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PHILOSOPHICAL POSTHUMANISM: A RENEWED WORLDVIEW AND A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Exponential technological advances capture the zeitgeist of contemporary society. Machines are increasingly gaining agency, which helps in the deconstruction of the humanist notion of humans. Society takes a posthuman turn with large-scale humanmachine imbrication and nonhuman agency. The posthuman turn is also reflected in the academic world, which is seriously contemplating the integration of posthumanities. The philosophical posthumanism of Francisca Ferrando is a posthuman theory with three constituent elements: post-humanism, post-anthropocentrism, and post-dualism. Post-humanism revisits the definition of human that has given rise to marginalization within the human species. Post-anthropocentrism critiques the human superiority and exceptionalism that have led to the marginalization of other species. Post-dualism revisits the dualistic mindset that allows hierarchical sociopolitical constructions. Ferrando presents a vision of a posthuman utopian society that recognizes pluralistic voices within the human species on egalitarian terms, accepts and values the agency of nonhuman actors, and sheds the dualistic view of life that keeps humans and nonhumans on either side of the binary system. Philosophical posthumanism can be suitable as a methodological framework to analyze the posthuman discourses in literary works, specifically in science fiction. 2024 The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. -
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: Need for Posthuman Ethics in the Anthropocene Era
Ethics, which constitutes principles that guide human conduct, deserves particular attention in this era of the Anthropocene, when human actions greatly influence ecology. Renaissance humans have hegemonised humanistic ethics of living and interacting with the world since the Enlightenment. While exalting human exceptionalism, humanism has relegated all other forms of existence to a subservient taxonomy, categorising them as raw material for human empowerment. The self-exalted autonomous subject, homo sapiens, faces the threat of extinction in the wake of unprecedented and violent ecological reactions. The exponential growth of the agency of intelligent machines also calls to question the autonomous human agency propagated by humanism. A paradigm shift is the moments need; this paper suggests posthuman ethics as an alternative. The new worldview, post-humanism, places the homo sapiens in relation to the rest of the universe. Philosophical post-humanism, proposed by Francesca Ferrando, foregrounds posthuman ethics that are post-humanistic, post-anthropocentric, and post-dualistic. They form a roadmap towards a sustainable future. 2023 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies. -
FIN2SUM: Advancing AI-Driven Financial Text Summarization with LLMs
In the modern financial sector, the rapid digitalization of financial reports necessitates efficient and reliable text summarization tools. This research introduces FIN2SUM, a novel framework designed for summarizing the managerial analysis and discussion sections of 10-K reports from top NASDAQ-listed companies. The study aims to evaluate Large Language Models (LLMs) in financial text summarization, highlighting LLAMA-2's adeptness in processing complex financial information, thus making FIN2SUM a vital tool for analysts and decision-makers. The methodology includes a thorough evaluation of three state-of-the-art LLMs - LLAMA-2, FLAN, and Claude 2 - using BERT and ROUGE scores. The research concludes that FIN2SUM, enhanced by LLAMA-2, significantly advances AI-driven financial text summarization. 2024 IEEE. -
A Conceptual Framework for Agile as HR Operational Strategy
Purpose: This paper examined Agile human resource (HR) as an operational strategy, emphasizing the relationships between operational, HR, and organizational strategies. It develops a collaborative culture, establishes learning organizations, supports agile team design, and improves agile strategic behavior. Agile HR has been underutilized in academic literature despite its potential, highlighting the disconnect between practitioner objectives and HR research. Methodology: A conceptual framework for Agile HR was developed using qualitative secondary research methods. Secondary sources included books, journal articles, research papers, reports, and whitepapers. A thematic analysis was used to code the data and identify themes relevant to Agile HR, and concept mapping was used to illustrate the relationships between the key concepts. Findings: A conceptual framework for Agile HR strategies was developed to foster an agile organizational culture and equip employees with agile strategic behaviors. Organizations will be able to establish and preserve a durable competitive edge in quickly changing marketplaces by using these tactics. Practical Implications: This paper provided insights into implementing agile HR operational strategies. Continuous iteration was used to enhance processes, boost employee experiences, and improve organizational agility to implement these strategies. Originality: While existing literature explored the relationship between organizational agility and dynamic capabilities, it largely overlooked the concept of agile behavior. This research addressed this gap by proposing a framework for flexible adjustments to human and organizational capabilities. It was a targeted approach for agile management aligned with organizational, HR, and agile strategies, emphasizing scalability. 2024, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
Agile HR "lite": Adapting agile principles to HR
This chapter explores how agile practices, called agile "Lite, " are evolving within human resources (HR) departments and how they may affect organizational agility. In addition to highlighting the benefits of agile HR principles, the study offers organizations self-assessment questions to gauge their readiness for implementing agile HR practices. The insights provided are designed to help leaders foster dialogue, address concerns, and facilitate a smooth transition to agile HR practices. The chapter examines gaps in the understanding of agile implementation in HR, raises critical questions, and provides organizations with a self-assessment tool to assist in the process. It emphasizes the importance of agile principles for transforming human resources and provides valuable insight for organizations grappling with agile approaches. Overall, it contributes to a better understanding of agile principles and offers a readiness assessment for implementing them in HR. 2024, IGI Global. -
Agile HR-Based Employee Management Practices for Improving Hospital Service Delivery
The effective management of the human resources of a hospital is essential for the delivery of high-quality healthcare services, a task that has become incredibly challenging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The efficient management of employees is a top priority in healthcare organisations, which is why human resources (HR) plays a pivotal role in their functioning. It includes strategies for improving employee engagement, productivity, motivation, adaptability to change, welfare, and overall health in addition to traditional HR concerns. As part of this process, conducive working conditions must be created, talent management practices must be implemented, and flexibility must be provided to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals. The adoption of Agile HR practices is gaining momentum among hospitals in response to the dynamic challenges they face. In the Agile approach, the development cycle of 'Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA)' enables real-time responsiveness. Through a qualitative research design with in-depth interviews conducted through purposive sampling, this study explores the implementation of Agile HR practices in hospitals located in Kerala and Karnataka. The research presents a novel human resources operating model, termed the 'Agile HR Model,' which advocates the integration of Agile principles into the management of healthcare employees. A key objective of this model is to enhance hospital service delivery by embracing agility and adaptability. The study provides HR managers and healthcare professionals with insights into enhancing the delivery of healthcare services. 2024, Iquz Galaxy Publisher. All rights reserved. -
Traffic Management in Forest and Ecosystem Conservation. A Study on NH 766 Through Bandipore National Park and Proposing a Traffic Management Plan with Alternate Route Consideration
Transportation network is inevitable in the developing world. In India where we have a rich forest cover, many of the roads are passing through eco-sensitive areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. There are issues being reported due to these roads passing through the eco-sensitive areas such as animal deaths due to road accidents, loss of habitats, fragmentation of ecosystems, and loss of forest cover. The CalicutKollegal national highway, NH766 is passing through Bandipore national park on the stretch which connects Sultan Bathery and Gundelpette. Recently, a conflict had risen between environmental activists and the public for imposing a complete traffic ban along the NH766 passing through the Bandipore NP. A baseline study had conducted on the NH766, and the impact of the same on the ecosystem existing is analyzed through the data collected. A network analysis is performed on the alternate route available for bypassing the traffic. Traffic management plan and policies are derived out of the analysis on the baseline data collected and the inferences drawn from the network analysis performed on the alternate routes. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
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Mediating role of self-concept on character strengths and well-being among adolescents with specific learning disorder in India
Background: Adolescents with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) are at higher risk of academic underachievement, stigmatization, and mental health issues. However, the complete elimination of disorder-related deficits and external challenges is an impracticable solution for enhancing their well-being. Aim: The study adopts a strength-based approach to understand the role of an innate factor, i.e., self-concept, in the association between character strengths and well-being of adolescents with SLD. Methods: A correlational research design following a mediation analysis was adopted to examine the association between the study variables on a sample of 115 adolescents with SLD from India. Results: Self-concept functioned as a partial mediator between the life-satisfaction construct of well-being and six character strengths: Appreciation of beauty and excellence, Perseverance, Judgment, Leadership, Perspective, and Zest. Gender differences were identified with regard to the study variables. Conclusions and implications: Self-concept of adolescents with SLD could partly contribute to enhanced character strengths awareness to protect well-being. Further, the crucial role of internal factors like self-concept and character strengths in improving the well-being of this population was highlighted. Thereby encouraging future research on SLD to adopt approaches that focus on innate strengths rather than deficits and external sources of well-being. 2022 Elsevier Ltd -
Production of bio-diesel from non-edible dried fruits of lagerstroemia speciosa
Rapi d urbani zat i on and i ncr ease i n population have evoked tremendous attention for biofuelsproduction to combatshortage of fuels, environmental concerns, foreign exchange savingsand socioeconomic issues.In recent years bi odi esel product i on f rom agro-i ndust ri al feedstocks such as waste vegetable oil, animal fat, grease, non-edible fruit oils etc.,acquired prominent place to fulfil the gap between production and demand. The present investigation has been undertaken to explore a noveland environmentally friendly process for developing biodiesel production t echnol ogy by subj ect i ng dr i ed f r ui t s of Lagerstroemia speciosa to mild ultrasonication at 33KHz for 20 min at 352Cfor obtaining high lipid yield, precursor for the production of biodiesel by transesterification.The biodiesel compounds 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z) methyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, methyl stearate, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid methyl ester, 18-methylnonadecanoate were recognized as the main compounds in GC-MS analysis. 2020, Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy. All rights reserved. -
Effect of heavy metals on the pigmentation and photosynthetic capability in Jacobaea maritima (L.) Pelser & Meijden
Photosynthesis is a fundamental process in plants that enables them to produce their own food. However, this process can be influenced by multiple factors including external factors such as sunlight, nutrients availability and gas concentrations. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of heavy metal stress on the plant Jacobaea maritima (L.) Pelser & Meijden. Three different heavy metals, namely cadmium, chromium, and lead, were applied to the plants at five concentrations ranging from 50-250 ppm (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250). The growth of the plants was observed, and several parameters including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E), leaf stomatal conductance (C), and the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were measured. The results revealed that the chlorophyll content was higher in the Cr150 concentration (5.470.4). The chlorophyll values for Pb-100 (9.40.35) and Pb-250 (9.80.26) were in close proximity to each other. The Cd-100 concentration showed the highest chlorophyll content. The net photosynthetic rate was least affected in Pb-150 (30.980.75), while Cr-100 (4.050.09) exhibited the greatest impact. Transpiration rate increased slightly in plants treated with Pb, but significantly decreased in Cd-treated plants. The Cr-50 concentration (0.190.02) showed the lowest transpiration rate. Leaf stomatal conductance was reduced significantly in all treated plants, with Cr-100 showing the least variation (2298.251.85). The photosynthetic active radiation capability was reduced in all treated plants, with Pb-treated plants exhibiting nominal reduction and Cd- and Cr-treated plants experiencing substantial reduction. Statistical analysis confirmed significant variations in the measured parameters following heavy metal treatment. 2023 The Author(s) -
Interventions to help students find a deeper purpose during their academic journey
This comprehensive exploration delves deeply into academic interventions aimed at guiding students toward a more profound sense of purpose throughout their educational journeys. It emphasizes that education offers a unique opportunity for students to discover their passions, interests, and aspirations beyond textbooks and exams. The interventions discussed, including mentorship, career counseling, experiential learning, and self-discovery exercises, are meticulously designed to empower students to recognize their distinct strengths and interests. These interventions not only aim to facilitate academic excellence but also enable students to pursue careers aligned with their core values and aspirations. The exploration scrutinizes effective strategies, programs, and support mechanisms, addressing challenges students face when making career choices, and culminates in recommendations for educators, career counselors, and policymakers interested in enriching students' educational experiences and fostering purpose-driven learners. 2024, IGI Global. -
Challenging the dichotomy: Examining parent socialization goals and behaviors regarding positive affect in Bengaluru, India
Parents' responses to youth positive affect (PA) have been dichotomized as enhancing and dampening. This dichotomy may not fit with cultural scripts about emotion in communities where a balance between positive and negative emotions is preferred. To assess parents' PA socialization in a culturally relevant manner for urban, middle-class families in India, we developed a new measure of parental goals about happiness and adapted the Responses to Adolescent Happy Affect Scale (RAHAS). We tested the psychometric properties of these measures and assessed relations among parental socialization goals and behaviors across 5 months. Our sample included 377 adolescent (84.4% girls; Mage = 14.47) and parent (63.9% mothers) dyads, primarily Hindu, in Bengaluru, India. Two parental goals factors emerged: Balancing and Controlling and Maximizing and Sharing happiness. Three factors emerged for the adapted RAHAS. Two factors were the same as the original RAHAS: (a) Enhancing strategies to upregulate PA and (b) Dampening strategies to downregulate PA. A third factor emerged: (c) Balancing strategies, which were culturally salient for families in India and aimed for moderation. Among socialization behaviors, Enhancing and Dampening were inversely related, while Balancing related positively to each. Balancing and Controlling goals were only correlated to Balancing behaviors. Maximizing and Sharing goals were correlated positively with Enhancing and inversely with Dampening. Longitudinally, Maximizing and Sharing and Balancing and Controlling goals were related to a significant increase and marginal decrease in Dampening, respectively. Challenging the dichotomy, our findings highlight the relevance of balancing to theories of PA socialization. 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Research on Adolescence published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Research on Adolescence. -
Interepisodic functioning in patients with bipolar disorder in remission
Background and Objectives: Patients with bipolar disorder (BD), despite recovering symptomatically, suffer from several functional impairments even in remission. The actual causes of impaired functioning are less known. Materials and Methods: The study aimed to examine the clinical and psychosocial determinants of functioning in patients with BD in remission. A cross-sectional single-group design was adopted (n = 150). Participants meeting the study criteria were screened with Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Scale. The selected participants were administered various tools to assess the level of functioning and the clinical, psychosocial determinants of functioning. Results: The clinical characteristics of the sample included early age of onset of illness, presence of precipitating factors, fewer episodes, minimal comorbidities, history of psychotic episodes, family history of mental illness, good medication adherence, and low depression and mania scores. Psychosocial factors included higher stress and moderate social support and self-esteem in the sample. Poor functioning patients had a history of longer hospital stay and had greater scores on depression, mania, stress, and maladaptive coping styles than better functioning patients. Conclusion: Higher depression, mania, stress, and maladaptive coping strategies were related to poor functioning, while higher medication adherence, self-esteem, and social support were related to better functioning. 2018 Indian Psychiatric Society - South Zonal Branch Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow. -
The role of energy efficiency in income inequality dynamics in developing Asia: Evidence from artificial neural networks
This study investigates the drivers of income inequality trends in seven developing Asian countries between 1990 and 2022, exploring the effects of energy efficiency, government spending, economic growth, globalization, and human development. The study investigates how these variables affect income inequality using various statistical methods, including long-run machine learning and prediction models. The findings indicate a negative impact of energy efficiency on income inequality, highlighting the potential of energy-saving measures in narrowing the income gaps between the rich and poor. Government spending, economic growth, globalization, and human development are also crucial in alleviating income inequality in developing Asian countries. This study underscores the importance of tailored policies, advocating for investments in energy efficiency, targeted government spending, larger economic integration, and inclusive growth strategies to address income inequality in developing Asia. 2024 -
FUZZY MODULARITY AND FUZZY COMPLEMENTS IN FUZZY LATTICES
In this paper, we study the concept of fuzzy modularity in fuzzy lattices. We also define a fuzzy Birkhoff lattice and study fuzzy complements in fuzzy lattices. We prove that the notions of a right and a left complement coincide in a fuzzy lattice I??k University, Department of Mathematics, 2022; all rights reserved -
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Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Conversion of Amine to Amide and Degradation of Methylene Blue Using BiOClTiO2 Nano Heterostructures
Abstract: Facile green synthesis of BiOClTiO2 was done using combustion technique by Ixora coccinea leaf extract as fuel source. The said material was characterized using XRD, SEM, EDX, HRTEM, SAED, FTIR, and UV-DRS. The particle size was found to be approximately 60nm and a crystallite size of 0.3nm from TEM. The photocatalytic activity of the material was found out using photoluminescence studies, dye degradation and photocatalytic organic conversion. The material showed excellent dye degradation capacity for methylene blue with 80% of the dye degraded under 3hrs. The stabilisation of electronhole pair by the heterostructure gave it the ability to perform easy degradation. The degradation kinetics have also been studied. It also showed an excellent organic conversion property with formylation yield reaching up to 96% and total conversion of the reactant molecule. The material is a potent photocatalyst due to its great efficiency and can have a remarkable role in the synthesis of important organic molecules and detoxification of environment. Graphical Abstract: The heterostructure catalyses the conversion of amine to amides and mineralizes methylene blue under visible light condition. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Facile combustion synthesis of highly active Mo doped BiVO4 for photocatalytic dye degradation, photo-oxidation of alcohols, antifungal and antioxidant activities
This work represents the facile and green synthesis of Molybdenum (Mo)-doped bismuth vanadate (BiVO4). Green synthesis of Mo-doped BiVO4 was done using combustion technique using Mangifera indica (Mango) leaf extract as the fuel for combustion. The material synthesised was pure and characterised using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultravioletvisible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). It was found that Mo-doped BiVO4 had monoclinic scheelite phase, with a bandgap of 3.71eV. Various application was possible from the synthesised material like photodegradation of Malachite Green, a typical organic which showed excellent degradation efficiency of 99% under 120minutes. The catalyst also gave up to 95% yields in the light-assisted oxidation of aromatic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes. The material also showed excellent antioxidant properties showing 6.7g of ascorbic acid equivalence (AAE). It gave an excellent minimum lethal dosage (MLD) of 500g against Penicillium and Trichoderma fungal strains and showed maximum of 32 mm zone of inhibition. These applications show the versatility of the material to be used in various fields. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Development of Guidelines for Spouses Engaged in Home-Based Care of Persons With Motor Neuron Disease From Indian Context
Background: The caregivers of persons with motor neuron disease (MND) have several needs that are usually not voiced on any platform. Aim: To explore the lived experience of spouses of persons with MND, identify their needs and develop guidelines for better home-based care. Method: An exploratory study with 3-point in-depth interviews among 13 participants was conducted. Participants were the spouses of persons with MND under treatment at a national quaternary referral center. The interpretative phenomenological analysis identified participants needs. These needs, with literature review synthesis, guided the drafting of guidelines, which was validated by experts. Results: The needs were emotional, social, care systems, and skills. The guidelines developed contained 2 sections (1) Information for the spouses: understanding MND, communication, symptom management, marital relationship, palliative care, and everyday life made easier. (2) Well-being of the spouse caregivers: well-being of the spouse caregivers, self-care, mental health, supporting carers in palliative care, where to find help. Conclusion: The guidelines can be developed as a manual for the caregivers and for training healthcare professionals working with neurodegenerative conditions. The Author(s) 2022.