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Pollination versus carnivory: functional distribution of naphthoquinones in Nepenthes khasiana
Nepenthes, a major genus of carnivorous plants, secrete floral and extrafloral nectars (FN and EFN) in their flowers and pitchers, respectively. Recently we demonstrated Nepenthes khasiana EFN as a sugar mix with minimal nitrogenous metabolites and vitamin C. N. khasiana EFN showed insect toxicity due to its strong acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, and the active principle has been characterized as the naphthoquinone derivative, (+)-isoshinanolone. These findings prompted us to study the chemical composition and toxicity of N. khasiana FN. N. khasiana FN was analyzed for its sugars, amino acids, proteins, fatty acids and vitamin C by HPTLC-densitometry, UFLC, GCMS and biochemical assays. C:N ratio and naphthoquinones were analyzed by CHNS analyzer, headspace-GCMS, and GC-FID, respectively. Toxicity of FN and the naphthoquinone droserone, found in its pitcher fluid, was evaluated using the AChE inhibition assay. N. khasiana FN showed a similar chemical pattern as its EFN, viz., sugar (Glc-Fru-Suc)-mix with minimal amino acids, vitamin C, and moderate protein and fatty acid contents. It showed fairly high C:N ratio. The naphthoquinone, plumbagin, was the major volatile constituent in N. khasiana flowers. Crucially, the AChE inhibitors, (+)-isoshinanolone and plumbagin, were absent in N. khasiana FN, which showed no AChE inhibition. Droserone, however, exhibited strong AChE inhibitory activity. The chemical profiles of EFN and FN reflect a nitrogen-limited metabolism in N. khasiana. Notably, the functional allocation of neurotoxic naphthoquinones abundant in EFN, absent in FN, and present in the pitcher fluid reflects an adaptive strategy that optimizes both nutritional gain through prey capture and reproductive success through pollination. 2026 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. -
Comparative Performance of LSTM and ARIMA for the Short-Term Prediction of Bitcoin Prices
This research assesses the prediction of Bitcoin prices using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and long-short-term memory (LSTM) models. We forecast the price of Bitcoin for the following day using the static forecast method, with and without re-estimating the forecast model at each step. We take two different training and test samples into consideration for the cross-validation of forecast findings. In the first training sample, ARIMA outperforms LSTM, but in the second training sample, LSTM exceeds ARIMA. Additionally, in the two test-sample forecast periods, LSTM with model re-estimation at each step surpasses ARIMA. Comparing LSTM to ARIMA, the forecasts were much closer to the actual historical prices. As opposed to ARIMA, which could only track the trend of Bitcoin prices, the LSTM model was able to predict both the direction and the value during the specified time period. This research exhibits LSTM's persistent capacity for fluctuating Bitcoin price prediction despite the sophistication of ARIMA. 2023, University of Wollongong. All rights reserved. -
A new shape of the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal for international business (IB) activities, leaving them pondering their next steps. The decreasing effectiveness of current vaccines to protect individuals against new variants have created uncertainty on how to respond to the new waves of the COVID-19 infection. This study aims to empirically assesses how IBs perceive the unfolding challenges in the supply chain due to the pandemic and the solutions. Design/methodology/approach: The survey data is obtained from 166 logistics professionals in Hong Kong and India. Findings: The results reveal that returns on investment, logistics, delays and imports are the most affected areas. The most often recommended solutions for supply chain management (SCM) include using local manufacturing capabilities, analytics and automation, offering better customer service, providing more effective transportation means, ensuring diligence around optimization and focusing on sustainability. Originality/value: The findings of this study help to improve supply chain operations. This study also provides recommendations for changes to SCM in response to the new normal. 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
The Application of Expressive Art Therapies for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore and summarize existing literature on the application of expressive art therapies like dance movement therapy (DMT), art therapy and music therapy among survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). Method: A narrative review was conducted following a structured search strategy. The search strategy involved identifying relevant studies from electronic databases, such as PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed articles and dissertations published between 2003 and 2024. The literature, studies, and empirical data pertaining to the application of expressive art therapies in meeting the requirements of CSA survivors are reviewed as part of the research process. Results: Research suggests that for survivors of CSA, DMT, music therapy, and art therapy offer a safe space for recovery that encourages hope, self-determination, and healthy relationships. These treatments encourage cognitive processing, emotional expression, and physical connectedness. However, there are shortcomings in the research including the lack of rigorous research methods and inclusion of long-term studies. Conclusions: Adult survivors of CSA have a lot of promise for therapeutic interventions from expressive art therapies, which include DMT, art therapy, and music therapy. They provide survivors with invaluable support as they work toward empowerment and healing. 2025 American Psychological Association -
Oral cancer analysis using machine learning techniques
Oral cancer staging is most required task of examining treatment and required medication for the patients. In oral cancer staging is of two types, namely, clinical and pathological. TNM (Tumor, Node, and Metastasis) staging is clinical system of predicting oral cancer stages, on the other hand Histology, p63 and podoplanin expressions are pathological staging system which is obtained after biopsy test. These staging systems are used in machine leaning techniques to analyze the different stages of oral cancer. The main aim of the paper is to classify different stages of oral cancer using machine learning techniques. The experimental work is based on clinical and pathological staging system. The data set used for this research work is based on Oral Leukoplakia. The data transformation is applied to standardize the data and the features were extracted using correlation coefficient. The extracted features were classified using Decision tree and random forest which are compared against other popular classification methods like SVM, KNN, MLP and Logistic Regression. From the experimental work, it is found that the various stage classification of oral cancer can be classified efficiently with help of Random Forest and Decision Tree. So the classification of various oral cancers can be performed with help of random forest and Decision Tree. International Research Publication House. -
Green-Synthesized Sm3+-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Applications
The present study focuses on the green-mediated synthesis of pristine and Sm3+-doped ZnO nanoparticles using Syzygium cumini fruit extract. The prepared material was characterized by various characterization techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of a fast orange red (FOR) dye under UV light resulted in 88% degradation, with a minimal decrease (87.90%) observed even after five successive runs, indicating the stability and effectiveness of the catalyst. The enhancement in degradation efficiency is attributed to the incorporation of Sm3+ ions into the ZnO lattice. Utilizing the optimized Sm3+ (5 mol%)-doped ZnO nanoparticles, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) were performed on the prepared electrode, demonstrating the excellent CV properties; this enhancement is attributed to the modification of ZnO's redox chemistry and the alteration of charge transfer kinetics at the electrode-electrolyte interface due to the addition of Sm3+ into the ZnO structure. The antibacterial activity was performed against two pathogenic strains, i.e., Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus. The obtained results suggest that the prepared material holds great promise for catalytic, energy storage, antibacterial, and other multifunctional applications. 2024 Lavanya R. et al. -
Blackberry gel-assisted combustion modified MgO: Sm3+ nanoparticles for photocatalytic, battery, sensor and antibacterial applications
Green synthetic methods are currently preferred in industry over other physicochemical methods. Herein, we present a facile, environmentally friendly, non-toxic approach for the fabrication of MgO using jamun fruit extract. The phytochemicals present in the fruit extract, such as kaemferol, glucoside, anthocyanins, ellagic acid, myricetin, and isoquercetin, facilitate the bio-reduction of Mg(NO3)2. Pure and Sm3+ (17 mol %) doped MgO nanomaterials were synthesized using this bio-mediated synthetic method. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were studied using Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) techniques. The effect of Sm3+ ions on the host matrix for the photo-catalytic oxidation of Fast Orange-Red (FOR) dye was investigated under UV light irradiation. MgO: Sm3+(3 mol %) exhibited superior (94 %) degradation of the dye compared to pristine and other doped catalysts, attributed to the maximum migration of charge carriers at the catalyst's surface. Additionally, the 3 mol % Sm3+ doped MgO electrode demonstrated a smaller charge transfer resistance, indicating superior capacitive properties compared to pristine and other doped electrodes. The synthesized materials also exhibited effective bacterial activity against pathogens. This research demonstrates the potential of the synthesized nanomaterials for environmental pollution purification, as well as their utility as electrode materials for supercapacitors, batteries, sensors, and antibacterial applications. 2024 The Author(s) -
AstroSat's view of 4U 1735-44: spectral, temporal, and type I X-ray burst studies
This study utilizes the simultaneous broad-band observations of 4U 1735-44 from AstroSat, offering enhanced spectral and temporal resolution, to investigate its spectral properties, temporal behaviour, and burst characteristics. Spectral, type I X-ray burst, and temporal analyses on 4U 1735-44 were performed using AstroSat/Soft X-ray Telescope and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) observations. The hardness-intensity diagram from LAXPC-20 showed a positive correlation between hardness and intensity, with a pattern resembling the banana branch typical of atoll sources. Spectral analysis carried out in the 0.7-20.0 keV energy range, using the model combination - (), suggested a cool accretion disc truncated at a large distance from the neutron star in the system. Time-resolved spectral studies of two type I X-ray bursts detected from the source revealed evidence of photospheric radius expansion, allowing for an estimation of the source distance. Temporal analysis showed the presence of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation at 69 Hz (3.3 significance with more than 99 per cent confidence) and prominent noise features below 30 Hz. 2024 The Author(s). -
First Polarimetric View of GX 349+2 with the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer
We conducted a spectropolarimetric study of the bright Z source GX 349+2 using the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) observation. Our findings reveal a significant polarization degree (PD) of 1.1% 0.3% in the 2.0-8.0 keV energy range. Spectropolarimetric analysis was performed by modeling the source spectra with an absorbed multicolor disk component and a blackbody. This allowed us to constrain the polarization contributions from the disk and boundary/spreading layer. The results indicate that the observed polarization signal primarily originates from the disk and the spreading layer at the neutron stars surface, rather than the boundary layer. Additionally, we detect an excess polarization component, which we attribute to either an outflow or reflection processes within the system, indicating the presence of a third component, albeit not observed in the IXPE spectra. Furthermore, energy-resolved polarization analysis in the 2.0-4.0 and 4.0-8.0 keV energy ranges hinted at a marginal increase of PD with energy and rotation of polarization angle (PA). This also pointed to an energy-dependent dominance of emission and indicated that the variation in PA with energy (?17? in the 2.0-4.0 keV energy range and ?48? in the 4.0-8.0 keV energy range) is likely associated with the different nonorthogonal PAs of the disk and spreading layer components, which peak at different energies. 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society. -
Evidence fora slim accretion disc in GX 17+2: a polarimetric study of super-Eddington flows
This study presents a time-resolved spectro-polarimetric analysis of GX 17+2 using IXPE, NICER, and NuSTAR observations. Spectral modelling with (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) (Formula presented) ) indicates that the source was in a soft spectral state, and accreting at super-Eddington luminosity. Time-resolved PCUBE analysis shows that the polarization degree (PD) and polarization angle (PA) remain nearly constant across the 2.0(Formula presented) 8.0?keV energy range, suggesting an aligned geometry between the spin and the binary orbital axes of the neutron star. Energy-resolved PCUBE analysis further indicates that the blackbody emission component most likely originates from the boundary layer. The spectro-polarimetric analysis confirms that the reflected emission contributes a PD <20per?cent, consistent with theoretical expectations. In contrast, the Comptonizing medium exhibits a PD of (Formula presented) 1.4per?cent, while the accretion disc shows a PD of (Formula presented) 3.2per?cent in the 2.0(Formula presented) 8.0?keV energy range, exceeding theoretical predictions. Energy-resolved spectro-polarimetric analysis hints at excess disc polarization, possibly associated with the formation of a slim disc and the presence of disc wind under super-Eddington accretion conditions. Both time- and energy-resolved polarization measurements reveal a rotation of the PA for the (Formula presented) and (Formula presented) components in the 3.5(Formula presented) 8.0?keV energy range, suggesting a coupling between the soft and hard polarized emission components. Our results indicate that while the geometry of GX 17+2 is aligned, the emergent hard X-ray emission is significantly influenced by inner disc outflows. The nearly constant PD across energy and time further points to a complex interplay among the accretion disc, Comptonization, and reflection components. The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. -
Importance of political cartoons to newspapers /
Political cartoons are an important part in any newspaper. Political cartoons adorn a small part of a newspaper, often in a corner. The position of this piece although small the impact is huge. A cartoon conveys a lot of information in very few words. The emotions behind the political cartoons are genuine and although harsh, are taken with a sense of humour. While incomparison editorials are, firstly for the elite masses who understand the highly intellectual content of the piece, also editorials have a tendency to be politically correct and hold back, unlike cartoons. Cartoons are generally blatant about their stand on the issue. There have been controversial cartoons like JyllandsPostenthe Mohammad cartoon and the effective yet less controversial R.K.Laxman. -
From Namaskara to Annyeong Questioning Where I Belong
[No abstract available] -
BTS: Belonging and Becoming
[No abstract available] -
Orchestrating Complexity: The Art of Virtual Leadership in System Modelling
This paper explores the dynamics of virtual leadership within global remote work environments, focusing on the application of complex system modelling to understand and enhance leadership efficacy. The application of computational modelling has been a regular feature in economics, science and technology fields, however its application in virtual leadership with linkage to sport leadership appears to be a novel concept. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, this paper incorporates Game Theory as a conceptual framework to make the leadership model more relevant and applicable that can offer simpler understanding of complex play of leadership drivers. The model incorporates five key leadership dimensional drivers such as communication, culture, motivation, trust, and technology as agents that influence change in other agents, specifically team members. The research attempts to discover approach for understanding leadership and team behavior through Relational Leadership dynamic in business as well as in sport environment. 2025, Binghamton University Libraries. All rights reserved. -
Effect of hooked end steel fibers on strength and durability properties of ambient cured geopolymer concrete
Growing carbon emissions in the construction industry have warranted the use of alternative materials such as geopolymer concrete. At the same time exposure of concrete material to harsh environmental conditions has compelled to design of durable geopolymer concrete. The use of hooked-end steel fibers in conventional fiber-reinforced concrete has proven to improve its crack resistance, and thus, positively influence the durability properties of concrete structures. Nevertheless, limited studies explore the effect of hooked-end steel fibers on the strength and durability properties of ambient cured geopolymer concrete with a low NaOH content (i.e., 8 M concentration). In this study, ambient cured geopolymer concrete was prepared by fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), NaOH, Na2SiO3, manufactured sand, and natural coarse aggregates. Additionally, hooked-end steel fibers with an aspect ratio of 67 were added to the mix by volume fraction in dosages of 0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, and 2 %. The experimental results showed that the addition of fibers reduced the workability with a minimum slump of 70 mm and a maximum Vee Bee time of 8 s for mixes with 2 % steel fibers. The addition of fibers improved the compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of geopolymer concrete, with a maximum strength of 41.44 MPa, 4.28 MPa, and 5.23 MPa at an optimum fiber dose of 1 %, respectively. Above the optimum dose, the strength of the steel fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (SFRGPC) was reduced. The depth of water penetration reduced in SFRGPC when compared to GPC. Moreover, the resistance to chloride ion penetration was not significantly affected by addition of steel fibers till optimum dose of 1 %. The scanning electron microscopic results revealed the positive effect of steel fibers in restricting the progression of cracks. This has resulted in smaller crack width in the SFRGPC when compared to GPC. Overall, steel fibers in optimum dose have improved the performance of geopolymer concrete and this will contribute towards low carbon material. 2023 The Authors -
Durability Studies and Stress Strain Characteristics of hooked end steel fiber reinforced ambient cured geopolymer concrete
For conventional concrete, the use of fibers has proven to improve the strength properties of the material. However, in the case of ambient cured geopolymer concrete, there are limited studies that explore the application of fibers, in particular, the use of hooked end steel fibers. Further, it is important to study the durability properties of geopolymer concrete with fibers, since it will influence the service life of the structures in practice. Therefore, in the present study, fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete was synthesized using fly ash, GGBS, hooked end steel fibers, and alkaline solution made with Na2SiO3 and NaOH. The percentage of steel fibers varied in the range of 0.5% to 2% with an increment of 0.5% by volume fraction of the binder. The precursor materials were characterized using techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Durability studies like water absorption, drying shrinkage, sulphate attack were studied. In addition, the elastic constants were determined through stress strain behaviour of geopolymer concrete in uniaxial compression. The results of the experimental study showed that the addition of hooked end steel fibers influences the strength of geopolymer concrete up to an optimal percentage, which was found to be 1%. Furthermore, in terms of durability properties, the addition of fibers exhibited better results in terms of resistance to water absorption and chemical attack, and this was validated by the microstructural studies, where the specimens with hooked end steel fibers revealed much denser hardened geopolymer matrix when compared to the mixes without fibers. Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. -
Effect of fiber types, shape, aspect ratio and volume fraction on properties of geopolymer concrete A review
Researchers have emphasized on sustainable construction with utilization of industrial wastes or byproducts in production of concrete. Geopolymer concrete is one of the popular construction materials which has shown promising results and potential to substitute conventional energy intensive materials such as Portland cement concrete. Further, the use of fibers has shown potential to overcome various deficiencies of geopolymer concrete. However, there are limited studies which explore the benefits of fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete and its applications. The development of fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete is relatively new construction material and has to be experimentally validated in order to increase its usage in the construction industry. As a result, this review paper is an attempt to discuss the effect of shape, type, aspect ratio and volume fraction of fibers on strength and durability properties of geopolymer concrete. From this detailed review it can be concluded that fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete enhances ductile behavior, tensile strength, toughness & energy absorption capacities. 2022 -
Continuous emotion estimation for human machine interaction
Humans are able to interact and bond very efficiently with other species because every living organism has some form of emotion in them. Due to the advances in science and technology human life has become more dependent on machines for better living. The recent advances in technology enabled machines to become smarter but not efficient in terms of interaction with humans. Hence to address this issue and to bridge the gap between human machine interactions we propose a system to estimate human emotions from facial expressions. We believe that facial expressions are a form of nonverbal communication and primary means of conveying information. The system uses linear regression model to calculate emotional state of a facial expression which is mapped onto continuous 2-D coordinates with arousal and valence as axis from a captured digital image. Thus the proposed method estimates emotion continuously and predictively like humans rather than classifying the emotions because emotions are continuous and they have many dimensions. By estimating emotions continuously machines can better interact with humans. Experimental results showed that our system provides superior predictive performance. 2015 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved. -
Transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: new mediating roles for trustworthiness and trust in team leaders
This study investigates the pivotal role of trust in bridging the effects of transformational leadership on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The study was conducted using a multilevel longitudinal approach with 276 employees in 71 teams from private medium-sized organizations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Transformational leadership was found to be positively related to: (1) three facets of trustworthiness (ability, benevolence, and integrity); (2) trust in the leader; and (3) OCB. All three facets of trustworthiness mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and trust in leaders. In addition, trust in the leader mediated only the relationship between the benevolence facet of trustworthiness and OCB. As OCB is inherently benevolent, these findings not only are consistent with the principle of compatibility, but they also contribute to theorizing about how trust plays an important role in the influence of transformational leadership on employees. The Author(s) 2023. -
Comprehensive transcriptomic and functional characterization of protoplast regeneration in Angelica gigas Nakai
Background: Protoplasts that are isolated from various plant sources, including leaf mesophyll tissue, callus, will continue to have the ability to take part in cell wall regeneration, division, and expression of totipotency. In model systems like Arabidopsis thaliana, it has been thoroughly established. Meanwhile, the fate of protoplasts isolated from both embryogenic (EC) and non-embryogenic callus (NEC) in other plants is unknown. Thus, we conducted transcriptome analyses of protoplasts produced from both EC and NEC in Angelica gigas in the present investigation. To achieve this, three stages of RNA sequencing were carried out: (1) EC, (2) freshly isolated protoplasts (Pt), and (3) cells undergoing cell division (CD) during A. gigas in vitro protoplast regeneration. Different gene expression programs were identified across stages through transcriptome profiling, which highlighted early stress responses, transcriptional changes, and the acquisition of stem cell identity following protoplast isolation. Results: A pre-existing stem cell-like condition was shown by the strong expression of WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 (WOX5) and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON2 (CUC2) genes at the EC stage. Important genes linked to stress reactions and cellular transcriptional changes, as WOX13 and WOUND INDUCED DEDIFFERENTIATION1 (WIND1), were significantly elevated at the Pt stage. Additionally, during this phase, genes associated with the cell cycle, auxin and cytokinin signaling, and cell wall regeneration were also active, indicating a dynamic shift toward regaining stem cell identity. Key regulators of stem cell maintenance and proliferation, such as LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN16 (LBD16) and ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION2 (ESR2), were then substantially expressed at the CD stage, encouraging the start of cell division. The dynamic regulation of embryogenesis-related genes, including SOMACTIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 2 (SERK2), LBD29, ESR2, LBD16, D-TYPE CYCLINS (CYCD3-2), and WOX1, during protoplast culture was validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Conclusions: WOX5 and CUC2 genes were found to be significantly expressed at the EC stage, suggesting a pre-existing stem cell-like state. Important genes linked to stress reactions and cellular transcriptional changes, as WOX13 and WIND1, were clearly elevated at the Pt stage. The activation of genes linked to cell wall renewal, auxin and cytokinin signaling, and the cell cycle during this phase also suggested a dynamic transition toward regaining stem cell identity. Additionally, the findings previously reported show that the EC-derived protoplasts successfully underwent cell division and contributed to the development of somatic embryos. Although the NEC-generated protoplasts did not divide upon culture, these results show that embryogenic cells maintain their embryogenic potential even after protoplast isolation and culture. The Author(s) 2026.