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Visitor Satisfaction of Muziris Heritage Site in Kerala
Global Interdisciplinary Business-Economics Advancement Conference, pp. 883-888. ISSN-2333-4207 -
An Analysis on the Reasons for Students Opting Tourism as a Course with Reference to Bangalore
Contemporary Research in India, Vol-3 (3), pp. 133-142. ISSN-2231-2137 -
Development and Psychometric Validation of Teachers Receptivity to Change Scale
In this article, we report the development and psychometric validation of the Teachers Receptivity to Change Scale (TRCS). The sample included secondary school teachers of Kerala, India. In India, the teachers receptivity to change becomes important in the context of the newly drafted National Education Policy, (2020) which places teachers at the center of the reforms. The present study proceeded through five phases namely item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, validation of the scale, and testretest reliability. The development of the tool started with the generation of a pool of items followed by item analysis. The exploratory factor analysis extracted four factors and the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factors namely individual, organizational, educational, and bridging factors. The structural equation modelling established the four-correlated factor construct of teachers receptivity to change and an additive model indexing teachers receptivity to change as the sum of the four factors. Both the model fit indices indicated an excellent fit. The validity of the TRCS established by correlating the teachers receptivity to change and its factors with multidimensional work motivation scale and engaged teachers scale indicated a moderate correlation. The final 28 item TRCS showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha = 0.897) and discriminant validity. The test re-test reliability analysis (Cronbachs alpha = 0.884) confirmed the temporal stability of the scale. The findings recommend a psychometric reliable and valid scale for assessing teachers receptivity to change with implications for teachers, researchers, and policy makers. De La Salle University 2023. -
Surface functionalized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and their applications
Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles or carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional nanomaterials embodying physicochemical characteristics appropriate for novel and improved applications in various disciplines. Tunable photoluminescence, photostability, small size, low cost, biocompatibility, etc., are some of the promising features of CDs. The CDs are usually composed of a graphitic core surrounded by shell layers containing various functional groups. Surface functionalization of CDs is known to customize, and regulate the properties of CDs, thereby proliferating their applications. A variety of physical and chemical methods have been used for the preparation of CDs with tailored surfaces. The choice of the synthetic strategy generally depends on the type of surface modification required and the fluorescence behavior expected. This chapter summarizes and discusses the existing strategies for preparing surface functionalized CDs and the resultant fluorescence phenomena. The surface functionalization of CDs can decisively influence their suitability in several applications. In some applications, surface functionalization improves the existing utility, while novel utilities are emerging in others. The influence of surface functionalities of CDs on biomedical and catalytic applications has been discussed in detail in this chapter. CDs have emerged as a promising material for enhancing the performance, sustainability, and safety of various energy storage devices like batteries, supercapacitors etc. Continued research and development in this area could lead to the realization of more efficient and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions. The chapter concludes by discussing the challenges in synthesizing surface functionalized CDs and their acceptability in biomedical and industrial applications. 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies. -
Doping and Surface Modification of Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhanced Functionalities and Related Applications
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a unique class of 0D nanomaterials, featured by a graphitic core and shell layers saturated with hydrogen atoms and functional groups. CQDs are prepared through top-down and bottom-up strategies from natural and synthetic precursors. CQDs can be modified through chemical (e.g., surface functionalization/passivation, doping, etc.) and physical (e.g., coreshell architecture, composite material blending, etc.) strategies to control their properties. This review highlights the effect of such modifications on the photophysical properties of CQDs, such as photoluminescence (PL), absorbance, and relaxivity. The dependence of PL upon the size, orientation at the edges, surface and edge functionalization, doping, excitation wavelength, concentration, pH, aggregate formation, etc., are summarized along with the supporting theoretical evidence available in the literature. Also, this review outlines the recent advancements, and future prospective of optical (e.g., sensing, bioimaging, and fluorescent ink) and catalytic applications (e.g., photocatalysis and electrocatalysis) of CQDs enhanced through physical and chemical modifications of their structure and composition. 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH -
Mulberry Leaves (Morus Rubra)-Derived Blue-Emissive Carbon Dots Fed to Silkworms to Produce Augmented Silk Applicable for the Ratiometric Detection of Dopamine
Silk fibers (SF) reeled from silkworms are constituted by natural proteins, and their characteristic structural features render them applicable as materials for textiles and packaging. Modification of SF with functional materials can facilitate their applications in additional areas. In this work, the preparation of functional SF embedded with carbon dots (CD) is reported through the direct feeding of a CD-modified diet to silkworms. Fluorescent and mechanically robust SFare obtained from silkworms (Bombyx mori) that are fed on CDs synthesized from the Morus rubra variant of mulberry leaves (MB-CDs). MB-CDs are introduced to silkworms from the third instar by spraying them on the silkworm feed, the mulberry leaves. MB-CDs are synthesized hydrothermally without adding surface passivating agents and are observed to have a quantum yield of 22%. With sizes of ?4nm, MB-CDs exhibited blue fluorescence, and they can be used as efficient fluorophores to detect Dopamine (DA) up to the limit of 4.39nM. The nanostructures and physical characteristics of SF weren't altered when the SF are infused with MB-CDs. Also, a novel DA sensing application based on fluorescence with the MB-CD incorporated SF is demonstrated. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Optical Properties of Magnetic Quantum Dots
The delta-like dispersion of the density of states (DoS) enable quantum dots (QD) to display optical and electronic properties comparable with those of real atoms. The discrete electronic structure of QDs akin to that of atoms is formed due to the effect of quantum confinement (QCE). In the case of magnetic quantum dots (MQD), the QDs are incorporated with magnetic impurities such as Mn atom, rare earth elements etc., by which the QDs undergo significant changes in optical and electronic properties by lifting their degeneracies (Zeeman effect). The combination of fluorescent and magnetic entities opens up opportunities for synthesizing two-in-one nanocomposites beneficial for multi-functional, multi-targeting, and multi-theranostic tools. Optical properties of QDs consisting of magnetic impurities, such as the absorption coefficient, oscillator strength, and refractive index are discussed in this chapter. 2023 selection and editorial matter, Amin Reza Rajabzadeh, Seshasai Srinivasan, Poushali Das, and Sayan Ganguly. -
Recentring Personal Development in Counsellor Education: Integrating Self-compassion, Meaning and Self-care in Training
Personal development (PD) was once the cornerstone of counsellor preparation. However, competency-driven reforms of the late-20th century relegated introspective work to the curricular margins. This chapter argues for a systematic reintegration of PD within counsellor education, contending that self-compassion, meaning in life and holistic self-care are pedagogically indispensable for fostering counselling self-efficacy and sustaining the professional quality of life (ProQOL). After tracing the historical displacement of reflective practice, we differentiate PD from the broader notion of personal growth and technically oriented professional development. Synthesising evidence from counselling, health and educational psychology, we demonstrate that trainees who cultivate self-compassion, meaning-making in life and intentional holistic self-care show greater empathic resonance, lower burnout indicators and more ethical decision-making. The chapter offers concrete strategies such as reflective writing, development labs, mindfulness exercises and scaffolded peer-support structures, which educators can embed within diverse regulatory contexts. By restoring PD to the centre of counsellor training, programmes can prepare practitioners who work competently and congruently, safeguarding client welfare and well-being. 2026 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved. -
Untold Stories from the Slums: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lives of Female Informal Waste Workers
The present study investigates the nuanced experiences of urban informal waste workers, shedding light on the intricate realities shaping their daily lives. Employing purposive sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted, specifically targeting female participants aged eighteen and above, engaged in informal waste work for a minimum duration of one year. A total of ten in-depth interviews were meticulously executed, with recordings subsequently translated and transcribed for thorough analysis. Utilizing Braun and Clarks thematic analysis method, a comprehensive examination of the data yielded a hierarchical structure comprising codes, sub-themes, and overarching themes. The central themes identified encapsulate the multifaceted challenges encountered by urban informal waste workers, including Occupational Hardships and Vulnerability, Economic Struggles and Diminished Quality of Life, Commitment to Family, Emotional and Psychosocial Challenges, Appreciation and Acknowledgment of Support Received, Decreased Willingness to seek help, and Aspirations and Hopes for the future. By amplifying the voices of these marginalized workers, this study advocates for the implementation of inclusive policies and interventions tailored to address their diverse needs within the urban milieu. Through its findings, the study aims to cultivate a more compassionate and supportive environment that not only recognizes the invaluable contributions of urban informal waste workers but also strives to enhance their overall well-being and socio-economic standing. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. -
Unveiling the therapeutic potential of azopyridine derivatives for trypsin inhibition: a DFT and In-Vitro approach
Heterocyclic azo derivatives have emerged as promising scaffolds for drug development. This study focused on the synthesis, computational analysis, and biological evaluation of a series of azopyridine derivatives (1a, 1d, 1 g, 1 h, 1 m, 1p, and 1s) as potential trypsin inhibitors. Density Functional Theory calculations indicated that derivative 1 h exhibited the lowest HOMO-LUMO energy gap 3.167 eV and was characterised as a soft molecule, suggesting strong binding capabilities. Molecular docking studies confirmed that 1 h binds favourably to the active site of trypsin with a glide score of ?6.581 kcal/mol and binding energy of ?29.95 kcal/mol. Along with docking studies, the stability of the trypsin-1 h complex was further analyzed using molecular dynamic simulations at 200 ns. The results showed that the ligand molecule 1 h bound strongly at the active site of trypsin. In-vitro enzyme assays determined the IC50 value of the molecule as 100 M, demonstrating enhanced potency. These results indicate that AzPy derivatives, particularly 1 h, hold considerable promise as therapeutic agents for inflammatory disorders and cancer, paving the way for further exploration in drug development and targeted therapies. Further research is warranted to explore 1hs efficacy, safety, and structure-activity relationships. Highlights: DFT studies were used to classify molecules based on their softness and hardness. Molecular docking, simulation, and in-vitro studies have identified potential anti-trypsin activity of candidate molecules. Experimental and computational calculations were in close agreement. 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Photoisomerization Dynamics of 2-[(E)-(4-fluorophenyl)diazenyl]- 1H-imidazole: A Theoretical and Experimental Insight
This study investigates the photoresponsive behavior of substituted azobenzenes with a specific focus on their nonlinear optical response. This study suggests that azoimidazole substitution is a better alternative to azobenzene derivatives for nonlinear optical responses. The synthesis, characterization, photophysical property and isomerization pathway of 2-[(E)-(4-fluorophenyl)diazenyl]-1H-imidazole (E-2g) are presented as an optical limiter through a comprehensive blend of experimental and theoretical approaches. Notably, E-2g exhibited a lower energy barrier than reported azobenzenes. The trans-to-cis photostationary state was reached in 75 min, while the cis-to-trans state was achieved in 60 min at 354 nm. The study further explores the photoisomerization pathway of E-2g, highlighting its nonlinear absorption, which has a nonlinear absorption coefficient (?eff) of 8.8 10?11 m/W at 20 ?J, as determined by Z-scan measurements. The results suggest that E-2g exhibits significant nonlinear absorption characteristics, which helps in applications requiring protection from intense light sources. This study explores the photoresponsive behavior of substituted azobenzenes derivative, azoimidazole, over unsubstituted azobenzene derivatives for nonlinear optical properties. Through experimental and theoretical analyses, the title compound was synthesized, characterized, and shown to have a lower energy barrier and efficient photoisomerization in solution. Its strong nonlinear absorption properties make it a promising candidate for optical limiting applications, such as eye protection and safeguarding sensitive optical sensors. 2025 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
Unusual Generation of Filament-Like Crystal on Vapor-Deposited Sb2Se3 Whiskers Under Ambient Atmosphere
This research article proposes a novel strategy to explore the nucleation and growth mechanism of a filamentary spike-like feature (secondary growth) on vapor-deposited antimony selenide (Sb2S3) whiskers (primary crystallization) due to the influence of electric fields, defects, and ambient atmosphere. Small, ultra-long, branched whiskers were produced by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method utilizing a homemade tubular furnace. In order to grow these crystal features, a temperature difference (?T) of 180C was maintained by adjusting the temperature in the hot (710C) and cold zones (530C), followed by a fast cooling rate of 12C/min. Optical and scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional (3D) profilometry, and Raman imaging analysis were utilized to investigate the surface features of the as-grown and electrically activated whiskers under ambient atmosphere. A possible crystallization (secondary growth) mechanism of the filamentary crystals in the defective region under the influence of an electric field was proposed. We noted that the effect of extrinsic impurities like oxygen coupled with an electric field promoted the growth of filamentary crystals on the whiskers, which were probed utilizing x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). An orthorhombic crystal structure with unit dimensions of a = 11.632 b = 11.798 and c = 3.987was calculated from the XRD results. This research provides a new growth mechanism and a comprehensive picture of nucleation followed by branching of filamentary crystals on the primary crystallized Sb2Se3 whisker surface. The research output with regard to layered chalcogenide materials (LCMs) will undoubtedly help researchers focus on removing secondary/whisker growth from LCM-based optoelectronic devices. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2025. -
From Fabric to Function: Decoding Athleisure Wear Adoption through Fit-inspired Lifestyle and Social Influence; [Od tkanine do funkcionalnosti: analiza sprejemanja portno-elegantnih obla?il skozi zdrav ivljenjski slog in drubeni vpliv]
Athleisure wear has emerged as a prominent trend in the fashion industry, particularly among educated youth in India, and is driven by a growing focus on fitness, health and comfort. This study, based on the stimulus-organism-response model, examines the factors influencing athleisure wear purchase intention, with a focus on fit-inspired lifestyle, perceived product quality, social influence and brand reputation. The study examines how these factors influence enclothed cognition, ultimately impacting purchase intention. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling, based on the two-step approach, was employed using SmartPLS 4.0 software for data analysis. Data collected from young consumers in Bangalore indicated that a fit-inspired lifestyle, perceived product attributes and social influence had a positive influence on enclothed cognition, while brand reputation did not show a significant relationship. Additionally, enclothed cognition was found to be a significant predictor of purchase intention. The results suggest that the alignment of athleisure wear with a fit-inspired lifestyle, functional attributes and social validation plays a crucial role in shaping purchase intention. The study offers practical insights for marketers to focus on lifestyle alignment, product functionality and social engagement in their marketing strategies. The findings also highlight a shift in consumer behaviour where experiential and value-driven factors, such as product benefits and lifestyle fit, outweigh traditional brand reputation. Future research should include exploring diverse demographic segments, longterm behavioural patterns and the impact of sustainability and cultural values on purchase behaviour in the area of athleisure wear. 2026, University of Ljubljana Press. All rights reserved. -
Analyzing the Impact of Green HRM Practices on Employee Performance
Green practices are gaining interest everywhere and the Human Resource domain is no different. Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) practices have surfaced as a critical strategic component, with the intensification of worldwide focus on environmental sustainability, particularly in sectors such as insurance where the operational ecological impacts are significant. The association between the execution of Green HRM and enhancements in employee performance is what this study aims to explore, specifically within insurance companies in the Delhi NCR region. To ascertain the results, data collection has been carried out through surveys and analyzed using statistical techniques such as reliability statistics and descriptive statistics. A total of 516 samples were collected, of which 467 samples have been analyzed to conclude the results. The findings reveal that Green HRM practices positively impact employee performance. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026. -
Can LLMs Reliably Predict Personality Traits Through Prompt Engineering? Introducing Expert-Chain-Hypothesis Prompting
The prediction of personality traits from natural language is a long-standing challenge at the intersection of artificial intelligence and psychology. Traditional approaches have largely relied on handcrafted features, custom labelled datasets, supervised learning models or pretrained embeddings. However, relatively fewer studies have explored the potential of large language models (LLMs) through prompt engineering. This study investigates the capability of LLMs to reliably predict the Big Five personality traits from unstructured textual input using prompt-based methods. We introduce Expert-Chain-Hypothesis prompting, a psychology informed prompting technique that mirrors the decision making workflow of human experts within LLMs. Using the Essays dataset, we evaluate zero-shot prompting, few-shot prompting, chain-of-thought prompting and the proposed method on GPT - 4o. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed prompting technique achieves superior overall performance; with a macro F1 score of 0.759, micro F1 score of 0.750 and the lowest reported hamming loss of 0.280. Our findings suggest that while prompt engineering techniques hold significant promise for personality prediction, challenges remain in fully capturing the subtleties of all personality traits. The Author(s) 2026. -
Workplace Stress Prediction Using Explainable AI: A Non-intrusive Approach with Psychosocial and Demographic Features
This study investigates non-intrusive approaches to workplace stress detection using machine learning/deep learning techniques. Current methods rely heavily on physiological measurements (ECG, EDA, PPG) or behavioral monitoring which face implementation challenges in corporate environments. We propose an alternative approach utilizing psychosocial stressors and demographic variables to develop an explainable AI model for occupational stress detection. This approach addresses the practical limitations of current methods, which fail to discover underlying contributors to employee stress in the workplace. Two datasets were evaluated: The corporate stress dataset (CSDIW) with 50,000 records across 30 features and the HR Analytics Job Prediction dataset (HAJP) with 15,000 records across 10 features. Machine learning models including Logistic Regression, Nae Bayes, Neural Networks, Autoencoders?+?XGBoost and ensemble methods (SVM, RF and XGBoost) were implemented in different feature spaces. Results indicate improved performance on HAJP dataset with and without feature engineering whereas models consistently underperformed on the CSDIW dataset. The soft voting-based ensemble classifier turned out the best performer achieving an accuracy of 0.86 and an f1 score of 0.84. Our findings suggest that while psychosocial features hold promise for non-intrusive stress detection in workplace, data quality and appropriate labelling remain critical challenges. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. -
Categorizing Mental Stress: A Consistency-Focused Benchmarking of ML and DL Models for Multi-Label, Multi-Class Classification via Taxonomy-Driven NLP Techniques
Mental stress, a critical concern worldwide, necessitates precise and nuanced characterization. This study introduces a novel approach to effectively characterize mental stress through a multi-label, multi-class classification framework through natural language processing techniques. Building on existing literature, discussions with psychologists and other mental health practitioners, we developed a taxonomy of 27 distinctive markers spread across 4 label categories; aiming to create a preliminary screening tool leveraging textual data. The core objective is to identify the most suitable model for this complex task, encompassing comprehensive evaluation of various machine learning and deep learning algorithms. we experimented with support vector machines (SVM), random forest (RF) and long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithms incorporating various feature combinations involving Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). The best performer of this comparative study was further evaluated against an LLM. The potential of large language models (LLMs), including their language understanding and prediction capabilities, is another key focus. We explore how these models could augment and advance mental health research, offering new perspectives and insights into the characterization of mental stress. Our findings show that the top model, an LSTM with TF-IDF and LDA (class weights assigned) outperformed the PaLM model with a coefficient of variation as low as 0.87% across all labels. Despite the PaLM model's superior average performance, it exhibited higher variability among different labels. 2025 The Author(s) -
Impact of organizational culture traits on employee intention to stay in the IT services sector: An empirical analysis
Employee retention poses a significant challenge in the Indian IT services sector, where frequent turnover leads to the loss of organizational knowledge and reduced productivity. This study assesses the impact of organizational culture on employees intention to stay in Indian-origin IT services companies in Bengaluru. We used Denisons Organizational Culture Model to measure culture across four dimensions, namely involvement, consistency, adaptability, and mission, and the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire to measure intention to stay. Using purposive sampling, we collected data from 384 employees of major Indian-origin IT firms between July 2023 and March 2024. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, linear regression, and Hayess PROCESS macro in SPSS 20.0. The results indicate that organizational culture has a significant and positive impact on employees intention to stay (? = 0.286, p < .001), accounting for 8.2% of the variance (R2 = 0.082). Path analysis confirms a strong positive effect (effect size = 0.486, 95% CI [0.322, 0.650], p < .001). The factor analysis demonstrates that stronger cultural dimensions especially empowerment, coordination and integration, organizational learning, and goals and objectives enhance employee retention in IT services firms. The study recommends that HR policies integrate cultural development to strengthen employee commitment and retention. Future studies should explore additional job and organizational factors that influence employee loyalty. Silpa Mary John, Smita Kavatekar, 2025. -
A Comparative Study of Gender and Age-Based Differences in Organisational Culture: Evidence from an Empirical Analysis
Organisational culture (OC) plays a significant role in shaping employee attitudes, engagement, and overall effectiveness. However, limited empirical evidence explores how demographic factors, such as age and gender, influence employees perceptions of organisational culture. This study reveals age and gender-based differences in organisational culture among employees from leading Indian-origin IT services companies in Bengaluru. Grounded in the Denison Organizational Culture Model, the study examines four key dimensions: involvement, consistency, adaptability, and mission. Data were collected from employees using a structured questionnaire, and statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Z-tests, were applied to examine differences in cultural perceptions. The results indicated that overall organisational culture scores did not differ significantly among age or gender groups. Specific dimensions, such as capability development, core values, agreement, and vision, exhibited significant age-related differences, with younger employees (2030 years) perceiving a stronger culture than those in the 3140 age group. No significant gender-based differences were observed across any dimension. These findings demonstrate the importance of demographic responsiveness in shaping inclusive organisational practices. The study contributes to organisational behaviour literature and offers practical implications for HR managers and leaders seeking to develop employee engagement and cultural alignment in the IT services sector. Keywords:. 2026, Iquz Galaxy Publisher. All rights reserved. -
Work motivation of teachers: Role of self-leadership and self-directed professional development
A developing body of literature endorses that the sustainment of quality is a vital predictor for the success of educational processes and systems. Teachers who are the important stakeholders in the education system should strive to improve their quality for better student outcomes. Teachers' motivation at work is a basic condition for professional growth and development. This chapter specifically focuses on the need to understand work motivation of teachers in the context of self-determination theory. The chapter also focusses on the role of self-leadership and self-directed professional development in enhancing motivation. In the era of constant changes, it is essential that teachers should have the capability to devise new strategies to lead effectively. To establish a better workplace wellbeing, it is vital to understand the role of self-leadership and self-directed professional development in influencing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing.