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Wind energy is considered to be the cleanest fuel. India is rich in natural resources; we have learned to harness them for our benefit and advancement. As a gauge of fuel demand, India's fuel consumption increased 6.5% year over year in 2023 to around 18.57 million tons, according to figures from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC). Even though it applies to all resources, we are currently focusing on harnessing wind energy. Wind turbines have been improved and researched to increase their efficiency since their inception. However, little progress was ever made on extracting wind energy lost at low wind speeds as they could not power a large commercial turbine. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), which typically perform better at low wind speeds. To address this issue and to increase the turbine's efficiency, we applied natural shapes and curves to the turbine design. We investigated its effects using numerical analysis, discovering that the method offers certain advantages in terms of fluid flow over the turbine body, such as having better flow over the body, a low number of vortex formations, and reduced drag effects while returning the blade to its original position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-level heat-emitting long-lived vitrified radioactive waste produced during recycling of the spent nuclear fuel is under consideration for permanent disposal in deep geological formations with appropriate thermomechanical, hydrogeological and geochemical properties. The capability of these rock formations ensuring long-term confinement and isolation of such waste from the environment is significantly controlled by their efficiency in smoothly dissipating the heat emanating from the waste. A number of rock types such as basalt, granite, clay stones, volcanic tuff, argillites, etc. are being evaluated worldwide as well as in India. In this study, a granite from Jalore and bentonite from Barmer, both from Rajasthan, India, have been evaluated for their heat dissipation capacity. The study revealed that the temperature within granite at the centre of the canister reached 55.21°C, resulting in a thermal stress of 25.50 MPa. Bentonite experienced a temperature of 67.42°C in the central part with maximum thermal stress and displacement of 1.78 MPa and 0.446 mm respectively. A displacement of 0.997 mm was recorded at the granite-bentonite interface. Thus, no significant microcrack formation or undesirable displacement was observed within the granite as well as in bentonite, suggesting their capability to isolate and confine the heat-emitting source for extended periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study investigates the effect of using quantum dots (QDs) on the performance of solar still in the tropical climate of India. This article presents a new way to use QDs, which on absorbing solar energy increases water evaporation rate. Pyrex glass powder QDs are used in the solar still due to its high absorptivity value. An experimental setup of solar still with QD and without QD was developed, and a comparative analysis was conducted under the real outdoor environment in a tropical climate. The experimental results were also validated through mathematical modeling. The experiment was carried out by mixing Pyrex glass powder QDs with black paint and was coated on the basin and sidewalls of the solar still. Experiments were conducted for a depth of 0.02 m for solar still with QDs and without QDs. The results revealed that for 0.02 m of water depth and 1 m2 of basin area, the percentage increase in distillate output using Pyrex glass powder QDs is 29.36% experimentally and 29.94% theoretically. Furthermore, the net percentage increase in solar still efficiency by using Pyrex glass QDs is 74.74% experimentally and 61.03% theoretically. The study analyzed that all the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. The addition of Pyrex glass powder QDs and black paint mixture in the basin of solar still caused significant enhancement in the distillate output and solar still efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In slope stability analysis, identification of the mechanism behind slope failure is the key factor during the study. Rock mass characterization and kinematics analysis, like geotechnical investigation methods, are not infallible all the time for the weathered slopes. The presence of different grades of weathered mass on the slope profile acts independently to influence the overall failure pattern. Numerical analysis by finite element method (FEM) is evolved as a primary slope stability analysis tool by overcoming the limitations of the stratified weathered materials on the slope. The paper focuses on the stability analysis of railway-cut laterite slopes of the Eastern Ghats of India. The medium to high-grade metamorphism, followed by physio-chemical weathering, favours the region for more prone to failure. The Force Equilibrium Model and Moment Equilibrium Model have been considered to determine the possibility of independent failure events for the probability analysis. Monte Carlo's probability simulation method has delivered a better result for the weathered slopes by taking many variables for the studied region. A compression study has been made between the outcomes of slope stability analysis methods and the probability analysis models, which provides a comprehensive list of factors to understand the failure mechanism of weathered slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The summer monsoon season contributes about 80% of annual rainfall in the highly populated region of north India. The teleconnections moderating the variation of summer monsoon rainfall in this region are not satisfactorily understood. A pathway of the equatorial central Pacific sea surface temperature (PSST) influences the north India summer rainfall is revealed from the high‐resolution, more reliable, and state‐of‐the‐art 41‐year (1979–2019) observational data analysis and numerical experiment. The rise in PSST intensifies convection over the equatorial central Pacific with compensatory subsidence over the western equatorial Pacific. Consequently, a much broader and intense anomalous convergence is developed at the upper‐troposphere, which subsequently intensifies the Asian subtropical westerly jet‐stream. The Asian jet intensification strengthens the tropospheric wind shear at north India, as the low‐level monsoonal winds are easterlies over there. The strong wind shear restricts the convective activities in north India. These results are also confirmed using the CFSv2 model sensitivity experiment and a case study of the year 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: With growing population in India, utilization of natural energy plays a significant role in reducing the space and resource constraints. Also, due to climate change and urbanization, future generation in the cities is mainly affected by overheating. One way to reduce the use of artificial energy is to decrease the thermal conductivity of the buildings by introducing phase changing materials (PCM). PCM reduces the energy requirements and peak temperature of the buildings. The main focus of this study is to reduce artificial energy in buildings by employing cool roof strategies. Initially, the conventional room was tested and it is compared with PCM and room with PCM‐reflecting coating. The parameters which influence the thermal stress in buildings such as, transition temperature, latent heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, PCM thickness, and absorption coefficient are measured and compared. PCM with insulated coating shows lower thermal conductivity than conventional buildings and PCM incorporated buildings. On the other hand, after 90 days of weathering PCM with reflective coating roof showed 15% less thermal conductivity than conventional roof. The results showed that, there is a temperature difference on cool roof and delay time for the peak temperature between models is beyond 2 hours compared to conventional roof. The effect of PCM layer thickness with insulated coatings on the thermal performance of roof is relatively good compared with conventional roof. Maximum temperature and heat flux values were recorded at 3.30 pm for all the absorption coefficient values except 0.7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae is one of the most devastating zoonotic bacterial pathogen affects both fish and human health worldwide. The study aims to isolate and characterize P. damselae subsp. damselae from both wild caught and cage culture fishes. The virulence potential of P. damselae subsp. damselae on damselfish also been revealed. Methods: A total of 212 finfishes from cage culture and wild environment were collected from the south east coast of India and identified for the presence of zoonotic P. damselae subsp. damselae. Standard biochemical and molecular methods (using specific gene) were employed to identify the P. damselae subsp. damselae isolates. A total of 61 isolates were identified as P. damselae subsp. damselae. Dendogram analysis was done for selected 30 strains based on band thickness of PCR product after using IS and ERIC PCR. The data were statistically analysed by unweighted pair group method using mathematic averages (UPGMA) for numerical analysis of banding patterns. The thirty out of sixty one isolates (20% or 50%) showed their presence in both wild caught and cage cultured fishes. The isolates from the wild caught fish were tested for their virulence on damsel fish and histopathological effect also studied. Result: High prevalence of P. damselae subsp. damselae in wild caught parrot fish was noticed when compared to the cage culture fishes. The dendrogram obtained after numerical analysis with the Dice coefficient and UPGMA method shows that all patterns shared more than 50% similarity. Experimental challenge revealed that P. damselae subsp. damselae isolates from wild caught will cause severe tissue damage, abnormal behavior, clinical signs and also leads to fish mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the pandemic spreading of COVID-19 in India after the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan city, China. We estimate the transmission rate of the initial infecting individuals of COVID-19 in India using officially reported data at the early stage of the epidemic with the help of the susceptible (S), exposed (E), infected (I), and removed (R) population model, the so-called SEIR dynamical model. Numerical analysis and model verification are performed to calibrate the system parameters with official public information about the number of people infected, and then to evaluate several COVID-19 scenarios potentially applicable to India. Our findings provide an estimation of the number of infected individuals in the pandemic period of timeline, and also demonstrate the importance of governmental and individual efforts to control the effects and time of the pandemic-related critical situations. We also give special emphasis to individual reactions in the containment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Cryptocarya (Lauraceae), Cryptocarya sheikelmudiyana is described and illustrated. This new taxon characteristically differs from C. lawsonii with elliptic apiculate leaves and non-lenticellate, oblong, longitudinally ridged fruits with a constriction just below middle. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, photographs, a distribution map, notes on conservation status, numerical taxonomic analysis of sympatric species and keys are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumping of water for agriculture can be a flexible component of electric demand. In this study, a framework that involves scenario based stochastic programming models is developed to examine the effect of load shifting on the renewable energy system sizing for agricultural load. With the help of this framework, alternative load shifting policies are evaluated to observe how the intrinsic flexibility of agricultural load reduces the amount of investments while designing a renewable system. Using real data from India's Gujarat region, solar and wind cases are evaluated separately to understand the coherency between these sources and the agricultural demand. The value of using a dispatchable source to help with the intermittency of the renewable sources in the systems is discussed. It is also shown that energy storage can be a convenient control mechanism for the integration of renewables; however, is an expensive substitute for demand response programs for agricultural load. Benchmarks for the incentive amounts that can be provided for alternative load shifting policies are presented. • Pumping of water for agriculture can be a flexible component of electric demand. • Effect of load shifting on renewable system sizing for agricultural load is examined. • A scenario based stochastic programming framework is developed. • Real data from India's Gujarat region is used for numerical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly populated north central India receives 90% of annual rainfall during June to September. The interannual variation of summer monsoon rainfall is less studied compared to central and western India, due to its weak signal with the El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Previous studies have reported a marked decadal variation in the ENSO influences on north India rainfall, but the teleconnections of this variation are not satisfactorily understood. A pathway of the changing ENSO influences on north central India rainfall is revealed from observational data analysis and numerical experiments. While La Niña-like conditions produce anomalous northeasterly wind over India and reduce the tropospheric wind shear, the emergence of the Atlantic Niño appears to overtake this ENSO influence. The Atlantic Niño intensifies the meridional stationary wave affecting pressure anomaly over northwest Europe. This excites the Eurasian Rossby wave train along the mid-latitude producing upper-troposphere high pressure anomaly, subsequently affecting north India. Future work should examine the extent to which these teleconnections are represented in climate forecast models to aid the seasonal prediction of north central India rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecballocystopsis (Oocystaceae, Chlorellales, Trebouxiophyceae) is a rare green algal genus, represented by only five taxa: E. dichotoma var. dichotoma from China and E. indica, E. desikacharyi, E. himalayensis and E. dichotoma var. minuta from India. Here we propose the novel variety E. dichotoma var. anandii from Jharkhand, synonymization of E. himalayensis with E. dichotoma and erection of E. dichotoma var. minuta to a separate species as E. minuta stat. et comb. nov. These taxonomic changes are well supported by the results of a multivariate analysis based on a numerical taxonomic approach. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) were performed to resolve the species delimitation ambiguity and supplement the morphology‐based classification of the genus. Ecballocystopsis himalayensis and E. dichotoma grouped in a single cluster along with the proposed new variety, while E. indica, E. desikacharyi and E. minuta formed separate clusters. An identification key to the species of the genus Ecballocystopsis is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damage pattern observed during the 1819 Kutch earthquake and 2001 Bhuj earthquake of magnitude Mw > 7. 7 in India implied the significance of the effect of Kutch basin on seismic ground motion. In the present study, the Kutch rift basin is modeled as a simplified rectangular basin of size 150 km × 90 km × 1.5 km. The shear wave velocity of the Kutch region varies from 300 m/s at the surface to 800 m/s at the depth of 60 m. Three-dimensional ground response analysis is carried out for the simplified Kutch basin subjected to ricker wave, using the spectral element code SPEED. The soil medium is modeled through visco-elastic soil model, where the damping is represented by Quality factor. It is found out from the numerical analysis that maximum amplification of 3.6 times occurs at the corner of the basin where interference of waves reflected from multiple edges happen. The long period structures with fundamental period in the range of 1.5–2.5 s located near the basin edge are found to be significantly affected by the basin effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-to-air heat exchanger concept is one of the efficient methods to reduce the cooling effort required for any air conditioning system. In this paper, a theoretical model of soil-to-air heat exchanger has been developed to predict the air temperature in the outlet of the system during a hot atmospheric condition. This theoretical model is used to predict the sub-soil temperature for a specific ambient condition in a southern part of India and also compared with the measured sub-soil temperature. Performance of the soil-to-air heat exchanger system has been calculated during peak hours in summer and found to have the potential to reduce the energy required to cool the building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, construction procedure and performance assessment of expanded polystyrene EPS-geofoam layer, which is utilized in the repair and rehabilitation of road work, is demonstrated. EPS geo-foam application was suggested after observing excessive settlement and distress of approach roads near Cross drainage (C-D) works constructed on bypass road of an important National Highway Project in India. EPS-geofoam was used as an alternative to earth backfill in approaches of newly constructed culvert on the same bypass road on one side of the C-D work and, for comparison purpose; the other side of the C-D work was retained with existing earth backfill. EPS-Geofoam was convenient to handle, easy to place and executed effeciently in terms of machineries and man power. Also, after 6 months of observation, it was noted that Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) constructed over earthfill material have shown sign of distress and longitudinal cracks were observed due to excessive settlement; on the other hand PQC constructed over EPS-geofoam was intact with no sign of distress. Outcome of the study suggest the use of EPS-geofoam in similar situations as per the proposed guidelines for construction as well as cross-sectional details and design recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on a devastating rainfall-induced landslide at Malin, India, which resulted in 160 deaths including the destruction of an entire village in July 2014 has been presented. The area was under a massive rainstorm which lasted for 3 days before the tragedy. The seepage into the slope due to the rainfall infiltration and the corresponding factor of safety of the slope at Malin has been quantified using a two-dimensional numerical model. The study indicates that the continuous rainfall infiltration develops a perched water table near the slope surface which results in the saturation and the positive pore water pressure build up at a shallow depth. With the increasing intensity and the rainfall duration, this depth of saturated zone increases rapidly. Though the Malin slope has an adequate factor of safety of 1.6, initially, but with continuous rainfall and increase in rainfall intensity, the factor of safety reduces to less than one on the day of tragedy. The parametric study indicates that the factor of safety of the Malin slope is adequate after 24 h of 2 mm/h, 5 mm/h and 10 mm/h of rainfall. But it drops rapidly to less than 1 after 7, 6, 6, 3, 2 and 1-h of 20 mm/h, 30 mm/h, 40 mm/h, 50 mm/h, 60 mm/h and 70 mm/h of rainfall, respectively. The slope, on which the Malin village is located, is initially safe but the debris from the upper portions of the slope moves downward destroying the residential area of the Malin village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of reservoir-triggered seismicity is well-understood and explains the earthquake occurrence at different reservoir sites. It can be attributed to the stresses due to water loading and to changes in fluid pressure in pores within the rock matrix. In the present study a 3-D fluid flow numerical model is used to investigate the pore pressure diffusion as a cause for continued seismicity in the Koyna-Warna region in western India. It is shown that reservoir water level fluctuations are sufficient to trigger earthquakes at the seismogenic depths in the region. Our numerical model suggests that a vertical fault with hydraulic conductivity in the range 2-6 m/day facilitates the diffusion of pressure at focal depths of earthquakes in the Koyna-Warna region. Also, for triggering of earthquakes a higher vertical conductivity is required for the Warna region than for the Koyna region. A lag of two months period is found between the maximum water level and the significant hydraulic head required to trigger earthquakes at the focal depth using the appropriate hydraulic conductivity for both the reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ERA-Interim reanalysis data from the past 35 years have been used with a newly developed feature tracking algorithm to identify Indian monsoon depressions originating in or near the Bay of Bengal. These were then rotated, centralized, and combined to give a fully three-dimensional 106-depression composite structure-a considerably larger sample than any previous detailed study on monsoon depressions and their structure. Many known features of depression structure are confirmed, particularly the existence of a maximum to the southwest of the center in rainfall and other fields and a westward axial tilt in others. Additionally, the depressions are found to have significant asymmetry owing to the presence of the Himalayas, a bimodal midtropospheric potential vorticity core, a separation into thermally cold (~−1.5 K) and neutral (~0 K) cores near the surface with distinct properties, and the center has very large CAPE and very small CIN. Variability as a function of background state has also been explored, with land-coast-sea, diurnal, ENSO, active-break, and Indian Ocean dipole contrasts considered. Depressions are found to be markedly stronger during the active phase of the monsoon, as well as during La Niña. Depressions on land are shown to be more intense and more tightly constrained to the central axis. A detailed schematic diagram of a vertical cross section through a composite depression is also presented, showing its inherent asymmetric structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the Bourdieusian concepts of capital and relational configurations of positions and position-takings have recently been fruitfully employed to theorize global fields, this paper argues that the concepts of illusio and doxa are especially conducive to analyzing the globalization of a field as an expansion into and transformation of formerly independent national arenas. In deploying the concept of illusio as a (quasi-libidinous) investment in the game, globalization is here first and foremost framed as a process in which more and more actors in various contexts ‘succumb’ to specific field logics that orient them to transnational structures. By emphasizing the concept of doxa as the taken-for-granted fundamentals of a field, the paper furthermore calls attention to the mechanisms that help forge and globalize the tacit presuppositions and shared ontologies on which such logics build. Focusing on a field of global Christian missions that emerged during the nineteenth century, the paper illustrates how its competitive logic of proselytization was introduced into the religious arena of India. It highlights how Western notions of religion gained ground among local traditions and pulled them into a game in which numerical relations of adherents mattered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Run-of-the-river hydropower projects are developed based on the concept of sustaining reservoir life by sediment management. Sediment management is achieved by sluicing or drawdown flushing through low-level spillways. Simulations with numerical and physical models are essential for optimizing the design and operation of such projects. In this paper, numerical and physical model simulations carried out for sediment management of a run-of-the-river hydropower project are presented. For Devsari Hydroelectric Project, Uttarakhand, India, a physical model was constructed to a geometrically similar scale of 1: 60. Experiments were carried out for sediment management for various scenarios. One-dimensional model Hydrologic Engineering Center's –River Analysis System was used to simulate the longitudinal sedimentation and velocity profiles in the physical model. The numerical model was further applied to the prototype for predicting the long-term sediment deposition along the reservoir stretch. Results of the simulation indicated deltaic sediment deposition in the upstream reaches of the main Pinder and Kailganga rivers. The delta advanced towards downstream for lower reservoir operation levels. The flow velocities in the entire reservoir stretch were observed to be very low, thus confirming the design concept of reservoir functioning as a desilting basin. Experiments were carried out on the physical model for simulating sediment removal by drawdown flushing. It was observed that reservoir capacity can be restored by annual flushing during peak flows. Flushing with discharge of 300 m3/s for 12 h duration can remove about 0.0086 Mm3 of sediment and hence may be adopted for reservoir operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extensive geotechnical characterization of the soil from landslide slip surface helps evaluate the failure mechanism of landslide. • High-intensity rainfall, unplanned vertical cuts and slopes have witnessed the loss of lives and substantial monetary losses during the southwest monsoon in Kerala, India, in 2018. • Importance of locally available sustainable green martial uses in engineering practices. • The numerical analysis confirmed that the vertical cut stabilization with coir geotextiles is safe during high-intensity rainfall. This paper presents laboratory and numerical analysis of vertical cut failure due to rainfall-induced landslide resulting in building failure that led to the death of nine people in Kerala, India, on August 15, 2018. The residual shear strength parameters are evaluated by the ring shear test. The soil water characteristics curve (SWCC) is developed by unsaturated soil strength parameters. The slope stability and infiltration analysis are carried out with limit equilibrium and finite element methods, respectively. The infiltration analysis is carried out by considering three different rainfall patterns on the slope as low, medium, and high intensities. The study includes a two-stage numerical analysis of vertical cut. Firstly, vertical cut analysis with and without rainfall effects and second, the analysis of vertical cut using coir geotextile as reinforcement with rainfall effects. The study emphasized the utilization of locally available coir geotextiles as a reinforcement for slope stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) is an extension of fuzzy set and an approach to define a fuzzy set where available information is not sufficient to define an imprecise concept by means of a conventional fuzzy set. The existing fuzzy DEA (FDEA) models for measuring relative fuzzy efficiencies of decision making units (DMUs) are limited to fuzzy input/output data. However, in real life applications, some inputs and outputs of subjective, linguistic and vague forms may possess intuitionistic fuzzy essence instead of fuzziness. Therefore, in the present study, we extend FDEA to intuitionistic fuzzy DEA (IFDEA) in which the input/output data are represented by intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs), in particular triangular IFNs (TIFNs). This is the first study in analysing optimistic and pessimistic efficiencies with intuitionistic fuzzy input/output data in DEA. In this study, we develop models to measure optimistic and pessimistic efficiencies of each DMU in intuitionistic fuzzy environment (IFE). By using super-efficiency technique, we develop algorithms to obtain the complete ranking of the DMUs when optimistic and pessimistic situations are considered separately. Further, to rank the DMUs when both optimistic and pessimistic situations are taken simultaneously as hybrid approach, we propose two alternate ranking methods based on levels of inefficiencies and efficiencies respectively. To address the overall performance using optimistic and pessimistic situations together in IFEs, we propose a hybrid IFDEA performance decision model. To validate the proposed methodology and proposed ranking methods, we illustrate different numerical examples and then compare the results with an existing ranking approach based on geometric average efficiency index. Moreover, we present an application of the proposed approach to the banking sector in which two inputs, namely, labour and operating expenses possess intuitionistic fuzzy essence at branch level, and are represented as TIFNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tides play a vital role in coastal hydrodynamics, and it is important to understand their complex characteristics in the coastal areas of creeks, bays, estuaries and gulf. In this study, the spatial variation of heterogeneous friction coefficients and their influence on the variation of different tidal constituents (K1, M2, N2, O1, P1 and S2) along Gulf of Khambhat, west coast of India, were studied. A two-dimensional finite element-based numerical model was developed and zones of different friction coefficients were identified by comparing numerically estimated tidal levels and currents with that of measured and reported by earlier studies. Based on the comparisons, the gulf was divided into five zones of different bottom friction values. The numerical model, assigned with friction coefficients, was used to map the contours of selected tidal constituents. From the results, it was observed that two constituents, M2 and K1, influence the hydrodynamics, significantly. The description of the numerical model, calibration, validation and results are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) is a major global climatic phenomenon. Long-term precipitation proxy records of the ISM, however, are often fragmented and discontinuous, impeding an estimation of the magnitude of precipitation variability from the Last Glacial to the present. To improve our understanding of past ISM variability, we provide a continuous reconstructed record of precipitation and continental vegetation changes from the lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna catchment and the Indo-Burman ranges over the last 18,000 years (18 ka). The records derive from a marine sediment core from the northern Bay of Bengal (NBoB), and are complemented by numerical model results of spatial moisture transport and precipitation distribution over the Bengal region. The isotopic composition of terrestrial plant waxes (δD and δ 13 C of n -alkanes) are compared to results from an isotope-enabled general atmospheric circulation model (IsoCAM) for selected time slices (pre-industrial, mid-Holocene and Heinrich Stadial 1). Comparison of proxy and model results indicate that past changes in the δD of precipitation and plant waxes were mainly driven by the amount effect, and strongly influenced by ISM rainfall. Maximum precipitation is detected for the Early Holocene Climatic Optimum (EHCO; 10.5–6 ka BP), whereas minimum precipitation occurred during the Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1; 16.9–15.4 ka BP). The IsoCAM model results support the hypothesis of a constant moisture source (i.e. the NBoB) throughout the study period. Relative to the pre-industrial period the model reconstructions show 20% more rain during the mid-Holocene (6 ka BP) and 20% less rain during the Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), respectively. A shift from C 4 -plant dominated ecosystems during the glacial to subsequent C 3 /C 4 -mixed ones during the interglacial took place. Vegetation changes were predominantly driven by precipitation variability, as evidenced by the significant correlation between the δD and δ 13 C alkane records. When compared to other records across the ISM domain, precipitation and vegetation changes inferred from our records and the numerical model results provide evidence for a coherent regional variability of the ISM from the Last Glacial to the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the mathematical modeling of the second wave of COVID-19 and verifies the current Omicron variant pandemic data in India. We also we discussed such as uniformly bounded of the system, Equilibrium analysis and basic reproduction number R 0 . We calculated the analytic solutions by HPM (homotopy perturbation method) and used Mathematica 12 software for numerical analysis up to 8th order approximation. It checked the error values of the approximation while the system has residual error, absolute error and h curve initial derivation of square error at up to 8th order approximation. The basic reproduction number ranges between 0.8454 and 2.0317 to form numerical simulation, it helps to identify the whole system fluctuations. Finally, our proposed model validated (from real life data) the highly affected five states of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. The algorithm guidelines are used for international arrivals, with Omicron variant cases updated by the Union Health Ministry in January 2022. Right now, the third wave is underway in India, and we conclude that it may peak by the end of May 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the variability and sources of Quasi-Biweekly (QB) oscillation (10–20 days) in coastal sea level along the western boundary of the Bay of Bengal (BoB) using tide-gauge data and simulations from a very high-resolution regional model. Observations show most significant spectral energy in the QB band (∼ 12 days) exists in the northernmost location (Paradeep) with an amplitude of about 5–10 cm in sea level and energy in this band decreases equatorward along the coast. The QB oscillations in sea level contribute up to 16%–36% of the total subtidal sea-level variability in the western BoB and these oscillations are more pronounced during June–November. It is observed that sea-level oscillations in the QB band propagate equatorward along the east coast of India as coastal-trapped waves with a phase speed of about 2–4 ms−1 and this speed is consistent with the theoretical estimates. Our study revealed that the strong QB winds found in the northern BoB are one of the forcing factors that excite QB oscillation in sea level in the western BoB. Further analysis using numerical simulations shows that the QB sea level propagating from the equatorial Indian Ocean and QB oscillation generated by strong winds associated with the tropical cyclones formed in the BoB also contribute to QB coastal sea-level fluctuations in this region. [Display omitted] • We study the quasi-biweekly (QB) oscillations in sea level along the western Bay of Bengal. • QB oscillations contribute 16%–36% of the total subtidal sea-level variability. • QB sea-level oscillations propagate equatorward as a coastal-trapped wave (CTW). • Strong QB winds in the head of the Bay of Bengal can excite CTW in the QB band. • CTW in QB band originating from the equator and tropical cyclones also contribute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extraction method for deep-seated thick seam deposits by underground mining with high resource recovery has remained a great challenge for Indian mining engineers, whereas the longwall top coal caving (LTCC) method has evolved as an effective method for various geo mining conditions in China and other counties. The percentage of top coal recovery (TCR) plays a predominant role in determining the feasibility of LTCC, which relies on the First Top Coal Caving Distance (FTCD). In this paper, the critical geotechnical parameters are identified, numerically simulated, and statistically analyzed, and the FTCD for Indian geo-mining conditions is developed and validated. A financial assessment is conducted, considering 70% top coal recovery at 85% performance level, cost of production escalated by 20% and fall in coal grade by two grades. The internal rate of return (IRR) for LTCC is 30.24% as per the sensitivity analysis where it is only 18% in single pass longwall method. This study contributes to evaluating both the technical and economic feasibility of introducing LTCC in Indian geo-mining conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SHM experimental campaign conducted on a multi-arch masonry bridge located in India. • Large longitudinal crack on one of the arches detected with considerable crack width. • SHM monitored with crack growth monitoring and tilting of the spandrels. • Application of two different heavy loads (water tank and hydra crane) located in different positions. • Numerical modelling with advanced full 3D approach with adaptive NURBS FEM in limit analysis. The paper presents some SHM results belonging to a wide experimental campaign conducted on a multi-arch masonry bridge located near Mumbai (India), exhibiting a large longitudinal crack on one of the arches and the corresponding advanced numerical evaluations carried out with a NURBS kinematic limit analysis approach, used to assess the stability of the arch subjected to the passage of heavy traffic loads. The masonry bridge is a three-arch structure built during the mid-19th century by British engineers to connect Bombay with the inland of the Indian subcontinent. At present, it is characterized by a heavy state of degradation especially in one of the arches that requires an immediate evaluation of the safety under the passage of traffic loads and possible ideas of interventions to strengthen the structure, in order to avoid the propagation of deep cracks along the longitudinal direction. The adopted SHM includes the crack growth monitoring and tilting of the spandrels under the application of two different heavy loads (a water tank truck and a hydra crane) located in different positions of the arch. Numerical modelling is carried out with a full 3D approach with NURBS finite elements in limit analysis that takes into account the pre-existing crack opening and predicts with great accuracy the ultimate loads in different scenarios and the corresponding active failure mechanisms. From experimental monitoring and numerical simulations results, it is concluded that the bridge is still safe under the passage of traffic loads, but approaches the ultimate limit state for some specific configurations of the loads applied. A refurbishment is therefore needed to avoid any further propagation of the cracks up to collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with different empirical methods and finite element method of slope stability analysis along National Highway (NH)-7, in Uttarakhand, India. The highway is only path in the hilly terrain of Lesser Himalayan for the public transport and have strategic importance due to militaries possession routes. This route is also significant due to having many holistic places, connecting to this. There was numerous landslides happened along the Highway in past due to various natural and anthropogenic activities. Hence, keeping an eye to the socio-economic development of the distant area, slope stability analysis is very crucial along the road cut sections. To identify the vulnerable locations and to collect the geotechnical data, the field investigation was carried out between Shivpuri to Byasi along NH-7 in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Then geotechnical data was intended followed by rock mass characteristic, kinematic analysis and Qslope stability. Additionally, to review the stability results, numerical simulation (finite element method) was employed and slope mass behavior and failure mechanism of cut slopes were also evaluated. The rock mass characteristic and kinematic analysis illustrate normal and good variety of rock mass mainly wedge mode with flexural toppling of failure. The slope mass rating, continuous slope mass rating and also Qslope stability analysis showed, road cut slopes are critically stable and unstable. The results of different empirical methods shows a decent correlation between them. Further the numerical simulation analysis also evaluates that two cut slopes are unstable and other one is critically stable. This substantial empirical and numerical analysis of cut slopes provides a collective approach to stable and develop the holistic road corridor in Himalayan terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsidy programs are sponsored by government and international agencies to improve affordability and accessibility of food and health products for socially deprived community. Although the donors in such programs allocate substantial resources to fund subsidies, a lot of it is wasted due to the inefficiency in the system arising out of product shrinkage and misplacement. This study analyzes the impact of private participation and advanced technology like RFID adoption on the donor subsidy under target consumption level. We formulate the problem as a donor funding the subsidy program through for-profit/not-for-profit newsvendor and compare the equivalent subsidy per consumption with and without RFID. We perform numerical analysis, collecting data from the public distribution system of India, and the results indicate that, unless the for-profit firm operates under a substantially reduced level of shrinkage and misplacement, the donor should always prefer a not-for-profit firm for program implementation. We also observe that among all the scenarios, a not-for-profit firm with advanced technology like RFID requires minimum donor subsidy to generate the target expected consumption. • Model sales subsidy in a donor funded supply chain scenario. • Compare equivalent subsidy with/without RFID and through for-profit/not-for-profit firms. • Derive closed-form solution of the critical tag cost from the donor's perspective. • State conditions for RFID tag cost sharing between donor and the implementing firm. • Validate model using real data and propose RFID adoption through not-for-profit firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 3D numerical MHD analysis has been carried out in a variant of India proposed LLCB TBM for ITER relevant parameters. • Steady state velocity, electric potential and flow rate distribution in multiple coupled parallel channels is presented. • Thermofluid analysis is performed for a full scale variant integrated with helium cooled First wall. Numerical simulation of 3D MHD flow in a full scale variant of India propose Lead-Lithium cooled Ceramic Breeder (LLCB) Test Blanket Module(TBM) for ITER program has been carried out at high Hartmann number (Ha=17,845). The model geometry takes into account the integrated First wall (FW) which is provisioned with internal helium cooling channels for dual cooling purpose. The MHD effects on steady state velocity profile, modification of wall electric potential distribution due to electrical coupling of parallel channels has been analysed. Flow rate distribution in electrically coupled parallel channels has been obtained for a fixed PbLi flow rate in the common inlet header. Steady state thermofluid analysis has been performed using user defined heat density data obtained from neutronic estimation in similar variant. Prediction of thermal hot spots in various structural walls and sharing of heat load by coupled PbLi and First wall helium cooling circuit is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]