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Effect of Ethnocentrism and Attitude Towards Foreign Brands in Purchase Decision
Ethnocentrism refers to the intense preference for domestic products or a moral obligation to buy domestic products. With an extraordinary amount and variety of foreign goods and services now being made available to the Indian market, the level of competition faced by domestic companies has tremendously increased. This forms the need for domestic marketers to understand how the ethnocentrism and attitude of consumers towards foreign brands influence their purchase decision. In order to appeal to the Indian market better, many companies have started using patriotic advertising to evoke patriotic and nationalistic emotions among consumers. One such industry that utilizes such patriotic strategies is the automobile industry. The main objective of the study is to understand the effect that ethnocentrism and attitude towards foreign brands have on consumers purchase of automobiles. To measure the same, a survey consisting of a self-administered questionnaire with a sample size of 108 was conducted. For data analysis purpose, exploratory factor analysis, CART technique and regression analysis have been used in the study. CART technique has been used to develop a model keeping ethnocentrism and attitude as the base. The results of the study show that attitude has turned out to be dominant over ethnocentrism and has a significant role to play in persuading consumers to buy cars of an Indian or a foreign brand. The findings also show that ethnocentrism influences attitude which in turn influences purchase decision. The implications of the study suggest that domestic marketers should imply patriotic advertising in their marketing initiatives and also recommend them to highlight the Made in India tag. The study also suggests foreign marketers operating in the Indian market to focus less on the country-of-origin and focus more on the technicalities of the product because attitude towards foreign brands is a major contributor towards the purchase decision. 2020 Management Development Institute. -
Logistic growth and SIR modelling of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in India: Models based on real-time data
The logistic growth model and the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) framework are utilized for the mathematical modelling of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in India. Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, three states of India, are selected based on the pattern of the disease spread and the prominence in being affected in India. The parameters of the models are estimated by utilizing real-time data. The models predict the ending of the pandemic in these states and estimate the number of people that would be affected under the prevailing conditions. The models classify the pandemic into five stages based on the nature of the infection growth rate. According to the estimates of the models it can be concluded that Kerala is in a stable situation whereas the pandemic is still growing in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The infection rate of Karnataka and Kerala are lesser than 5% and reveal a downward trend. On the other hand, the infection rate and the high predicted number of infectives in Maharashtra calls for more preventive measures to be imposed in Maharashtra to control the disease spread. The results of this analysis provide valuable information regarding the disease spread in India. 2020, International Information and Engineering Technology Association. -
Effect of heavy metals on the andrographolide content, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Andrographis paniculata
Andrographis paniculata is a medicinal plant that has several medicinal properties and has been traditionally used in different medicinal preparations. The present study deals with the influence of heavy metals (lead, mercury and silver) on andrographolide, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in Andrographis paniculata. Two months old saplings were subjected to heavy metal stress of two different concentrations (0.2 mM and 0.4 mM) for three different times at 3 day time interval. The results showed that the saplings treated with heavy metals showed increased concentration of andrographolide content. The saplings treated with 0.4 mM silver showed the highest increase in the andrographolide content (24.58 2.85 mg/g of DW) compared with control (9.41 1.26 mg/g of DW) and other treatments. Variations in the biochemical parameters like total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, etc. were also prominent with all the treated samples when compared to that of control. 2020 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved. -
Randomized response model to alter the nuisance effect of non-response due to stigmatized issues in survey sampling
The present study deals with the estimation procedures of the mean number of persons bearing a rare sensitive attribute in the clustered population under two-stage sampling scheme. The resultant estimators have been suggested using two-stage randomized response model when a rare unrelated attribute is assumed to be known as well as unknown. The properties of resultant estimators are studied where the first-stage samples are drawn using the probability proportional to the size with replacement sampling scheme. The estimation procedures have been further extended for the stratified clustered population. The empirical studies are performed for the validation of the suggested estimation procedures. Recommendations have been made to survey practitioners for their real-life applications. 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Spectroscopic and TDDFT investigation of highly selective fluoride sensors by substituted acyl hydrazones
In this work, we report the synthesis of two receptors for fluoride ions based on acyl hydrazone, such as N?-[(1Z)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide (R1) and N?-[(1Z)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide (R2). The receptors R1 and R2 were synthesized from the corresponding ketones and benzoic acid hydrazide and characterized spectroscopically by UVvisible, IR and 1HNMR techniques. The response of R1 and R2 towards different anions was studied colourimetrically in acetonitrile. The receptors exhibited a specific response towards fluoride ions. Further studies of 1:1 composition of receptors, R1/R2:fluoride ions by different spectroscopic techniques such as UVVisible, IR and 1HNMR spectroscopy indicated the participation of -NH proton of the receptors in the sensing action through the hydrogen bonding. To understand the mechanism, Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) studies were done using the CAM-B3LYP/6311G++ (3df,2p) with Grimme's D3BJ empirical dispersion basis set. The studies supported the role of hydrogen bonding interaction of -NH and-OH protons of the receptors with the fluoride ions. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Effect of gravity modulation on linear, weakly-nonlinear and local-nonlinear stability analyses of stationary double-diffusive convection in a dielectric liquid
The paper deals with the study of effect of gravity modulation on double-diffusive convection in a dielectric liquid for the cases of rigid-rigid and free-free boundaries. Using a modified Venezian approach, expressions for the Rayleigh number and its correction are determined. FourierGalerkin expansion is employed for a weakly nonlinear stability analysis and this results in a fifth-order Lorenz system that retains the structure of the classical one in the limiting case. A local nonlinear stability analysis using the method of multiscales leads to the time-periodic GinzburgLandau equation from the time-periodic generalized Lorenz system and the numerical solution of this simpler equation helps in quantifying unsteady heat and mass transports. Influence of various non-dimensional parameters (Lewis number, solutal Rayleigh number, electrical Rayleigh number and Prandtl number), amplitude and frequency of gravity modulation on onset of convection and heat and mass transports is discussed. The study reveals that the influence of gravity modulation is to stabilize the system and enhance heat and mass transports. The results from free-free boundaries are qualitatively similar to that of rigid-rigid boundaries. Further, it is shown that in the case of free-free boundaries the heat and mass transports are less compared to those of rigid-rigid boundaries. 2020, Springer Nature B.V. -
MnO2 Nanoclusters Decorated on GrapheneModified Pencil Graphite Electrode for Non-Enzymatic Determination of Cholesterol
Electrochemically deposited MnO2 on graphene coated Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE) has been used to develop a facile electrochemical sensor for the determination of Cholesterol. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) technique were used to investigate the electrochemical properties of the modified sensing platform. The physicochemical properties of the modified electrodes were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The experimental conditions such as effect of scan rate, concentration and pH were optimized. The linear dynamic range for the determination of Cholesterol was found to be 120?10 M2400?10 M under optimum conditions. The ultralow level of detection limit (0.42 nM) demonstrates the high sensitivity of the proposed method. The developed method was successfully applied for the non-enzymatic determination of Cholesterol in human blood samples at ultralow levels. 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim -
Synthesis, spectral and DNA/Protein binding evaluation of novel Cu(II) chelates of an NNO donor tridentate aroylhydrazone: Halogen bonding directed close packing
An NNO donor aroylhydrazone monohydrate, HFPBH2O (3-fluoropyridine-2-carbaldehyde benzoylhydrazone monohydrate) was synthesized from 3-fluoropyridine-2-carbaldehyde and benzhydrazide and physicochemically characterised. The coordination behaviour of the aroylhydrazone with the metal ion is investigated through various physicochemical techniques and it is concluded that it binds to the metal ion predominantly in the enolate resonance form, while few complexes exhibit keto form of the ligand. The structure of [Cu(FPB)(OAc)(H2O)]H2O (4a) established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method unveiled that the metal ion has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry in this complex. The coordination sites of Cu(II) ion are occupied by azomethine N, pyridyl N and iminolate O from a monodeprotonated hydrazone moiety and the remaining two positions are occupied by two oxygen atoms, one each from acetate ion and the water molecule. Potential applications of the complexes were studied by subjecting them to DNA/protein (BSA) binding studies using electronic and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complexes were found to bind with DNA/protein (BSA) with binding constants in the order of 104 M?1 to 105 M?1. The intercalative mode of binding of the complexes with DNA was proved using spectral studies and molecular docking. Furthermore, the complex [Cu(FPB)(N3)(H2O)2] (5) was found to cleave the DNA from form I to form II during gel electrophoresis studies. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Electrochemical sensing of vitamin B12 deficiency marker methylmalonic acid using PdAu-PPy tailored carbon fiber paper electrode
Vitamin B12 is very important for human metabolism and its deficiency can cause anemia and the production of large red blood cells. An increased concentration of methylmalonic acid (MMA) is detected much before the transformation of blood cells, which thereby is an early indicator for mild or serious Vitamin B12 deficiency. A simple electrochemical sensor based on PalladiumGold (PdAu) was developed by electrodeposition of PdAu nanoparticles on Polypyrrole (PPy) modified carbon fiber paper (CFP) electrode. The modified electrodes were characterized by High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electroanalytical techniques. Differential Pulse Voltammetric (DPV) studies have established that under optimum conditions, the developed sensor exhibits a broad linear dynamic range (4.01 pM - 52.5 nM) with a very low detection limit (1.32 pM). The proposed method was effectively applied in the non-enzymatic determination of MMA at an ultralow level in human blood serum and urine samples. The method displayed high selectivity toward MMA in the presence of other interfering substances. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Ge-GaAs-Ge Heterojunction MOSFETs for Mixed-Signal Applications
A lattice matched heterojunction intraband tunnel (HJIBT) FET is proposed. The performance dependence of the device on conduction band (CB) discontinuity at source-channel and drain-channel interface is addressed using numerical simulation. Various mechanisms governing transport phenomena in the HJIBT FET are investigated in detail for different CB offsets (CBOs). For low gate to source voltage ( ${V}_{\text {GS}}$ ), thermionic emission is found to be the most significant transport mechanism. For moderate ${V}_{\text {GS}}$ , intraband tunneling phenomenon dominates over thermionic emission and continues to remain so. At high ${V}_{\text {GS}}$ , band-to-band tunneling occurs in HJIBT FETs. The proposed device shows improved figures of merit such as drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), ON-current ( ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ ) to OFF-current ( ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ ) ratio ( ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ ), subthreshold slope (SS), gate capacitance ( ${C}_{\text {G}}$ ), ${g}_{m}$ (transconductance), and ${f}_{T}$ (cut-off frequency), with respect to conventional MOSFET. Also, the design of a high-performance hybrid 6T-static random access memory (SRAM) is proposed. 1963-2012 IEEE. -
Multi-stage fuzzy swarm intelligence for automatic hepatic lesion segmentation from CT scans
Segmentation of liver and hepatic lesions using computed tomography (CT) is a critical and challenging task for doctors to accurately identify liver abnormalities and to reduce the risk of liver surgery. This study proposed a novel dynamic approach to improve the fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm for automatic localization and segmentation of liver and hepatic lesions from CT scans. More specifically, we developed a powerful optimization approach in terms of accuracy, speed, and optimal convergence based on fast-FCM, chaos theory, and bio-inspired ant lion optimizer (ALO), named (CALOFCM), for automatic liver and hepatic lesion segmentation. We employed ALO to guide the FCM to determine the optimal cluster centroids for segmentation processes. We used chaos theory to improve the performance of ALO in terms of convergence speed and local minima avoidance. In addition, chaos theory-based ALO prevented the FCM from getting stuck in local minima and increased computational performance, thus increasing stability, reducing sensitivity in the iterative process, and allowing the best centroids to be used by FCM. We validated the proposed approach on a group of patients with abdominal liver CT images, and the results showed good detection and segmentation performance compared with other popular techniques. This new hybrid approach allowed for the clinical diagnosis of hepatic lesions earlier and more systematically, thereby helping medical experts in their decision-making. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Experimental design for optimization of 4-nitrophenol reduction by green synthesized CeO2/g-C3N4/Ag catalyst using response surface methodology
In this study, the enhancement of catalytic activity of ceria when modified with co-catalysts such as graphitic carbon nitride and silver was established. The material was synthesized using phytogenic combustion method, a green alternative to the traditional preparative routes. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, XPS and TEM techniques. The synergistic effect of the composite CeO2/g-C3N4/Ag was tested for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. The reaction was carried out at room temperature without any light source or external stirring. The individual and combined effects of four parameters, viz., concentration of 4-NP, amount of catalyst, amount of NaBH4 and time for the reduction of reduction 4-NP were investigated using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM). This statistical model was used to optimize the reaction conditions for maximum reduction of 4-NP. The optimum conditions for the reduction reaction are found to be 0.01 mmol/L 4-NP, 15 mg catalyst, 20 mg NaBH4 and 13.7 min time interval. 2020 Chinese Society of Rare Earths -
Supermarket procurement and farmgate prices in India
Supermarkets have gained in importance in the food systems of many developing countries, with profound implications for smallholder farmers. Several studies analyzed effects of selling to supermarkets on smallholder productivity and income. However, no previous work systematically analyzed effects of supermarkets on farmgate prices, even though prices are important determinants of farmers profits and livelihoods. Here, we use data from smallholder vegetable growers in India to compare output prices received in supermarket and traditional market channels. We also quantify farmers transport and transaction costs in both channels. Even after controlling for quality differences, prices are significantly higher in supermarket channels. Positive price effects are confirmed through hedonic price models and propensity score matching. Average effects of supermarkets on farmgate prices are in a magnitude of 20% or more. Higher farmgate prices are due to fewer intermediaries and lower transaction costs in supermarket channels. In the absence of binding contracts, supermarkets also need to pay higher prices to ensure regular supply of high-quality vegetables. These results suggest that the rise of supermarkets can contribute to increased market efficiency with positive effects on farmgate prices and revenues. 2020 The Authors -
Convective instability analysis of couple-stress dielectric fluid saturated anisotropic porous medium with radiation effect
Purpose: The effects of anisotropy and radiation cannot be considered negligible while investigating the stability of the fluid in convection. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to analyze how these effects could affect the system while considering a couple-stress dielectric fluid. Therefore, the study establishes the effect of thermal radiation in a couple-stress dielectric fluid with an anisotropic porous medium using Goody's approach (Goody, 1956). Design/methodology/approach: To analyze the effect of radiation on the onset of convection, the MilneEddington approximation is employed to convert radiative heat flux to thermal heat flux. The equations are further developed to approximate for transparent and opaque medium. Stability of the quiescent state within the framework of linear theory is performed. The principle of exchange of stabilities is shown to be valid by means of single-term Galerkin method. Large values of conductionradiation and absorptivity parameters are avoided as fluid is considered as liquid rather than gas. Findings: The radiative heat transfer effect on a couple-stress dielectric fluid saturated anisotropic porous medium is examined in terms of MilneEddington approximation. The effect of couple-stress, dielectric, anisotropy and radiation parameters are analyzed graphically for both transparent and opaque medium. It is observed that the conductionradiation parameter stabilizes the system; in addition, the critical DarcyRayleigh number also shows a stabilizing effect in the absence of couple-stress, dielectric and anisotropy parameters, for both transparent and opaque medium. Furthermore, the absorptivity parameter stabilizes the system in the transparent medium, whereas it exhibits a dual effect in the case of an opaque medium. It was also found that an increase in thermal and mechanical anisotropy parameters shows an increase in the cell size, whereas the increase in DarcyRoberts number and conductionradiation parameter decreases the cell size. The validity of principle of exchange of stability is performed and concluded that marginal stability is the preferred mode than oscillatory. Originality/value: The effects of anisotropy and radiation on RayleighBard convection by considering a couple-stress dielectric fluid has been analyzed for the first time. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
An efficient hybrid digital architecture for space vector PWM method for multilevel VSI
This paper presents an efficient, cost effective design implementation of a hybrid digital architecture for space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) method for multilevel inverters (MLIs). The SVPWM method is one of the most popular real time PWM method for three phase voltage source inverter (VSI). The implementation of SVPWM method becomes complex with an increase in the number of levels in a multilevel inverter. The SVPWM method for multilevel inverter is a multitask system. The main constraint when it comes to implementing SVPWM for multilevel inverters is the processing of dwell time computation and the generation of PWM gate signals for all of the switches with an accurate delay. A hybrid hardware structure consisting of a simple low-cost, low-power dsPIC micro controller (dsPIC 30F4011) and a state of the art Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) (Cyclone V 5CGXFC5C6F27C7N) is used to implement SVPWM. The proposed hybrid digital architecture utilizes the advantages and resources of the dsPIC and FPGA. The hybrid digital architecture meets the timing constraints of multitasking through synchronization and parallelism. A communication interface between the dsPIC and the FPGA reduces the design complexity. The software overhead for the communication interface remains fixed for any number of levels. The hybrid structure of the digital architecture provides scalability for the SVPWM method with more number of levels in multilevel inverter. The operation of the proposed hybrid digital architecture is experimentally validated with an optimized SVPWM method for a five level VSI. An optimized region identification algorithm and simple dwell time expressions are described for a five level SVPWM. The input DC of the five level VSI is obtained from a differential power processing (DPP) based PV system. Experimental results under different operating conditions are presented. 2020, The Korean Institute of Power Electronics. -
3D flow and heat transfer of micropolar fluid suspended with mixture of nanoparticles (Ag-CuO/H2O) driven by an exponentially stretching surface
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the 3D micropolar hybrid (Ag-CuO/H2O) nanofluid past rapid moving surface, where porous medium has been considered. Design/methodology/approach: The model of problem was represented by highly partial differential equations which were deduced by using suitable approximations (boundary layer). Then, the governing model was converted into five combined ordinary differential equations applying proper similarity transformations. Therefore, the eminent iterative RungeKuttaFehlberg method (RKF45) has been applied to solve the resulting equations. Findings: Higher values of vortex viscosity, spin gradient viscosity and micro-inertia density parameters are reduced in horizontal direction, whereas opposite behaviour is noticed for vertical direction. Originality/value: The work has not been done in the area of hybrid micropolar nanofluid. Hence, this article culminates to probe how to improve the thermal conduction and fluid flow in 3D boundary layer flow of micropolar mixture of nanoparticles driven by rapidly moving plate with convective boundary condition. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Antibacterial performance of GOAg nanocomposite prepared via ecologically safe protocols
Control and extinction of the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance makes a multidisciplinary approach for the advancement of novel disinfectant agents imperative. Although graphene-based nanomaterials display high bacterial toxicity, their cytotoxicity to mammalian cells is found to be very low. Herein, a simple green approach for the synthesis of graphene oxidesilver composite using Syzgium cumini (Indian black plum) fruit extract was reported. Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activities of the composite were subsequently studied comparing with silver nanoparticles and pure graphene oxide. We demonstrate the influence of precursor materials in dictating the antibacterial properties of nanosystems. The antibacterial study conducted on selected gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria reveals that composite is more effective against gram-negative bacteria. The microbicidal activity of composite against bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, was higher than the control drug cephalexin (CE control). Test compounds against L929 cell lines by MTT assay reveal the low cytotoxicity of samples. From the statistical analysis, it is inferred that the cell viability is dependent on the concentration. Fruit extract-based graphenesilver composite could be an excellent environment-friendly replacement for harsh disinfectants. 2020, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. -
Evaluating the performance of indian banks: Eagles model approach
Sound financial health of a bank is the guarantee not only to its depositors but is also equally significant for the shareholders, employees and whole economy as well. Various steps and policies have been made from time to time, to measure the financial position of each bank and manage it efficiently and effectively. The introduction of new banking policies and technological advances put banks into more complex and risky situations. CAMEL model is widely used tool for measuring the efficiency and performance of banks which has been proved to be outdated. EAGLES model is a proper tool to measure the financial performance as well as the soundness of banks in a more determinate, objective and consistent manner, as the banks are being analyzed on the output ratios. The present study aimed at finding out the financial performance and soundness of selected Indian commercial banks, analyzing six major parameters which are key success factors of every bank today. Indian Institute of Finance. -
Sunova spirulina Powder as an Effective Environmentally Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Acid Medium
Abstract: Spirulina, blue green algae is a rich source of proteins and vitamins with excellent antioxidant properties. Sunova spirulina powder an effective, green corrosion inhibitor was used to evaluate its inhibition efficiency towards mild steel in 1M HCl medium. Weight loss studies of mild steel showed an inhibition efficiency of 96% for 600ppm concentration of inhibitor solution and 12h of immersion period at 303K. The percentage of inhibition efficiency increased with a step up of 10K raise in temperature from 303 to 333K and thereafter decreased. The results obtained were further validated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric (ICP-OES) measurements and electrochemical techniques that included Tafel polarisation, linear polarisation and AC impedance studies. Potentiodynamic polarisation study marked the inhibitor to be a mixed type inhibiting both cathodic and anodic reactions. The adsorption studies proved that the adsorption process was spontaneous and followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The thermodynamic activation and adsorption parameters calculated showed that the mechanism of inhibition involved a physisorption process initially and then it slightly shifted towards chemisorption process at higher temperature. The protective layer formed on the metal surface was studied using FTIR and SEM. The complex formation between the Fe2+ and the active constituents of the spirulina extract was verified using UV visible spectra and fluorescence spectra. The effect of inhibitor concentration and temperature on corrosion rate was tested statistically using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Recycling carbon tax for inclusive green growth: A CGE analysis of India
In this decade, India has been pursuing a low carbon inclusive growth strategy. However, carbon tax, the most direct price instrument to reduce carbon emissions, has not found favour with policymakers because of its supposed detrimental effects on economic growth and income distribution. In the Indian context, the literature indicates that though carbon tax is extremely effective in abating carbon emissions, it simultaneously leads to reductions in GDP. There is, thus, an undesirable trade-off between economic growth and climate change mitigation. However, in trying to overcome this trade-off through a double-dividend from carbon tax, these studies have not really explored all possible options. Whether the carbon tax will yield a double-dividend or not, will depend upon how the carbon tax revenue is recycled. The present paper fills this gap in the literature on recycling carbon tax for inclusive green growth by exploring the consequences of using carbon tax revenue for investment to build capacity in all sectors or exclusively in the clean energy sectors and to execute transfers to households to improve the distribution of income. This analysis has been done with a recursively dynamic India-specific CGE model having a disaggregated energy sectors and an endogenous income distribution module. 2020 Elsevier Ltd