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In recent years in India, fly ash-lime-gypsum (FaL-G) brick production has been adversely affected by the scarcity of fly ash and lime. Consequently, the current study aims to mitigate this problem. It delves into leveraging incinerated paper mill sludge ash (IPMSA) as a supplement to fly ash and lime in FaL-G brick production, aiming to present an eco-conscious alternative to conventional burnt clay bricks. It focuses on two blends: blend 1, replacing fly ash with IPMSA (2.5–30 wt%), and blend 2 substituting lime entirely with IPMSA (2.5–15 wt%). A thorough material analysis preceded brick manufacturing, involving techniques like energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Subsequent tests evaluated compressive strength, water absorption, weight density, percentage of voids, initial rate of suction and chemical resistance of the resulting bricks. According to the XRD results, the higher IPMSA levels didn't induce any phase transformation. Remarkably, bricks incorporating IPMSA in blend 1 (2.5–20 wt%) and blend 2 (2.5–7.5 wt%) met the mechanical properties specified for 'class 10' bricks according to Indian and ASTM standards. Incorporating IPMSA increases the porosity of bricks, making them lighter. This aids in minimizing construction expenses by reducing labour and transportation costs as well as lowering expenditure on foundation construction. This sustainable approach efficiently uses resources, reduces landfill wastes, shows potential for industrial-scale production, making eco-friendly bricks a promising alternative to traditional methods and promoting greener construction practices. • Ecofriendly FaL-G bricks were developed using incinerated paper mill sludge ash (IPMSA). • Reusability of IPMSA in FaL-G brick production poses both economic and environmental benefits. • Use of IPMSA in FaL-G brick production reduces landfill waste and addresses waste management issues. • IPMSA is suitable for up to 20 wt% for fly ash and 7.5 wt% for lime in FaL-G brick production, meeting relevant standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we analyse India's transport sector policy. The study examines the two important modes of transport, viz., road and rail, and analyses the efficiency of transport infrastructure from 2011 to 2019. Through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we evaluate modes in terms of the capacity of registered road goods vehicles and railway goods wagons, truck km/train km and energy consumption and corresponding freight traffic. The analysis gives valuable insight into the fact that rail infrastructure is more efficient than road infrastructure. Still, current transport sector policies promote energy-intensive carbon-fuel road vehicles rather than energy-efficient alternative transport modes. The study suggests the changes that may be incorporated in inputs to improve the efficiency of the road infrastructure. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-Malmquist Index analysis reports the need for total factor productivity improvement in rail transport and the introduction of technological innovations in road and rail transport sector management. The study employs a well-to-wheel (WTW) based index to ascertain the energy consumed and pollutants emitted by freight-carrying road and rail modes between two leading business hubs of India, i.e., Ludhiana and Mumbai. The paper identifies policy gaps and suggests a holistic approach for need-based roadway investment and a time-bound development of railway infrastructure in India. Our study generates valuable implications for India's policy planners and government authorities and provides new insights to other countries. • The study examines road and rail transport, and analyses the efficiency and energy consumption of these modes. • The study suggests the changes to improve the efficiency of the road infrastructure. • The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-Malmquist Index analysis and well-to-wheel (WTW) based index have been employed for the analysis. • The paper suggests a need-based roadway investment approach and a time-bound development of railway infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regional coverage satellite constellations are in demand for fulfilling earth observation needs of specific user regions of interest as opposed to global coverage thus enhancing the revisit period for the area. In this paper, we present a few key mission aspects of the regional coverage constellation designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in low earth orbit. ISRO developed three X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth Observation satellites and placed them in three inclined orbit planes to enhance the Indian region's coverage. This is India's first inclined orbit constellation designed for remote sensing applications in low earth orbit. The satellites were built around a standard bus carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar payload with a deployable Radial Rib Antenna (RRA). They were designed to achieve a high agility capability. As SAR sensors are capable of all-weather, day, and night imaging; thus, most suitable in inclined orbits where the illumination conditions vary continuously for imaging. Though the inclined orbits provide more revisit opportunities to the region of interest, their characteristics pose challenges in mission design and operations. Though the mission design and planning involved a host of elements, this paper brings out the details of a few key mission analysis elements, planning aspects and operations that were critical in the course of various mission phases. The mission analysis included mission-specific requirements like launch windows selection for the constellation and reference attitude generation specific to inclined orbit geometry. Mission planning had to take care of Radial Rib Antenna (RRA) deployment requirements which were very critical for the mission, apart from taking care of individual subsystem requirements. The SAR payload data product quality and targeting accuracy are very sensitive to the satellite image point range (vis-a-vis SAR operation data window). Extensive post-launch calibration activity was carried out to meet all these mission requirements and data product specifications. The challenge was in fixing the payload beam alignment and fixing the uncertainties in onboard and ground computations. The paper also describes the methods of fixing all possible error sources affecting the high-resolution SAR payload performance. • The regional coverage satellite constellations are in demand for area targets coverage. • Inclined orbit constellations are more suitable for regional coverage using SAR sensors. • Mission operations plans need to consider all the specific requirements of spacecraft systems. • Pre-launch and post -launch calibrations of sensors is mandatory for achieving system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary and High School students are usually adolescents, most of them in the urban areas and metropolitan cities are aware about the existence, various opportunities, career paths and advancements of the space industry. They are constantly updated, given they have access to quality and organized education models and a competitive environment. Although, the students in the rural areas who are equally ambitious and talented yet are not fortunate enough to have access to the state of art facilities like the counterparts. Even if they try and gain access with their self-interest, they do not have the motivation to sustain the passion, given their lack of clarity in subject, lack of awareness about engaging in various ways and fields in space other than technological related and mainly lack of driving force. The purpose of this paper is to develop and present an education model, exclusively for the high school students of the rural areas and inculcate sustainable passion for space. As opposed to the primary school students, the secondary school students have a consciousness of the space industry. This paper will talk about various plans and strategies, that will allow them to gain exposure, guide them about the existence of different career paths which are not entirely technological related, yet are still essential in the space like, administrative framework for example. This opens a new dimension in their brain helping them realize how they can be part of the industry in countless ways, and this shall assist them in being on the right track to space. In addition to, hosting creative space themed exhibitions, fun and engaging model design competitions, workshops, all of these would widen their knowledge boundaries and help them challenge their skills. A real time case study example from a school located in the rural southern of India shall be focused on this paper. Including data from a survey thereby the results, with action plans shall be presented in detail, which will aid in the analysis of the need, feasibility, and long-term sustenance of this approach and the requirement to scale it over different rural areas globally. • Need for improvised education models in rural areas elucidated, with data collection. • Data analysis and correlation of space education awareness, for high school students across two geographical locations. • Readily executable action plans age groupwise, for real-time education models in remote areas globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian Financial Crisis during the late 1990 s revealed the fault lines of foreign currency loans of corporates. It starkly demonstrated that a combination of semi-pegged exchange rates and unregulated foreign currency borrowing could expose corporates and, subsequently, the entire economy to heightened vulnerability. To mitigate these risks, implementing certain capital account restrictions emerged as a potential remedy. Against this backdrop, this paper investigates the changing contours of vulnerability arising from the rising foreign currency leverage of 818 non-financial corporates in India during 2004–2022. In particular, this paper examines the impact of exchange rate shocks and changes in certain key macroeconomic policy variables on the financial vulnerabilities of these firms. Our findings unequivocally indicate that during exchange rate depreciation, unhedged exposures significantly amplified the vulnerability of Indian firms. While our study centres on India, the overarching conclusions and insights derived from our analysis possess broader ramifications for emerging economies grappling with capital account restrictions. The policy implications of our research underscore the need to proactively strengthen the macroprudential toolkit to address the risks associated with foreign currency borrowing and ensure more robust risk management practices to prevent the buildup of systemic vulnerabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cyclicality in aggregate productivity predicts the efficiency of resources reallocation. • Aggregate productivity growth originates from within-plants, allocative efficiency gain, and due to entry and exit. • We exploit the Great Recession to analyse the validity of the 'Cleansing' or 'Scarring' effect of recession and 'Schumpeterian Darwinian Selection' for Indian manufacturing. • The contributions to aggregate productivity growth from within-plant and net-entry effects are procyclical. • Plants in export-oriented industries are crucial in explaining the pro-cyclicality. • The exporting sectors during 2008-09 shifted resources from more productive to less productive plants. • The relatively productive exporters exited the markets following the global crisis, scarring the economy. • The positive contribution from the net-entry exit effect of plants during the economic downturn validates the 'Schumpeterian approach of Darwinian Selection'. Understanding the cyclicality in aggregate productivity helps answer whether the economy allocates resources efficiently or not. The paper analyses the sources of aggregate productivity growth, such as direct efficiency gain within-plants, allocative efficiency gain, and gains due to entry and exit during economic fluctuations. In particular, we exploit the economic shock of the Great Recession to analyse the validity of the 'Cleansing' or 'Scarring' effect of recession and 'Schumpeterian Darwinian Selection' for Indian manufacturing. The rise and fall of within-plant and net-entry effects during the economic fluctuations explains the pro-cyclicality of productivity growth. Plants in export-oriented industries are crucial in explaining the pro-cyclicality. Negative external shock to exporting sectors during 2008–09 shifted resources from more productive to less productive plants. The relatively productive exporters exited the markets following the global crisis, scarring the economy. Nonetheless, the positive effect from the net-entry exit of plants during the economic downturn makes the 'Schumpeterian approach of Darwinian Selection' valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen can be the transitional solution required to reduce anthropogenic emissions and enhance energy independency from fossil fuel. To improve green hydrogen adoption, a cluster-based infrastructure, called a hydrogen hub, is devised taking into account the demand-supply interplay coupled with transport ease. In this paper, we have identified sites across states that are conducive for hydrogen hubs. It involves a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) framework deployed to assign priorities within competing set of criteria. A comprehensive analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to rank criteria that are connected to establish a functioning hydrogen hub. These criteria include, but not limited to, proximity to refineries, fertilizer plants, substations, chlor-alkali units, steel manufacturing plants, water availability, access to gas pipelines, railway line access, and finally distance to highways. Our analyses indicate that proximity to refineries and fertilizers scored higher (scores directly proportional to importance) while railway line access scored the least. These prioritised scores are used to spatially locate sites using geographical information system. In a total of thirteen states identified, Gujarat had the largest parcel of most suitable land for setting up hydrogen hub followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. For India to set up a functioning hydrogen economy and achieve green hydrogen goals, it is important to identify states that can drive the agenda forward. This paper illustrates a way (amongst many available ways) to identify states based on their strength and capability to fulfil the national goal of 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030. • The paper addresses setting up of green hydrogen hubs in India based on a multi-criteria site selection framework. • Nine selection criteria covering aspects of hydrogen ecosystem proposed to identify site(s) suitable for hydrogen hubs. • Integration of AHP and GIS is used to ascertain land parcels where hydrogen economy can sustain across states in India. • Zones in 13 states were identified as potential hydrogen hubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Manufacturing share in India's GDP has increased by about 16 percentage points between 2003 and 2018. • Dominant contribution to increased manufacturing GDP share is made by petroleum refining. • There has been a tremendous increase in the real value-added share of ICT equipment industry. • For assessing properly the performance of manufacturing, double-deflation of GDP is essential. Contrary to a widely held impression that the share of manufacturing in India's GDP has long stagnated, the paper claims that it has increased significantly. Measured at the prices of different goods and services prevailing in 2004-05, and deflation applied separately with input prices as well as output prices to account for differential input price trends, the GDP share of manufacturing has increased during the post-reform period from about 17 per cent in 1993-94 to about 32 per cent in 2018-19. The paper notes that the concept of real share in GDP relates to the volume effect and represents the change in the share of the volume of manufacturing activity out of the volume of all economic activities in the Indian economy. Some explanation is provided for the apparent stagnancy of the share of manufacturing in India's GDP at current prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper precisely estimates the looming demand for hydrogen within the transportation sector, spanning 14 pivotal G20 nations from 2022 to 2050, anchored in the global vehicle hydrogen market penetration rate. Employing a robust techno-economic modeling methodology and leveraging Geographic Information System (GIS) for enriched visualization, it unveils distinct environmental dividends across three thoughtfully devised scenarios: Business- as -Usual, Moderate, and Aggressive. Findings herald India and China as pinnacles of hydrogen demand, with South Korea and Japan tailing closely. The study forecasts the energy consumption for solar hydrogen production in G20 countries to oscillate between 3.02 and 2.89 million GWh in 2022, while production costs are anticipated to range from $8.47/kg to $10.01/kg. In an assertive scenario, the paper illuminates a pathway towards achieving a significant CO 2 reduction, unmasking environmental savings of up to a staggering 48%, equivalent to 1.5 million mtCO 2 , by 2050. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen demand of G20 countries is analyzed using GIS and techno-economic models. • The projected adoption rates of hydrogen vary among the G20 countries. • Solar energy is crucial in determining each region's annual energy demand. • China, US, and India have the highest solar potential throughout the year. • The environmental analysis shows 850–1.5 million mtCO2 total emissions by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First record of Miocene large-sized vertebrate coprolites from the western India. • Geochemical analyses confirm phosphatic character of ichnofossils. • Biotic inclusions confirm omnivorous diet of the chelonian producer. • Overall data suggest coprolites were deposited in coastal marine settings. In this paper, we provide the first data on large (cm-sized) coprolites (represented by three morphotypes) comprising a rare occurrence of eight specimens from a total of three vertebrate-bearing horizons identified within the Early Miocene (Aquitanian) Khari Nadi Formation and Middle Miocene (Burdigalian-Langhian) Chassra Formation, Kutch Basin, western India. The geochemical data confirm the phosphatic character of the investigated ichnofossils. The dominance of partly digested bone matter and presence of plant remains in all the three coprolite morphotypes reflects the omnivorous diet of the producers, which were most likely chelonians. The occurrence of an inclusion (in a coprolite specimen recorded in this study) showcasing an ultrastructure similar to mammalian dental enamel is a rarity in Neogene coprolite records. Additional biotic inclusions observed in the investigated coprolites include ostracods (assigned to genera Paractinocythereis, Hermanites, and Propontocypris); large planispiral benthic foraminifera including the genus Quinqueloculina ; uniserial and biserial benthic foraminifera belonging to genus Textularia ; marine calcareous algae genus Actinoporella ; chrysophytes (resting spores or cysts of planktonic algae); sponge spicules (represented by the morphotypes Acanthoxea and Strongyle); freshwater diatom genus Aulacoseira ; unidentified fungal remains; and phytoliths. Taken together, the biotic and abiotic (e.g., pyrite) inclusions, geochemical data and associated microbiota suggest that these ichnofossils were deposited in a dominantly coastal marine (intertidal) setting linked to a lacustrine/palustrine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How serious is indoor air pollution (IAP) as a threat to infants and children? This paper estimates the impact of cooking fuel choice – a predominant source of IAP – on under-five mortality in India, where reliance on biomass fuels such as firewood, animal dung, and agricultural waste is pervasive. Leveraging forest cover and agricultural land ownership for identification and nationally representative data, we find that solid fuel use for cooking significantly increases the child mortality rate - mainly driven by neonatal mortality in the first 28 days after birth. The mortality effect is higher for girls than boys and is magnified in relatively small households where there is limited scope for the division of labor between childcare and cooking responsibilities. Among polluting fuels, we find that biomass fuels drive the impact of polluting fuel use on child mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of political connections in facilitating access to credit for firms in the Indian corporate sector. This study aims to address gaps in the literature by combining theoretical insights with empirical data. Our model proposes that political connections may reduce risk for firms, thereby enhancing their access to credit. Utilizing a unique dataset of S&P BSE 500 companies from 2001 to 2019, we analyze the extent of these connections and their impact on financial leverage and debt-to-asset ratios. Our findings reveal that politically connected firms, defined by their monetary donations to political parties and the inclusion of Members of Parliament on their boards, exhibit significantly higher financial leverage and debt-to-asset ratios than unconnected firms. This implies a lower perceived borrower's risk and an advantageous position in accessing credit, likely a result of their political ties. The implications of our findings extend to the realms of corporate governance, economic policy, and the broader understanding of emerging market dynamics. • Political connections, as part of non-market strategies of firms, may be crucial in accessing credit. • Our theoretical framework highlights role of risk and donation to political party by a firm in accessing credit. • This study constructs a novel dataset of political connections of Indian companies. • Political connections lead to more favorable borrowing-related outcomes of companies such as, financial leverage and debt-assets ratio. • Political connections specific to a particular political party tend to serve companies more (in terms of the aforementioned outcomes), when that particular party is in power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate and timely first aid reduces morbidity in burns. This study aims to assess the knowledge of first aid in burns among healthcare workers (HCW) and nonhealthcare workers. (NHCW). A survey, distributed in both paper and Google survey formats, presented five sample cases with multiple-choice answers. Participants recorded the most suitable first aid management for each scenario. Correct answers were provided on completion. Out of the total 753 participants, only 89 (11.8%) got all five answers correct. 16% HCW and 6% NHCW could answer all 5 questions correctly (with a true HCW:NHCW ratio of 2.67:1). Providing care for individuals with burns substantially raised the probability of giving accurate responses (p = 0.0001). While attending the general First Aid Course did not affect the responses (p = 0.08), participation in the Burns First Aid Course demonstrated slightly improved results (p = 0.052). The scenario involving liquid petroleum gas leakage saw a high proportion of correct responses, likely influenced by media coverage. We find a clear need for adequate training in burns first aid due to low awareness among healthcare workers (HCW) and non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Factors such as participation in burn first aid courses and gaining firsthand experience in treating burns were found to be linked to improved knowledge of burns prevention and first aid. Utilizing various media channels could be a valuable strategy to reach a broader audience, especially in remote and inaccessible areas. • There is limited awareness of burns first aid and prevention among both healthcare and non-healthcare workers • Experience in treatment of burn injuries improves knowledge of burns first aid better than first aid training. • Efficient use of multimedia and technology enhances burns prevention and first aid knowledge, reaching remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunization programs globally have played a pivotal role in reducing mortality rates. However, the effectiveness of these programs often falls short of the intended coverage targets, primarily due to challenges within the supply chain, storage facilities, and distribution processes. Notably, a substantial percentage of vaccine wastage has been observed in numerous countries, thereby imposing a significant financial burden on immunization initiatives, and presenting a formidable challenge to policymakers. This paper undertakes a comprehensive study of the financial dynamics inherent in an immunization program within the context of India. Employing a systems perspective, we scrutinize the intricate interactions among various cost factors. Through a five-year system dynamics simulation, we derive insights into the amplified financial constraints resulting from vaccine wastage and the inefficiencies associated with shared personnel. Furthermore, our analysis extends to evaluate the impact of an additional investment aimed at enhancing the quality of the cold chain infrastructure and health worker proficiency on the overall funds of the immunization program. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the financial intricacies of immunization programs, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to optimize program efficiency and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents evidence of gender peer effects in high schools in India using new administrative data. Identification of gender peer effects is achieved by exploiting variation induced by idiosyncratic changes in gender composition across cohorts within schools, in addition to controlling for past scores. The proportion of female classmates in a student's cohort has a sizeable positive effect on the test scores of both male and female students. We find that peer effects vary non-linearly with the proportion of female students. Finally, we provide suggestive evidence on plausible mechanisms. We show that achievement spillovers are not the main driver of positive gender peer effects. Using a supplemental dataset, we show that a greater proportion of female students leads to an improved classroom environment in the context of Indian schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three characteristically different plasma structures viz. EMSTID, plasma depletion and non-electrified MSTID were observed simultaneously. • The individual structures underwent evolution, distortion, and dissipation separately. • The lack of mutual interaction between these three structures, despite existing simultaneously, is highly unusual. An unusual event of three characteristically different plasma structures on a geomagnetically quiet night (Ap = 4) of 08 July 2018 has been investigated in this paper using an all-sky imager installed at Hanle, Ladakh (32.7°N, 78.9°E; Mlat. ∼ 24.1°N), India. These structures include a freshly generated electrified medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (EMSTID), ambiguous plasma depletions, and a northward propagating non-electrified MSTID. One of the most fascinating aspects of this event was the lack of mutual interaction between the three structures, even though they existed simultaneously and propagated in different directions. They individually underwent evolution, distortion, and dissipation separately. One of the structures was an EMSTID, which got generated within the imager's field-of-view (FOV) and evolved with time. As time progressed, different strip-like structures travelled southwestward, merged with each other to form the EMSTID. The second structure was plasma depletions which appeared in the southeastern part of the FOV. They eventually merged into a single band, which propagated nearly westward. The merged band evolved with time, extended further northward, and dissipated later. Along with these, a very rare non-electrified MSTID structure with east–west aligned fronts was observed which propagated northward. Its fronts underwent distortion, became curved and dissipated. In this study, we have explored the role of electrodynamics behind the observed unique features of the three plasma structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receivers and intermediary establishments typical to urban areas have unique freight behaviour and are understudied, particularly in developing countries. This paper uses establishment-based freight survey data to examine their freight generation patterns in the Chennai metropolitan area, India. Three sets of Simple Linear Regression (SLR) models, three single predictor proportional odds logit models, one multiple linear regression model, and one multiple predictor proportional odds logit model with business size (employment, area, and operational age) and indicators of establishment category as regressors are developed each for both freight production and freight attraction. Partial proportional odds logit models are developed in a few cases to overcome the limitations of proportional odds logit models. The best SLR model varied with the establishment category for freight production and attraction. The establishment area model is the best among single predictor proportional odds logit models. The multiple predictor proportional odds logit models marginally improved the fit over single predictor models. The proportional odds logit model results show that the establishment category has a greater impact on freight generation levels than business size variables. Since earlier studies rarely focused on receivers and intermediary establishments, policymakers may benefit from the developed models and study insights while estimating freight demand and developing freight policies. • Receivers and intermediary establishments' freight generation is studied. • Partial Proportional Odds (PO) logit models are developed for freight attraction. • Area model is the best single predictor PO logit model for freight generation. • Establishment type affects freight generation more than business size variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, accounting for 1 % of all cancers 1. The genetic syndromes associated with differentiated thyroid cancers(DTC) are Cowden syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis(FAP), Carney's complex, Pendred syndrome and Werner syndrome2. The incidence of synchronous second primary tumors(SSPC) associated with oropharyngeal malignancies was 1 to 10 %3. The incidence of other malignancies other than the above syndromes occurring synchronously with DTC is very rare. Only a few case reports and series are available. The incidence of synchronous second primary cancer(SSPC) with Differentiated Thyroid Cancers(DTC) is a very rare entity. Very few case reports and case series were published in the literature. The current study is aimed to enumerate the clinicopathological data of patients with DTC with SSPC. This is a single-center retrospective study. All the patients diagnosed with DTC and SSPC from January 2016 to July 2023 were included in the study. The demographic, clinicopathological data and survival data were collected from the institute's database. Patients were followed up telephonically and survival status was documented. Synchronous cancers are defined as more than one independent primary malignancy when the second(or third) cancer occurs within six months of diagnosis of the first malignancy4. [Display omitted] A total of 1395 patients were diagnosed with thyroid cancer during the study period. Twelve patients were found to have DTC with SSPC. All the patients had papillary thyroid cancer as primary DTC. Ten patients had head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, one had malignant phyllodes tumor, and another patient with endometrioid adenocarcinoma as the SSPC. Six patients diagnosed during preoperative evaluation, one patient diagnosed 3 months after the oral malignancy diagnosis and five patients were diagnosed to have PTC in cervical nodes after neck dissection. Complete thyroid removal was done in six patients and hemithyroidectomy in two patients. Among the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, four patients had undergone radioactive iodine scan followed by radioactive iodine ablation for two patients. Three patients had died during follow-up, two patients was lost to follow-up and the rest of the seven patients were alive. Out of those alive one patient had a follow-up of less than six months and was excluded from the survival calculation. The median follow up was 25.55 months. The median overall survival was 40.97 months. DTC constitute 95% of thyroid malignancies. Five to fifteen percent of DTC has familial disease. The genetic syndromes associated with DTC are FAP, PTEN syndromes(Cowden syndrome, Bannayan- Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome), Werner syndrome, Carney complex, DICER1 syndrome, Pendred syndrome, Ataxia telangiectasia, Li Fraumeni syndrome, and Peutz Jeghers syndrome5. But, synchronous occurrence of a second malignancy with DTC is a rare phenomenon. In the present study, the most common SSPC was SCC of the head and neck region(83.3%). 5 patients had incidental detection of thyroid cancer in cervical lymph nodes which were dissected during neck dissection done for other causes. L J Fliegelman et al published a paper on four cases of incidentally detected thyroid malignancy in cervical nodes6. Ansari-Lari et al also published cases of incidentally diagnosed PTC on cervical lymph nodes7. In the present study, one patient had synchronous papillary thyroid carcinoma with a malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast. No such case was found reported in the literature during our literature search. In the present study, we reported a case of synchronous endometrioid adenocarcinoma with PTC. Badan Marius-loan et al reported one case of PTC with endometrioid carcinoma8. Patients with Cowden syndrome can have thyroid carcinoma and endometrial carcinoma9. The overall survival of the study group was 40.97 months. Biopsy-proven SCC recurrence was seen in two patients out of four patients with clinically documented recurrence. In the literature review on case series and case reports, it was concluded that the prognosis of the patient depends on the staging of oral synchronous primary and the treatment of thyroid cancer must be decided based on oral malignancy staging and treatment. In conclusion SSPC with DTC is a very rare phenomenon. SCC of the head and neck region is the most common synchronous second primary malignancy associated with DTC. As there are no published guidelines for this clinical scenario, a multi-disciplinary panel discussion is a must to decide regarding management considering the staging and weighing the treatment benefit for both malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we show that the village social structure shapes the learning outcome of marginalised children in rural India. Exploiting the variation in the dominant social group in the village, we find a significant impact of village dominance. The reading and arithmetic skills of Scheduled Castes are better in their own castes-dominated villages compared to higher castes-dominated villages. Our findings show that village dominance affects learning outcomes primarily through differential teachers' behaviour. Children from marginalised castes are more likely to be scolded, beaten up, and treated unfairly by teachers in villages dominated by higher castes compared to their own castes. We do not find evidence of other mechanisms like the difference in parent and children's aspirations, caste diversity, discrimination in the village, or positive group externalities, which could explain why children from Scheduled Castes fare better in their own castes-dominated villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Examines women's use of courts to claim their shares in ancestral property, as promised by India's 2005 Hindu inheritance law. • Probes High Court judgements over 2005–2020 across regions, using online databases. • Identifies opposing parties, type of property disputed, regional variations in cases, time taken for case disposal. • Analyses case outcomes, source of property granted, and gender bias in language of judgements. • 77% of rulings grant women some property, but only half of these grant their direct share in coparcenary Joint Family Property. Recent decades have seen progressive reform of inheritance laws towards gender equality, both globally and in South Asia. Yet, a wide gender gap persists in actual ownership due to family resistance to endowing daughters with property. Given this, do women use courts to claim their rights across regions? Who are the opposing parties? What kind of property is most disputed? How long do cases take? To what extent do judgements favour women, and does the language of judgements reveal gender stereotypes? No prior study has addressed these questions. This paper does so for India. Here, under the Hindu Succession Amendment Act of 2005 (HSAA 2005), Hindu women achieved legal equality in inheritance rights over all property, including agricultural land and coparcenary joint family property (JFP) in which they now have direct shares by birth. To analyse women's use of courts to claim their coparcenary shares, we draw on the four main online data sources to extract 505 cases (from over 2900 examined) relating to women coparceners, where judgements were delivered in High Courts over 2005–2020. Brothers were the most commonly listed opponents to women's claims and most of the disputes related to land, especially agricultural. In 77% of the cases filed by women or against them, the rulings granted women some share in parental property. But only in 52% of these positive rulings did they receive their direct shares in JFP, while receiving property through other rights in the rest. The legal route thus holds some promise of positive outcomes, but progress specifically in the implementation of the HSAA 2005 remains limited. This will require activating new channels of support for women. Located in the interface of social science and law, this paper would also have relevance for other countries, both methodologically and in substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the spatial spillover effects of built environment features on household car and motorcycle ownership through aggregate ward-level analysis and household-level disaggregated analysis. Using a primary data collected in Hubli-Dharwad city in Southern India, the paper estimates Spatial Durbin models to assess the direct and spillover effects of socio-economic characteristics (household income, the number of children and household size), built environment characteristics (population density, diversity, distance, and subjective built environment measures), travel attitudes (pro-car, pro-NMT and pro-public transport), and commute behavior (distance and time) on household car and motorcycle ownership. The paper finds that spatial dependencies exist in both aggregate and disaggregate levels of analysis. There is a significant spatial dependency in car ownership due to household income, household size, the number of children, and pro-car attitude, and the correlations are significant in both aggregate and disaggregate levels of analysis. The positive lag effects of these variables suggests that socio-economic settings and attitudes of neighboring wards affect car and motorcycle ownership in a ward. The effects of diversity on car and motorcycle ownership maintain similar correlations in both levels of analysis. The likelihood of motorcycle ownership increases with improvements in diversity, while car ownership likelihood decreases. The study also shows that the spatial effects of built environment features could vary between the aggregate and disaggregate levels of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative, a pioneering approach initiated by India to propel sustainable urban development through targeted behavioural change. Positioned at the nexus of individual action and urban sustainability, LiFE underscores the potential of integrating lifestyle adjustments into the broader urban planning and policy-making framework. By examining the initiative's evolution from a grassroots movement to a key element of government policy, this paper highlights its innovative strategies aimed at promoting eco-friendly living and its significant impact on urban environments. Through case studies and an analysis of the initiative's alignment with global sustainability goals, we reveal how LiFE complements existing urban agendas by focusing on the micro-level actions of individuals and communities. This paper contributes to the discourse on sustainable urbanization by showcasing the critical role of behavioural change in achieving urban sustainability goals, thereby offering insights into the formulation of more holistic and effective urban policies. Significantly the paper articulates how LiFE's principles, through enhancing global policies and harnessing the power of technological advancements within the Smart Cities agenda, herald a new paradigm in urban sustainability efforts. • The LiFE initiative emphasizes individual behavioral changes over infrastructural reforms to promote urban sustainability. • The concept originated as a grassroots movement in India and has evolved into a significant element of governmental policy on environmental sustainability. • Case studies, such as the eco-village of Piplantri, demonstrate how individual and community actions can significantly contribute to sustainability goals. • LiFE strategically complements Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) and the New Urban Agenda by focusing on micro-level actions that bridge the gap between policy intentions and tangible outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, global waste challenges worsen in developing nations relying on manual sorting. This improper waste disposal poses significant threats to human health and the environment, necessitating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence-Based Solid Waste Segregation Technology (AIBSWST). In this context, the advanced Frank t-norm captures nuanced relationships in fuzzy logic, crucial in scenarios where fuzzy set order matters. Building on these principles, the complex q-rung picture fuzzy set (Cq-RPFS) becomes instrumental in representing decision-makers preferences in a two-dimensional manner, enhancing the handling of vague information in real-world scenarios. Expanding on these foundational principles, the paper introduces innovative Frank operations grounded in Frank t-norms within the context of Cq-RPFS. Leveraging these operations, the paper proposes four robust aggregation operators (AOs) under Cq-RPFS: complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank weighted average (Cq-PFFWA), complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank weighted geometric (Cq-PFFWG), complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank ordered weighted average (Cq-PFFWOA), and complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank ordered weighted geometric (Cq-PFFWOG). These AOs exhibit essential properties such as idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness. A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method based on the proposed AOs is suggested to validate these strategies. A real-life case study on India's adoption of AIBSWST serves as a practical application, with thorough analyses, including sensitivity, comparative, and superiority assessments, evaluating the performance of the approaches. A thoughtful discussion of the pros and cons of the proposed AOs accompanies the analysis, emphasizing the significance of the approach in ensuring the cleanliness and health of developing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disability service organization piloted a parent capacity-building intervention for parents of children with developmental disabilities in rural South India. To examine the impact of this parent capacity-building group intervention on parent empowerment, peer support, social inclusion, advocacy skills, and the factors influencing these outcomes. A qualitative study recruited 37 participants from 17 parent groups through convenience sampling. Six focus groups occurred six months post the start of this intervention and explored these parents' experiences with the groups and their perceived impacts. Qualitative analysis yielded four main themes and corresponding sub-themes: peer support (feeling peaceful and supported, building self-efficacy), social inclusion (space to share, acceptance and identity), knowledge sharing (increasing awareness, accepting advice), and advocacy (building confidence, making requests). Participation in parent groups provided participants with opportunities to find peer support, utilize knowledge sharing, feel socially included, and build advocacy skills. This study provides a greater understanding of the impact and benefits of parent capacity-building interventions in low-resource settings. Results will improve this intervention and guide other organizations in creating similar programs. This paper adds perspectives of parents who are caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in rural South India. More specifically, this paper highlights the impact of a parent-focused intervention in group settings in both rural and urban areas. Parent support group interventions are not common in India and low- and middle-income countries and there is a paucity of literature describing these interventions and their impact. In this study, parents described a need for multifaceted interventions to support their child in the community. These parent groups provided space for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities to make connections, feel validated, and grow confidence to utilize new knowledge or advice shared by other parents to further enhance their lives. Further, parent-group settings provide opportunities to build advocacy skills through timely discussions. Parents reported an increase in feelings of acceptance within the group itself but not within the wider community. This highlights the need for involving the wider community in interventions to promote integration for families with children with disabilities. • Parent-group interventions in LMICs and their impact are not well documented. • Social inclusion increased within parent groups but not within the wider community. • Caregivers share and gain knowledge to support their children in parent groups. • Social inclusion within parent groups helps reduce stigma and feelings of exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, global waste challenges worsen in developing nations relying on manual sorting. This improper waste disposal poses significant threats to human health and the environment, necessitating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence-Based Solid Waste Segregation Technology (AIBSWST). In this context, the advanced Frank t-norm captures nuanced relationships in fuzzy logic, crucial in scenarios where fuzzy set order matters. Building on these principles, the complex q-rung picture fuzzy set (Cq-RPFS) becomes instrumental in representing decision-makers preferences in a two-dimensional manner, enhancing the handling of vague information in real-world scenarios. Expanding on these foundational principles, the paper introduces innovative Frank operations grounded in Frank t-norms within the context of Cq-RPFS. Leveraging these operations, the paper proposes four robust aggregation operators (AOs) under Cq-RPFS: complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank weighted average (Cq-PFFWA), complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank weighted geometric (Cq-PFFWG), complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank ordered weighted average (Cq-PFFWOA), and complex q-rung picture fuzzy Frank ordered weighted geometric (Cq-PFFWOG). These AOs exhibit essential properties such as idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness. A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method based on the proposed AOs is suggested to validate these strategies. A real-life case study on India's adoption of AIBSWST serves as a practical application, with thorough analyses, including sensitivity, comparative, and superiority assessments, evaluating the performance of the approaches. A thoughtful discussion of the pros and cons of the proposed AOs accompanies the analysis, emphasizing the significance of the approach in ensuring the cleanliness and health of developing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SCATSAT-1 (Scatterometer Satellite) was launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) on September 26, 2016 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India. With nearly five years of its journey, the Ku-band (13.5 GHz) based SCATSAT-1 made a profound impact on many scientific domains such as ocean-atmosphere dynamics, soil moisture and vegetation dynamics, climate change, hydrology and polar sea-ice and snowmelt studies. As a successor of the Oceansat-2 Scatterometer (OSCAT), the SCATSAT-1 supports the long-term analysis in climate studies, crop yield prediction, and forecasting analysis. In addition, the SCATSAT-1 provides the four different levels of data products at an enhanced resolution to improve the scope of the scatterometer in different applications. Recently the SCATSAT-1 has been explored in many emerging applications apart from oceanography e.g., crop growth, snow cover analysis, jute crop detection and river level estimation with advanced algorithms i.e., machine learning-based classification, information fusion, and super-resolution mapping. Therefore, it is desired to summarise all operational SCATSAT-1 products, applications, and their emerging trends at the global level in the various scientific domains. This paper has summarized the progress made by SCATSAT-1 in different scientific domains since its launch. A meta-analysis has also been conducted in this paper (using the SCOPUS database) to analyse the current research status of SCATSAT-1 in terms of study area targets. This study highlights the features, challenges, and future directions for the scatterometer improvements. • To summarise the historic & current scatterometer missions for earth exploration. • To know the physics & chemistry of earth using data products of SCATSAT-1. • To explore the applications in cryosphere, oceanography, agriculture & hydrology. • To analyse the current status through meta-analysis of published articles. • To summarise the challenges & future directions for the scatterometer improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles (EVs) are among the most revolutionary breakthroughs by the context of decarbonization of road transport. The adoption of EVs has drawn increasing attention and is currently considered a potential route towards sustainable transportation. Businesses approaching the EV market must establish lucrative business models that overcome the adoption obstacles for EVs while assuring long-term growth. The intent of the current research exploration is to create a cutting-edge framework for EV enterprises that aims to maximize profit and save delivery time leading to high customer satisfaction. The volume discount strategy is used for profit escalation. The model presented in this paper is highly adaptable for a real-world problem as it incorporates uncertainty in the EV industry through generalized triangular neutrosophic numbers, an extension of fuzzy numbers. A modified version of the neutrosophic compromise programming approach is proposed in this paper. The results from this approach are validated using genetic algorithm. The proposed optimization-based framework is encapsulated in the form of study of a case from Bangalore city, in India. An in-depth exploration of two cases along with sensitivity analysis is carried out that helped in prioritizing some discrete customers and gave insights on which manufacturing site should be designated more focus. • Profit maximizing business model for electric vehicle (EV) merchants is proposed. • Uncertainty in EV industry is captured using fuzzy number. • A modified neutrosophic compromise programming technique is proposed. • Case study is considered involving particular case and sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone tools in association with Pleistocene elephant remains were recovered from Pampore, Kashmir, India, in 2000 from channel deposits in the Pampore Member of the Upper Karewa Group of sediments, which are interpreted as Middle Pleistocene in age. In March 2019 the elephant remains were re-examined to establish taxonomy, cause of death and evidence of human intervention, alongside study of the stone tools and age of the site. This paper reports the results of this work. Most of the elephant remains, including skull and tusks, are from a large adult, but at least two other elephants are also represented. Taxonomic analysis shows that the adult belongs to the genus Palaeoloxodon , but with a mix of features not seen in typical Palaeoloxodon skulls from the Indian Subcontinent. Pathology of the skull indicates severe sinusitis, which may have contributed to the death. No cut-marks from butchery were found on the elephant bones, although three elephant bone flakes were identified, linking human intervention with elephants at the site. The small lithic assemblage is in fresh condition with some refitting artefacts, both suggesting minimal post-depositional movement. Most of the artefacts consist of flakes, flake tools and cores, but with several points and blades suggestive of an early Mode 3 prepared core technology. This might indicate a late Middle Pleistocene age for the site. Further dating evidence using amino acid racemisation on elephant tooth enamel is ongoing, but consistent with this age. The association of stone tools with humanly-modified elephant remains is rare, while prepared core technology is currently scarce further north or east in Asia in the late Middle Pleistocene. The significance of the discovery is discussed in the wider context of Middle Pleistocene elephant-human interaction. • The Pampore elephant, Kashmir, India, from the Pampore Member of the Upper Karewa Group, dates to the Middle Pleistocene. • New investigations by an Indo-British team in 2019 attribute the elephant to Palaeoloxodon. • It is the only Middle Pleistocene elephant site from India to be found in association with an in situ lithic assemblage. • The lithic assemblage is probably attributable to a Mode 3 industry, which suggests a late Middle Pleistocene age. • Elephant bone breakage and flaking shows exploitation of the bones by humans, but no evidence of hunting or butchery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution control has emerged as one of the key concerns of recent times and business firms are one of the significant stakeholders in deteriorating the quality of the natural environment. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors affecting the adoption of air pollution control measures across firms and contribute to the existing knowledge on pollution control among firms in the context of an emerging market. The analysis shows a significant association between enterprise characteristics and the adoption of air pollution control measures and about 44.3 percent firms have reported the adoption of air pollution control measures. Further, the marginal effect analysis indicates that firms older in age, larger in size and having shareholders' equity are more likely to adopt air pollution control measures. Similarly, firms practising lean operations, investing in research & development, availing bank credit, having quality certification and having better capacity utilisation are more likely to adopt air pollution control measures. Finally, firms perceiving obstacles related to business licensing & permits, tax administration, political instability, and business closure due to COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to adopt air pollution control measures. Our study provides useful implications for managers, policymakers and researchers for encouraging air pollution control technologies across business firms. The study also motivates undertaking future research on pollution control measures across various sectors of the economy. [Display omitted] • Air pollution control is becoming a critical agenda across the globe. • About 44.3 percent Indian firms reported the adoption of air pollution control measures. • Firms' characteristics are significantly associated with adopting air pollution control measures. • Business operations, regulatory mechanisms and obstacles influence the adoption of air pollution control measures. • These insights help develop strategies for reducing air pollution by involving managers, policymakers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• India is a least likely case for welfare expansion, challenges dominant explanations and offers a new case. • Welfare expansion accompanied by deepening of democratic state is a legacy of civil society mobilization. • State-civil society dynamics can converge into sustained patterns of both policy and institutional transformation and defending the reforms against political attacks. In the past two decades India experienced an unprecedented expansion of the rights-based welfare. This expansion cut across a range of sectors − education, employment, public health, poverty reduction − but was also accompanied by a dramatic expansion and deepening of state institutions and a shift from patronage politics to citizen empowerment. In this paper we show that India was a least likely case for welfare expansion and that contrary to what the traditional welfare state literature suggests, civil society was a key driver of reform, but even more vitally has played a significant role in institutionalizing reforms, especially at the local level. We focus on the case of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the world's largest public works program, to discuss how civil society in India effectively framed welfare issues, mobilized to defend the law, helped institutionalize new governance structures like social audits by working with the state and are ensuring continuous accountability by cultivating what we call "user publics". We draw on the existing literature, fieldwork on village level welfare reform in different subnational regions of India, direct involvement in civil mobilization around rights based laws for over a decade and an ongoing project in which we are collaborating with some of the key architects of the reforms including an archive of over 3000 primary documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effect of ventilation parameters on the 222Rn inhalation dose in an underground uranium mine located in east Singhbhum of Jharkhand, India. This study reveals that the airflow rate variable statistically significantly predicts the 222Rn dose variable in the mine. On the other hand, no significant effect of other ventilation parameters such as barometric pressure, dry-bulb, and wet-bulb temperatures on 222Rn inhalation dose in the stopes was observed due to negligible variations in their values. Therefore, the airflow rate plays a significant role in reducing the effective radiation dose level in mines. In this study, the Equivalent Equilibrium Radon concentration (EER) and total effective radiation dose received by the miners involved in different mining activities in the various locations of the mine were found to be in ranges of 130–420 Bq m−3 and 0–3.17 mSv y−1, respectively. It also reveals that the miners involved in the stope preparation and timbering were exposed to more radiation than other mining activities. Under the existing ventilation conditions, the total effective radiation dose was far below the safe limit of 20 mSv y−1 recommended by the International Commission of Radiological Protection. • Ventilation plays a significant role in reducing the radon dose in the mine. • Radiation dose was determined using a solid-state nuclear track-based dosimeter. • Radiation doses received by the miners were far below the limit value of 20 mSv y−1. • Miners involved in the stope preparation were exposed to more radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust mathematical model is presented in this paper for the multi-connected domain with variable bathymetry using dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) to analyze the combined effects of wave diffraction-refraction and reflection on the arbitrarily shaped harbor. The influence of sloping bathymetry and the impact of the bottom friction on the harbor resonance are investigated. The fluid domain is primarily separated into two regions Region-I (open sea region) and Region-II (harbor region). Further, Region-II is divided into multi-connected regions. The mild slope equation is rearranged to obtain the non-homogeneous Helmholtz equation, and utilizing the ordinary boundary element method to this non-homogeneous equation, the non-homogeneous part will convert into a domain integral. The present model is verified by comparing it with the analytical examination of Wang et al.2015; Shao et al.2017. The wave amplification is determined for the T-shaped and TT-shaped domains to analyze the influence of bottom friction, and slopping bathymetry. Further, the present numerical approach is employed to the realistic port, Visakhapatnam port, India, and the four key locations are identified to analyze harbor resonance in the bottom friction and slopping bathymetry of the multi-connected region. • A Dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) with wave diffraction-refraction on the arbitrarily shaped harbor. • The influence of sloping bathymetry and effect of the bottom friction is also investigated. • Wave Amplification of the T-shaped and TT-shaped domains to analyze the influence of bottom friction, and bathymetry. • Implemented on the realistic Visakhapatnam port, Andhra Pradesh, India. • To analyze the harbor resonance on slopping bathymetry and effectively for redesigning, renovating and constructing ports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Youth transitioning from child care institutions face a lack of adequate transition planning, aftercare infrastructure, and service availability. • An educative mentorship-based curriculum can facilitate a smooth and effective transition. • Mentoring focused on both well-being and professional development can reduce the stress associated with the transition. Although child protection policies and laws in India recognise the importance of aftercare, there is still a significant lack of infrastructure, available services, and systematic preparation for the transition. The accelerated and compressed journey from adolescence to adulthood, coupled with limited options to return home if their initial endeavours falter, adds to the complexity of the transition process. To develop knowledge and skills for transition preparedness, this paper presents a step-by-step approach to designing an educative, mentorship-based curriculum. The curriculum is based on an exploratory study conducted across 17 child care institutions in Pune, India. Findings showed that the adolescents appreciate the existing support resources, but feel that much of the critical, practical, and seemingly more urgent transitional needs are still left out. Borrowing insights from the primary data and the available literature, the curriculum has been designed to target six core areas addressing needs for belongingness, preparation for life after transition, enabling clarity of future vision, life skills, enhancing employability, and problem-solving. To buffer the overall stress of the transition, the focus of the curriculum has been kept simultaneously on promoting overall well-being and providing professional and career development support. The study recommends a robust evaluation framework to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion-absorption refrigeration (DAR) is a cooling technology that uses a three-component working fluid and a thermally-activated bubble-pump for fluid circulation. DAR cooling modules can be manufactured at low cost and entirely driven by thermal energy, making this a promising technology for cold-chain services in off-grid regions. In this work, we investigate the performance potential of an ammonia-water-hydrogen solar-DAR system for application in rural India. In Part I of the investigation, a semi-empirical system model is developed that considers both the steady-state operation of the DAR system and dynamic behaviour during start-up with a solar-thermal heat source. The model is calibrated using experimental data from a laboratory DAR system where heat input rate and system charge pressure are variables that can be adjusted. Under steady-state conditions, the system achieves a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.25 with a system pressure of 14 bar. However, at the minimum heat input rate of 100 W the system can take up to 2 h or longer for bubble pump activation, prior to which no cooling is produced. In the accompanying paper (Part II), the model is used to investigate the influence of various parameters on system performance and to identify promising areas for improvement. • A model of a solar diffusion absorption refrigeration system is presented. • The system's steady-state and dynamic operation are characterised. • The role of system charge pressure and working fluid concentration are assessed. • The experimentally calibrated model predicts steady-state COP to within ±20%. • The peak heat source temperature during start-up is predicted to within ±10 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion-absorption refrigerator (DAR) is a cooling technology that can be driven entirely by thermal energy. With solar-thermal collectors as the heat source, this technology can provide a zero-emissions solution for essential cold-chain provision in the world's poorest regions. In the accompanying paper, a system model of a solar-driven DAR system was developed for simulating operation under variable solar conditions. In Part II of this study, we apply this model to assess the predicted performance of the system in its intended application: for on-farm refrigeration of harvested crops in rural India. The roles of the working-fluid charge pressure and collector array area for maximum cooling are investigated. A charge pressure of 16 bar is found to be optimal for ambient conditions during the October harvest season in Ahmedabad, with a collector-array area of 1.5 m2 found to be most appropriate for the nominal 70 W cooling-capacity system. However, the time taken to reach the required solar collector temperature for bubble pump activation results in a daily operating period of less than 5 h and a predicted overall solar-to-cooling efficiency of less than 1%. To address these limitations, modifications to various components are considered based on simple assumptions for improving performance. • An assessment is performed of a solar diffusion absorption refrigeration system. • Off-grid cooling operation is simulated for the target region of Ahmedabad, India. • A cooling output of 170 kJ/day is predicted with a solar collector area of 1.5 m 2. • An optimal charge pressure of 16 bar is determined for maximum cooling output. • Modifications to key system components are recommended based on the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limestone of the purity mandated by the standards for use in cement manufacture (as raw material or as performance improver) is only a fraction of the mined material. Sometimes, limestone contains impurities like silica, clay, dolomite etc. beyond the levels specified for use as an additive or for cement production. This limestone, commonly known as low-grade limestone, also may have a potential to be used as a supplementary cementitious material. This paper reports a study conducted to understand the hydration behaviour of ordinary Portland cement in combination with low-grade limestone. Low-grade limestone samples with dolomite, silica and clay impurities were collected from various limestone mines in India and used in cementitious blends at various replacement levels after suitable processing. Reaction kinetics was studied using calorimetry and phase assemblage using techniques like X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was employed to study the microstructure of cementitious blends. Dilution effect of low-grade limestone was studied by measuring compressive strength of cement mortar cubes for various replacement levels. Shortening of induction period, increased peak heat rate and reduced time to peak were observed in the blends of ordinary Portland cement with low-grade limestone. Carboaluminate formation, ettringite stabilisation and higher bound water content were also seen. The studies showed that low-grade limestone also can be used as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement without compromising the strength up to 15% replacement. Higher replacement levels, although showing a reduction in strength due to dilution effect, could still be considered for non-structural applications. • A systematic assessment of the effect of low-grade limestone with different types of impurities on the hydration of ordinary Portland cement is done. • Similarities and differences in the behaviour of OPC blended with cement-grade and low-grade limestone are brought out. • Non-cement grade limestone, or low grade limestone, can efficiently be utilised as SCM with up to 15% replacement of OPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper forecasts the growth of freight transport emissions in India's trucking sector until 2050. We use the ARIMAX time series model to project the commercial vehicle population under various economic growth scenarios. CO 2 emissions are estimated using emission factors, distance traveled, and the projected commercial vehicle population. We use the validated forecasting model to investigate how emissions can be curbed through vehicle scrappage policies or fleet electrification to realign with the 2015 Paris Agreement's targets. Compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, 10-year and 15-year vehicle scrappage policies are estimated to reduce freight emissions by 6–11% and 1–2%, respectively. Fleet electrification has more pronounced effects as it results in a 35% and 70% reduction in carbon emissions for heavy and light goods vehicles in 2050, respectively, compared to the BAU scenario. These findings provide crucial insights for devising policies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in India's trucking industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the large-scale integration of renewable energy and inevitable disturbing events (including natural disasters and deliberate attacks), the invulnerability of power grids is facing a great challenge, thus the security criterion is demanded to upgrade from N − 1 to N − k. However, with the increasing of k and the expanding of network scale, resource consumption of network expansion shows an exponential explosion. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the invulnerability of power grids from a new perspective. In this paper, the definition of nodal N − k security criterion is proposed, which divides buses into different security levels based on realistic demand, and decouples the security analysis from the system level to individual nodes. A two-stage robust optimization model is established, cooperating with the nodal N − k security criterion, the load demand of critical buses could be guaranteed. Moreover, the proposed discrepant upgrade scheme is flexible and has strong generalization performance, where enhanced buses and security levels can be selected independently based on the preferences of decision-makers. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposal have been demonstrated in 5 cases, i.e., the IEEE 9-bus, 24-bus, 57-bus, 118-bus systems and an actual test system in India. • The definition of nodal N − k security criterion is proposed. • A defender–attacker–defender (DAD) model cooperating with the criterion is established. • A gradual and progressive enhancement framework is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) represents a significant addition to India's clean energy initiative through nuclear energy. Noteworthy for its inherent safety features and the utilization of mixed fluoride salts (U, Th, Li) as molten-liquid fuel, this reactor stands out as a unique advancement. This paper showcases the application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to ensure the chemical composition of the fuel. The micro-destructive nature of the analysis, minimal sample preparation requirements and the potential for remote analysis position LIBS as a viable alternative to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study encompasses the quantification of UF 4 and ThF 4 , demonstrating both univariate and multivariate chemometrics calibration approaches. Various normalization methods on the raw spectral data are explored, and the results are meticulously compared. Upon evaluating different analytical methods, the optimal accuracy and precision achieved were in the range of approximately 2.6% and 3.9% for UF 4 , and about 0.4% and 0.5% for ThF 4 , respectively. This underscores the effectiveness of LIBS in ensuring the accurate determination of chemical composition in the context of MSR fuel. [Display omitted] • LIBS was used for quantitative characterization of Indian MSR fuel. • Different pre-processing & fitting models have been systematically compared. • SEC and SEP were used for different model quality comparison. • For UF 4 and ThF 4, precision of 3.9% and 0.5% was obtained respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh vegetables are prone to foodborne pathogen infection due to improper cultivation methods and poor post-harvest handling practices. This paper describes the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in three vegetables (tomato, brinjal, and lablab) cultivated by small-scale producers (SSP) of India. We assessed the possible entry of pathogens into the vegetable production chain. Samples from soil, manure, irrigation water, harvesting bins, and workers' hands were assessed as sources of possible pathogen entry. In addition, further sampling was done to determine prevalence of these pathogens in the produce from the agricultural fields and markets. Total plate counts, yeast and mold count, total coliforms like general microbial indices, and possible foodborne pathogens like Salmonella , Escherichia coli O157, Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and norovirus were assessed in all the samples by standard microbiological, biochemical, and molecular methods. The results revealed that among the three vegetables we studied, brinjal had the highest load of general microbial indicators. Moreover, the total coliforms count of market vegetables was higher than that of on-farm vegetables, indicating poor hygiene in post-harvest operations. The pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in the market tomatoes (0.35 log 10 cfu/g), and E. coli was detected in the market samples of brinjal (2.98–3.89 log 10 cfu/g) and lablab (0.59–2.21 log 10 cfu/g), thereby revealing fecal cross-contamination during pre or post-harvest operations. None of the vegetable samples were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella sp., and norovirus. However, the microbiological source tracking of primary production farms showed that E. coli O157:H7 was present in manure (9/27), soil (6/27), harvest bins (6/27), and irrigation water samples (3/27) of SSP farms. In addition, soil (33%), manure (11%), and harvest bins (11%) had Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In conclusion, our study suggests that adequate knowledge of good agricultural practices for small-scale producers to cultivate microbiologically safe vegetable production and proper handling strategies for vegetable vendors is crucial to mitigate foodborne pathogen outbreaks through fresh vegetables. • The work delineates food safety issues of fresh vegetables of small-scale producers. • Field and market samples of tomato, brinjal and lablab had high microbial indices. • Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli found in fresh produces. • Manure, soil, irrigation water, and harvest bin are sources of contamination. • Good agricultural practices for microbial safe vegetable production identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• I am conducting a long-term study on how Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India take their place and deal with space. • This paper examines the stages between refugeehood and citizenship. • The results suggest that refugeehood is about complex day-to-day living practices that shape identities. • The refugee camp is more than a humanitarian space of assistance, more than a space of exception and biopolitical control. This article looks at subjectivities and regimes of homing from a position of liminality and questions the placements dynamics displayed by Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, India. Based on long-term and longitudinal fieldwork conducted in Keezhputhupattu refugee camp near Pondicherry between 2010 and 2023, this study analyses the experience of the refugees, which combines a "know-how" that they have developed due to a life in exile since 1983, which is linked, among other things, to a sometimes well-developed diasporic network; and a restrictive agency that has been granted to them by the Indian and Tamil Nadu authorities, which places them in a regime that is intended to be exceptional. The results of the study are significant and show how families spanning three generations may reproduce their new normalcy and negotiate their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's empowerment status varies greatly in India according to caste, class, ethnicity and region. This paper aims to investigate the caste/tribe disparity in women's empowerment by region, the main correlates of each domain of empowerment, and the association of women's empowerment with nutritional and health care access outcomes, specifically anaemia, menstrual hygiene, and institutional delivery. Using National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021) data, we have created a modified survey-based women's empowerment index (SWPER) using principal component analysis with Oblique varimax rotation. The first four components are interpreted as an attitude to violence, freedom of movement, decision-making power and social independence. Several multivariate regression models were used to understand the factor associated with empowerment and the association of women's empowerment with different health outcomes. The results indicate that women from the forward castes are the most empowered in most domains except decision-making. However, after controlling other background variables, the forward castes women are found to be the most empowered in attitude to violence, whereas Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes women were found to be the most empowered women in decision-making. With regards to social independence, deprived castes women are more empowered than the forward castes women. The likelihood of empowerment in social independence domain increases with increasing wealth. There are wide regional variations in empowerment level between different social groups. Caste/tribe identity plays a significant role in determining health outcomes in India. Among all empowerment domains, social independence emerges as the most significant associated factor with improved health across all caste/tribe groups. The path to women's empowerment in India must recognize the intersectionality of caste/tribe identities, and address regional disparities. Social independence emerges as a critical determinant across all caste/tribe groups for improving health. Measures should be taken to empower women through the underlying factors of social independence. • This study uses SWPER index to assess women empowerment within India's caste/tribe. • Forward caste women are most empowered in all domains except decision-making. • Scheduled Tribe women from Northeast India are most empowered in decision-making. • Social independence empowerment domain is crucial for improving women's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an important tropical atmospheric phenomenon that plays a significant role in modulating weather patterns across India. Heat Waves (HW) are extreme weather events that have severe impacts on human health, agriculture, and various socio-economic sectors. This research paper aims to investigate the dynamical relationship between MJO phases, as measured by the Real-time Multivariate MJO (RMM) index, and the occurrence of HW in India, as defined by the Indian Meteorological Department. This paper demonstrated the relationship among three aspects, i.e., intensity, duration, frequency of HW during the different MJO phases. The differential dynamics associated for about two-fold rise in the HW occurrence in the South East, Eastern and North West India in the MJO active phase. Inactive phase witnessed enhancement (suppression) of HW during wet (dry) over the regions. The novel finding of this paper is that, the weaker the MJO, the higher probability of HW occurrence in respective regions depending on the position of the MJO convection center. The maximum duration is observed to be significantly decreased by about 2 days in the active MJO phase over NW and north central parts of the country. It is also inferred from this study that there is a significantly decrease of 0.5 °C in HW intensity during the active wet phase of MJO over the NW India. To explain the linkage of HW with MJO, geopotential height (GPH), wind circulation, velocity potential (VP), sea surface temperature (SST) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) composite anomalies have been computed and used in the analysis. It is observed that all these parameters have a direct impact on the evolution, strength and spread of the HW in India. This dynamical study mechanism can be prescribed in the numerical weather prediction models for the improved prediction of such extreme weather events during summer for proactive disaster management. Spatial distribution of change in probability of Heat Wave occurrence during all phases of MJO (phase 1 to 8) over the Indian region for the period 1979–2022. [Display omitted] • Relationship between MJO phases and intensity-duration-frequency of Heat Wave in different regions of India is explored. • Weaker the MJO (inactive phase), higher probability of HW occurrence with increased intensity and duration in wet phase. • The HW over north western Indian region are mainly driven by Rossby wave train in the wet phase of MJO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical travel and transnational healthcare involve various difficulties such as the distance and disconnect between patients and healthcare providers, language barriers or logistical challenges of moving ill bodies across space. Medical travel facilitation steps in with some sort of brokerage service that contributes to overcoming or managing these difficulties and, as this paper suggests, acts to create a quality of 'smoothness'. By unpacking three salient facilitation practices, namely connecting, communicating, and coordinating, this paper conceptualises the empirically derived category of 'smoothness'. This as a disposition, outcome, and spatio-temporal manoeuvre of medical travel facilitation. Based on the way in which such practices of mediation act to create smoothness, namely in an attentive, persistent, and collective tinkering manner, this paper suggests that some practices of medical travel facilitation are productively thought not just about setting up the possibility of care transnationally, but that they are key forms of care in itself. Based on these findings, smoothness is considered to be a central but also contested quality of medical travel facilitation and brokerage in a broader sense, but as proposed here, also for care. This conclusion potentially has implications not just for the study of transnational healthcare and mediation activities, but also that of care and transnational mobilities more generally. • Medical travel facilitation creates smoothness in mediating transnational healthcare. • Conceptualising smoothness as a disposition, outcome and spatio-temporal manoeuvre. • Brokerage and an STS-take on medical travel facilitation and care. • Smoothness as a quality of medical travel facilitation, brokerage and possibly care. • Medical travel facilitation between Oman and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper examines the effect of social identity on learning for adults under a hierarchical social setting. • Using primary data from a randomized controlled experiment in India where illiterate adult female learners were randomly assigned to a free technology-based literacy program, we found positive and significant impact of matching an upper caste teacher with a lower caste student on literacy scores. • We find suggestive evidence of an increase in students' confidence measures when matched with an upper caste teacher. The paper examines the effect of social identity on adult learning within a hierarchical social setting— an important yet often understudied issue for effective adult education. We leverage the random matching of students and teachers from a randomized controlled experiment in India, where illiterate adult female learners aged 18–45 were randomly assigned to a literacy program. We find a positive and significant impact of matching an upper caste teacher with a lower caste adult student on literacy scores. We also find suggestive evidence of an increase in students' confidence measures when matched with an upper caste teacher, indicating a plausible impact mechanism. Our findings highlight the need for future research on social identity and its influence on adult learning, particularly in countries with existing deep-rooted hierarchical social constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector, providing a framework tailored for adoption in India, a rapidly advancing digital economy. The current literature does not go into detail on industry 4.0 technology in the context of agile manufacturing. Addressing this critical gap in the literature, we identify 15 criteria across six categories, leveraging the entropy method to compute their weights. We prioritize Industry 4.0 technologies in the context of agile manufacturing using a comprehensive analysis that employs the TOPSIS and Fuzzy DEMATEL methodologies. Results indicate that cybersecurity, Cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are the most commonly used technologies in agile manufacturing. The fuzzy DEMATEL-based framework identifies cybersecurity, Big data, Cloud, simulation, augmented reality, and IoT as 'cause' technologies, while additive manufacturing, robotics, mobile devices, and systems integration are identified as 'effect' technologies. The paper proposes practical strategies for managers in India to facilitate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, thereby enhancing firms' agility in the digital age. By highlighting the specific technologies critical to agile manufacturing, our study not only addresses a notable gap in the literature but also provides a roadmap for their practical implementation, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digitalized landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caste is a unique marker of social stratification in India. There are significant eco- nomic inequalities and considerable disparities in educational achievements between historically disadvantaged caste groups and Others. Unequal investments in their chil- dren's human capital by caste can perpetuate income inequalities and reproduce class differences between caste groups. This paper analyses caste-based disparities in house- hold expenditure on children's school education using nationally representative social expenditure data on education from 2007–08 and 2017–18 in India. The paper uses a recentered influence function (RIF) based decomposition analysis to pinpoint the key factors underpinning the disparity in private educational expenditure between disadvantaged caste groups and Others. Further, to overcome the problem of heterogeneity of data the study also employs propensity score matching (PSM) as robustness check for the decomposition analysis. The findings from decomposition and matching approaches reveal that differences in endowments, specifically income differences, between caste groups explain most of the caste-based gap in children's human capital investments. The study has implications for public policy to address educational and economic disparities between disadvantaged caste groups (ST, SC and OBC) and Others in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing health concerns and increasing water scarcity, adequate wastewater treatment and reuse remains limited in India. Low-cost, decentralised, and nature-based on-site sanitation systems could play a key role in a circular water approach. This paper evaluates the performance of a Wastewater Fertigated Short Rotation Coppice (wfSRC) system based on willow, poplar, and bamboo species as a potential solution, offering low-cost, efficient water treatment, and high biomass production. Through a full-scale wfSRC pilot plant (250 m3·day−1 municipal wastewater on 6864 m2) established at Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, India, treatment capacities, biomass production rates, and contamination tolerance of different willow, poplar, and bamboo species were investigated. The chemical compositions of incoming wastewater, percolation water, soil, and biomass were monitored regularly. Despite the high load, all plant sections of the wfSRC system showed efficient removal of wastewater-originated pollutants. BOD5 and COD removal efficiencies were up to 99% and 95% respectively. Removal efficiencies for PO4-P reached 93% and for TN 91%. In general, total nitrogen and phosphate loads appear to be the limiting design parameters under the conditions at Aligarh to meet all discharge limits in India. Biomass production was projected to be >225 tDM·ha−1·yr−1 for bamboo, 65 tDM·ha−1·yr−1 for willow, and 206 tDM·ha−1·yr−1 for poplar. The pilot, conducted from March 2022 to June 2023, showcased how these densely planted agroforestry systems can effectively treat wastewater through natural processes such as oxidation, microbial degradation, and plant uptake. The findings demonstrate wfSRC's potential to serve as a nature-based, sustainable approach to wastewater treatment, particularly beneficial for suburban and rural areas in India and similar regions worldwide. This paper also provides recommendations for future implementation of wfSRC systems, emphasizing the need for careful planning regarding plant selection, system design, and operational strategies to maximize treatment efficiency and biomass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Study analyzes 1374 papers on sensitivity analysis in Scopus. • RStudio, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer are used. • China has most articles published; India leads in international cooperation. • Top three cited journals: J. Clean. Prod., Expert Syst. Appl., and Comput. Ind. Eng. • Most cited authors are Pamučar D, Kahraman C, and Zavadskas EK. In the present era, the implementation of scientifically grounded Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) has emerged as a pivotal solution to diverse decision-making challenges across various domains. Although a substantial body of exploratory, conceptual, and experimental studies exists, only 9.457% studies have incorporated sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of MCDM methods. An exhaustive scientific exploration of sensitivity analysis within the scope of MCDM is thus lacking. This research aims to address this gap through Bibliometric Analysis while examining 1374 articles published between January 2000 and March 2023 from the Scopus database. Using RStudio (Biblioshiny), CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software, the study constructs a visual representation of the most prolific countries, institutions, and authors. Impressively, China takes the lead in article publications, while India excels in international collaboration. "An extended TODIM multi-criteria group decision-making method for green supplier selection in an interval type-2 fuzzy environment," featured in the Journal of Environmental Management, emerges as the most cited paper with a total citation of 455. The study also identifies the top three most cited journals, namely "Journal of Cleaner Production," "Expert Systems With Applications," and "Computers and Industrial Engineering." "North China Electric Power University" is the leading institute with the highest research outputs. "Pamučar D" is the most cited author, with 2594 citations and 39 articles, followed by "Kahraman C" and "Zavadskas EK. This study sheds light on trends in scientific developments and collaborations, providing a model for the application of sensitivity analysis in MCDM research and highlighting global trends. An understanding of the current state of sensitivity analysis research can assist researchers working in the entire domain of MCDM. Additionally, the visualization provides prescriptive data for future work and applications related to sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between financial development and access to electricity for rural and urban India by incorporating economic growth, trade, and foreign direct investment in energy production function. In doing so, we have applied autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing to examine long run cointegration between the variables by accommodating structural break(s) stemming in the series. Our empirical results indicate the presence of cointegration association between access to electricity and its determinants. We note that financial development enhances access to electricity in rural India but declines it in urban India. Economic growth has positive effect on access to electricity. Trade openness and foreign direct investment lower access to electricity in rural India. In urban India, trade openness and foreign direct investment increase access to electricity. The association between financial development and access to electricity is inverted-U shaped for rural and urban India. This paper would present new policy direction for Indian government to enhance access to electricity by using financial development as an economic tool. • Financial development and access to electricity have a strong linkage. • In India financial development enhances access to electricity in rural area but has adverse effect in urban area. • Rise in economic growth of India has increased the access to electricity. • Growth of Trade Openness and Foreign Direct investment increase access to electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]