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Highly mixed high-energy d-orbital states enhance oxygen evolution reactions in spinel catalysts
Design, synthesis, and engineering of electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential for attaining desirable electrocatalytic performance towards practical implementation. Emerging spinel-type OER catalysts have not reached the desirable activity and durability, thus demanding critical research to advance the field. To achieve enhanced OER performance for spinel-type OER catalysts, we present an efficient strategy of electronic structure modulation of central metal atoms. Modulation of the electronic properties of the Zn and Co atoms through the counter anionic components (O, S, and Se) regulates the adsorption of oxygen intermediates and thus enhances OER activity, which is systematically demonstrated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation. Although the zinc cobalt selenide catalyst showed the less pronounced trigonal distortion, the mixing of eg orbitals with selenium accounts for the experimentally observed enhancement in OER activity. The result is, in contrast to the benchmark catalyst made of RuO2, ZnCo2Se4@rGO demonstrated lower OER overpotential (?10 = 302 mV) and Tafel slope (58 mV dec?1) as well as greater durability at 10 mA cm?2 for 50 h. The implementation of this strategy in several spinel-type catalysts could improve their electrocatalytic performance. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Monoclinic Y2O3: Ce nanophosphors synthesized by wet chemical precipitation method
UV emitting nanophosphors draws attention from many researchers currently due to the diverse applications ranging from UV LEDs to phototherapy. The current work is an investigation of monoclinic yttrium oxide doped with cerium synthesized by means of wet chemical precipitation at low temperature (90 C). Raman analysis and TEM experiments confirmed the formation of monoclinic phase and XPS analysis proves the presence of Ce3+ energy levels. UV experiments delivered strong absorption in the short UV region and photoluminescence experiments demonstrated the material's capability to emit in the long UV region. Surface area measurements by BET analysis established the relationship between the BET surface area and luminescence intensity. This emission range is suitable for therapeutical application especially for skin diseases which further extends the scope of the work. 2023 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. -
Developing a steady state wear equation for AA7050 hybrid composites/steel interface at elevated temperature
In this research work, an attempt was made to reinforce AA7050/5Gr composites with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) of varying weight percentages processed through stir casting route. SEM with EDS mapping revealed that the particles were uniformly distributed over the composites. Hardness reduces with increasing MWCNT weight percentage owing to the inverse hall petch effect and increment in void content. A third-body abrasion, which happens when the CNT in the aluminium matrix material detaches from the surface and erodes material from the composites pin as well as the counter face, causes the wear resistance to rise with the addition of CNT particles. A mechanically mixed layer, which avoids direct metal-to-metal contact and thus increases wear resistance, was created at the abraded surface and at high temperature, where the reduction of wear rate was due to the development of oxide protective layer. A steady-state wear equation for the contacting surface at high temperature (R = 1/Y ?(ln W/2X)) for AA7050 hybrid compositessteel interface was developed. The enhancement in wear resistance was directly proportional to the proportion of ferrous content present on the surface, which was confirmed on the elemental analysis. Pock marks, micropits, craters and cracks were the features observed on the worn surface morphology, whereas delamination and plasticisation were the observed modes of wear mechanism. 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
PHILOSOPHICAL POSTHUMANISM: A RENEWED WORLDVIEW AND A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Exponential technological advances capture the zeitgeist of contemporary society. Machines are increasingly gaining agency, which helps in the deconstruction of the humanist notion of humans. Society takes a posthuman turn with large-scale humanmachine imbrication and nonhuman agency. The posthuman turn is also reflected in the academic world, which is seriously contemplating the integration of posthumanities. The philosophical posthumanism of Francisca Ferrando is a posthuman theory with three constituent elements: post-humanism, post-anthropocentrism, and post-dualism. Post-humanism revisits the definition of human that has given rise to marginalization within the human species. Post-anthropocentrism critiques the human superiority and exceptionalism that have led to the marginalization of other species. Post-dualism revisits the dualistic mindset that allows hierarchical sociopolitical constructions. Ferrando presents a vision of a posthuman utopian society that recognizes pluralistic voices within the human species on egalitarian terms, accepts and values the agency of nonhuman actors, and sheds the dualistic view of life that keeps humans and nonhumans on either side of the binary system. Philosophical posthumanism can be suitable as a methodological framework to analyze the posthuman discourses in literary works, specifically in science fiction. 2024 The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. -
ITBC Controlled IPWM for Solar Based Wide Range Voltage Conversion System
This paper presents an isolated tiny or micro-bidirectional DCAC converter (ITBC) that operates in a single-phase, single-stage, bidirectional, and isolated configuration. The converter utilises a voltage-in-phase PWM (IPWM) control scheme to regulate the potential conversion ratio of the converter, enabling it to handle a wide voltage range. The converter also enables smooth power flow direction changes and can achieve soft switching, resulting in high efficiency. A unidirectional current controller can be used for both DCAC and ACDC modes. The paper provides detailed information about the micro-inverter's working principles, design procedure, characteristics, and control strategy. The proposed solution is verified by a 500-watt test bench model with a voltage input range of 30 volts to 50 volts. 2024 IETE. -
Exploring novice Indian school counsellors' experiences collaborating with teachers and administrators
Previous studies have shown that collaboration between school counsellors and other stakeholders such as teachers and administrators leads to improved outcomes for students and a better school climate. The current qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of novice school counsellors in India regarding collaboration with teachers and administrators. The sample included 11 novice school counsellors working in five different cities who were recruited using purposive sampling. The thematic analysis of the data collected via semistructured interviews revealed six main themes: 'Counsellors' perceptions about collaboration', 'Collaboration with teachers', 'Collaboration with administrators', 'Challenges faced during collaboration', 'Strategies helpful in collaboration' and 'Impact of training'. Implications discussed include the need for school counsellors to advocate for their role, the need for training programs to prepare stakeholders for collaboration, and the need for policies to integrate the role of a school counsellor into schools. The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press. -
Taste of your Hometown: Evoking Nostalgia through the Diner Space in Midnight Diner
Restaurant spaces are seen as a space that intersects between the personal and the cultural. This paper looks at a Japanese TV series, Midnight Diner, an adaptation of a Manga by Yaro Abe, where a tiny, not-so-popular restaurant in one of the back lanes in Tokyo serves food from midnight to 7 a.m. This show makes several meaningful connections between food, memory, and space as the customers come with specific food cravings, and the Master (the owner-chef of the Diner) is happy to customize. The diner space transcends the traditional meaning of a diner that not only serves food to satiate hunger but is an experience that evokes nostalgia for their home and their loved ones. The wistfulness in the lives of the customers for their home, people, and home-cooked food finds a release in the diner. The space of the diner acquires different meanings, as do the dishes the customer relishes. Thus, the paper explores the diner space as a symbolic space where each episode introduces a new character, a new story, and the past they deal with while the food is prepared and consumed on screen. The taste, smell, texture, and ingredients of the food in this diner stimulate the senses, and this space acquires emotional meaning for everyone stepping in. 2023, University of Malaya. All rights reserved. -
In-Vitro Investigation of the ?-Amylase Inhibition Activity of Bare Bis-Benzylidene-Cyclohexanone Synthesized by a Highly Selective Solvent-Free Route
Current work reports the highly selective, solvent-free synthesis of an endorsed bioactive compound, Bis benzylidine cyclohexanone (BBC) through solid acid catalysed cross aldol condensation route and checks its in-vitro bio activity. The catalytic support (Multiwalled carbon nanotube) employed was synthesized through the highly sophisticated catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and simple mechanical grinding strategy was adopted to decorate sulfonic acid on the support. The C1s X-ray photoelectron peak of at 290.3 eV confirms the effective interaction of sulfonic acid with MWCNT. The sharp and intense desorption peaks observed at approximately 528.7 C and 655.15 C in the TPD analysis unmistakably substantiate the strong acidity of the synthesized system. The alpha amylase inhibition activity of the synthesized compound was calculated to be around 88.5 %, which is in par with the commercial drug as it could inhibit only 96 %. Further, the in-silico (Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulation) investigations unveiled a new target site for the compound and this can further be studied in detail to advance the applications in drug design. Detailed scrutiny of various parameters was conducted to validate the bioactivity and pharmaceutical potential of the synthesized compound. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Computational studies into the chemical nature, thermal behaviour, solvent role, reactivity and biological evaluation of Rigidin E A marine alkaloid with potent liver cancer inhibition
The current work includes theoretical studies of Rigidin E (marine alkaloid) molecule with the DFT technique and evaluation of its biological properties in silico. DFT calculations in different media were performed for the title molecule. Gradual changes were noticed in the properties of the title compound when subjected to solvation in polar solvents. Electron density distribution, interaction and excitation were demonstrated using topological studies (ELF, LOL, RDG, and charge transfer) done using Multiwfn software. From FMO analysis, methanol is the solvent in which the title compound has the highest band gap value (3.8972 eV) compared to other solvents, and in the gas phase it has a band gap value of 3.6886 eV. Theoretical UV studies show that n ->?* and n ->?* electronic transitions are significant in Rigidin E. In water, the title molecule has a first-order hyperpolarizability about 100 times that of the reference substance urea, indicating its powerful NLO potential in aqueous medium. ADMET profile was generated using online tools (ADMET lab 2.0, PreADMET, and SwissADME). For the title molecule, docking was done against select liver cancer targets using AutoDock Tools and the lowest binding affinity was obtained ?4.62 kcal/mol against 4H6J protein. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Bacha Posh: Gender Construct in Afghan Culture Examined through the Lens of Children in Literature
With the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and their return in 2021, Afghanistan has undergone drastic socio-political changes. In many families, children are introduced to the practice of Bacha Posh (dressing up like a boy), an Afghan cultural custom where girls are dressed up as boys until they are married off. Despite children being central to this practice, it has not been studied through their eyes. This article examines the custom of Bacha Posh through the childrens perspective and situates it within the current socio-political scenario of the country. A textual and cultural analysis of three literary works is carried out through a study of their child characters to examine how Afghan culture creates its own gender construct. Two are significant works of childrens literature that revolve around real-life stories of Bacha Posh Nadia Hashimis One Half from the East (2016) and Deborah Ellis The Breadwinner (2000). The third work is The Underground Girls of Kabul (2014) by Jenny Nordberg, a seminal work in the study of Bacha Posh in which Nordberg focuses on the practice of Bacha Posh and presents the voice of children. This article then goes on to study the impact of the restrictive nature of the Taliban regime on girls and its influence on the cultural custom of Bacha Posh. It demonstrates how this practice creates an unstable gender construct among children, as evidenced by the gender dysphoria that some girls experience. It thus demonstrates the impact of culture on gender through filling in the gaps between culture, literature and politics. 2023, The International Academic Forum (IAFOR). All rights reserved. -
Exploring the use of mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities: experiences from Haryana, India
Purpose: Covid-induced lockdowns have increased the importance of technology in education. Though access to technology as well as availability of the internet remain a major concern for a lot of children in the global south, children with intellectual disabilities are disadvantaged even more as most of the e-content is developed keeping in mind the average learner. Materials and methods: Unstructured interviews were conducted with children with intellectual disabilities studying in government schools in Haryana as well as their teachers and parents. Thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted to understand the use-patterns of mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities. Results: Findings suggest that these children are learning to use mobile phones on their own or with some support and are able to navigate the complexities of these smartphones quite well. They use these devices mostly for their entertainment. This paper then reflects on the need and strategies to develop these technologies in ways that they can be used as effective tools for teaching children with intellectual disabilities, especially in the inclusive education system in developing countries. Conclusion: The paper reflects on the need to develop technology and tools using flexible and exploratory designs to enhance the learning processes for children with intellectual disabilities from the lower income strata.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION This study highlights the importance of being able to use mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities belonging to low income families. Following this, the article argues for designing of mobile phones suitable for use by children with intellectual disabilities using playfulness and explorations, and Building e-content keeping the elements of playfulness and exploration which can enhance the learnings of this group of students which is often ignored. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Can co-creating in CSR initiatives influence loyal customers? Evidence from the banking industry
Consumers are increasingly pressing organizations to adapt meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and seek avenues for co-creation. Study to investigate if CSR can help co-creation significantly contributes to the competitive advantage of banks. Many previous pieces of research have recognized CSR as a strategic imperative that may help businesses to build consumer loyalty. To address gaps in the literature based on the social identity theory and theory of social exchange, this article investigates the impact of CSR on consumer loyalty while considering the mediation effect of co-creation. The data were collected in India, and the sample contained 520 customers of banks. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis. The study findings show that CSR, directly and indirectly, impacts consumer loyalty through co-creation. The current study's findings aid banking institutions in determining how to design and implement strategies based on CSR and co-creation that could eventually result in consumer loyalty. 2023 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. -
Wall jet nanofluid flow with thermal energy and radiation in the presence of power-law
The effectiveness of jet flow in the energy transfer process has made it very useful in industrial applications. These flows also have higher heat transfer coefficients than traditional cooling through convection. The appliances inclusive of the jet make effective use of fluid and enhance the heat transfer rate. The contemporary article investigates the jet flow of power-law nanofluid past a moving wall. The nanofluid is formed by suspending Cu and Al2O3 nanoparticles in water. Furthermore, the jet flow is analyzed in the presence of radiation, which is further assumed to be linear, and the application of Rosseland approximation is considered to be valid. Considering these aspects, the model is designed using partial differential equations (PDE), which are then converted to a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODE) by implementing certain similarity transformations. Thus, the obtained system is solved using numerical methods, and the results are discussed with the help of graphs. The significant conclusions of the analysis were that the increase in the radiation parameter contributed to the increase in the temperature of the nanofluid. The increase in the Prandtl number reported a decrease in the amount of heat absorbed by the nanofluid. 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Sustainability Integration in Wine Destination Branding : A Comprehensive Review Perspective Fostering UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030
Purpose : This research work intended to evaluate the factors that could inculcate sustainability elements in branding wine destinations that align with the United Nationss Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Methodology : An intensive review of literature was carried out in the contexts of wine tourism, sustainability, and destination branding. Research publications in high-quality journals were reviewed, and the perspectives were generated based on our reflections. Key Findings : The perspective highlighted wine destination image, wine destination personality, technology inclusions, stakeholders and destination culture, wine destination policies, and wine destination marketing communication as the key dimensions to be considered for imposing sustainability elements while branding the wine destinations. Practical Implications : The insights generated here will assist policymakers and governments in aligning wine tourism transactions with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and they suggested profitable positioning of wine destinations with sustainability value propositions. Additionally, they pointed to areas that require further research, which were potentially the most important ones in the field of wine tourism. 2023 ESTUDIOS TERRITORIALES. All rights reserved. -
Gender-based spatial segregation: ladies compartments in the Mumbai local trains
The local trains of Mumbai are one of the most crowded means of public transport, but often preferred by many women due to the provision of exclusive ladies compartments reserved for women. While these compartments provide women a space safe from sexual assault, conflicts due to class and religious differences arise among the women who occupy this in-between space. Moreover, the continuous use of ladies compartments leads to the labelling of general compartment as gents, affects the interactions between men and women in different railway spaces, and also configures the public as already segregated according to a binary understanding of gender. Based on the findings from an ethnographic study of womens experiences of using the ladies compartments, I argue that the provision of segregation gives rise to specific mobility practices in the ladies compartments. The logic of segregation spills over to other railway spaces, and these can complicate our understanding of mobility as empowering for women travellers. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
A Systematic Review of Green Apparel Manufacturing
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on green manufacturing practices in the apparel industry to map green practices across various apparel manufacturing departments. The review includes academic journal articles that were retrieved between March 2013 and March 2023 from several different databases. As part of a comprehensive literature assessment, content analysis was applied to 138 publications that were published in peer-reviewed journals over ten years. Green practices in garment manufacturing process are covered, including product design, raw material procurement, fabric spreading, cutting, sewing and assembly, washing, printing and embroidery, finishing, and packing. The review of eco-friendly production practices at each phase of the production process shows the variety and complexity of green practices in apparel production companies. However, there is a lack of research on the conditions of developing countries, where the majority of apparel production takes place, as well as on the methods used in the manufacture of garments. The study is distinct in that it focuses solely on the garment manufacturing industry, and will not include textiles because the production processes for textiles and clothing are fundamentally different. This study assists managers in building a companys sustainability competency by outlining best practices at various phases of production. It also provides scholars with a uniform representation of environmentally sustainable practices to spur additional scholarly investigation. 2023, Kauno Technologijos Universitetas. All rights reserved. -
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of 3-[(2-chlorophenyl)diazenyl]pyridine-2,6-diamine as Optical Limiter
Azobenzenes undergo reversible trans-cis photoisomerization and have been extensively studied as photoresponsive material. In contrast, azopyridines have garnered relatively less attention despite their similar photochemistry. When compared to azobenzene, azopyridines offer more opportunities for material design through hydrogen bonding and coordination chemistry. Here, we report the isomerization for 3-[(2-chlorophenyl)diazenyl]pyridine-2,6-diamine (1od) through an integrative experimental and computational study. Notably, the energy barrier of 1od was significantly lower than that of previously reported azobenzenes. Moreover, we investigated and elucidated the photoisomerization pathway. 1od exhibited high nonlinear absorption, with a nonlinear absorption coefficient (?eff) of 1.31 (Formula presented.) 10?9 m W?1, as determined by Z-scan measurements. The results indicate that 1od has potential applications in optical limiters, which are used to fabricate protective eyewear and safeguard optical sensors from damage. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Effect of homogeneous chemical reaction on the dispersion of a solute in a threedimensional flow of a Newtonian liquid through a porous medium
All-Time dispersion of a reactive solute in a Newtonian fluid flow through a Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer Porous medium is carried out using the approach of Gill - Sankarasubramanian (1970) and Doshi etal. (1978). The velocity profile of the non - linear porous medium flow equation is solved using the Maclaurin series of two variables. The three - dimensional model brings into the focus the convective and dispersion coefficients. The chemical reaction is assumed to be homogeneous. The chemical reaction is shown to increase the value of the convective coefficient while it decreases with increase in the value of the reaction rate parameter. The effect of the presence of the porous medium is to decrease the flow and hence the convective coefficient. Similar effect of the porous parameter is seen on the dispersion coefficient. The reaction rate parameter and the porous parameter have opposite effect on the mean concentration distribution. 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Comprehensive study on using hydrogen-gasoline-ethanol blends as flexible fuels in an existing variable speed SI engine
The rising human population is causing the utilization of enormous amounts of fossil fuels to fulfill energy needs. Various renewable sources are used as fossil fuels however those resources are not powerful in supplanting customary non-renewable energy sources like gasoline in vehicles. The depletion of conventional fossil fuel utilized in a vehicle contributes to an increased portion of air contamination and is a danger to human well-being. Also, to maintain the supply demand, many active types of research have been carried out in mixing a higher percentage of ethanol over gasoline and further moving towards flex-fuel vehicles. But there arises a problem of knocking and higher CO, and HC emissions from the engine. To overcome the above problem, ethanol could be mixed in a higher percentage over gasoline with the help of hydrogen assistance and can completely avoid the problem of knocking and reducing CO and HC emissions. In this research, the combustion, emission, and performance characteristics of a variable-speed gasoline engine fuelled with ethanol-blended gasoline along with hydrogen assistance are taken for investigation at variable speeds like 1800, 1600, 1400, and 1200 rpm. Hydrogen is added to blended fuel (E30) which has better combustion, emission, and performance than other blended fuels. Hydrogen addition is done at 2, 3, and 4 ms respectively. The outcomes showed that the E30 + H2 at 3 ms has better combustion, emission, and performance, still, the emission of NOx is higher in comparison with all the other blends due to complete combustion. Thus, a two-stage analysis has been done, one is making a comparison among various blends of ethanol, and the second one is the comparison among the various energy shares of hydrogen. 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC -
The flow analysis of Williamson nanofluid considering the Thompson and Troian slip conditions at the boundary
In this article, the impact of Joule heating on the thermal performance of Williamson nanofluid is analyzed under the influence of viscous dissipation along with the Joule heating. Also, the flow is subjected to Thompson and Troian slip conditions that directly influence the velocity of the flow at the boundary. Meanwhile, to achieve the even distribution of nanoparticles in the nanofluid, gyrotactic microorganisms are dispersed whose motion is due to the virtue of density gradient. The heat conduction at the surface is governed by the convective condition which allows the interpretation of the Biot number. The mathematical model is constructed employing these presumptions using partial differential equations, which are then subsequently reduced using similarity transformations to get the ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The RKF-45 numerical approach is used to solve the nonlinear ODE system thus acquired, and the findings are validated by comparing them to the previously published works. The results of this study showed that the higher values of thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameters cause more heat conduction. Also, the rise in the Eckert number that relates to the internal friction enhances the temperature conducted by the nanofluid. Meanwhile, the Lorentz force helps in controlling the flow velocity. 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.