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Aim: To evaluate the dentist’s knowledge, attitudes, and barriers towards silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in Tricity (Panchkula, Chandigarh, Mohali), India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a selfadministered online questionnaire among 422 dental practitioners in Tricity (Panchkula, Chandigarh, Mohali), India from 25th August 2021 to 10th September 2021. The outcome variable of the study were knowledge, attitude, and barriers toward Silver Diamine Fluoride. A pretested questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale was used. Results: A total of 55% of respondents strongly agreed and agreed that SDF is a good treatment option for primary teeth that are not in the esthetic zone. The barrier to its usage is being not readily available commercially, with the highest score of 48%. Conclusion: Increased efforts in SDF education may lead to greater use of this innovative approach to the management of cavitated carious lesions. The most cited barrier to the use of SDF is tooth staining associated with arresting caries.

In this study, we provide an IoT-based approach for observing and managing a hydroponic system. A multitude of sensors is built into the system to assess important factors like temperature, humidity, nutrient levels, pH, and water levels. These sensors are linked to a microcontroller or single-board computer, which gathers and sends the data to a platform that is situated in the cloud for archival and analysis. A web or mobile application allows users to remotely access the data and manage the system. The system also features automated control that modifies humidity, temperature, and nutrient levels according to sensor data and predetermined criteria. The suggested system provides an all-inclusive and effective approach for regulating and monitoring hydroponic systems, and it is easily adaptable to various hydroponic conditions and systems. We show our suggested system's utility and viability through experiments and results.

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective To evaluate current trends in maxillofacial trauma, a retrospective study of mandibular fractures at Government Dental College and Hospital Shimla H.P was carried out. Methods In this retrospective study, records of 910 patients with mandibular fractures were reviewed between 2007 and 2015 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery out of total 1656 facial fractures. These mandibular fractures were assessed according to age, sex, aetiology in addition to monthly and yearly distribution. Post-operative complications such as malocclusion, neurosensory disturbances and infection were recorded. Results It was observed that mandibular fractures were most frequent in males (67.5%) and in the age group of 21–30 years; accidental fall was the most common etiological factor (43.8%) in the present study and in stark difference to already published reports. The most common fracture site was that of condylar region 239 (26.2%). Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were done in 67.3% cases whereas 32.6% were managed by maxillomandibular fixation and circummandibular wiring. Miniplate osteosynthesis was the most favoured technique. The complication with ORIF was 16%. Conclusions To treat mandibular fractures, currently there are many techniques. However, in minimizing complications and in achieving satisfactory functional and aesthetic results experienced surgical team plays an important role.

Introduction: Effective communication is a keystone of the nurse patient relationship. Communicating with comatose patients is always challenging for healthcare professionals. In order to provide quality nursing care, we need to communicate with patients whether conscious or unconscious. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of training program on knowledge and practice of nurses working in ICUs regarding Individualized Communication Protocol with comatose patients. Methods: A quantitative pre-experimental research approach was used with one group Pre-Test- Post-Test-only Design. Total enumeration sampling technique was used to select 171 Staff Nurses from the selected ICUs. A structured questionnaire containing knowledge and skill items were used to assess knowledge and practice related to communication. Result revealed that there was significant improvement in knowledge post test score (20.09±3.21) after intervention as compared to pretest scores (13.23±2.96 with p-value of 0.0001. Data also represented significant improvement in practice posttest score (30.96±4.46) as compared to pretest score (6.75±1.57) with p-value of 0.0001. Discussion: Study revealed that teaching programme was effective in improving nurse’s knowledge and practice regarding Individualized Communication Protocol. Results strongly recommend for regular training sessions for health care professionals which help them to improve communication by enabling them to enhance their practice.

Ludwig angina is a potentially lethal acute cellulitis of the floor of the mouth and neck, including submandibular, submental and sublingual spaces and ultimately leading to airway obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck with upper thorax has been used in emergency once the airway obstruction is secured to evaluate the severity of the infection, to assess any abscess and mediastinal extension. Therefore knowledge of imaging features of Ludwig’s angina is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and initiation of early treatment. CT also plays an important role in evaluation for need of surgical intervention. However, MRI is superior to CT because of its excellent soft tissue contrast and demonstration of various fascial compartments' involvement.

Development of economical and high-performance electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of tremendous interest for future applications as sustainable energy materials. Here, a unique member of efficient OER electrocatalysts has been developed based upon structurally versatile dumbbell-shaped ternary transition-metal (Cu, Ni, Co) phosphates with a three-dimensional (3D) (Cu

Altering the morphology of electrochemically active nanostructured materials could fundamentally influence their subsequent catalytic as well as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Enhanced OER activity for mixed-metal spinel-type sulfide (CuCo2S4) nanorods is generally done by blending the material that has high conductive supports together with those having a high surface volume ratio, for example, graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4). Here, we report a noble-metal-free CuCo2S4 nanorod-based electrocatalyst appropriate for basic OER and neutral media, through a simple one-step thermal decomposition approach from its molecular precursors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-copper(II), Cu[PDTC]2, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-cobalt(II), Co[PDTC]2 complexes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns suggest that as-synthesized CuCo2S4 nanorods are highly crystalline in nature and are connected on the g-C3N4 support. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy studies affirm the successful formation of bonds that bridge (Co-N/S-C) at the interface of CuCo2S4 nanorods and g-C3N4. The kinetics of the reaction are expedited, as these bridging bonds function as an electron transport chain, empowering OER electrocatalytically under a low overpotential (242 mV) of a current density at 10 mA cm-2 under basic conditions, resulting in very high durability. Moreover, CuCo2S4/g-C3N4 composite nanorods exhibit a high catalytic activity of OER under a neutral medium at an overpotential of 406 mV and a current density of 10 mA cm-2.

E-waste is the globally mounting solid waste stream which is increasing due to domestic as well as a result of transboundary exportation. This solid waste stream is considered as an amalgam of valuable and toxic material which is concern of environmental and human health risks. To accomplish successful management of electronic equipment after post-consumer stage, numerous lucid initiatives have been offered globally. The ever-increasing quantum of e-waste has enforced environmental organizations of many developing world such as India and China to invent, and implement environmentally favorable opportunities and strategies for mitigation and control of environmental and human threat. Many developed countries have given topmost priorities for e-waste management, so setup appropriate facilities to treat maximum of the generated e-waste, but in low economic nation like India, economic conditions, infrastructure scarcity, and inappropriate legislations are some of the problematic issues which dodge complete replication of the WEEEs management system. Our study represents an evaluation and valuation, of e-waste generation and cross-border movement to the management strategies followed in highly industrialized as well as developing nations. These findings would expand into regulated and non-regulated countries to put more emphasize on e-waste management.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the differences in the internationalization process of firms from emerging economies and the impact of their international expansion related choices on the nature of technological innovations developed by these firms. Specifically, the authors compare two principal perspectives on internationalization – the incremental internationalization process (slow, gradually increasing commitments using greenfield investments to similar host countries) and the springboard perspective (aggressive, rapidly increasing commitments using mergers and acquisitions to advanced host countries).Design/methodology/approachBuilding on key differences between the incremental internationalization and springboard perspectives, the authors argue that differences in the speed and mode of entry, as well as the interaction between the mode of entry and location of internationalization, will lead to differences in the types of technologies (mature versus novel) developed by emerging economy firms. The authors examine the hypotheses using panel data from 1997 to 2013 on emerging economy multinationals (EMNEs) from the Indian bio-pharmaceutical industry.FindingsThe findings suggest that firms internationalizing at higher speeds and using cross-border M&As tend to have innovations in mature technologies. The interesting findings can be explained by the challenges faced by emerging economy firms in experiential learning and the assimilation of external knowledge. In addition, the authors find that internationalization to technologically advanced countries weakens the relationship between cross-border M&As and innovation in mature technologies, suggesting that direct learning from technologically advanced environments may help alleviate the assimilation challenges of cross-border M&As.Originality/valueThe authors advance literature on EMNE internationalization by comparing the impact of their choice of internationalization approaches (incremental internationalization or springboard approach) on their innovation performance. The authors contribute to literature on EMNEs that has focused on the determinants of internationalization by identifying the learning implications of internationalization. The authors contribute to the nascent stream of literature on the level of innovation and catching up by EMNEs by performing a fine-grained analysis of the nature of technology innovation.

Introduction: Surgery may be complex in some bone and soft tissue tumors. Preoperative intra-arterial embolization is a developing method for benign and malignant tumors. The present study was done to assess the outcome on the size of tumor and blood loss by preoperative tumor embolization and pain relief in patients with inoperable tumors. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients with biopsy-proven bony tumors of extremities were subjected to embolization. In 12 cases, embolization was done preoperatively to decrease the blood loss. In 13 patients, it was done as a palliative treatment to reduce pain, as patients were inoperable. The embolization was done with the right Judkins catheter. Some cases were done with a microcatheter. The material used for embolization was either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles, microcoils, or gel foam used in various combinations, selectively into the feeding vessel. Results: Mean age of the patients was 44.5 years. Fifteen were male and 10 were female. A total of 60 vessels were embolized, 25 with gel foam, 24 with PVA particles, and 11 with microcoils. In 90% of operated patients, gel foam was used, whereas, in almost 100% of nonoperated patients, PVA particles were used. There was a significant decrease in blood loss in patients with preoperative embolization (865 ± 420 vs. 1633 ± 660 ml). In patients with palliative embolization, the mean pain score before embolization was 6.32–2.58, which was decreased to 3. 2–1.53. Conclusion: Preoperative and palliative transarterial embolization of soft tissue and bony tumors is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive modality for pain relief and de-vascularization of large bony tumors in anatomically difficult locations.

PurposeWhile the phenomenon of R&D offshoring has become increasingly popular, scholars have mostly focused on R&D offshore outsourcing from the point of view of the client firms, who are often from an advanced country. By examining vendor firms, in this paper the authors shift the focus to the second party in the dyadic relationship of R&D offshore outsourcing. Specifically, the authors compare vendor firms with nonvendor firms from the same emerging economy and industry to look at whether vendor firms from emerging economies can improve their innovation performance by learning from their clients. The authors also look at the role of depth and breadth of existing technological capabilities of the vendor firm in its ability to improve its innovation performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on firm-level data from the Indian biopharmaceutical industry between 2005 and 2016. The authors use the Heckman two-stage model to control for self-selection by firms. The authors compare the innovation performance of vendor firms with nonvendor biopharmaceutical firms (group vs nongroup analysis) as well as innovation performance across vendor firms (within group comparison).FindingsThe authors find that, compared to nonvendor firms, R&D offshore outsourcing vendor firms from emerging economies have higher innovation performance. The authors argue that this higher innovation performance among vendor firms is due to learning from their clients. Among vendor firms, the authors find that the innovation gains are contingent upon the two factors of depth and breadth of the vendor firms' technological capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper makes three contributions: First, the authors augment the nascent stream of research on innovation from emerging economy firms. The authors introduce a new mechanism for emerging economy firms to learn and upgrade their capabilities. Second, the authors contribute to the literature on global value chains, by showing that vendor firms are able to learn from their clients and upgrade their capabilities. Third, by examining the innovation by vendor firms, the authors contribute to the R&D offshore outsourcing, which has largely focused on the client.Practical implicationsThe study findings have important implications for both clients and vendors. For client firms, the authors provide evidence that knowledge spillovers do happen, and R&D offshore outsourcing can turn vendors into potential competitors. This research helps firms from emerging economies by showing that becoming vendors for R&D offshore outsourcing is a viable option to learn from foreign firms and improve innovation performance. Going outside geographic boundaries may be a large hurdle for these resource-strapped, emerging economy firms. Providing offshore outsourcing services for narrow slices of R&D activities may be a starting point for these firms to upgrade their capabilities.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to quantitatively study the innovation performance of vendor firms from emerging economies. The authors also contribute to the nascent literature on innovation in emerging economy firms by showing that providing R&D offshore outsourcing services to client firms from advanced countries can improve firms' innovation performance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate sphenoid sinus pneumatisation and its anatomical relation with adjacent neurovascular structures in Indian population. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study, in which the pattern of sphenoid sinus pneumatization was studied on high-resolution computed tomography scans (n = 400), and association of the optic nerve, vidian canal and foramen rotundum along with related morphometric measurements were studied. Out of 400 CT scans, 60.5% were males. Majority had sellar type of pneumatization (89.5%) and single intersinus septum (68%). The most common configuration of relation of optic nerve canal was DeLano type 2 (34.75%). Vidian canal (VC) and Foramen rotundum (FR) were found dehiscent in 40.5% and 6.38% respectively. Average distance of FR from midline on right and left side was 16.3 ± 2.19 mm and 16.7 ± 2.23 mm respectively. Average distance of VC from midline on right and left side was 12.4 ± 5.84 mm and 12.4 ± 4.18 mm respectively. Average right FR to VC distance was 4.17 ± 2.16 mm and left FR to VC was 4.44 ± 2.20 mm. Anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus are well known. In the present study, we have tried to highlight the importance of knowledge of various anatomical variations in relations to sphenoid sinus as they are critical in planning of surgery. Pre-operative radiological study and correlation is inevitable to assess type and extent of sinus pneumatisation, bony dehiscence and septal terminations to avoid injury to vital structures.

The aim of this review paper is to critically analyze the existing studies on waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE), which is one of the most increasing solid waste streams. This complex solid waste stream has pushed many scientific communities to develop novel technologies with minimum ecological disturbance. Noteworthy amount of valuable metals makes e-waste to a core of "urban mining"; therefore, it warrants special attention. Present study is focused on all the basic conceptual knowledge of WEEE ranging from compositional analysis, global statistics of e-waste generation, and metallurgical processes applied for metals extraction from e-waste. This review critically analyses the existing studies to emphasize on the heterogeneity nature of e-waste, which has not been focused much in any of the existing review articles. Comprehensive analysis of conventional approaches such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy reveals that high costs and secondary pollution possibilities limit the industrial feasibilities of these processes. Therefore biohydrometallurgy, a green technology, has been attracting researchers to focus on this novel technique to implement it for metal extraction from WEEE.

Acharya Sushruta described various surgeries meticulously. During the ancient time, Acharya Sushruta per-formed various major and minor surgeries with surprisingly great accuracy and thus was able to treat dread-ful diseases. The proper knowledge of Sharira was essential to meet this high standard of accuracy. Especial-ly, during performing any surgery or Sira Vedhan one must be aware of the vital points, Marma and the Avedhya Sira present in the body. This is because even a slight trauma to these may lead to severe compli-cations such as severe pain, any deformity or even death of a person. There are 107 Marmas and 98 Avedhya Siras mentioned by Acharya Sushruta. Most of the name of Avedhya Sira are same as nomencla-ture of Marma. For example, Brihati is a name of Avedhya Sira and is also a Marma. Here an effort has been made to study the role of Marma Sthan in confirmations of Avedhya Sira with special reference to Urvi (Bahavi) Sira in upper extremity. Keywords: Avedhya Sira, Marma, Urvi Sira

The low efficiency and selectivity limitations of biohydrometallurgy technique compel the researchers to explore novel microbial strains acclimated to metal existence site with higher toxicity tolerance and bioleaching capability in order to improve the role of bioleaching process for e-waste management. The current study aimed to explore bioleaching potential of indigenous Bacillus sporothermodurans ISO1; isolated from metal habituated site. The statistical approach was utilized to optimize a variety of culture variables including temperature, pH, glycine concentration and pulp density that impact bio-cyanide production and leaching efficiency. The highest dissolution of Cu and Ag, 78% and 37% respectively, was obtained at 40 °C, pH 8, glycine concentration 5 g L−1, and pulp density 10 g L−1 through One Factor at a Time (OFAT), which was further increased up to 95% Cu and 44% Ag recovery through the interactive effect of key factors in the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach. Furthermore, Chemo-biohydrometallurgy approach was utilized to overwhelm the specificity limitation; as higher concentration of Cu in computer printed circuit boards (CPCBs) causes interference to recover other metals. The sequential leaching through ferric chloride (FeCl3), recovered Cu prior to bio-cyanidation by B. sporothermodurans ISO1 and resulted in the improved leaching of Ag (57%), Au (67%), Pt (60%), etc. The current work reports on B. sporothermodurans ISO1, a new Bacillus strain that exhibits highest toxicity tolerance (EC50 = 425 g L−1) than earlier reported stains and has higher leaching potential that can be implemented to large-scale biometallurgical process for e-waste treatment to achieve the agenda of sustainable development goal (SDG) under the strategies of urban mining.

Shredded dust originated during mechanical dismantling of waste electrical and electronic equipments (WEEEs) is enriched source of some valuable metals which might be lost as unworthy waste. Composition analysis of shredded dust printed circuit boards (PCBs) revealed the presence of 12.75 mg g(−1) copper (Cu) and 10.34 mg g(−1) silver (Ag) along with some other metals (Fe, Ni, and Au). Low concentration of precious metal, such as gold (Au i.e., 0.04 mg g(−1)) classified this shredded dust as low-grade scrap. Despite low concentration of Au this e-waste can be considered as potential “secondary ore” to recover other valuable metals like Ag. To improve the efficiency of Ag bioleaching using Pseudomonas balearica SAE1, pretreatment of e-waste was done using cost-effective ferric chloride (FeCl(3)) chemical lixiviant. The concentration of FeCl(3) lixiviant was optimized to recover Cu metal prior to bioleaching process. Bioleaching of Ag was done under optimized conditions by Pseudomonas balearica SAE1 using 100 mL Luria Broth (LB) medium, 5 g L(−1) glycine, pH 9, temperature 30 °C and 150 rpm. 95% Cu was recovered with 1% FeCl(3) prior to bioleaching. Ag solubilization was increased for treated e-waste (36%) as compared to untreated e-waste PCBs (25%). Prerecovery of Cu enhanced Ag bioleaching, as available cyanide was utilized by Ag metal. Therefore, this study provides an economical hybrid method to enhance retrieval of precious metal (Ag) by Pseudomonas balearica SAE1 with economic and ecofriendly redox lixiviant even from low-grade e-scrap. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02977-4.

Susac Syndrome (SS) is a rare unique autoimmune underdiagnosed disorder characterized by the clinical triad of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, sensorineural hearing impairment, and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO). Objectives The purpose of reporting the case is to succinctly highlight this enigmatic condition with focus on otological and audiological aspect of SS and also to augment awareness of this disease among otolaryngologists neurologists, psychiatrists and ophthalmologists. Additionally we reviewed the otological menifestations and audiological findings related to SS. Methods A case of 38 year old female is presented with bilateral SNHL as the initial symptom of SS. The review of otological and audiological findings of previous 10 year case reports was executed using the PRISMA protocol on 20 cases. Results It was seen that inspite of the ear being one of the main organs involved in the SS very few had undergone detailed audiological assessment. Our review of literature showed that only 40% cases had done audiological assessment other than PTA, out of which only 5% had undergone complete audiological workup. 30% of the patients were having auditory symptoms as presenting chief complaint. Conclusion Otolyryngologists should keep SS in differentials when a case of SNHL of unknown etiology is encountered.We emphasize the use newer noninvasive Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation diagnostic tools like Optical coherence tomography (OCT), MRI and detailed audiological tests for timely diagnosis of SS. Further multidisciplinary assessment protocols should be used to prevent the development of severe sequelae.

Altering the morphology of electrochemically active nanostructured materials could fundamentally influence their subsequent catalytic as well as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Enhanced OER activity for mixed-metal spinel-type sulfide (CuCo

To evaluate the impact of change in p-value threshold from 0.05 to 0.005, on published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) over the last ten years in the field of chronic rhinosinusitis.A search of the PubMed database from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2020 was conducted to include all RCTs that used p-value to determine the effects of an intervention. Data extracted included p-values, type of intervention, publishing journal with indexing, registration, funding, and multi- or single center status. The proportion of primary endpoints having p 0.005 was determined first, followed by those with p 0.005 but0.05. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if any trial characteristic was associated with reporting of significant p-values.In total, 168 primary endpoints were identified from 123 RCTs. On analysis, 80 had a p-value0.05, i.e., statistically significant on conventional parameter. Out of these, 53.75% had a p-value0.005, which would retain significance under the proposed threshold, and the remaining 46.25% to be reclassified as "suggestive". None of the trial characteristics were contributing to reporting of conventional or proposed p-values on logistic regression analysis.Lowering the p-value threshold would render 46.25% of a decade of published RCTs results (in the field of CRS) to be reclassified as merely "suggestive" and not significant. Trial characteristics were not found contributing to reporting of p-value0.005 or even0.05.II.

This paper presents an integrated microcavity optical fiber pressure sensor using exfoliated ultrathin graphene atomic layers as a reflective surface to form a Fabry–Perot (F-P) interferometric structure. The fabrication was based on the focused-ion-beam (FIB) micromachining and dry exfoliated graphene transfer method, where the sensor was fabricated directly on a facet of a standard SMF-28 single-mode fiber with the core diameter of $8~\mu \mathrm {m}$ and the cladding diameter of $125~\mu \text{m}$ . The air leakage from the cavity was negligibly small during the 30-min measurement time. The responsivity of pressure sensors, defined as the spectral shift of F-P fringes in response to the air pressure change, was achieved as large as 1.28 nm/mmHg at 1300-nm wavelength when using a diaphragm diameter of $20~\mu \text{m}$ . Demonstrated responsivity and compactness makes the sensor suitable for medical, environmental, and other applications. An analytical model was presented describing responsivity of an F-P pressure sensor with a thin diaphragm. It has predicted that reducing the diaphragm thickness below some critical value leads to the highest possible responsivity that no longer depends on the elastic properties or thickness of the diaphragm. This upper limit for the responsivity can be increased using the cavity shape other than a simple cylinder, while residual strength of the diaphragm results in reduced responsivity.

In the present study, the momentum and heat transfer aspects from an isothermally rotating cylinder immersed in a power-law fluid, confined symmetrically and asymmetrically between two parallel walls are considered. The governing equations are solved numerically for the rotational Reynolds number ( 10 − 3 ≤ R e ≤ 40 ) , Prandtl number ( 1 ≤ P r ≤ 100 ) , power-law index ( 0.02 ≤ n ≤ 1 ) , blockage ratio ( 10 − 3 ≤ β ≤ 0.9999 ) and asymmetry ratio ( 10 − 4 ≤ γ ≤ 1 ) to elucidate the role of these parameters on the momentum and heat transfer characteristics. The results reported herein pertain to the two dimensional, steady, incompressible power-law fluid in the laminar flow region. The numerical strategy and method used here are validated by comparing the present results with some of the available experimental and numerical studies, showing good agreements. As far as can be ascertained, it is the first systematic numerical study of a rotating cylinder immersed in power-law fluids elucidating the complex interplay between the rheological and kinematic parameters. The flow field is visualized by plotting the streamlines and, hydrodynamic forces and torque acting on the rotating cylinder are computed. The numerical results are supplemented by a lubrication approximation analysis relevant to highly confined cases, i.e., large values of β. In this case, when confinement increases, the asymptotic scaling of the torque is given by e − 1 / 2 where e denotes the non-dimensional gap between the cylinder surface and the nearest wall. The heat transfer characteristics are presented in terms of the isotherm contours, and the local and average Nusselt numbers as functions of the aforementioned governing parameters. The rate of heat transfer exhibits a positive dependence on the Reynolds number, Prandtl number, confinement and the degree of asymmetry while the shear-thinning behavior decreases the rate of heat transfer above the corresponding value in Newtonian fluids. Finally, the present results are consolidated by fitting them in the form of a predictive correlation for the average Nusselt number for different blockage ratios studied herein.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine backsourcing, which refers to the full or partial re-internalization of a firm’s previously outsourced activity. Researchers have primarily focused on the drivers of backsourcing, but this paper builds on that prior research to develop a typology of backsourcing. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on transaction cost economics and the resource-based view (RBV), the paper posits that firms backsource because of two factors – changes in their short-run total costs and changes in their internal capabilities for re-internalization. By using the interactions between these two factors, the authors propose four types of backsourcing. Findings The paper presents a typology for backsourcing: profitability-backsourcing, operational-backsourcing, strategic-backsourcing and failure-backsourcing. Only one (failure-backsourcing) of these four types of backsourcing suggests failure, while the other three indicate strategic flexibility. The authors also present mini-cases to support the typology. Research limitations/implications The paper presents a conceptual model of backsourcing. This is a limitations of the study and further research is needed to empirically test the proposed model. Practical implications From a managerial perspective, this framework can be used as a decision-making tool for firms that are considering backsourcing. Given the complexity involved and the perceived stigma, decision-makers may find it difficult to backsource. Thus, a framework to avoid biases leading to decision-making errors, as well as to understand if backsourcing is a viable option, is needed. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to present a typology of backsourcing which can be used to understand when it is a failure of the outsourcing strategy and when it is a signal of strategic flexibility. This paper contributes to the growing stream of research on backsourcing by moving the literature beyond determinants and bringing attention to the outcomes of backsourcing. Additionally, the proposed framework can be used as a tool by decision-makers to examine whether backsourcing is favorable for their firm based on costs and capabilities for re-internalization.

In this study, a rotating cylinder is placed in a stream of shear-thinning fluids, flowing with a uniform velocity. Detailed investigations are performed for the following range of conditions: Reynolds number 100≤Re≤500, power-law index 0.2≤n≤1 and rotational velocity 0≤α≤5. Flow transitions are observed from steady to unsteady at critical values of the Reynolds number, the rotational velocity, and the power-law index. Critical values of the Reynolds number Rec have been obtained for varying levels of the rotational velocity, and the power-law index. Rec varies nonmonotonically with the rotational velocity. At a particular Reynolds number, an increase of the rotational velocity acts as a vortex suppression technique. For shear-thinning fluids considered here, the vortex suppression occurs at a larger value of the critical rotational velocity αc, relative to Newtonian fluids. For the unsteady flow, the lift coefficient versus time curve exhibits oscillatory behavior, and this has been used to delineate the flow regime as steady or unsteady flow. For unsteady flow regimes, both the amplitude of the lift coefficient and the Strouhal number increase with increasing Reynolds numbers. The results presented in this work for such high Reynolds numbers elucidate the possible complex interplay between the kinematic and rheological parameters of non-Newtonian fluids. This investigation also complements the currently available low Reynolds number results up to ∼ Re=140.

Titanium -dioxide (TiO2) has garnered immense interest as a potential photon absorber after the discovery of its photocatalytic properties. However, its absorption is limited to the ultraviolet region of the solar spectrum. Despite numerous efforts being made, the challenge to extend its absorption capability to the entire visible and near infrared region (vis-NIR) still exists, which together constitute about 90 % of the solar spectrum. In this dissertation, a multiphase nano TiOx network, rich in defects and oxygen vacancies, has been presented which can absorb photons over a broader range of the solar spectrum. Experimental studies were initially conducted to phase functionalise titanium towards enhanced photon absorption via a single step, ultrashort laser pulse material interaction process. This phase functionalised titanium, characterised to be uniquely composed of multiple oxide phases of titanium, can effectively absorb photons in the vis-NIR region. Using the above study as a template, a complex three-dimensional self-assembled nano network composed of similar multiphase titanium oxides, was then synthesised. Free of any external dopants, it exhibits a remarkable absorption of photons ranging from 300-1000 nm. To further improve the absorptive properties of this ‘multiphase nano TiOx network’, particularly in the lower visible range, the phenomenon of Surface Plasmon Resonance was utilised via its hybridisation with gold and gold/palladium alloy. This successfully resulted in further optimisation of its absorption. The final study of the multiphase nano TiOx was done to understand the fundamental physics behind its broadened photon absorptive behaviour. The condition of synthesis was varied by introducing various contrasting plasma environments. Pronounced disorders and oxygen defects of varying degrees within the crystalline structure were observed. The enhanced and broadened absorption spectrum achieved was attributed to such defects and disorders. The research done in this thesis demonstrates a unique nanomaterial based on multiple oxides phases of titanium that is capable of absorbing photons both in the visible and NIR regions. The contribution made towards the synthesis, investigation and subsequent manipulation of the self-assembled multiphase nano TiOx network can thus be exploited in various photon harvesting applications like photovoltaics and photo catalysis, where such a broadband photon absorption is desirable.

The outburst of COVID-19 has affected the whole world. COVID-19 is the seventh member of the coronavirus family. There is no vaccine for the diseases, and due to this, the whole world has taken the step of social distancing that leads to lockdown. Due to the implementation of lockdown, normal working of all organizations converted to work from home. During such situation, organizations are opting to provide smooth working for the operations of business. Before the pandemic situation, each organization was concentrating on maximizing profit. But today they are opting the practices such as cloud computing, business intelligence, neural network, IoT, and many more so that business work can be done. During this pandemic situation, cloud business intelligence plays an important role for the smooth working of business. The contribution of this chapter is to show how cloud business intelligence is used to fulfill the need of the business ecosystem.