while lowest in the two OTs (mean: 221 CFU/m3 for OT1 and 236 CFU/m3 for OT2). Highest fungal level was found in GMW (mean: 193.4 CFU/m3) while lowest in the two OTs (mean: 41.1 CFU/m3 for OT2 and 58 CFU/m3 for OT1). Bacterial identification showed dominancy of gram positive cocci (89.8%) followed by gram positive rods (7.2%) and gram negative rods (3%). Identified bacterial strains belonged to genera staphylococcus, micrococcus, kocuria, aerococcus, kytococcus, bacillus and pseudomonas. The most abundant fungal genera included cladosporium (47%), aspergillus (17.1%), penicillium (7.1%), alterneria (6.2%), geotrichium (3.68%) and ulocladium (3.2%). Cleaning frequencies appeared to be important factor in maintaining low microbial load in air.
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•Airborne microbial levels on six hospital sites were monitored over two seasons.•Bacterial levels were affected by indoor factors and fungal by outdoor levels.•Significant difference in microbial levels was found across sites.•S. Haemolyticus and Cladosporium were most abundant bacteria and fungi respectively.
The current study investigates the enhancement of the heat transfer rate of a fin tube radiator through the structural vibration without compromising its structural integrity. A fin tube radiator ...with fan is fixed on an electrodynamic shaker, and tests are performed at various frequencies under vertical and horizontal vibrations. These tests entail the variations in various parameters at different air flow velocities. A detailed study is presented to compare the effect of the different vibrational mode of the structure on the enhancement of the heat transfer rate. In this regard, the mode shapes are determined via simulation and experimentation. It has been observed that the second mode of vibration corresponds to the maximum total deformation in the radiator structure for a given excitation. Thus, water and air flow becomes more turbulent, resulting in the maximum temperature difference between inlet and outlet. The extensive experimentation indicates that the air-side pressure drop by vertical and horizontal forced vibration increased by 24.96% and 18.91%, respectively. Maximum overall heat transfer coefficient of the radiator increased by 49.78% and 47.39% by vertical and horizontal vibrations, respectively. The vibration disturbance enhanced the effectiveness of the radiator by 25.7% and 23.72% as a result of vertical and horizontal vibrations, respectively. Hence, a comparison between vertical and horizontal vibrations is made. In conclusion, it is noted that convective heat transfer of the radiator is enhanced by increasing frequency, vibration amplitude and wind speed. However, the effectiveness of the system is decreased as a result of increasing wind speed.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is among the predominant endocrine disorders of reproductive-aged women. The prevalence of PCOS has been estimated at approximately 6-26%, affecting 105 million ...people worldwide. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of physical activity on reproductive health functions among PCOS women.
The systematic review includes randomization-controlled trials (RCTs) on physical exercise and reproductive functions among women with PCOS. Studies in the English language published between January 2010 and December 2022 were identified via PubMed. A combination of medical subject headings in terms of physical activity, exercise, menstrual cycle, hyperandrogenism, reproductive hormone, hirsutism, and PCOS was used.
Overall, seven RCTs were included in this systematic review. The studies investigated interventions of physical activity of any intensity and volume and measured reproductive functions and hormonal and menstrual improvement. The inclusion of physical activity alone or in combination with other therapeutic interventions improved reproductive outcomes.
The reproductive functions of women with PCOS can be improved with physical activity. Furthermore, physical activity can also reduce infertility, as well as social and psychological stress among women.
CRD42020213732.
Multiple description coding (MDC) has been an effective scheme for reliable transmission of videos over error prone networks but requires higher data rates. Recently, perceptual video coding schemes ...are able to encode videos at a lower data rate, but with the same perceived decoding quality. Such schemes exploit human visual system (HVS) properties to encode videos. Although HVS characteristics have been used in MDC, but only for residual information and are not fully standard compatible. To this end, we propose a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard compatible perceptual multiple description video coding (PMDVC) framework. Our proposed framework temporally sub-samples the input video into even and odd frame sub-sequences, which are individually encoded (using HEVC) in a perceptual manner. We encode each description using a context based visual saliency model to obtain visual saliency mask, which is optimally thresholded into salient and non-salient regions. Coding tree unit (CTU) level perceptual relevance mask of each frame is generated by dividing binary saliency mask into five different groups. The quantization parameter at CTU level of each perceptual relevant group is adjusted in such a manner that data rate is minimized while maintaining the perceived quality. Our proposed HEVC based PMDVC scheme is evaluated under lossless and lossy channel conditions. Our results show better performance in data rate reduction, perceptual peak signal-to-noise-ratio, multi- scale structural similarity index, and difference mean opinion score, when compared with HEVC based temporally sub-sampled multiple description video coding scheme.
Lath martensite structures in medium-carbon steels incorporate a significant amount of residual stresses that are mostly induced by the martensitic transformation process. Although former studies ...could identify these stresses using diffraction techniques, it was not possible to correlate the micro-scale distribution of the stress fields with respect to the morphological and the crystallographic parameters of the martensitic structure. In this study, we employ the micro-scale focused ion beam (FIB) ring-core milling technique for the measurement of local residual strain and stress distributions in fully martensitic microstructures. The aim is to study the residual stresses occurring within individual lath martensite crystals, and within areas of lath martensite which incorporate a parent austenite grain boundary. The relaxation strains obtained by the micrometer-sized ring-core milling, which correspond to the residual stresses prior to milling, are shown to exhibit an anisotropic distribution for each martensite variant. High extension relaxation strains (i.e. compressive stresses) prevail in the direction of the transformation-induced crystal shape deformation direction. Contraction strains (i.e. tensile residual stresses) are measured normal to the extension strains. In an area containing a prior austenite grain boundary, the residual stresses appeared – altogether – lower than in single crystal martensite laths. The significant residual tensile stresses identified in the martensite structures may support the formation of martensite micro-cracks, either in the as-quenched state or during deformation.
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This paper investigates the dynamics of charged cylindrical collapse with the dissipative matter configuration in f(R,TαβTαβ) theory. This newly formulated theory resolves the primordial singularity ...and provides feasible cosmological results in the early universe.Moreover, its implications occur in high curvature regime where the deviations of energy-momentum squared gravity from general relativity is confirmed. We establish dynamical and transport equations through the Misner–Sharp and Mu¨ler–Israel Stewart techniques, respectively. We then couple these equations to examine the impact of effective fluid parameters and correction terms on the collapsing phenomenon. A connection between the modified terms, matter parameters, and Weyl tensor is also developed. To obtain conformal flatness, we choose a particular model of this theory and assume that dust matter with zero charge leads to conformal flatness and homogenous energy density. We found that the modified terms, dissipative matter, and electromagnetic field reduce the collapsing phenomenon.
Continuous cropping (CC) is a common practice in agriculture, and usually causes serious economic losses due to soil degeneration, decreased crop yield and quality, and increased disease incidence, ...especially in medicinal plants. Continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs) are mainly due to changes in soil microbial communities, nutrient availability, and allelopathic effects. Recently, progressive studies have illustrated the molecular mechanisms of CCOs, and valid strategies to overcome them. Transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses revealed that identified DEGs (differently expressed genes) and metabolites involved in the response to CCOs are involved in various biological processes, including photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and bioactive compounds. Soil improvement is an effective strategy to overcome this problem. Soil amendments can improve the microbial community by increasing the abundance of beneficial microorganisms, soil fertility, and nutrient availability. In this review, we sum up the recent status of the research on CCOs in medicinal plants, the combination of transcriptomic and metabolomics studies, and related control strategies, including uses of soil amendments, crop rotation, and intercropping. Finally, we propose future research trends for understanding CCOs, and strategies to overcome these obstacles and promote sustainable agriculture practices in medicinal plants.
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