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Peer and self-assessment open opportunities to scale assessments in online classrooms. This article reports our experiences of using AsPeer- peer assessment system, with two iterations of a university online class. We observed that peer grades highly correlated with staff assigned grades. It was recorded that, the peer grade of all student submissions within the range of instructor grade averaged to 21.0% and that within the next 2 ranges was 49.0%. We performed three experiments to improve accuracy of peer grading. First, we observed grading bias and introduced a data driven feedback mechanism to inform peers of it. Students aided by feedback were mindful and performed grading with better accuracy. Second, we observed that the rubric lacked efficiency in translating intent to students. Simplified guiding questions improved accuracy in assessment by 89% of students. Third, we encouraged peers to provide personalized qualitative feedback along with rating. We provided them with feedback snippets that addressed common issues. 64% of students responded that the snippets helped them to critically look at submissions before rating.

In the 21st century learning landscape, arguably few features of teaching and learning are void of technology. Palpably, the pandemic has also revamped our teaching and learning approaches by imposing the use of technology in the remote format. The design and delivery of assessments are no exception, as necessity is the mother of all inventions. Nonetheless, the significance of devising fitting online assessments is not only fundamental to achieving course outcomes but also focal to developing 21st century real world skills. One such assessment that was borne out of necessity is the Virtual Cultural Exhibition (VCE). Within this backdrop, the study explores the experiences of students who were tasked to plan, propose, design, and stage the VCE as part of an alternative assessment initiative. The main purpose of this study was to obtain feedback on the VCE introduced in the Introduction to World Cultures course and improve assessment practices. Specifically, this study was designed to examine how the learners perceived the alternative assessment in helping them (VCE) (a) develop social responsibility and respect for global cultural identities in line with the course learning objectives, (b) develop 21st Century skills and (c) identify the challenges and issues faced by them. To accomplish these objectives, a total of 100 students from five different groups were selected. Different data collection methods (student survey and semi-structured interviews) were used, and the data were analyzed using mixed method approaches. The findings reveal that although the VCE is a promising approach to develop learners’ cultural literacy and promote creativity and collaboration, there are challenges in terms of the distribution of workload among learners. Adjustments were made to the VCE specifically in terms of task specifications in response to the learners’ feedback. This study provides a foundation for improving the design and implementation of online assessments in intercultural communication courses to promote real world skills.

It is known that the recovery period after laparoscopic surgery is quicker than open surgery. Therefore, it is important to know the variations of the renal calyceal pattern prior to the laparoscopic surgery during renal surgeries. We analyzed the calyceal system in kidney donors using 64-Slice Computed Tomography Angiography. A total 99 healthy kidney donors were included to study the pattern of pelvicalyceal pattern and to classify further into bi-calyceal, tri-calyceal and multi-calyceal. This study found that bi-calyceal pattern is the most common pattern and further this pattern was more in right side in males and left side in females. The numbers of minor calyces were significantly more in right multi-calyceal pattern than left multi-calyceal, tri-calyceal and bi-calyceal patterns. The association of occurrence in these patterns was significant in males with strong association and insignificant in females. A detailed description of intrarenal arterial patternand its relationship with calyceal pattern could give great significance in renal transplantation and also for other urological procedures.

We introduce a new family of distributions namely inverse truncated discrete Linnik G family of distributions. This family is a generalization of inverse Marshall-Olkin family of distributions, inverse family of distributions generated through truncated negative binomial distribution and inverse family of distributions generated through truncated discrete Mittag-Leffler distribution. A particular member of the family, inverse truncated negative binomial Weibull distribution is studied in detail. The shape properties of the probability density function and hazard rate, model identifiability, moments, median, mean deviation, entropy, distribution of order statistics, stochastic ordering property, mean residual life function and stress-strength properties of the new generalized inverse Weibull distribution are studied. The unknown parameters of the distribution are estimated using maximum likelihood method, product spacing method and least square method. The existence and uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimates are proved. Simulation is carried out to illustrate the performance of maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters. An AR(1) minification model with this distribution as marginal is developed. The inverse truncated negative binomial Weibull distribution is fitted to a real data set and it is shown that the distribution is more appropriate for modeling in comparison with some other competitive models.

Successful offshoring engagements of Indian software vendors is increasingly dependent upon the quality of the projects delivered rather than cost considerations. However, delivering quality software is reliant on effective management of various organizational, technological and people aspects. This research is to identify and evaluate the determinants of quality on software projects delivered by vendors through offshoring. Data related to recently completed projects were collected through a survey of 440 project managers from Indian vendors. Based on structural equation modeling, the authors analyze the influence determinants on specific product quality attributes. It is found that, out of six determinants, technical infrastructure and process maturity have significant influence on most of the attributes of quality in offshored IS projects from India. The authors provide a set of implications for practice and directions for further research.

Successful offshoring engagements of Indian software vendors is increasingly dependent upon the quality of the projects delivered rather than cost considerations. However, delivering quality software is reliant on effective management of various organizational, technological and people aspects. This research is to identify and evaluate the determinants of quality on software projects delivered by vendors through offshoring. Data related to recently completed projects were collected through a survey of 440 project managers from Indian vendors. Based on structural equation modeling, the authors analyze the influence determinants on specific product quality attributes. It is found that, out of six determinants, technical infrastructure and process maturity have significant influence on most of the attributes of quality in offshored IS projects from India. The authors provide a set of implications for practice and directions for further research.

We introduce a new family of distributions using intervened power series distribution. It is a rich family containing distributions such as Marshall–Olkin extended families of distributions, famili...

The coeliac trunk provides arterial supply primarily to derivatives of foregut such as the stomach, spleen, the liver, gall bladder, abdominal esophagus, pancreas and duodenum. Vascular anatomy of the pancreas is very important for the surgeons to do ligation and to arrest profuse bleeding in case of any surgery involving pancreas. So the knowledge about vessels supplying pancreas and its variations is very important. Here was an unusual rare tetrafurcation of coeliac trunk. Apart from the usual three branches namely left gastric, splenic and common hepatic artery, one more branch called dorsal pancreatic artery arises directly from the coeliac trunk to supply most of the pancreas.

The objective of this study is to compare the morphometric features of, acromion process of humans with that of other vertebrates, and find its association with impingement syndrome. This study also aims to prevent the incidence of impingement syndrome by using various prevention techniques. For the comparative study, human scapulae were morphometrically measured and compared with the scapulae of other vertebrates. The influence of physical activities over modification of growth of acromion into various types was studied among the swimmers' population with radiographic evidence. The acromion process of 90 scapulae collected from the Anatomy Department of Saveetha Medical College and the scapula of other vertebrates like- canine, bovine, equine and apes collected from the Anatomy Department of Madras Veterinary College were studied and measured. The mean breadth of the right side and left side curved acromion is 24.26mm and 23.84mm, respectively. And for the right side and left side flat acromion it is 25.26mm and 25.36mm respectively. For canine, it is 14.87mm and 14.34mm, respectively. For bovine it is 20.33mm and 19.94mm respectively. It is concluded that apes do not have impingement syndrome due to the cranially oriented spinous and acromion process. This study also gives evidence that physical activities influence the growth of acromion into its various types, which is one of the important factors causing impingement syndrome.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the empirical relationship between gray directors (non-executive non-independent directors) and executive compensation among companies listed in India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE). The paper also examines the possible interplay of relationships between controlling shareholder duality (controlling shareholder being the CEO), ownership category and executive compensation.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 438 firms listed in the NSE of India was studied using data spanning five financial years, 2012–2013 to 2016–2017.FindingsEmpirical evidence suggests that there is a positive association between the proportion of gray directors on the board and executive compensation. The sensitivity of executive compensation to gray directors is found to be higher among family controlled firms. This research has also found that CEOs who belong to controlling shareholder groups received higher pay than professional CEOs. The authors conjecture that these results suggest cronyism and may contribute to lower levels of corporate governance practices in the country.Research limitations/implicationsThe hybrid board structure, which India has adopted with the desire to bring the best of Anglo Saxon and Japanese board philosophies, has paradoxically led to self-serving boards. Exploration of alternative thinking to bring about changes in the regulatory framework is, therefore, necessary.Originality/valueSerious problems are identified with the philosophy behind board composition mandated by Listing Requirements for Indian firms with empirical evidence showing how the existing rules generate cronyism and unfairness to minority shareholders.

Migraine, a major public health problem, occurring due to the consequences of serial changes in the nerve ganglion leading to an imbalance in the excitation and inhibition. The is the major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, causing to the sensory neurons leading to sensitization and . The present study was done to determine the effects of on the Nr2B of NMDA receptors after inducing a migraine. The rats were treated with after inducing migraine with nitroglycerin 10mg/kg. The nitroglycerin treated rats showed intense staining for NR2B , and there was a decrease in the expression after treatment. This study concludes that the NR2B are during migraine and can be used to control those by its property.

This study was done to show the changes in the liver following diclofenac treatment and to study the hepatoprotective effects of Vitamin E and A in diclofenac treated rats. Rats were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group-1: Control rats (n= 6), Group-2: Rats (n= 6) treated with diclofenac at dose of 50 mg/kg IM for 7 days, Group-3: Rats (n= 6) treated with Vitamin A at dose of 400 IU/kg orally followed by diclofenac at 50 mg/kg IM 2 h later for 7 days, and Group 4: Rats (n= 6) treated with Vitamin E at dose of 200 IU/kg orally followed by diclofenac at 50 mg/kg IM 2 h later for 7 days. Later it was analysed with standard biomarkers, and it was histologically interpreted. The results showed that there was an rapid increase in the levels of liver function test in diclofenac treated group, which was significantly decreased after pre-treatment with vitamin E than vitamin A. The liver acinus showed centriacinar necrosis of hepatocytes after 7 days of diclofenac treatment, which was prevented by administration of Vitamin E and A. Drug-induced liver injury possesses a major clinical problem and has become a leading cause of acute liver failure and transplantation. Overstressed liver compromises its detoxification role which may expose it to a variety of diseases and disorders. Diclofenac sodium is a phenylacetic acid derivative, a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, dental pain and spondyloarthritis. Although the exact mechanism by which diclofenac injuries in liver is not understood, some studies explain the toxicity by affecting cytochrome P 450 leading to the production of active metabolites. Hepatoprotective effects of Vitamin E were better compared to Vitamin A following treatment with NSAIDS. Hence, it may be necessary to administer Vitamin E in patients treated with diclofenac.

Drug induced liver injury possesses a major clinical problem and has become leading cause of acute liver failure and transplantation. Overstressed liver compromises its detoxification role which may expose it to a variety of diseases and disorders. The present study was to determine whether pre- administration of various doses of vitamin E would have protective effect against diclofenac induced hepatotoxicity in wistar male rats. Twenty-four albino male rats weighing 180-200g were divided equally into four groups. In control group rats were administrated with physiological saline 2ml/kg b.wt /intramuscularly. Another group with 50mg/kg b.wt/ intramuscularly/seven days diclofenac was used for inducing toxicity. In experimental groups rats were administrated with different doses of vitamin E along with diclofenac sodium [200 and 400 IU orally and 50mg/kg b.wt/ intramuscularly/seven days]. Showed that there was a rapid increase in the levels of liver function test in diclofenac treated group, which was significantly decreased after pre-treatment with high dose than low dose of vitamin E. The liver acinus showed Centro acinar necrosis of hepatocytes after 7 days of diclofenac treatment, which was prevented by administration of Vitamin E. Drug-induced liver injury possesses a major clinical problem and has become a leading cause of acute liver failure and transplantation. Overstressed liver compromises its detoxification role which may expose it to a variety of diseases and disorders. Diclofenac sodium is a phenylacetic acid derivative, a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, dental pain, spondyloarthritis, acute migraine, gout attacks and pain management in gall and renal stones. Although the exact mechanism by with diclofenac injuries liver is not understood, some studies explain the toxicity by affecting cytochrome P 450 leading to the production of active metabolites. Administration of different dose of diclofenac sodium induces severe adverse effects in liver and kidney.

Migraine is characterized by headache due to imbalance between excitation and inhibition of neurons disabling normal day to day activities. The excitations of neurons are done by excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate which plays the key role in creating any pathology related to neurons. This study was done to identify GluR1 a subunit of AMPA glutamate receptor in the cells of trigeminal ganglion after inducing migraine and compare it with control rats. The GluR1 subunits were localized in the cytoplasm of neurons, and these subunits were up-regulated following a migraine. The GluR1 was also localized in satellite glial cells and nerve fibers, indicating these subunits expressed in neurons and migrate during nociceptive sensitization. This GluR1 expression in the cells of trigeminal ganglion may be crucial in nociceptive sensitization leading to migraine and other painful conditions like trigeminal neuralgia.

To identify the sex determination of an unknown person from the skeleton remains the first and primary important step come across by the anatomical, forensic and archaeological experts. Many researchers have considered various parameters for sex determination using hip bone. The current study was carried out to identify the sex of hip bone using various dimensions of the greater sciatic notch. Adult hip bones of a known person were studied and evaluated. The hip bones were assessed using various parameters. The posterior segment, posterior angle and index II of a hip bone were found to be more helpful in sex determination.

Résumé Facilitant le partage des connaissances latentes des consommateurs, les communautés autonomes de consommateurs en ligne constituent des communautés de pratique de consommation. S’inspirant des études sur la gestion des connaissances, cet article étudie les dynamiques d’activation et d’accumulation des connaissances des consommateurs au sein des communautés en ligne dans le cadre naturel d’un forum en ligne. Cette étude netnographique identifie différents modèles d’activation des connaissances, en donnant un aperçu du type de connaissances des consommateurs qui émerge au sein des communautés en ligne autonomes. Différentes caractéristiques des communautés en ligne, et notamment la présence éventuelle de connaissances rares, la diversité des points de vue ou la valeur ajoutée d’opinions similaires, sont exploitées afin de produire différents types de connaissances collectives. Cette étude contribue à la littérature sur les communautés en ligne en décomposant les dynamiques de partage et d’accumulation des connaissances dans les communautés autonomes, qui agissent comme des communautés de pratique de consommation et participent au renforcement du pouvoir des consommateurs en développant des connaissances collectives à partir d’activations individuelles. Elle contribue à la littérature consacrée aux connaissances des consommateurs en caractérisant l’activation et l’accumulation des connaissances, tant au niveau individuel que collectif.

Radiolysis products were identified in gamma irradiated PUREX solvent under simulated conditions encountered during reprocessing of fast reactor spent nuclear fuel. The irradiated solvent after alkali wash was fractionally distilled for the ease of their analysis. Spectroscopic analysis of various fractions using techniques like Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) revealed formation of various classes of compounds which result from fragmentation as well as recombination. 4-Decanol, 4-dodecanol, and oxalic acid were identified as the diluent degradation products. Metal retention behavior suggested the diluent recovered through distillation can be reused as neat diluent.

A fast, precise and simple spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of uranium in LiCl–KCl salt matrix using phosphoric acid as a complexing agent. The 421 nm absorbance peak of uranium was found to be spectral interference free and area of this peak was used for the quantitative analysis. Linearity over 100–7000 ppm with a detection limit of 25 ppm of uranium in 10% LiCl–KCl matrix was obtained by this method. The present method was successfully applied for the quantitative estimation of uranium in synthetic salt mixtures and the results were found to be more accurate than the values measured by ICP-OES.

International audience; Enabling the sharing of dormant consumer knowledge, autonomous online consumer communities constitute communities of consumption practice. Drawing from the knowledge management literature, this article investigates consumer knowledge activation and accumulation dynamics in online communities within the naturalistic setting of an online forum. The netnographic study identifies different patterns of knowledge activation, giving insights into the kind of consumer knowledge that emerges in autonomous online communities. Different characteristics of online communities such as potential presence of rare knowledge, breadth of views or additive value of similar views are leveraged, to produce different types of collective knowledge. The study contributes to the online communities literature by deconstructing the dynamics of knowledge sharing and accumulation in autonomous communities; these function as communities of consumption practice and contribute to consumer empowerment through building collective knowledge from individual activations. It contributes to the consumer knowledge literature a two-level, individual and collective, characterisation of knowledge activation and accumulation.

For the first time in voltage control of magnetic anisotropy magnetic random-access memory (VCMA-MRAM), a large coefficient of >= 100 fJ/Vm has been demonstrated in fully integrated, BEOL compatible, magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ). This was achieved while maintaining a high TMR (180%) and thermal stability factor (Delta>40). VCMA-induced switching is also explored, showing the benefits for low power and ultrafast memory applications. This was enabled thanks to the development of a VCMA-MRAM specific free-layer (FL) which incorporates the insertion of transition metals at the CoFeB vertical bar MgO interface. The design of this FL was driven by atomistic simulations using an imec developed, non-perfect epitaxial stack model.

Glutamate is a major mediator of excitatory signals in the nervous system and is involved in many physiologic and pathologic processes. The understanding of glutamatergic transmission in the nervous system has been greatly expanded and the family of ionotropic and metatropic glutamate receptors. The glutamate receptors are localized at nerve terminals postsynaptic sites and glial cells and thus, they can influence and modulate the action of glutamate at different levels in the synapse. Moreover, there is substantial evidence of glial participation in glutamate nociceptive processes and neuropathic pain. Present study explains the glutamate transporters are responsible for the level of glutamate in the synaptic cleft is principally dependent on neuronal glutamate transporters in rat model.

We introduce a new family of distributions using truncated discrete Linnik distribution. This family is a rich family of distributions which includes many important families of distributions such a...

Distillery wastewater is treated widely by anaerobic digestion. The anaerobically digested distillery wastewater (ADDW) still poses high concentration of pollutants which requires further treatment. In this study, the possibilities of the effect of Spirulina sp. biomass (ranging from 1 to 5 g/L) value on the treatment of ADDW was carried out under xenon lamp illumination of 10,000 ± 200 lx with the photo period of 16:8. The reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) up to 15–23%, total carbon (TC) up to 18–31%, total inorganic carbon (TIC) up to 31–51% and total organic carbon (TOC) up to 1–8% were observed for the algae concentration ranging from 1 to 5 g/L over a period of 5 days. Ion chromatography analysis was carried out to analyze the concentration of inorganic compounds in the wastewater before and after the treatment. The reduction of carbonate up to 32–56%, ammonium 48–72%, phosphate 18–100%, chloride 1–8%, potassium 2–7%, magnesium 10–23% and sodium 1–9% were observed in the wastewater after treating with algal biomass ranging from 1 to 5 g/L. It was inferred from the analysis that the Spirulina sp. utilized the inorganic compounds from the wastewater as its nutrients and thus resulted in the substantial removal of pollutants from the wastewater. However, it requires further assessment for the sustainability of the algae on the wastewater. The calorific value of dry algae biomass was found as 12 MJ/kg which might be utilized for the production of biofuel.

The conformational analysis of long chain phosphates poses a serious challenge due to the presence of rotationally flexible multiple alkyl groups. Tri- sec-butyl phosphate (TsBP) is an interesting example, in which branching can be expected to influence the conformational landscape. To solve the conformational problem of TsBP systematically, the conformations of model dimethyl- sec-butyl phosphate (DMsBP), a molecule possessing a single secondary butyl strand, were analyzed. On the basis of the analysis of the energy profile of DMsBP, a few conformational bunches were eliminated. The presence of branched methyl group appears to completely influence the conformational space of TsBP and as a result, the number of conformations is drastically reduced in comparison to its structural isomer, tri- n-butyl phosphate (TBP). B3LYP level of theory in association with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set was used for computing all the conformer geometries. Experimentally, the conformations of TsBP were studied using infrared spectroscopy by trapping the molecule in N

Graphene Oxide-Cesium (GO-Cs) composites, in the form of dispersions as well as solid state thin films, were prepared by introducing different concentrations of Cs into aqueous GO dispersions or subphase. Interaction mechanism of Cs with various functional groups of GO and the extent of Cs uptake on GO sheets under different ambient conditions were investigated using FT-IR, Raman, PL and XPS techniques. Cs was noticed to exhibit preferential interaction with hydroxyl groups of GO and furthermore, incorporation of Cs causes significant change in relative ratios of functional groups, inferring a major structural reorganization in the composite sheets. FT-IR and PL studies showed that aged GO samples can accommodate relatively larger quantities of Cs compared to fresh GO sheets, owing to largely available –COOH and free/associated hydroxyl groups in aged GO sheets. Intercalation studies on GO multilayers indicated that extent of Cs uptake on GO layers increases with duration of intercalation as well as quantity of GO available for interaction. Membrane filters of GO were prepared by controlled coating of GO sheets on filter papers and their adsorption and filtration abilities were tested by filtration of aqueous Cs solutions. Aged GO coated membrane filter displayed superior adsorption abilities compared to those coated with fresh GO sheets, which corroborate well with the inferences drawn from the spectroscopic investigations. In the present work, the prepared GO membrane filters showed a maximum Cs adsorption capacity of ∼148 mg/g.

Uranyl tris nitrato i.e. [UO2 (NO3 )3 ]- was formed by adding tetramethylammonium nitrate to uranyl nitrate in acetonitrile medium. The luminescence features of this complex in acetonitrile are very sensitive to water content, which could lead to the use of it as a luminescent probe for water present in acetonitrile. The luminescence intensity ratio of 507 to 467 nm peak of uranyl tris nitrato showed a linear response in the range 0-5% (v/v) water content in acetonitrile. The present method was applied for three synthetic samples of acetonitrile for water detection and the results obtained were compared using Karl Fischer titration. There was a good agreement in the values obtained by both the methods.

In this paper, we introduce a new family of discrete distributions and study its properties. It is shown that the new family is a generalization of discrete Marshall-Olkin family of distributions. ...

Study of product diversity by companies and corporations led to the discovery of a new statistical distribution, the (1/f) distribution, assessed according to the Herfindahl-Hirschman index. Products of human creative thinking and decision-making seem to obey the index very widely or universally. This article explores examples of its applications in business and economics as evidence for a new scientific conjecture concerning the physiological basis of Mind: that mind functions from critical instabilities in the brain physiology. Instabilities result in (1/f) distributions of physiological responses, so the two sources of (1/f) distribution present interesting parallels. Without comprehensively reviewing all Herfindahl-Hirschman index applications, many similar examples of (1/f) distributions are considered: those in numbers of divisions and subdivisions within big corporations, and numbers of corporations in industrial sectors. Evidently, this kind of distribution derives from individual and collective creative work. The paper reasons that it reveals important evidence about the conjectured basis of mind and its creative capacities. A previous Special Issue paper showed that many of the mind's properties, including self-awareness, result from critical instabilities being the loci of control of biological systems. A consequence of such instability is that when faced by several identical stimuli, the physiology offers a (1/f) distribution of responses. Studies described here showing that creative thinking produces (1/f) distributions of results may thus be considered a first round of direct evidence for the mind functioning from critical instability. Physical systems producing (1/f) distributions do not have that implication. Other cybernetic systems may behave differently.

Quantitative analysis of Pr, Nd, Ce, La and Sm were carried out simultaneously in LiF–KCl matrix using laser induced breakdown spectroscopic technique. Two non-interfering analytical emission lines have been identified for each lanthanide and using the internal standard method, the calibration curve is constructed from 0.3 to 5% for Pr, Nd, Ce and La and from 0.3 to 3% for Sm. Both the emission lines showed good regression coefficient (R 2) ranging from 0.9953 to 0.9996. The analytical capability of this method is studied through the correlation uncertainty of measured values with its known value in synthetic samples containing all the lanthanides in equal amount (0.5, 1 and 2%). Low value of correlation uncertainty (less than 10%) confirms that LIBS has a great potential for quantitative analysis of lanthanides in LiF–KCl matrix.

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTNadarajah, Jayakumar, and Ristic (2013) introduced a family of life time models using truncated negative binomial distribution and derived some properties of the family of distributions. It is a generalization of Marshall–Olkin family of distributions. In this article, we introduce Generalized Exponential Truncated Negative Binomial (GETNB) distribution using the same approach. The GETNB distribution is a generalization of the Marshall–Olkin Generalized Exponential (MOGE) distribution studied in Ristic and Kundu (2015) and Exponential Truncated Negative Binomial (ETNB) distribution studied in Nadarajah et al. (2013). The shape properties of density function and the hazard rate of GETNB distribution are discussed. The expressions for moments, order statistics, and entropy are obtained. The parameters of GETNB distribution are estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. An application to a real data set is also presented.

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of virtual communities in enabling community-based entrepreneurship and resilience. Resilience is an important attribute for a community to overcome adverse circumstances it may face. Design/methodology/approach Weaving together diverse strands of scholarship, the authors show how virtual communities centered around specific interests (Obst et al., 2002) can endow geographic communities with resilience. Findings The paper establishes the desirability of resilience in contemporary communities, which can be enhanced through internet-mediated entrepreneurship. Five specific phenomena are identified as facilitating the emergence of community-based entrepreneurship through membership in virtual communities. Community-based entrepreneurship can augment or even replace institutional support that has until recently been considered by policy makers as the only means of addressing resilience issues, especially in disadvantaged communities. Research limitations/implications This paper is conceptual in nature; the conceptualization provides a rich opportunity to empirically validate the argumentation advanced here. Social implications This research points to major policy implications, as internet-enabled, community-based entrepreneurship may be an important key to overcome many of the adverse circumstances faced by communities the world over, such as climate change, terrorism and paucity of funds for social action. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature on community-based entrepreneurship by developing the notion of internet-enabled community resilience, showing how internet-enabled communities can prompt entrepreneurial behavior and result in the enhanced resilience of geographic communities.

Luminescence from UO2 2+ (uranyl ion) complexed with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) has been studied using acetonitrile (MeCN) as solvent between pH 1.0 and 6.0. The enhancement in luminescence intensity because of sensitization by PDA in the non-aqueous environment provided by the MeCN is found to be one order better than in aqueous medium. The luminescence is further enhanced by about four times following the addition of Y3+; a process known as co-luminescence. This is the first study on co-luminescence of uranyl ion in its PDA complex. Lifetime studies indicate the presence of two species having different micro-environments. Formations of both intra and inter molecular complexes are believed to be responsible for enhancement due to co-luminescence.

Non-covalent interaction between PCl 3 and H 2 O was studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and ab initio computations. Computations indicated that the adducts are stabilized through novel P⋯O type phosphorus bonding and conventional P Cl⋯H type hydrogen bonding interactions, where the former adduct is the global minimum. Experimentally, the P⋯O phosphorus bonded adduct was identified in N 2 matrix, which was evidenced from the shifts in the vibrational wavenumbers of the modes involving PCl 3 and H 2 O sub-molecules. Atoms in Molecules and Natural Bond Orbital analyses have been performed to understand the nature of interactions in the phosphorus and hydrogen bonded adducts. Interestingly, experimental evidence for the formation of higher PCl 3 H 2 O adduct was also observed in N 2 matrix.

This chapter revisits decision-making theory and challenges four major premises. These premises have been identified by James March as the bedrock of decision sciences. Currently these four premises are elucidated as dialectics in the extant literature. This chapter suggests that according to the Bhagavad Gītā the current “closure” to the four premises achieved in the literature would be inadequate to satisfy the dharmic calling of all the parties involved in decision making situations. Drawing from the Bhagavad Gītā we challenge the four divisive dialectics and provide a unitive closure to them. This is achievable by decision makers through a process of transcendence while not rejecting the importance of rooting decisions in the phenomenal plane.

Normal hydrogen (n-H 2 ) has 3:1 ortho/para ratio and the production of enriched para-hydrogen (p-H 2 ) from normal hydrogen is useful for many applications including matrix isolation experiments. In this paper, we describe the design, development and fabrication of the ortho-para converter that is capable of producing enriched p-H 2 . The p-H 2 thus produced was probed using infrared and Raman techniques. Using infrared measurement, the thickness and the purity of the p-H 2 matrix were determined. The purity of p-H 2 was determined to be >99%. Matrix isolation infrared spectra of trimethylphosphate (TMP) and acetylene (C 2 H 2 ) were studied in p-H 2 and n-H 2 matrices and the results were compared with the conventional inert matrices.

Gas phase reaction of phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) and methanol (CH3OH) was carried out with different ratios of PCl3:CH3OH:N2 (1:1:1000, 1:2:1000 and 1:3:1000) and the products were identified using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. For the 1:1 and 1:2 ratios of PCl3:CH3OH, dichloro methyl phosphite (DCMP) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl) were the products formed. Interestingly, only methyl chloride (CH3Cl) was observed for the 1:3 ratio of PCl3:CH3OH. DFT computations were carried out at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory to give insights into the formation of the reaction products. Based on the experimental findings and computations a reaction mechanism has been proposed through a nucleophilic substitution reaction to explain the formation of the products.

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy in low temperature N2 matrices with the support of Density Functional Theory (DFT) and ab initio computations have been employed to investigate noncovalent forces formed between phosporous trichloride (PCl3) and hetero cyclic Pyridine (C5H5N) molecules. The possible geometries of PCl3–C5H5N adducts were optimized by computations performed at B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) and MP2/6–311++G(d,p) levels of theory. Two minima, a global minimum and a local minimum, on the potential energy surface have been obtained for PCl3–C5H5N adduct system and the main force of interaction for their stabilization is pnicogen bonding (phosphorus bonding). The global minimum is stabilized by Cl–P⋯N interaction whereas local minimum is stabilized by Cl–P···π interaction. Interestingly, experiments revealed large red shift of 48.5 cm−1 for P–Cl stretching vibrational mode (ν3) in N2 matrix and this magnitude of shift is in good agreement with computational shift for PCl3–C5H5N adduct which is stabilized by Cl–P⋯N interaction. Moreover, computations predicted that P⋯N interacting adduct is stronger than the P···π interacting adduct by 2.02 kcal/mol at MP2/6–311++G(d,p) levels of theory. To understand the nature of interactions and the effect of charge transfer interaction on the stability of the adducts, Atoms In Molecules (AIM) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis were performed.

Introduction: Radius is the bone of the forearm that is present on the lateral side. The proximal and distal end of radius are commonly susceptible to trauma, about 2-6% of fractures occur in the proximal end and neck of radius and the distal end of fracture is about 8-20% which is more commonly seen in geriatric population. If the fracture is severe then the person should undergo radial head prosthesis. Aim: To determine the morphometric parameters of proximal and distal end of radius and its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India between February 2017 to August 2017. The morphometric parameters of proximal and distal end of radius were measured and observed using digital vernier caliper, divider, normal ruler, inch tape and inelastic thread. The mean and the standard deviation of the morphometric parameters were assessed. Results: The mean length of radius bone in medial side (22.7 cm) and lateral side (23.7 cm), circumference of the head (6.3 cm), length of the head from medial side (0.6 cm) and lateral side (0.32 cm), distance between the radial head and the radial tuberosity (0.75 cm), length of the radial tuberosity (3.36 cm), circumference of the radial neck (4.64 cm). The mean width of the ulnar notch (1.41 cm), length of the ulnar notch from anterior aspect (0.30 cm) and posterior aspect (0.62 cm), length of the styloid process (1.01 cm), circumference of the distal end of the bone (8.40 cm), circumference of the distal end of the shaft (5.63 cm), scaphoid and lunate fossa from anterior (2.79 cm), posterior (2.50 cm), and base (1.32 cm). Conclusion: The length of the radius on the medial and lateral aspect, circumference of radius head, diameter of the radius, Length of the radial head on the medial and lateral aspect, distance between the radial head and the radial tuberosity, circumference of the radial neck, length of the radial tuberosity, length of styloid process, length of ulnar notch on the anterior and posterior aspect, width of the ulnar notch, inferior articular facet of radius in anterior, and posterior aspect the following parameters will be useful for orthopaedic surgeons in case of severe fracture and oncologist in case of tumour in distal end for the purpose of making prosthesis for the radial head and distal end of radius and for reconstruction of bicipital tendon.

Spectroscopic and morphological properties of graphene oxide (GO)-europium (Eu(III)) composite sheets prepared at different Eu(III) concentrations and pH are examined to ascertain interaction mechanism of Eu(III) ions with diverse oxygen functionalities of GO. Incorporation of Eu(III) ions deteriorates absorption characteristics of GO, quenches GO luminescence, originates irregular wrinkles on GO sheets, which infer reorganization in structure of GO in composites. Preparation of composites at large Eu(III) concentrations and sufficiently ionized ambience results in formation of Eu(III) hydroxide and/or carboxylate complexes and consequent aggregation of composite sheets. Based on these inferences, conditions for optimum Eu(III) uptake together with perseverance of GO characteristics are derived. Further, membrane filters are prepared using different size/multiple layers of GO and their Eu(III) adsorption abilities are examined by percolation of aqueous Eu(III) solutions. These membranes displayed enhancement in Eu(III) filtration efficiency with increase in number of GO layers, attributed to formation of uninterrupted and multiple filtration layers for improved Eu(III) ion adsorption. These studies also emphasize significance of larger surface area and availability of un-aggregated GO sheets for superior adsorption of Eu(III) ions. In the present work, GO membranes showed an optimum Eu(III) removal efficiency of ∼35% and average Eu(III) adsorption capacity of ∼115 mg/g.

Luminescence from Eu3+ complexed with benzoic acid (BA) has been studied using acetonitrile (MeCN) as solvent. More than two orders luminescence enhancement is found as compared to Eu3+–BA complex in aqueous medium. The lifetime of Eu3+ in this complex is 900 μs which is much higher as compared to 118 μs in aqueous medium, suggesting the luminescence enhancement is a result of reduction in non-radiative decay channels in MeCN medium. Luminescence spectroscopy along with UV–vis spectroscopy is used to study the complexation behavior of Eu3+–BA in this medium. In contrary to aqueous medium where Eu3+–BA forms ML and ML2 type species, spectroscopic data reveal formation of only ML3 complex with composition Eu(BA)3(MeCN)6 in MeCN medium. Absorbance, luminescence lifetimes and the ratio of areas of 615–592 nm peaks are used in HypSpec computation program to determine the log β for the ML3 complex.

The conformations of triallyl phosphate (TAP) were studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. TAP was trapped in N2, Ar, and Xe matrixes at 12 K using an effusive source and the resultant infrared spectra recorded. The computational analysis on conformers of TAP is a challenging problem due to the presence of the large number of conformations. To simplify this problem, conformational analysis was performed on prototypical molecules such as dimethyl allyl phosphate (DMAP) and diallyl methyl phosphate (DAMP), to systematically arrive at the conformations of TAP. The above methodology discerned 131 conformations for TAP, which were found to contribute to the room temperature population. The computations were performed using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Vibrational wavenumber calculations were performed for the various conformers to assign the experimental infrared features of TAP, trapped in solid N2, Ar, and Xe matrixes.