Indian Institute of Information Technology, Tiruchirappalli

In this study, the impact of annealing temperature (TA) from room temperature (RT) to 400 °C on the structural, optical and electrical properties of NiO thin films deposited using sol‐ gel spin coating technique on glass substrate is presented. A theoretical approach is also employed to calculate the open circuit voltage (VOC) from the energy band gap (Eg) value, fill factor (FF), short circuit current (ISC), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the material for solar cell applications. Crystallinity improvement is observed upon annealing the NiO thin films and the average size of crystallites varies from 28 to 34 nm with a maximum value observed for 300 °C annealed film. The SEM micrographs confirm the nano form of NiO nanoparticles, with particles that are between 73 and 100 nm in size. All the films are semitransparent with transmittance >55% and the thin film annealed at 300 °C exhibited 88% transmittance in the visible region, making it a promising option as a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) in photovoltaic applications. The I–V curves display a non‐linear behaviour for all annealing temperatures. The conductivity increases with an increase in TA and the film annealed at 300 °C shows the highest conductivity.

ABSTRACTEffective spectrum allocation in 5G and beyond intelligent ubiquitous networks is vital for predicting future frequency band needs and ensuring optimal network performance. As wireless communication evolves from 4G to 5G and beyond, it has brought about remarkable advancements in speed and connectivity. However, with the growing demand for higher data rates and increased network capacity, new challenges in managing and utilizing network frequencies have emerged. Accurately forecasting spectrum requirements is critical to addressing these challenges. This research explores how machine learning (ML) plays a pivotal role in optimizing network performance through intelligent decision‐making, predictive analysis, and adaptive management of network resources. By leveraging ML algorithms, networks can autonomously self‐optimize in real time, adjusting to changing conditions and improving performance in 5G and beyond. The effectiveness of our approach was demonstrated through an extensive case study, which showed that it not only meets spectrum requirements in various environments but also significantly reduces energy consumption by pinpointing the appropriate spectrum range for each location. These results underscore the approach's potential for enhancing spectrum management in future networks, offering a scalable and efficient solution to the challenges facing 5G and beyond.

Studying the nanofluid flow with consideration of variable thermophysical properties is important for the effective utilization of these properties for industrial applications. Particularly, in inclined channels, the nanofluid flow has wide applications including medicine such as the stenosis treatment. This investigation is one such computational report which considers the varying properties of the fluid flow between two inclined plates due to graphene oxide nanofluids. The flow is modelled including the impacts of Soret and Dufour effect and thermophoretic diffusion and Brownian motion. Spectral method is used to solve the complex nonlinear equations under convective conditions. The influence of implanted effects on skin friction, and entropy of the nanofluid are studied. From the results, it is interpreted that mass transfer is improved by improving the heat flux due to mass gradients and heat transfer accounts for the energy loss as entropy. A comparison table between literature and the obtained values shows good agreement. Also, the results obtained are graphed and discussed in detail along with entropy generation.

The Metal fused-filament-fabrication (MFFF) technique has demonstrated fabulous latent for the low-cost consignment production. However, the polymer-based binders and their impacts, including pores and cavities, restrict the application of MFFF printing. In the current study, Stainless steel (SS)316L parts were developed using the MFFF technique, followed by debinding and sintering. The influence of post treatment was examined on the microstructure of the MFFF-produced SS316L at different temperatures, such as 700, 1050, and 1350 °C. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis revealed the progress of cellular structure at a temperature of 1350 °C, which confirmed the existence of austenite phase in the printed SS316L. The results demonstrate the efficacy of thermal treatment in refining the microstructure and residual stress of MFFF-processed SS316L parts.

Purpose Congenital hearing disabilities among children are associated with lifetime discrepancies in the attainment of speech, poor academic-performance, socio-individual isolation and emotional-maladjustments. The present study aims to combine evidence from randomized, controlled trials to assess the accuracy of hearing-screening procedures and relative diagnostic-tests concomitant with partial/permanent hearing loss (HL) among neonatal and under-five children. Design/methodology/approach The steps in this process were conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred-Reporting-Items-for-Systematic-reviews-and-Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The PubMed, ProQuest, Science-Direct, Cochrane-Library and secondary reference databases were searched. Analyses were carried out by using fixed/random-effects-models for calculating the summary estimates on hearing-screening and test-procedure. Meta-regression-analysis is performed to explore the influence of confounders on the net-pooled effect. Findings A total of 1,656 articles were identified, and 1,575 were excluded as they were not relevant to the purpose of the study. Further, out of 81 studies, 67 were excluded with reasons and 14 were included in the final analysis. Three independent reviewers have assessed the titles/abstracts for their potential relevance. The results from meta-analysis indicate that hearing-screening was significantly higher in the intervention group (n 8,102; OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34, 0.79; p < 0.00001), as depicted via forest plot. Meta-regression analysis indicates a positive relationship between the age and effect size (regression-coefficient 0.638, 95% CI 0.005, 0.731; p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications The evidence from the present study can be used as reference for identifying the associated risk indicators, improved hearing-screening and reduction of hearing disability among under-five children. Practical implications The results of this review will be used for implementation of a new-born hearing screening, diagnostic accuracy and understanding the risk indicators for HL among under-five children in the South-Asian region. The evidence will be helpful for strategic directions for improved hearing screening and reduction of hearing disability among under-five children. Social implications By understanding the underlying dynamics of hearing-screening procedures, hearing-impairments can be identified at an early stage and required treatment can be provided to the children. Originality/value The findings of this study indicate that early detection, screening and diagnosis of the HL among the children, especially among the infants and new-born (0–2 years of age), will be of utmost importance in reducing the prevalence of HL, especially among the South-Asian region. This study can be used as a reference for other future studies in the area of hearing-screening, diagnostic accuracy and associated risk indicators among children.