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Revisiting cognitive assessment in the Indian prison setting
Purpose: Individuals with cognitive impairment are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system (Kimbell, 2016). Yet, only a handful of studies describe the nature of cognitive impairment experienced by inmates and the different types of challenges faced by researchers and clinicians while conducting cognitive assessments in correctional settings specifically in low-and middle-income countries. Design/methodology/approach: In the present paper, the authors describe different types of ethical and logistical challenges they faced while conducting cognitive assessments with inmates in India and suggest ways in which future researchers and clinicians could overcome them. Findings: Authors raise a discussion on the purpose, advantages, and limitations of psychological testing, highlighting alternative ways of cognitive assessment that may be more effective, resource-efficient, and sustainable. Originality/value: Implications for education and training in psychological assessment, forensic and clinical practice and policymaking are discussed. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Augmented intelligent water drops optimisation model for virtual machine placement in cloud environment
Virtual machine placement in cloud computing is to allocate the virtual machines (VMs) (user request) to suitable physical machines (PMs) so that the wastage of resources is reduced. Allocation of appropriate VMs to suitable and effective PMs will lead the service provider to be a better competitor with more available resources for affording a greater number of VMs simultaneously which in turn reflects with the growth in the economy. In this research work, an augmented intelligent water drop (IWD) algorithm is used for effectively placing VMs. The preliminary goal of this proposed work is to reduce the overall resource utilisation by packing the VMs to appropriate PMs effectively. The proposed IWD model is tested under the standard simulation process as it is given in the literature. Performance of IWD is compared with the existing techniques first fit decreasing, least loaded and ant colony optimisation algorithm. Performance analysis shows the significance of the proposed method over existing techniques. The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020. -
Physical fitness recommender framework for thyroid patients using restricted boltzmann machines
These days, people can easily acquire the information from online sources. Individuals are generally using recommendation services before buying products considering the availability of online. Recommendation systems propose the relevant services or products to users. But sometimes people face issues while retrieving health related information from the recommender systems. A focus on keeping people healthy is one way to address the serious societal concern of healthcare domain. A health-based physical recommender system suggests workout plans for users using their activity level and health condition. A personalized approach is the most effective solution for the fitnessbased recommender framework based on user's desired characteristics. This article presents a personalized fitness recommender system for thyroid patients. The proposed fitness recommender model integrates the user's data like personal and health profile, preferences, calorie intake, and activity level. The proposed hybrid model is built using Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) integrating content based and matrix factorization techniques. The results of experiments prove that the proposed hybrid model outperforms than content based, pure RBM and matrix factorization recommendation techniques. The current proposal achieves the personalization approach by incorporating user's thyroid health condition and exercise preferences in recommendation process. The recommended result of hybrid RBM method is revised based on user's new preferences. 2020, Intelligent Network and Systems Society. -
Theoretical and analytical analysis of convective heat transport of radiated micropolar fluid over a vertical plate under nonlinear Boussinesq approximation
Purpose: In heat transfer problems, if the temperature difference is not sufficiently so small then the linear Boussinesq approximation is not adequate to describe thermal analysis. Also, nonlinear density variation with respect to temperature/concentration has a significant impact on heat and fluid flow characteristics. Because of this reason, the impact of nonlinear density variation in the buoyancy force term cannot be neglected. Therefore in this paper, the unsteady flow and heat transfer of radiating magneto-micropolar fluid by considering nonlinear Boussinesq approximation is investigated analytically. Design/methodology/approach: The flow is fully developed and time-dependent. Heat and mass flux boundary conditions are also accounted in the analysis. The governing equations of transport phenomena are treated analytically using regular perturbation method. To analyze the tendency of the obtained solutions, a parametric study is performed. Findings: It is established that the velocity field is directly proportional to the nonlinear convection parameter and the same trend is observed with the increase of the value of Grashof number. The micro-rotational velocity profile decreases with increase in the nonlinear convection parameter. Further, the temperature profile increases due to the presence of radiative heat aspect. Originality/value: The effectiveness of nonlinear Boussinesq approximation in the flow of micropolar fluid past a vertical plate in the presence of thermal radiation and magnetic dipole is investigated for the first time. 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Exploring the inhibition performance of tetrachloroferrate ionic liquid in acid environment using scanning electrochemical microscope and theoretical approaches
The corrosion inhibition performance of carbon steel by Benzyltributylammonium tetrachloroferrate ([BTBA]+[FeCl4]?)was investigated in 1 N HCl solution and compared with theoretical results. The electrochemical impedance results showed that [BTBA]+[FeCl4]?ionic liquid act as an effective inhibitor for carbon steel corrosion in acidic medium and maximum inhibition efficiency was found to be 99.5% at 400 ppm. The SECM results also confirmed the adsorption of [BTBA]+[FeCl4]?on carbon steel and thereby forming a relatively insulated surface at the interface. The adsorption of ferrate ionic liquid on carbon steel was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Ionic liquid effectively inhibits anodic and cathodic reaction site thereby showed its mixed type inhibition behaviour. In presence of the inhibitor higher resistance values were obtained for impedance and polarization studies. The presence of ionic liquid and its surface protection tendency at the metal/solution interface was confirmed by SEM surface studies. UVVis and ATR-FTIR characterization also contributed in corroborating the complex formation between Fe2+ and ionic liquid. Monte Carlo simulation and quantum chemical parameters substantiated the experimental findings and gave further insights about the inhibition mechanism. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Synthesis and characterization of CeO2/Bi2O3/gC3N4 ternary Z-scheme nanocomposite
An effective and facile phytogenic method was used to prepare CeO2/Bi2O3 and CeO2/Bi2O3/gC3N4 composites using Eichhornia crassipes phytoextract. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using techniques such as XRD, FTIR, UV-DRS, PL, SEM-EDAX, XPS, zeta potential, and TGA. These catalysts showed diverse photocatalytic and optical properties due to the alteration in the bandgap. The synthesized composites exhibited good photocatalytic activity by degrading Malachite green (MG) dye. The increase in the photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the p-n heterojunction of the catalysts with efficient charge separation and strong oxidative ability. The modified photocatalysts showed excellent catalytic activity and reusability under visible light. The superior efficiency and its applications in environmental remediation make these catalysts a potential candidate for photocatalysis. 2020 The American Ceramic Society -
Energy efficient data collection in sparse sensor networks using multiple Mobile Data Patrons
Wireless sensor networks consist of sensor nodes that can sense the environment and forward the sensed data to the destination. It takes multiple hops for the data to get transmitted from the source to the destination node. Mobile Data Patron is a high energy mobile data collector that collects data from the sensors within sparse networks. In sparse networks, the sensors detect the physical phenomenon, and the MDP is used to collect data generated by the sensors. In existing models, a single MDP is used to collect data from sensors within sparse networks. It requires high amounts of energy for long-range data transmission to the base station. The proposed work uses multiple MDPs to solve the energy depletion problem. The research also focuses on improving the data transfer rate so that the MDPs lose minimal amounts of energy. 2020 -
Magnetohydrodynamic flow of Carreau liquid over a stretchable sheet with a variable thickness: The biomedical applications
Purpose: The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow problems are important in the field of biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, inductive heat treatment of tumours, MHD-derived biomedical sensors, micropumps for drug delivery, MHD micromixers, magnetorelaxometry and actuators. Therefore, there is the impact of the magnetic field on the transport of non-Newtonian Carreau fluid in the presence of binary chemical reaction and activation energy over an extendable surface having a variable thickness. The significance of irregular heat source/sink and cross-diffusion effects is also explored. Design/methodology/approach: The leading governing equations are constructed by retaining the effects of binary chemical reaction and activation energy. Suitable similarity transformations are used to transform the governing partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. Subsequent nonlinear two-point boundary value problem is treated numerically by using the shooting method based on RungeKuttaFehlberg. Graphical results are presented to analyze the behaviour of effective parameters involved in the problem. The numerical values of the mass transfer rate (Sherwood number) and heat transfer rate (Nusselt number) are also calculated. Furthermore, the slope of the linear regression line through the data points is determined in order to quantify the outcome. Findings: It is established that the external magnetic field restricts the flow strongly and serves as a potential control mechanism. It can be concluded that an applied magnetic field will play a major role in applications like micropumps, actuators and biomedical sensors. The heat transfer rate is enhanced due to Arrhenius activation energy mechanism. The boundary layer thickness is suppressed by strengthening the thickness of the sheet, resulting in higher values of Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. Originality/value: The effects of magnetic field, binary chemical reaction and activation energy on heat and mass transfer of non-Newtonian Carreau liquid over an extendable surface with variable thickness are investigated for the first time. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
From the homestead to centerstage: A journey of empowerment; [De la granja al centro de escena: Un viaje de empoderamiento]
The Kerala Model of Development has been widely acclaimed for its contribution in generating favourable social indices at par with Scandinavia. The central issue to the development in almost all underdeveloped and developing countries is the empowerment of women constituents. In Kerala, the story of empowerment of women is not just economic, but psychological too. Under Article 243(D) of the Constitution of India, there is a mandate to provide 50% reservation for women in Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs). This constitutional amendment is regarded as a path-breaking move to empower women at the grassroots level. This article portrays the impact of government interventions for ensuring the participation of women in decision-making as well as in the power structure in LSGIs. The researcher(s) used multiple case study design and adopted purposive sampling. The data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used for triangulation. The finding of the study shows that how the women are empowered though various government interventions such as Kudumbashree (the name of Keralas Poverty Eradication Mission), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (the job guarantee scheme in India), Accredited Social Health Activist Scheme (a scheme of National Rural Health Mission) and Local Self-Government Institutions. 2020, Hipatia Editorial. All rights reserved. -
Effects of bio-flocculated algae on the growth, digestive enzyme activity and microflora of freshwater fish Catla catla (Hamilton 1922)
In numerous ways, diets incorporating probiotics are beneficial to host animals. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of bio-flocculated freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris on the freshwater fish Catla catla. For the process of flocculating algae, probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus (10307 MTCC) and Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441) were used. The experimental fish were fed with Artemia franciscana enriched with flocculated algae for 60days. A control group was fed with unenriched A. franciscana. After the experimental period, there was a significant decrease in anaerobic bacteria and a significant colonization of candidate probiotics in guts of fish fed with flocculated algae-enriched Artemia. This treatment group also had a better growth performance with a higher average body length and weight (8.70.3cm, 5.830.9g) and survival % (981.02). High protease (7.8mg/protein?1) and lipase (2.56 mg/protein?1) activity were also found in the enriched A. franciscana-fed fish group. Comparatively, higher protein, lipid and PUFA/HUFA contents were also reported in this treatment group. The study found that flocculated algae-enriched A. franciscana has a positive impact on gut microflora, growth parameters and survival as compared to the unenriched group, and hence, the flocculated algae serve a dual purpose in rearing of C. catla. This study supports the inference that a bio-flocculated algae-incorporated diet is a preferable method for larval rearing aquaculture. 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd -
An intelligent web caching system for improving the performance of a web-based information retrieval system
With an increasing number of web users, the data traffic generated by these users generates tremendous network traffic which takes a long time to connect with the web server. The main reason is, the distance between the client making requests and the servers responding to those requests. The use of the CDN (content delivery network) is one of the strategies for minimizing latency. But, it incurs additional cost. Alternatively, web caching and preloading are the most viable approaches to this issue. It is therefore decided to introduce a novel web caching strategy called optimized popularity-aware modified least frequently used (PMLFU) policy for information retrieval based on users' past access history and their trends analysis. It helps to enhance the proxy-driven web caching system by analyzing user access requests and caching the most popular web pages driven on their preferences. Experimental results show that the proposed systems can significantly reduce the user delay in accessing the web page. The performance of the proposed system is measured using IRCACHE data sets in real time. Copyright 2020, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. -
Automatic Skin Lesion SegmentationA Novel Approach of Lesion Filling through Pixel Path
Abstract: Lesion segmentation is a vital step in a melanoma recognition system. Many algorithms were developed for the efficient skin lesion segmentation. Most of them fails to realize a perfect segmentation. This paper proposes a novel, fully automatic system, for the lesion segmentation in dermatograms. The proposed approach executes in two steps. Selection of root seed is the first step. All the lesion pixels in the dermatogram are identified during the second step. Traversal through a predefined lesion pixel path ensures the reachability of all lesion pixels irrespective of the possible lesion discontinuity. The proposed algorithm is tested with two publically available dataset, PH2 and images of ISBI2016 challenge. Out of the six evaluation parameters, the proposed method shows the best values for specificity, accuracy, Hammuode distance and XOR. This confirms the merit of the proposal with respect to existing popular methods. 2020, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. -
Spatio-temporal crime analysis using KDE and ARIMA models in the Indian context
In developing countries like India, crime plays a detrimental role in economic growth and prosperity. With the increase in delinquencies, law enforcement needs to deploy limited resources optimally to protect citizens. Data mining and predictive analytics provide the best options for the same. This paper examines the news feed data collected from various sources regarding crime in India and Bangalore city. The crimes are then classified on the geographic density and the crime patterns such as time of day to identify and visualize the distribution of national and regional crime such as theft, murder, alcoholism, assault, etc. In total, 68 types of crime-related dictionary keywords are classified into six classes based on the news feed data collected for one year. Kernel density estimation method is used to identify the hotspots of crime. With the help of the ARIMA model, time series prediction is performed on the data. The diversity of crime patterns is visualized in a customizable way with the help of a data mining platform. Copyright 2020, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. -
Microcannular electrode/polymer electrolyte interface for high performance supercapacitor
In the present work, the ionic resistance in the activated carbon (AC) electrode and blend polymer electrolyte (BPE) interface is reduced by tuning binder and BPE. A unique microcannulars channel connecting AC, binder and gaur gum (GG)/polyvinylalcohol (PVA) electrolyte is developed for easy Li+ movement. The use of AC derived from areca nut and natural GG as a binder makes the developed method more environmentally sustainable. The presence of microcannular structures on the electrode surface and BPE was confirmed using SEM and TEM analysis. Combined DSC-TGA data for BPE showed that PVA provides the mechanical support to jelly guar gum. The ionic conductivity, activation energy, dielectric studies were studied to understand the electrode/electrolyte interface mechanism. Dielectric studies revealed that the unique pathway of microcannular structures reduces the charge transfer resistance significantly at the interface. Optimized BPE was used in the fabrication of supercapacitor and specific capacitance was found to be 542 Fg-1. The time constant was 0.4 s and showed consistent cyclic pattern during galvanostatic charge/discharge studies with 99% Columbic efficiency. 2020 Elsevier Ltd -
Performance of second law in Carreau fluid flow by an inclined microchannel with radiative heated convective condition
This investigation addresses the novel characteristics of entropy production in the fully-developed heat transport of non-Newtonian Carreau fluid in an inclined microchannel. The physical effects of Roseland thermal radiation and viscous heating are included in the energy equation. The no-slip boundary condition for velocity and convective type heating boundary conditions for temperature are also accounted. Mathematical modeling included the non-Newtonian Carreau fluid model. The dimensionless two-point boundary value problem acquired from governing equations via dimensionless variables. The nonlinear system is tackled by using the Finite Element Method. A detailed discussion of the significance of effective parameters on Bejan number, entropy generation rate, temperature and velocity is presented through graphs. Our analysis established that the entropy generation is reduced at the left and right phase of the channel while the Bejan number is improved at both phases of the channel and is maximum at the center of channel by the incrementing values of Weissenberg number. 2020 Elsevier Ltd -
?-Cyclodextrin-PANI decorated pencil graphite electrode for the electrochemical sensing of morin in almonds and mulberry leaves
Morin (3,2,4,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the natural flavonoids which is present in a variety of fruits and herbs. ?-cyclodextrin (?-CD) and polyaniline (PANI) decorated Pencil graphite electrode (PGE) has been successfully used as a sensitive and conducting electrode for the determination of morin. The hydroxyl groups of ?-CD attract the analyte towards the modified electrode through hydrogen bonding. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were employed to study the electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes. The enhanced surface roughness of ?-CD-PANI/PGE has resulted in the increase of electrocatalytic activity of electrode towards the analyte. Opitical profilometric studies were performed to evaluate the surface roughness of electrodes and differential pulse votammetry (DPV) was used for the quantitative analysis of morin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were carried out to know the physicochemical characteristics of the modified electrodes. The experimental conditions such as scan rate, pH and concentration were optimized. The electrochemical process was found to be adsorption controlled and irreversible from scan rate studies. Under optimal conditions, the linear dynamic range for the quantification of morin was found to be 1.1732nM. The low detection limit (0.38nM) indicates ultrasensitivity of the proposed method. The suggested method has been effectively employed for the determination of morin in almonds and mulberry leaves. 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Self-Care, burnout, and compassion fatigue in oncology professionals
Context: With the rising number of cancer cases in India, the stress levels of the treating team have increased. It has affected their self-care and made them susceptible to problems like burnout and compassion fatigue that adversely affect the quality of patient care. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and self-care in three groups of oncology professionals (clinical oncologists, nurses, and psychologists). Settings and Design: The study included 134 oncology professionals working in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Methods and Material: Sociodemographic data sheet, Professional Quality of Life Scale V and Self-Care Assessment Worksheet were used. Statistical Analysis Used: Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Correlation Analysis. Results: The majority of the professionals reported moderate levels of burnout (60.4%) and compassion fatigue (56%). Oncology nurses reported an elevated risk as they scored significantly higher on these domains and had a lower degree of self-care. Interestingly, psychologists reported comparatively lower levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, despite the fact that they interact with the patients at a deeper level, looking after their psychological and emotional needs. Young age and a poor degree of self-care were identified as major risk factors. Conclusions: The moderate levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, though not severe, are a cause of concern and cannot be overlooked. The study highlights the need for self-care in this regard and suggests that individual and institutional level interventions, particularly for nurses and young professionals, would prove useful. 2020 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved. -
Happiness, Meaning, and Satisfaction in Life as Perceived by Indian University Students and Their Association with Spirituality
The present study aims to examine the association between various dimensions of psychological well-being (subjective happiness, satisfaction, and meaning in life), spirituality, and demographic and socioeconomic background of university students. A total of 414 postgraduate students were selected from three different schools, viz. science, management, and social sciences/humanities of Pondicherry University (A Central University), Puducherry, India, following multistage cluster sampling method. One semi-structured questionnaire and four standardized psychological scales, viz. subjective happiness scale, satisfaction with life scale, meaning in life questionnaire, and spirituality attitude inventory, were used for data collection after checking psychometric properties of the scales. The results show that a positive significant correlation between spirituality and subjective happiness exists. Spirituality is also correlated with meaning in life and satisfaction with life scale. Statistically, no significant gender difference was observed with respect to subjective happiness, meaning, and satisfaction in life as well as spirituality although the mean score of female students was more in all the four psychological domains. Non-integrated students are found to be happier than integrated students, and statistically it was significant. Positive interpersonal relationship and congenial family environment were probed to be facilitating factors for positive mental health of university students. There is a severe need to address students mental health by every educational institution through multiple programs. 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
TEMPO mediated electrocatalytic oxidation of pyridyl carbinol using palladium nanoparticles dispersed on biomass derived porous nanoparticles
Remarkable electrocatalytic property of Pd nanostructures dispersed on CNSareca coated CFP electrode towards TEMPO mediated electrooxidation of pyridyl carbinol was reported for the first time. Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) derived from Areca catechu decorated with Pd nanoparticles were coated on carbon fiber paper (CFP) and was employed for electrooxidation of pyridyl carbinol in aqueous acidic medium. An environmentally benign and economic strategy was utilized for the preparation of CNSs obtained from Areca catechu. The physical characterizations, electronic state and chemical composition of the modified electrode were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques were used for analyzing the morphology of modified electrode. The electrochemical characterizations of the modified electrodes were performed by Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Pd decorated CNSareca dispersed on CFP electrode has exhibited strong electrocatalytic activity towards TEMPO mediated oxidation of pyridyl carbinol. 2020 Elsevier Ltd -
Supercapacitor studies of activated carbon functionalized with poly(ethylene dioxythiophene): Effects of surfactants, electrolyte concentration on electrochemical properties
Electropolymerization of poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on activated carbon (AC) was performed using different surfactants such as anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate), protonic surfactant (camphor sulphonic acid) and non-ionic surfactant (Triton) in 0.1 M H2SO4. The effects of concentration of different surfactants for electrodeposition of PEDOT on AC were analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and SEM techniques. Supercapacitors (SC) were fabricated using AC/PEDOT composite electrodes and 0.1 M H2SO4 as an electrolyte. The specific capacitance (Cs) values were calculated using CV at different concentrations of surfactants, electrolytes and variation of potential. The electrolyte containing 0.1 M H2SO4 and 0.02 M camphor sulphonic acid showed to have the highest specific capacitance value of 240 Fg?1 than other surfactant based SCs. Galvanostatic charge/discharge at varying current density were performed on SCs containing different surfactant based electrodes to study their cyclic stability. 2020