The improved electrochemical performance of cross-linked 3D graphene nanoribbon monolith electrodes

Technical advancement in the field of ultra-small sensors and devices demands the development of novel micro- or nano-based architectures. Here we report the design and assembly of cross-linked three dimensional graphene nanoribbons (3D GNRs) using solution based covalent binding of individual 2D GNRs and demonstrate its electrochemical application as a 3D electrode. The enhanced performance of 3D GNRs over individual 2D GNRs is established using standard redox probes – [Ru(NH3)6]3+/2+, [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− and important bio-analytes – dopamine and ascorbic acid. 3D GNRs are found to have high double layer capacitance (2482 μF cm−2) and faster electron transfer kinetics; their exceptional electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction is indicative of their potential over a wide range of electrochemical applications. Moreover, this study opens a new platform for the design of novel point-of-care devices and electrodes for energy device

Molecular identification of Bigeyes (Perciformes, Priacanthidae) from Indian waters

Thirty-five individuals of six priacanthid fish species were sampled from different localities along the coast of India covering the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The partial sequence of 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes were analyzed for species identification and phylogenetic relationship among the Indian priacanthids (Priacanthus hamrur, P. prolixus, P. blochii, P. sagittarius, Cookeolus japonicus, and Pristigenys refulgens). The intraspecies genetic distance ranged from 0.000 to 0.002, while distances varied from 0.008 to 0.157 interspecies based on 16S sequences. Using COI data analysis, the intraspecies genetic distance ranged from 0.000 to 0.005, while interspecies distances varied from 0.009 to 0.108. Several sequences labeled Priacanthus hamrur in GenBank are shown to be P. prolixus. We also observed cryptic speciation in Heteropriacanthus cruentatus. Partial sequences of 16S rRNA and COI genes provided phylogenetic information to distinguish thirteen species of priacanthids, indicating the usefulness of molecular markers in species identification

Mitochondrial signatures for identification of grouper species from Indian waters

Groupers are important commercial fish in many parts of the world. Accurate identification is critical for effective conservation assessment and fisheries management. Genetic barcodes provide a simple and reproducible method for the identification of species even in the absence of taxonomic expertise. The generation of reference barcodes from properly identified specimens is an important first step in this direction. Here, 36 species belonging to the subfamily Epinephelinae (Family: Serranidae) were collected from landings on the west coast of India and Port Blair, Andaman, and partial nucleotide sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was generated. Barcodes for 13 species were developed from Indian waters for the first time. Analysis using the COI gene produced phylogenetic trees in concurrence with other multi-gene studies. Epinephelus fasciatus and E. areolatus were found to be a species complex, as hypothesized in other studies. The DNA barcodes developed in the study can be used for identifying species within Epinehelinae, where taxonomic ambiguity still exists

Investigating the Viability of Multi-Recycling of Asphalt Mixtures through a Preliminary Binder Level Characterization

The incorporation of reclaimed asphalt (RA) in hot mix asphalt mixtures is widely considered a sustainable solution for road infrastructure development. Under the scope of the circular economy (CE), the multiple recycling capability of RA has to be assessed in order to ensure its performance at each recycling cycle and also its viability with different additives. The performance of asphalt mixtures with RA strongly depends on the type of rejuvenator, binder, and their degree of blending in the mix. For this reason, it is essential to know the properties of the aged binder extracted from RA to better understand its rheological properties and optimal dosage of rejuvenation to design a satisfactory blend design for the recycled mixture. To analyse the multi-recycling potential of the recycled mixture with high RA content, it is imperative to study its characteristics at every recycling cycle. Therefore, in this study, a preliminary binder-scale study is carried out to better understand the ageing, rejuvenating effects and morphological changes that occur on the bituminous binders at every recycling cycle. The study has been conducted on a RA binder, extracted from RA from a rural road in Italy and the simulation of multiple recycling is conducted through a laboratory ageing protocol on both binder and asphalt mixture scales. The long-term binder level ageing is performed by a pressure ageing vessel (PAV) after the short-term ageing by the rolling thin film oven test (RTFO). The asphalt mixture ageing is performed through a protocol similar to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and the aged binder is extracted from the mixture for further investigations. Multiple recycling is simulated by repeating the ageing procedure after rejuvenating both the aged binder and aged mixture up to the amount of recycling needed for the study. The rheological properties of the aged binder obtained from both binder-scale and mixture-scale ageing methods are evaluated using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). Moreover, the morphological changes that occurred are analysed using SARA (saturates, aromatics, resin and asphaltenes) fractionation and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results of the study can help towards answering the uncertainties regarding the performance of high RA% in asphalt mixtures and establishing its viability in multi recycling towards the full-scale implementation of this sustainable approach

Diversity of Forest Litter-Inhabiting Ants Along Elevations in the Wayanad Region of the Western Ghats

Litter ant diversity and abundance in relation to biotic and abiotic factors were analyzed at five primary forest sites lying between 300 to 1650 meter above mean sea level in the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats in Kerala, southern India. Ant abundance and species richness peaked at mid-elevations influenced by the presence of favourable physical conditions and abundance of prey resources. Dominance of ants preferring termites and Collembola as prey at sites rich in their specific prey resources indicate the influence of local prey resource availability in determining ant distribution. Dominant species (Tapinoma sp. and Solenopsis sp.) had wider distributions, being present at all elevations. Physical factors (slope of the terrain, rainfall, moisture, humidity, temperature) and prey resource availability (insect larvae, termites, Collembola) influenced ant species abundance at a regional scale, whereas at local scales, site specific variations in the relationship between abundance of ants and prey-predators and physical factors were recorded. The present study highlights the need to consider site-specific abiotic and biotic factors while examining the distribution patterns of litter ants along altitudinal gradients in other regions of the Western Ghats, which is a recognised hot spot of biodiversity with wide regional variation in vegetation types and faunal distribution patterns

Multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures modified with recycled plastic: towards a circular economy

Although asphalt pavements modified with recycled plastic have demonstrated enhanced performance, their recyclability remains under-explored, which is crucial under the scope of a circular economy. To address this, the present study investigates the multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures, both with and without a recycled plastic modifier, at a recycling rate of 50% over two cycles using an open-loop and a closed-loop model. The research utilised an innovative recycled plastic modifier made from hard waste plastics, incorporated into the mixture via the dry method. To ensure control over consistency and variables while also considering the novelty of the recycled plastic modifier, the reclaimed asphalt pavements (RAPs) were prepared using a loose asphalt mixture ageing protocol. Additionally, a rejuvenator made of vegetal derivatives was used as the recycling agent, considering the high recycling rate over each cycle. The comprehensive evaluation of volumetric and mechanical performance revealed that asphalt mixtures containing the recycled plastic modifier performed comparably to unmodified mixtures over two recycling cycles. Furthermore, all the recycled mixtures exhibited superior performance in resistance to rutting, moisture susceptibility, and fatigue compared to the conventional asphalt mixture. Overall, it can be inferred that the asphalt mixture modified with recycled plastic is capable of being recycled over multiple life cycles without compromising its mechanical and performance characteristic

Abundance and Season Variability of Rove Beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in the Mangrove Ecosystem of Akalapuzha Coastal Region, Kerala, South India

The species composition and diversity of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the mangrove coastal region remain poorly explored, particularly in South India. This study aims to understand the rove beetle diversity in the Akalapuzha mangrove coastal ecosystem with respective seasonal changes (pre-summer, summer, and monsoon) as well as the efficacy of different collection methods (pitfall trap, light trap, Berlese funnel, and flotation method). From the study, the collected specimens came under five subfamilies: Oxytelinae, Aleocharinae, Staphylininae, Paederinae, and Tachyporinae. Among this, high taxa abundance was observed in Oxytelinae, followed by Aleocharinae, Staphylininae, Paederinae, and Tachyporinae. Among the documented subfamilies, three subfamilies, namely Oxytelinae, Staphylininae, and Aleocharinae were recorded in all three seasons. In the case of diversity analysis, the highest diversity was observed in the summer season (1-D = 0.277, & H = 0.630), followed by pre-summer (1-D = 0.306, & H = 0.678) and monsoon (1-D = 0.533, & H = 1.069). Among all the different insect collection methods, the flotation method (p<0.05) is the most suitable for collecting rove beetles, regardless of seasonal variations, and is followed by light traps, pitfall traps, and Berlese funnel traps. The study revealed the inevitability of protecting the mangrove ecosystem, as it is identified as an ideal habitat for the economically, ecologically, and medically important Coleopteran family, Staphylinidae

Analysis of ESD induced field coupling due to improper contact between PCB ground and metal housing

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) poses a significant challenge to the reliability of Devices Under Test (DUTs) within the automotive industry. ESD Power-On Tests are essential to assess how well DUTs can withstand real world ESD events. When designing a DUT for ESD immunity, designer must take care of 1. Direct Conduction: This involves ESD discharges flowing through DUT circuitry, which can potentially lead to permanent damage or performance deterioration. 2. Induced Field Coupling: ESD discharges generate electric and magnetic fields that can couple with nearby sensitive circuits, causing soft errors [1] by inducing voltage or current in these circuits[2]. This paper discusses the influence of Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) coupling on sensitive circuits, which can occur due to high-impulse surface currents generated by ESD events, resulting from improper contact between the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) ground and metal housing