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Significance of Suffering: A Neuroscience Perspective
Pain and suffering are inevitable realities of life. Not only do humans suffer from physical pain but animals too. Recently, the advent of the covid-19 pandemic has led to a global rise in suffering. The significance of physical pain and the emotional dimension of pain is long understood. Here we are trying to understand the significance of suffering pathway in the human brain. The recent advancement in neuroscience related to insights into pain perception, mirror neuron networks, suffering and compassion has created an appeal to revisit the pain and suffering from a contemporary neuroscience perspective. This article analyzes the benefits of suffering from an evolutionary and neuroscientific approach. Suffering affects people differently as some may become more compassionate and/or resilient while others develop depression. Here we are attempting to explain the underlying neural circuitry involved in suffering, empathy and compassion and to point out the interconnectedness among them. Subsequently, the article proposes a neuroscientific perspective to manage the emotional overdrive associated with suffering. 2025, Imprint Academic. All rights reserved. -
Psychoneuroimmunology of yoga and meditation
Yoga and meditation were integral to Ayurveda and were prevalent from 1500 BC to 400 AD. The psychoneuroimmunology of yoga and meditation has been of interest in recent times, and much research is focused on the influence of meditation and yoga on cell telomerase activity, neuroendocrine system, cells of the immune system, oxidative stress, cell aging, and cancer recovery. Yoga and meditation reduce stress and depression and improve sleep quality. Stress-immune relationship influences all age groups, especially individuals with clinical diagnoses, and is a factor in lifestyle diseases and cancer. Elevated levels of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine were associated with bliss and positivity, which contribute to the reduction in inflammation and pain perception among practitioners. The present chapter focuses on the psychoneuroimmunology of the effects of yoga and meditation on improving immunity and fast and efficient recovery. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Footloose Culture: Migrant Workers and Cultural Meanings of Labour
[No abstract available] -
Jet-driven AGN feedback on molecular gas and low star-formation efficiency in a massive local spiral galaxy with a bright X-ray halo
It has long been suspected that powerful radio sources may lower the efficiency with which stars form from the molecular gas in their host galaxy, however so far, alternative mechanisms, in particular related to the stellar mass distribution in the massive bulges of their host galaxies, have not been ruled out. We present new, arcsecond-resolution Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) CO(1-0) interferometry, which probes the spatially resolved, cold molecular gas in the nearby (z=0.08), massive (Mstellar= 4 1011 M?), isolated, late-type spiral galaxy 2MASSX J23453269-044925, which is outstanding for having two pairs of powerful, giant radio jets, and a bright X-ray halo of hot circumgalactic gas. The molecular gas is in a massive (Mgas=2.0 1010 M?), 24 kpc wide, rapidly rotating ring, which is associated with the inner stellar disk. Broad (FWHM=70-180 km s-1) emission lines with complex profiles associated with the radio source are seen over large regions in the ring, indicating gas velocities that are high enough to keep the otherwise marginally Toomre-stable gas from fragmenting into gravitationally bound, star-forming clouds. About 1-2% of the jet kinetic energy is required to power these motions. Resolved star-formation rate surface densities derived from Galaxy Evolution Explorer and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer fall by factors of 30-70 short of expectations from the standard Kennicutt-Schmidt law of star-forming galaxies, and near gas-rich early-type galaxies with signatures of star formation that are lowered by jet feedback. We argue that radio Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) feedback is the only plausible mechanism to explain the low star-formation rates in this galaxy. Previous authors have already noted that the X-ray halo of J2345-0449 implies a baryon fraction that is close to the cosmic average, which is very high for a galaxy. We contrast this finding with other, equally massive, and equally baryon-rich spiral galaxies without prominent radio sources. Most of the baryons in these galaxies are in stars, not in the halos. We also discuss the implications of our results for our general understanding of AGN feedback in massive galaxies. N. P. H. Nesvadba et al. 2021. -
Blockchain enabled energy efficient red deer algorithm based clustering protocol for pervasive wireless sensor networks
Energy efficiency and security are considered as important issues in the design of pervasive wireless networks. Since the nodes in pervasive wireless networks are battery-operated, it becomes essential to develop an energy-efficient method to minimize energy consumption and prolong the network lifetime. This paper presents new energy-efficient and secure clustering based data transmission in pervasive wireless networks using red deer algorithm (RDA) based clustering technique with blockchain enabled secured data transmission, named as RDAC-BC. The proposed RDAC-BC technique undergoes node initialization and performs the clustering process using the RDAC technique. The clustering technique performs cluster head (CH) selection and cluster construction process is carried out. Once the CHs are chosen, blockchain enabled secure data transmission takes place among cluster members (CMs) as well as CHs. The application of RDAC and blockchain technology helps to achieve energy efficiency and security. The experimental validation of the RDAC-BC technique is assessed under several aspects and the results are compared with existing methods. The obtained results ensured that the RDAC-BC technique has shown superior results interms of energy, network lifetime, packet delivery ratio (PDR), and throughput. 2020 Elsevier Inc. -
Engine behavior analysis on a conventional diesel engine combustion mode powered by low viscous cedarwood oil/waste cooking oil biodiesel/diesel fuel mixture An experimental study
Binary biofuel is the best alternative source that completely replaces petroleum-based fuel. In this study, we have experimented with the waste cooking oil and cedarwood oil as biofuel in a DI CI engine for various proportions and related its combustion, emission, and performance characteristics to those of base diesel. This study aims to eliminate the utilization of fossil fuel in a diesel engine by introducing green binary fuel (low viscous fuel resulting from the blending of cedarwood oil with WCO biodiesel) successfully. The objective of the study is to convert cedarwood WCO into green binary fuel and investigate its performance, emission, and combustion properties. The transesterification process is utilized for the enhancement of WCO as biodiesel. It occasioned a reduction in brake thermal efficiency as the addition of waste cooking oil in the blend increased. At the same time, the maximum value of BTE of 27.8% was attained for B10C90 (10% transesterified waste cooking oil and 90% cedarwood oil in volume), whereas it was 28.1% for diesel at maximum load conditions. The BSEC was 15.4 MJ/kW-hr for B10C90 and 12.8 MJ/kWhr for diesel. The emission characteristics, CO, HC, NOx, CO2, and smoke for B10C90 were 17.93 g/kWhr, 0.55 g/kWhr., 20.09 g/kWhr, 2210.9 g/kWhr, and 25.55%. Combustion features such as NHRR, burn duration, MPRR, combustion efficiency, Ignition delay, and coefficient of variance for B10C90 were 53.74 bar, 29.38 CAD, 4.71 bar/CAD, 99.7%, 7.01 CAD, and 4.73% respectively. It showed that B10C90 had comparable performance (BTE) and combustion values to mineral diesel with better emission characteristics. 2024 The Institution of Chemical Engineers -
Explainable AI for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: Enhancing Clinician Trust in Deep Learning Predictions
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, with early detection being critical for effective intervention. While deep learning models have demonstrated exceptional performance in automated DR screening, their black box nature has limited clinical adoption due to concerns about interpretability and trust. This paper presents a comprehensive explainable AI (XAI) framework that integrates multiple visualization techniques, including Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), attention mechanisms, and feature attribution methods, to provide clinically meaningful explanations for DR predictions. We evaluate our approach on the publicly available EyePACS and Messidor-2 datasets, achieving 94.3% accuracy while generating interpretable heatmaps that highlight lesion-specific regions. A clinical validation study involving 15 ophthalmologists demonstrates that our XAI-augmented system increases diagnostic confidence by 23% and reduces review time by 31% compared to non-explainable models. Our findings suggest that transparent AI systems can effectively bridge the gap between algorithmic performance and clinical trust, paving the way for broader adoption of AI-assisted DR screening in healthcare settings. 2026 IEEE. -
Tailoring natural rubber properties through CaO nanoparticle integration and curing technique
The present study investigates the development of natural rubber nanocomposites reinforced with calcium oxide nanoparticles and cured using pentane-1,5-diylidenediamine, a green crosslinker derived from glutaraldehyde and ammonia. calcium oxide nanoparticles (0.020.16wt%) were incorporated via latex blending, and composites were evaluated in both uncured and pentane-1,5-diylidenediamine -cured forms. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the calcium oxide nanoparticles were well dispersed and actively involved in crosslinking with the rubber matrix. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the cured composites had a more uniform surface and better distribution of nanoparticles. Mechanical testing revealed a remarkable tenfold increase in tensile strength from 0.217MPa to 8.478MPa and a significant improvement in elongation at break, rising from 666 to 1317% in the pentane-1,5-diylidenediamine -cured samples. The best mechanical performance was achieved at 0.10wt% calcium oxide. Dielectric measurements further highlighted an increase in permittivity and AC conductivity, especially in the cured composites, attributed to interfacial polarization and the formation of nanoparticle networks. Altogether, these results underline the synergistic benefits of calcium oxide nanoparticles and pentane-1,5-diylidenediamine curing in enhancing the structural, mechanical, and dielectric properties of natural rubber, making it a strong candidate for advanced elastomeric and dielectric applications. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences 2026. -
Properties, Synthesis and Emerging Applications of Graphdiyne: A Journey Through Recent Advancements
Graphdiyne (GDY) is a new variant of nano-carbon material with excellent chemical, physical and electronic properties. It has attracted wide attention from researchers and industrialists for its extensive role in the fields of optics, electronics, bio-medics and energy. The unique arrangement of spsp2 carbon atoms, linear acetylenic linkages, uniform pores and highly conjugated structure offer numerous potentials for further exploration of GDY materials. However, since the material is at its infancy, not much understanding is available regarding its properties, growth mechanism and future applications. Therefore, in this review, readers are guided through a brief discussion on GDYs properties, different synthesis procedures with a special focus on surface functionalization and a list of applications for GDY. The review also critically analyses the advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis route and emphasizes the future scope of the material. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.) The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
Spectroscopic study of Herbig Ae/Be stars in the Galactic anti-centre region from LAMOST DR5
We study a sample of 119 Herbig Ae/Be stars in the Galactic anti-centre direction using the spectroscopic data from large sky area multi-object fiber spectroscopic telescope survey program. Emission lines of hydrogen belonging to the Balmer and Paschen series, and metallic lines of species such as Fe ii, O i, Ca ii triplet are identified. A moderate correlation is observed between the emission strengths of H? and Fe ii 5169 suggesting a possible common emission region for Fe ii lines and one of the components of H?. We explored a technique for the extinction correction of the HAeBe stars using diffuse interstellar bands present in the spectrum. We estimated the stellar parameters such as age and mass of these HAeBe stars, which are found to be in the range 0.1-10 Myr and 1.5-10 M, respectively. We found that the mass accretion rate of the HAeBe stars in the Galactic anti-centre direction follows the relation ?acc ? M?3.12-0.34+0.21, which is similar to the relation derived for HAeBe stars in other regions of the Galaxy. The mass accretion rate of HAeBe stars is found to have a functional form of ?acc ? t-1.10.02 with age, in agreement with previous studies. 2023 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society. -
Estimation of stellar parameters and mass accretion rate of classical TTauri stars from LAMOST DR6
Classical T Tauri stars (TTS) are low-mass pre-main sequence stars with an active circumstellar environment. In this work, we present the identification and study of 260 classical TTS using LAMOST Data Release 6, among which 104 stars are newly identified. We distinguish classical TTS from giants and main-sequence dwarfs based on the log g values, and the presence of H ? emission line and infrared excess that arises from the circumstellar accretion disk. We estimated the mass and age of 210 stars using the Gaia colormagnitude diagram. The age is from 0.1 to 20 Myr, where 90% of the stars have age <10 Myr and the mass ranges between 0.11 and 1.9 M? . From the measured H ? equivalent widths, we homogeneously estimated the mass accretion rates for 172 stars, with most values ranging from 10 - 7 to 10 - 10M? yr - 1 . The mass accretion rates are found to follow a power law distribution with the mass of the star, having a relation of the form M?acc?M?1.430.26 , in agreement with previous studies. 2023, Indian Academy of Sciences. -
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using calendula officinalis and its anti-bacterial studies /
Mapana Journal of Sciences, Vol.17, Issue 2, pp.11-17, ISSN No: 0975-3303. -
The Impact of Virtuous Organizational Practices on Flow at Work Among Kitchen Employees in Bengaluru
Chefs arent mere cooks; they are culinary artisans who create art in the form of dishes. Flow among kitchen employees enhances creativity, focus, and efficiency where he flourishes at his work. This study on kitchen employees in Bengaluru aims to analyze the organizational practices that have impacted the state of flow and led to employee well-being. A quantitative method was adopted to collect data from the samples. The sample includes kitchen employees at all levels of management and operation from various hotels and stand-alone restaurants. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of how virtuous practices in the organization lead to the state of immersion. The studys findings contribute to the overall efficiency of human resource management in chefs mainly focusing on employee well-being, performance, and creativity. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025. -
Psychological safety and employee development: the role of energy at work in strengthening job embeddedness in Indian luxury hotels
Purpose This study aims to investigate how psychological safety impacts the levels of energy felt at work, and vice versa, whether energy acts as a mediator between psychological safety and the multiple dimensions of job embeddedness that include organizational, community fit, sacrifice and link. Design/methodology/approach The data had been gathered from 458 hotel employees with the help of a structured questionnaire consisting of established scales of psychological safety and energy at work and, additionally, job embeddedness. A set of statistical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis and hypothesis testing, were used to test the validity and reliability of the measurement model. Findings The findings affect training and development practices in the hospitality industry. This is especially true for leadership development, resilience training and learning programs that promote psychological safety and help keep employees for the long term. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing important information about the psychological and energetic factors that impact job embeddedness, which would contribute to enhanced employee satisfaction and organizational effectiveness in the hospitality industry. 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited -
Mindfulness and Energy at Work Among Frontline Restaurant Employees
This study examines the correlation between mindfulness and energy in work among frontline restaurant staff in Bengaluru, India. The paper presents theoretical underpinnings related to mindfulness and energy in work, methodology, and some key findings. Through a convenience sampling method, 222 frontline employees working in top-rated fine dining specialty restaurants in Bengaluru were surveyed. The level of mindfulness was measured with the 15-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and energy at work by the 14-item Relational Energy Scale. The analysis of data used Pearsons correlation and regression in order to check the relations and causations, complemented by ANOVA and t-tests for the demographic differences. The study results indicated a statistically significant low positive correlation between mindfulness and energy at work (r = 0.337, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that mindfulness predicts 11.4% of the variability in energy at work. Significant demographic influences include marital status on mindfulness and industry experience on energy levels. The findings indicate that developing mindfulness will increase employees energy and well-being, leading to improved organizational outcomes. Recommendations are provided for specific HR strategies that can integrate mindfulness practices into routine workplace routines. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025. -
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Facial Recognition-Based Attendance Management System in a Real-World Setting
Face recognition technology has been extensively used in multiple verticals of security, surveillance, and human-computer interaction. Conventional techniques including manual sign-ins, identity cards, or biometric verification have been used by traditional attendance systems. Face recognition systems have, however, become a popular way to track attendance, thanks to developments in computer vision and machine learning. The construction of an attendance registration application is the main topic of this research study, which also offers a thorough overview of facial recognition attendance systems. This study seeks to provide light on the benefits, drawbacks, and potential applications of these fast-developing technologies. Face recognition technology may be integrated into attendance systems to increase productivity, accuracy, and user comfort. However, issues like privacy worries and technological constraints must be resolved. With predicted future improvements in machine learning algorithms and hardware capabilities, face recognition attendance systems look to have a bright future. This research article adds to a deeper understanding and successful application of facial recognition technology in attendance systems by examining these features. 2023 IEEE. -
Automatic Skin Lesion SegmentationA Novel Approach of Lesion Filling through Pixel Path
Abstract: Lesion segmentation is a vital step in a melanoma recognition system. Many algorithms were developed for the efficient skin lesion segmentation. Most of them fails to realize a perfect segmentation. This paper proposes a novel, fully automatic system, for the lesion segmentation in dermatograms. The proposed approach executes in two steps. Selection of root seed is the first step. All the lesion pixels in the dermatogram are identified during the second step. Traversal through a predefined lesion pixel path ensures the reachability of all lesion pixels irrespective of the possible lesion discontinuity. The proposed algorithm is tested with two publically available dataset, PH2 and images of ISBI2016 challenge. Out of the six evaluation parameters, the proposed method shows the best values for specificity, accuracy, Hammuode distance and XOR. This confirms the merit of the proposal with respect to existing popular methods. 2020, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. -
Directional Vector-Based Skin Lesion Segmentation - A Novel Approach to Skin Segmentation
Efficient skin lesion segmentation algorithms are required for computer aided diagnosis of skin cancer. Several algorithms were proposed for skin lesion segmentation. The existing algorithms are short of achieving ideal performance. In this paper, a novel semi-automatic segmentation algorithm is proposed. The fare concept of the proposed is 8-directional search based on threshold for lesion pixel, starting from a user provided seed point. The proposed approach is tested on 200 images from PH2 and 900 images from ISBI 2016 datasets. In comparison to a chosen set of algorithms, the proposed approach gives high accuracy and specificity values. A significant advantage of the proposed method is the ability to deal with discontinuities in the lesion. 2020 World Scientific Publishing Company.