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Green Supply Chain Management: Attaining Sustainable Competitive Advantage
[No abstract available] -
Symbiotic cyanobacteria in gymnosperms
Cyanobacteria are a widespread group of phototrophic bacteria that are morphologically diverse and present on almost every environment on earth. Many cyanobacteria are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and thus are able to form symbiotic association with a wide range of eukaryotic hosts such as plants, fungi, sponges, and protists. Cyanobacteria are able to provide carbon to nonphotosynthetic hosts such as fungi, but their primary role is to supply fixed nitrogen to enable the host to flourish in nitrogen poor environments. In turn, cyanobionts get the benefits of protection from competition, predation, and environmental extremes. Of all the cyanobacterial symbiotic associations, this chapter focuses on understanding the symbiotic association between gymnosperm and cyanobacteria. Species belonging to phylum cycadophyta are associated with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria (Nostoc species) through small specialized roots called coralloid roots. The cyanobionts are expected to have a heterotrophic mode of carbon nutrition, due to their location in coralloid roots (complete darkness). 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -
Impact of chitosan and chitosan-based nanoparticles on genetic transformation: an overview
Currently, the primary challenge to modern agricultural science is to meet the global demand for products and ensure food security for the growing population. No doubt the conventional plant breeding techniques and use of agrochemicals to obtain greater crop productivity and variety have been established to fight against biotic and abiotic stress in plants for better yield of agricultural products. The scientific community is exploring better techniques that can satisfy the need of mankind without affecting the ecosystem. Genetic engineering in plants is a recent advancement in the field of plant biotechnology and is more precise and can quickly obtain the desired trait in plants. This technology majorly focuses on improving the crop yield and quality by expressing desirable genes that are responsible for desirable traits such as tolerance to extreme conditions, herbicide, pest resistance, and enhanced secondary metabolite production, which is of medical importance. Nanomaterial-mediated genetic transformation is one reliable and efficient means of crop improvement for sustainable development in agricultural science. This technology has revolutionized modern agriculture as they are used as an effective delivery system to plants. Chitosan-based nanoparticles find their best application as nano-carrier due to their intrinsic properties such as cationic, biocompatible, high loading capacity, and good penetration potential with good release kinetics. Thus chitosan nanoparticles are used to deliver different types of genetic materials such as DNA, RNA, miRNA, siRNA, pDNA, CRISPR/Cas9 single guide RNA for plant transformation. This chapter provides an overview of chitosan nanoparticles as a delivery system and with a focus on their application as a safe genetic delivery system in plants. 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -
Application of Nanomaterials in Fuel Cell and Photovoltaic System
The emerging appliances and components of nanotechnology facilitate pioneering and cost-efficient strategies to meet the ever-growing energy demands. Employment of nanomaterials fetched innovative approaches for processing, storing, and exchange of energy owing to its nanosized and well-defined structure. This review presents an overview of the involvement of nanomaterials that made breakthroughs in the field of fuel cell and photovoltaic technologies. While the morphologies and unique dimensions of nanostructures offered novel electrolytes and high surface area for fuel cell catalysts; the probability of quick separation and collection of photogenerated charge carriers was enhanced in solar cells. This book chapter will focus on the recent research and developments for improving efficiency and lower device fabrication cost in nano-enabled fuel and solar cells. 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of ZnS-based green semiconductor: A review
One-dimensional (1D) semiconductor nanostructures have been attracting a great deal of attention because of their excellent electronic and optoelectronic performance. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanostructures have attracted increasing attention because of their potential application in both conditional optical devices and new generation of green nanostructure semiconductors because of their special structure-related physical and chemical properties. Synthetic form of ZnS can be transparent, and it is used as a window for visible optics, infrared optics, and functional materials. In this chapter, the detailed studies of synthesis, characterization of crystals, and noncrystalline behavior is reported. The crystal structure of semiconductor and its morphological studies are compared and fabrication methods will be described. The major parameters that influence on ZnS doped with metal ions and rare earth ions and its optoelectronic properties will be carefully analyzed. In addition, the primary application of ZnS micro- and nanocrystals will be described. At the end, the predicted future applications and development directions of doped and undoped ZnS nanocrystals will be given. 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. -
Impact of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles on seed germination: probabilities and prospects
Agriculture is the science and practice of making plants and animals for the food for animals, and humans at large. It is used not only for food but also for other needs like wool, silk, leather, etc and now we start to use these agricultural practices for making plants and animals as bioreactors for making valuable pharmaceuticals. But, the main segment of agriculture is related to the cultivation of plants. Even though many types of plant propagation systems are available, the use of seeds is considered to be the most commonly used method in many crop varieties. The productivity of the crops is largely depending on healthy seedling production. There are many methods including the traditional methods to improve seedling development. Recent scientific developments help in the development of better seedlings and thereby the crop yield. Chitosan and its nanoparticles are being used in agriculture in different aspects starting from seed germination and seedling development apart from the use in controlled release of the nutrients. In the present chapter, the use of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles in agriculture especially in the stages of seed germination and seedling development in different crop varieties is discussed. 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -
Impact of COVID-19 on Gig Workers with Special Reference to Food Delivery Executives
The gig economy, popularly known as shared economy or collaborative work, has acquired a public and academic interest in the twenty-first century. The concept stresses entering into short-term contracts and does not promise any permanent job. The employees in the Gig economy with temporary work relationships are also referred to as gig workers. Any unexpected change in the pulse of the economy has an impact on the gig economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy and the gig workers over the last few months. This book chapter provides a timely intervention into the gig workers, particularly the food delivery executives in India. Their remunerations, benefits, and difficulties from a pandemic perspective are included in the chapter. The authors try to bring in the employees views of the work they do and the differences, which have been brought in as an aftermath of the pandemic. The chapter also throws light on the recent government initiatives to benefit gig workers in the economy. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
COVID-19 and Mental Health of Indian Youth: Association with Background Variables and Stress
The coronavirus has become a public health concern of the decade, affecting the economic, social, and psychological stability of the whole world. Having understood the detrimental impact of the pandemic to the mental health of people of all age groups, youth is understood to be the most vulnerable population who receives its direct impact. The broad objective was to study the mental health status of Indian youth and its association with various demographic variables. Psychological stress and mental health was another relationship that was explored. A group of 317 participants between the age group of 19 to 29 voluntarily took part in the online survey. Gender was found to be associated with overall mental health status (p < 0.01) as well its correlates, namely anxiety (p < 0.05), depression (p < 0.05), and loss of behavioral control (p < 0.01). Association between age and loss of positive affect (p < 0.05), number of siblings and loss of behavioral control (p < 0.01), and family environment and overall mental health scores (p < 0.001) were found. Similarly, feeling of restlessness during lockdown (p < 0.001), availability of support (p < 0.001), and feeling the need to consult a mental health professional were associated with the overall mental health score as well as all its sub-scales. Further, there were strong negative correlations between psychological stress and overall mental health scores, as well as that of anxiety, depression, and loss of behavioral control and positive affect sub-scales. The study highlighted the need for psychological support services for the youth population of the country to cope with and adapt to the new situation. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Taylor and Francis Pte Ltd. 2022. -
In Vitro Production of Tocopherols
Tocopherols are an essential dietary nutrient for mammals and photosynthetic products produced by green plants. Tocopherols commonly referred to as vitamin E exist in four forms (?-, ?-, ?-, and ?-tocopherol). Synthetic ?-tocopherol is a mixture of eight racemic forms and is less effective than natural tocopherol, thus the demand for plant-derived tocopherols is high. Tocopherols are lipophilic antioxidant and extensively used as therapeutic agents such as anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anticancer, immune-stimulant, and nephro-protectant. They are also used as food additives and nutraceuticals. Plant cell and tissue culture is one of the promising techniques for mass production of tocopherols to meet the commercial demand. Optimizing physical and chemical factors for in vitro culture system has resulted in better accumulation of the product. Moreover, using bioreactors, precursor feeding, elicitation, biotransformation, and metabolic engineering approaches have resulted in enhanced yield of tocopherols from in vitro cultures. The present chapter deals with various important aspects of tocopherol in vitro production such as biosynthesis of tocopherol with special emphasis on key enzymes involved in the pathway whose modulation in expression can increase the yield of the product. Topics discussed include production of tocopherol from callus, cell and organ culture, metabolic engineering for mass production, different methods employed for extraction and quantification of tocopherols, and their biological activities and commercial applications. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
The machine learning algorithms for data science applications
It is going to be data-driven insights and insights-driven decisions and actions for the total humanity. Data is being recognized as the new fuel for any individual, innovator, and institution to envisage and deliver smart and sophisticated services to its clients and customers. Data is being touted as a strategic asset for any enterprise to insightfully plan ahead and provide next-generation offerings and premium services with clarity and confidence. Newer products and solutions can be unearthed and deployed to assist humans in their everyday decisions, deals, and deeds. However, for data to be overwhelmingly beneficial, data getting garnered from multiple places have to be transitioned into information and knowledge. The process for enacting this strategically sound transformation is being continuously updated and upgraded for achieving the required optimization. That is, process excellence is gaining the attention of professors and professionals. Further on, there are scores of automated tools and enabling platforms for empowering this transition activity. Data analytics is being touted as the prime method to extract actionable insights out of data heaps. In the recent past, with the flurry of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, frameworks, libraries, platforms, accelerators, specialized engines, and highperformance processing architectures, AI-enabled data analytics is seeing the reality. Data science is the fast-emerging and evolving domain of study and research for finding viable ways and means that can simplify and streamline the activity of emitting hidden and useful knowledge out of data volumes. In this chapter, we want to dig deeper to spell out the strategic implications of data science technologies, tools, platforms, and infrastructures. Especially how machine learning (ML) algorithms are influencing the futuristic field of data science. The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2022. -
The Future of the Gig Professionals: A Study Considering Gen Y, Gen C, and Gen Alpha
This article aims to analyze the reasons behind the gig economys growth considering the present and future. From few empirical pieces of evidence, it is clear that the gig economy took shape after the 2008 great economic recession, where unemployment rose in leaps and bounds along with voluntary job leaving. In recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the primary reasons for the forced rise of the gig economy. Strategically and practically speaking, from the economic point of view, the gig economy is dominated by Gen Y and Gen C and will be dominated by Gen Alpha soon. However, there are very fragile differences between Gen Y, C, and Gen Alpha; all three generations are lashed together in the name of tech-savvy and flexibility-seekers. Thus, this article justifies the influence of technology generations and the rise of the gig economy. There is less research work exclusively on Gen Y, C, and Alpha. Still, regarding the gig economy in light of the great economic recession and COVID-19, this new work highlights originality. Future researchers working on Gen Alpha and Gen C can explore the role of digital technologies in changing routine life and its impact on their personal life and career life. Technology has been a significant reason for the sprung-in gig jobs. However, it can also have adverse outcomes, which has scope to be explored. Thus, this research may be a catalyst for future research works in similar lines. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
How Are We Surviving the Pandemic, COVID-19?: Perspectives from Hospitality Industry Workers in Australia
The COVID-19 pandemic has been disastrous and has affected the hospitality industry worldwide, and the people working in the sector were impacted immensely. The purpose of this study is to understand the viewpoints of hospitality workers in Australia on how lockdowns have impacted professional and personal well-being. The case study methodology is adopted for this study. Viewpoints from Australian hospitality workers were collected through semi-structured interviews. With the pandemic taking surprising turns with the rise of new infections and in turn new pandemic waves, the industry is facing a constant lurking fear of lockdowns. Changing variants of COVID-19 creates a profound effect on the psychological and personal well-being of the people employed in the hospitality sector. This chapter would reflect upon the viewpoints of hospitality workers in Australia after two years of the COVID-19 crisis. A real-time assessment is required to understand the vulnerability of hospitality industry workers in a developed country. 2023 Priyakrushna Mohanty, Anukrati Sharma, James Kennell and Azizul Hassan. -
Empirical Assessment of Artificial Intelligence Enablers Strengthening Business Intelligence in the Indian Banking Industry: ISM and MICMAC Modelling Approach
Considering the context of the issue based on literature survey and expert opinion, this study investigates the drivers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation, which further strengthens the Business Intelligence (BI) in taking better decision-making industries in India. For the purpose of serving the objective of examining the enablers towards having a smarter AI ecosystem in banking, the relevance of identified enablers from exhaustive literature survey were discussed with the experts from banking sector and AI professionals. Based on their opinion, 15 final enablers were defined based on the data collected have been put through Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) that reveals the binary relationship between the enablers to draw a hierarchical conclusion, and then assess the enablers about their independence, linkage, autonomous character, and dependence based on their calculated driving and dependence power through MICMAC analysis. The ISM and MICMAC integrated approaches have been used to establish interdependence among the enablers of AI in banking in India context. The study reveals that strong algorithms result in building quality AI information, and also the efforts from management related to commitment, financial readiness towards technological advancement, training, and skill development are quite essential in making the baking system smarter and would enable the industry to take better management decision. 2023 selection and editorial matter, Deepmala Singh, Anurag Singh, Amizan Omar & S.B Goyal. -
Litigating for Climate JusticeChasing a Chimera?
Across the world, in recent decades, climate litigations have been playing essential roles in shaping domestic policies and legal frameworks on climate change and also in rendering climate justice. There has also been a continuous rise in the development of climate actions, and climate claim litigations by individuals, civil society, and non-state actors. The Indian Supreme Court, High Courts, and the National Green Tribunal have played a significant role in environmental governance by interpreting constitutional and statutory rights to include a right to the environment over the past decades. Nevertheless, with the latest trends in climate litigations, climate challenges have grown across varied climate-related issues, requiring a new judicial approach. In its analysis of climate claims, the justice dispensation mechanism ought to comprehend the shortcomings and be able to generate solutions, similar to those adopted by the courts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. An analyses of the approach taken by courts in developing nations namely in the Philippines, South Africa, and Pakistan that have compelled governments and corporates to meet their climate commitments are examined. Climate litigation in India has been emerging rapidly over the past decade. As the claims are increasing, the courts and the National Green Tribunal need enhanced capacity building to address climate litigations. This chapter seeks to address the feasibility and implication of equipping courts to address climate litigation. We review the scope of climate litigation and consider the challenges and opportunities to ensure climate justice. This chapter concludes by outlining possible opportunities and challenges in interlinking climate litigation and climate justice in India. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Nanobiosensors: A Promising Tool for the Determination of Pathogenic Bacteria
Pathogenic bacterial detection is a significant concern for the well-being of all human beings. These tiny microbes are capable of causing numerous diseases, which can be nipped in the bud through proper monitoring and controlling at the early stages itself. Some common pathogenic bacteria include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., etc. These microbes contaminate air, food, and water through different modes of transmission. The classical methods used for the identification of these bacteria are time-killing and backbreaking. Rapid pathogenic bacteria determination became possible through the intervention of biosensors. Biosensors are further modified with nanoparticles to build nanobiosensors that are tenfold efficient in bacterial detection. The optical and electrochemical nanobiosensors provide hassle-free detection of pathogenic bacteria, and pointof- care detection is also possible. This book chapter aims to give a brief idea about nanobiosensors starting from the principle to the advantages and disadvantages of bacterial detection. Relevant works of literature on different methods to detect bacteria, types of nanobiosensors, and their efficacy in pathogenic bacterial detection portray the current stand and the need for more innovations in the area of nanobiosensors. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Removal of Struvite in Wastewater Using Anammox Bacteria
Struvite precipitation in wastewater has proved to be an effective method in treating wastewater and has helped in the recovery of ammonia nitrogen and phosphate phosphorus. Nutrient recovery from wastewater has become a new trend attracting the interests of several researchers. Extraction of the nutrients based on struvite crystals as nutrition sources from wastewater has been acknowledged as a need of the hour solution to tackle the water pollution issue. This review focuses on the featured characteristics of struvite as a chemical fertilizer for plant and the struvite formation process related to physiochemical conditions in wastewaters. In the present work, struvite precipitation in the actual swine wastewater is studied by strategically controlling aeration, pH, and mixing of anammox bacteria. The effect of organic solids in the wastewater has also been studied. Laboratory experiments were conducted by optimizing pH value. pH was found to be an important parameter in the simultaneous removals of ammonium nitrogen and orthophosphate. This work reveals that the struvite removal from wastewater can be reduced to 80% using anammox bacteria. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
A Sustainability Approach to Geopolymer Brick Manufacture Using Mine Wastes
India has tons of by-products of industries like fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and mine tailings from different ores. By incorporating these wastes in bricks, the carbon footprint can be minimized. This research pivots around the use of iron ore tailings (IOT) and slag sand as a substitute for clay or shale in the manufacture of stabilized geopolymer blocks. Iron ore tailings and slag sand were used for substitution in the range of 20-40% and 15-40% with increments of 5%. Fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and sodium silicates (Na2SiO3) were used with a constant value of 15%. The bricks were cast and cured at ambient temperature. The study includes testing of mechanical properties of geopolymer bricks as per IS recommendations. To study the macroanalysis, SEM and XRD analyses were also carried out on raw materials and developed composites. The outcomes of this investigation show that the inclusion of 25% of IOT and 30% of slag sand is acceptable as brick material. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Untold and Painful Stories of Survival: The Life of Adolescent Girls of the Paniya Tribes of Kerala, India
Tribal adolescent girls are vulnerable to neglect, abuse and exploitation across the world. Literature on the status of adolescents belonging to the Paniya tribe is scanty. However, limited information about the Paniya tribe of Kerala indicates that they are neglected and deprived from basic facilities. According to the Census Report of India (2011), 49.5% of the Paniya tribe members are literate. The lives of adolescents in the Paniya community are distinct from those of other sections of society, and they are yet to be addressed by the government or the media. The objective of this chapter is to discuss the issues and concerns of Paniya adolescent girls of Kerala. A Paniya girl from Vattachira (Calicut) treks around 2 km during her menstruation to fetch fresh and clean water. They use pieces of clothes to manage menstruation since they do not have access to pads or tampons. Drying their garments during the rainy season is difficult, which leaves them susceptible to rashes and infections. They are provided with residential educational facilities by the government, but they are unable to adjust to the lifestyles of other members of the society and are frequently bullied and discriminated, leading to school dropouts. Sexual exploitation by strangers and community members is widespread among Paniya girls, and unmarried mothers under the age of 18 are also prevalent among this community. The chapter highlights upon some of the challenges of the Paniya Tribal adolescent girls of Kerala and offers some suggestions for improving the quality of life of this marginalized group, which will assist the policymakers and government for taking need-based measures. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Bioremediation of Antibiotics as a Pollutant in Soil
The discovery of antibiotics had been a major breakthrough in the field of medicine. Apart from its use in treating disease, it is been used extensively in agricul-tural fields and animal husbandry to improve livestock and crop yield. Improper and overuse of antibiotics have found a route in the food chain and has accumulated in environmental resources like water and soil. This is of serious concern as it leads to the development of drug-resistant microorganisms which is a global threat and also alters the microbial diversity as they are bacteriostatic and bactericidal. Bioaugmen-tation and Biostimulation approaches are effective in the degradation of antibiotics in soil. For enhanced degradation of antibiotics consortia, engineered microbes and enzyme-mediated methods are feasible methods for effective remediation of antibi-otics in soil. Currently, extensive research on the bioremediation of antibiotics is carried out as they are cost-effective and eco-friendly. The present chapter deals with various contamination sources of antibiotics in soil, adverse effects of antibiotics in soil, different bioremediation approaches, and mechanisms, and regulations in the use of antibiotics. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022. -
Sustainable Consumption Practices of Rural India
It is said that real India lives in rural areas. Sustainability can be found very easily in traditions, practices, culture, ethics, sense of belongingness, camaraderie, mindful living of the villages, and small towns of India. They may lack the modern way of living and infrastructure, but their way of existence is such that they contribute toward making sustainable communities. This is specifically reflected in their behavior of consumption; obviously it is also related to their income but consumption in rural areas of India is way lower than those of urban areas, even if that is to be compared by keeping population size as the same. This chapter presents an informative analysis for the reasons and methods which rural population of India practices that results in sustainability. There are practices which are found wide and large such as sharing, self-sustenance because of farming, recycling, less influence of media, simpler living, work-life balance, valuing natural resources, inherent practices of protecting the environment, and pro-community sentimentalities that lead to sustainability. Attitude toward consumption is guided by the so-called spiritual way of living and having satisfaction with life. Happiness does not necessarily come by acquiring tangible resources but by having meaningful relationship, acquiring wisdom, and following indigenous way of living and transferring it to the next generation. This chapter presents a short report by having a take on economic indicators and traditional and cultural practices of rural India and hence present an explanation for how and why sustainable consumption practices are prevalent in such places. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.