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An exploration of 'pull' and 'push' motivational factors among transgender entrepreneurs
To date, studies have focused on the men and women entrepreneurs and the gender difference in motivations among cisgender entrepreneurs. The study aims to determine whether a transgender individual entrepreneur is motivated through a push motivational factor or a pull motivational factor. This study employs a qualitative approach uses face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview with a sample size of 16 transgender entrepreneurs in India. It was found that the participants in this study were motivated by both push and pull factors. The motivational factors, which add to the knowledge of already existing push and pull factors, were to forego begging and commercial sex work, to break stereotypes, to create a business opportunity for other transgender individuals, to earn respect from society, to prove entrepreneurship is non-binary, to be a role model for other transgender individuals and to the society. In contrast, the push motivational factors were the limited opportunities, support received from society, the hijra guru, media, government support, family, friends, landlords, NGOs and another push motivational factor was the exhibitions conducted exclusively for the transgender individual entrepreneurs. 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Factors influencing dynamic capabilities of entrepreneurial-led organisations to achieve analytical transformation
Entrepreneurial spirit transforms the economic scenario resulting in a significant contribution to society. Analytical transformation enables entrepreneurs with superior effective decision-making capability through information gathering, advanced technology adoption and data analysis. Effective analysis leads to superior organisational performance. However, in entrepreneurial-led large Indian organisations, the adoption of analytics is limited to predicting results. The study aims to identify the key factors that impact analytical transformation. The study also aims to identify key dynamic capabilities to achieve such transformation. This article identifies base theories related to the identified concepts. This article aims to develop an analytical transformation capability model for entrepreneurial-driven large industries. This study also empirically validates the proposed research model. The study concludes that entrepreneurial-led large Indian technology-driven industries lag behind their technology peers in adopting prescriptive analytics. The study also proposes an analytical transformation theory that aims to provide necessary techniques to improve organisational effectiveness. Copyright 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
An analytical hierarchy process-based approach to building resilience in the Indian healthcare supply chain
Healthcare supply chains are constantly evolving and, thus, are subject to an array of disruptive risks. Apart from being crucial to the sustenance of human life, the healthcare supply chains are pivotal in adding value to the economy. The Indian healthcare supply chain is an intricate structure of indigenous and international entities functioning in unison to provide healthcare products to the masses. Bottlenecks along the healthcare supply chain can lead to disruptive consequences at any point. Thus, the identification of these disruptive risks is crucial in articulating risk mitigation strategies and ensuring business continuity. This study identifies supply chain risks along the Indian healthcare supply chain through unstructured interviews with industry experts. The identified risks are prioritised using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) decision matrix. The results revealed that the Indian healthcare supply chain is facing obstacles with respect to import and export activities. Copyright 2026 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
A novel multigrade classification in FL using brain MRI images based on FHAT_EfficientNet
This paper establishes the fractional harmony artificial tree (FHAT)_EfficientNet for multi-grade classification in federated learning (FL). Here, the established FHAT is attained by the integration of the fractional calculus (FC) and harmony search-based feedback artificial tree (HSFAT) algorithm, and the HSFAT is developed by the combination of harmony search (HS) and feedback artificial tree (FAT). Initially, the input MRI image is taken from a particular dataset and subjected to pre-processing. Thereafter, tumour segmentation is accomplished based on fuzzy local information c-means (FLICM). Later, image augmentation and feature extraction are performed. Finally, the multi-grade classification is carried out using EfficientNet fine-tuned based on the proposed FHAT. Moreover, the established FHAT_EfficientNet attained better accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, mean squared error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and loss function of 0.917, 0.936, 0.966, 0.058, 0.241, and 0.083. Copyright 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Detection of earnings manipulation in financial reports: a data-driven approach
Earnings manipulation attracts attention from both industry and academia as detection of earnings manipulation helps them to invest wisely rather than based on falsified financial statements. This paper discusses a process through which earnings manipulators can be identified. This can help shareholders to detect companies who made modifications to their financial statements. Earlier researchers developed many mathematical models to identify earnings manipulators. However, their works require an in-depth understanding of financial ratios and accounting principles. The advancement of data-driven algorithms has now brought comparable machine learning detection techniques into the picture, wherein data scientists can use historical data to detect earnings manipulators. This paper discusses the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) for detecting manipulations in the dataset. Copyright 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Toxicological evaluation of Calotropis gigantea (L.) W. T. Aiton (Apocynaceae) stem extract in zebrafish: A chronic exposure study
Calotropis gigantea is widely used in traditional medicine across rural and tribal regions for treating various ailments. The safety profile of this plant especially in concerning long term or high dose exposure, remains inadequately studied. This study aims to scientifically assess the toxicity of C. gigantea stem extract using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism. Chronic exposure over 10, 20 and 30 days revealed significant oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment and histopathological alterations in vital organs. Key antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analysed in the liver, gills, brain and muscles. Enzyme activity has initially increased but declined by the 30th day, indicating progressive oxidative damage. The liver and gills exhibited the most substantial biochemical and structural changes. The histological analysis confirmed cellular degeneration, inflammation and necrosis. These findings highlight the potential risks associated with unregulated therapeutic use of C. gigantea and emphasize the need for scientific validation and public awareness to ensure safe application. The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) -
Diversification towards horticulture crops: District level evidence from Indian state of Karnataka - A panel regression approach
A growing strand of literature has highlighted a positive association between diversification towards high-value crops and poverty reduction in developing countries, largely drawing on household-level data. However, many socio-economic and biophysical factors operate at the meso (district) level, and their role in diversification towards high-value crops is not well understood. Against this backdrop, the present paper examines the case of the Indian state of Karnataka by drawing upon the panel data from 2001 to 2021 to study the determinants of diversification towards horticulture crops and their sub-sector at the district level. The results of a fixed-effects panel regression model show that increasing the share of horticulture does not necessarily promote diversification. The finding further revealed that factors driving the increasing share of horticulture crops vary in importance across different sub-sectors. Government and donor agencies would do well to note that a one-size-fit-all approach does not work form promoting diversification. It is imperative to develop tailored strategies that address the specific needs and conditions of diverse regions to effectively promote sustainable land-use practices. The studys findings reveals that demand-side factors like gross GDP (gross domestic product) per capita of the district and the degree of urbanization affect horticulture diversification positively. Furthermore, the study provides crucial insights into the impact of increasing population pressure, which is largely associated with rapid expansion of nonagricultural land. This trend negatively affects the availability of land allocated to horticulture and its sub-categories at the district level. The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) -
Microbial biofertilizers: A sustainable agricultural approach to augment crop resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses
Increasing plant growth and yield with the aid of plant growth-promoting bacteria is a widely accepted, eco-friendly and economic approach in modern agriculture. Their use as an alternative to widely used harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides can improve overall soil health and fertility, thereby enhancing crop yield. The positive modulation of genes related to growth and development, fruit formation, stress tolerance and phytohormone production helps plants significantly during maturation. Furthermore, the enhanced production and expression of defence-related hormones aid in survival under various stress conditions, such as drought, pH fluctuations, salinity and water stress. In addition, the application of growth-promoting bacteria, mainly from species such as Azospirillum, Bacillus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Burkholderia, Rhizobium, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter and Serratia supports plant growth and development by improving soil porosity, pH and salinity conditions. This review briefly outlines the role of the plant growth-promoting bacteria as microbial biofertilizers that enhance crop resilience under both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. By highlighting recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of microbe-plant interactions under these stresses, it also provides unique insights into how microbial biofertilizers can be employed for sustainable agriculture. This has direct relevance for policymakers and farmers by reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers, which have various negative impacts, thereby promoting long-term environmental sustainability and improved agricultural practices. (2025), (Science Press). All rights reserved. -
Phytochemical characterization by GC-MS and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant potential of Walsura piscidia Roxb. leaves extract
Walsura piscidia Roxb. (Family: Meliaceae) is currently known for rich sources of bioactive compounds with growing multiple therapeutic and medicinal importance. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the phytochemical profile of the leaves of W. piscidia by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), followed by the evaluation of its antioxidant potential by quantifying the amounts of phenols and flavonoids present within the extracts, through the existing methods of detection. The extractive yield calculated after Soxhlet extraction was seen to be higher for the ethanolic extract with a value of 21.9 %, followed by the methanolic extracts (21.06 %) and the qualitative phytochemical tests gave similar classes of phytochemicals like triterpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins in the methanolic and ethanolic extracts. The total phenolic content was seen to be higher in the ethanolic extract with a value of 26.192 0.401 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoid content was seen to be higher in the methanolic extract with a value of 42.972 0.214 mg QE/g. The methanolic extract showed promising results in the antioxidant assays with a significantly low IC50 value in DPPH assay and high ferric reducing power in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The GC-MS chromatograms showed almost similar compounds for both the methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts, some important ones being n-Hexadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, campesterol, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, etc, displaying properties of interest like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, etc. This work contributes to our better understanding of the medicinal properties of the leaves of W. piscidia and has also provided a strong scientific basis to the traditional usage claims of this tree. The Author(s). -
Phytochemical screening, GC-MS profiling and in vitro antioxidant activity of leaves of Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. ex C. DC.
Plants are a rich source of phytocompounds, have remained an integral part of traditional medicine and serve as alternativesto modern medical treatments. They are powerful sources of antioxidants and the bioactive compounds in plants are associated with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Dysoxylum malabaricum is a species of medium to large-sized trees from the Meliaceae family that is widely found in the Southern Western Ghats and its bark and fruits are used in traditional medicine. Even though it is widely used as ethnomedicinal plant, limited research has been done on its phytochemical constituents, especially the phytocompounds presentin the leaves. Therefore, this study aims to extensively explore and identify the phytocompounds and bioactive elements found in the leaf extracts of D. malabaricum. Extract was prepared from leaves of D. malabaricum using soxhlet extraction method in different solvents (methanol, water and chloroform). Quantitative estimation of phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant assays were carried out, followed by chemical profiling of the extracts using GC-MS, which revealed the presence of many important secondary bioactive compounds. The methanolic extract showed a higher concentration of phenolics (67.88 0.26 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (57.55 0.23 mg QE/g) when compared to aqueous and chloroform extracts. The methanolic extract also demonstrated remarkable DPPH scavenging (with IC50value 32.45 0.22 g/mL) and ferric reduction activities. The results demonstrate that D. malabaricum is an effective source of bioactive and antioxidant compounds. 2025 Horizon e-Publishing Group. All rights reserved. -
Identification of bioactive metabolites in Turnera ulmifolia: Preliminary phytochemical screening and FTIR analysis
Turnera ulmifolia L., a member of the Passifloraceae family, is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Though frequently considered a weed, it has been commonly used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, infections, wounds and digestive ailments. Earlier studies have found alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and polyphenols in species from the same genera that contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. Despite its ethnomedicinal value, the phytochemical profile and functional group characterization of T. ulmifolia are still unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of its leaf, stem and root extracts using different solvents (methanol, ethanol, hexane and acetone) and identify key functional groups through FTIR analysis. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites. FTIR analysis further revealed functional groups such as O=C=O, C=C and S=O, which are associated with therapeutic properties. Notably, alkaloids were abundant in leaf extracts, while sulfoxide groups, known for their herbicidal and medicinal effects, were detected in the stem. These findings reinforce the pharmacological potential of T. ulmifolia as a promising source of bioactive metabolites with medicinal and ecological applications. Its capacity to diversify in various habitats and create bioactive molecules under stress points to possible uses in medicine discovery, sustainable agriculture and environmental restoration. This study lays the groundwork for future research to validate its therapeutic potential and explore its integration into modern pharmaceutical and ecological solutions. (2025), (Horizon e-Publishing Group). All rights reserved. -
Characterization of bioactive compounds from Saraca asoca and their antibacterial activity against fish pathogens in Oreochromis niloticus
Saraca asoca, known for its therapeutic properties in Ayurveda, is the focus of this study, aiming to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds in its leaf extract using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The study also investigates the antibacterial efficacy of methanol, ethanol and acetone extracts of S. asoca against fish pathogens in Oreochromis niloticus like Vibrio alginolyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Aeromonas hydrophila through the well-diffusion method. GC-MS confirmed the presence of compounds such as 3- hydroxy biphenyl, n-hexa decanoic acid, oleic acid, octadecanoic acid, 4,5-diethyl octane and 9-tetradecen-1-ol. In contrast, FTIR spectra revealed several significant peaks, indicating the presence of specific functional groups in the S. asoca leaf fraction. The results exhibited high absorbance in the wavenumber ranges of 4000-3500 cm-1, 3000-2500 cm-1, 1800-1500 cm-1 and 1100-950 cm-1. The findings of the antibacterial assay suggest that the methanolic extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against bacterial pathogens, with zones of inhibition ranging from 6 0.21 to 18 0.57 mm in size. These results indicate that S. asoca leaf extract contains bioactive compounds effective against the pathogenic bacteria in O. niloticus, supporting the growing shift towards reducing antibiotic use in aquaculture. (2025), (Horizon e-Publishing Group). All rights reserved. -
Sustainable mosquito control: A tool in the fight against Aedes aegypti using Flemingia wightiana
Mosquito-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by Aedes aegypti, have been proven to be a global health challenge. A. aegypti, a major vector of Zika virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya, is traditionally controlled through synthetic insecticides. However, the factor of environmental issues and rising insecticide resistant breeds have prompted the exploration of eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives. Here, we attempt to use the leaf extract of Flemingia wightiana to produce silver nanoparticles (FWAgNP). The construct of AgNPs was first indicated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, with a peak at 461 nm. NP was then characterized by SEM, EDX and functional groups were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. Safety assessments of synthesized NP were carried out on Oreochromis niloticus. Percentage mortality was studied on A. Aegypti with both test samples, FWAgNP and FWME. FWAgNP were found to be effective; the lowest percentage mortality of 70 % was recorded for forth instar larvae and 100 % mortality was observed in the first and second instar larvae. Oxidative stress assays such as AChe, SOD, CAT, GSH and GST were carried out. SOD, CAT and GSH showed significant elevated levels. GST and AChe levels reduced as the concentration increased, indicating the role of test samples in oxidative stress. Antiviral assay was conducted to check the effect of AgNPs in inhibiting the growth and infection of Zika virus (ZIKV) on Vero cells. The percentage inhibition property of AgNP was found to be 25 %. In conclusion, the developed FWAgNPs have significant potential in the control of vectors and a limited inhibitory activity on Zika virus. The Author(s). -
Antibiofilm and anti-quorum properties of ethanolic leaf extracts of Syzygium jambos and Psidium guajava and their gel formulation for wound healing applications
Most bacterial species today have evolved with time and gained resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, primarily due to formation of biofilms and ?-lactamases. Many phytochemicals have been explored for their ability to inhibit bacterial biofilms. The present study sheds light on antibiofilm properties of two such plants viz. Psidium guajava and Syzygium jambos, of the Myrtaceae family. They were found to be effective against four different biofilm forming pathogens - Chromobacterium violaceum, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Synergistic use of the plant extracts showed slightly better antibacterial activity than a single extract. Quorum sensing being one of the key factors required for biofilm formation, the isolate Chromobacterium violaceum was used as the indicator organism to study the anti-quorum properties of the plant extracts. At 10 mg/mL, ethanolic extract of S. jambos inhibited violacein pigment the most (78.84%) and therefore can be considered as a quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI). Since silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become increasingly significant in the field of drug delivery, they may be utilized to coat implants to avoid subsequent infections in patients who have had implant surgery and to reduce biofilm development in pathogens. In the present study, five gels were formulated using plant extracts and AgNPs, of which two showed promising results in wound healing assay. The non-toxic nature of the synthesized gels has been verified by studies on L-929 mouse fibroblast cell lines, which opens the door for their prospective application as topical treatments to accelerate the healing process in both acute and chronic wounds. Given that S. aureus and P. aeruginosa are the most commonly isolated bacteria from diabetic foot ulcers, the resulting gels can considerably curb the spread of infection and gangrene and thus prevent amputation. Copyright: The Author(s) -
Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Ipomoea alba L.
Plant-based medicine has been one of the oldest therapeutic practices in India and continues to offer valuable treatments for various ailments. Ipomoea alba, commonly known as morning glory, belongs to the family Convolvulaceae and is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America. It is renowned for its large, fragrant, nocturnal blooms, this plant holds significant potential in traditional medicine, particularly for managing gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, and skin conditions. The nutrient content of Ipomoea alba leaves and seeds has demonstrated promising health benefits. This study investigated the phytochemical profile of Ipomoea alba leaves using three solvents: water, methanol, and chloroform. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. HPLC analysis identified the presence of phenols in the aqueous extract, albeit in small quantities. Among the three extracts,the methanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, as determined by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Anti-inflammatory activity, assessed using a proteinase inhibitory assay, demonstrated that the methanolic extract showed the greatest inhibition at lower concentrations compared to the aqueous and chloroform extracts. The results suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ipomoea alba may hold potential applications in cancer prevention and treatment. Future studies will aim to evaluate its cytotoxic effects, thereby exploring its potential role in cancer therapy. The Author(s). -
Metabolite profiling and bioactivity assessment of diverse endophytic fungi from the endangered plant, Nilgirianthus ciliatus
Endophytic fungi are potential sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. This study investigated the fungal endophytes associated with Nilgirianthus ciliatus, an endangered medicinal plant, to discover its secondary metabolites and bioactivities. Molecular analysis revealed the prominent species to be Aspergillus niger, Didymella sp., Trichoderma viride, Bipolaris zeicola and Nigrospora sphaerica. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenes and saponins were detected in ethyl acetate extracts employing phytochemical screening. Didymella sp. has showed the highest level of antioxidant activity, demonstrating strong DPPH radical scavenging and reduction capability. T. viride had strong antibacterial action against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, meanwhile Didymella sp. and N. sphaerica were most effective against E. coli. GC-MS analysis uncovered many bioactive chemicals, including trans-farnesol and pentadecanoic acid, which are renowned for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These findings highlight the presence of the rich variety of diverse endophytic fungi harboring such medicinal plants, which offer promising applications in medicine, biotechnology and agriculture as sources of novel bioactive compounds. Further exploration and characterization of these strains could unlock valuable sustainable resources for various industries. The Author(s). -
Effect of heavy metal elicitation on antioxidants and andrographolide content in cell suspension cultures of Andrographis paniculata
Andrographolide, a bicyclic diterpene from Andrographis paniculata is of immense pharmaceutical importance. A. paniculata, an annual herb from Acanthaceae is widespread in the Indian subcontinent. Heavy metals act as abiotic elicitors. The study deals with the effect of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) on andrographolide content, phenols and flavonoids and each of their correlation with the metal chelating and radical scavenging activity, in cell suspension cultures of A. paniculata. Andrographolide was estimated using HPLC, while other estimation methods were used for other metabolites. Four different concentrations of each of the heavy metal salts CdCl2, As2O3and HgCl2, were administered in liquid MS media containing 1 g of cells. Media without any metal served as control. Higher concentrations of Cd and As imparted a positive effect on andrographolide content, Hg imparted a negative effect. The cells were most sensitive to Hg and most tolerant to Cd. Cd could be the best choice as an elicitor for increased production of andrographolide. While phenols show a positive correlation with antioxidants, flavonoids and andrographolides do not show a positive correlation with antioxidants. The Author(s). -
Mosquito larvicidal property of Citrus species
Mosquitoes and their larvae have several detrimental effects on humans, animals and the environment.. Their bites cause itching, allergic reactions and skin irritation. Mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water, polluting water sources and creating breeding grounds for further infestations. Large mosquito populations negatively impact agriculture and livestock by transmitting diseases to animals. Additionally, their presence reduces outdoor activities, affecting tourism and economic productivity in affected regions. The review focuses on the Culicidae mosquito genera Anopheles, Aedes and Culex, including many species in each. The papers show that Clevenger and Soxhlet apparatus methods maintain high-quality and quantity oils because of their unique properties. These methods are cost-effective and environmentally friendly since chloroform, carbon tetrafluoride and other similar pollutants are not used, which causes severe health issues.Future research will examine how oil release from plant parts varies with age and how this relates to mosquito mortality. Different plant parts may yield varying quantities of oil at different stages, which can be considered as a point of discussion. The present findings supportthe efficiency of certain Citrus species in the Rutaceae family to eradicate mosquitoes and its larvae. The Author(s). -
Effect of biofertilizers on the survival and growth of air-layered saplings of West Indian cherry (Malpighia glabra L.)
This study evaluated the efficacy of air layering in combination with biofertilizer treatments for the successful propagation of West Indian cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) during 20222023 at the North Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Air layering was performed on a 9-year-old tree using 1-year-old, pencil-thick shoots of 60 cm length. Once rooted, the air layers were gradually detached from the mother plant and transplanted into polybags. Biofertilizer treatments were applied to the potting medium and as soil drenches, including Trichoderma viride (3 g L-1), vermiwash (1 %), humic acid (20 g L-1), Azospirillum brasilense (2 g kg-1 planting medium), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; 10 g plant-1) and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM; 100 g plant-1), along with an untreated control. Data recorded at 60 days after detachment (DAD) showed that vermiwash @ 1 % (T3) significantly enhanced shoot and root growth parameters. It resulted in the highest plant height (45.23 cm), number of leaves (38.22), number of shoots (6.45), survival percentage (81.04 %), root length (13.80 cm), primary roots (26.31), secondary roots (78.23) and root diameter (4.88 mm). The improved performance under vermiwash treatment is attributed to its rich content of plant growth regulators, enzymes, micronutrients and beneficial microbes, which positively influenced both vegetative and root development. The results underscore the potential of integrating air layering with nutrient-enriched organic treatments like vermiwash to enhance the propagation efficiency and field establishment of West Indian cherry. The objective of this study was to identify an effective biofertilizer-based strategy to enhance survival, growth and nursery establishment of air-layered West Indian cherry saplings. Copyright: The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) -
Attention and Representation Learning in Byte-Level Digital Forensics: A Survey of Methods, Challenges, and Applications
Byte-level analysis has become an essential capability in digital forensics, enabling content-based investigation when file system metadata, headers, or structural information are unavailable or unreliable. Recent advances in deep learning allow forensic systems to learn discriminative features directly from raw byte streams; however, the growing diversity of representation strategies, architectural designs, and attention mechanisms makes it difficult to assess their relative effectiveness and practical suitability. This study presents a structured survey of representation learning and attention-based approaches for byte-level digital forensic analysis. We examine statistical, embedding-based, image-based, sequential, and hybrid representations, and analyze how architectural choices and attention mechanisms influence performance, robustness, and scalability. Across the literature, hybrid representations combined with lightweight convolutional backbones and selective attention mechanisms consistently provide a favorable balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. The survey also reviews key forensic applications, including file fragment classification, malware and binary analysis, network payload forensics, and encrypted or compressed data triage. In addition, we critically discuss challenges related to distribution shift, dataset bias, adversarial vulnerability, interpretability, and reproducibility, along with practical considerations for deployment in large-scale forensic pipelines. By synthesizing architectural trends, operational constraints, and reliability concerns, this work identifies critical research gaps and provides a structured foundation for the development of robust and trustworthy byte-level forensic learning systems. (2026), (Science and Information Organization). All rights reserved.