Browse Items (5543 total)
Sort by:
-
Enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency in vapor deposited Sb 2Te3 and Sb1.8In0.2Te3 crystals
Pure and indium doped antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) crystals find applications in high performance room temperature thermoelectric devices. Owing to the meagre physical properties exhibited on the cleavage faces of melt grown samples, an attempt was made to explore the thermoelectric parameters of p-type crystals grown by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. The crystal structure of the grown platelets (9 mm8 mm2 mm) was identified as rhombohedral by x-ray powder diffraction method. The energy dispersive analysis confirmed the elemental composition of the crystals. The electron microscopic and scanning probe image studies revealed that the crystals were grown by layer growth mechanism with low surface roughness. At room temperature (300 K), the values of Seebeck coefficient S (c) and power factor were observed to be higher for Sb1.8In0.2Te 3 crystals (155 ?VK-1, 2.669 10-3 W/mK2) than those of pure ones. Upon doping, the thermal conductivity ? (c) was decreased by 37.14% and thus thermoelectric efficiency was improved. The increased figure of merit, Z = 1.23 10-3 K -1 for vapour grown Sb1.8In0.2Te3 platelets indicates that it could be used as a potential thermoelectric candidate. Pure and indium doped antimony telluride (Sb2Te 3) crystals were grown by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Incorporation of indium atoms into the antimony sub lattice improved Seebeck coefficient and reduced thermal conductivity. The increased figure of merit, Z = 1.23 10-3K-1 for vapor grown Sb 1.8In0.2Te3 platelets indicates that it could be used as a potential thermoelectric candidate. 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. -
Causality between public expenditure and economic growth: The indian case
This study investigates the causal nexus between public expenditure and economic growth in India using cointegration approach and error correction model. The analysis was carried out over the period 1973 to 2012. The Cointegration test result confirms the existence of long-run equilibrium relationship between public expenditure and economic growth in India. The empirical results based on the error-correction model estimate indicates one-way causality runs from economic growth to public expenditure in the short-run and long-run, supporting the Wagner's law of public expenditure. -
Large scale extinction maps with UVIT
The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) is scheduled to be launched as a part of the ASTROSAT satellite. As part of the mission planning for the instrument we have studied the efficacy of UVIT observations for interstellar extinction measurements. We find that in the best case scenario, the UVIT can measure the reddening to an accuracy of about 0. 02 magnitudes, which combined with the derived distances to the stars, will enable us to model the three-dimensional distribution of extinction in our Galaxy. The knowledge of the distribution of the ISM will then be used to study distant objects, affected by it. This work points the way to further refining the UVIT mission plan to best satisfy different science studies. 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. -
EC(H) onarrating stories: Ecological thought and metanarrativity in folktales
This paper studies the ecological discourse constructed in folktales, looking at the relationship between folktales and the human-nature-culture paradigm. By closely examining select folktales collected by folklorist A. K. Ramanujan, this paper looks at the metanarrativity of tales and argues from a narratological perspective that folktales deploy nature metaphors to establish a close relationship between nature, women and culture. This, it is argued, is made possible only in the conservation of stories for, in conserving a story, the message of conserving cultures and their artefacts (an ecological metaphor) is spread. The story is conserved; however, not in hoarding it but quite contrarily in transmitting and letting it go. The paper also critically examines how female subjects, through the use of nature metaphors and symbols of fertility and femininity speak of their consciousness in these 'woman-centred tales' in a space characterized by the absence of the Phallic Other but inevitably speak the patriarchal language of feminine inscriptions. Using folkloric research of A. K. Ramanujan as well as ecocritical frameworks, this paper looks at the narratological dimensions of folklore to understand metanarration as a crucial aspect of folklore and ecological conservation. Therefore the lessons of conservation lie not only in the content of the folktales but also in their very telling. The ecological aspects in and of the tale must necessarily be echoed multiple times to enable the tale's transmission, and in effect, their conservation. 2014 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore). -
Corporate social responsibility: Myth and reality
Companies nowadays strive to be socially conscious in the way they do business by taking up corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities besides maintaining profitability. Similarly consumers modulate their purchase choices to be made up of products that have been produced and marketed through socially responsible processes. But the congruence between achieving gain and being responsible to the community has ethical contradictions due to the presence of self interest. This paper proposes to examine the dimensions of this conflict and towards the end suggest a new orientation that foregrounds social responsibility relative to profit or gain. 2013 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore). -
Intelligent load shedding using ant colony algorithm in smart grid environment
For every country which is expecting a large growth in power demand in the near future or facing a power crisis, an effective load control and power distribution strategy is a necessity. Load shedding is done whenever power demand is more than power generation in order to sustain power system stability. The current load shedding strategies fails to shed exact amount of load as per the system requirement and does not prioritize loads which are being shed. Given the dimension of the problem, it would not be feasible computationally, to use regular optimization techniques to solve the problem. The problem is typically suited for application of meta-heuristic algorithms. This paper proposes a new scheme for optimizing load shedding using ant colony algorithm in a smart grid platform considering loads at utility level. The algorithm developed considers each electrical connection from Distribution Company as one lumped load and provides an effective methodology to control the load based on various constrains such as importance of load and time of load shedding. Springer India 2015. -
Digital filter architectures for multi-standard wireless transceivers
This paper addresses on two different architectures of digital decimation filter design of a multi-standard RF transceivers. Instead of using single stage decimation filter network, the filters are implemented in multiple stages using FPGA to optimize the area and power. The proposed decimation filter architectures reflect the considerable reduction in area & power consumption without degradation of performance. The filter coefficients are derived from MATLAB , the filter architectures are implemented and tested using Xilinx SPARTAN FPGA . The Xilinx ISE 9.2i tool is used for logic synthesis and the Xpower analysis tool is used for estimating the power consumption. First, the types of decimation filter architectures are tested and implemented using conventional binary number system. Then the different encoding scheme i.e. Canonic Signed Digit (CSD) representation is used for filter coefficients and then the architecture performance is tested .The results of CSD based architecture shows a considerable reduction in the area & power against the conventional number system based filter design implementation. -
Preterm birth prediction using cuckoo search-based fuzzy min-max neural network
In the latest history, a Decision making and prediction system has been investigated vigorously for several decades and has got a lift. Together with preterm birth study, the decision support system has been explored in different areas. Using fuzzy, neural network and cuckoo search algorithm, the medical decision support system is improved for the forecast of preterm birth in this document. A two-module pattern categorization and rule extraction system has been highlighted by this study, where in the former module emphasises an altered fuzzy min-max (FMM) neural-network-based pattern classifier, whereas the subsequent module emphasises oppositional cuckoo search based rule extractor. With the theory of opposition, this paper examines altered cuckoo search algorithm. Using Pre Term Birth (PTB) datasets, the empirical analysis is executed and applied using MATLAB. Performance assessment matrix occupied is the precision and our suggested method is compared with the active methods. It is examined that our suggested method has attained improved precision value (85.6 %) when compared to FMM (77.36 %) which illustrates the efficiency of the suggested method from the results. 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved. -
Digital awakening religious communication in a virtual world
This paper explores the religious presence and possibilities in the virtual world. An analysis of communication progress leads to the present scenario of new media environment. Based on the idea of revelation and a system of autopoiesis, religion appears like a closed communicator. Religion's communication needs to be placed within the context of evolving new media environment. Basing on McLuhan's theory of extension, religious narratives need new forms of presence in the digital world. When it comes to diffusion of innovation (Everett Rogers) the state of religion appears precarious. From a communication perspective adoption of innovation by religion can come under the category of 'laggards' and 'luddites'. The transference of religion's presence from the real to the virtual demands new innovative and participatory models to serve the digital natives. 2015 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies (DVK, Bangalore), ISSN: 0253-7222. -
Efficiency evaluation of total manufacturing sectors of India DEA approach
Efficiency, Productivity and Competitiveness are some of the performance indicators of any manufacturing firm. In Indian soil manufacturing industry plays predominant role in the countrys economy. Industrialization of manufacturing sectors generates employment, income and promotes GNP. To institute suitable policy measures it is desirable to divide the total manufacturing sectors of Indian states into efficient and inefficient. This study treats the total manufacturing sectors of a state as a decision making unit. 14 states account for more than 80% of total value added. Data Envelopment Analysis models are used to assess the efficiency of total manufacturing sectors of 14 Indian states. Research India Publications. -
Hybrid architecture of digital filter for multi-standard transceivers
This paper addresses on three different architectures of digital decimation filter design of a multi-standard RF transceivers. Instead of using single stage decimation filter network, the filters are implemented in multiple stages using FPGA to optimize the area and power. The proposed decimation filter architectures reflect the considerable reduction in area & power consumption without degradation of performance. First, the types of decimation filter architectures are tested and implemented using conventional binary number system. Then the two different encoding schemes i. e. Canonic Signed Digit (CSD) and Minimum Signed Digit (MSD) are used for filter coefficients and then the architecture performances are tested using FPGA. The results of CSD and MSD based architectures show a considerable reduction in the area & power against the conventional number system based filter design implementation. The implementation results reflect that considerable reduction in area of 25. 64% and power reduction of 16. 45% are achieved using hybrid architecture. Research India Publications. -
Demineralization of sub-bituminous coal by fungal leaching: A structural characterization by X-ray and FTIR analysis
The filamentous fungi, A. niger, A. flavus and Penicillium spp were studied for their ability to demineralise the low rank Indian coals. The FTIR spectra of coals showed the presence of stretching vibrations of -OH bond, aliphatic -CH, -CH2 and - CH3 absorptions, C=C and -CH of aromatic structure and mineral groups. X-ray analyses revealed that coal consists of crystalline carbon of turbostratic structure. The average lateral sizes (La), stacking height (Lc) and the interlayer spacing (d002) of the crystallite structure were calculated which ranged from 343.64 to 1.5, 223.20 to 22.54 and 3.35 to 3.60respectively. The structure of coal was modified to a product similar to that of pure graphite after leaching with Penicillium spp. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of coal revealed a layer like structure on the surface. -
Understanding stigma and burnout among HIV/ AIDS health care workers Implications for counselling
The article examines the association between burnout and stigma among Health Care Workers (HCWs) and highlights the need for counselling services in the care of the HCWs. Stereotypes of HIV/AIDS and burnout in HCWs caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) were assessed using self-report methods. Stereotypes about AIDS Scale (SAAS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory MBI were completed by 120 staff from 8 community care centres for PLHIV across south India. Results of SAAS showed that about 33 percent respondents manifested high level of stigma while 35 percent exhibited moderate levels. The results of MBI showed high level of burnout in about 31 percent and moderate in 35 percent respondents. -
Influence of Te doping on the dielectric and optical properties of InBi crystals grown by directional freezing
Stoichiometric pure and tellurium (Te) doped indium bismuthide (InBi) were grown using the directional freezing technique in a fabricated furnace. The X-ray diffraction profiles identified the crystallinity and phase composition. The surface topographical features were observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The energy dispersive analysis by X-rays was performed to identify the atomic proportion of elements. Studies on the temperature dependence of dielectric constant (?), loss tangent (tan?), and AC conductivity (?ac) reveal the existence of a ferroelectric phase transition in the doped material at 403 K. When InBi is doped with tellurium (4.04 at%), a band gap of 0.20 eV can be achieved, and this is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared studies. The results thus show the conversion of semimetallic InBi to a semiconductor with the optical properties suitable for use in infrared detectors. 2014 University of Science and Technology Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. -
Efficient discrimination by MIRU-VNTRs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates belonging to the predominant SIT11/EAI3-IND ancestral genotypic lineage in Kerala, India
The present study evaluated the ability of MIRU-VNTRs to discriminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) clinical isolates belonging to the SIT11/EAI3-IND ancestral genotypic lineage, which is highly prevalent in Kerala, India. Starting from 168 MTB clinical isolates, spoligotyping (discriminatory index of 0.9113) differentiated the strains into 68 distinct patterns, the biggest cluster being SIT11/48 SIT11 ( n= 48). The present study shows that 12-loci MIRUs and 3 ETRs allowed an efficient discrimination of these isolates (discriminatory indexes of 0.7819 and 0.5523, respectively). 2013 Asian-African Society for Mycobacteriology. -
Structural investigation of higher order members of bismuth system superconductors
Structural formation of higher order Bismuth superconducting compounds Bi1.65Pb0.35Sr2Ca4Cu5Oy (2245) phase and Bi1.65Pb0.35Sr2Ca8Cu9Oy(2289) phase were investigated. The samples were synthesized by solid state reaction technique. Morphological and micro-structural features of the synthesized samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The XRD of both the samples revealed the presence of Bismuth - (2212)& (2223) phases of which (2223) phase was found to be the predominant. The average grain size was found to be around 65 nm. Traces of Ca2PbO4 was also noticed when the samples were synthesised at 835 C. Superconducting transition temperature (TC) of the samples measured by self-inductance method, showed a two-step transition, one around 110 K and the other around 90 Kindicating the presence of (2223)&(2212) phases respectively. But the TC value observed for (2212) phase is about 10 K more than the expected value of 80 K. There was no signature of the formation of (2245) or (2289) phases in this synthesis. -
K shell X-ray intensity ratios, K-Li, K-L, and K-M vacancy transfer probabilities of Ba and Tl following internal conversion process
K shell X-rays of barium and thallium following internal conversion decay in Cs137 and Hg203, respectively, were detected using a Si(Li) X-ray detector coupled to PC-based 8k multichannel analyser employing the method suggested earlier by our group. The K shell X-ray intensity ratios and vacancy transfer probabilities for thallium and barium were calculated. The obtained results are compared with theoretical, semiempirical, and others' experimental results obtained via photoionization as well as decay processes. The effects of beta decay and internal conversion on X-ray emission probabilities are discussed. 2014 Published by NRC Research Press. -
Feature selection based on the classifier models: Performance issues in the prediagnosis of lung cancer
Dimensionality reduction is generally carried out to reduce the complexity of the computations in the large data set environment by removing redundant or de-pendent attributes. For the Lung cancer disease prediction, in the pre-diagnosis stage, symptoms and risk factors are the main information carriers. Large number of symptoms and risk attributes poses major challenge in the computation. Here in this study an attempt is made to compare the performance of the attribute selection models prior and after applying the classifier models. A total of 16 classifier models are preferred based on relevancy of the models with respect to the data types chosen, which are based on statistical, rule based, logic based and artificial neural network approaches. Feature set selection and ranking of attributes are done based on individual models. Based on the confusion matrix parameters the models prediction outcomes are found out in the supervisory training mode. The Confusion matrix of the models before and after dimensionality reduction is computed. Models are compared based on weighted Reader Operator Characteristics. Normalized weights are assigned based for the result of individual models and predictive model is developed. Predictive models performance is studied with target under supervised classifier model and it is observed that it is tallying with the expected outcome. 2005 - 2014 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved. -
Achievenment motivation and self esteem among handicapped children
How the children with handicap perceive themselves and their self esteem levels are important yet not much focussed aspect in disability research. If we have a correct evaluation of their motivational level and self esteem it may help us to modify their training interventions and also would make them feel more satisfied and confident. So we planned to study achievement motivation and self esteem levels of handicapped children. The Objective of the study is that to to compare achievement motivation of physically handicapped to that of non-handicapped school children, and to compare self esteem of physically handicapped to that of non-handicapped school children. Methodology 40 physically handicapped school students and 40 age, gender and education matched non handicapped students were included in the study. Handicapped children of other categories like sensory disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment and speech impairment were excluded. Achievement motivation questionnaire was used to measure the motivational behaviour and Rosenberg self-esteem scale was applied by asking the respondents to reflect on their current feelings. Results and Conclusions Achievement motivation and self esteem were observed to be significantly lower in physically handicapped students compared to healthy controls. Significant gender difference in favour of females was observed i.e., self esteem and achievement motivation was significantly higher in females of both the groups compared to males. The study emphasizes need for interventions to improve self esteem and motivation levels of handicapped children. -
Best unbiased estimation and CAN property in the stable M/M/1 queue
The Uniform Minimum Variance Unbiased (UMVU) estimators of ??, the probability of having ? or more customers, L, the expected system size, Lq, the expected number of customers in the queue, and, the expected number of customers in a non empty queue, are derived based on a random sample of fixed size n on system size at departure points from the geometric distribution on the support {0, 1, 2,.} with mean, which is the distribution of system size in M/M/1 queueing system in equilibrium. The derivations are based on application of Lehmann-Scheffe theorem. Also, CAN estimators of performance measures are derived. In addition the probability distribution of UMVU estimators are obtained. 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.