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X-Ray Spectral Variability of 13 TeV High-energy-peaked Blazars with XMM-Newton
We present a comprehensive study of the X-ray spectral variability observed in 13 TeV photon-emitting high-energy-peaked BL Lacertae objects (HBLs). These data come from 54 XMM-Newton EPIC-pn pointed observations made during its operational period from 2001 June through 2023 July. We performed spectral studies in the energy range of 0.6-10 keV by fitting X-ray spectra of the pointed observations with power-law and log-parabolic (PL and LP) models. We found at a 99% confidence level that 31 of these X-ray spectra were best fitted with a range of LP models with local photon indices (at 1.0 keV), ? ? 1.75-2.66, and convex curvature parameter ? ? 0.02-0.25. PL models with photon index ? ? 1.78-2.68 best described the spectra of 14-pointed observations. Nine PN spectra resulted in negative curvature parameters in fitting an LP model, and eight among them were significant (? ? 2?err). We fitted broken power-law models to these eight X-ray spectra and found spectral hardening in the range of ?? ? 0.06?0.54 for these observations. EPIC-MOS spectra were also studied for those eight observations to search for similar trends, and we were able to find them in only two, one observation each of PKS 0548-322 and Mrk 501. This indicates the possibility of the coexistence of an inverse Compton component along with the dominant synchrotron component for these two observations. We also performed correlation studies between various LP spectral parameters and briefly discuss their possible implications. 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society. -
X-Ray and ?-Ray Shielding Efficiency of Polymer Composites: Choice of Fillers, Effect of Loading and Filler Size, Photon Energy and Multifunctionality
Use of X-rays and ?-rays have become inevitable in medical sectors like radiology, interventional cardiology and diagnostic imaging, radiation physics laboratories, nuclear reactors and accelerator facilities. As radiation exposures above permitted levels pose potential risk to personnel working in close proximity to these facilities, protective measures aimed at reducing the exposure for safeguarding against harmful effects of ionizing radiations are essential. Traditionally, lead and lead based materials have been used as efficient radiation shielding materials owing to the high atomic number and high density of lead. Presently, use of lead is discouraged due to its heavy weight, toxicity and long-term effects on the environment. Consequently, the last two decades have seen research on light weight and cost-effective polymer composites with appropriate additives, having good workability, high specific strength, thermo-chemical stability and radiation shielding efficacy, gaining momentum. This article gives an overview of the state-of-the-art polymer composites reinforced with different fillers studied for their use as effective radiation shields. Here, we summarize the recent advancement and current trends in polymer composites-based radiation shields highlighting the different approaches adopted, choice of polymer/fillers, shielding effectiveness in terms of either linear and/or mass attenuation coefficients, for those who venture into radiation research and development. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
X -ray diffraction and microhardness studies of tin monoselenide
Tin Monoselenide (SnSe) crystals have been grown by the Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) method. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out on the as grown crystals and the lattice parameters were found to be a=11.506 b=4.149and c=4.447 The values were found to be comparable with that reported in the PDF card for SnSe. The microhardness of the crystals has been determined by using Vickers microhardness indenter. 2011 American Institute of Physics. -
WSETO: wild stock exchange trading optimization algorithm enabled routing for NB-IoT tracking system
The Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication plays a significant role in the IoT due to the capability of generating broad exploration with the usage of limited power. Over the past few years, the Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) have been efficient in the data acquisition and remote monitoring area however they failed to generate high data rates, low latency, and the consumption of low power. To solve these problems, NB-IoT technology has developed in long-term asset tracking and it replaces the Global Positioning System (GPS) with its ubiquitous coverage. In this research, the Wild Stock Exchange Trading Optimization technique (WSETO) is proposed for a routing-based NB-IoT tracking system. The WSETO is the combination of the Wild Geese Algorithm (WGA) and SETO. By employing WSETO, the routing to the relevant target location is established effectively. The existing techniques like Low Power Asset Tracking of NB-IoT (LoPATraN), Monitoring system based on NB-IoT and BeiDou System/GPS (BDS/GPS), and Narrowband Physical Uplink Shared Channel (NPUSCH) are used to compare the WSETO approach. In rounds with a value of 2000, the WSETO demonstrates a superior location error of 0.001 in comparison to existing methods such as LoPATraN, a monitoring system utilizing NB-IoT and BDS/GPS, as well as NPUSCH. Bharati Vidyapeeth's Institute of Computer Applications and Management 2024. -
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Wrinkled graphene: Synthesis and characterization of few layer graphene-like nanocarbons from kerosene
Wrinkled graphene, derived from a facile thermal decomposition and chemical method, was subjected to various analysis techniques and the results have been reported here. Raman studies revealed the presence of highly graphitized amorphous carbon, which was evident by the appearance of five peaks in the deconvoluted first order spectrum. This result was very well corroborated by the XRD analysis. XPS and FT-IR spectra confirmed the incorporation of oxygen functionalities into the carbon backbone. AFM and SEM images of the sample disclosed a cluster of few-layer wrinkled graphene fragments. TEM images displayed a chain of nearly spherical aggregates of graphene, resembling nanohorns. The resistivity and sheet resistance of the sample were found to be low, making the obtained material a promising candidate for various device applications. Hence, kerosene soot proved to be an efficient precursor for facile synthesis of few layer graphene-like nanocarbon. 2016 Wroclaw University of Technology. -
WOW Skin Science: strategic adaptation for responsible advertising
Learning outcomes: After completing this case study, students will be able to understand the issues firms, brands and influencers face due to sponsorship disclosure regulation and the impact of self-regulation on firms engaging in influencer marketing, explain the challenges regulators face in ensuring compliance in an emerging market, explain Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI)s challenges in adopting influencer guidelines from emerged markets and recommend ethical theory (or theories) and strategies to firms engaged in influencer marketing. Case overview/synopsis: This case study centers on Mr Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of WOW Skin Science, who started the beauty and personal care business with his brother Karan Chowdhary in 2015 in Bangalore, India. The company successfully built its brand through influencer marketing but faced challenges after the ASCI implemented new influencer guidelines. On May 31, 2021, he expressed disagreement with ASCI guidelines during an interview with Akansha Nagar from Buzz in Content, particularly the requirement to label every product or service received by influencers as an advertisement. He expressed concern about certain rules, fearing they might harm organic content and reduce viewership and followers. Subsequently, ASCI registered noncompliance cases against the company and communicated with them about complaints regarding influencer guideline violations. In this situation, Manish needed to evaluate his decision on noncompliance with regulation and required an action plan to strategically manage its influencer marketing campaign by incorporating ASCIs guidelines. Overall, this case study highlights the journey of WOW Skin Science and its challenges with self-regulatory authorities over its influencer marketing strategy in an emerging market. Additionally, students can gain insight into the marketing communication ethics of a startup operating in an emerging market by embodying the protagonists role. Complexity academic level: This case study is suitable for postgraduate level students pursuing a Master of Business Administration program. The difficulty level ranges from moderate to complex. It fits well into integrated marketing communication and marketing strategy courses. This case study discusses marketing ethics, advertising and promotion regulation. Supplementary materials: Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code: CSS 8: Marketing. 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Wound Healing, Cell Viability and Antimicrobial Potency of Mucus from Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
Acute and chronic wounds are the major cause of death according to World Health Organization (WHO), in which, antimicrobial resistance is considered to be a major plight. In this regard, our study is aimed at developing an antimicrobial agent using the mucus of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus against the clinically resistant microbial pathogens and to evaluate the cell cytotoxicity and cell viability followed by an in vitro wound healing analysis. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity was performed through well diffusion method and micro dilution method. The cell cytotoxicity and cell viability were assessed using MTT assay. The cell migration and in vitro wound healing was performed using scratch assay. The acidic extracts of mucus showed antimicrobial activity against the eight different selected bacterial strains while the organic extract showed against seven bacterial strains. L929 showed a cell viability of 102.96% at a concentration of 75 g/mL and did not show cell toxicity effect up to the concentration of 300 g/mL. In the in vitro wound healing analysis, the cell migration rate was 99.27% in the treated cells while, the untreated showed only 94.68%. The current research work clearly shows that the mucus of P. hypophthalmus possesses antimicrobial activity and wound healing potency. Furthermore, gene expression analysis and in vivo trials have to be performed for a thorough understanding of the actual cellular mechanism of wound healing. The Author(s) 2024. -
Wound healing efficacy of curcumin-loaded sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanosphere/PVA nanofiber matrix
The present investigation deals with the evaluation of the wound healing efficacy of sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanospheres loaded with curcumin-embedded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber membranes (NF). Carbon nanospheres (CNS) were prepared by pyrolyzing sandal wood bark powder at 750 C. The morphology was confirmed by field emission scanning electron micrographs and a rich amount of carbon was confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray technique. Curcumin, an active wound healing drug was loaded onto synthesized CNS and confirmed by ATR-IR studies. Drug-loaded CNS were anchored in a PVA matrix via electrospun nanofiber fabrication. The fabricated nanofiber membranes were characterized and evaluated for wound healing efficiency. The cytotoxicity assay proved the non-toxic nature of the prepared PVA/CNS-curcumin-loaded NF. Membranes with active CNS/drug showed better antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, which was estimated using the zone of inhibition (ZOI) test. The in vitro scratch wound healing assay of prepared PVA/CNS-curcumin nanofibers was efficient enough and showed 92 to 98% wound closure, which was greater than the control (without drug) nanofiber membranes. The PVA nanofiber matrix with interconnected structure and carbon nanostructures together enhanced the wound healing efficacy of the considered wound healing membrane, which is a promising novel approach for future wound healing patches. 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Wound healing efficacy of Couroupita Guianensis loaded carboxymethylcellulose film
Couroupita Guianensis extracts loaded carboxymethylcellulose film (CGELCF) was fabricated through a solution casting technique. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, and coumarins in CGE. The HPLC revealed that ellagic acid and gallic acid derivatives are abundant in CGE. FTIR spectrum confirmed the different functional group's presence in the film. The XRD, DSC, and TGA revealed the crystallinity, thermal stability, melting point (300 C), and degradation of the film. FESEM and EDX analysis revealed surface morphology and elemental compositions. The atomic wt% of C, O, Na, and P were found as follows 38.39, 49.34, 11.44, and 0.83. The zone of inhibition was found as 19 and 20 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity was found 7.35 MPa and 1.38 GPa respectively. In-vitro wound scratch revealed above 90 % of cell migrations for all the concentrations after 18 h. The in-vitro cytotoxicity revealed 90.83 % of cell viability and 9.17 % of toxicity. In-vivo studies revealed that wound closure and wound healing with the CGELCF mice was within 7 days and exhibited the rapid drug. The CGELCF may find usage as a bandage for wounds. 2025 -
Workplace Stress Prediction Using Explainable AI: A Non-intrusive Approach with Psychosocial and Demographic Features
This study investigates non-intrusive approaches to workplace stress detection using machine learning/deep learning techniques. Current methods rely heavily on physiological measurements (ECG, EDA, PPG) or behavioral monitoring which face implementation challenges in corporate environments. We propose an alternative approach utilizing psychosocial stressors and demographic variables to develop an explainable AI model for occupational stress detection. This approach addresses the practical limitations of current methods, which fail to discover underlying contributors to employee stress in the workplace. Two datasets were evaluated: The corporate stress dataset (CSDIW) with 50,000 records across 30 features and the HR Analytics Job Prediction dataset (HAJP) with 15,000 records across 10 features. Machine learning models including Logistic Regression, Nae Bayes, Neural Networks, Autoencoders?+?XGBoost and ensemble methods (SVM, RF and XGBoost) were implemented in different feature spaces. Results indicate improved performance on HAJP dataset with and without feature engineering whereas models consistently underperformed on the CSDIW dataset. The soft voting-based ensemble classifier turned out the best performer achieving an accuracy of 0.86 and an f1 score of 0.84. Our findings suggest that while psychosocial features hold promise for non-intrusive stress detection in workplace, data quality and appropriate labelling remain critical challenges. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. -
Workplace spirituality in the Indian IT sector: development and validation of the scale
The Indian information technology (IT) sector faces a unique challenge of managing their knowledge workers. Workplace spirituality, defined as recognising employees as a spiritual being, is seen as a new solution to the challenges faced by the IT sector. There are many conceptual models, but very few empirical ones to measure spirituality at work in the Indian context. The present study aims to develop an instrument that measures workplace spirituality. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 IT professionals and seven themes emerged from these interviews, based on which a 66-item questionnaire was developed which was further reduced to 33 items as per recommendations from experts. The questionnaire was administered to 172 Indian IT professionals and its reliability and construct validity were determined using convergent and discriminant validity. As a future scope, the questionnaire could be tested in other sectors and suitable changes be generalised in the Indian context. Copyright 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Workplace diversity and inclusion: Policies and best practices for organisations employing transgender people in India
Policies and best practices are suggested based on the viewpoints of transgender employees, human resources managers in charge of diversity and inclusion, and activists who work for the welfare of transgender people. Fifteen people were interviewed in depth and their responses were analysed to obtain insights into transgender employees' perception of well-being in the workplace, which will help organisations to develop appropriate human resource policies to protect the rights of their transgender employees in the workplace. Copyright 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Workplace challenges leading to the limited presence of women chefs in the hotel industry of Bengaluru /
Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol.8, Issue 5, pp.96-115, ISSN No: 2249-9598. -
Workplace bullying in the service sector
Context: Bullying is a problem that people, the world over, grapple with. It is manifest in different forms among different sections of people. Despite its prevalence, workplace bullying has not received much attention in scholarly literature in India. It is also not widely acknowledged as a threat to individual and organizational well-being. The purpose of this study is to add to the existing body of literature on the topic and to draw attention to the gravity of the issue. Aims: The primary objectives are to identify if there exist variations in its incidence on the basis of gender and years of experience, to identify the source of negative behavior, and the type of bullying that is most prevalent. Settings and Design: The study is a type of cross-sectional, descriptive study. Subjects and Methods: Data have been collected from a sample of 84 respondents using the Work Harassment Scale. All respondents are white-collar employees of the service sector in the cities of India. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v25. Results: The results find that there is no difference in the incidence of bullying on the basis of either gender or years of experience. Moreover, the source of negative behavior is generally one's superiors, and the most prevalent type is 'verbal aggression.' Conclusions: The study concludes with suggestions of steps to be implemented at the national and organizational level, to combat the problem. 2022 Authors. All rights reserved. -
Workplace aesthetics and employee behaviour: introducing the Office Peacocking Scale (OPS)
Purpose This study introduces the concept of Office Peacocking, defined as the deliberate enhancement of office aesthetics and amenities to attract attention and influence employee behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate the Office Peacocking Scale (OPS), a psychometric tool that measures how workplace aesthetics impact employee engagement, time spent in the office and social dynamics. Design/methodology/approach Using the DeVellis scale development method, the study followed a multi-stage process involving item generation, expert validation, pilot testing and exploratory factor analysis. A survey was administered to 375 employees across corporate sectors such as IT, finance, marketing and operations. Reliability was assessed using Cronbachs alpha, and factor analysis was conducted to determine underlying dimensions. Findings The OPS scale demonstrated acceptable reliability and revealed two dimensions: Aesthetic-Experiential Display and Symbolic-Social Signalling. The results suggest that enhanced office aesthetics significantly influence employee motivation, visibility-seeking behaviours and emotional connection to the workplace. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on a cross-sectional survey within a limited geographic and sectoral scope, which may affect generalizability. Future studies could explore longitudinal validation and cross-cultural applicability of the scale. Practical implications The OPS scale offers HR professionals and workspace designers a practical tool to evaluate how employees perceive and respond to office enhancements. It supports strategic decisions in workplace design aimed at boosting engagement, retention, and organizational identity. By understanding the psychological and social effects of office aesthetics, organizations can foster inclusive and meaningful work environments that go beyond superficial design trends. Originality/value This study pioneers the empirical measurement of Office Peacocking, contributing a validated scale and offering fresh insights into the symbolic and behavioural implications of workplace aesthetics. 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited -
Workforce Transformation and Value Creation in the Era of Industry 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0: Challenges and Enablers
Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and Industry 6.0 have been empowered by the acceptance of several advanced technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-centric innovation in releasing industries. Comprehensive studies that can include barriers as well as enablers are difficult to conduct. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach, integrating of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) to evaluate key challenges and enablers in workforce transformation. The Findings indicate that leadership vision, digital investment, and employee up-skilling play a crucial role in transformation navigation. Additionally, automation and AI adoption present both opportunities and challenges for workforce adaptability. The study provides strategic insights for organizations to enhance their workforce resilience, competi-tiveness in the evolving industrial landscape. The study offers actionable advice for businesses, policymakers, and educators, and suc-cessfully adaptation the paradigm and sustainable development in the modern era. Authors. -
Workforce Forecasting Using Artificial Intelligence
Workforce forecasting predicts an organizations future demand and supply of the workforce. Each organization has its strategies to manage and track the appropriate workforce. The adequate forecasting technique for the workforce involves data analysis and pattern mining from various data points. Some of the critical attributes considered for the analysis and the forecasting of the workforce requirement include the data such as demographics, economic trends, and labor market conditions; these help in calculating informed predictions about future workforce requirements [1,2]. The primary aim of workforce forecasting is to ensure that an organization has suitable employees with the appropriate skills to meet its business needs by helping organizations make informed decisions about staffing levels, employee training, and other workforce management strategies. 2024 Sachi Nandan Mohanty, Preethi Nanjundan and Tejaswini Kar. -
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY: A SPOTLIGHT ON EMPLOYEE SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE IN INDIA
This research paper explores a crucial yet often underestimated nexus: the relationship between workforce diversity and employee sustainability in the vibrant television media industry. Through an in-depth examination of diverse dimensions such as age, gender, culture, and socio-behavioral factors, it illuminates how these elements intricately influence the long-term viability of employees within this rapidly evolving sector. The paper's standout feature lies in its rigorous statistical analyses, which uncover the nuanced connections between workforce diversity and employee sustainability. By grounding its findings in empirical evidence, the paper transcends mere conjecture, offering a robust framework for comprehending and tackling this pressing issue. Moreover, the spotlight on the Indian media industry brings a unique perspective, given its extraordinary growth trajectory and substantial economic impact. Readers stand to gain invaluable insights into the dynamics of diversity within this context, potentially yielding transferable lessons and strategies for other industries and regions. In its culmination, the paper presents a synthesis of actionable recommendations and conclusive insights, serving as a practical guide for organizations seeking to harness diversity as a catalyst for long-term employee sustainability. With its blend of academic rigor and real-world relevance, this paper is indispensable reading for industry practitioners, policymakers, and scholars alike. 2024 Sciendo. All rights reserved. -
Workflow Scheduling Using Heuristic Scheduling in Hadoop
In our research study, we aim at optimizing multiple load in cloud, effective resource allocation and lesser response time for the job assigned. Using Hadoop on datacenter is the best and most efficient analytical service for any corporates. To provide effective and reliable performance analytical computing interface to the client, various cloud service providers host Hadoop clusters. The previous works done by many scholars were aimed at execution of workflows on Hadoop platform which also minimizes the cost of virtual machines and other computing resources. Earlier stochastic hill climbing technique was applied for single parameter and now we are working to optimize multiple parameters in the cloud data centers with proposed heuristic hill climbing. As many users try to priorities their job simultaneously in the cluster, resource optimized workflow scheduling technique should be very reliable to complete the task assigned before the deadlines and also to optimize the usage of the resources in cloud. The Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering.