Our Work

Influence of a strongly reducing conditions and periodic elevated temperature treatment (thermal cycling) on the thermoelectric performance of 20 mol. % La+Sm rare earth doped strontium titanate (Sr0.…

Influence of a strongly reducing conditions and periodic elevated temperature treatment (thermal cycling) on the thermoelectric performance of 20 mol. % La+Sm rare earth doped strontium titanate (Sr0.7La0.1Sm0.1TiO3) ceramic materials was investigated. The ceramics were synthesized via conventional solid state reaction route. For comparison, 1300A samples (20 mol. % of VSTO-A, Sr0.7La0.1Sm0.1TiO3 air calcined) exhibited relatively high thermal conductivity, which is detrimental to thermoelectric performance. In contrast, powders calcined at 1300 oC and sintered at 1500oC in a 5 % H2/N2 atmosphere produced the sample designated 1300H, which exhibited a reduced thermal conductivity of 2.67 Wm-1k-1 and a maximum dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of 0.30 at 973 K. To investigate the effect of periodic temperature increase under reducing conditions, portions of the 1300H sample were subsequently recalcined at 1300 oC (codenamed 1350H) and 1400 oC (codenamed 1400H) in 5 % H2/N2 and sintered at 1500oC. A progressive enhancement in thermoelectric performance was observed with increasing recalcination temperature. The 1400H sample exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity of 2.50 Wm-1k-1 and achieved the highest ZT of 0.35 at 973 K. the improved performance is attributed to enhanced reduction induced defect formation and increased phonon scattering, which effectively suppressed heat transport while preserving favorable electrical transport characteristics. These findings demonstrate that periodic elevated-temperature treatment in a strongly reducing atmosphere provides an effective route for reducing thermal conductivity and enhancing the thermoelectric performance of rare-earth co-doped SrTiO3 ceramics, thereby highlighting their potential for high temperature waste recovery applications.

Background: The rapid expansion of digital identity systems has increased children's participation in digital environments while exposing them to privacy violations, identity theft, cyber exploitation…

Background: The rapid expansion of digital identity systems has increased children's participation in digital environments while exposing them to privacy violations, identity theft, cyber exploitation, and long-term data misuse. Existing studies primarily address these issues from technological or regulatory perspectives, with limited integration of Islamic family law into children's digital identity governance. Objective: This study examines children's digital identity governance in Indonesia, Estonia, and the United Arab Emirates and develops a governance framework grounded in maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. Methods: A qualitative doctrinal and comparative legal approach was employed by analyzing legislation, child protection and personal data protection laws, digital governance policies, institutional documents, and recent scholarly literature. The analysis combines comparative legal methods with maqāṣid al-sharīʿah principles. Results: Indonesia emphasizes family-centered legal protection and parental responsibility, Estonia demonstrates institutionally integrated digital identity governance supported by secure digital infrastructure, and the United Arab Emirates combines technological innovation with Islamic legal values. These findings are synthesized into the Maqāṣid-Based Children's Digital Identity Governance (MCDIG) Framework, comprising parental digital responsibility, legal protection, secure digital infrastructure, family digital literacy, and collaborative institutional governance. Conclusion: Effective children's digital identity governance requires an integrated legal, technological, ethical, and institutional approach that balances digital innovation with child protection and family responsibility while strengthening contemporary Islamic family law. Novelty: This study proposes the MCDIG Framework, integrating maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, comparative legal analysis, children's digital rights, and digital governance into a unified child-centered framework for protecting children's digital identities.

Objective: A retrospective analysis of the role of hybrid instrumentation, mini-open anterior release in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Methods: Medical records and imaging of 4…

Objective: A retrospective analysis of the role of hybrid instrumentation, mini-open anterior release in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Methods: Medical records and imaging of 43 patients operated between January 2008 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Subgroup analysis was done for patients managed with mini-open anterior release+ posterior instrumentation[APSF](13 patients) vs. all posterior approach [PSF](30 patients). Hybrid instrumentation was used involving the use of hooks and sublaminar wires in conjunction with pedicle screws. A mini open thoracotomy (<10 cm incision) was used for anterior release. The free-hand technique was used to insert all the pedicle screws. Stagnara wake up test was used after correction manoeuvers. Appearance scores were collected before and after the surgery.Results: The mean age of operated cases was 15.2 (range 10-28) years, and majority cases were females (86.05%). The average follow-up time was 46.86 months. Lenke 1 was the most common curve pattern [74.42%]. Significant correction was achieved and maintained at the end of the follow-up period for all the curve patterns [PT 66.67%, MT 75.20%, DL/L – 70.83%]. The sagittal plane alignment was maintained in all but one patient. Mean [81.25° vs. 49.16°] and bending [66.89° vs. 32°] Cobb angles were significantly higher in the APSF group. Improvement in the appearance scores was significant for both the groups [APSF - 25 vs. 10.78, PSF - 18.9 vs. 9.03]. Two of the APSF patients had prolonged ICU stay. Two patients required secondary suturing for wound dehiscence. One case had chylothorax, which was medically managed. One patient required revision surgery for hook pull-out after 34 months of index surgery. There were no neurological deficits, vascular or visceral injuries.Conclusion: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis represents a different set of challenges in developing nations with limited resources. Hybrid instrumentation with the use of sublaminar wires is still an effective and valid strategy to reduce the cost of spinal deformity surgeries. A mini-open anterior release, along with the use of posterior hybrid instrumentation, helps achieve optimal coronal and sagittal correction, especially in bigger and stiffer curves, compared to all posterior hybrid constructs. A decision tree is provided to guide the treatment selection for the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cases.Abbreviations: PT- Proximal Thoracic, MT – Main Thoracic, DL/L – Dorsolumbar/ Lumbar

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) is a well-recognized complication of diabetes mellitus that affects both type 1and type 2 diabetic patients. Its clinical presentation can be subtle and early detect…

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) is a well-recognized complication of diabetes mellitus that affects both type 1and type 2 diabetic patients. Its clinical presentation can be subtle and early detection is of utmost importance foreffective management and prevention of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We report the case of a 25-year-old malewith an 8-year history of type 1 diabetes who presented with dizziness, worse on standing, together with resting andorthostatic tachycardia. Several autonomic function tests have been described in literature to confirm the presence andseverity of CAN. However, in an emergency medicine setting common causes of tachycardia (some of them quitecritical) must be excluded before attributing tachycardia to autonomic dysfunction secondary to diabetes. That said,CAN must always be considered in diabetic patients with relevant clinical presentation as a rule-out diagnosis. This isparticularly important in view of the detrimental cardiovascular sequelae for the patients. In addition, prompt diagnosisof CAN can have a significant impact on patient’s management by triggering optimization of their diabetic control andoffering treatment that can alleviate their symptoms. CAN is an admittedly challenging complication of diabetes, withmulti-factorial pathogenesis, and largely under-diagnosed with few cases in literature. Further research is needed toenhance our understanding of CAN and to develop early tools for effective diagnosis of diabetes complication. Thus,raising awareness among clinicians for this medical entity can prompt early consideration in our differentials andoptimal treatment for the patients. 

In this article, we propose two other DLRA-type dynamics for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) than the one studied in arXiv:2308.11581, derived from a minimization of functionals and (informal…

In this article, we propose two other DLRA-type dynamics for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) than the one studied in arXiv:2308.11581, derived from a minimization of functionals and (informally) from a Stratonovich formulation, respectively. The former approach resembles the DLRA for SDE system proposed in arXiv:1803.00499. Providing the differentiability of the diffusion, the latter procedure registers an additional term in the drift. Indeed, its derivation exploits the Stratonovich formulation to write stochastic processes on manifold, and, hence, possesses a term that depends on the geometry of the manifold itself. These developments open the debate on which formalism is more suitable and what DLRA for SDEs really is. MSC classes: 58J65, 60H10, 60H35, 65C30

 In the process of modern urbanization, urban public transport is of significant importance as the primary infrastructure that meets the mobility needs of the population. The scientifically-based…

 In the process of modern urbanization, urban public transport is of significant importance as the primary infrastructure that meets the mobility needs of the population. The scientifically-based regulation of the technical and operational indicators of vehicles is necessary not only to ensure passenger safety but also to increase economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and service quality. This article presents the theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, and practical recommendations for developing regulations for the technical and operational indicators of urban public transport vehicles.

Ushbu tadqiqotda sanoat tarkibini klasterli yondashuv asosida diversifikatsiyalash hamda uning hududiy iqtisodiy barqarorlikni ta’minlashdagi tizimli o‘rni o‘rganilgan. Bugungi kunda…

Ushbu tadqiqotda sanoat tarkibini klasterli yondashuv asosida diversifikatsiyalash hamda uning hududiy iqtisodiy barqarorlikni ta’minlashdagi tizimli o‘rni o‘rganilgan. Bugungi kunda chekka va qishloq tumanlarining bir tomonlama (mono-sanoat yoki agrar) tuzilishga qaram bo‘lib qolishi ularning tashqi iqtisodiy shoklar va bozor tebranishlariga nisbatan zaifligini oshirmoqda. Tadqiqotning maqsadi sanoat klasterlari zanjirini rivojlantirish orqali ishlab chiqarilayotgan mahsulotlar turini kengaytirish va hududiy barqarorlik mexanizmini ishlab chiqishdan iborat. Iqtisodiy-statistik tahlillar shuni ko‘rsatadiki, integratsiyalashgan klasterlar sanoat diversifikatsiyasini tezlashtiruvchi va hudud iqtisodiyotini inqirozlardan himoya qiluvchi asosiy omil hisoblanadi. Tadqiqot yakunida tumanlar sanoat salohiyatini oshirish va barqarorlikni ta’minlash bo‘yicha amaliy tavsiyalar ilgari surilgan.

Historically, forests in the Himalayas have been used as ecological resources, cultural landscapes and common property resources which support the livelihoods of rural communities and the maintenance …

Historically, forests in the Himalayas have been used as ecological resources, cultural landscapes and common property resources which support the livelihoods of rural communities and the maintenance of biodiversity. Forestry has been a critical aspect of agricultural, pastoral transhumance and people's livelihoods in Chamba district since the dawn of time. The governance of these common resources, however, experienced a significant change over successive colonial and post-colonial regimes, both in terms of its administration, ownership and use. Although much has been written on colonial forestry and environmental history in India, few studies have looked to how colonial forestry has continued on to the present day and how it has affected environmental change and contested commons in an Indian valley of contested forest ownership, Chamba. The paper explores how forests governance evolved across time, through changing legal frameworks, administration and conservation policies, and the impact thereof on customary rights, forest management and common property resources. The study method is qualitative historical approach which is based on the District Gazetteer of Chamba, forest laws, administrative reports, government publications and relevant scholarly works. The results show that the colonial forest policies institutionalised state control by legal classification, scientific forestry and regulation of customary resource use, but the post-colonial forest governance did not significantly change the institutional framework though some more focus was laid on the conservation of biodiversity and participatory governance. The study concludes that the current environmental issues in Chamba are much more embedded in the history of governance in the kingdom than environmental changes in recent times. The paper merges three streams of thought – environmental history, political ecology and commons theory – and helps to understand how governance has affected the socio-ecological landscapes and competing understandings of commons in the western Himalayas.

This study evaluates a standardized, project-specific ChatGPT workflow for extracting structured information from research articles. It is a multi-participant implementation evaluation. Each participa…

This study evaluates a standardized, project-specific ChatGPT workflow for extracting structured information from research articles. It is a multi-participant implementation evaluation. Each participant will use the supplied Extraction, Review, and Evaluation skill to organize files, preserve evidence, validate outputs, create audit records, and calculate the prespecified results. The substantive extraction rules remain the participant's frozen coding prompt. All work completed before this registration, including TEST1 calibration, pilot, feasibility, workflow-development, and previously viewed Ground Truth, will be described as prior work and will not enter the prospective primary cohort. A previously developed prompt may be reused only if none of the participant's designated formal papers contributed to its development or revision. No prior formal-test article, coding sheet, AI output, comparison, adjudication note, or performance summary may be supplied to ChatGPT for the new prospective evaluation. The prospective cohort begins after this document is deposited and each participant has reserved formal papers, separated formal Ground Truth, and frozen the formal extraction system.