• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.5-9
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• 2014

Purpose - This paper aims to critically examine capital market developments in India before and after liberalization. Research design, data, and methodology - The paper examines the Indian capital market from its inception to the latest developments related to both primary and secondary markets, and also discusses recent initiatives of capital markets to enhance the expected level of services to the investor community. It also sheds light on the regulatory framework for investor protection. Results - The study further highlights the future roadmap for the radical development of the Indian capital market. The paper identifies the various initial obstacles and intricacies that affect the smooth functioning of the Indian capital markets. Hence, the paper articulates that these concerns should be addressed by the regulatory authorities and at the policy level at the earliest for further strengthening the capital markets in the interests of the economy in general and retail investors in particular. Conclusion - This is a topic of utmost contemporary importance to worldwide national economies, and calls for novel methods and techniques in dealing effectively with the menace facing capital markets.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.101-126
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• 2016

Seismic structural fragility constitutes an important step for performance based seismic design. Lateral load-resisting structural members are often analyzed under one component base excitation, while the effect of bi-directional shaking is accounted per simplified rules. Fragility curves are constructed herein under real bi-directional excitation by a simple extension of the conventional Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) under uni-directional shaking. Simple SODF systems, parametrically adjusted to different periods, are examined under a set of near-fault and far-fault excitations. Consideration of bi-directional interaction appears important for stiff systems. Further, the study indicates that the peak ground accelertaion, velocity and displacement (PGA, PGV and PGD) of accelerogram are relatively stable and efficient intensity measures for short, medium and long period systems respectively. '30%' combination rule seems to reasonably predict the fragility under bi-directional shaking at least for first mode dominated systems dealt herein up to a limit state of damage control.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 2018

In this paper, a multi-objective multiparameter optimization procedure is developed by combining rigorously developed metamodels with an evolutionary search algorithm-Genetic Algorithm (GA). Response surface methodology (RSM) is used for developing the metamodels to replace the tedious finite element analyses. A nine-node isoparametric plate bending element is used for conducting the finite element simulations. Highly accurate numerical data from an author compiled FORTRAN finite element program is first used by the RSM to develop second-order mathematical relations. Four material parameters-${\frac{E_1}{E_2}}$, ${\frac{G_{12}}{E_2}}$, ${\frac{G_{23}}{E_2}}$ and ${\upsilon}_{12}$ are considered as the independent variables while simultaneously maximizing fundamental frequency, ${\lambda}_1$ and frequency separation between the $1^{st}$ two natural modes, ${\lambda}_{21}$. The optimal material combination for maximizing ${\lambda}_1$ and ${\lambda}_{21}$ is predicted by using a multi-objective GA. A general sensitivity analysis is conducted to understand the effect of each parameter on the desired response parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.611-620
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• 2017

A new theory of weightless sagging planer elasto-flexible cables under point loads is developed earlier by the authors and used for predicting the nonlinear dynamic response of cable-suspended linear elastic beams. However, this theory is not valid for nonlinear elastic cracked concrete beams possessing different positive and negative flexural rigidity. In the present paper, the flexural response of simply supported cracked concrete beams suspended from cables by two hangers is presented. Following a procedure established earlier, rate-type constitutive equations and third order nonlinear differential equations of motion for the structures undergoing small elastic displacements are derived. Upon general quasi-static loading, negative nodal forces, moments and support reactions may be introduced in the cable-suspended concrete beams and linear modal frequencies may abruptly change. Subharmonic resonances are predicted under harmonic loading. Uncoupling of the nodal response is proposed as a more general criterion of crossover phenomenon. Significance of the bilinearity ratio of the concrete beam and elasto-configurational displacements of the cable for the structural response is brought out. The relevance of the proposed theory for the analysis and the design of the cable-suspended bridges is critically evaluated.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.553-565
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• 2017

Structural modeling of unencapsulated ionic polymer metal composite (u-IPMC) actuators that are used for flapping the insect scale-flapping wing of micro air vehicles (FMAV) in dry environmental conditions is carried out. Structural modeling for optimization of design parameters for retention of water, maximize actuation performance and to study the influence of water activity on the actuation characteristics of u-IPMC is explored for use in FMAV. The influence of equivalent weight of Nafion polymer, cations, concentration of cations, pre-treatment procedures on retention of water of u-IPMCs and on actuation parameters, flapping angle, flexural stiffness and actuation displacement are investigated. IPMC designed with Nafion having equivalent weight 900-1100, pre-heated at $30^{\circ}C$ and with sodium as the cations is promising for optimum retention of water and actuation performance. The actuation parameters while in operation in dry and humid environment with varying water activity can be tuned to desirable frequency, deflection, flap angle and flexural stiffness by changing the water activity and operational temperature of the environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.853-857
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• 2013

Objectives: Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Breast screening in normal and/or asymptomatic women is essential to reduce the burden of breast malignancies. Our study aimed to identify possible risk- and/or co-factors associated with breast screening in North Indian women. Methods: A public health research survey was conducted among 100 women of North Indian ethnicity during clinic visits in a 6-month timeline (April-October 2012). Demographic and clinical data, including mammography screening, were recorded in the questionnaire-based proforma after conducting a 10 minute interview. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants. Results: The mean age of the participants was $32.2{\pm}9.9$ years. Out of 100 women, 6% had family history of breast disease. Breast-related complaints/malignancy, including galactorrhoea, mastitis, axillary lump, fibrocystic disease, fibroadenosis and adenocarcinoma were observed in 41% participants; age stratification revealed that 82.9% of this group (n=41) were <30 years, while 9.7% and 7.3% were >30 years and 30 years of age, respectively. 32% participants underwent mammography screening and 8% had breast ultrasound imaging. Age stratification in the mammography screening group demonstrated that 24 women were <40 years, while 7 women were >40 years. Conclusions: Our pilot study identified possible co-factors affecting breast screening in North Indian women. These findings may be beneficial in early detection of breast abnormalities, including malignancies in women susceptible to breast cancer, and thus aid in future design of cost-effective screening strategies to reduce the increasing burden of breast carcinoma in women worldwide.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to explore students'perceptions of different quality aspects in Indian higher education, viz. tangible facilities, competence, attitudes, content, delivery, and reliability. Research design, data, and methodology - Following a comprehensive literature review, the researchers used a well-structured questionnaire and in-depth personal interviews with 500 students. The selected sample was chosen from graduate and postgraduate programs in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, using convenience sampling; data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and frequency distribution. Hypotheses were based on the literature and empirical studies. Result - 50.28 and 49.88 percent of students were positive towards tangible facilities and competence, respectively. Further, 48.92 percent and 48.97 percent were negative towards faculty attitudes and course content, respectively. Finally, 48.72 percent reacted positively on the overall quality, while 51.28 were discontented. Conclusion - This study provides reliable and conclusive information to all stakeholders, facilitating systemic improvements. It reveals students'perceptions of different quality aspects of the higher education system, and is the first study of its kind in this part of the world.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-78
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• 2023

Ontological knowledge modelling of epic texts, though being an established research arena backed by concrete multilingual and multicultural works, still suffers from two key shortcomings. Firstly, all epic ontological models developed till date have been designed following ad-hoc methodologies, most often combining existing general purpose ontology development methodologies. Secondly, none of the ad-hoc methodologies consider the potential reuse of existing epic ontological models for enrichment, if available. This paper presents, as a unified solution to the above shortcomings, the design and development of GOMME - the first dedicated methodology for iterative ontological modelling of epics, potentially extensible to works in different research arenas of digital humanities in general. GOMME is grounded in transdisciplinary foundations of canonical norms for epics, knowledge modelling best practices, application satisfiability norms, and cognitive generative questions. It is also the first methodology (in epic modelling but also in general) to be flexible enough to integrate, in practice, the options of knowledge modelling via reuse or from scratch. The feasibility of GOMME is validated via a first brief implementation of ontological modelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata by reusing an existing ontology. The preliminary results are promising, with the GOMME-produced model being both ontologically thorough and competent performance-wise.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.105-120
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• 2023

The present study is performed to find the effect of corner recession on a square plan-shaped tall building. A series of numerical simulations have been carried out to find the two orthogonal wind force coefficients on various model configurations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Numerical analyses are performed by using ANSYS-CFX (k-ℇ turbulence model) considering the length scale of 1:300. The study is performed for 0° to 360° wind angle of attack. The CFD data thus generated is utilised to fit parametric equations to predict alongwind and crosswind force coefficients, C_fx and C_fy. The precision of the parametric equations is validated by employing a wind tunnel study for the 40% corner recession model, and an excellent match is observed. Upon satisfactory validation, the parametric equations are further used to carry out multiobjective optimization considering two orthogonal force coefficients. Pareto optimal design results are presented to propose suitable percentages of corner recession for the study building. The optimization is based on reducing the alongwind and crosswind forces simultaneously to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the building.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2023

This article investigates the energy harvesting characteristics of a magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) cantilever beam reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) under transverse vibration. To this end, the well-known lumped parameter model is used to represent the coupled multiphysics problem mathematically. The proposed system consists of the MEE-CNT layer on top and an inactive substrate layer at the bottom. The substrate is considered to be made of either an isotropic or composite material. Basic laws such as Gauss's Law, Newton's Law and Faraday's Law are used to arrive at the governing equations. Surface electrodes across the beam are used to harvest the electric potential produced, together with a wound coil, for the generated magnetic potential. The influence of various distributions of the CNT and its volume fraction, substrate material, length-to-thickness ratio, and thickness ratio of substrate to MEE layer on the energy harvesting behaviour is thoroughly discussed. Further, the effect of external resistances and changes in substrate material on the response is analysed and reported. The article aims to explore smart material-based energy harvesting systems, focusing on their behaviour when reinforced with carbon nanotubes. The results of this study may lead to an improved understanding of the design and analysis of CNT-based smart structures.