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Analyzing the interactions among delay factors in construction projects: A multi criteria decision analysis
The construction industry is a crucial sector that drives economic growth and facilitates socio-economic development. However, construction projects often get delayed due to multiple controllable and uncontrollable circumstances. In this scenario, the construction industry is striving for potential solutions to resolve project delays. Thus, the present study objectives to analyze the delay factors that affect the timely accomplishment of construction projects in the context of emerging economies. The study adopts a mixed methodology comprising of Delphi, Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) and Matrice d' Impacts Croises Multiplication Applique a Classement (MICMAC) method to model the identified delay factors. A Delphi analysis was conducted to finalize the most crucial delay factors to the on-time completion of building projects. The causal relationships and expert interpretations for each identified delay factor were then determined using multi-criteria decision analysis, TISM and MICMAC analysis. The study results highlight that lack of knowledge of newer construction methodologies and lack of project monitoring tools and techniques are positioned at the bottom level of model, which suggests that this delay factor influences others. The study results will help managers resolve the issues of project delays by selecting the most suitable approach. The findings from the study suggest adopting advanced technologies for effective communication, use of analytical tools for resource allocation and waste-scrapping approaches for eliminating delays in construction projects. The Author(s) 2023. -
Effect of social influence on the saving behaviour of freelancing undergraduate students, mediated by financial literacy and self-control; [Vliv socino aspektu na spo?icchovstudent? na volnnoze ve vztahu k finan?ngramotnosti a sebekontrole]
Currently, India is among the countries with the largest youth population with 65% of the people aged below 35 years. These youths engage themselves in a multitude of things which generation-x was not aware. Their daily routine, study habits, entertainment, computer knowledge, and financial affairs are different from that of earlier generations. There is a need to study their financial situation and saving habit as their approach towards enjoyment, recreation, and lifestyle are influenced by factors like social media and popular culture. This study aims to find the mediation effect of financial literacy and self-control on the relationship between social influence and saving behaviour of undergraduate (UG) students, who are freelancing while pursuing their studies. The study obtained 357 responses to questionnaires through purposive sampling method. The study adopted causal mediation research design and employed mediation analysis to find the direct, indirect, and total effects of the relationship between social influence and saving behaviour among freelancing UG students. The results of the study revealed a partial mediation effect, indicating that the social influence not only had a direct impact on the saving behaviour of UG students in India, but also mediated it through financial literacy and self-control. Further research could focus on understanding students knowledge of digital-financial management, as digitisation of the financial sector is rapidly expanding. 2023 The Authors. -
The Role of Cognitive Appraisal in Informed Decision-Making among Social Entrepreneurs: A Thematic Analysis
Social entrepreneurship (SE) is gaining momentum by providing innovative solutions to economic, social, and environmental problems by generating jobs and social inclusion. However, it involves different challenges that may lead to a negative appraisal. This study aimed to explore cognitive appraisal processes social entrepreneurs use to make informed decisions in their entrepreneurial journey. Interviews were conducted with 13 Indian social entrepreneurs, and the data were subjected to thematic analysis. The main themes were; appropriateness, implications, coping potential, and normative significance. The study proposes a cognitive model for the appraisal of SE. The study is important for aspiring social entrepreneurs to understand the evaluation components of appraisal to decide how appropriate SE is as a career for them. 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Investigating and analyzing the causality amid tourism, environment, economy, energy consumption, and carbon emissions using TodaYamamoto approach for Himachal Pradesh, India
Himachal Pradesh is a preferred tourist destination with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.76% between 201112 and 202021. The increasing trend of CAGR has boosted the tourism economy in the state while impacting the local environment. The negative impacts have recently increased due to changes in climatic patterns and increased tourism influx during the post-pandemic period. In this context, the present study analyzed the impact of tourism on the environment, economy, and energy consumption using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The novelty of this study is to the existing literature on sustainable tourism development through investigating the interrelationship between tourism, environment, economy, energy consumption, and carbon emissions by employing the TodaYamamoto (TY) technique. This study will be a pioneering scientific investigation with quantitative results in the western Himalayan states of India, encompassing Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The annual data for each variable, such as per capita carbon emission (CEP), per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), per capita GSDP square, per capita energy consumption (ECP), and per capita tourism receipts (TRP), was collected from 2010 to 2021. This study exhibited an inverted-U EKC in the state, signifying the initial stage of economic development and extensive exploitation of natural resources for tourism. The TY results indicated an inter-causal relationship and feedback association among the variables in the study area. Thus, increased TRP would lead to an upsurge in energy consumption affecting the environmental quality due to increased carbon emissions. Such environmental degradation in the state would negatively impact the tourism sector in the long run. The research findings would guide planners and policymakers in promoting sustainable tourism. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. -
Profiles of Victimized Outpatients with Severe Mental Illness in India
Persons with severe mental illness (PwSMI) are at risk of being victimized due to persistent cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, which can become potential threats for effective reintegration into the community. A total of 217 PwSMI, receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment from a tertiary hospital, were screened for abuse, and if they were identified as abuse, then information about contextual factors contributing to abuse, sociodemographic, family, and clinical and legal profiles was created. Overall, 150 PwSMI were victimized, of which 56% were females, 50.7% were married, 20.7% were educated up to middle school, and 31.4% were homemaker. The most common form of diagnosis was schizophrenia (43.3%), with a mean duration of illness of 14 years. All the victimized PwSMI were subjected to emotional abuse. PwSMI were more likely to be victimized by multiple family members due to poor knowledge and understanding about illness (24%). The majority of the PwSMI had disclosed abuse (62.7%) to nonformal sources (33.3%) with no documentation in the clinical file (82.7%). PwSMI experience ongoing abuse and are more likely to be re-victimized, which increases the need for regular screening and culturally sensitive and comprehensive community-coordinated care and support. 2023 Indian Journal of Community Medicine. -
Sentiment Analysis on Banking Feedback and News Data using Synonyms and Antonyms
Sentiment analysis is crucial for deciphering customers enthusiasm, frustration, and the market mood within the banking sector. This importance arises from financial datas specialized and sensitive nature, enabling a deeper understanding of customer sentiments. In todays digital and social marketing landscape within the banking and financial sector, sentiment analysis is significant in shaping customer insights, product development, brand reputation management, risk management, customer service improvement, fraud detection, market research, compliance regulations, etc. This paper introduces a novel approach to sentiment analysis in the banking sector, emphasizing integrating diverse text features to enable dynamic analysis. This proposed approach aims to assess the sentiment score of distinct words used within a document and classify them as positive, negative, or neutral. After rephrasing sentences using synonyms and antonyms of unique words, the system calculates sentence similarity using a distance control mechanism. Then, the system updates the dataset with the positive, negative, and neutral labels. Ultimately, the ELECTRA model utilizes the self-trained sentiment-scored data dictionary, and the newly created dataset is processed using the SoftMax activation function in combination with a customized ADAM optimizer. The approachs effectiveness is confirmed through the analysis of post-bank customer feedback and the phrase bank dataset, yielding accuracy scores of 92.15% and 93.47%, respectively. This study stands out due to its unique approach, which centers on evaluating customer satisfaction and market sentiment by utilizing sentiment scores of words and assessing sentence similarities. 2023, Science and Information Organization. All rights reserved. -
Analysis of Elliptic Curve Cryptography & RSA
In todays digital world, the Internet is an essential component of communication networks. It provides a platform for quickly exchanging information among communicating parties. There is a risk of unauthorized persons gaining access to our sensitive information while it is being transmitted. Cryptography is one of the most effective and efficient strategies for protecting our data and it are utilized all around the world. The efficiency of a cryptography algorithm is determined by a number of parameters, one of which is the length of the key. For cryptography, key (public/private) is an essential part. To provide robust security, RSA takes larger key size. If we use larger key size, the processing performance will be slowed. As a result, processing speed will decrease and memory consumption will increase. Due to this, cryptographic algorithms with smaller key size and higher security are becoming more popular. Out of the cryptographic algorithms, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) provides equivalent level of safety which RSA provides, but it takes smaller key size. On the basis of key size, our work focused on, studied, and compared the efficacy in terms of security among the well-known public key cryptography algorithms, namely ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) and RSA (Rivets Shamir Adelman). 2023 River Publishers. -
A comprehensive study on the assessment of chemically modified Azolla pinnata as a potential cadmium sequestering agent
The major environmental issue raised throughout the world is the egression of toxic pollutants in water bodies. Hence, employment of novel technological interventions such as bioremediation and phytoremediation for mitigating the toxic effects caused by the pollutants has gained attention. The aquatic macrophyte, Azolla pinnata is utilized as a biofiltering agent in the present study for the chelation of metal toxicants from the artificial wastewater system. The nutritive value of A. pinnata was determined to be 268.99Kcal/100g energy and the mineral profiling showed the highest amount of calcium (54.7ppm), iron (14.04ppm) and manganese (7.96 ppm). The quantitative screening of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents showed a maximum of 402.334.29 mg/g GAE and 105.253.81 mg/g QE respectively and the sample exhibited strong antioxidant activity in quenching the DPPH radicals with an IC50 value of 88.27?g/ml. Similarly, the highest bioactivity was observed in methanolic and chloroform extract of A. pinnata biomass showing the zone of growth inhibition against E. coli (17mm) and S. aureus (18mm). The results recorded from the SEM-EDX, GCMS, FTIR and XRD confirmed the adsorptive properties of biomass. The chemically modified and unmodified Azolla exposed to cadmium metal solution showed the maximum adsorption of about 0.470.001 and 0.480.003 ppm in 60mins using the unmodified biomass with dosage of 0.75 and 1.0g respectively. Moreover, the results recorded from the instrumental characterization for the adsorptive properties of Azolla biomass proved that cadmium chelation is due to the modifications caused in porosity, surface structure and the addition of functional groups in the treated biomass surface. 2023 The Ceramic Society of Japan. -
A Study on Sense of Community: Case Example of Public Housing Project, Bengaluru, India
Background: In the realm of collective public housing, certain societal segments currently favor low-rise residential blocks due to their affordability and lower number of dwelling units per block, thus affording increased privacy for residents. However, the concept of associating residents benefits with social relationships has yet to garner sufficient attention. Objective: This article seeks to understand and examine the impact of public housing on the sense of community (SOC) within a public housing community. Methods: The study was conducted at the Bangalore Development Author-ity Jnanabharathi Residential Enclave in Kengeri, Bengaluru, Karnataka. This understanding was attained through a comprehensive review of existing literature and an on-site evaluation carried out using questionnaire surveys and photographs for visual interpretations. Findings: The results indicated a relatively deficient sense of ownership within the community. Homeowners exhibited higher levels of community involvement and engagement in various activities compared with tenants. Conclusions: Furthermore, the study recommends that public authorities reevalu-ate their perspectives on public housing developments and develop a policy-orien-ted approach for planning, design, and additional amenities to foster a stronger SOC belonging. 2023 Springer Publishing Company. -
Measurement of Corporate Social Responsibility of Financial Companies in the Indian Context
Purpose: This study aimed to measure the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of financial companies (banks and NBFCs) in India. This paper used content analysis to quantify the CSR performance of financial companies. Financial institutions loan money to businesses utilizing assets owned by saving bank account holders, thereby heightening their societal responsibility. Methodology: Data from 63 financial companies listed on the National Stock Exchange from 20142015 to 20202021 were considered. Cronbachs alpha, descriptive statistics, and z-score test were used in this research to check the reliability and normality of the CSR scores. Findings: The results showed that private sector banks proactively participated in social activities compared to public sector banks (PSB) and non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs). Scores of CSR improved during the study period. Practical Implications: The study will allow future research because every issue and factor considered in the scale needs attention to benefit humankinds future generations. Calculated CSR scores could be used to measure the impact on the financial performance of companies. Originality: Unlike prior research on corporate social responsibility, the current work built a model to measure the CSR of financial companies. 2023, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
Pandemic, theatre and performance: Democratizing the subalterns through the Theatre of the Oppressed
The presented work analyses Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) methods impacting the pandemic. It follows the WHO timeline, when the COVID-19 pandemic had cast a dark shadow, making sustenance difficult for the marginalized section of Indian society. TO methods, though reflected, adapted and accommodated exhaustively in Indian applied theatre over the last four decades, offered a fresh, collective, democratic space during the pandemic. Forum theatre (FT) and legislative theatre (LT) praxis rendered a platform for activism, awareness and emancipation of the subalterns during the pandemic. Thus, TO renewed psycho-social dialogue and critical, creative, experimental space during this time. The applicability of such methods facilitating social change is gauged using Boals spect-actorship and Freires conscientization. The article looks forward to the TO signposts to serve as nodal points for further scholarly discussion and study on democratizing the disenfranchised population through FT and LT during the pandemic. 2023 Intellect Ltd Article. English language. All Rights Reserved. -
Digital Gender Gap, Gender Equality and National Institutional Freedom: A Dynamic Panel Analysis
While digital gender gap is a growing field of research in Information Systems (IS), there remains a dearth of research focusing on it. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the digital gender gap in mobile and internet usage and gender equality. Additionally, this study also examines the impact of national institutional freedoms on the aforementioned relationship. Utilizing the theoretical framework of intersecting inequalities and building upon existing literature on the gender digital divide, this study aims to explore the associations between disparities in mobile and internet usage, gender equality, and the extent of national institutional freedoms encompassing economic, political, and media domains. In pursuit of this objective, we undertake a dynamic panel data analysis using publicly accessible archival data at the country level. The results indicate that national institutions have a significant impact on the relationship between the digital gender gap in internet and mobile phone usage and gender equality. The discussion encompasses the significance of our findings for both study and practice. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Simulation and Experimental Analysis of L-Section in Reinforced Cement Concrete: Uncertainties in Performance and Strength
The design and construction of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) flooring play a crucial role in the overall stability of a structure, particularly in regions prone to tectonic activity. RCC floors comprise various beams, including intermediate T-sections and specific L-sections at critical points such as corners and around staircases or lift openings. This paper identifies a key challenge in building frameworks to resist tectonic loads. It further explores the components of the structure that provide potential for interruption, capability, and the safe transfer of tectonic loading to the array connection, all while maintaining sufficient strength. The L-sections were experimented on using various grades of concrete and sizes to reinforce connections under diverse loading conditions. L-sections contribute to reducing floor height, solving economic and technical problems, and creating advanced composite connections that integrate the proposed structural system. The analysis was conducted both analytically and experimentally to assess methods to resist earthquake forces based on stiffness, building strength, and elasticity capacity. These approaches have been identified to safeguard buildings during substantial seismic events. The development of the L-section is detailed, highlighting the loading process and the capacity to overcome various structural challenges. 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
India as a climate leader in the indo-pacific: challenges and opportunities
The non-traditional security threats in the form of incessant floods, cyclones, and all-time rising sea levels in the Indo-Pacific region call for an integrated and constructive response led by a climate leader. Climate change is seen way beyond the lens of a mere environmental catastrophe having the potential to destabilize a nations economy and polity. The global state and non-state actors have acknowledged climate change to be an alarming global security threat. However, the failure of collective management of the climate crisis has mandated a responsible climate leader to monitor the mitigation efforts. In the context of initiatives like the National Solar Mission that envisages India to be a global leader in solar energy, the paper intends to weigh the possibilities for Indias role as a cogent climate leader in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to evaluate Indias climate leadership based on its green policies and assistance to Indo-Pacific countries. 2024 Indian Ocean Research Group. -
An Enhanced Automation Analysis for Structural Algorithm in Agro-Industries Using IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) based structural algorithm for automatic agriculture refers to the system of using powerful real-time data collected from a variety of sensors with software and analytics to autonomously manage agro-ecosystems. This algorithm can be used to monitor environments, analyze data and use this knowledge to take specific actions to help farmers and producers maximize their production and profitability. This algorithm provides an unprecedented level of precision, accuracy and control over the agricultural environment, allowing greater efficiency and optimization in farming practices. It enables monitoring, scheduling, and control of different agro-ecosystem components, such as water, soil, fertilizer, light, humidity, temperature, soil pH and crop growth. The algorithm can also point to general trends and patterns in the environment, as well as offer timely advice to farmers in response to real-time conditions. The algorithm is also capable of automatically diagnosing and responding to unexpected problems, which can help prevent costly mistakes and excessive waste of water, fertilizer, energy, etc. 2023 by the authors. -
Sexual Narcissism among Men with Sexual Dysfunctions: An Exploratory Study
Objective: Previous studies have associated sexual narcissism with aggressive behaviours prevalent among most Cluster B populations. Recent evidence shows that certain characteristics of sexual narcissism could be beneficial for sexual and marital satisfaction. The present study is an exploration of the role of narcissism in Sexual dysfunctions. Method: A cross-sectional design involving a sample of 62 men aged 2260 years was used for the study. The sample consisted of 31 men having sexual dysfunctions and a matched control group of 31 men free from sexual dysfunctions. Tools used were the International Index for Erectile Functioning, Modified MINI, Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, Sexual Narcissism Scale, and Questionnaire for Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context. Scores were subjected to discriminant analysis, and relevant variables were correlated to assess the strength of the association. Results: Results indicated that beliefs about Female Sexual Power (FSP), Helplessness Schema, and Exploitative behaviours of Sexual Narcissism were the best predictors that differentiated the two groups. The higher the scores on these variables, the lower the erectile functioning. FSP shared a positive correlation with both Exploitation and Helplessness, while the latter two variables were unrelated. Conclusions: A higher need to stick to traditional gender roles and fear of being overpowered could be contributing to sexually exploitative behaviours and relationship distress, which in turn, could affect self-efficacy and contribute to Sexual dysfunction. (2023), (Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences). All Rights Reserved. -
Soft Computing Approaches for Maximum Power Point Tracking of Solar PV System
Solar power changes according to irradiance and temperature in a day. A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is actually necessary to obtain the maximum power from the photovoltaic (PV) arrangement. In this paper, in order to optimize power and improve the efficiency of PV module with regulated output voltage, soft computing MPPT techniques, flying squirrel search optimization and artificial bee colony methods are implemented on cascaded double voltage lift boost converter. The PV module is subjected to both with and without constraints to analyze the performance of the DC/DC converter, and the comparative outcomes are evaluated for resistive and different types of battery loads at various temperature conditions in MATLAB/Simulink platform. The optimized power is achieved by using artificial bee colony technique with less ripple in the output waveforms at constant 25 C temperature irrespective of the changes in irradiation with the battery load and this can be used for charging of the battery system. 2023 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l.-All rights reserved. -
Tissue-Specific Profile and Activity Patterns of Glycosyl Hydrolases from Trichosanthes Anguina (Snake Gourd)
Plant glycosyl hydrolases (GH) and their function have been extensively studied using biochemical and molecular genetic approaches. GHs are involved in metabolism of various glycoconjugates specifically by the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds and also in N-glycan processing. Several GHs have been extensively characterized from various plant sources and their diverse functional roles in cell wall polysaccharide metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and remodulation, signaling, symbiosis, secondary metabolism, etc. have been studied. However, information on tissue specific distribution of these enzymes, which is crucial for further understanding their physiological roles in plants is highly limited. In these lines, the present study was aimed at qualitative analysis of selected GHs from different tissues of a model plant, Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes anguina). The qualitative analysis of GHs such as ?-mannosidase, ?-hexosaminidase, ?-galactosidase, ?-glucosidase, ?-glucuronidase, ?-glucosidase, ?-galactosidase, ?-mannosidase and ?-fucosidase from seeds, sprouts, roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruits of the Snake Gourd plant was carried out. Activities of different GHs varied in a tissue specific manner. The ?-mannosidase activity was maximum in ripened fruits whereas ?-hexosaminidase showed highest activity in roots. Interestingly, flowers had maximum activities of ?-glucuronidase and ?-fucosidase. The correlation analysis suggested significant correlations between various GHs which altered in tissue specific manner. (2023) Association of Carbohydrate Chemists and Technologists. -
Transport Vehicle Demand Prediction Using Context-Aware Neural Networks
Transport is an important aspect of trade. The more efficient the transport system, the more trade will flourish. However, sometimes it is the case that vehicles are not available for transport. This necessitates a system which could be able to keep an eye on the demand of transport vehicles. If the demand is fulfilled properly, then trade will flourish in a much better way. Thus, this project aims to keep an eye on the demand of transport vehicles and fulfill it. The study used MLP and LSTM models to work. The project also shows a comparison between the gradual changes and improvements in MLP and LSTM and the type of data used. The study focus was to predict the demand accurately in an area. 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
Total Harmonic Distortion Analysis of a Seven-Level Inverter for Fuel Cell Applications
This paper focuses on the total harmonic distortion (THD) analysis of a multi-level inverter (MLI) for fuel cell applications. Furthermore, a 50 kW 625 V proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack was employed for this analysis. The various modes of operation of the suggested inverter are presented accordingly, along with its switching combinations. Also, a sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (SPWM) controller was employed to drive the power electronic switches in the suggested topology. The suggested inverter can produce sinusoidal voltage with only fundamental frequency switching. Moreover, the number of components and voltage stress of the suggested topology are compared with the conventional topologies presented. In addition, the THD was analyzed with and without the LC filter. Finally, the validity of the system was verified through MATLAB/Simulink software R2022b. 2023 by the authors.