Latest news with #B1
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Confirmed a 67-Year-Old Hypothesis About Vitamin B1
You often need a lot of patience to be a scientist, and that's certainly been the case for researchers who have now found solid evidence for a hypothesis around vitamin B1 (or thiamine) that was first put forward almost 70 years ago. In 1958, Columbia University chemist Ronald Breslow proposed that vitamin B1 performs key metabolic processes in the body by forming a molecular structure known as a carbene. The problem: carbenes are highly unstable and reactive, and usually break down instantly in water. They should, by all accounts, be incompatible with the body's high water content. But researchers led by a team from the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) have now managed to keep a carbene intact in water for months in their lab. "This is the first time anyone has been able to observe a stable carbene in water," says chemist Vincent Lavallo, from UC Riverside. "People thought this was a crazy idea. But it turns out, Breslow was right." Key to the breakthrough was the way the researchers were able to synthesize a "suit of armor" molecule in the lab, to wrap around the carbene and keep it intact. The team was able to use high-resolution imagery to verify the composition of the carbene. Through some other chemical tweaks on top of the protective structure, the carbene could be kept stable in water for as long as six months. It shows that carbenes can be biologically feasible, and that vitamin B1 may take on that form to do its work in the body. What's more, the researchers think that the approach they've used here could have industrial applications. Being able to stabilize carbenes could allow water to replace more toxic and dangerous substances in chemical reactions in the future, making for a cleaner way to produce things like pharmaceuticals and fuels. "Water is the ideal solvent – it's abundant, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly," says chemist Varun Raviprolu, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). "If we can get these powerful catalysts to work in water, that's a big step toward greener chemistry." There's a twist here: the researchers were investigating the chemistry of reactive molecules in general, not looking to prove Breslow's hypothesis. It's another example of the serendipitous scientific discoveries that can sometimes come from careful research. The research also acts as a reminder not to give up on a promising idea, even after almost six decades. There's plenty more to explore here for scientists – not least why the extra protection of the molecule seemed to reduce its reactivity – but Ronald Breslow would be happy to see his prediction was right. "There are other reactive intermediates we've never been able to isolate, just like this one," says Lavallo. "Using protective strategies like ours, we may finally be able to see them, and learn from them." "Just 30 years ago, people thought these molecules couldn't even be made. Now we can bottle them in water. What Breslow said all those years ago – he was right." The research has been published in Science Advances. Amazing Physics Experiment Reveals 'Quantum Rain' For The First Time Physicists Found an Entirely New Way to Measure Time Major Problem in Physics Could Be Fixed if The Whole Universe Was Spinning
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Adani Energy Solutions Q4 results: Net profit rises 79% to ₹647.15 cr
Adani Energy Solutions (AESL) on Thursday reported a 79 per cent on-year jump in its consolidated net profit (attributable to the owners of the company) at ₹647.15 crore in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024-25 (Q4FY25). AESL, the electricity transmission arm of the Adani Group, said that its revenue from operations rose 35.5 per cent on-year to ₹6,374.58 crore during the period under review. The company said that the recovery of past regulatory asset charges was recorded at ₹221.23 crore, which was added to the revenue from operations. Consolidated Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) in Q4FY25 was 28 per cent higher at ₹2,262 crore, supported by revenue growth, strong regulated Ebitda in the distribution business, which was 39 per cent higher Y-o-Y at ₹873 crore in Q4, said the company. The company said there was a 42 per cent on-year rise in its total income for FY25 at ₹24,447 crore, a growth which was driven by the contributions from its recently commissioned transmission projects, robust energy sales in Mumbai and Mundra utilities, and contribution from the smart metering business. 'As we embark on the next fiscal year, the company remains focused on incremental project commissioning, significantly increasing the meter installation as well as achieving operating efficiencies in all lines of business,' said Kandarp Patel, CEO, Adani Energy Solutions. 'The integrated business model and underlying power demand trends in our areas of operation are encouraging and complement our capital allocation policy,' he added. AESL secured two transmission projects, Navinal (Mundra) Phase I Part B1 and Mahan Transmission Ltd, in Q4, taking the new order total in FY25 to seven projects with a total project cost of ₹43,990 crore and a cumulative orderbook of ₹59,936 crore. Total expenses for the quarter were recorded at ₹5,411.60 crore, a 24 per cent increase compared with the corresponding previous year. The company said it has doubled its capex in FY25 to ₹11,444 crore, as against ₹5,613 crore in FY24. Shares of AESL closed at ₹962.05, up 2.48 per cent, while the benchmark Sensex was down 0.39 per cent at 79,801.43 points. The company said leverage position is at a comfortable level with net debt to Ebitda at 3.2 times in line with the guidance, The FY25 saw unprecedented transmission bidding activity of ₹1,61,540 crore, with AESL's market share at 28 per cent. The near-term tendering pipeline was at ₹54,000 crore, the firm said.
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New US visa rule: Carry this to avoid visa cancellation at interview
A new visa regulation now requires all applicants attending US visa interviews on or after April 1 to carry a DS-160 form with a confirmation barcode beginning with 'AA' that matches the one used while scheduling their appointment, according to the latest update by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DS-160, also known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is required for all short-term US visas, including B1/B2 (tourist/business), F-1 (student), H-1B (work), and J-1 (exchange visitor) categories. The form must be submitted online via the Department of State website prior to scheduling a visa interview. 'This requirement is mandatory for all applicants, including those from India, and applies across all nonimmigrant visa categories—tourist, student, work, and exchange visas,' said Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, speaking to Business Standard. What has changed? Previously, applicants could update or modify their DS-160 even after securing an interview slot. That flexibility is no longer allowed. 'Now, the DS-160 must be finalised before scheduling. The barcode from that form must match what is entered into the visa appointment system. If there's a mismatch, the applicant will not be allowed to attend the interview and will need to reschedule, leading to potential delays in travel plans. This rule applies to Indian applicants as well, as confirmed by US embassies and consulates operating in India,' said Singh. The US State Department has not made an official announcement on this update via its main website, but the instruction has already come into effect across consulates and embassies in several countries. Why this matters If your DS-160 barcode number does not match the appointment details, you will not be allowed to attend the interview You'll need to reschedule, which may cause: Delays in joining work Missed university deadlines Disruptions to family reunions This is now being enforced at US embassies in India, among other locations What applicants should do now To avoid issues on the day of the interview, applicants are advised to: < Fill out the DS-160 completely and correctly before booking an appointment < Ensure the form includes accurate details such as name, passport number, and travel plans < Save the confirmation page and check the barcode starts with 'AA' < Use the same DS-160 barcode when scheduling your visa interview < If a new DS-160 is submitted later, update your appointment profile accordingly or reschedule your appointment 'If you're unsure or need help, consult official consular sources or a qualified immigration adviser,' said Singh. The DS-160 remains a vital part of the US nonimmigrant visa process, as the information provided helps consular officers assess each applicant's eligibility during the interview.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How this Ukrainian walkie-talkie maker caught the attention of the US military
Himera is a Ukrainian tech startup that makes electronic warfare-resistant walkie-talkies. It was founded after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its products are being tested by the US Air Force. The Ukrainian defense tech industry has boomed in recent years. From drone and robotics makers to electronic warfare system providers, Ukrainian innovation has been on full display since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. One company to have sprung up since the conflict began is Himera, which makes electronic warfare-resistant walkie-talkies. Its products include the G1 Pro — a tactical handheld radio — and the B1 repeater, which extends communication ranges. Despite only having launched in 2022, the company has quickly caught the attention of the defense tech industry, as well as the US military. The product's major selling point is that it offers a potential solution to one of the defining challenges of the war in Ukraine — electronic warfare. The G1 is EW-resistant, using frequency-hopping technology to help evade electronic warfare interference, which seeks to disrupt and jam certain signals like GPS, radio, and video. Reticulate Micro, which supplies Himera's radios in the US, announced the first US delivery of G1 Pro radios to the US Air Force in October 2024. The company said the Air Force would test the G1 Pro alongside Reticulate's Video Assured Secure Transmission (VAST) technology, which delivers real-time video streaming. In a press release at the time, Joshua Cryer, then the president and CEO of Reticulate Micro, said: "By combining the Himera G1 Pro with VAST, we're aiming to democratize secure video transmission on the battlefield—empowering every warfighter with video-capable radio technology for enhanced situational awareness." Misha Rudominski, one of Himera's cofounders, told Business Insider that Himera's tech "bridges the gap" between tactical and commercial communications solutions. "We take the best from both worlds," he said. "We provide all the tactical relevant functionality like low probability of detection, low probability of interception, and low probability of jamming, which you don't find in commercial spec solutions." "But we do it in a very user-friendly way," he continued. "We want the lightest radio, we have one of the longest battery lives on the market." The G1 Pro has a battery life of around 48 hours and weighs just 300 grams. It can support the transmission of multiple information types, such as GPS, voice data, and texts, and is programmable by an encrypted app on a mobile or tablet device. "We make a very scalable and affordable solution," Rudominski added. "The scalability is a big point because we only use commercial off-the-shelf components." Representatives for Himera told Ukrainian news outlet Militarnyi in March that the company was "producing up to 1,000 radios per month" and that it had the capacity to "scale quickly to 2,500 units." "For large-scale orders, we are prepared to supply 10,000 to 15,000 radios per month," they said. Innovation has been crucial to Kyiv's fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces, and Ukrainian firms have continually adapted to meet the battlefield's ever-evolving demands. Rudominski told BI that this had also been key to Himera's success. "Over the last three years, we've done more than 80 versions of firmware updates," he said. "We've done more than probably 20 versions of separate kinds of hardware products. Most of them didn't go into production, but most of them have at some capacity been tested on the battlefield." Along with Reticulate, Himera has also partnered with Quantropi, a Canadian quantum security company, to integrate its security solutions into Himera's products. "We have our own software, but they can enhance our capacity," Rudominski said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 1978 Volkswagen Passat B1 GLS – one of fewer than 10 left
Some cars featured in this series of critically endangered models, such as Stuart Gerrish's 1978 Volkswagen Passat GLS, wear their historical importance lightly. On first look, it is middle-class family transport from a time when a fake-wooden facia denoted respectability. But this car is not simply one of only probably fewer than 10 B1s remaining on the road in the UK, it is a reminder of a car that changed VW's fortunes. The Passat was not Volkswagen's first front-wheel-drive car, as that was the 1970 K70 we featured a while back, a design VW inherited from NSU. Meanwhile, the B1's challenge was to replace the long-established, rear-engined 1600 Type 3 and the slow-selling Type 4 412. On its launch in May 1973, VW stated: 'The Passat winds form a connecting belt around the earth. Undoubtedly, it is a good name that is not plucked out of thin air.' More prosaically, Volkswagen based the Passat on the 1972 Audi 80 B1; the two had identical body pressings from nose to the side pillar between the doors. This did not prevent many Type 3 owners from experiencing a shock to their systems with the latest VW. If the front-drive layout did not startle them, the Giorgetto Giugiaro -styled fastback, two- or four-door bodywork, and watercooled 1.3- and 1.5-litre engines certainly did. However, in the B1's first full sales year, it became the best-selling car in the former West Germany; the Variant estate launched in late 1973, boosting its popularity. In the UK, the Passat suffered from high prices due to the strength of the deutschmark against the pound. But Tony Bastable on Thames Television's Drive In thought the Passat represented a formidable threat to its competitors, even if he did complain about its ventilation and lack of space to rest his left foot. By early 1974, VW GB had applied substantial reductions to the list price, while discerning motorists appreciated its road manners and spaciousness. The B1 was also quite a favourite of the motoring press, with The Telegraph finding it fast and stylish. Car thought the Passat could give a driver 'plenty of enjoyment, thanks to its sporty handling, its excellent roadholding and fine brakes'. In 1975 VW enlarged the 1.5-litre engine to a 1.6 and introduced hatchback options. Three years later, the five-door GLS cost £4,450, when the Chrysler Alpine GLS was £4,328. The Austin Maxi HL was far cheaper at £3,749 but suffered from British Leyland's dire quality reputation; the Passat's closest alternative was probably the well-appointed Renault 16 TX at £4,377. When What Car? tested the B1 against the Austin and the Renault, its testers concluded the British car was best suited to load-carrying, its French rival was the most comfortable and the Volkswagen had the finest 'styling, handling and performance'. The B2 Passat replaced the B1 in 1981 after sales of more than 1.8 million units. Sadly, the familiar issues of corrosion and neglect drastically reduced their numbers. Gerrish says: 'I had given up looking for one as I didn't think there was any chance. Then, my son walked into work one day and said: 'Dad, you had a Passat when you were young?' He had seen this one on Facebook Marketplace; it was only 30 miles away.' Gerrish has long been a B1 enthusiast: 'I was first attracted to the Passat because my grandfather had a gold one and as soon as I passed my test I knew I had to have one. My Passat is an automatic and is effortless to drive. She is quiet, handles very well, and I can't stop smiling while driving her. 'Most people who know their VWs are pleased to see it, often saying that they haven't seen one for years or 'My dad had one' and 'Doesn't it look like a Scirocco?'.' And it was an early Autocar test that, not only found the Passat better engineered than previous Volkswagens, but presciently noted it 'undoubtedly sets the tone of future cars to come from Wolfsburg'. In addition to setting the template for nine generations of Passats, the B1 was the harbinger of the Scirocco, Golf and Polo. In addition to possessing a facia of mock-wood charm.
