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Impact of porous nanoparticles on the electro-optical and dielectric parameters of nematic liquid crystals for display applications: Cost effective approach
In this study, several vital electro-optical and dielectric properties of nematic liquid crystal (NLC) dispersed with porous carbon nanoparticles (PCNP) with three different concentrations were measured. NLCs are birefringent materials. Increased birefringence was observed for NLC-PCNP composites. Dielectric study was also performed for NLC dispersed with PCNPs. Dielectric anisotropy was found to be increased for PCNP dispersed NLC system. Contrast ratio was also measured for NLC dispersed with PCNP, and it is found to be enhanced. Decreased threshold voltage was observed after dispersing PCNP into NLC. High birefringence reduces the cell gap so this work may be applicable in the making of flat panel displays (FPDs). 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Womens perceived social support through self-help group: case study of Kudumbashree from capital district of Kerala
This study examines Kudumbashree, a womens self-help group (SHG) with a strong emphasis on microcredit, in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala state in India. It is a valuable program because it provides access to credit and savings mechanisms, fosters a sense of agency, decision-making power, and social support among women in these areas. The study explores the demographic characteristics of members, their involvement in SHGs, and compares perceived social support levels across different demographic groups. The study uses a cross-sectional survey of 502 women using an extensive demographic questionnaire and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire. The study participants were mostly older, married women who were primarily housewives from both nuclear and joint families, predominantly in rural areas. Many women had been SHG members for over a decade and actively participated in meetings and decision-making. The study revealed that women with lower education levels, rural and those saving more than 300 INR monthly perceived higher social support from family and overall. Considering that women in rural India averaged around 250 INR in daily earnings from casual labor during 2022, the fact that a substantial number of participants saved more than 300 INR monthly highlights the significance of their savings. The study contributes to the understanding of Kudumbashree SHGs and emphasizes their role in providing social support, financial empowerment, and a sense of community. The study also highlights the need for ongoing support and capacity building to further enhance their impact. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Virtual leadership program for adolescents with muscular dystrophy: a process evaluation
Children with muscular dystrophy go through the challenge of moving into adolescence compounded with the challenge of living with a debilitating muscle disease. This paper describes the process evaluation of a group leadership program for adolescents with muscular dystrophy. A five-day online program was conducted for 14 participants, 12 males, and 2 females, between 13 and 18 years, beneficiaries of Mobility in Dystrophy (MIND) trust, Kerala, India. The sessions, which lasted around one and a half hours each, focused on self-discovery through a participatory strength-based approach. The participants feedback was thematically analyzed. The process evaluation parameters, fidelity, dose delivered and received, reach, and context were found to be effective. The 100% attendance of the participants and their perceived improvement in self-confidence, self-awareness, friends circle, skills-set, and leadership were identified as positive outcomes. Psychosocial intervention programs through the online platform, with structured follow-ups for adolescents with life-limiting conditions would be beneficial. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Exploring Spiritual Beliefs and Quality of Life Among Transwomen (Hijra) in South India
The study aims to explore and investigate the relationship between spiritual beliefs and quality of life (QoL) among transwomen (Hijra) in South India. In one way, discrimination faced by transwomen in religious spaces may contribute to weakened spiritual beliefs, which may contribute to poor quality of life. In other ways, spiritual beliefs help them to improve their quality of life. Hence, it would be essential to explore how transwomen of different faiths relate spiritual beliefs to mental health and QoL. This study is a quantitative cross-sectional exploration of a sample of 302 transwomen selected using convenient sampling from five states of South India. The tools were culturally validated (n = 15) before being used for the study, and the reliability of the Spiritual Belief Scale (SBS), ? = 0.886; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), ? = 0.926; and Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-Brief), ? = 0.953 was confirmed. Spearmans correlation, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis were conducted to understand the relationship among the variables. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between spiritual beliefs and QoL. Depression, anxiety, and stress have a significant negative relationship with QoL. Spiritual beliefs are strong predictors of the QoL of transwomen, and they mediate the connection between depression, anxiety, stress, and QoL. This study emphasizes addressing transwomens mental health and QoL through counseling approaches that integrate and reinforce their spiritual beliefs. The findings show the urgent need for targeted culturally sensitive interventions and longitudinal studies to address these factors and enhance the well-being of the transwoman community. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Mythistorical Construction of Divinity and Femininity in Early Mohiniyattam Manuals
The history of Indian classical dances has been shaped by nation-building ideologies that constructed a culturally sanctioned past. For Mohiniyattam, a classical dance from Kerala, dance manuals have constructed a religious and gendered narrative, often relying on myths to comprehend its fragmented history. This paper explores the mythistorical narratives in the dance manuals of four early Mohiniyattam practitioners: Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, Dr. Kanak Rele, and Bharati Shivaji. Through textual analysis and contextual interpretation, we explain how mythistorical accounts of divinity and femininity shape the sociocultural and bodily dynamics of the performance and the performer. 2026 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Computational and Experimental Evaluation of Serpentine Bipolar Plate Designs for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
The performance of a fuel cell is greatly affected by various parameters, with bipolar plates being a key component. The design of flow channels within these plates, whether serpentine, parallel, or interdigitated, directly impacts reactant distribution, water management, and pressure regulation. These aspects are essential for optimizing the fuel cells efficiency and functionality. In this study, six different designs of bipolar plate flow fields with serpentine patterns are explored, and these designs are simulated using computational fluid dynamics. The designs include various configurations, including serpentine flow with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 channels and a quadrant serpentine flow. Through analysis of pressure and velocity distributions, the serpentine flow, the 2-channel design emerges as the most efficient, providing balanced pressure distribution and low velocity. Subsequently, these bipolar plates are fabricated using milling centers and tested in a computerized fuel cell workstation, with results compared to those of a conventional single serpentine bipolar plate. Experimental findings reveal that the serpentine flow, 2-channel design exhibits a 5% improvement in performance compared to the traditional single-channel fuel cell design. 2026 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
On estimation of extropy for non-negative data with application on uniformity testing
{Poisson weights-based density estimator is used to estimate the extropy function to the non-negative data}. The traditional class of nonparametric extropy estimators, typically constructed using kernel density estimators with symmetric kernels, is not well suited for non-negative data. To address this limitation, we propose two Poisson-weights-based density estimators that are naturally adapted to the non-negative domain. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are rigorously established, providing theoretical support for their use. A comprehensive simulation study demonstrates that both estimators outperform their conventional kernel-based counterparts in terms of bias and mean squared error. Furthermore, we introduce uniformity tests based on extropy and obtain their critical values through simulation. The practical utility of the proposed methods is illustrated through analyses of real data sets. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Cinematic Witnessing as Queer-Affirmative Expressive Arts Practice: A Phenomenological Study of Vicarious Healing Among LGBTQIA+ Elders in India
This study examines the therapeutic and expressive potential of queer-themed Indian cinema as an arts-based intervention for LGBTQIA+ elders with trauma histories, positioning film-viewing as a structured modality of reflective witnessing and vicarious healing. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological design, the research engaged 12 LGBTQIA+-identified elders (six trans women and six cisgender gay men), aged 6073 years in India to explore how mirror scenes in cinema activate emotional resonance, memory retrieval, and identity integration. Narrative data from two rounds of in-depth interviews revealed four cross-cutting thematic clusters, Quiet Survival, Reclaiming Worth, Healing Mirrors, and Chosen Kinship, demonstrating how film functions as a psychologically containing, aesthetically mediated space for meaning-making. Grounded in intersectionality, affect theory, queer-affirmative trauma frameworks, and expressive arts therapy, the findings illustrate how cinematic encounters support affect regulation, narrative re-authoring, and embodied self-recognition. The study also highlights how caste, class, gender identity, and historical criminalization under Section 377 shape viewers readiness for and access to media-based healing, with trans Dalit elders articulating cinema as both an emotional refuge and a site of political affirmation. Overall, the research contributes an empirically anchored model for integrating film into creative arts therapies, offering a culturally responsive conceptual pathway for trauma-informed elder mental health practice within similar socio-cultural contexts. 2026 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Deconstructing the Homonormative Spaces: Mapping the Politics of Queering of Geographical Space in South Asian Narratives
A homonormative space is an extension of queer identity. It exemplifies an exclusionary spatial arrangement shaped by the liminality of its queer occupants. These spaces become exclusive geographical orchestrations, often mystified in their transient presence. Homonormative space can manifest in two primary ways: one with a fixed spatial arrangement frequented by queer individualssuch as parks, cinemas, or cafand the other marked by spatial liminality. Both types depend on their boundaries within a dominant heteronormative infrastructure and the prevailing tolerance levels under which queerness is expressed. A third configuration is the virtual homonormative space. These digital environments are less vulnerable to physical regulation and offer ephemeral, subversive possibilities for queer utopic futurity, aligning with Baudelaires notion of the transient, the fleeting and the contingent. However, both physical and digital queer spaces can also reproduce class-based exclusions. Bourgeois conventions often dictate access to visibility and safety, necessitating a materialist feminist critique. Neoliberal logics commodify queerness and reinforce exclusion through economic gatekeeping. This paper examines the anatomy of homonormative spaces in contemporary South Asia. Through close readings of queer South Asian poetry, it explores how space is queered, surveilled, tolerated, and erased, and how neoliberalism shapes spatial belonging and queer imaginaries. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Exploring Socio-Political Factors and Quality of Life Among LGBT Individuals in India
The quality of life of queer individuals in India is a result of a complex sociopolitical climate which is what this study aims to explore through qualitative methodology. Previous research has explored the social factors that impact the wellbeing of LGBT individuals in western countries, while the impact of politics on the wellbeing of marginalized groups is still largely unexplored. Through thematic analysis, this study found that family support and peer networks are the two most important social structures that determine the quality of life of LGBT emerging adults in India, whereas the impact of politics on wellbeing depends on the level of political awareness of the participants and their socio-political privilege in terms of caste, class and gender. However, there were significant differences in the relevant factors that affect the quality of life for cisgender and transgender participants which leaves room for further research. The findings indicate intra-community conflicts and changing dynamics within the community, and there needs to be extensive research on understanding the intersectionality of different identities within the community and their impact on the lives of queer individuals. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Scientific Social Responsibility: A Means to Sustainability and Environmental Fairness
Science and scientific research lead any country in its journey of progress. At some point in history there are instances where scientific discoveries resulted in global disasters. We are living in an era of enormous threats to sustainable development. Multitudes of our brethren remain to live in poverty and are denied a life of dignity. There are growing disparities within and among nations. This made a rethinking on the entire process of scientific education and research in terms of its social commitment which resulted in government of India coming up with a policy document. This paper takes a close look at this policy document released by the department of science and technology government of India apart from looking at some of the global practices and suggestions. 2026 National Science Teaching Association. -
Learning Science: A Joyful Experience
Learning science and particularly subjects like chemistry is challenging for the gen zee students. The imaginative and thoughtful interventions by the teachers can tackle this to a great extent and make it enjoyable for the learners. This manuscript examines the basic concepts of learning sciences and the role of teachers in facilitating a joyful learning. A set of techniques for good learning to be reinforced and a set of wrong techniques which needs to be avoided are looked into. Concepts like adult learning, significance of history of science and lifelong learning are also discussed. This manuscript provides a good reading for the teachers who are new to the profession and students of science. 2025 National Science Teaching Association. -
50 years of statehood in Sikkim: a comprehensive study of the healthcare system
Sikkim is one of the smallest states located in the Eastern Himalayas of India. This paper is framed within the context of Sikkim commemorating 50 years of democracy on 16 May 2025, following its integration into the Indian Union on 16 May 1975. Over the past five decades, Sikkim has claimed several accolades; the state was declared Indias first fully organic state in 2016 and acclaimed as the best performing small state in cleanliness and most improved small state in governance in 2020. However, there are some paradoxes in Sikkims developmental paradigm. This paper focuses solely on the healthcare system in Sikkim, exploring various aspects such as the allocation of budget to the health sector, the condition of health institutions, the execution of different health programmes and schemes, the accessibility of health facilities, and the availability of human resources. An additional significant factor is the reliance of the states population on other states for healthcare services. Furthermore, it examines the factors that contribute to the increasing disparity between planning and implementation. 2026 The Round Table Ltd. -
Hedging with the Indo-Pacific: why Southeast Asia might benefit from embracing the construct
ASEANs engagement with the Indo-Pacific is often framed as a strategic shift, but this paper argues it is instead a continuation of its established hedging strategy. Drawing historical parallels, particularly Thailands colonial-era diplomacy, the article examines how ASEAN balances major power competition while preserving autonomy. By assessing ASEANs economic and security engagements with China and the United States, the paper highlights how hedging remains essential amidst intensifying geopolitical tensions. The Indo-Pacific framework does not require ASEAN to choose sides but reinforces its flexibility. ASEAN centrality, as enunciated by many global powers, has given much impetus to the organisation to continue with the hedging strategy. As the USChina rivalry deepens, hedging offers ASEAN the best path to stability and strategic relevance. 2025 The Round Table Ltd. -
Colonial legacies and regional separatism: comparative analysis of statehood demands in Coorg and North Bengal
This article presents a comparative study of statehood demands in two distinct regions of IndiaCoorg (Kodagu) in Karnataka and Darjeeling region of the Eastern Himalayas in West Bengalhighlighting how historical, cultural and political legacies have shaped regional separatist movements in these areas. By analysing the influence of colonial administration, regional identity and political marginalisation, this study uncovers the underlying drivers of these statehood demands and situates them within Indias broader socio-political landscape. The research employs a comparative framework supplemented with primary data to explore the complexities of regional movements, focusing on the interplay between cultural identity, economic disparities and the perceived neglect by central and state governments. The article also delves into how these demands challenge Indias federal structure, raising critical questions about regional autonomy, governance and the management of diverse identities within a democratic framework. Through a nuanced analysis of historical records, political discourse and socio-economic data, this study provides insights into the enduring nature of these movements and their implications for Indias federal polity. By addressing the factors that sustain such demands, the paper contributes to the scholarly discourse on identity politics, regional autonomy, and the governance challenges associated with statehood movements in Indias pluralistic society. 2025 The Round Table Ltd. -
Unveiling the therapeutic potential of azopyridine derivatives for trypsin inhibition: a DFT and In-Vitro approach
Heterocyclic azo derivatives have emerged as promising scaffolds for drug development. This study focused on the synthesis, computational analysis, and biological evaluation of a series of azopyridine derivatives (1a, 1d, 1 g, 1 h, 1 m, 1p, and 1s) as potential trypsin inhibitors. Density Functional Theory calculations indicated that derivative 1 h exhibited the lowest HOMO-LUMO energy gap 3.167 eV and was characterised as a soft molecule, suggesting strong binding capabilities. Molecular docking studies confirmed that 1 h binds favourably to the active site of trypsin with a glide score of ?6.581 kcal/mol and binding energy of ?29.95 kcal/mol. Along with docking studies, the stability of the trypsin-1 h complex was further analyzed using molecular dynamic simulations at 200 ns. The results showed that the ligand molecule 1 h bound strongly at the active site of trypsin. In-vitro enzyme assays determined the IC50 value of the molecule as 100 M, demonstrating enhanced potency. These results indicate that AzPy derivatives, particularly 1 h, hold considerable promise as therapeutic agents for inflammatory disorders and cancer, paving the way for further exploration in drug development and targeted therapies. Further research is warranted to explore 1hs efficacy, safety, and structure-activity relationships. Highlights: DFT studies were used to classify molecules based on their softness and hardness. Molecular docking, simulation, and in-vitro studies have identified potential anti-trypsin activity of candidate molecules. Experimental and computational calculations were in close agreement. 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Photophysical and antitubercular studies on newly synthesised structurally architectured sulphonamide
This study presents the synthesis and characterisation of four mono-azo sulphonamide derivatives through diazo-coupling electrophilic substitution reactions. The structural analysis of the synthesised molecules was conducted utilising FT-IR, 1H-NMR and HR-MS techniques. Absorption and fluorescence maxima of the synthesised molecules were determined across solvents of varying polarity to explore Solvatochromic behaviour. Density functional theory was employed to elucidate electronic and optical properties, including the computation of HOMOLUMO energies using Gaussian 09W software, with comparisons to experimental data. Molecular electrostatic potential 3D plots identified electrophilic and nucleophilic sites. Solvent interactions were evaluated using KamletAbboud Taft and Catalan parameters. Further, global chemical reactivity descriptors were estimated to ascertain chemical reactivity of the molecules. Additionally, the effectiveness of the colourant anti-tubercular activity was evaluated using in vitro and molecular docking techniques. The biological activity results reveal that methyl-pyridone and barbituric acid coupled with sulphamethizole (SMP and SMB) displayed excellent anti-tubercular activity compared with the standard Gentamycin. 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Exploring Drivers of Healthcare Utilization amongthe Working and Non-Working Elderly Population: Insights from LASI
Background: The elderly population of India has been growing exponentially over the past few decades, caused by a decline in fertility and an increase in life expectancy. The growth eventually has transcended the disease burden on the public healthcare system. This calls for a need to evaluate the healthcare utilization pattern of the elderly based on their socioeconomic and working condition. Methods: Study used access to public and private healthcare services to measure healthcare utilization. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to understand utilization patterns by working status and some selected sociodemographic parameters. All the results were reported at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Using the data from the first wave of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) with a sample of 22,680 older persons 60 years and above. The study identified that 50% of the working elderly access private services; however, 26% access public healthcare services. It was found that the working status of the elderly alone did not influence access to healthcare services, but education is also an essential indicator for utilizing healthcare services. Further, factors such as gender, marital status, religion, wealth, tobacco usage, self-rated health, ADL and IADL were significant predictors of healthcare services utilization for the elderly. Conclusion: This study suggests that there are not many differences found among working and non-working status with healthcare utilization, although some sociodemographic indicators are associated with the utilization of healthcare services, highlighting that increasing health needs among the elderly requires strengthening the quality and appropriate public investment in health. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Convergence of Health Expenditure and Health Outcomes in Central Europe and the Baltic Region
This research work examines the convergence of health expenditure in Central Europe and the Baltic region. The study reveals the absolute convergence in per capita health expenditures, indicating similar health outcomes for all eleven countries of the region. However, there is a divergence in health expenditure and outcomes across the eleven countries. Notably, public health expenditure diverges in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and Norway, while, private health expenditure converges in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Despite an overall convergence in life expectancy at birth across the countries, mortality rates due to non-communicable diseases only converge in Estonia. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Consuming Appetites, Disappearing Meals: Things Becoming Food in Chana Porters The Thick and the Lean
This paper aims to highlight the complex entanglements between the material and metaphorical meanings of food in literature through a close reading of Chana Porters The Thick and the Lean (2023). The novel follows the appetites and aspirations of three women in an alternative world where good food is taboo and culinary pleasures are forbidden; instead, abstinence from eating is hailed as the ultimate form of devotion. Drawing on Emma Roes conceptualization of things becoming food, this paper examines the mechanism through which foodstuff gainsor fails to gainmeaning in Porters food-averse universe. It argues that the novel challenges conventional perceptions of female appetites by reconfiguring edibility as constituted through intercorporeal as well as discursive practices. The paper approaches this process as a form of translation, contending that Porter integrates content and form to highlight the resistive potential of food and female appetites in capitalist food systems. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.