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Effect of COVID-19 on ETF and index efficiency: evidence from an entropy-based analysis
We examine the informational efficiency of domestic equity ETFs vis-a-vis their underlying market indices during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we employ a multiscale entropy-based methodology. Our findings indicate that the informational efficiency of all ETFs as well as the indices fall sharply during the COVID induced market crash in February-March 2020. Having said so, we find disproportionate deterioration in market efficiency of ETFs and indices pertaining to USA and Canada as compared to those of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Interestingly, ETFs and indices pertaining to certain developed markets were found to be less efficient than their emerging market counterparts even during the pre-covid timeline. Lastly, there is a discernible difference between the efficiency of ETFs vis-a-vis their underlying indices. These findings should nudge investors to exercise caution while dealing with ETFs, for domestic ETFs do not exactly mimic the dynamics of their underlying indices. 2021, Academy of Economics and Finance. -
An IoT-based agriculture maintenance using pervasive computing with machine learning technique
Purpose: In cultivation, early harvest offers farmers an opportunity to increase production while decreasing the chances of lower crop production rates, ensuring that the economy remains balanced. The significant reason is to predict the disease in plants and distinguish the type of syndrome with the help of segmentation and random forest optimization classification. In this investigation, the accurate prior phase of crop imagery has been collected from different datasets like cropscience, yesmodes and nelsonwisc. In the current study, the real-time earlier state of crop images has been gathered from numerous data sources similar to crop_science, yes_modes, nelson_wisc dataset. Design/methodology/approach: In this research work, random forest machine learning-based persuasive plants healthcare computing is provided. If proper ecological care is not applied to early harvesting, it can cause diseases in plants, decrease the cropping rate and less production. Until now different methods have been developed for crop analysis at an earlier stage, but it is necessary to implement methods to advanced techniques. So, the detection of plant diseases with the help of threshold segmentation and random forest classification has been involved in this investigation. This implemented design is verified on Python 3.7.8 software for simulation analysis. Findings: In this work, different methods are developed for crops at an earlier stage, but more methods are needed to implement methods with prior stage crop harvesting. Because of this, a disease-finding system has been implemented. The methodologies like Threshold segmentation and RFO classifier lends 97.8% identification precision with 99.3% real optimistic rate, and 59.823 peak signal-to-noise (PSNR), 0.99894 structure similarity index (SSIM), 0.00812 machine squared error (MSE) values are attained. Originality/value: The implemented machine learning design is outperformance methodology, and they are proving good application detection rate. 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Determinants of Loan Repayment Behaviour of Bank Borrowers - A Relative Study with evidence from Bengaluru
The present study aimed to review the various factorsthat influence the credit score and find the effect of credit score and other financial aspects of an individuals loan repayment and whether they had ever defaulted. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire from 516 customers of twelve different banks in Bengaluru city during July-August 2019 using a stratified sampling method. The results revealed that credit score, loan amount, and loan repayment amount did not affect the loan repayment behaviour of individuals. However, the type of loan obtained and the kind of bank the loan is received significantly influence individuals loan repayment behaviour. Home loans, education loans, other loans and the loan obtained from a foreign bank were particularly significant in affecting the loan repayment of individuals. The high beta value for other loans indicates that most individuals who have no other loans have defaulted in repaying their dues. Indian Institute of Finance. -
Before the Gig Economy Tracing the Transformations in Delhis Taxi Industry
Studying Delhis radio taxi industry, this paper traces the transitional process of traditional taxi services in the capital to radio taxi services and finally to the current app-based taxi aggregators. The radio taxi companies ruptured old kinship ties and informal relations with a combination of technology, surveillance, and financea process app-based taxi aggregators have further refined. There is also an account of the labour struggles in the industry that preceded the advent of the platform economy. 2022 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved. -
Influence of Short Glass Fibre Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed ABS-Based Polymer Composites
One of the most promising and widely used additive manufacturing technologies, fused deposition modelling (FDM), is based on material extrusion and is most commonly used for producing thermoplastic parts for functional applications with the objectives of low cost, minimal waste and ease of material conversion. Considering that pure thermoplastic materials have a significantly poor mechanical performance, it is necessary to enhance the mechanical properties of thermoplastic parts generated using FDM technology. One of the conceivable techniques is to incorporate reinforcing materials such as short glass fibre (SGF) into the thermoplastic matrix in order to produce a polymer composite that can be used in engineering applications, such as structural applications. The morphological and mechanical properties of SGF (short glass fibre) reinforced ABS- (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) based polymer composites created via the method of FDM (fused deposition modelling) were investigated in this work. Properties were evaluated at three different weight percentages (0, 15 and 30 wt%). The composite filaments were developed using the process of twin screw extrusion. The comparison was made between ABS + SGF (short glass fibre) composites and pure ABS of mechanical properties that include surface roughness, tensile strength and low-velocity impact. The tests were carried out to analyze the properties as per ASTM standards. It has been found that the impact strength and tensile strength show an improvement in glass fibre inclusion; moreover, alongside the direction of build, the surface roughness had been reduced. The studies also focused on studying the dispersion characters of SGF in ABS matrix and its impact on the properties. Strength and modulus of SGF reinforced ABS composite has been significantly improved along with reduction of ductility. A 57% increase in tensile strength has been noted for 30 wt% addition of SGF to ABS in comparison to pure ABS. It was also interesting to note the reduction in surface roughness with every incremental addition of SGF to ABS. A 40% reduction in surface roughness has been observed with a 30 wt% addition of SGF to ABS in comparison to pure ABS. 2022 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
An Efficient Inclusion Complex Based Fluorescent Sensor for Mercury (II) and its Application in Live-Cell Imaging
The formation of an inclusion complex between hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin (H-CD) and 4-acetylphenyl-4-(((6-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-imino)-methyl)-benzoate (L) was investigated by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-Raman, scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques in the solid-state, absorption and emission spectroscopy in the liquid state and the virtual state as molecular docking technique. The binding properties of the inclusion complex (H-CD: L) with cations in deionized water was observed via absorbance and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The fluorescence probe (H-CD: L) inclusion complex (IC) was examined for several heavy metal cations, and identified that the PL emission wavelength of the complex displayed a continuous rise in the fluorescence intensity for Hg2+. A linearity range of 1 108 11 108M and limit of detection value of 2.71 1010M was found to be achieved for the detection of Hg2+. This outcome proves that the inclusion complex H-CD: L would be a promising material for the development a solid-state fluorescence probe for detecting Hg2+. It also shows application in real sample analysis and cell imaging. 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Emotional Maturity and Self-Perception Among Adolescents Living With HIVNeed for Life-Skills Intervention
Among Adolescents Living With HIV (hereby referred to as ALWH), emotional maturity and self-perception gain importance because they play a decisive role in the overall development into adulthood. This study examines the relationship between self-perception and emotional maturity among ALWH. The sample comprised of 92 male and female ALWH, aged 13 to 18 years. Self-Perception Questionnaire and Emotional Maturity Scale were the tools used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Correlation analysis showed a negative moderate relationship between Physical Competence and Global Self-Worth dimensions of self-perception and emotional maturity, with regression analysis confirming their predictive abilities. Discussions are focused on the relevance of the findings in terms of a need for a psychosocial life-skills intervention for the population. The Author(s) 2019. -
Workplace bullying in the service sector
Context: Bullying is a problem that people, the world over, grapple with. It is manifest in different forms among different sections of people. Despite its prevalence, workplace bullying has not received much attention in scholarly literature in India. It is also not widely acknowledged as a threat to individual and organizational well-being. The purpose of this study is to add to the existing body of literature on the topic and to draw attention to the gravity of the issue. Aims: The primary objectives are to identify if there exist variations in its incidence on the basis of gender and years of experience, to identify the source of negative behavior, and the type of bullying that is most prevalent. Settings and Design: The study is a type of cross-sectional, descriptive study. Subjects and Methods: Data have been collected from a sample of 84 respondents using the Work Harassment Scale. All respondents are white-collar employees of the service sector in the cities of India. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v25. Results: The results find that there is no difference in the incidence of bullying on the basis of either gender or years of experience. Moreover, the source of negative behavior is generally one's superiors, and the most prevalent type is 'verbal aggression.' Conclusions: The study concludes with suggestions of steps to be implemented at the national and organizational level, to combat the problem. 2022 Authors. All rights reserved. -
Identity in Consumption: Reading Food and Intersectionality in Anita Desai's Fasting, Feasting
With the resurging interest in Food Studies, this rapidly emerging field of study has seen multiple disciplines adding in their distinct flavours that truly make this an area to savour. Literary food studies, in particular, has become a relevant field of study with the understanding that food in literature always plays a symbolic role, as food in literature is never depicted for the sustenance of the literary characters. This paper seeks to explore the novel Fasting, Feasting (1999) by Anita Desai through the lens of food and foodways to explicate how the characters interact with the culinary arena, and ultimately, interact with each other and themselves. These interactions will serve as crucial insights into their identities, particularly their intersectional gender identities considering the facets of nationality, class, and the like. A special focus will also be rendered on the notion of marginalisation seen in the text, of which gender is a crucial deciding factor. The title of the novel hints at consumption-at both its presence and absence-which will prove as the gateway to the interactions of the characters with food in the novel to examine who it is that gets to feast while who are forced to starve. 2022 Aesthetics Media Services. All rights reserved. -
Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the currency exchanges of selected countries
The paper aims to analyse the impact of the COVID outbreak on the currency market. The study considers spot rates of seven major currencies (i.e., EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF, and CHF/JPY). To capture the impact of the outbreak on returns and the volatility of returns of seven currencies during pandemic, the study has segregated in two window periods (i.e., pre- [1st Jan 2019 to 31st Dec, 2019] and post-outbreak of COVID-19 [1st Jan, 2020 to 22nd Dec, 2020]). The study has applied various methods and models (i.e., econometric-based compounded annual growth rate [CAGR], dummy variable regression, and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity [GARCH]). The result of the study captures the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on three currencies-USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and USD/CHF-and positive significant impact on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, and CHF/JPY. Investors can take short position in these while having long position in other currencies. The inferences drawn from the analysis are providing insight to investors and hedgers. Copyright 2022, IGI Global. -
Humanising History through Graphic Narratives: Exploring Stories of Home and Displacement from the North-East of India
Literature from the North-East has responded to national, global and local issues, including questions on immigration and ethnic violence. They have resisted the colonial framework of representation and have invoked a sense of cultural and ethnic particularity (Sarma, 2013). This literature has adopted a multilingual register to respond to 1) patriarchal and 2) ethnonationalist discourses that have a forced and overbearing presence in the everyday lives of people and their stories. These writings evoke an ethno-critical approach that engages otherness and difference in such a way as to provoke an interrogation of and a challenge to our familiar realms of experience and is consistent with a recognition and legitimation of heterogeneity (Sarma, 2013). Select stories from First Hand (Volume II, 2018) - The Lonely Courtyard (2018), My Name is Jahanara (2018), and A Market Story (2019) by Kumdo Yumnam provide the heterogeneity that is characteristic of the works of literature emerging from the North-East, thereby resisting the homogeneity often indicative of the term 'North-East'. The analysis will explore how the selected texts negotiate textuality and visuality in a specific manner to present an archive of everyday life that humanises history. 2022 Aesthetics Media Services. All rights reserved. -
Zagreb Radio Indices and Coindices
Zagreb radio index or coindex of a graph is defined based on the optimal radio labelling of the graph, where optimal refers to the labeling with a span equal to the radio number of the graph. We have defined the first and second Zagreb radio coindex, third Zagreb radio index, and coindex and calculated its value for some famous graphs. Furthermore, we established a certain relationship between Zagreb radio indices and the coindices of graphs. 2021 by the authors. -
Evaluation of test methods for fracture resistance of high modulus asphalt binders from rheological and mechanical perspectives
High modulus asphalt binder (HMAB) has excellent rutting resistance but it might have premature cracking concerns due to its high stiffness. In this study, the intermediate temperature fracture performance of six HMABs was evaluated from a rheological and mechanical standpoint. The linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter, and pure linear amplitude sweep (PLAS) test were employed for the rheological characterization, while the binder fracture energy (BFE) test and the double-edge notched tensile (DENT) test were implemented to investigate mechanical performance. The results show that HMABs have lower cracking resistance than conventional asphalt binders, and this was due to the insufficient ductility of their internal polymer networks. Of the five test methods, the PLAS, BFE, and DENT tests are highly recommended for evaluating the cracking resistance of HMABs at intermediate temperatures. 2022 Elsevier Ltd -
Exploring the Plausibility of Pre-Purchase Decision Process in User Acceptance of Smart Wearable Technology Devices
The market for smart wearable technology products is growing rapidly. Although wearable technology is still in its early stages, a longer-term outlook is required. This study inspected the existence of consumers pre-purchase stage for smart wearable technology devices. It further analyzed the factors that influenced customers decisions in the pre-purchase phase. The methodology adopted was quantitative, using which 240 users of smart wearables were given a structured questionnaire to fill up. The Smart PLS 3.0 software was used for structural equation modeling and path analysis. The results indicated that customers go through a pre-purchase decision journey. Their decisions are influenced by individual characteristics, product description, information source utility, data usefulness, trust, visibility of the product, and demonstrability. Together, these factors resulted in the customers successful transition from the pre-purchase stage to the purchase decision stage. 2022, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
An Efficient Routing Strategy for Energy Management in Wireless Sensor Network Using Hybrid Routing Protocols
In these days, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) shows a huge impact on all appliances but one of the huge challenges in WSN is management of energy because the nodes in the network run with battery power. As the replacement of energy drained nodes is difficult, and frequent failure of links may occur and it incurs huge data loss. To avoid this issue the we proposed a Hybrid Krill Herd and Spider Monkey with Grid-Based Data Dissemination (HKHSM-GBDD) protocol with the Shortest Energy Resourceful Routing (SERR) mechanism to develop an efficient and better wireless communication channel. The presented HKHSM framework is utilized to classify malicious and energy drained nodes in earlier stage and to detect the link failure. Furthermore, the SERR mechanism is processed to recover the link and route maintenance. This novel proposed protocol has improved packet delivery ratio and energy consumption. It also enhances energy state of sensor nodes by mounting its lifetime and rerouting. Finally, the competence of the proposed mechanism is compared with existing works and it shows significant improvement over existing algorithms for the considered parameters. 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Divine Consulting Services: A Sinking Ship or Back to Land Safely?
[No abstract available] -
PA1 cells containing a truncated DNA polymerase ? protein are more sensitive to gamma radiation
Purpose: DNA polymerase ? (Pol?) acts in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Mutations in DNA polymerase ? (Pol?) are associated with different cancers. A variant of Pol? with a 97 amino acid de-letion (Pol??), in heterozygous conditions with wild-type Pol?, was identified in sporadic ovarian tumor samples. This study aims to evaluate the gamma radiation sensitivity of Pol?? for possible target therapy in ovarian cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: Pol?? cDNA was cloned in a GFP vector and transfected in PA1 cells. Stable cells (PA1Pol??) were treated with60Co sourced gamma-ray (015 Gy) to investigate their radiation sensitivity. The affinity of Pol?? with DNA evaluated by DNA protein in silico docking experiments. Results: The result showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher sensitivity towards radiation at different doses (015 Gy) and time-point (4872 hours) for PA1Pol?? cells in comparison with nor-mal PA1 cells. Ten Gy of gamma radiation was found to be the optimal dose. Significantly more PA-1Pol?? cells were killed at this dose than PA1 cells after 48 hours of treatment via an apoptotic pathway. The in silico docking experiments revealed that Pol?? has more substantial binding potential towards the dsDNA than wild-type Pol?, suggesting a possible failure of BER pathway that results in cell death. Conclusion: Our study showed that the PA1Pol?? cells were more susceptible than PA1 cells to gamma radiation. In the future, the potentiality of ionizing radiation to treat this type of cancer will be checked in animal models. 2022 The Korean Society for Radiation Oncology. -
Studies on Tensile Properties of Graphene Hydroxyl Reinforced Aluminium 6061 Composites for Vehicle Structures Applications
Aluminium composite plays a significant role in the mechanical structures. Low tensile strength of the aluminium alloy limits its application in mechanical structures. Graphene hydroxyl (GrOH) is a noble emerging material which is an allotropic form of carbon. It has high cohesive strength, good bonding ability with other materials. Carbon bonds processes high compatibility when it reinforced with other material. Reinforcement of GrOH with aluminium composites enhances the wear strength of composite material. This paper focused on analysis of tensile properties and percentage elongation of aluminium composites reinforced with GrOH with various weight percentage (wt. %). The characteristics of aluminium composites, particularly related to its tensile properties are very much important for its use in vehicle structures applications. 2022. MechAero Foundation for Technical Research & Education Excellence. -
A facile and economic electrochemical sensor for methylmalonic acid: A potential biomarker for vitamin B12 deficiency
A facile and cost-effective method based on a modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) has been developed for the sensing of methylmalonic acid (MMA). The electrode (Ag-PEDOT/PGE) was designed by the electrodeposition of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon fibre paper (CFP) coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other electroanalytical techniques were used to characterize the modified electrodes. The fabricated sensor showcased a wide linear dynamic range (0.50 pM-55 nM) and a low detection limit (0.16 pM). A sharp increase in anodic peak current shows the excellent rate of electron transfer arising from Ag-PEDOT and PGE. The developed electrode was effectively utilized towards electrochemical MMA determination in urine and human blood serum samples. The results obtained certainly indicate that the sensor has high selectivity, ensures rapid detection, is reproducible, and has high stability towards the quantification of MMA in real samples. This journal is The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. -
The importance of servicescapes in Maldivian higher education: application of the stimuli-organism-response(SOR) framework
Purpose: This study aims to use the servicescape model of higher education environments to measure the students perceptions of the learning environment (classroom) and the effect this has on students learning ability. Design/methodology/approach: The present study follows the stimulus-organism-response paradigm framework. A self-administered and well-structured survey questionnaire is used to collect data. The snowball sampling technique is used to collect samples of 403 students belonging to Maldivian higher education institutions. Findings: Findings show that the physical appearances of these higher education institutions greatly influenced the pleasure dimension. Furthermore, pleasure is found to have a significant and positive relationship with the approach behaviour and engagement/involvement of the students. Originality/value: The main contribution of the study is that it successfully tests the Eduscape model adopted from the servicescape model, and thus helps to extend existing knowledge on the critical elements in the Maldivian higher education learning environments and students behaviour within them. The findings have implications for higher education institutions to improve their learning environments and better engage with their students. 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.