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Energy demand fluctuations due to low probability high impact (LPHI) micro-climatic events such as urban heat island effect (UHI) and heatwaves, pose significant challenges for urban infrastructure, particularly within urban built-clusters. Mapping short term load forecasting (STLF) of buildings in urban micro-climatic setting (UMS) is obscured by the complex interplay of surrounding morphology, micro-climate and inter-building energy dynamics. Conventional urban building energy modelling (UBEM) approaches to provide quantitative insights about building energy consumption often neglect the synergistic impacts of micro-climate and urban morphology in short temporal scale. Reduced order modelling, unavailability of rich urban datasets such as building key performance indicators for building archetypes-characterization, limit the inter-building energy dynamics consideration into UBEMs. In addition, mismatch of resolutions of spatio–temporal datasets (meso to micro scale transition), LPHI events extent prediction around UMS as well as its accurate quantitative inclusion in UBEM input organization step pose another degree of limitations. This review aims to direct attention towards an integrated-UBEM (i-UBEM) framework to capture the building load fluctuation over multi-scale spatio–temporal scenario. It highlights usage of emerging data-driven hybrid approaches, after systematically analysing developments and limitations of recent physical, data-driven artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI-ML) based modelling approaches. It also discusses the potential integration of google earth engine (GEE)-cloud computing platform in UBEM input organization step to (i) map the land surface temperature (LST) data (quantitative attribute implying LPHI event occurrence), (ii) manage and pre-process high-resolution spatio–temporal UBEM input-datasets. Further the potential of digital twin, central structed data models to integrate along UBEM workflow to reduce uncertainties related to building archetype characterizations is explored. It has also found that a trade-off between high-fidelity baseline simulation models and computationally efficient platform support or co-simulation platform integration is essential to capture LPHI induced inter-building energy dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper adopts a sophisticated numerical modeling technique using a plasticity-based simplified micro-model method and the extended finite element method for simulating the nonlinear behaviour of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls with different types of sizes and positions of openings. The validity of this model has been proven by comparing the results subjected to a similar loading obtained by the experimental approach. Thereafter, the validated computational model is used to study the behaviour of the 3D URM wall model with different opening percentages. The effect of the position of the openings is also studied. Further, the load–displacement curves are drawn to provide a clear idea about the load-carrying capacity of the same URM walls. The hysteretic behaviour obtained in each model under cyclic loading gives an idea about the energy dissipation capacity of each of the models studied. The same walls are analyzed by strengthening the walls with two cost-effective materials, wire mesh and polypropylene bands. Since the study on lateral behaviour of masonry walls, particularly regarding the effect of area and the position of the opening, is very rarely available, the present detailed study is believed to be helpful in reducing the seismic vulnerability of actual masonry structures, which always have openings with different sizes and positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic and structural properties are studied at room temperature, whereas the magnetic performances of MoS2-nanoparticles (MoS2-NPs) are studied from room temperature (300 K) down to 5 K within the range of the magnetic field − 10 T to + 10 T. We find that MoS2-NPs display diamagnetic in the temperature range 300–50 K, whereas at ≈ 45 K the M–H hysteresis curve shows the presence of both diamagnetic and ferromagnetic behaviours. The existence of ferromagnetism is significantly enhanced from 40 K down to 5 K, presumably due to Mo-atom, S-vacancies/O-vacancies, defective structure due to the higher density of dangling bonds, and small MoS2-NPs sizes. Different ferromagnetic parameters viz. saturation magnetization, retentivity, and coercivity of MoS2-NP at ≈ 5 K are 55 m emu/g, 45 m emu/g, and 4500 Oe respectively are obtained from the M–H hysteresis curve. The electronic, microstructures and defects are also studied using XPS/UPS and Raman spectrum that correlated/consistence with the magnetic performances of MoS2-NPs. This low temperature (≤ 40 K) ferromagnetism in MoS2-NPs could be useful for low temperature promising potential technological magnetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) study show that the SnO2 and SnO2:F are Sn2+ dominated in the formation of SnO2 structure. The SnO2:F thin film is mainly the formation of metallic fluoride. The UPS study confirms the density of states of SnO2:F is higher than SnO2. The work function, valence band maximum and surface potentials of SnO2 (SnO2:F) are estimated from UPS spectra and are 3.9 eV (3.7 eV), 3.7 V (3.5 eV) and 7.6 eV (7.2 eV), respectively. Electrical conductivity and M–H hysteresis loop show SnO2:F have higher conductivity as well as magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to assess the literacy levels of future managers of India in social, economic, and environment sustainability issues both at national and global levels among the students from Management Education Institutions (MEIs) located in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. Additionally, a comparative study between the MEIs situated in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and New Delhi, India, is undertaken. Interestingly, participants of the study specified more professional importance and personal relevance of sustainability. The study's outcome shows a higher level of sustainability knowledge among future managers from MEIs in New Delhi and Bengaluru. Future managers based out in New Delhi and Bengaluru are more aware of social and economic sustainability and having less awareness of environmental issues. Sustainability knowledge and awareness of the future managers are the first steps to engage them in building a sustainable future. It compels them to remain fully dedicated to creating a prosperous society and encourages them to make knowledgeable and successful choices to that end. The study's findings indicate a difference found in the levels of sustainability literacy among the Postgraduate students of Business Administration based in India's three metropolitan cities, including Chandigarh: Bengaluru and Delhi. The awareness about the local, national, or global eco-system, pollution, and other problems concerned with the environment was low among students based in Chandigarh, moderate among Delhi students, and high among the Bengaluru students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stainless steel grate bars are one of the important components of pallet cars used in straight grate iron ore pelletizing plant. Their service life has a major influence on plant productivity and pellet quality. The objective of this work is to find the root cause of grate bars premature failure and suggest preventive measures. To reach this objective, failed grate bars were studied which includes examination of accumulated corrosives obtained from grate bars, surface and cross-sectional characterization of failed grate bars using scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The study also includes laboratory corrosion simulation tests on fresh grate bar samples using 1M Na2SO4 solution, 1M NH4Cl solution and water associated with coal tar used in pellet plant. Failed grate bars from the pellet plant were compared with the corrosion exposed simulated grate bar samples. The study showed that the plant grate bar failure occurred due to intergranular corrosion caused by high-chloride input into the furnace wherein the major source of chloride was coal tar water. The damage was aggravated by the presence of alkalis and sulfur combined with the thermal cycling and erosive action in the furnace. Based on the findings, the water content of coal tar was reduced from ~ 6.0 to 1.0 (in wt.%) and stainless steel grate bar composition was modified. This combined effect led to an increase in the grate bar life from six months to ~ 16-18 months. It also resulted in a significant decrease in specific consumption of grate bar from ~ 120 g/ton of pellets to ~ 10 g/ton of pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Eu3+-activated strontium silicate phosphors, Sr2SiO4:xEu3+ (SSO:xEu3+, x = 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0%), were synthesized by a sol–gel method, and their crystalline structures, photoluminescence (PL) behaviors, electronic/atomic structures and bandgap properties were studied. The correlation among these characteristics was further established. X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed the formation of mixed orthorhombic α'-SSO and monoclinic β-SSO phases of the SSO:xEu3+ phosphors. When SSO:xEu3+ phosphors are excited under ultraviolet (UV) light (λ = 250 nm, ~ 4.96 eV), they emit yellow (~ 590 nm), orange (~ 613 nm) and red (~ 652 and 703 nm) PL bands. These PL emissions typically correspond to 4f–4f electronic transitions that involve the multiple excited 5D0 → 7FJ levels (J = 1, 2, 3 and 4) of Eu3+ activators in the host matrix. This mechanism of PL in the SSO:xEu3+ phosphors is strongly related to the local electronic/atomic structures of the Eu3+–O2− associations and the bandgap of the host lattice, as verified by Sr K-edge and Eu L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES)/extended X-ray absorption fine structure, O K-edge XANES and Kα X-ray emission spectroscopy. In the synthesis of SSO:xEu3+ phosphors, interstitial Eu2O3-like structures are observed in the host matrix that act as donors, providing electrons that are nonradiatively transferred from the Eu 5d and/or O 2p–Eu 4f/5d states (mostly the O 2p–Eu 5d states) to the 5D0 levels, facilitating the recombination of electrons that have transitioned from the 5D0 level to the 7FJ level in the bandgap. This mechanism is primarily responsible for the enhancement of PL emissions in the SSO:xEu3+ phosphors. This PL-related behavior indicates that SSO:xEu3+ phosphors are good light-conversion phosphor candidates for use in near-UV chips and can be very effective in UV-based light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model is developed based on the empirical power law equation for post-laminar flow through porous media. Hydraulic conductivity and the critical Reynolds number are used as boundary conditions. The developed model can predict hydraulic gradients for specific velocities, irrespective of the media sizes or porosities, over the complete flow transition. Therefore, the model can be very useful to recognise the specific flow regime or to predict the velocity and hydraulic gradient for a given flow regime. A parametric study is carried out concerning the behaviour of binomial (Forchheimer) and power law (Izbash and Wilkins) coefficients subjected to different media sizes, porosities and flow regimes. The observed behaviour of Forchheimer and Izbash coefficients with different media sizes and porosities are similar to the experimental results reported in the literature. However, the values of these coefficients differ when subjected to different flow regimes for any specific packing. The ratios of non-Darcy and Darcy coefficients of the Forchheimer equation suggest an increasing influence of inertia towards the turbulent regime. The maximum and minimum values of β are found to be 1.38 and 0.69 for laminar and turbulent regime, respectively. However, these values are found to be unaffected by the media size and porosity variation. The value of Wilkins coefficient w in the laminar regime is found to be 4841.72 for all media sizes and porosities. However, the coefficient represents a decreasing variation trend towards the turbulent regime which is also dependent of the media size variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel integrated personalized ventilation and local fan-induced active chilled beam (PV-ACB) air conditioning system is proposed and analyzed through energy and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation methods. Energy performance and indoor environmental conditions of this system are investigated via Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) and ANSYS Fluent respectively. Energy simulation results illustrate that PV-ACB system, compared with the conventional variable air volume (VAV) system, could achieve 16% energy savings at 100% peak cooling load. A maximum 42% energy savings is obtained at 25% part cooling load, indicating the superior energy saving potential under part load conditions. Vertical thermal stratification is observed in CFD simulation results, 23-24 °C at the occupant level (0-2 m) and 26-27 °C in the upper zone (2-4 m). Horizontally, temperature around occupants is 22-23 °C, lower than the temperature of 26-27 °C in other areas, demonstrating the horizontal temperature difference caused by the conditioned outdoor air from personalized ventilation. Both energy and CFD simulation results illustrate that this novel PV-ACB air conditioning system is able to achieve considerable energy savings, superior occupant thermal comfort and enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper aims to prioritize and map the causal relation structures in dimensions and sub-dimensions of HR-flexibility and firm performance using DEMATEL method. Data were collected from leading national and multinational IT firms operated in southern part of India. Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method used to prioritize and map the causal relation among the dimensions of HR flexibility and firm performance. HR flexibility could exist across IT firms. Organisations are required to anticipate and respond promptly to changing conditions in such a way that effectively manage both technical and stakeholders complexity. Use of survey data has its limitations, especially when the sample sizes are small. The study conducted at leading national and multinational IT firms operated in southern part of India. HR flexibility brings out diversity and individuality, shared responsibility, wholeness, etc. among the employees. It also applies to work schedules and career paths across the organisation. IT firms are advised to adopt an external focus, an organic and employee-oriented approach, and long-term orientation. Mapping, the causal relationship among the dimensions of HR flexibility and firm performance, would be the novel contribution to the research in the area of HR-flexibility and firm performance considering IT firms. This paper contributes to the literature by theoretically and empirically investigating such relationships, thereby addressing the research gaps reviewed from literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumocephalus is a common complication presented as air in the cranial cavity after cranial surgery. We present a very rare case of isolated new onset aphasia due to pneumocephalus after evacuation of subdural hematoma (SDH). Tension pneumocephalus presenting as isolated aphasia has not been reported earlier although associated paresis has been reported. Case presentation: We present the case of a 13-year-old male child with a history of fall before the onset of symptoms like headache and vomiting. The immediate MRI of the brain showed left-sided frontotemporoparietal subacute SDH with significant midline shift and subfalcine herniation. The child was subsequently managed with craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma with duraplasty. The patient developed aphasia on second-day post-surgery which progressed from moderate to severe aphasia by day 4. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed pneumocephalus and an increase in the pneumocephalus in imaging on post-op day 4 with no other abnormalities. The condition was then managed by removing the subgaleal drain and administering high flow oxygen of 10 l/min. Conclusion: This case signifies the importance of proper diagnosis of new-onset neurological deficits after evacuation of subdural hematoma for the better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]