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Tamarindusindica Mediated Combustion Synthesis of BiOCl: Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes and Synthesis of ?-Enaminones
Environmental pollution due to dyes has been increasing continuously due to the large number of textile industries, which affects living systems. Photocatalytic degradation (PCD) is one of the most efficient methods to expel organic dyes in wastewater. In this respect, synthesizing photocatalytic nanoparticles to degrade organic dyes by a simple and cost-effective method is the real challenge. In this article, a carcinogenic dye, methylene blue, is considered for our study as it releases highly toxic species into the ecosystem and causes severe health problems such as cancer, skin and kidney problems, etc. Bismuth oxychloride has been synthesized by simple, low cost and rapid combustion method using low cost, easily available Tamarindusindica as a fuel at 500 C for ~10 min. The obtained BiOCl has been characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and surface area by BrunauerEmmettTeller (BET). The XRD pattern shows a tetragonal phase and the FT-IR spectrum shows the presence of Bi-Cl at 1109 cm?1. SEM shows a flake-like morphology and HR-TEM displays d-spacing values of 0.13 nm. Photoluminescence studies show a green emission peak at 530 nm. Synthesis of ?-enaminones was also examined using analogues of aniline and dimedone in presence of BiOCl as a photocatalyst. 2021, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. -
An analysis of the ethical challenges of blockchain-enabled E-healthcare applications in 6G networks
Developments in blockchain technology coupled with rapid developments in network technologies have disrupted traditional business and service models. One such application is in the domain of healthcare. However, the domain's sensitive nature and complexity require blockchain-enabled e-healthcare to ensure utilitarianism while suitably addressing the associated ethical challenges. In this milieu, the paper attempts to identify and evaluate the parameters of ethical challenges associated with blockchain adoption in e-healthcare. This paper contributes to the extant body of knowledge by presenting a critical review of the ethical considerations at the meso level of blockchains in e-healthcare. Based on findings from the literature, the study identified nine parameters of blockchain ethics. Of these, Accuracy and Right to be Forgotten were found to be most critical in terms of ethical dilemmas in healthcare applications. No evidence of ethical dilemma could be found with respect to Accountability and Data Ownership. As these services are deployed over networks, all these challenges are further evaluated in the context of 6G network-based models. This will not only provide the stakeholders with a holistic view of the ethical challenges in various blockchain-enabled healthcare applications but also enable a meticulous transition to the 6G network. 2021 -
Multilayer flow and heat transport of nanoliquids with nonlinear Boussinesq approximation and viscous heating using differential transform method
Multilayer fluid flow models are significant in various applications, namely, cooling electronic systems, solar thermal systems, and nuclear reactors. The density of a fluid fluctuates nonlinearly due to large temperature difference circumstances in thermal systems. Thus, the linear Boussinesq approximation is no longer relevant. Therefore, this article describes a multilayer flow of nanoliquids in the presence of nonlinear Boussinesq approximation. The hybrid nanoliquid layer is sandwiched between two nanoliquid layers. The single-phase khanafer-vafai-lightstone model is implemented to simulate the nanoliquids. The quadratic density temperature fluctuation and viscous heating are taken into account. The temperature and velocity across the interface are assumed to be continuous. The equations that govern the problem are solved analytically by using the differential transformation method. The results show that the presence of a hybrid nanoliquid layer affects the velocity and heat transfer properties of the nanofluid flow. Hybrid nanofluid can be used to achieve the desired multilayer flow properties of a nanofluid and its heat transfer properties. Further, the quadratic convection aspect increases the velocity distributions. 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC -
Effect of Non-inertial Acceleration on BrinkmanBard Convection in Water-Copper Nanoliquid-Saturated Porous Enclosures
In the present paper we have considered rotating porous tall, square and shallow enclosures heated from below. Linear and non-linear analyses are made using a minimal representation by Fourier trigonometric series. The study is done for realistic boundary condition. Thermophysical properties of water-copper nanoliquid as a function of properties of water as base liquid, copper as nanoparticle and 30% glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate as porous medium are obtained from either phenomenological laws or mixture theory. Non-existence of oscillatory convection is discussed. The range for the existence of unicellular convection is mentioned. The effects of Brinkman number (?), porous parameter (?2), aspect ratio (A) and volume fraction (?) in the presence of rotation on the onset of convection and heat transfer are studied and illustrated graphically. The analytically intractable Lorenz model is derived and transformed into the tractable GinzburgLandau equation using the multiscales method. The definition of Ozoe heat transfer parameter is introduced to discuss the rate of heat transfer enhancement or reduction. It is observed that Ta, ? and ?2 have stabilizing effect on the system and thereby leading to diminished heat transfer whereas A and ? have destabilizing effect on the system and thereby leading to increased heat transfer. Among the three enclosures considered in the study enhanced heat transfer takes place in tall enclosure followed by square and shallow enclosures respectively. It is further observed that presence of nanoparticles advances the onset of convection and enhances the heat transfer. The results of the paper are compared with previous existing results in the absence of rotation and the good agreement is found between them. 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature India Private Limited. -
The COVID-19 vaccine preference for youngsters using promethee-ii in the ifss environment
Extensive decision-making during the vaccine preparation period is unpredictable. An account of the severity of the disease, the younger people with COVID-19 comorbidities and other chronic diseases are also at a higher risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this research article, the preference ranking structure for the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for young people who have been exposed to the effects of certain chronic diseases. Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach effectively handles this vague information. Furthermore, with the support of the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Soft Set (IFSS), the entries under the new extension of the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation-II (PROMETHEE-II) is suggested for Preference Ranking Structure. The concept of intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets is parametric in nature. IFSS suggests how to exploit an intuitionistic ambiguous input from a decision-maker to make up for any shortcomings in the information provided by the decider. The weight of the inputs is calculated under the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Weighted Average (IFWA) operator, the Simply Weighted Intuitionistic Fuzzy Average (SWIFA) operator, and the Simply Intuitionistic Fuzzy Average (SIFA) operator. An Extended PROMETHEE-based ranking, outranking approach is used, and the resultant are recommended under the lexicographic order. Its sustainability and feasibility are explored for three distinct priority structures and the possibilities of the approach. To demonstrate the all-encompassing intuitionistic fuzzy PROMETHEE approach, a practical application regarding COVID-19 severity in patients is given, and then it is compared to other existing approaches to further explain its feasibility, and the sensitivity of the preference structure is examined according to the criteria. 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
Hybrid models for intraday stock price forecasting based on artificial neural networks and metaheuristic algorithms
Stock market prediction is one of the critical issues in fiscal market. It is important issue for the traders and investors. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) associated with nature inspired algorithms are playing an increasingly vital role in many areas including medical field, security systems and stock market. Several prediction models have been developed by researchers to forecast stock market trend. However, few studies have focused on improving stock market prediction accuracy especially when utilizing artificial neural networks to perform the analysis. This paper proposed nine new integrated models for forecasting intraday stock price based on the potential of three ANNs, Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN), Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN) and nature inspired algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC).The developed models were named as GA-BPNN, PSO-BPNN, ABC-BPNN, GA-RBFNN, PSO-RBFNN, ABC-RBFNN, GA-TDNN, PSO-TDNN and ABC-TDNN. Nature inspired algorithms are employed for optimizing the parameters of ANNs. Technical indicators calculated from historical data are fed as input to developed models. Proposed hybrid models validated on four datasets representing different sectors in NSE. Four statistical metrics, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Hit Rate (HR), Error Rate (ER) and prediction accuracy were utilized to gauge the performance of the developed models. Results proved that the PSO-BPNN model yielded the highest prediction accuracy in estimating intraday stock price. The other models, GA-BPNN, ABC-BPNN, GA-RBFNN, PSO-RBFNN, ABC-RBFNN, GA-TDNN, PSO-TDNN and ABC-TDNN produced lower performance with mean prediction accuracy of 97.24%, 98.37%, 84.01%, 85.15%, 84.01%, 83.87%, 89.95% and 78.61% respectively. 2021 -
Study to assess attitudes towards statistics of business school students: An application of the SATS-36 in India
Students attitudes towards Statistics are pivotal to their learning process as positive attitudes lead to highly satisfactory course achievement and lead to positive outcomes outside class as well. In this paper we are exploring the perception of students of management apropos Statistics, familiarity with which is imperative in todays world of Analytics. The quantitative approach was used to compare attitudes of the students using the two versions of the SATS-36 instrument validated and copyrighted by Candace Schau. A Google form was used to collect responses and was sent to all the students who were enrolled in the Business Statistics course. 172 students responded for the pre-test study while 71 students responded for the post-test study. Data was analysed to see if gender, specialisation choices and previous math experiences accounted for differences in perceptions towards Statistics. It was found that students overall perception of statistics is positive and surprisingly they were more positive towards the beginning of the semester. These results are important as they can lead towards understanding of business students attitudes towards statistics and a way to refine the teaching learning process so that students are in a strong position to exploit the supply demand gap in the Analytics domain and deliver value to organisations. 2021 Eskisehir Osmangazi University. All rights reserved. -
Size Tuning, Phase Stabilization, and Anticancer Efficacy of Amorphous Selenium Nanoparticles: Effect of Ion-Pair Interaction, ?OH Functionalization, and Reuse of RTILs as Host Matrix
Se nanoparticles (NPs) of predominantly amorphous phase (?-Se) have been prepared in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The effects of ion-pair combination and ?OH functionalization of RTILs on the size and phase stability of Se NPs were investigated. The RTILs used were 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium boron tetrafluoride ([EMIM][BF4]), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl imidazolium boron tetrafluoride ([EOHMIM][BF4]), and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium methane sulfonate ([EMIM][MS]). The size of Se NPs@[EOHMIM][BF4] was found to be the smallest (?32 nm), followed by Se NPs@[EMIM][BF4] (?57 nm) and Se NPs@[EMIM][MS] (?60 nm), respectively. Interestingly, the stability studies revealed minimal size variations for Se NPs@[EMIM][MS], followed by Se NPs@[EOHMIM][BF4] and Se NPs@[EMIM][BF4], respectively. The observed trends could be correlated with the strength of interionic interactions in the respective RTILs, as well as their packing order (density). Importantly, the RTILs played the role of a solvent, a stabilizer, and an in situ source of reducing species. Pulse radiolysis study revealed imidazolium-originated radical species-driven formation of Se NPs. Further, anticancer efficacy studies demonstrated the role of NP size, wherein Se NPs@[EOHMIM][BF4] exhibited the highest cancer cell killing, followed by Se NPs@[EMIM][BF4] and Se NPs@[EMIM][MS]. Another significant highlight of this work is the reuse of the spent RTILs for the synthesis of the next batch of Se NPs. 2021 American Chemical Society -
Numerical simulation for coupled nonlinear Schringer-Korteweg-de Vries and Maccari systems of equations
The primary goal of this paper is to seek solutions to the coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (CNPDEs) by the use of q-homotopy analysis transform method (q-HATM). The CNPDEs considered are the coupled nonlinear Schringer-Korteweg-de Vries (CNLS-KdV) and the coupled nonlinear Maccari (CNLM) systems. As a basis for explaining the interactive wave propagation of electromagnetic waves in plasma physics, Langmuir waves and dust-acoustic waves, the CNLS-KdV model has emerged as a model for defining various types of wave phenomena in mathematical physics, and so forth. The CNLM model is a nonlinear system that explains the dynamics of isolated waves, restricted in a small part of space, in several fields like nonlinear optics, hydrodynamic and plasma physics. We construct the solutions (bright soliton) of these models through q-HATM and present the numerical simulation in form of plots and tables. The solutions obtained by the suggested approach are provided in a refined converging series. The outcomes confirm that the proposed solutions procedure is highly methodological, accurate and easy to study CNPDEs. 2021 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
3-Sequent achromatic sum of graphs
Three vertices x,y,z in a graph G are said to be 3-sequent if xy and yz are adjacent edges in G. A 3-sequent coloring (3s coloring) is a function ?: V (G) ?{1, 2,...,k} such that if x,y and z are 3-sequent vertices, then either ?(x) = ?(y) or ?(y) = ?(z) (or both). The 3-sequent achromatic number of a graph G, denoted ?3s(G), equals the maximum number of colors that can be used in a coloring of the vertices' of G such that if xy and yz are any two sequent edges in G, then either x or z is colored the same as y. The 3-sequent achromatic sum of a graph G, denoted a'3s(G), is the greatest sum of colors among all proper 3s-coloring that requires ?3s(G) colors. This research initiates the study of 3-sequent achromatic sum and finds the exact values of this parameter for some known graphs. Furthermore, we calculate the a'3s(G) of corona product, Cartesian product of the graphs and some important results have been proved and a comparative study is carried out. 2021 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
A new combinational technique in image steganography
Internet is used for exchanging information. Sometimes it is needed to transmit confidential data via internet. Here the authors use image steganography to pass confidential data within a cover image. To construct the algorithm, they take the combinational help of particle swarm optimization (PSO), bi-orthogonal wavelet transform (BWT), and genetic algorithm (GA). They use PSO to take the enhanced version of cover image. They use BWT to choose the selective sub bands of cover image and we utilize GA to select a particular stego image among a set of stego images. Thus, an innovative technique of image steganography has been made to transmit confidential data via cover image generating stego image. This combinational approach of image steganography is quite safe for confidential data transmission and makes it hard for the attackers to retrieve the confidential data. 2021 IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Nontoxic photoluminescent tin oxide nanoparticles for cell imaging: Deep eutectic solvent mediated synthesis, tuning and mechanism
Non-toxic and photoluminescent (PL) tin oxide nanoparticle synthesis in Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) is being reported herein. Both radiation (electron beam and ? radiation) and solvothermal methods were employed for the synthesis. An electron beam radiation technique proved to be more appropriate in tuning the size and morphology compared to the solvothermal process. Addition of any external oxido-reductive or stabilizing agent could be avoided by the use of Reline (choline chloride?:?urea; 1?:?2) as the host matrix. Detailed analysis of the PL behaviour of the nanoparticles is another important aspect of this study. The oxygen vacancies and tin interstitials responsible for photoluminescence have been identified from the de-convoluted PL spectra of the nanoparticles. Time dependent PL kinetics depicts PL decay at ?1.2 ns due to near band edge emission and at ?3.15 ns due to defect state emission. The synthetic process has been standardized focusing on the size of the particles by varying all possible experimental parameters such as the temperature, concentration of the precursors, reaction time, dose of irradiation and dose rate. Synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized using XRD, XPS and EDX. TEM images illustrate nanomorphological differences obtained in the two methods. The probable mechanism of synthesis (both radiation and thermal) has been proposed based on the results obtained from transient studies using electron pulses and FTIR experiments. Cytotoxicity data demonstrate that the nanoparticles are suitable for application in biological studies involving cells up to a concentration of 10 ?M. Imaging experiments with these photoluminescent nanoparticles exhibit their ubiquitous distribution including the nucleus of the tumour cells, which signifies potential application of these NPs for targeted drug delivery in cancer chemotherapy. Furthermore, the nanoparticles exhibited excellent antioxidant properties in vitro. The findings herein can open up enormous possibilities for more advanced and dedicated research towards using this cheap and versatile nanomaterial in a variety of biomedical applications. 2021 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Stirling number of the fourth kind and Lucky partitions of a finite set
The concept of Lucky k-polynomials and in particular Lucky ?polynomials was recently introduced. This paper introduces Stirling number of the fourth kind and Lucky partitions of a finite set in order to determine either the Lucky k- or Lucky ?-polynomial of a graph. The integer partitions influence Stirling partitions of the second kind. 2021 Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University. -
A POWERFUL ITERATIVE APPROACH for QUINTIC COMPLEX GINZBURG-LANDAU EQUATION within the FRAME of FRACTIONAL OPERATOR
The study of nonlinear phenomena associated with physical phenomena is a hot topic in the present era. The fundamental aim of this paper is to find the iterative solution for generalized quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau (GCGL) equation using fractional natural decomposition method (FNDM) within the frame of fractional calculus. We consider the projected equations by incorporating the Caputo fractional operator and investigate two examples for different initial values to present the efficiency and applicability of the FNDM. We presented the nature of the obtained results defined in three distinct cases and illustrated with the help of surfaces and contour plots for the particular value with respect to fractional order. Moreover, to present the accuracy and capture the nature of the obtained results, we present plots with different fractional order, and these plots show the essence of incorporating the fractional concept into the system exemplifying nonlinear complex phenomena. The present investigation confirms the efficiency and applicability of the considered method and fractional operators while analyzing phenomena in science and technology. 2021 The Author(s). -
Heat transfer optimization and sensitivity analysis of Marangoni convection in nanoliquid with nanoparticle interfacial layer and cross-diffusion effects
Heat and mass transfer induced by Marangoni forces occur frequently in crystal growth and heat pipes, especially in microgravity situations. Therefore, the heat and mass transfer optimization in the thermosolutal Marangoni boundary layer flow of a nanomaterial with cross-diffusion effects is carried out in this study. Thermal radiation, magnetic field, and cross-diffusion are also incorporated in the thermal phenomena. The flow fields with nanolayer and without it are compared. The nanoparticle interfacial layer aspect accounted for in the nanofluid model makes the modeling more realistic. The optimization procedure is based on the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model that utilizes the face-centered Central Composite Design (fc-CCD). The external constraining factors of the system like thermal radiation, magnetic field, and nanoparticle loading are explored for interactive impacts. The sensitivity of the heat and mass transfer is scrutinized. The interfacial layer aspect leads to an enhanced magnitude of the temperature field whereas the effect on the concentration profile is negligible. The inclination of the magnetic field augments the flow profiles significantly. The highest sensitivity of the heat and mass transfer is towards the thermal radiation aspect. The optimized output of heat and transfer rate is estimated to be when R = 1.6639, M = 1, and ? = 1 %. 2021 Elsevier Ltd -
I Can Live Without Banks, but Not Without Banking: Role of Trust on Loyalty and Evangelism
The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of e-banking loyalty and evangelism via threefold construct of WEQUAL (usability, information quality, and service interaction) of public sector banks operating in India. Moreover, it also investigates the mediating role of consumers' trust on the website quality of these banks and their impact on e-banking loyalty and evangelism. The data was collected from 243 respondents through online questionnaire. In order to develop the model and test the hypotheses, partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was done through Smart PLS version 3.2.9. Results assert that website quality of banks positively influences the trust of consumers via usability, information quality, and service interaction. Also, consumer trust plays a mediation role between WEBQUAL constructs and e-banking loyalty and evangelism. 2021 IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
P type copper doped tin oxide thin films and p-n homojunction diodes based on them
P-type copper doped tin oxide (SnO2:Cu) thin films were prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis method on glass substrates for different doping concentrations. Their structural, optical, surface morphological, elemental and electrical studies were investigated. We fabricated two transparent homojunction diodes using optimized sample of SnO2:Cu which are p- SnO2:Cu/n-SnO2 and p-SnO2:Cu/n- SnO2:F.These diodes are reported for the first time by this method. 2021 Elsevier B.V. -
Death Rituals and Change Among Hindu Nadars in a South Indian Village
This article examines changes in the death rituals performed among Hindu Nadars in a South Indian village. It emphasises the importance of understanding ritual changes within their specific micro-level local contextual framework, including changing social structures at household and village level. This empirical evidence showcases how changing rituals connected to death reflect various adaptations through imitation, substitution and alteration of specific ritual elements and performants. It also identifies emerging class distinctions among Nadars and their connection with changes in rituals associated with death. This analysis of the changes depicts how Nadars use ritual actions in pragmatic ways, symbolically expressing and realising their aspirations for status enhancement through such ritual performances. 2021 SAGE Publications. -
Review of Neuropsychological and Electrophysiological Correlates of Callous-unemotional Traits in Children: Implications for EEG Neurofeedback Intervention
Conduct disorder is a significant psychiatric disorder of childhood and adolescence. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth version (DSM-5), added the limited prosocial specifier to identify those individuals who exhibit a more severe pattern of behavior characterized by a callous and unemotional (CU) interpersonal style across multiple settings and relationships. This review has attempted to summarize the relevant research focusing on the significance of CU interpersonal style in the development of psychopathy. The primary focus was on the electrophysiological and neuropsychological correlates of CU traits and their implication on the treatment protocol using neurofeedback training for children with such traits. The source of the literature search was PubMed, which majorly uses the MEDLINE database. The keywords used included CU traits, conduct disorder, child psychopathy, empathy, electrophysiology, criminal behavior, neuropsychology, neurofeedback training, and so on. Studies from the last 15 years were considered for the review. This review revealed that children with conduct disorder and high-CU traits with a combination of reactive and proactive aggression are more likely to develop psychopathy. Evidence suggests that these children have distinct forms of electrophysiological and neuropsychological correlates. However, research in this area is still not conclusive as they yield variation in findings. Studies on the efficacy of neurofeedback training on reducing symptoms such as impulsivity, hostility, and psychopathy indicate that neurofeedback training can be a promising treatment alternative for children with severe conduct disorder. EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ECNS) 2021. -
From a recession to the COVID-19 pandemic: Inflation-unemployment comparison between the UK and India
The recession in India and the UK peaked in 2017 due to the implications of new policy initiatives. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 intensified the crisis, causing a drastic decline in aggregate demand and output. India and the UK have resorted to monetary and fiscal stimulus packages to face the economic crisis. This study investigated the inflation-unemployment dynamics during the recession and COVID-19 times in India and the UK. Using a generalized additive model (GAM), the results of this study revealed that the recession had given way to stagflation in India. In contrast, in the UK, it has led to a more severe recession in the short-run. During the downturn, policy initiatives aggravate the recession and eventually turn to stagflation in India due to inflation caused by the weak supply side. However, in the UK, the policy initiatives during this downturn pushed the economy into a deeper recession due to reduced demand. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a similar recessionary impact on both economies. A time horizon based recovery plan is suggested to help the economies recover from stagflation and even deeper recession. This framework could enable policymakers to choose the right path of recovery within the shortest possible time. 2021 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.