SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: Dr. Bhavna, an experienced leader in education and innovation, has held various leadership positions, including head of department, dean of alumni relations, and president of the institutions innovation council. She has been instrumental in initiating the alumni cell at her previous organization and establishing world-class state-of-the-art laboratories in collaboration with the automotive sector. Aims: Dr. Bhavna's efforts aim to create an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within the institute and beyond, encouraging learners to consider entrepreneurship as a career option and fostering innovation in the electronics manufacturing domain. Methods: Dr. Bhavna's approach involves raising awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship among learners, fostering collaborations between academia and industry, and establishing world-class state-of-the-art laboratories to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Results: Dr. Bhavna's efforts have resulted in a strong alumni network, with graduates across the globe contributing to various domains and positions. She has also established world-class laboratories in collaboration with the automotive sector, fostering innovation and startups in the electronics manufacturing domain. Discussions: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology plays a significant role in initiating innovations and startups in the electronics manufacturing domain. They have generated a separate vertical for startups, which poses challenges to innovators. If a solution is validated, the ministry handholds the innovators, incubates their ideas, funds them, and helps them reach the market at the national and international levels. Conclusions: Dr. Bhavna's vision and efforts toward fostering an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within the institute and beyond are commendable. Her experience and achievements in various leadership roles, including as the head of the department and president of the institutions innovation council, have added significant value to her professional and personal life.

The pre-sowing treatment of scarlet sage (Salvia splendens Ker Gawl.) seeds with 4-methyl-2-piperidin1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% proved to have an obvious inhibiting effect. Prior to sowing, the seeds of Salvia splendens were soaked in a water suspension of 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid with concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% for 18 hours. On the 42nd day of the experiment, the seedlings, having been preliminarily hardened for 12 days, were removed from the greenhouse and planted on the field. The pre-sowing treatment of Salvia splendens seeds with 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid proved to have the inhibiting effect at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05%. The height of the seedlings decreased by 13.3-43.7%. It was revealed that 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% decreased the growth of the seedlings by 30.4-43.7%, and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05% decreased the growth of the seedlings by13.3-22.2%. By contrast, the effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height of another annual flower – spreading marigold (Tagetes patula L.) was stimulating. It was investigated some different concentrations from 0.01 to 0.05 %. The same concentrations of identical compounds were tested, but effects from them were opposite for Tagetes patula, and Salvia splendens seedlings. Сonsequently, the species-specific effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height for ornamental grasses takes place. Therefore,4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid are recommended as growth retardants for Salvia splendens. 

Cast iron alloys combine many elements such as carbon, iron, silicon, magnesium and can be usually classified according to their microstructure in ductile, gray, compacted, white, and malleable. Each one has particularities in terms of properties and applications. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the degree of nodularity (%) in a ductile cast iron alloy GGG 40. In this context, a methodology to investigate the degree of nodularity wasproposed. The ultrasonic method was used to determine the amount of ductile graphite as well as for parts release and thus facilitated the industrial operational execution. The effect of ultrasonic sound was investigated in sixtyseven ductile cast irons, and these analyses were further compared to the level of nodularity observed by metallography. Finally, based on the findings, the cast iron quality was guaranteed, leading to time savings, avoiding the microstructural examination, and thus promoting cost reductions.