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Augmented podcasts: a low bandwidth solution for effective learning
No full textThe evolution of video has significantly transformed the ways in which educational content is delivered and consumed. Post the pandemic, the digital divide existing in the Indian educational system is more evident, which creates a requirement of low bandwidth educational technologies, without compromising learning effectiveness. This study proposes a new medium: Augmented podcasts (MP3 file + PDF file of the screenshots used in the lecture), an audio narration synchronised with slides, as a more bandwidth-friendly alternative to traditional video lectures. We compare the data consumption and effectiveness of augmented podcasts as an educational tool in comparison to traditional video lectures. The comparison is done based on three main levels of difficulty (low-medium-high) in the assessments of these lectures. The study employs a quantitative approach with an experimental design. Participants from urban areas of Mumbai were initially selected using purposive sampling. These participants were then randomly assigned to either of the two groups: the augmented podcast or video lecture group. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Mann-Whitney U tests, were used for data analysis In addition to a significant reduction in the data payload compared to video lectures, the findings reveal that augmented podcasts are equally as effective in promoting learning, with no significant differences observed in their test scores in low and medium level learning. However, findings reveal a significant difference in high-level learning. The research also highlights consistent engagement levels with augmented podcasts compared to video lectures, offering key insights for curriculum designers and educators to optimize instructional materials
Effect of titanium diboride nanosheets on cement hydration and strength of cement mortar
No full textShear-Induced Structural Changes Drive Amorphous Aggregate Formation of Human Insulin
No full textThe aggregation of protein-based biopharmaceutical formulations constitutes a major challenge in the pharmaceutical industry, where physicochemical stressors, viz., temperature, pH, shear, and high concentrations, synergistically compromise structural integrity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. While human insulin (HI) aggregation under pH and temperature variations has been extensively studied, the combined effects of pH, shear, and thermal stress on its conformational behavior remain underexplored. This study assessed the HI aggregation kinetics under varying (1–1000 s−1) and constant shear rates (50, 100, 300, and 500 s−1) at four temperatures (25°C, 37°C, 50°C, and 60°C). At 60°C and low pH, HI exhibited non-Newtonian rheological behavior, initially undergoing shear thickening due to higher-order structure formation, followed by shear thinning as aggregates fragmented. Shear-induced dissipation energy exceeded the free energy of unfolding (ΔGunfold) of HI, catalyzing the unfolding, aberrant β-sheet propagation, and eventual aggregate formation. Fluorometry employing thioflavin-T and intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence indicated a time-dependent effect of shear in insulin unfolding. Thioflavin fluorescence showed an 80-fold reduction in fibrillation lag time, highlighting shear as a potent catalyst of aggregation. TyrA19 and TyrB26 mediated interchain interactions supported fluorometric findings. Circular dichroism revealed α-helix content plummeting to 16% within 2 min at 500 s−1 shear at 60°C. Transmission electron microscopic studies showed fibrillar-to-amorphous aggregate transition under shear. Native PAGE and BCA assays confirmed monomer depletion, while cytotoxicity studies indicated 53% cell viability after 10 min of HI incubation at 60°C and 500 s−1 shear. These findings emphasize the necessity of stringent control of thermomechanical stressors in insulin bioprocessing, transport, and storage to mitigate aggregation-related complications to enhance biopharmaceutical stability
Assessment of Water Quality Using Multivariate Analysis-A Case Study on the Brahmaputra River, Assam, India
No full textBroadband dielectric spectroscopic studies of acemetacin, colchicine and bezafibrate during quench cooling, and in supercooled liquid phase by dielectric modulus formalism
No full textThis study investigates the dielectric properties of three pharmaceutical melt samples during quench cooling, focusing on the molecular relaxations above and below the glass transition temperature (Tg). Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was employed to analyze the temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss as the melts were cooled to a deep glassy state at different test frequencies at cooling rate of 10 K/min. Comparative study of complex dielectric permittivity and dielectric modulus in supercooled liquid and glassy states while quench cooling helps to understand the nature of glass transition phenomenon in the pharmaceuticals which are useful for preparing amorphous pharmaceuticals. The primary structural relaxation process above the glass transition temperature and the secondary relaxation process below Tg were examined to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving glass transition theory. Additionally, the frequency dependence (10–2–107 Hz) of the real and imaginary parts of complex dielectric modulus were analyzed on heating the glassy samples formed by quench cooling up to just below melting temperature, and the data were fitted using the Havriliak–Negami and Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equations to extract relevant parameters. The findings offer valuable insights into the glass transition behavior and stability of complex amorphous pharmaceuticals
Caste Inequality in Occupational Exposure to Heat Waves in India
No full textIndia is a leading global hot spot for extreme heat waves induced by climate change. The social demography of India is centered on its caste hierarchy rooted in endogamous occupational groups. We investigate the association between caste and climate inequality by studying occupational exposure during the 2019 and 2022 heat waves. We combine high spatiotemporal resolution heat stress information from satel lite imagery with a large nationally and regionally representative labor force survey with rich socioeconomic and demographic information (n > 100,000 individuals). The slope of the heat stress dose–workhours curve corresponding to the marginalized caste groups is between 25% and 150% steeper than that for dominant caste groups for UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) thresholds between 26°C and 35°C. Our models control for other economic-demographic confounders, including age, gender, education, and economic status, besides political-geographic controls and fixed effects. Our robust evidence for the association between caste identity and exposure to heat stress shows why adaptation and mitigation plans in India must account for the hierarchical social order characterized by the “division of laborers” along caste lines rather than the mere division of labor. Methodologically, our analysis demonstrates the utility of pairing satellite imagery and detailed demographic data
Effects of Lime Treatment on Shear Strength and Small Strain Shear Modulus Response of Expansive Clay
No full textExpansive soils tend to swell on moisture ingress and shrink on moisture evaporation, which causes distress to highway/railway embankments, canal slopes, small buildings, etc. It is a common practice to stabilize expansive soils using lime. The present study investigates the effect of variation in lime content, curing period, initial matric suction, and overburden pressure on small strain shear modulus (Gmax) response of a highly expansive compacted clay along with its unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and microstructural changes. The hydrated lime was used in the dosages of 0–6% at an interval of 1%. The curing periods of 7 days, 28 days, 60 days, 90 days, and 180 days were considered in the present study. A GDS triaxial system equipped with bender elements was used to determine the small strain shear modulus at different overburden pressures. Matric suction was determined using the in-contact filter paper technique. The shear strength and small strain shear modulus were correlated with the matric suction of lime-treated expansive soil. The microstructural changes in the soil mass due to lime treatment were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The UCS of lime-treated soil specimens was found to be linearly correlated with the initial matric suction. Moreover, a multivariable linear regression fit with an R2 value of 0.84 showed the dependency of Gmax on matric suction and overburden pressure. The microstructural alterations caused by lime treatment were found to be in agreement with the changes in matric suction, shear strength, and Gmax of compacted expansive soil
A GEOSPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD RISK TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES USING MULTICRITERIA DECISION MAKING AND ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS
No full textSouth Asia's rich cultural heritage is prominently reflected in its archaeological sites. The Indus Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, thrived in what is now India and Pakistan from the mid-third millennium BCE until around 1300 CE. In India, more than a thousand sites associated with the Indus Civilization have been discovered; however, only 15 of these sites are currently protected. Many of the remaining sites are at risk of destruction due to human activities and natural disasters. Therefore, conducting a risk assessment is crucial to understanding the current state of preservation and protection of these sites. The state of Gujarat has diverse geomorphology and faces significant threats from various natural disasters each year. While a comprehensive assessment of all risks is necessary, it is important to begin with a specific concern. This study examines the flood risk to 508 archaeological sites related to the Indus Civilization, along with regional Chalcolithic sites. To generate a flood susceptibility map for Gujarat, ten parameters were selected: clay content of the soil, distance from rivers, distance from roads, drainage density, elevation, Land Use Land Cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), rainfall deviation, slope, and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI). These parameters were assessed using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), integrated with spatial analysis. The risk assessment methodologies developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) were utilized for the risk assessment of archaeological sites. The findings revealed that the districts of Bhavnagar, Botad, and southern areas of Surendranagar and Ahmedabad are more prone to flooding in Gujarat. Out of the 508 archaeological sites assessed, 188 were identified as being at high risk. Notable at-risk sites include Jaidak/Pithad, Lothal, Rangpur, Rojdi, and Valabhipur, along with many unprotected sites that are also affected. By employing various spatial techniques, this study aims to bridge the gap between natural sciences and cultural heritage management, providing a framework for conducting risk assessments in India, particularly for archaeological sites
A new graphitization setup for radiocarbon dating using accelerator mass spectrometer at Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad
No full textA new vacuum system for radiocarbon (14C) dating has been developed at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. This system uses zinc as a reducing agent and iron powder as a catalyst to convert CO2 into graphite, which is then analyzed using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for measuring 14C content. The system efficiently processes CO2 from wide range of samples including organic material, carbonates and water. In this paper, we discuss the details of the setup, graphite reduction efficiency, background activity, and measurements of oxalic acid standards alongside 14C determinations from known international standards. Additionally, the paper outlines the data reduction process for AMS and the procedure for reporting radiocarbon content with uncertainties. The system can handle five samples at a time, with CO2 reduction efficiency ranging from 50 to 100%. Multiple 14C age measurements from 12 international standards highlight the system's precision and reliability