Dr. M.K. Jha

Integration of asset preselection with appropriate portfolio optimization techniques can improve the performance of the portfolio optimization models. This paper morphed the potential asset selection and the optimal portfolio construction rather than focusing on one. A large volume of sample data from 25 stocks is used for the experiment from the National Stock Exchange, India, between January 2005 and December 2021. Initially, a 3-step screening approach, an asset selection method is applied to select potential assets. The 3-steps comprise data choice, fundamental screening, and the Long Short Term Memory model anticipating real-time stock prices to shortlist stocks with higher expected returns. The suggested approach is effective in determining the quality of assets. Further, the optimal asset allocation is done by introducing a novel exponentially weighted-mean-variance model. This exponential weighting …

An optimization problem is formulated in this study to optimize the total investment in education, apprenticeship, and financial incentive to address the skilled labor shortages in the construction industry. Three separate mathematical models, namely linear programming (LP) models, fuzzy mathematical models, and structural equation models are compared for their accuracy, robustness, and ease of application in solving the optimization problem. LP models are found to be the best fit for solving the optimization problem. Relevant data on construction budget and investment preferences in education, apprenticeship, and financial incentive are obtained through a survey questionnaire from construction firms engaged in commercial and residential construction. The survey response suggests that more apprentices lean toward electrical and plumbing over carpentry due to the higher pay scale in both trade fields, thus …

Conventional toxic organic solvents used for the fabrication of polymeric membranes are harmful to the environment and human health. Herein, we have investigated Himalayan essential oils (EOs) as green solvents for some polymers. Hit and trial method is used to introduce suitable EOs solvent for the desired polymer to develop thin films and nano/microfibrous membranes. Solvent casting and electrospinning methods are employed to develop polycaprolactone (PCL) thin films and electrospun fibrous membranes, respectively. The physicochemical properties of as-fabricated membranes were investigated using FESEM, TGA, and FTIR spectroscopy. Nano/microfibrous electrospun membranes are successfully developed from PCL using cinnamon oil as a solvent. The antibacterial activity and biocompatibility evaluation revealed that as-fabricated PCL membranes would have high potential in tissue engineering …

Determining the canal route alignment and placing Rectangular Inclined (RI) drops in terms of the number and the height of each RI is a complex activity due to various technical, economic, and hydraulic issues. Although extensive research has been conducted to design the optimal flow section parameters in a cost-effective manner, an intelligent optimization model that simultaneously evaluates different aspects of the design of an irrigation canal needs further investigation. This paper presents a three-dimensional irrigation canal optimization model for optimally aligning the canal route, place the RI drops, and simultaneously design the flow section parameters. The model has been developed by integrating relevant geospatial information with a particle swarm algorithm to select a real-world option with the least cost without violating executive and hydraulic constraints in the steep-sloping area. The model has been employed with two examples to examine its capability in real-world applications. The results show that the model can optimize canal alignment and RI drop placement in areas with different terrain complexities and slopes. It is also found that while the placement of RI drops is nearly identical to the experimentally stated standards in conventional methods, the solution is obtained in a reasonably shorter computational duration. Pre-cost-estimation tables for different variants of canal routes and RI drop sets along the path of the canal are obtained. The results are very useful for efficient planning and design of irrigation canals.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused business shutdown worldwide because of which there was a significant reduction in roadway traffic movement and vehicle miles travelled. This, in turn resulted in lower gasoline sales. This paper assesses the economic impact of reduced vehicle miles of travel due to COVID-19 and determines the impact on the revenue generated in the highway trust fund due to reduced gasoline taxes collected in Maryland, USA. An economic loss assessment is performed using gasoline sales and vehicle miles of travel. The effect of declining Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) between 2018-2020 is analyzed for the 23 Maryland Counties and Baltimore city, to identity Counties that were significantly impacted due to the declining AADT. Finally, a machine learning model using artificial neural network is performed to predict the significance of various Counties subjected to declining AADT during COVID-19. The results are useful for assessing the economic impact of COVID-19 on roadway improvement projects owing to reduced gasoline sales.© 2023The Authors. Published by El sevie rB. V.

Portfolio theory underpins portfolio management, a much-researched yet uncharted field. This research suggests a collective framework combined with the essence of deep learning for stock selection through prediction and optimal portfolio formation through the mean-variance (MV) model. The CNN-LSTM model, proposed in Stage I blends the benefits of the convolutional neural network (CNN) and the long-short-term memory network (LSTM). The model combines feature extraction and sequential learning about temporal data fluctuations. The experiment considers thirteen input features, combining fundamental market data and technical indicators to capture the nuances of the wildly fluctuating stock market data. The input data sample of 21 stocks was collected from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India from January 2005 to December 2021, spanning two significant market crashes. Thus, the sample …

In Fig. 3, the y axis titles were mistakenly written showing a single-differential cross section in either dimuon pT or rapidity, when in fact the cross section is normalized by both the pT and rapidity ranges used for a given measurement point. The corrected version is shown in the new Fig. 3 provided below.

Background: Facial dog bite injuries result in significant emotional, psychological, and physical trauma to the victims involved and should be considered a significant health issue. The purpose of this study is to share our experience in the management and to add to the existing medical literature regarding the epidemiological patterns of facial dog bite injuries. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center retrospective observational study conducted at Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, from January 2021 to January 2022. A total of 105 patients were included. The wounds were managed according to the recommendations made by the national rabies control program and surgical intervention was performed in the form of primary suturing or flap cover. Results: Children of age group 0 to 10 years are most commonly affected. Pet dogs are the cause in 61% of cases and 57.1% of bites were provoked. Midface is most …