Estimation of the components of municipal solid waste settlement

Estimation of the municipal solid waste settlements and the contribution of each of the components are essential in the estimation of the volume of the waste that can be accommodated in a landfill and increase the post-usage of the landfill. This article describes an experimental methodology for estimating and separating primary settlement, settlement owing to creep and biodegradation-induced settlement. The primary settlement and secondary settlement have been estimated and separated based on 100% pore pressure dissipation time and the coefficient of consolidation. Mechanical creep and biodegradation settlements were estimated and separated based on the observed time required for landfill gas production. The results of a series of laboratory triaxial tests, creep tests and anaerobic reactor cell setups were conducted to describe the components of settlement. All the tests were conducted on municipal solid waste (compost reject) samples. It was observed that biodegradation accounted to more than 40% of the total settlement, whereas mechanical creep contributed more than 20% towards the total settlement. The essential model parameters, such as the compression ratio (C-c'), rate of mechanical creep (c), coefficient of mechanical creep (b), rate of biodegradation (d) and the total strain owing to biodegradation (E-DG), are useful parameters in the estimation of total settlements as well as components of settlement in landfill.

NrichD database: sequence databases enriched with computationally designed protein-like sequences aid in remote homology detection

NrichD ( ext-link-type=''uri'' xlink:href=''http://proline.biochem.iisc.ernet.in/NRICHD/'' xlink:type=''simple''>http://proline.biochem.iisc.ernet.in/NRICHD/)< /named-content> is a database of computationally designed protein-like sequences, augmented into natural sequence databases that can perform hops in protein sequence space to assist in the detection of remote relationships. Establishing protein relationships in the absence of structural evidence or natural `intermediately related sequences' is a challenging task. Recently, we have demonstrated that the computational design of artificial intermediary sequences/linkers is an effective approach to fill naturally occurring voids in protein sequence space. Through a large-scale assessment we have demonstrated that such sequences can be plugged into commonly employed search databases to improve the performance of routinely used sequence search methods in detecting remote relationships. Since it is anticipated that such data sets will be employed to establish protein relationships, two databases that have already captured these relationships at the structural and functional domain level, namely, the SCOP database and the Pfam database, have been `enriched' with these artificial intermediary sequences. NrichD database currently contains 3 611 010 artificial sequences that have been generated between 27 882 pairs of families from 374 SCOP folds. The data sets are freely available for download. Additional features include the design of artificial sequences between any two protein families of interest to the user.

Evolution of texture and its influence on the failure of components in some aluminium alloys

This paper describes the evolution of crystallographic texture in three of the most important high strength aluminium alloys, viz., AA2219, AA7075 and AFNOR7020 in the cold rolled and artificially aged condition. Bulk texture results were obtained by plotting pole figures from X-ray diffraction results followed by Orientation Distribution Function (ODF) analysis and micro-textures were measured using EBSD. The results indicate that the deformation texture components Cu, Bs and S, which were also present in the starting materials, strengthen with increase in amount of deformation. On the other hand, recrystallization texture components Goss and Cube weaken. The Bs component is stronger in the deformation texture. This is attributed to the shear banding. In-service applications indicate that the as-processed AFNOR7020 alloy fails more frequently compared to the other high strength Al alloys used in the aerospace industry. Detailed study of deformation texture revealed that strong Brass (Bs) component could be associated to shear banding, which in turn could explain the frequent failures in AFNOR7020 alloy. The alloying elements in this alloy that could possibly influence the stacking fault energy of the material could be accounted for the strong Bs component in the texture.

Hemagglutinin sequence conservation guided stem immunogen design from influenza A H3 subtype

Seasonal epidemics caused by influenza A (H1 and H3 subtypes) and B viruses are a major global health threat. The traditional, trivalent influenza vaccines have limited efficacy because of rapid antigenic evolution of the circulating viruses. This antigenic variability mediates viral escape from the host immune responses, necessitating annual vaccine updates. Influenza vaccines elicit a protective antibody response, primarily targeting the viral surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA). However, the predominant humoral response is against the hypervariable head domain of HA, thereby restricting the breadth of protection. In contrast, the conserved, subdominant stem domain of HA is a potential ``universal'' vaccine candidate. We designed an HA stem-fragment immunogen from the 1968 pandemic H3N2 strain (A/Hong Kong/1/68) guided by a comprehensive H3 HA sequence conservation analysis. The biophysical properties of the designed immunogen were further improved by C-terminal fusion of a trimerization motif, ``isoleucine-zipper'', or ``foldon''. These immunogens elicited cross-reactive, antiviral antibodies and conferred partial protection against a lethal, homologous HK68 virus challenge in vivo. Furthermore, bacterial expression of these immunogens is economical and facilitates rapid scale-up.

REPERTOIRE OF PROTEIN KINASES ENCODED IN THE GENOME OF ZEBRAFISH SHOWS REMARKABLY LARGE POPULATION OF PIM KINASES

In recent times, zebrafish has garnered lot of popularity as model organism to study human cancers. Despite high evolutionary divergence from humans, zebrafish develops almost all types of human tumors when induced. However, mechanistic details of tumor formation have remained largely unknown. Present study is aimed at analysis of repertoire of kinases in zebrafish proteome to provide insights into various cellular components. Annotation using highly sensitive remote homology detection methods revealed ``substantial expansion'' of Ser/Thr/Tyr kinase family in zebrafish compared to humans, constituting over 3% of proteome. Subsequent classification of kinases into subfamilies revealed presence of large number of CAMK group of kinases, with massive representation of PIM kinases, important for cell cycle regulation and growth. Extensive sequence comparison between human and zebrafish PIM kinases revealed high conservation of functionally important residues with a few organism specific variations. There are about 300 PIM kinases in zebrafish kinome, while human genome codes for only about 500 kinases altogether. PIM kinases have been implicated in various human cancers and are currently being targeted to explore their therapeutic potentials. Hence, in depth analysis of PIM kinases in zebrafish has opened up new avenues of research to verify the model organism status of zebrafish.

Damage Detection Sensitivity, Specificity and Classification Data Analysis for SHM Systems Design, Verification and Validation

In this paper, we consider applying derived knowledge base regarding the sensitivity and specificity of damage(s) to be detected by an SHM system being designed and qualified. These efforts are necessary toward developing capabilities in SHM system to classify reliably various probable damages through sequence of monitoring, i.e., damage precursor identification, detection of damage and monitoring its progression. We consider the particular problem of visual and ultrasonic NDE based SHM system design requirements, where the damage detection sensitivity and specificity data definitions for a class of structural components are established. Methodologies for SHM system specification creation are discussed in details. Examples are shown to illustrate how the physics of damage detection scheme limits particular damage detection sensitivity and specificity and further how these information can be used in algorithms to combine various different NDE schemes in an SHM system to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Statistical and data driven models to determine the sensitivity and probability of damage detection (POD) has been demonstrated for plate with varying one-sided line crack using optical and ultrasonic based inspection techniques.

Comparative sequence analyses of genome and transcriptome reveal novel transcripts and variants in the Asian elephant Elephas maximus

The Asian elephant Elephas maximus and the African elephant Loxodonta africana that diverged 5-7 million years ago exhibit differences in their physiology, behaviour and morphology. A comparative genomics approach would be useful and necessary for evolutionary and functional genetic studies of elephants. We performed sequencing of E. maximus and map to L. africana at similar to 15X coverage. Through comparative sequence analyses, we have identified Asian elephant specific homozygous, non-synonymous single nucleotide variants (SNVs) that map to 1514 protein coding genes, many of which are involved in olfaction. We also present the first report of a high-coverage transcriptome sequence in E. maximus from peripheral blood lymphocytes. We have identified 103 novel protein coding transcripts and 66-long non-coding (lnc)RNAs. We also report the presence of 181 protein domains unique to elephants when compared to other Afrotheria species. Each of these findings can be further investigated to gain a better understanding of functional differences unique to elephant species, as well as those unique to elephantids in comparison with other mammals. This work therefore provides a valuable resource to explore the immense research potential of comparative analyses of transcriptome and genome sequences in the Asian elephant.

Dissecting pi-helices: sequence, structure and function

A new procedure for the identification of regular secondary structures using a C-alpha trace has identified 659 pi-helices in 3582 protein chains, solved at high resolution. Taking advantage of this significantly expanded database of pi-helices, we have analysed the functional and structural roles of helices and determined the position-wise amino acid propensity within and around them. These helices range from 5 to 18 residues in length with the average twist and rise being 85.2 +/- 7.2 and 1.28 +/- 0.31 angstrom, respectively. A total of 546 (similar to 83%) out of 659 pi-helices occur in conjunction with alpha-helices, with 101 pi-helices being interspersed between two alpha-helices. The majority of interspersed pi-helices were found to be conserved across a large number of structures within a protein family and produce a significant bend in the overall helical segment as well as local distortions in the neighbouring a-helices. The presence of a pi-helical fragment leads to appropriate orientation of the constituent residues, so as to facilitate favourable interactions and also help in proper folding of the protein chain. In addition to intra helical 6 -> 1 N H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, pi-helices are also stabilized by several other non-bonded interactions. pi-Helices show distinct positional residue preferences, which are different from those of a-helices.

Enhancement of Flotation Selectivity of Sphalerite Using Mineral-Stressed Paenibacillus polymyxa and Its Cellular Components

The selective flotation of sphalerite from a sphalerite-galena mineral mixture was achieved using cellular components of Paenibacillus polymyxa after adaptation to the above minerals. The soluble and insoluble fractions of the thermolysed bacterial cells adapted to sphalerite yielded higher flotation recoveries of sphalerite with selectivity indices ranging between 22 and 29. The protein profile for the unadapted and mineral-stressed cells was found to differ distinctly, attesting to variation in the yield and nature of extra-cellular polymeric substances. The changes induced in the bacterial cell wall components after adaptation to sphalerite or galena with respect to the contents of phosphate, uronic acid and acetylated sugars of P. polymyxa were quantified. In keeping with these changes, a marginal morphological transition of P. polymyxa from rods to spheres was observed. The role of the dissolved metal ions from the minerals as well as that of the constituents of extracellular secretions in modulating the surface potential of the mineral-stressed cells were demonstrated. These studies highlighted that, mineral stress led to qualitative and quantitative changes in the cellular components, which facilitated the enhancement of flotation selectivity of sphalerite.

Analysis of sine-triangle and zero-sequence injection modulation schemes for split-phase induction motor drive

A split-phase induction motor is fed from two three-phase voltage source inverters for speed control. This study analyses carrier-comparison based pulse width modulation (PWM) schemes for a split-phase motor drive, from a space-vector perspective. Sine-triangle PWM, one zero-sequence injection PWM where the same zero-sequence signal is used for both the inverters, and another zero-sequence injection PWM where different zero-sequence signals are employed for the two inverters are considered. The set of voltage vectors applied, the sequence in which the voltage vectors are applied, and the resulting current ripple vector are analysed for all the PWM methods. Besides all the PWM methods are compared in terms of dc bus utilisation. For the same three-phase sine reference, the PWM method with different zero-sequence signals for the two inverters is found to employ a set of vectors different from the other methods. Both analysis and experimental results show that this method results in lower total harmonic distortion and higher dc bus utilisation than the other two PWM methods.