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Enhancing the performance of renewable biogas powered engine employing oxyhydrogen: Optimization with desirability and D-optimal design
The performance and exhaust characteristics of a dual-fuel compression ignition engine were explored, with biogas as the primary fuel, diesel as the pilot-injected fuel, and oxyhydrogen as the fortifying agent. The trials were carried out with the use of an RSM-based D-optimal design. ANOVA was used to create the relationship functions between input and output. Except for nitrogen oxide emissions, oxyhydrogen fortification increased biogas-diesel engine combustion and decreased carbon-based pollutants. For each result, RSM-ANOVA was utilized to generate mathematical formulations (models). The output of the models was predicted and compared to the observed findings. The prediction models showed robust prediction efficiency (R2 greater than 99.21%). The optimal engine operating parameters were discovered by desirability approach-based optimization to be 24 crank angles before the top dead center, 10.88 kg engine loading, and 1.1 lpm oxyhydrogen flow rate. All outcomes were within 3.75% of the model's predicted output when the optimized parameters were tested experimentally. The current research has the potential to be widely used in compression ignition engine-based transportation systems. 2023 Elsevier Ltd -
Synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide membranes for water purification applications
Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide-based laminar membranes have been receiving increased attention for its novel filtration applications. In the present work, graphene oxide (GO) solution is synthesized by modified Hummers method and coated on cellulose nitrate by vacuum filtration technique. Further, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes are fabricated by the controlled reduction of GO membrane using vitamin C solution at 60 C. The formation of GO and rGO is confirmed from Raman, FTIR, and UVVis spectroscopy studies. Morphology and thickness of the membranes are investigated using surface and cross-sectional FESEM images. The filtration study showed that rGO membrane has higher water flux (52 L m?2h?1) than GO (40 L m?2h?1) membrane at differential pressure of 0.3MPa. Moreover, both membranes show congo red rejection of 96%. Prior studies showed that water flux decreased upon reduction of GO membrane which hindered the filtration properties of the membrane. Current work indicates that controlled reduction of GO leads to an enhancement in water flux, maintaining the dye rejection ratio. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] 2023, Qatar University and Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Comprehensive study of the relationship between multiverse and big data
Studies linking two broader spectra of topics have fascinated scholars in many aspects. Here we tried associating two such far-reaching aspects which have finite connectivity between them. Multiverse has been the talk of the hour which explains the theory of multiple universes which exist in parallel. This is a topic in physics concerned with many relative matters. On the other side, Big data is the subject in computing and information science describing the volume, velocity, and variability of the data hitting computer-connected systems. Big data can only be handled with newer architectures, algorithms, and methodologies as its features are contradicting regular computer systems and networks. It is well known that multiple processors are required to handle big data existing in parallel performing a single job given by the data analyst. So as we know, multiverse consist of hypothetical concepts of several parallel universe having everything like information, energy, and time. However, we see this situation to draw an association connecting parallel universes of the multiverse with parallel processors of big data by incorporating the concepts of working of parallel universe in the processing of Big Data. We provide a comprehensive observation on both the topics and take positive lenience on bringing a newer terminology in data science. History of multiverse along with big data structures are brought in with related parameters. This aspect is novel in its nature and we complement the literature carried out by the researchers and scholars appropriate analysis. We also showcase a model of the school of thought mentioned above in drawing conclusions. 2023 The Authors -
Revocable and Secure Multi-Authority Attribute-Encryption Scheme
Security is an important factor as nowadays many systems generates and process huge amount of data. This also leads many of us to rely on a third-party service provider for storing sensitive and confidential data. Providing outsourcing means the data owner will encrypt and store the data in a third-party storage system. In this paper, we are proving solutions for two main problems. The first issue is what if the attribute authority itself can access the data because the attributes and secret keys are known by attribute. This issue is called the key escrow problem. For solving it we are proposing a multi-authority system with Elliptic Curve Cryptography. The second issue that we addressed in this paper is the revocation problem, which means when someone leaves the system should be prohibited from accessing subsequent data this is called forward security and as a second case when someone joins the system should be prevented from accessing previous shared date this is called backward security. In this paper, we address both forward and backward security. For solving this problem we are using the concept of the Lagrange interpolation technique for generating and verifying secret keys. Based on this technique secret key will be dynamically altered and used for encryption and due to this can achieve greater security. 2023, Ismail Saritas. All rights reserved. -
Design and Development of Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Processing System for Optimizing Security of Software System
Software security vulnerabilities are significant for the software development industry. Exploration is conducted for software development industry landscape, software development eco-system landscape, and software system customer landscape. The focus is to explore the data sources that can provide the software development team with insights to act upon the security vulnerabilities proactively. Across these modules of software landscape, customer landscape, and industry landscape, data sources are leveraged using artificial intelligence approaches to identify the security insights. The focus is also on building a smart knowledge management system that integrates the information processed across modules into a central system. This central intelligence system can be further leveraged to manage software development activities proactively. In this exploration, machine learning and deep learning approaches are devised to model the data and learn from across the modules. Architecture for all the modules and their integration is also proposed. Work helps to envision a smart system for Artificial Intelligence-based knowledge management for managing software security vulnerabilities. 2023, Crown. -
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: Need for Posthuman Ethics in the Anthropocene Era
Ethics, which constitutes principles that guide human conduct, deserves particular attention in this era of the Anthropocene, when human actions greatly influence ecology. Renaissance humans have hegemonised humanistic ethics of living and interacting with the world since the Enlightenment. While exalting human exceptionalism, humanism has relegated all other forms of existence to a subservient taxonomy, categorising them as raw material for human empowerment. The self-exalted autonomous subject, homo sapiens, faces the threat of extinction in the wake of unprecedented and violent ecological reactions. The exponential growth of the agency of intelligent machines also calls to question the autonomous human agency propagated by humanism. A paradigm shift is the moments need; this paper suggests posthuman ethics as an alternative. The new worldview, post-humanism, places the homo sapiens in relation to the rest of the universe. Philosophical post-humanism, proposed by Francesca Ferrando, foregrounds posthuman ethics that are post-humanistic, post-anthropocentric, and post-dualistic. They form a roadmap towards a sustainable future. 2023 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies. -
Slow Violence in Vikram Chandras Sacred Games: An Ecocritical Reading
This article gives insight into the ways in which enforcement and institutional vigilante activities portrayed in Vikram Chandras Sacred Games foreshadow the urban thicket of garbage dump yards and slum dwellings. The text will be analyzed from an ecocritical perspective to establish aspects of slow violence and its explicit and implicit results. Chandras plotline, regarding several entangled human tragedies against the background of refuse, urges a study of the novel through the lens of waste studies. However, he fails to address the reasons for the characters opinion of Mumbai being uninhabitable and infamous for treating human life as expendable. The novelist also seems to normalize the issues of inequalities in waste management and justifies the anthropocentric utilitarian perception of resources. The depictions of Mumbai gang wars against a disturbingly overlooked state of dilapidated lives and misplaced ideologies mention waste as being both created and ignored. Such representation also compels a close reading of consumerism and criminal aspiration. 2023, University of Zadar. All rights reserved. -
Is the effect of oil price shock asymmetric on the Indian stock market? Firm-level evidence from energy-intensive companies
Purpose: This paper aims to examine the asymmetric impact of the oil price increase and decrease on stock returns at the firm level. Design/methodology/approach: To ascertain the impact oil price can exert on the stock price at the firm level, this study uses panel structural vector auto regression with various linear and nonlinear measures of oil price shock on a data set, containing 1,168 firms listed in Indian stock markets. This study also considers stock index returns, Fama-French factors and inflation as control variables. Findings: This paper finds evidence that at firm level, net oil price increase and decrease have an asymmetric impact on stock returns. Other oil price shock measures, namely, shock because of oil price increase and decrease, do not show any sign of asymmetric impact on stock returns. Originality/value: The comparison of firm-level return on its response towards oil price fluctuation can give valuable insights into a firms features. 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Effects of nitrogen, sulphur, and temperature treatments on the spectral, structural, and electrochemical characteristics of graphene oxide for energy storage applications
The structural and surface modifications have been studied on the hydrothermally Nitrogen (N) and Sulphur (S) doped and thermally reduced at 350 C nitrogen-doped, nitrogen-sulfur-doped graphene oxides. Raman spectra confirmed the reduction of graphene oxides by shifts in position and intensity variations of the D and G bands. EDX and mapping images revealed the carbon-oxygen ratio as well as the doping of nitrogen and sulphur into two-dimensional graphene oxide. The electrochemical properties of undoped and doped graphene oxides were investigated using a three-electrode system using a 1 M KOH electrolyte. It shows how doping, and reduction improve current conduction in graphene oxides. The specific capacitance of N,S-rGO after being synthesized and reduced at 350C was 930 Fg?1 and 1059 Fg?1, respectively, according to cyclic voltammetry results. The N-rGO specific capacitance was found to be similar, with 850 Fg?1 and 891 Fg?1, respectively, for the as prepared and reduced at 350C. The charge-discharge analysis, cycle stability, and impedances for the applied frequency ranges of undoped and doped graphene oxides for energy storage applications have all been estimated and discussed. 2023 -
Clay-based cementitious nanofluid flow subjected to Newtonian heating
In recent years, a novel technique for producing robust cementitious materials, called nanocomposites, has emerged. These materials are comprised of clay minerals and polymers. As a result, a vertical flat plate has been used to evaluate a clay-based cementitious nanofluid in this research. The impacts of first-order chemical reactions, heat generation/heat absorption, and the Jeffrey fluid model are taken into account for the study of flow. Newtonian heating and the conditions for slippage velocity have also been considered. The mathematical problem for the flow analysis has been established in relations of partially coupled partial differential equations and the model has been generalized using constant proportional Caputo (CPC) fractional derivative. The problem is solved using the Laplace transform technique to provide precise analytical solutions. On the concentration, temperature, and velocity fields, the physics of a number of crucial flow parameters have been examined graphically. The acquired results have been condensed to a very well-known published work to verify the validity of the current work. It is important to note here that the rate of heat transfer in the fluid decreases by 10.17% by adding clay nanoparticles, while the rate of mass transfer decrease by 1.31% when the value of ? reaches 0.04. 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
Ortho-Vanillin based multifunctional scaffold for selective detection of Al3+ and Zn2+ employing molecular logic with DFT study and cell imaging with live Grass pea
Ligand (E)-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) acetohydrazide (HL) has been designed and synthesized from o-vanillin and acetohydrazide for selective sensing of Al3+ and Zn2+ ions. In the photoluminescence studies, the receptor HL itself shows very poor fluorescence but on incremental addition of Al3+ and Zn2+ ions in solution of the probe HL individually leads to a sharp increase in emission intensities at wavelengths 468 nm (?15 fold) and 504 nm (?8 fold) respectively. Due to excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), HL exhibits weak emission in absence of any analytes but in presence of Al3+ and Zn2+, chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) with coordination of Al3+ and Zn2+ inhibits ESIPT, which results large increase of fluorescence enhancement. The ligand HL shows high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Al3+ and Zn2+ among various metal ions with LOD (Limit of Detection) 0.836 10?6 M and 1.01 10?6 M respectively. DFT calculation has been performed to study the binding phenomenon of ligand HL with metal ions. A molecular logic gate has been build-up with Al3+ and Zn2+ and EDTA as three chemical input. Simultaneously, cytotoxicity and cell biology for the probe and corresponding Al3+ sensing were observed. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Grey Wolf Optimization Guided Non-Local Means Denoising for Localizing and Extracting Bone Regions from X-Ray Images
The key focus of the current study is implementation of an automated semantic segmentation model to localize and extract bone regions from digital X-ray images. Methods: The proposed segmentation framework uses a pre-processing stage which follows convolutional neural network (CNN) obtained segmentation stage to extract the bone region from X-ray images, mainly for diagnosing critical conditions such as osteoporosis. Since the presence of noise is critical in image analysis, the X-ray images are initially processed with a grey wolf optimization (GWO) guided non-local means (NLM) denoising. The segmentation stage uses a Multi-Res U-Net architecture with attention modules. Findings: The proposed methodology shows superior results while segmenting bone regions from real X-ray images. The experiments include an ablation study that substantiates the need for the proposed denoising approach. Several standard segmentation benchmarks such as precision, recall, Dice-score, specificity, Intersection over Union (IOU), and total accuracy have been used for a comprehensive study. The proposed architectural has good impact compared to the state-of-the-art bone segmentation models and is compared both quantitatively and qualitatively. Novelty: The denoising using GWO-NLM adaptively chose the denoising parameters based on the required conditions and can be reused in other medical image analysis domains with minimal finetuning. The design of the proposed CNN model also aims at better performance on the target datasets. 2023 Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal. -
Exploring the Role of Multi-Catalytic Sites in an Amorphous Co-W-B Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions
Amorphous materials are used in multitude of catalytic applications, including electrocatalytic water-splitting. Identification and investigation of active sites in amorphous catalysts are rarely reported, mainly owing to the complexity of the systems. Herein, we report an amorphous bifunctional Co-W-B electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The optimized Co-W-B catalyst showed promising overpotential values of 97 mV (HER) and 292 mV (OER), respectively, to achieve 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH, with good stability. The promoting effect of W in Co-B was investigated experimentally, while computational tools were used to identify all the possible catalytic sites in an amorphous Co-W-B model and classify the most preferred sites for HER and OER. The presence of multi-catalytic sites with specific selectivity toward HER and OER was observed, which explained the bifunctional activity of Co-W-B. This study will foster better understanding of the origin of catalytic activity in similar amorphous systems. 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. -
Spectral and temporal studies of Swift J1658.24242 using AstroSat observations with the JeTCAF model
We present the X-ray spectral and temporal analysis of the black hole X-ray transient Swift J1658.2-4242 observed by AstroSat. Three epochs of data have been analysed using the JeTCAF model to estimate the mass accretion rates and to understand the geometry of the flow. The best-fitting disc mass accretion rate (? d) varies between 0.90+-000102 and 1.09+-000304 M?Edd in these observations, while the halo mass accretion rate changes from 0.15+-000101 to 0.25+-000102 M?Edd. We estimate the size of the dynamic corona that varies substantially from 64.9+-3319 to 34.5+-1250 rg and a moderately high jet/outflow collimation factor stipulates isotropic outflow. The inferred high disc mass accretion rate and bigger corona size indicate that the source might be in the intermediate to soft spectral state of black hole X-ray binaries. The mass of the black hole estimated from different model combinations is ?14 M?. In addition, we compute the quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequencies from the model-fitted parameters, which match the observed QPOs. We further calculate the binary parameters of the system from the decay profile of the light curve and the spectral parameters. The estimated orbital period of the system is 4.0 0.4 h by assuming the companion as a mid or late K-type star. Our analysis using the JeTCAF model sheds light on the physical origin of the spectrotemporal behaviour of the source, and the observed properties are mainly due to the change in both the mass accretion rates and absorbing column density. 2023 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society. -
Blockchain-based circular economy for achieving environmental sustainability in the Indian electronic MSMEs
Purpose: The circular economy is a production and consumption model that encourages people to share, lease, reuse, repair, refurbish and recycle existing materials and products for as long as possible. The blockchain-based circular economy is being used in many industries worldwide, but Indian electronic MSMEs face many problems in adopting a blockchain-based circular economy. The research aims to discover the barriers the electronic MSMEs face in adopting a blockchain-based circular economy and pull back from achieving environmental sustainability in their operations. Design/methodology/approach: Fifteen barriers are identified from the literature review and finalized with experts' opinions. These barriers are evaluated by using interpretive structural modeling (ISM), MICMAC analysis and fuzzy TOPSIS method. Findings: Lack of support from distribution channels, lack of traceability mechanism and customer attitudes toward purchasing remanufactured goods are identified as the most critical barriers. Practical implications: The study will benchmark the electronic MSMEs in achieving environmental sustainability in the blockchain-based circular economy. Originality/value: It is a study that not only establishes a hierarchical relationship among the barriers of blockchain adoption in Indian electronic MSMEs but also verifies the results with fuzzy TOPSIS method. 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
The impact of Covid-19 on the capital structure in emerging economies: evidence from India
Purpose: Capital structure is an important corporate financing decision, particularly for companies in emerging economies. This paper attempts to understand whether the pandemic had any significant impact on the capital structure of companies in emerging economies. India being a prominent emerging economy is an ideal candidate for the analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilizes three leverage ratios in an extended market index, BSE500, for the period 20152021. The ratios considered are short-term leverage ratio (STLR), long-term leverage ratio (LTLR) and total leverage ratio (TLR). A dummy variable differentiates the pre-epidemic (20152019) and pandemic (20202021) period. Control variables are used to represent firm characteristics such as growth, tangibility, profit, size and liquidity. Dynamic panel data regression is employed to address endogeneity. Findings: The findings point out that Covid-19 has had a significant, negative effect on LTLR, while the impact on STLR and TLR was insignificant. The findings indicate that companies based in a culturally risk-averse environment, such as India, would reduce the long-term debt to avoid bankruptcy in times of uncertainty. Research limitations/implications: The study covers the impact of the pandemic on Indian companies. Hence, generalization of the findings to global context might not be valid. Practical implications: To maintain economic growth in the post-crisis period, Indian policymakers should ensure accessibility to low-cost capital. The findings provide impetus to deepen the insignificant corporate bond market in India for future economic revival. Originality/value: Developing countries are struggling to revive the economies postpandemic. This is particularly true for Asian economies which are heavily reliant on banks for survival. This research finds evidence to utilize bond market as a source of raising capital for economic revival. 2022, Nisha Prakash, Aditya Maheshwari and Aparna Hawaldar. -
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. -
Regression analysis and features of negative activation energy for MHD nanofluid flow model: A comparative study
This article elucidates the impact of activation energy on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stagnation point nanofluid flow over a slippery surface in a porous regime with thermophoretic and Brownian diffusions. Negative activation energy is scarce in practice, but the impact of negative activation energy could not be neglected as it is noticed in chemical processes. The rate of some Arrhenius-compliant reactions is retarded by increasing the temperature and is therefore associated with negative activation energies, such as exothermic binding of urea or water. In some processes, the temperature dependence of the pressure-induced unfolding and the urea-induced unfolding of proteins at ambient pressure give negative activation energies. The present mathematical model is solved with successive linearization method (a spectral technique). A comparison of results is made for negative and positive values of activation energy. Apart from it, the quadratic multiple regression model is discussed briefly and explained with bar diagrams. It is observed that with rise in unsteadiness parameter from 0 to 1 (taking positive activation energy), skin friction and Sherwood number are increased by 9.36% and 19% respectively, and Nusselt number is decreased by 26%. However, for negative activation energy, 9.36% and 112% enhancement is observed in skin friction and Sherwood number, respectively. 2023 The Authors -
Trap of Race to the Bottom? Evidence from Pollution Intensive Products Trade in India and China
This article compares China and India, the two biggest emerging market economies in the world, with respect to their trade in pollution-intensive industries and tries to discuss the policy environment supporting such growth. The analysis is carried out for 13 categories of pollution-intensive products based on the Standard International Trade Classification Revision 3 classification. Our analysis reveals significant growth in trade in these products in both countries, with a higher intra-industry trade and a significant correlation with environmental stringency. Between the two, India seems to be enjoying a better comparative advantage. Findings suggest a need for adopting cleaner production processes and a cautious approach towards industrial promotion. 2023 Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi. -
Photoresponse and electrochemical behaviour of azobenzene anchored graphene oxide for energy storage application
Solar energy is considered to be a renewable source of energy that is intrinsically more sustainable than fossil fuels. Developing photoactive hybrid materials to store solar energy has recently received much attention. Herein, a photoactive molecule-graphene oxide hybrid was synthesized and characterized systematically. The solar energy storage performances of the hybrids were studied using various photophysical studies. The energy density and power density of the hybrid materials were 47 WhKg?1 and 156.6 WKg-1 respectively which showed 3 fold higher than the pristine compound. The photoelectrochemical behaviour of the hybrid were also studied using Cyclic voltammetry and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results showed the electrochemical performances can be varied due to their changing conformations from trans-to-cis isomerization. This work enables the research community in developing a promising material for solar thermal fuels as well as in energy storage devices. 2023 Elsevier B.V.