Search

The agricultural industry is experiencing a profound transformation with the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This study presents the development and evaluation of a web-enabled microcontroller embedded system integrated with IoT technology for real-time monitoring and control of microclimate parameters, viz. temperature, relative humidity (RH), and light intensity inside a naturally ventilated greenhouse (polyhouse). The new IoT-based automated microclimate monitoring and controlling system comprised of microcontroller (Arduino Nano 33 IoT), temperature and humidity sensor (DHT22), light sensor (BH1750), and actuators (exhaust fans and foggers). It was designed to optimize the environmental conditions, critical for crop cultivation inside a polyhouse. It enabled remote monitoring and control via an IoT platform and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) module anywhere in the world. The IoT-based automation system was effective in maintaining an average temperature, relative humidity (RH), and light intensity of 34°C, 64.33%, and 32,000 lx, respectively, during the test period, resulting in an average temperature reduction of 3°C and an increase in RH of 4%. The data observed from inside and outside the polyhouse demonstrated the capability of the IoT-based automation system's real-time monitoring and controlling of optimum microclimate parameters inside the polyhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double skin composite (DSC) shear wall is composed of two exterior steel faceplate connected to each other by connectors and infilled with concrete. In terms of axial and lateral strengths, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity, DSC wall performs better than standard Reinforced Concrete (RC). There are two patterns DSC faceplate of DSC, namely flat and corrugated which offers significantly higher out-of-plane bending stiffness. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of faceplate configuration on cyclic behavior of DSC shear wall. Comparison was made regarding the patterns of faceplate including trapezoidal, zig-zag, and curved profiles with flat. This was followed by finite element analysis with ANSYS software to investigate the response of DSC towards cyclic loading. The results showed that among the four profiles, trapezoidal profiles had better energy dissipation and ductility ratio. Trapezoidal pattern offered several advantages in the manufacturing field, including better contact between concrete and good aesthetic appearance. Energy dissipation of DSC wall with trapezoidal faceplate was found to be 37.57%, 23%, and 42.66% more than zigzag, curve, and flat, respectively. There was a reduction in stress by providing corrugated profiles, where the maximum of 54.3% was induced in DSC wall with flat faceplate compared to trapezoidal. This showed that optimizing faceplate configuration further increased the benefits of DSC wall, offering a robust option for seismic design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental caries is considered to be one of the most prevalent dental diseases among humans. It involves cycles of demineralization and remineralization. The etiology and pathogenesis of dental caries are multifactorial. The role of diet plays an important aspect in occurrence and progression of dental caries. Indians have differing dietary habits due to various religious and personal reasons. A substantial number of Indians are vegetarian by choice. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vegetarian and mixed diet over the prevalence of dental caries. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 individuals. Healthy subjects who were 20–40 years of age, with no systemic disease, and not on any medications were included in this study. A thorough dental examination was performed by a single investigator with the help of mouth mirror and probe. The examination of patients involved the sequential assessment of teeth starting from 1 to 32. All the exposed and accessible surfaces of the teeth were examined for dental caries, and the data were recorded. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 11.0, and the results were tabulated. Univariate analysis was performed to find an association between caries and diet. Results: Distribution of the respondents according to dietary practices revealed 51% of the population consuming mixed diet and 49% consuming vegetarian diet. Oral hygiene was measured in terms of frequency of brushing tooth. Among the enrolled subjects, 57% brushed their teeth once a day and 42% brushed twice a day. No significant association was found between vegetarian and mixed dietary habits and dental caries. Two-sample independent t test was carried out to find the mean age. The mean age of caries group was 30.93 ± 12.27 and in without caries group, 27.83 ± 11.58, which is statistically not significant (P = 0.218). Conclusion: The study did not show any significant association between dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries.

DNA replication in bacteria takes place on highly compacted chromosomes, where segregation, transcription, and repair must occur simultaneously. Within this dynamic environment, colocalization of sister replisomes has been observed in many bacterial species, driving the hypothesis that a physical linker may tether them together. However, replisome splitting has also been reported in many of the same species, leaving the principles behind replisome organization a long-standing puzzle. Here, by tracking the replisome β-clamp subunit in live Caulobacter crescentus, we find that rapid DNA segregation can give rise to a second focus which resembles a replisome, but does not replicate DNA. Sister replisomes can remain colocalized, or split apart to travel along DNA separately upon disruption of chromosome inter-arm alignment. Furthermore, chromosome arm-specific replication-transcription conflicts differentially modify replication speed on the two arms, facilitate the decoupling of the two replisomes. With these observations, we conclude that the dynamic chromosome organization flexibly shapes the organization of sister replisomes, and we outline principles which can help to reconcile previously conflicting models of replisome architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]