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Flexible and cost-effective cryptographic encryption algorithm for securing unencrypted database files at rest and in transit
To prevent unauthorized access to the databases and to ensure that the data of the databases is protected from intruders and insiders, the data is being encrypted at the storage locations. The same goal is achieved with Transparent Data Encryption, a feature that can be found in almost all database products. However, it has been observed that the non-datafiles are being ignored and there is no standard encryption for them like there is for datafiles. Moreover, there was no standard algorithm to encrypt them without relying on third-party tools. Therefore, This study provides a robust algorithm to perform the encryption. This presentation also describes the importance of non-datafiles encryption, and how some non-datafiles can pose a threat to data and infrastructure without encryption. The practical implementation of the non-data file encryption algorithm shows the authentic results. Further, unlike existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm gives the file owner full control over the encryption logic. In the encryption process, two levels of encryption logics are combined with a passcode lock, while the same combination of two levels of reversing encryption and passcode is used in the decryption process to convert encoded data back into text format. 2022 The Author(s) -
Cloud databases: A resilient and robust framework to dissolve vendor lock-in
Vendor lock-in has become a major concern in cloud computing. The term vendor lock-in describes situations where the subscriber cannot move data or services to another cloud vendor. This is due to heavy data volumes, high network bandwidth costs, dependencies, or unacceptable downtime. The proposed vendor lock-in dissolution practice migrates the database effectively in noticeably less time, regardless of database size and with a nominal network bandwidth requirement. Through this new practice, databases can be migrated to very remote regions, even across continents. A real-time implementation of the proposed method presented in this paper. 2024 The Author(s) -
Assimilating sense into disaster recovery databases and judgement framing proceedings for the fastest recovery
The replication between the primary and secondary (standby) databases can be configured in either synchronous or asynchronous mode. It is referred to as out-of-sync in either mode if there is any lag between the primary and standby databases. In the previous research, the advantages of the asynchronous method were demonstrated over the synchronous method on highly transactional databases. The asynchronous method requires human intervention and a great deal of manual effort to configure disaster recovery database setups. Moreover, in existing setups there was no accurate calculation process for estimating the lag between the primary and standby databases in terms of sequences and time factors with intelligence. To address these research gaps, the current work has implemented a self-image looping database link process and provided decision-making capabilities at standby databases. Those decisions from standby are always in favor of selecting the most efficient data retrieval method and being in sync with the primary database. The purpose of this paper is to add intelligence and automation to the standby database to begin taking decisions based on the rate of concurrency in transactions at primary and out-of-sync status at standby. 2023 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved. -
Exchange rate, stock price and trade volume in US-China trade war during COVID-19: An empirical study
This article aims to examine the influence of international trade wars on the majority of stock market operations, both directly and indirectly affected. The impact of the trade war on the exchange rates of the participating countries was similarly negative. This article seeks to trace the conversion standards' footprints in the United States, China, and India using several indexes such as the Shanghai Composite Index, Dow Jones index, and Nifty 50. The cost of closing down various indices on a daily basis, as well as the conversion standard upsides of the participating currencies, are all examined in this study. Furthermore, utilizing the OLS and GARCH models, this work provides insights into measuring the uncertainties about the impact of exchanging scale on financial exchange. According to the findings of OLS, changes in the swapping scale have had a minor impact on the daily closing costs of stock records in the individual countries. The conversion standard, on the other hand, has a major impact on trade volumes in all three stock markets. When compared to the SSE and DJI equities, the GARCH model predicts that the contingent shift will be less shocking, resulting in a smaller impact on Nifty trade volume. To replicate the impact of trade wars during the Covid-19 crisis, the final results imply that data from domestic and international financial transactions must include securities market transactions. Author This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). -
Feminism in Practice: Learning from the Barefoot Solar Mamas
The Barefoot College (India) is an NGO working in the fields of education, skills development, health, drinking water, and solar power mainly to train older, rural women who are determined to challenge restrictive gender roles in their respective communities. Since its inception, the NGO has trained over 2,000 rural women as solar engineers across 93 countries worldwide and has brought electricity to over 18,000 homes. Barefoot trainers employ non-normative methods of sharing knowledge such as color coding, sign language, and practical experience. This paper conducts a critical assessment of the Barefoot College Solar Electrification Programme to explore how it empowers illiterate and semi-literate women from remote rural areas around the world to become solar engineers (or Solar Mamas). It utilizes qualitative research methods to analyze this women's empowerment project as a landmark practical application of decolonial feminist theory. The paper contends that the Barefoot approach both challenges and conforms to the Women in Development and Gender and Development approaches of the past. The research is grounded methodologically in feminist praxis and also borrows from the conceptual frameworks of Feminist Political Ecology and Women and the Politics of Place. Stories and personal experiences from Solar Mamas have been highlighted to understand the real world impact of the program. The main findings indicate that the Barefoot College's innovative approach to empower marginalized communities and educate older women is achieved through decentralizing control and demystifying technology. (2024), (Bridgewater State College). All Rights Reserved. -
DOES COVID-19 AFFECT SHARIAH COMPLIANT STOCK? EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED OIC COUNTRIES
This study aims to examine the movements of Islamic stock markets in ten selected OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries in relation to Covid-19 cases, providing a comprehensive analysis of market behavior during the pandemic. The countries-Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain-were chosen based on their large Muslim populations. Data was collected over a one-year period from January 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, analyzing the relationship between Covid-19 cases and Islamic stock market indices. The study employed co-integration tests to identify long-term relationships and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to explore short-run dynamics. The co-integration test results show a significant long-run relationship between Covid-19 cases and Islamic stock markets in most of the selected OIC countries. Specifically, the Shariah indices in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have a positive and significant relationship with Covid-19 cases. Conversely, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Oman exhibit a negative long-term relationship with Covid-19 cases, suggesting a different market response. These results suggest that countries with diversified economies, particularly those relying on natural resources such as oil and agriculture, were more resilient during the pandemic. This study provides novel insights into the unique responses of Islamic stock markets in OIC countries during the pandemic, highlighting regional differences in market behavior and recovery. It suggests that despite the global economic downturn, OIC countries present attractive investment opportunities, particularly due to their swift recovery and resource-based economies, offering a robust portfolio for investors during crises. 2024 by the author(s). -
The Taos and Trait Meta-mood on Transpersonal Gratitude: Tracing Their Influences
The mainstream empirical research has always viewed gratitude in its triadic form involving a typical human giver, gift, and receiver. But it is not the same in the case of transpersonal gratitude. Instead, it is directed towards abstract entities beyond self like God, their own state of being, or the cosmos. The previous literature had affirmed that a selfless attitude and better mood could determine overall gratitude. But this relation is not mainly known in the context of this newer form of gratitude. Indian young adults (N = 456) completed scales on transpersonal gratitude, trait meta-mood, and ego-grasping orientationa Taoist concept. The preliminary analysis revealed that the selfless nature was unrelated to transpersonal gratitude. Subsequently, the predictive effect of trait meta-mood on transpersonal gratitude is quantified. The findings explain the distinguishable features of the young adults' populace and positive transpersonal experiences. The need to identify groups, cultural differences, and the utility of interventions on transpersonal gratitude in the future gratitude research is emphasised. 2023, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) India. -
A taxation perspective on how domestic double taxation on corporate taxes affects Indian commerce
This paper examines the impact of domestic double taxation on corporate taxation in India after the abolition of the dividend distribution tax (DDT) and the introduction of the new tax rates and rules in 2020. Domestic double taxation occurs when the same income is taxed twice by the same jurisdiction, such as at the corporate and shareholder level. Using data from the Income Tax Department and the Reserve Bank of India, this paper estimates the effective tax rate on corporate income and dividends in India under the current tax system. It compares it with the previous tax system and the international standards. It also analyses the effect of domestic double taxation on corporate financial decisions, such as the dividend payout ratio, the retained earnings, the debt-equity ratio, and the investment rate. It evaluates the effect of domestic double taxation on corporate tax revenue, tax incidence, and tax efficiency. The authors identify that, between 2019 and 2023, corporate income tax revenue in India increased alongside nominal GDP growth, with a notable positive correlation coefficient between the two variables. The empirical analysis technique involves gathering and analyzing quantitative data to assess the real impact of new tax reforms and reduced corporate tax rates. Finally, this study proposes policy recommendations to mitigate the adverse effects of domestic double taxation and improve India's corporate taxation system and GDP. This paper contributes to the literature by providing updated and comprehensive empirical evidence on domestic double taxation and corporate taxation in India and by offering some insights and suggestions for the policymakers, the tax authorities, the corporate sector, and the academic community. 2025 Malque Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Rayleigh-benard convection in a dusty newtonian nanofluid with and without coriolis force
Theoretical investigation of the Rayleigh-Bard convection (TRBC) in nanofluid (NF) submerged with dust particles is carried out. Convection in dusty nanofluid is considered between two horizontal free boundaries. Effect of nanoparticles shape is also accounted. The Saffmans dusty fluid model is used to simulate the influence of dust particles, whereas the KVL (Khanafer-Vafai-Lightstone) model is employed to estimate the effective nanofluid properties. The fluid, dust particles and nanoparticles are in the thermal equilibrium state and move with the same velocity. The exact solutions are obtained using Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) method for two different cases namely (1) TRBC in dusty nanofluid (DNF) without Coriolis force (2) TRBC in DNF with Coriolis force. It is established that for the stationary convection, the effect of suspended particles hasten the onset of convection whereas the Coriolis force postpones the onset of convection. 2018 by American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved. -
Synthesis and characterization of Cr2AlC MAX phase for photocatalytic applications
MAX phase, a layered ternary carbide/nitride, displays both ceramic and metallic properties, which has significantly attracted the materials research. In this work, Cr2AlC MAX phase powder with high purity was fabricated via a facile and cost-effective pressure-less sintering methodology and utilized for photocatalytic degradation of different organic pollutants for the first time. Various characterization techniques were used for confirming the morphological and other physico-chemical properties of the catalyst. Cr2AlC MAX phase with a low band gap of 1.28 eV has shown 99% efficiency in the degradation of malachite green, an organic pollutant under visible light irradiation. The scavenger studies conclude that, O2?and h+ as the active species during the photocatalytic reaction. Furthermore, the kinetic study revealed that the reaction obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics and can be reused for four cycles without losing the activity. This novel approach can give new insight into the potential application of MAX phase materials in the field of wastewater treatment under visible light irradiation. 2021 Elsevier Ltd -
Fabrication of bismuth ferrite/graphitic carbon nitride/N-doped graphene quantum dots composite for high performance supercapacitors
Supercapacitors are potential energy storage devices with a broad range of applications. In this study, we are investigating a bismuth ferrite/graphitic carbon nitride/N-doped graphene quantum dots composite as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications. XRD patterns of the composite exhibit the different crystalline phases of the individual component and confirm the rhombohedral structure of the composite. The wafer-like structure of bismuth ferrite is produced via hydrothermal technique supported on 2D structures viz. graphitic carbon nitride and N-doped graphene quantum dots. Compared to bismuth ferrite and bismuth ferrite/graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) binary composite, the bismuth ferrite/g-CN/N-doped graphene quantum dots demonstrates a superior specific capacitance of 1472 F g?1 at 1 A g?1 current density. After 3000 charging-discharging cycles, the device maintains its cycling stability with 87% capacitance retention. A supercapacitor device is assembled utilizing bismuth ferrite/graphitic carbon nitride/N-doped graphene quantum dots and activated carbon as electrodes. This device shows a significantly improved performance with an energy density of 53.1 Wh kg?1 and a power density of 705.4 W kg?1. As a result, the composite electrode developed in this study is proved to be a potential electrode material for high-performance energy storage devices. 2022 -
Hydrogen Sulfide-Induced Activatable Photodynamic Therapy Adjunct to Disruption of Subcellular Glycolysis in Cancer Cells by a Fluorescence-SERS Bimodal Iridium Metal-Organic Hybrid
The practical application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) demands targeted and activatable photosensitizers to mitigate off-target phototoxicity common in always on photosensitizers during light exposure. Herein, a cyclometalated iridium complex-based activatable photodynamic molecular hybrid, Cy-Ir-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD), is demonstrated as a biomedicine for molecular precision. This design integrates a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-responsive NBD unit with a hydroxy-appended iridium complex, Cy-Ir-OH. In normal physiological conditions, the electron-rich Ir metal center exerts electron transfer to the NBD unit, quenches the excited state dynamics, and establishes a PDT-off state. Upon exposure to H2S, Cy-Ir-NBD activates into the potent photosensitizer Cy-Ir-OH through nucleophilic substitution. This mechanism ensures exceptional specificity, enabling targeted phototherapy in H2S-rich cancer cells. Additionally, we observed that Cy-Ir-NBD-induced H2S depletion disrupts S-sulfhydration of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme, impairing glycolysis and ATP production in the cellular milieu. This sequential therapeutic process of Cy-Ir-NBD is governed by the positively charged central iridium ion that ensures mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. Dual-modality SERS and fluorescence imaging validate apoptotic events, highlighting Cy-Ir-NBD as an advanced theranostic molecular entity for activatable PDT. Finally, as a proof of concept, clinical assessment is evaluated with the blood samples of breast cancer patients and healthy volunteers, based on their H2S overexpression capability through SERS and fluorescence, revealing Cy-Ir-NBD to be a promising predictor for PDT activation in advanced cancer phototherapy. 2024 American Chemical Society. -
An objective function based technique for devignetting fundus imagery using MST
Fundus photography is a powerful imaging modality that is utilized for detecting macular degeneration, retinal neoplasms, choroid disturbances, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. As the illumination source in fundus imaging is situated at the center of the fundus camera, the illumination at the peripheral regions of the images would be relatively less than the center, which is termed vignetting. Vignetting adversely affects the performance of computerized methods for analyzing fundus imagery. A devignetting method for fundus imagery based on the Modified Sigmoid Transform (MST) is proposed in this paper. Gain (A) and centering parameter (?) of MST have a crucial influence on its performance. For low values of the gain, local contrast is penalized, and the overall dynamic range is compressed. When the value of gain is very high, the images after the illumination correction will have a washed out appearance. The optimum value of gain is determined in this paper from an objective method based on two statistical indices, Average Gradient of Illumination Component (AGIC) and Error of Enhancement (EME). MST with gain value defined via objective methods is able to correct the uneven illumination in fundus images without penalizing the local contrast. The proposed method is compared with illumination equalization model, homomorphic filtering and Adaptive Gamma Correction (AGC) and was found to be superior in terms of naturality uniformity of background illumination, and computational speed. 2018 -
An AHP-TOPSIS Approach for Optimizing the Mechanical Performance of Natural Fiber-Based Green Composites
Natural fibers have emerged as an effective replacement for synthetic fibers in the fabrication of green composites to be used for producing various components in automotive, aerospace, and other applications. In this proposed study, the mechanical properties of banana and coir fiber-based green composites have been optimized by using a hybrid AHP-TOPSIS approach. Corn starch along with glycerol has been used as the matrix material for fabricating the green composites. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of the developed green composite have been optimized with a focus on the utilization of this composite in automotive and aerospace applications. Three different weight percentages (0%, 5%, and 10%) of banana and coir fibers was considered for the fabrication of green composites. The constituents of the green composite have been taken as the input variables whereas the mechanical properties of the green composite are considered as the output variables for designing the experiment. The design of the experiment consisted of nine different combinations of input and output variables. Results of the study revealed that 5 wt.% of banana fiber, 10 wt.% of coir fiber, and 85 wt.% of corn starch provide the optimum mechanical performance of the developed green composites. 2022 A. N. Shankar et al. -
Hycons Renewable Private Limited: Viable Biogas Production from Paddy Straws: A Capital Budgeting Decision
The case revolves around the decision to be taken by Mr Sashikant Hegde, Managing Director, Hycons Renewable Private Ltd, on the project viability of a business proposal. The proposal was to start a manufacturing plant in Punjab to produce compressed biogas using paddy straws. Hegde firmly believed that the company would do well considering the growth of the CNG market in India, as the oil and natural gas sector in India is among the top 10 core industries in the country and plays an important role in the existence of other important sectors as well. The proposal would benefit Hycons to establish its presence in northern India, but the project viability and funding of the investment remained an unanswered question. 2023 Lahore University of Management Sciences. -
Financial well-being A Generation Z perspective using a Structural Equation Modeling approach
The current pandemic situation in the global economy has urged the need to revolutionize the financial services industry with a keen eye on consumers financial needs for sound financial decisions, which is necessary for financial well-being. The purpose of the study is to assess the financial well-being of Indian Gen Z students in relation to financial literacy, financial fragility, financial behavior, and financial technology. In addition, the study also tries to determine how Gen Z students financial well-being is influenced by other factors such as gender, age, parental education, employment status, and monthly income in India. The study uses the scientific data analysis approach, Partial Least Squares-SEM model to estimate, predict, and assess the hypotheses. A sample of 271 University students from India was surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Questions were incorporated to understand the effect of financial literacy, technology, fragility, behavior, demographic and parental characteristics on financial well-being. The results indicate that financial behavior is positively related to financial well-being, while financial fragility is negatively associated. However, financial literacy and financial technology do not significantly affect financial well-being. The results also show that financial well-being is significantly influenced by gender, parental education, employment status, and monthly income change. Understanding Indian Gen Z student financial well-being will expand the students understanding of the importance of financial literacy for well-planned financial behavior and informed decisions, hence high levels of financial well-being. Government and financial institutions can more effectively identify gaps and deficiencies in student financial well-being. 2022 LLC CPC Business Perspectives. All rights reserved. -
A mathematical model that describes the relation of low-density lipoprotein and oxygen concentrations in a stenosed artery
The cellular activities of the endothelium layer between lumen and intima are significantly linked to the origin of the disease atherosclerosis. Three stages of atherosclerosis were investigated in this study (40%-mild, 50%-modest, and 60%-acute) concerning the coronary arterial segment. The essence of the hemodynamic factors like flow velocity, pressure, and wall shear stress has been investigated, as well as the interrelationships between them. At all degrees of stenosis, the biophysical relationship between convection-diffusion of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and convection-diffusion of oxygen in the bloodstream is investigated. The Finite Element Methods (FEM) are used to solve the modeled partial differential equation systems. The method adopted is numerical in nature providing accurate graphical solutions to the framed systems. The physical effects of the deposition of LDL on the arterial wall, like a decrease in the diameter of the lumen, and toughening of the walls, are analyzed through the evaluation of the physical parameters. The study revealed that the deposition of LDL molecules in the post stenotic region leads to the depletion of oxygen in the region leading to the rapid dysfunctioning of the endothelial layer of the lumen-intima boundary. 2022 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
THE ANALYSIS OF THE FLOW OF BLOOD IN A STENOSED ARTERY THROUGH SIMULATION: A COMPARISON AMONG VARIOUS NON-NEWTONIAN MODELS
This paper focuses on the dual quality of blood, Newtonian and non-Newtonian, in particular by exploring the energy curves. Careful investigation of the dual property of blood has been made by considering two different geometries to represent a stenosed arterial segment. We present a cautious assessment of non-Newtonian blood rheology impacts in arterial stream simulations by coupling the Newtonian and non-Newtonian models. The flow of energy through the two flow dimensions is meticulously investigated using velocity (kinetic energy), pressure, and wall shear stress (pressure energy). Besides, the proper implementation of an interface boundary condition (IBC) was emphasized to ensure consistency with the flow conditions downstream of a backward-facing step. The integration of the Newtonian and non-Newtonian models adjoins the novelty of the current research. The energy curves are obtained by implementing five different non-Newtonian models to designate a suitable non-Newtonian model for blood flow investigations. The combination of the non-Newtonian models enforced in this research is novel and particular attention is paid to the energy curves obtained. The conclusion was to elect the Carreau model as a suitable non-Newtonian rheological model for the blood flow study. This study was able to finalize the fact that the coupling of Newtonian and non-Newtonian models is necessary to obtain accurate results. For the sinusoidal waveform considered for the velocity, Carreau and the Power law models yield better results, eliminating the other non-Newtonian models from the list. With a better inlet condition imposed in the form of the Fourier series for pressure and velocity, the Carreau model yields the best results. 2024 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
Possibilities for the Flow of Water and Blood through a Graphene Layer in a Geometry Analogous to Human Arterioles: An Observational Study
Atherosclerosis and aneurysm are two non-communicable diseases that affect the human arterial network. The arterioles undergo dimensional changes that prominently influence the flow of oxygen and nutrients to distal organs and organ systems. Several studies have emerged discussing the various possibilities for the circumstances surrounding the existence of these pathologies. In the present work, we analyze the flow of blood across the stenosis and the aneurysmic sac in contrast with the flow of water to explore alterations in the flow characteristics caused by introduction of the graphene layer. We investigate the blood flow past the graphene layer with varying porosity. The study is undertaken to replace usage of a stent along a blocked artery by inserting a thin layer of graphene along the flow channel in the post-pathological section of the geometry. To explain the flow, a 2D mathematical model is constructed, and the validity and exclusivity of the models solution are examined. When the artery wall is assumed to be inelastic, the computation of the mathematical system is evaluated using a finite element method (FEM) solver. We define a new parameter called critical porosity (Formula presented.) to explore the flow possibilities through the graphene layer. The findings indicate that the flow pattern was adversely affected by the graphene layer that was added to the flow field. The negative impact on the flow could be due to the position of the graphene layer placed. The (Formula presented.) values for the flow of blood across healthy arteriole, stenosed arteriole, and aneurysmic arteriole segments were (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) respectively. The critical porosity values were achieved with precision in terms of linear errors (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.), and (Formula presented.), respectively. The consequences of the present study disclose various possible ways to utilize graphene and its compounds in the medical and clinical arena, with a prior exploration of the chemical properties of the compound. The idea and the methodology applied for the present study are novel as there have been no previous research works available in this direction of the research field. 2023 by the authors. -
Virtual Reality in Tourism: A Research Note
Technology inclusions have been deriving disruptive changes in the tourism industry. The most sought-after digital tool virtual reality (VR) has been highly preferred by destination marketers in formulating their marketing strategies and executions and branding their destinations. Though VR inclusion started early, the pandemic crisis has added effectiveness to the vibrance of the industrys offerings. However, the research of VR inclusions in tourism marketing needs wider evidence that would eventually facilitate the thereof in identifying and understanding of the emerging tourists micro-segments based on their motives, duality of destination management and branding, and the relevance for conceiving memorable experiences. This research note indicated three such critical aspects VR in upscaling tourism, VR as a marketing strategy for sustainability, and VR as reality or reality for tourists. The note also indicated the major areas that can be researched from the given perspectives of VR for tourism marketing and destination branding. 2022, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.