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Coyote optimization algorithm for optimal allocation of interline Photovoltaic battery storage system in islanded electrical distribution network considering EV load penetration
In current times, there is a need to do power system planning to endure situations of any kind. An islanding operation is one such unavoidable situation that may be required in many cases for both technical and economic reasons. First and foremost, this paper focuses on the determination of the best allotment of Interline-Photovoltaic (I-PV) system as per Electric Vehicle (EV) load penetration in the network. With different operational constraints, a multi-objective optimization using real power loss and voltage deviation index is formulated and solved using the Coyote Optimization Algorithm (COA).The paper highlights the computational efficiency of COA with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), in addition to various literary works, and the results suggest the superiority of COA by its global optima. The required battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity for supplying an islanded network's entire load demand for a day is determined in the second stage. The simulations were carried out on the IEEE 33-bus electrical distribution network (EDN) contemplating different levels of EV load penetration. The proposed methodology results have proved that the required energy is provided by optimal I-PV-BESS backup for a daylong islanding operation and its adaptability for practical situations. 2021 Elsevier Ltd -
Quantum inspired meta-heuristic approaches for automatic clustering of colour images
In this article, quantum inspired incarnations of two swarm based meta-heuristic algorithms, namely, Crow Search Optimization Algorithm and Intelligent Crow Search Optimization Algorithm have been proposed for automatic clustering of colour images. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms have been judged by experimenting on 15 Berkeley images and five publicly available real life images of different sizes. The validity of the proposed algorithms has been justified with the help of four different cluster validity indices, namely, Pakhira Bandyopadhyay Maulik, I-index, Silhouette and CS-measure. Moreover, Sobol's sensitivity analysis has been performed to tune the parameters of the proposed algorithms. The experimental results prove the superiority of proposed algorithms with respect to optimal fitness, computational time, convergence rate, accuracy, robustness, (Formula presented.) -test and Friedman test. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed algorithms has been proved with the help of quantitative evaluation of segmentation evaluation metrics. 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC -
Evolution of primordial dark matter planets in the early Universe
In a recent paper we had discussed possibility of DM at high redshifts forming primordial planets composed entirely of DM to be one of the reasons for not detecting DM (as the flux of ambient DM particles would be consequently reduced). In this paper we discuss the evolution of these DM objects as the Universe expands. As Universe expands there will be accretion of DM, helium and hydrogen layers (discussed in detail) on these objects. As they accumulate more and more mass, the layers get heated up leading to nuclear reactions which burn H and He when a critical thickness is reached. In the case of heavier masses of these DM objects, matter can be ejected explosively. It is found that the time scale of ejection is smaller than those from other compact objects like neutron stars (that lead to x-ray bursts). These flashes of energy could be a possible observational signature for these dense DM objects. 2021 COSPAR -
Extricating the Association Between the Prognostic Factors of Colorectal Cancer
Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the recurring and lethal gastrointestinal tract disease rankings as the primary cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. In general, the tumour node metastasis (TNM) and Dukes classification assist in diagnosis, prognosis and treatments of CRC along with haematological examinations and tumour demographic characterisations in patients. Methods: The present investigation is carried out on clinically acknowledged sixty-five CRC patients based on haematological findings and are sorted into stages using TNM and Dukes. The present study is to find the association between haematological findings, demographic characters, differentiation position, lymph node invasion and tumour node metastasis in CRC patients in accordance with their age. Results: We observed significant (p < 0.05) nexus between lymph node metastasis and tumour node metastasis on the basis of tumours differentiation demographic positioning and age of the individuals. Conclusion: Earlier location tracing and medicinal treatment or surgery lessen the chance of CRC morbidity and mortality along with prolonging survival rate via prognostic factors and disease position determination. 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Dynamics of Sutterby fluid flow due to a spinning stretching disk with non-Fourier/Fick heat and mass flux models
The magnetohydrodynamic Sutterby fluid flow instigated by a spinning stretchable disk is modeled in this study. The Stefan blowing and heat and mass flux aspects are incorporated in the thermal phenomenon. The conventional models for heat and mass flux, i.e., Fourier and Fick models, are modified using the Cattaneo-Christov (CC) model for the more accurate modeling of the process. The boundary layer equations that govern this problem are solved using the apt similarity variables. The subsequent system of equations is tackled by the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF) scheme. The graphical visualizations of the results are discussed with the physical significance. The rates of mass and heat transmission are evaluated for the augmentation in the pertinent parameters. The Stefan blowing leads to more species diffusion which in turn increases the concentration field of the fluid. The external magnetism is observed to decrease the velocity field. Also, more thermal relaxation leads to a lower thermal field which is due to the increased time required to transfer the heat among fluid particles. The heat transport is enhanced by the stretching of the rotating disk. 2021, Shanghai University. -
Numerical and sensitivity analysis of MHD bioconvective slip flow of nanomaterial with binary chemical reaction and Newtonian heating
The impact of Stefan blowing on the MHD bioconvective slip flow of a nanofluid towards a sheet is explored using numerical and statistical tools. The governing partial differential equations are nondimensionalized and converted to similarity equations using apposite transformations. These transformed equations are solved using the RungeKuttaFehlberg method with the shooting technique. Graphical visualizations are used to scrutinize the effect of the controlling parameters on the flow profiles, skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt, and Sherwood number. Moreover, the sensitivities of the reduced Sherwood and Nusselt number to the input variables of interest are explored by adopting the response surface methodology. The outcomes of the limiting cases are emphatically in corroboration with the outcomes from preceding research. It is found that the heat transfer rate has a positive sensitivity towardsthe haphazard motion of the nanoparticles and a negative sensitivity towardsthe thermomigration. The thermal field is enhanced by the Stefan blowing aspect. Moreover, the fluid velocity can be controlled by the applied magnetic field. 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC -
Variations in the l-dopa content, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of different germlines of mucuna pruriens (l.) dc.
In this study a 'wonder plant' Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., which is commercially important medicinal plant of the Fabaceae family known for its treatment in Central Nervous System disorders like Dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. have been selected. Different germplasms have been collected to analyze the phytochemical variations between them and quantify the L-DOPA in root, stem, leaves and seeds of all the five germlines using HPLC. Along with the biochemical assays, antioxidant activity by DPPH, phosphomolybdneum method, the metal chelating and reductive potential activity of all the germplasms were studied. All parts of the plant have shown the presence of L-DOPA but, seeds have the highest quantity followed by the roots, stem and leaves. Arka Shubra seeds showed high L-DOPA content (51.9 mg/g) while the other germplasms showed L-DOPA ranging from 43-45 mg/g. Highest content of carbohydrates (258.8 mg/g) and phenolics (157.0 mg/g) was seen in the seeds of Arka Aswini. While the seeds and leaves of Arka Charaka showed high protein (332.2 mg/g) and flavonoid (10.2 mg/g) content, respectively. High proline (1.74 mg/g) was observed in the seeds of Arka Shubra. Antioxidant studies revealed that Arka Charaka and Arka Daksha to be having high reductive power and free radical scavenging activity by phosphomolybdate method while high metal chelating activity was observed in Arka Aswini (88.7%) and high antioxidant activity by DPPH method was seen in Arka Shubra (86.5%). 2021 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved. -
Eggshells biowaste for hydroxyapatite green synthesis using extract piper betel leaf - Evaluation of antibacterial and antibiofilm activity
The present research work reports the biosynthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) from eggshells and green synthesis of HAp from eggshells with incorporation of Piper betel leaf extract (PBL-HAp) using microwave conversion method. Although there are several works on synthesis of HAp from eggshells and other calcium and phosphorus rich substrates, the incorporation of herbal extract with HAp to promote antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity is less explored and reported. This research work highlights a simple and cost-effective method for development of antimicrobial biomaterials by combining the concepts of waste management, biomaterial science, and herbal medicine. In the present study, characterization of synthesized HAp was applied by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, and morphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The characterization results indicated that the prepared HAp and PBL-HAp were pure b-type carbonated HAp. The PBL-HAp was checked for its antibacterial activity using the well diffusion method and biofilm inhibitory activity by crystal violet assay against some common pathogens. The antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and biofilm inhibitory activities against Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus of Piper betel leaf extract coated HAp (PBL-HAp) were showed to be significant and offered a promising role for the development of potent dental biomaterials. 2021 Elsevier Inc. -
Straightforward synthesis of mn3o4/zno/eu2o3-based ternary heterostructure nano-photocatalyst and its application for the photodegradation of methyl orange and methylene blue dyes
Zinc oxide-ternary heterostructure Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via waste curd as fuel by a facile one-pot combustion procedure. The fabricated heterostructures were characterized utilizing XRD, UVVisible, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HRTEM and EDX analysis. The photocatalytic degradation efficacy of the synthesized ternary nanocomposite was evaluated utilizing model organic pollutants of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in water as examples of cationic dyes and anionic dyes, respectively, under natural solar irradiation. The effect of various experimental factors, viz. the effect of a light source, catalyst dosage, irradiation time, pH of dye solution and dye concentration on the photodegradation activity, was systematically studied. The ternary Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3 photocatalyst exhibited excellent MB and MO degradation activity of 98% and 96%, respectively, at 150 min under natural sunlight irradiation. Experiments further conclude that the fabricated nanocomposite exhibits pH-dependent photocatalytic efficacy, and for best results, concentrations of dye and catalysts have to be maintained in a specific range. The prepared photocatalysts are exemplary and could be employed for wastewater handling and several ecological applications. 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
Natech guide words: A new approach to assess and manage natech risk to ensure business continuity
The risk posed by natural hazards to the technological systems is known as Natech risk. It is different from the more widely known and studied risk posed by such sites to the environment and society. Though currently, available risk assessment techniques recognize Natech, the specific qualitative technique for Natech risk assessment and reduction has not yet been developed. After analyzing past data of Natech accidents, relevant guide words have been suggested in this study. These guide words will help anticipate Natech risk and visualize the Natech scenario. Once the Natech risk is identified, corresponding risk reduction measures can be taken to avoid possible Natech accidents and consequences. 2021 Elsevier Ltd -
TEMPO mediated electrochemical oxidation of 4-pyridinemethanol using Pd and Pt Co-deposited polyaniline modified carbon fiber paper
Co-deposition of palladium and platinum (PdPt) nanoparticles on the conducting polymeric ?lm of Polyaniline (PAn) modified carbon fiber paper (CFP) electrode was carried out by using eletrochemical method. The modified electrode has been used for the oxidation of 4-pyridinemethanol. The electrochemical properties of fabricated multi-layered ?lms on carbon fiber paper (Pd-Pt/PAn/CFP) were studied by electrochemical AC impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization technics were environmentally benign and sustainable are used to analyze the structural properties of modified multi-layered electrode. The relative sizes and distribution of the nanoparticles on the electrode surface were analyzed using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry characterization techniques. Electrochemical studies by CV showed that the PdPt/PAn/CFP electrode had better electrochemical activity similar to PAn/CFP and Bare CFP electrode towards extensive electrochemical oxidation of 4-pyridinemethanol in presence of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl) in aqueous acidic medium. 2021 -
Decoding HERO: Predicting psychological capital with subjective well-being
The positive psychology movement has gained momentum in recent years and organizations have ascribed great importance to employee well-being in light of the favorable outcomes associated with it. The widely researched Psychological Capital (PsyCap) has been consistently linked to well-being across a variety of contexts but a gap still exists in literature about what lies to the 'left' of psychological capital. The present study attempts to fill this gap by examining subjective well being components- positive and negative affect and life satisfaction, as potential antecedents of PsyCap. The Academic PsyCap questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered to participants. Results confirmed the expected associations between affect and PsyCap-positive affect positively predicted PsyCap and its four constituents whereas negative affect emerged as a negative predictor of PsyCap and its dimensions. Life satisfaction positively predicted only individuals' total hope scores. Thus, highlighting the role of subjective well-being components as antecedents of PsyCap, these findings suggest that promoting higher positive affect and lower negative affect can do more than just make individuals feel good, rather, it can bolster their reservoirs of crucial psychological resources as well. 2021 Ecological Society of India. All rights reserved. -
Linear and Global Stability Analyses on the Influences of Thermal Non-Equilibrium and Non-uniform Gravity Field on DarcyBrinkmanBard Convection
Global and linear stability analyses of DarcyBrinkmanBard convection in a liquid-saturated porous medium with a non-uniform gravity field using the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) model are investigated. Linear and quadratic (parabolic) gravity field profiles are considered in the analysis. The OberbeckBoussinesq approximation is assumed to be a valid and the stationary mode of onset of convection is shown to be the preferred mode due to the validity of the principle of exchange of stabilities. Critical values of wavenumber and thermal Rayleigh number are obtained numerically using the higher-order Galerkin technique. The effect of an increase in the gravity fields strength is to delay the onset of convection, and to a growth in convective cell size. Further, linear convective profile is found to postpone convection compared to the quadratic one. Global stability ensures the existence of subcritical motions in the case of a non-uniform gravity field. In contrast, subcritical motions do not exist in constant gravity in LTE and LTNE situations. A non-uniform gravity field has a significant influence on the convective instability in a liquid-saturated high-porosity medium, lesser influence in the case of a low porosity medium and least in the case of a clear fluid layer. 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature India Private Limited. -
Work-life balance amongst dental professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic -A structural equation modelling approach
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, has shocked the entire world. As an effort to control the disease spread, the Indian government declared a nationwide lockdown on March 25th, 2020. As dental treatment was considered high risk in the spread of COVID-19, dentistry became one of the most vulnerable professions during this time. Dental professionals had to face job layoffs, salary cuts in professional colleges, closure of private clinics resulting in huge psychological, moral, and financial crises. Studies during the previous and present pandemics have shown mental issues among health care workers necessitating institutional reforms, along with early care and support. A balance in the work-life amongst professionals is the key to better efficiency and, was majorly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown due to sudden unexpected changes. Hence this study was conducted to understand the changes they underwent both at home and professional front with a hypothesis that physical and mental health, activities, relationship status, and workplace influence the work-life balance. Methods A pre-validated questionnaire survey was done on dentists across India. Structural Equation Modelling and path analysis were applied to the data collected. Results The results of the study supported the hypothesis that factors like physical and mental health, activities, relationship status, and workplace influenced the work-life balance directly. A significant imbalance was seen amongst the female dentists. Conclusion The present study proved the unpreparedness among dental professionals. Hence an evolutionary phase in every field with better working protocols, robust mental health support, and a focus on strategies to face future such emergencies is required. 2021 Pai et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. -
Visible light photodegradation of organic dyes using electrochemically synthesized MoO3/ZnO
In this study, flake-like MoO3-ZnO composite was prepared using a simple and robust electrochemical setup. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, photoluminescence, zeta potential analysis, and electrochemical impedance study. The modified ZnO shows a remarkable catalytic activity towards the photodegradation of three potentially hazardous dyes, malachite green, crystal violet, and methylene blue. More than 95% of both malachite green and crystal violet degraded within 140 min under visible light irradiation. Scavenger studies reveal that OH radicals produced by the photo-separated charges on MoO3-ZnO are responsible for the degradation of all three dyes. The photoactive charge carriers show less recombination rate as evidenced by the photoluminescence spectrum due to the interparticle charge migration process. This work suggests a new versatile procedure for the synthesis of MoO3-ZnO composites and establishes its photocatalytic efficacy under visible light with three common pollutant dyes found in wastewater. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. -
Extensive long-term verbal memory training is associated with brain plasticity
The human brain has a remarkable capacity to store a lifetime of information through visual or auditory routes. It excels and exceeds any artificial memory system in mixing and integrating multiple pieces of information encoded. In this study, a group of verbal memory experts was evaluated by multiple structural brain analysis methods to record the changes in the brain structure. The participants were professional Hindu pandits (priests/scholars) trained in reciting Vedas and other forms of Hindu scriptures. These professional Vedic priests are experts in memorization and recitation of oral texts with precise diction. Vedas are a collection of hymns. It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 mantras and shlokas in the four Vedas. The analysis included the measurement of the grey and white matter density, gyrification, and cortical thickness in a group of Vedic pandits and comparing these measures with a matched control group. The results revealed an increased grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in the midbrain, pons, thalamus, parahippocampus, and orbitofrontal regions in pandits. The whole-brain corelation analysis using length ofpost-training teachingduration showed significant correlation with the left angular gyrus. We also found increased gyrification in the insula, supplementary motor area, medial frontal areas, and increased cortical thickness (CT) in the right temporal pole and caudate regions of the brain. These findings, collectively, provide unique information regarding the association between crucial memory regions in the brain and long-term practice of oral recitation of scriptures from memory with the proper diction that also involved controlled breathing. 2021, The Author(s). -
Computational modeling of heat transfer in magneto-non-Newtonian material in a circular tube with viscous and Joule heating
Numerous industrial and engineering systems, like, heat exchangers, chemical action reactors, geothermic systems, geological setups, and many others, involve convective heat transfer through a porous medium. The diffusion rate, drag force, and mechanical phenomenon are dealt with in the DarcyForchheimer model, and hence this model is vital to study the fluid flow and heat transport analysis. Therefore, numerical simulation of the DarcyForchheimer dynamics of a Casson material in a circular tube subjected to the energy losses due to the viscous heating and Joule dissipation mechanisms is performed. The novelty of the present investigation is to scrutinize the convective heat transport characteristics in a circular tube saturated with DarcyForchheimer porous matrix by utilizing the non-Newtonian Casson fluid. The flow occurs due to the elongation of the surface of a tube with a uniform heat-based source/sink. The similarity solution of the nonlinear problem was obtained using dimensionless similarity variables. The effects of operating parameters related to the flow phenomena are analyzed. Further, the friction factor and Nusselt number are also analyzed in detail. The present flow model ensures no flow reversal and acts as a coolant of the heated cylindrical surface; the existence of the magnetic field, as well as an inertial coefficient,acts as the momentum-breaking forces, whereas Casson fluidity buildsit. The Joule heating phenomenon enhances the magnitude of temperature. The thermal field of the Casson fluid is higher at the surface of the circular pipe due to convective thermal conditions. 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. -
Key Indicators of Corporate Financial Status: Empirical Evidence from Indian Industrial Sector
The present pandemic situation has led to the rise in the number of financially distressed companies in the Indian business ecosystem. Stakeholders, especially shareholders, unsecured and trade creditors who do not enjoy lien on company assets, should be extra cautious about the financial status of a company before making any investment or lending decision. The present study attempts to suggest the key indicators of corporate financial status after analysing 12 ratios from the financial statements of 162 sample companies for five financial years. The suggested key indicators can assist the shareholders and creditors in differentiating a financially distressed company from a financially sound company in the Indian industrial sector. 2021 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved. -
The upper domatic number of powers of graphs
Let A and B be two disjoint subsets of the vertex set V of a graph G. The set A is said to dominate B, denoted by A ? B, if for every vertex u ? B there exists a vertex v ? A such that uv ? E(G). For any graph G, a partition ? = fV1; V2; : : : ; Vpg of the vertex set V is an upper domatic partition if Vi ? Vj or Vj ? Vi or both for every Vi; Vj ? ?, whenever i ? j. The upper domatic number D(G) is the maximum order of an upper domatic partition. In this paper, we study the upper domatic number of powers of graphs and examine the special case when power is 2. We also show that the upper domatic number of kth power of a graph can be viewed as its k-upper domatic number. 2021 Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University. -
Unlocking the potential of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles for degradation of synthetic organic dyes as wastewater pollutants
The azo dyes released into water from different industries are accumulating in the water bodies and bioaccumulating within living systems thereby affecting environmental health. This is a major concern in developing countries where stringent regulations are not followed for the discharge of industrial waste into water bodies. This has led to the accumulation of various pollutants including dyes. As these developing countries also face acute water shortages and due to the lack of cost-effective systems to remove these pollutants, it is essential to remove these toxic dyes from water bodies, eradicate dyes, or generate fewer toxic derivatives. The photocatalysis mechanism of degradation of azo dyes has gained importance due to its eco-friendly and non-toxic roles in the environment. The zinc nanoparticles act as photocatalysts in combination with plant extracts. Plant-based nanoparticles over the years have shown the potential to degrade dyes efficiently. This is carried out by adjusting the dye and nanoparticle concentrations and combinations of nanoparticles. Our review article considers increasing the efficiency of degradation of dyes using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and understanding the photocatalytic mechanisms in the degradation of dyes and the toxic effects of these dyes and nanoparticles in different tropic levels. 2021 The Authors