Information technology adoption and continuance: A longitudinal study of individuals’ behavioral intentions

Extant research on information technology (IT) adoption and continuance has not adequately modeled the times of adoption by individuals. This study argues that individuals adopt an innovation at different times and are likely to be influenced by different factors over time. The theoretical models are empirically validated using data gathered at three points in time through surveys of 132 users of a new innovation. The results indicate that the innovation attributes and individual characteristics influence individuals’ intentions to adopt the innovation during the early stage, and the innovation attributes and contextual factors impact the individuals’ intentions during the later stage.     

Finite element bending analysis of nonuniform circular plates

The finite element method is applied to the small deflection bending analysis of nonuniform thin axisymmetric circular plates made of linear elastic material. Elements with annular and circular geometry with only 4 degrees of freedom are used in the analysis of both symetrically and nonsymmetrically loaded plates. Non-symmetric loads are expanded in Fourier series and elements restricted to deform with specified number of nodal diameters are used for each component of loading. The method is checked with several numerical examples. Although applicable to only axisymmetric plates, the method gives better results compared to other finite element methods besides offering savings in computer storage and time.     

Utilization of strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites for the detection of methanol vapors

Strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites prepared by sol-gel technique was utilized for the detection of methanol vapors. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77K was employed respectively to identify the structural phases, surface morphology, vibrational stretching frequencies and BET surface area of the composites. The composites were prepared with the molar ratios of Ni:Sr as (1.0:0.0, 0.8:0.2, 0.6:0.4, 0.4:0.6, 0.2:0.8, 0.0:1.0) keeping the aluminum molar ratio as constant for all the compositions and were labeled as NiSA1, NiSA2, NiSA3, NiSA4, NiSA5 and NiSA6, respectively. The samples sintered at 900 degrees C for 5 h were subjected to dc resistance measurements in the temperature range of 30-250 degrees C to study the methanol vapor detection characteristics. The results revealed that the sensitivity in detecting methanol vapor increased with increase in temperature up to 175 degrees C for the composites NiSA1 and NiSA6 while for the other composites up to 150 degrees C and thereafter decreased. The sensitivity increased with increase in methanol concentration from 100 to 5000 ppm at 150 degrees C. Among the different composites NiSA5 showed the best sensitivity to methanol detection at an operating temperature of 150 degrees C.     

Fabrication,characterization and application of pectin degrading Fe3O4–SiO2 nanobiocatalyst

The covalent binding of pectinase onto amino functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CSMNPs) through glutaraldehyde activation was investigated for nanobiocatalyst fabrication. The average particle size and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The statistical analysis for TEM image suggests that the coating and binding process did not cause any significant change in size of MNPs. The morphological and phase change of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) after various coatings and immobilization were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The various surface modifications and pectinase binding onto nanoparticles were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The maximum activity of immobilized pectinase was obtained at its weight ratio of 19.0 × 10^? 3 mg bound pectinase/mg CSMNPs. The pH, temperature, reusability, storage ability and kinetic studies were established to monitor their improved stability and activity of the fabricated nanobiocatalyst. Furthermore, the application was extended in the clarification of Malus domestica juice.     

Antimicrobial and anticoagulation activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from the culture supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Here, we describe biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by reduction of aqueous Ag⁺ ions with the culture supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular level identification of the strain GS1 resembles P. aeruginosa. The nanoparticles synthesized by P. aeruginosa were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size-distribution of nanoparticles was determined using a particle-size analyzer and the average particle-size was found to be 80 nm. The biological activities of the synthesized silver nanoparticles like antimicrobial activity were confirmed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and it have stable anti-coagulant effect.     

Applications of L-arginine functionalised green synthesised nickel nanoparticles as gene transfer vector and catalyst

Green synthesised nickel nanoparticles (NiGs) using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract have been stabilised with L-arginine (Arg–NiGs) and used as gene transfer vector for bacterial transformation and as catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation. Effective binding of L-arginine with NiGs was confirmed by characterisation of Arg–NiGs. L-arginine coating on NiGs prevented the agglomeration of NiGs and reduced the size of the nanoparticles. Synthesised Arg–NiGs was conjugated with green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted pUC 18 (pDNA–Arg–NiGs) and employed for transforming non-competent Escherichia coli DH5 α. Transformation efficiency of pDNA–Arg–NiGs was found to be higher (3.8 × 10⁶ µg^–1 DNA) than the CaCl₂-mediated method (2.9 × 10⁵ µg^–1 DNA). Fluorescence micrograph of transformants showed enhanced uptake and transformation of pDNA–Arg–NiGs by bacterial cells. Electrophoretic analysis of expressed GFP confirmed that pDNA could retain its functional activity even after binding with Arg–NiGs. This biocompatible, efficient and economical method could be exploited for transforming non-competent bacterial cells. Arg–NiGs catalysed hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) generated 198 mL of hydrogen in 8 min with 128 mg AB and 10 mL of catalyst at 35 °C. The hydrogen generation rate of Arg–NiGs catalysed AB dehydrogenation was determined to be 24.8 mol H₂ min^–1 with activation energy (E_a) of 34.05 kJ mol^–1 and turnover frequency (TOF) of 12.30 mol H₂ (mol Ni) ^–1 min^–1. Arg–NiGs retained 89% of its initial catalytic activity even after 10 recycles, indicating its high durability in catalytic reactions. Kinetic studies of AB dehydrogenation by Arg–NiGs show the first-order kinetics with respect to catalyst concentration and zero-order kinetics with respect to AB concentration. This efficient and durable catalyst could be applied in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB for effective hydrogen storage.     

Acoustic characterization of natural areca catechu fiber-reinforced flexible polyurethane foam composites

The development of acoustic absorbers from natural resources is a novel approach in acoustics. In the current study, the effect of unprocessed raw areca fiber (AF) particle reinforcement on the sound absorption (SA) behavior of polyurethane (PU) foam composites is investigated. Influences of fiber weight percentage and graded distribution of fiber with varying fiber weight percentage on the SA coefficient (SAC) of the composite foams are examined through the impedance tube approach. Morphological studies are carried out with the help of FESEM images to investigate the acoustic energy dissipation mechanism of PU foam and its composites. It is found that the SA capability of the composite foam is enhanced by increased fiber weight percentage, graded distribution of fiber wt%, varying sample thickness, and air cavity length. In general, PU-AF composite specimens show a peak SA value of 0.95 around 450 Hz, which is not the case for other natural fiber results available in the literature. Theoretical results predicted using the JCA (Johnson-Champoux Allard) model agree with the experimental results.     

Habitat suitability modeling of a conservation-significant fish species of the Kosi River,Uttarakhand, India

Water quality plays a vital role in the sustenance of aquatic life, including fish. Therefore, an inclusive understanding of water quality parameters can be considered an essential step in framing the conservation and management strategy of an aquatic ecosystem. This study examines the habitat suitability of a conservation-significant fish, the Tor putitora, and two associated fishes, the Labeo dyocheilus and the Garra gotyla, in relation to the water quality parameters of the Kosi River. Four crucial water quality parameters, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and pH, were included in the QUAL2K modeling. Furthermore, hydrological processes were modeled using the soil and water assessment tool, and flow was used as an input in the QUAL2K model. The simulated water quality was correlated with fish habitat and analyzed through the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). Results suggested that the habitats of the Kosi were more suitable in the post-monsoon rather than pre-monsoon. Tor putitora, the flagship species of the Kosi, preferred the river habitats with a lower water temperature and higher dissolved oxygen for spawning. Thus, we recommend securing such habitats and managing them in collaboration with local communities for the long-term conservation of this endangered Himalayan species.     

Synergistic anticancer effect of green synthesized nickel nanoparticles and quercetin extracted from Ocimum sanctum leaf extract

Leaf extract of medicinally important plant Ocimum sanctum(O. sanctum) has been used for the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles(Ni Gs) and extraction of quercetin(Qu). Qu has been conjugated with Ni Gs for enhanced anticancer effect on human breast cancer MCF–7 cells. Extracted Qu was conjugated with polyethylene glycol(PEG) coated Ni Gs(Qu–PEG–Ni Gs) which was used as carriers for breast cancer treatment. Anticancer activity of Qu–PEG–Ni Gs was evaluated by assessing cell viability, reactive oxygen species(ROS) production, caspase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) and changes in nuclear morphology(staining methods). 0.85 mg of quercetin was extracted from 1 g of leaves with retention time(R_t) of 2.914 min. Loading and encapsulation efficiency of quercetin onto PEG–Ni Gs was 15.04% and 82% respectively and Qu–PEG–Ni Gs has shown a sustained release of Qu of about 84% after 48 h. Qu and Qu–PEG–Ni Gs showed dose dependent(1.56–50 μg/m L) anticancer effect against MCF–7 cells with IC50 values of 50 and 6.25 μg/m L respectively which was mediated by oxidative stress due to ROS over-production that induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, capsase-9,-7 activities leading to apoptosis. The present study validates that Qu–PEG–Ni Gs can be used as a potential anticancer agent for cancer therapy.     

Adaptive machine learning algorithm employed statistical signal processing for classification of ECG signal and myoelectric signal

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing - In this research paper we present designing and evaluating the electrocardiography (ECG) and Myoelectric signal (EMG) pattern recognition methods...