In addressing sustainability challenges within the transportation sector, the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) with renewable energy sources, notably solar and wind power, presents a promising solution. This comprehensive review delves into recent advancements and trends in EV technologies, covering crucial areas such as battery innovations, charging infrastructure, vehicle design, and market dynamics. Various EV technologies, including Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), battery-based EVs, Solar-powered EVs, and solar-wind hybrid EVs, are meticulously examined, with a particular focus on the feasibility and efficacy of solar-wind hybrid solutions. The review extends to battery technologies, emphasizing advancements in lithium-ion batteries and emerging chemistries like solid-state and lithium-sulfur batteries, which address barriers to EV adoption through enhanced energy density, charging efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the review scrutinizes the expansion of charging infrastructure, encompassing fast-charging stations, wireless charging technologies, and initiatives integrating smart grids, all aimed at providing convenient and efficient charging solutions to alleviate range anxiety and bolster EV attractiveness. Economic considerations, including initial investments, operational savings, and government incentives, are thoroughly analyzed alongside environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Furthermore, a critical examination of the regulatory and policy framework supporting EVs sheds light on future policy directions, tax incentives, and regulatory measures. Real-world case studies showcasing successful implementations of solar-wind hybrid EV projects underscore their effectiveness and multifaceted impacts across diverse geographical areas. In conclusion, this review underscores the recent trends in EV technologies, emphasizing the feasibility and benefits of solar-wind hybrid EVs in achieving minimal emissions and incentivizing sustainable transportation practices.
Nepal has been able to accelerate electricity access to rural areas very rapidly from early 2000s. Though the existing literature provides insights into the factors, enablers, challenges, and institutional models influencing rural electrification in Nepal, there is currently very little assessment of the specific factors that led to Nepal’s rapid rural electricity access in the first two decades of this century. This review paper investigates what spurred this rapid rural electrification in Nepal. The study employs a literature review approach and uses the multi-level perspective and energy justice frameworks for a holistic interpretation of findings of the literature review. Analysis of the findings from the literature review indicate that Nepal's rapid electrification can be assessed primarily through the perspectives of governance and policies. The discussion also touches on the institutional context, the politics surrounding the electrification transition, and policy innovations. The effectiveness of the polices is also analysed through an energy justice perspective. The analysis highlights challenges and disparities in geographical distribution and energy justice. The paper argues that Nepal’s rural electricity access was boosted by political and socio-economic conditions, like advent of democracy and large-scale foreign employment, and was propelled by innovative government policies for grid based and off-grid rural electrification. However, it also concludes that work still needs to be done from an energy justice perspective to bring about geographical and economic equity in the effort.
Carbonation-induced corrosion is a major concern for reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures, impacting their long-term durability and structural integrity. This review synthesizes the findings on the deterioration mechanisms in concrete structures, focusing on carbonation, chloride-induced corrosion, and time-dependent deterioration. The analysis includes discussions on predictive likelihood methods for estimating bridge reliability, the impact of environmental factors on carbonation, and standardized testing methods for assessing concrete durability. The review highlights the importance of understanding material characteristics and environmental conditions in designing durable concrete structures, emphasizing the processes of carbonation, its impact on rebar corrosion, and strategies for mitigation. Sheltered concrete carbonation resistance in metropolitan tropical climates is 10-20% lower than open exposure. SCM concretes exhibit equivalent or greater long-term carbonation resistance to OPC concretes, as evidenced by the increase in carbonation depth ( Δ xd) at ages greater than 5 years. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating advanced modeling techniques and empirical studies to develop robust maintenance strategies and improve concrete mix designs for enhanced durability.
Anemia, a pervasive global health issue, is on the rise across the globe, impacting both developing and wealthy nations. Anemia, a hematological condition, can manifest at any point in life and is prevalent among pregnant individuals. The worldwide incidence of anemia among women of reproductive age is around 29.4%, with over 40% of pregnant women being affected. Anemia is a widespread issue that significantly contributes to illness and death, particularly in regions where malaria is prevalent. Anemia during pregnancy has a substantial effect on both the health of the fetus and the mother. Anemia has been identified as the cause of 20% of maternal fatalities in Africa. Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anemia. This research presents a comprehensive model that describes the dynamics of anemia in pregnant women and their fetus. The population is categorized into three classes: susceptible, impacted, and treated. A control factor that varies or changes over time, namely a campaign program, is being investigated. The model exhibits an equilibrium point and the stability of such points is assessed. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of the equilibrium point is conducted to identify the crucial parameters. Numerical simulations are conducted to observe the dynamic behavior of the model. Evidence demonstrates that the marketing program is successful in reducing the advancement of diseases. The implementation of an early accelerated campaign program greatly reduces the number of pregnant patients, as well as the yearly miscarriages and fatalities. However, discontinuing the applied treatment may reverse this positive outcome and increase the burden. Findings also suggest that the implementation of control measures helps to minimize the prevalence of anemia but may not eliminate the condition.
Urbanization in Bangladesh presents numerous challenges, including regional inequality, centralized development, poverty, social stratification, traffic congestion, housing shortages, slum proliferation, and environmental degradation. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of urban environmental quality in Jashore Pourashava (Municipality), Bangladesh, utilizing a satisfaction index to evaluate key socio-economic and environmental dimensions. The findings highlight significant transportation challenges, health issues, and infrastructural inadequacies that collectively diminish residents' quality of life. Health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses, are exacerbated by environmental factors such as mosquito-borne diseases and water pollution. While most households benefit from government-supplied water and permanent sanitation facilities, critical gaps in education, waste management, and sanitation services lead to widespread dissatisfaction. Additionally, environmental degradation, driven by water contamination and rapid urbanization, contributes to the declining ecological balance. The study underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts by the government, non-governmental organizations, and local communities to address these socio-economic and environmental deficiencies, with the goal of fostering sustainable urban development and improving living conditions for residents.
The purpose of this paper is to briefly study the development of some common fixed point theorems in semi-metric space.
In this research, we compare and contrast two numerical methods, the Laplace Adomian Decomposition Method (LADM) and the Elzaki Projected Differential Transform Method (EPDTM), for solving the Benjamin-Bona-Mahony (BBM) equation, and this helps in evaluating their performance, assessing robustness, gaining insights into solution behavior, validating results, generalizing their applicability, and advancing the field. This rigorous comparisons validates the efficacy of the methods as we compare the exact results and the results of LADM and EPDTM, plotting the convergent of the two methods to identify the method that is highly convergent and accurate. Results identify the Elzaki Projected Differential Transform Method (EPDTM) as having a simple and accurate numerical method for solving the BBM equation. EPDTM enhances accessibility, computational efficiency, accuracy, robustness, and validation of the solutions, supporting the understanding and analysis of wave phenomena described by the BBM equation. This study contributes to the advancement of the field of numerical analysis and computational science as practical applications of BBM equation in various fields, including coastal engineering, wave modeling, and wave stability analysis cannot be over emphasize.
Urban areas are dynamic and intricate, encompassing various social, economic, ecological, and cultural aspects. It's crucial to employ effective approaches and management methods to achieve sustainable urban development. Stakeholder analysis is pivotal in understanding their roles and responsibilities in this process. By analyzing potential stakeholders and their responsibilities, enhances achieving development goals. This paper uses ‘solid waste bank’ and ‘socio-cultural water management approach’ case of Surabaya, Indonesia and Lalitpur, Nepal respectively. The challenges stakeholders face when implementing have been studied and mapped. Additionally, the significance of stakeholders in implementing development plans and policies has been reviewed through relevant journals and reports, considering the current cases of solid waste management and water management only. The mapping of stakeholders’ problems and prospects revealed that none of the stakeholders had low influence and low importance in both Nepal and Indonesia. This finding suggests that further studies could explore other relevant aspects of the stakeholder dynamics that could contribute to developing eco-city in both the countries. Also mapping, synthesizing both situation and stakeholder of other practices, and upgrading the practices as well may help achieve eco-city, which is unique, inclusive and has the contextual flavors.
The wise use of natural resources can help boost development. IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) is a tool used to check and balance environmental disorders (EPA, 1996). With the enactment of Local Self-Governance Act, 1999, district development committees have been given responsibilities to formulate and implement programs related to the use and protection of natural resources for the development of their area. This paper is an attempt to study the scenario of IEE implementation in developmental projects in four districts namely Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Arghakhanchi, and Kapilvastu. The different parameters like baseline, compliances, impact, physical, biological, and socio-economic and cultural aspects are assessed by use of the monitoring format developed under national EIA Guidelines 1993 and Environmental Protection Regulation 1998. Compliance monitoring in sand and gravel extractions projects are highly complied in hilly districts as compared to Terai districts. Out of twenty-six parameters taken for the study purpose, only seven parameters are not complied in all sand excavation projects, twelve parameters are not found complied in more than four sand, gravel, and boulder extraction projects in the study area. However, the poorest condition is found at Lakhandehi river of Sarlahi district where only two parameter are found complied. Mitigation measures of all project sites are planned and allocated the costs, however, the implementation level is found very poor. Only few activities like protection work for small irrigation canals, earthen roads, and cross over are made in Arghakhanchi and safety measures in Sindhuli districts are implemented. Amount of extraction of river sediments is found greatest in Bagmati River, which is also larger than the other rivers. The extraction in Sukwel and Mainar river of Kapilvastu district are closed due to the ban imposed by the court until further notice. Continuous monitoring and strictness by authority are needed for proper implementation of IEE promises.
In this paper, we propose evolutionary deviant learning system (evoDLA) for optimal power generating systems. It is a temporally structured learning system for the predictive cost minimization task at the next time step expressed in a semantic way. Cost minimization in power generation is an assignment problem that requires the determination of the best set of operating parameters to enable generators perform optimally. Presented as an alternative to the conventional unit commitment strategies, the predictive system is designed to operate in a semi-supervised manner allowing the dynamic superimposition of linguistic memory units into the mixed-integer power system generation data. A set of representative linguistic biased integers are programmed into an equivalent fuzzy-like integer representation. These are transformed through a series of temporal deviant states and then re-transformed back into true linguistic form. Simulation studies are performed in comparison with the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a proven artificial neural network (ANN) method for sequential learning tasks. The results show competitive performance with the present system and the unique capability of the novel system in inferring the optimal set of output generation parameters.
Uncontrolled city growth and quick development have made solid waste management a global challenge. Choosing the wrong disposal site leads to economic, physical, and environmental losses, impacting the human environment deeply. The aim of this paper is to discuss on geospatial analysis for optimal waste disposal site selection integrating environmental, social and economic factors. Among various methods, the combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has proven to be a good way to find suitable landfill sites. This paper also presents the selection of the best and most scientific landfill sites within Kavrepalanchowk District of Nepal. In this study, seven criteria are taken into account: distance to water bodies, distance to road, and distance to settlement area, slope percentage, soil type, geology, and forests. Each rating map is created using GIS environment and the weight is obtained from the AHP pairwise comparison matrix. The map showing suitable sites for waste disposal is obtained by using the weightage overlay tool and assigning the weightage to each criterion.
The influence of sawdust particles reinforcement on the physical and mechanical characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites was studied for application as sustainable wood plastic composites (WPCs) for housing. The WPCs developed by compression moulding method were characterised. The results revealed web-like structures/cross-linking in the microstructure of the samples, which is a characteristic of polymers. The microstructure revealed a good dispersion of sawdust particles and compatibilizer in the HDPE matrix and bonding, which enhanced the properties of the composites. The control sample C exhibited water absorption of 0.22 % whereas sample S8 having 1.1 to 1.4 mm sawdust particles, 30 wt. % of sawdust particles content, and 3 wt. % of compatibilizer exhibited the least water absorption of 0.14 %. The unreinforced HDPE control sample exhibited a tensile strength of 12.53 MPa while sample S7 with the smallest size (less than 1 mm) and 30 wt. % of sawdust particles content, and 7 wt. % of compatibilizer exhibited the highest tensile strength of 16.22 MPa. This is 29.5 % higher than that of the control sample. The control sample exhibited a flexural strength of 10.2 MPa while sample S7 exhibited the highest flexural strength of 14.85 MPa, which is 45.6 % higher than that of the control sample. The control sample exhibited a hardness value of 13.93 HV while sample S7 exhibited the highest hardness value of 19.17 HV, which is 37.6 % greater than that of the control sample. Samples S5, S7, S8, and S9, which contained high content of sawdust particles demonstrated impact energy values of 34.27, 33.14, 35.17, and 36.46 J respectively. The unreinforced control sample demonstrated a low wear rate value of 0.35 g/Nm. However, sample 7 demonstrated the least wear rate of 0.23 g/Nm, which is 34.3 % lower than that of the control sample. In view of these characteristics, the composites especially sample 7, has the potentials for application as a sustainable building material.
The influence of groove design on mechanical properties of AISI 1018 mild steel welded joint was studied. An 8 mm thick mild steel plate was marked out and cut to dimension of 120 × 75 × 8 mm using a portable cutting machine. Groove preparation was done for the single-V and single-beveled grooves. After proper alignment of the edges, the work pieces were welded using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) method with a Direct Current (D.C.) welding machine with voltage and current of 220 V and 100 A respectively. Specifically, gauge-12 (2.5 mm) stick electrodes were used for the root run while many passes (hot pass, filling and capping) were undertaken with gauge-10 (3.25 mm) electrodes because of the volume of filler metal required to fill the single-V and single beveled joints. The mechanical properties of the butt, single beveled and singe V joints were evaluated. The results showed that microstructural changes occurred in the specimens due to heat in the fusion and heat-affected zones with the appearance of ferrite, pearlite, martensite and bainite phases with grain boundaries, which confirm recrystallization. The heat-affected zone single V-joint exhibited the highest tensile strength of 442.41 MPa while fusion zone single V-joint exhibited the highest hardness of 358.9 HV. In fusion zone, the butt-joint specimen exhibited impact energy of 65.2 J/mm2 compared to 62.37 J/mm2 and 48.81 J/mm2 exhibited by the single V and single beveled joints respectively. However, the heat-affected zone single V-joint exhibited the highest impact energy of 73.22 J/mm2.
In this study, we present a simple but novel mathematical model to show the interaction of the five immunological cells in the lymphocyte family – the cytotoxic-Lymphocytes (T), B-cell antibody, killer T – cell (K), the helper T – cell (H) and the Regulatory T – cell (R) –with foreign bodies with or without treatment. The feasibility of the model and important parameters of invasion in mathematical epidemiology: the reproductive number, free and infection persistence equilibrium, local and global stability among others were established. Results confirm the effectiveness of booster (vaccination or drugs) of these cells (of the immune system as recovery of infected cells is quicker and sustainable with vaccinations that boost these body cells. By this study drug producers are better informed about the effectiveness of the boosting components of vaccination and drugs they produce and health workers have good insight and handful understanding of the efficacy of drugs and vaccines administered in the treatment of virus infection.
This paper intends to employ a non-parametric technique as an alternative technique of modelling and estimating the instantaneous mortality rate intensities which serves as the underlying basis in modeling the distribution of future lifetime. It relies heavily on the analytic properties of life table survival functions lx. The specific objectives of the study are (i) to derive models for the force of mortality using polynomial function (ii) to derive the survival function (iii) to detect the age at which mortality actually declines and (iv) estimate the curve of death. Computational evidence from our results confirms that in the models 1-3, the mortality intensity µx and the curve of death µxlx are not both defined within the age band 0 ≤ x ≤ 2. The implication is that the infant mortality cannot be captured and the model is not admissible within this interval. Furthermore, it is also observed that µx = µ is constant within the interval 2 ≤ x ≤ 9 and mortality declines at age x=10. Consequently, there is a visible improvement in the care of infants which accounts for the decline in infant mortality. In model 4 since lx < lx-1 < lx-2 < lx-3 < lx-4 < lx-5 < lx-6, it then becomes apparent that µx < 0. The fact that the force of mortality becomes negative represents a phantom detected from the McCutcheon's mortality matrix.
In this paper, the mechanical properties of a hybrid iron filing (Fe)-snail shell (SnS)-reinforced discarded aluminum matrix were investigated. Prepared iron filling (20 µm) and snail shell (70 µm) particulates at a mix ratio of 1:3 constituting 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt% in hybrid weight fractions as the reinforcing phase in the aluminum matrix were investigated. Both the unreinforced aluminum matrix and the reinforced hybrid composites were produced via a double-stir die casting technique. Metallurgical optical examination, density, tensile, hardness, and impact testing were carried out to appraise the mechanical property performance of the developed composites relative to the unreinforced Al matrix. The results show that with increasing hybrid-Fe-SnS particulates in the reinforcing phase, the hardness and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the reinforced Al-matrix composite also increase. The maximum tensile strength (106.10 MPa) and hardness value (62.92 HRB) equivalent to 86.50% and 24.90% increments, respectively, were obtained at 8 w% of the hybrid reinforcement. Meanwhile, the hybrid reinforcement only increased the impact energy of the composite by 2.60% at 2 wt% Fe-SnS addition, beyond which the impact strength decreased. A marginal decrease in the weight of the composite with an increase in hybrid reinforcement was also observed. Hence, Fe-SnS hybrid particulates offered a favorable influence on the mechanical property performance of Al/Fe-SnS hybrid composites compared to that of the unreinforced Al matrix.
Bamboo and glass fibers reinforced hybrid epoxy matrix composites were produced by stir casting method and the effects of production parameters (temperature, drying time, particle concentration, and bamboo-to-glass fiber ratio) on the mechanical properties were investigated. Overall optimum fabrication parameters are a bamboo fiber drying temperature of 25°C, a drying time of 20 mins, a particle size of 0.75 mm, and a bamboo-to-glass fiber ratio of 1:3. An in-depth analysis of the results shows that the improvement of different composite properties can be specifically targeted using different parameter combinations. Specifically, the shortest fibers below 0.75 mm, dried at room temperature for 60 minutes, and a bamboo-glass fiber ratio of 1:3 yielded the highest tensile strength of 7.47 MPa, which represents about 120 % increase as compared to unreinforced epoxy. Similarly, the longest fibers between 1 to 2.8 mm, dried at 110°C for 60 minutes, and a bamboo-glass fiber ratio of 1:1, exhibited the highest impact energy of 37.2 J, corresponding to about 79 % improvement. Moreover, the medium length fibers between 0.75 and 1 mm, dried at 80°C for 60 minutes, and a bamboo-glass fiber ratio of 3:1, exhibited the highest hardness of 16.73 HV, translating to 37% increase. Sample S8, which is the hybrid reinforced composite containing 0.75 mm bamboo fiber-particle size exhibited the lowest wear rate of 1.09 g/Nm implying the highest wear resistance. All these show the effectiveness of the mixture of bamboo and glass fibers in improving the mechanical properties of the composites. However, excessive bamboo concentration led to a significant reduction in wear properties.
An experimental study is performed in this research to investigate the changes in mechanical properties of mild steel during the welding and tempering heat treatment cycle. Four experimental cases were considered; i) as-received, ii) heat-treated, iii) welded, and iv) post-weld heat treated. Both the heat-treated and post-weld heat-treated cases followed the identical tempering process. Charpy and tensile tests were done to investigate the tested specimens’ impact energy and fracture strength. A total of 16 tensile tests and 16 Charpy tests were conducted. Fracture surface studies were performed to determine the types of fracture on samples of all four cases. The results of the Charpy test according to the toughness of samples were: heat-treated > as-received > post-weld heat-treated > welded. Similarly, the tensile test results according to tensile strength were: heat-treated > as-received > post-weld heat-treated > welded. The hardness of samples was predicted from tensile strength, using the correlation of hardness and tensile strength of mild steel. The predicted hardness at four cases of samples was: heat-treated > as received > post-weld heat-treated > welded. It was observed that the strength of welded samples is less as compared to the as-received case and there was an increase in the strength of samples after being heat-treated and post-weld heat treated.
The late Professor C.R. Rao's contributions have shaped the theory, application and future of statistics and statistical theory. It is these contributions that have made him a highly respected figure in the academic community. In this email interview, Professor Rao shares valuable insights into statistics and reflects on his passion, expertise and remarkable career in the field.
The isolation of high-quality genomic DNA is an essential criterion for further molecular analysis. Coffea genus is well known for its high amount of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and other secondary metabolites that degrades the quality of the DNA isolation needed for further down streaming processes. The present work was carried out to obtain a simple and efficient DNA isolation protocol generating high-quality amplification for barcoding. The protocol involves modifying the CTAB extraction, incorporating the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone and β -mercaptoethanol yielding quality DNA with a ratio (A260/280) between 1.8–2.0 indicating low contamination. The PCR conditions were optimized for high amplification based on the optimal concentration of MgCl2 (3 mM), primer (0.5 µM), Taq polymerase (0.2 U), 50–60 ng of DNA template, and cycle conditions as initial denaturation of 94°C for 4 min followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94°C for 50 sec, annealing (respective of barcodes) for 50 sec and extension at 72°C for 80 sec, followed by a final extension at 72°C for 7 min. The optimal conditions produced highly amplified reproducible data. Thus, the optimized method proposed enabled a simple DNA extraction and PCR amplification for Coffea genus and may serve as an efficient tool for further molecular analysis.
