Browse Items (16488 total)
Sort by:
-
Liquid gold: assessing groundwater quality at the historic Kolar gold fields, Karnataka, India
To assess ecological sustainability and resilience, it is necessary to periodically examine various ecological properties in areas with high pollution and contaminant risks. Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Kolar, Karnataka, showcases one of India's most contaminated zones because of the extensive gold mining and its lingering effects. In KGF, the quality of groundwater has been severely reduced as there exist extensive mining tailings, locally referred to as cyanide dumps, which have been neglected for several preceding years without proper disposal strategies. The current approach focuses on the water pollution caused by heavy metal deposits in the KGF region. Groundwater samples were sampled from Oorgam, an abandoned region in KGF, and subsequently filtered for water quality examinations. The investigation documented concentrations of several metals, including cadmium (0.068 0.0024 ppm), lead (0.288 0.0016 ppm), nickel (0.058 0.0047 ppm), and chromium (0.23 0.0235 ppm) and have met the standard specifications in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO). Prominent pH disparity was documented amongst the experimental samples, with a detectable pH drop in the aqua-purified water in comparison to the positive control. The test results imply that the water samples collected from KGF remain unpotable for consumption or irrigation due to the persistence of high levels of heavy metal concentration. This study underscores the urgent requirement for a remedial approach to ensure water safety for drinking and irrigation in the area. 2025 Brawijaya University. All rights reserved. -
LiST: A Lightweight Framework for Continuous Indian Sign Language Translation
Sign language is a natural, structured, and complete form of communication to exchange information. Non-verbal communicators, also referred to as hearing impaired and hard of hearing (HI&HH), consider sign language an elemental mode of communication to convey information. As this language is less familiar among a large percentage of the human population, an automatic sign language translator that can act as an interpreter and remove the language barrier is mandatory. The advent of deep learning has resulted in the availability of several sign language translation (SLT) models. However, SLT models are complex, resulting in increased latency in language translation. Furthermore, SLT models consider only hand gestures for further processing, which might lead to the misinterpretation of ambiguous sign language words. In this paper, we propose a lightweight SLT framework, LiST (Lightweight Sign language Translation), that simultaneously considers multiple modalities, such as hand gestures, facial expressions, and hand orientation, from an Indian sign video. The Inception V3 architecture handles the features associated with different signer modalities, resulting in the generation of a feature map, which is processed by a two-layered (long short-term memory) (LSTM) architecture. This sequence helps in sentence-by-sentence recognition and in the translation of sign language into text and audio. The model was tested with continuous Indian Sign Language (ISL) sentences taken from the INCLUDE dataset. The experimental results show that the LiST framework achieved a high translation accuracy of 91.2% and a prediction accuracy of 95.9% while maintaining a low word-level translation error compared to other existing models. 2023 by the authors. -
Listen to the heart or mind first? Examining sequential coping mechanisms among Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic
The present study examines the mediating role of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping between stress and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample comprised 501 (312 women and 184 men aged between 18 and 42) Indians who experienced the first-ever continued lockdown in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study confirmed the presence of perceived stress due to the lockdown and pandemic among participants. Furthermore, perceived stress, coping including emotion-focused and problem-focused, and psychological well-being were found to be interrelated. The serial mediation analysis revealed that participants dealt with stress by choosing emotion-focused coping first as an immediate resort. After a reappraisal of stress-inducing situations, they used problem-focused coping, and this sequence of constant coping mechanisms helped maintain their psychological well-being. The findings of this study can be applied to develop strategies for peoples mental health by public health organizations and health professionals. Copyright 2023 Srivastava, Upadhaya and Jain. -
Litchi inflicted child mortality in Bihar-a whistle blower to the pathetic public health system and other contributory factors
Introduction: Seasonal outbreak of a neurological illness called encephalopathy causing death among children has been reported since 1995 from the state of Bihar in India where in the year 2019 fifty-four children reportedly died due to this cause. Though this illness and its deadly consequences have been reportedly associated to consumption of a locally harvested fruit in the state called Litchi, still, it would not be appropriate to blame the fruit alone which is widely consumed by millions of people in India and all around the world without causing them any health hazards. Objectives: The study aims at exploring and reporting the prime contributory causes of encephalopathy among children due to consumption of the Litchi fruit in the state of Bihar. Methods: The article is based on review and analysis of secondary data gathered through scientific research papers, reports and statistics published by various ministries and departments of the Government of India, data published by recognised medical bodies, news journals and relevant research articles. Results: The findings of the report confirm that Litchi victimizes only those who are malnourished and feed in a considerable quantity to quench their hunger. The real causes of litchi inflicted child mortality is therefore poverty, malnutrition, lack of proper and equipped public health system leading to lack of timely and quality access to medical facilities, absence or lack of nutritious evening meal and high exposure to litchi orchards and large amount of time spent by children in these orchards without supervision and control. Conclusion: Strict monitoring and supervision should be executed in the health units of the state of Bihar and the same should be equipped with necessary equipment and manpower. The people in the state especially the uneducated should be made aware of the deadly outcomes of consuming large amount of litchi on an empty stomach. 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS -
Literary Cartography of Performance Ecologies in Sheela Tomys Valli
The shift towards posthumanism is characterized by blurring boundaries between humans and other species alongside emerging narratives centred on climate catastrophes and ecological crises. Sheela Tomys Valli (2022) is one of the most recent works of Indian fiction that actively promotes ecological consciousness. Set against the picturesque landscape of Wayanad, Valli intricately captures the essence of the indigenous community, weaving their stories into its narrative. The paper suggests that reading Valli through a cartographic lens transforms the narrative into an intelligent discourse on spatial politics. The performances in Valli are understood through the lens of performance ecology (Jeff Grygny), reflecting ongoing contemporary ecological debates. Their interrelation is explored by mapping spatial memory and schema of the characters, based on Robert T. Tallys theory of literary cartography (2013). Additionally, the paper will provide an overview of the ecopolitics of Wayanad, with a specific focus on the socio-political conditions of the Paniyar and Kuruchiyar scheduled tribes from which the characters are drawn. The study will underscore the triad of space, performance, and ecology in Valli, invoking a sense of ecoprecarity essential for rethinking and potentially expanding our notion of sustainability. 2024, University of Malaya. All rights reserved. -
Lithiated indole derivative in reduced graphene oxide framework as efficient electrode for lithium-ion battery
The traditional wet-chemical approach was used to synthesise N,N?-bis-Ind[?1H-indol-3-ylmethylidene]benzene-1,2-diamine (N,N?-bis-IBD), which was then lithiated using ball milling. The physical and spectrochemical characteristics of the as-prepared materials in lithiated and unlithiated forms were found to be considerably different. The activity of the lithiated N,N?-bis-IBD electrode material towards battery application was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge potential limit (GCPL) studies. The electrochemical studies on this electrode material revealed the active strong redox characteristics and anodic behaviour in aqueous electrolyte. At 100 cycles in aqueous medium, the lithiated moiety exhibited an impressive battery performance with a discharge capacity of 277 mAhg?1. Interestingly, addition of 20 wt % reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to lithiated N,N?-bis-IBD sample greatly improved the battery performance showing a high discharge capacity of 766 mAhg?1 after 100 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance implicates rGO-mixed lithiated indole-based composite as an effective anode material for lithium-ion battery (LIBs) application. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Lithium photodisintegration with linearly polarized photons at astrophysical energies
We present here a model-independent theoretical discussion of differential cross-sections in photodisintegration of lithium with unpolarized and linearly polarized photons. In recent years, experimental measurements are being carried out on the photodisintegration of lithium in the reaction channel 7Li(?, n)6Li to study the angular dependence of cross-section. In this regard, we have studied the spin structure of amplitudes in 7Li(?, n)6Li by expressing the differential cross-section in terms of Legendre polynomials. 2023 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. -
Lithium photodisintegration with unpolarized photon beams at near threshold energies
The study of photonuclear reactions with lithium targets i.e. photodisintegration of lithium in addition to other photonuclear reactions is of considerable interest to the fields of nuclear physics, astrophysics, laser physics and several applications such as non - destructive testing of nuclear materials. We propose to study photodisintegration of lithium with unpolarized photon beams at near threshold energies. Our model independent theoretical approach, which makes use of irreducible tensor techniques, is well suited for making predictions on the spin observables as well as the differential cross section. In this paper we analyze the reaction channel 7Li + ? ? 6Li + n by using unpolarized photons. 2022 -
Litigating for Climate JusticeChasing a Chimera?
Across the world, in recent decades, climate litigations have been playing essential roles in shaping domestic policies and legal frameworks on climate change and also in rendering climate justice. There has also been a continuous rise in the development of climate actions, and climate claim litigations by individuals, civil society, and non-state actors. The Indian Supreme Court, High Courts, and the National Green Tribunal have played a significant role in environmental governance by interpreting constitutional and statutory rights to include a right to the environment over the past decades. Nevertheless, with the latest trends in climate litigations, climate challenges have grown across varied climate-related issues, requiring a new judicial approach. In its analysis of climate claims, the justice dispensation mechanism ought to comprehend the shortcomings and be able to generate solutions, similar to those adopted by the courts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. An analyses of the approach taken by courts in developing nations namely in the Philippines, South Africa, and Pakistan that have compelled governments and corporates to meet their climate commitments are examined. Climate litigation in India has been emerging rapidly over the past decade. As the claims are increasing, the courts and the National Green Tribunal need enhanced capacity building to address climate litigations. This chapter seeks to address the feasibility and implication of equipping courts to address climate litigation. We review the scope of climate litigation and consider the challenges and opportunities to ensure climate justice. This chapter concludes by outlining possible opportunities and challenges in interlinking climate litigation and climate justice in India. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Lived experiences of urban working mothers during pandemic: A matricentric exploration in the Indian context
In India, entrenched patriarchal norms dictate gender roles, perpetuating men-headed families and patrilineal traditions deeply ingrained in its culture. Within this framework, working mothers daily confront gender biases despite society undervaluing their crucial roles in caregiving and the economy. The Covid-19 pandemic intensified these challenges, as working mothers faced heightened expectations to excel in both professional and maternal roles. With inadequate support and intensified caregiving demands, their physical and mental well-being significantly suffered. This article explores the complex realities experienced by Indian working mothers during the pandemic. Viewing motherhood through a matricentric lens underscores its importance to society while highlighting the need to redistribute caregiving responsibilities beyond mothers alone. The researchers conducted a qualitative study, interviewing 30 Indian working mothers from various professional backgrounds using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that despite seventy-seven years of independence, mothers in India continue to grapple with patriarchal oppression, inequality, and violence, underscoring the persistent challenges faced in navigating societal norms and expectations. By gaining insight into their experiences, policymakers can better grasp these burdens and implement measures to address associated physical and mental health concerns. 2025 Elsevier Ltd -
Lived Experiences, Challenges, and Coping Mechanisms of Undergraduate Students on Cybersecurity in Digital Environments
Higher education students use digital devices for learning, entertainment, and financial transactions. The present study examines undergraduate (UG) students challenges faced in cyber security space amid digital environments. The study employed a qualitative research design with a narrative inquiry method to capture the lived experiences, challenges, and coping mechanism of UG students through semi structured interviews. The researchers analyzed the qualitative data of ten UG students using the inductive thematic analysis method. UG students shared overall that they face varied experiences, multiple challenges, and cope with cyber security issues in multiple ways. Findings from the study led to recommendations for stakeholders, which includes designing higher education classes in a more secure way. This may offer students orientation on cybersecurity knowledge which keeps them safe and helps them understand the digital environment overall. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
-
Living Life Beyond Binaries- Bisexuality in Urban India
This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived realities of bisexual individuals in a society predominantly perceived through a binary lens. Describing the term bisexual by orientation as individuals who engage in same-sex and opposite-sex intimacies, taking into account several factors, that include but are not reducible to the sex and gender of the self and others. The research employed an ethnographic approach with a group of Indian adults. Interestingly, the study revealed that the participants did not consider bisexuality as a central component of their sexual behavior and identity, instead utilizing specific strategies to maintain a heterosexual facade while engaging in same-sex encounters. They regarded these encounters as part of their overall sexual experiences, distinct from a fixed sexual identity and relationships. Contrary to the prevailing notion that bisexuals must suppress their genders attraction to be in monogamous relationships, the participants affirmed being in monogamous relationships. They devised discreet methods to partake in same-sex encounters, safeguarding their monogamous relationships without feeling compelled to openly disclose their same-sex inclinations. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Living with Coronavirus outbreak in India
The present paper focuses on living with coronavirus outbreak in India. This piece emphasizes on various policies adopted by the government of India to face the coronavirus crisis. It brings into perspective what financial strides the economy is going through, the mental health of the citizens, and the current situation of health care in the country. The current commentary reflects the learnings from COVID-19, the role of defined governmental policies, and support in surviving such an unforeseen situation. 2020 American Psychological Association. -
Load Balancing Strategy for Large Scale Software Defined Networks
Programmability has left its mark on every facet of business, with technology playing newlinean integral role. Social networking industry trends underscore technology s ubiquity in newlinenearly every business transaction. Traditional networks grapple with numerous challenges, rendering them ill-equipped to process and handle the demands of the modern newlinelandscape effectively. The lack of programming in these networks leads to stagnation, newlineinhibiting their ability to evolve or enhance performance. The advent of Software Defined Networks (SDN) has introduced increased flexibility into conventional networks, newlineopening avenues for creating innovative services. newlineSDN technology addresses challenges in large-scale networks, offering solutions for newlinehigh throughput, virtualization, fault detection, and load balancing, providing effective network management. The rapid expansion of network services and applications newlinein SDN environments demands sophisticated load-balancing solutions that adapt to newlinedynamic traffic patterns and varying service requirements. This study presents a pioneering algorithm, the Dynamic Load Balancing Algorithm (DLBA), which utilizes the newlineProgramming Protocol-independent Packet Processors (P4) language. The algorithm is newlinespecifically crafted to tackle the issues associated with optimizing traffic distribution in newlinethe data plane of SDN. newlineP4 programming language, recognized as one of the most robust languages, addresses newlinethe limitations of traditional networking, enhancing programmability and agility by newlinedistributing the load across the network. The research implements a novel quotDynamic newlineLoad Balancing Algorithmquot using the P4 language to instill dynamism and achieve load newlinebalance in large-scale networks. The P4-based implementation showcases dynamicity, scalability, flexibility, and adaptability. This research commences with thoroughly newlineexamining existing load-balancing algorithms implemented using the P4 language, followed by a comparative analysis between these algorithms and DLBA. -
-
Load balancing with availability checker and load reporters (LB-ACLRs) for improved performance in distributed systems
Distributed system has quite a lot of servers to attain increased availability of service and for fault tolerance. Balancing the load among these servers is an important task to achieve better performance. There are various hardware and software based load balancing solutions available. However there is always an overhead on Servers and the Load Balancer while communicating with each other and sharing their availability and the current load status information. Load balancer is always busy in listening to clients' request and redirecting them. It also needs to collect the servers' availability status frequently, to keep itself up-to-date. Servers are busy in not only providing service to clients but also sharing their current load information with load balancing algorithms. In this paper we have proposed and discussed the concept and system model for software based load balancer along with Availability-Checker and Load Reporters (LB-ACLRs) which reduces the overhead on server and the load balancer. We have also described the architectural components with their roles and responsibilities. We have presented a detailed analysis to show how our proposed Availability Checker significantly increases the performance of the system. 2014 IEEE. -
Load shedding using GA and ACO in smart gird environment
Increasing pressure on the utilities to accommodate energy efficiency, load management and progress in advanced technology has led to transformations for existing grid into a smarter grid. Creating awareness among the end-users to participate in load management programs instead of capacity addition is the best solution for maintaining the stability in the grid. Load shedding is a strategy under load management in which load connected to the smart grid is individually controlled via two- way communication. In this paper, a Smart Load shedding approach is developed based on load prioritization. The required amount of load to be shed under lack of sufficient generation level is optimized by Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms. The proposed approach is implemented using a real time feeder data from the substation, India. The results reflect the effectiveness of proposed algorithms taken into practical applications. -
Loan Default Prediction Using Machine Learning Techniques and Deep Learning ANN Model
Loan default prediction is a critical task in the financial sector, aimed at assessing the creditworthiness of borrowers and minimizing potential losses for lending institutions. Online loans continue to reach the public spotlight as Internet technology develops, and this trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. In this paper, the authors proposed loan default loan prediction system based on ML and DL models. This work makes use of the information on loan defaults provided by Lending Club. The dataset is preprocessed by applying various data preprocessing techniques and preprocessed dataset is generated. Later, we proposed four ML algorithms decision tree, random forest, logistic regression, K-NN and Feed forward neural network. The experimental results shown that proposed feed forward neural network achieved good accuracy for loan default prediction with an accuracy of 99%. 2023 IEEE.