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This paper explores the implications of marrying Internet of Things (IoT) with artificial intelligence (AI) in the realms of automation and security and what it entails. It presents an innovative application description arising from this technology convergence and its future-generation applications. It is found that AI brings strong cyber security, predictive maintenance and decision-making capabilities to the table due to its advanced algorithms and machine learning (ML) models. IoT has the potential to allow businesses to extract and generate big data, automate processes and monitor in real-time thousands and even millions of devices at once. It is believed that smart city, standalone systems and user experience are quite consumer-friendly. Importantly, the study also assesses facets such as data protection and system interoperability. The results include achieving significant 95.8% accuracy in anomaly detection and 93.4% accuracy in predictive maintenance, showcasing the efficacy of AI models in enhancing system reliability and operational efficiency. Vigorous encryption protocol performance ensures data security, thus addressing issues of privacy. The findings underscore the transformative potential of AI-IoT integration in next-generation automation and security applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For renovation and modernization of 200 MW steam turbine generator of LMZ design operating beyond their technical life, it is necessary to replace the mechanical governors with electronic governors. As the operating philosophy of modern electronic governors is different, simulation is carried out to check the impact on dynamic performance. In this paper, mathematical modeling approach and simulation results are presented. The study confirms that the controller configuration adopted in electronic governor gives better dynamic response for disturbances normally encountered in the operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning algorithms have enabled generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), which has been increasingly popular in recent years because of its capacity to imitate and produce content that looks human. With its unparalleled capacity to create information, visuals, and even whole stories on its own, GenAI has become a game-changer across a number of industries. OpenAI's modern GenAI framework Sora presents a new method by emphasizing symbolic operations on relational algorithms. Sora stands out as a potentially game-changing technology with broad applications for companies across the globe. Sora's capabilities can not only generate new possibilities but also contribute in the enrichment of knowledge databases in applicable domains. This paper examines Sora's potential in the corporate environment by outlining its salient characteristics, practical uses, and possible economic effects. A few recommendations for possible uses in different business fields such as knowledge management, etc. have been included, based on the predictive abilities. Further, a model has been proposed for refining the image/video/audio output. This study offers scholars, academicians, and business professionals fresh perspectives that could spur more research advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic role that foreign investment plays in driving the economic growth of a country cannot be overemphasized. The African region has been receiving substantial FDI from the Western countries and more recently from China, but these have not transformed the region's economy above the level of producers of primary products. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons why Africa has not benefited optimally from the huge FDI pouring into the continent, and to unearth how the region can reverse its parlous economic condition. Using analytical research method, the study discovered that the external actors' economic engagements with Africa have been premised on their needs for strategic raw materials for their own booming industries and market for their goods, rather than the development of African industrial base which is the real driver of economic growth. Recommendations on how Africa could transform its industrial sector are also made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century where global superpowers have introduced the possibility of mutually assured destruction through the invention, testing, and, in the case of the United States, the intentional use of nuclear weapons on a population, it seemed unlikely that the Western reaction to a European country being invaded by one of its neighbors would be to spark another World War, 83 years after the last. When Vladimir Putin went through with his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Western world responded with sanctions. Sanctions have a long history of being imposed upon countries in order to punish that country for a number of reasons, one reason being that the sanctioned country broke international law. These sanctions are imposed in order to pressure the sanctioned country to correct its behavior through crippling its economy. Clearly the thousands of sanctions on Russia have not changed their approach to Ukraine. So why are sanctions not working? Is it that the sanctions imposed are not costly enough to cripple Russia's economy and force their hand? Is it that sanctions cannot be fully enforced and Russia will find a way around them? Whatever the reason may be, many experts argue that sanctions result in many externalities which are transferred to the common people in and outside of the sanctioned economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to interpret Africa's armed conflicts through the lens of fourth-generational warfare (4GW) and "clash of civilizations", exposing the predicament that withholds the full attainment of Pan-Africanism ideology. In the study, the understanding of 4GW in conjunction with Africa's conflict situation is solidified through the views of prominent academic researchers. Considering the fact that Africa is cosmopolitan in nature, the study draws from Samuel Huntington's Theory of Clash of Civilizations to explain the true nature of Africa's armed conflict, thereby bringing into the picture factors such as religion, ethnicity, race, differences in political ideology and resource scarcity. As part of the explanation of the concepts, the paper identifies areas of attention so as to ensure the full attainment of Pan-Africanism ideological goals--politically, economically and socially. Regional Integrated Peace and Development Model (RIPDM) is a proposed solution to Africa's 4GW and Clash of Civilizations, which is a step towards the accomplishment of Pan-Africanism goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a finite element method (FEM) analysis of composite hexagonal honeycomb structures, which are widely used in various engineering applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and energy absorption capabilities. The primary objective is to investigate the mechanical behavior and performance of these structures under loading conditions. By employing advanced FEM techniques, a model in SolidWorks is created, and the hexagonal honeycomb configurations are simulated using composite materials and Hypermesh to understand their stress distribution, deformation characteristics and failure mechanisms. The study includes parametric analysis to evaluate the effects of various factors such as cell wall thickness, material properties and geometric dimensions on the overall structural integrity. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing honeycomb structures for enhanced performance in aerospace, automotive and civil engineering applications and contribute a model for four distinct types of material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the effectiveness of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), ResNet, and EfficientNet in classifying high and low resolution satellite images from diverse sources and applications. The models are evaluated based on precision, recall, accuracy and F1 score. The CNN model demonstrates a well-balanced performance with precision at 85%, recall at 95% and an overall accuracy of 91%, resulting in a robust F1 score of 90%. ResNet exhibits moderate accuracy (68%) and a tradeoff between precision (65%) and recall (67%), reflected in F1 score of 64%. EfficientNet stands out with exceptional precision (98%) and commendable accuracy (95%), maintaining a strong F1 score of 92%. These findings highlight the diverse capabilities of each model, providing valuable insights for selecting an optimal approach based on specific requirements for classifying high and low resolution satellite images across various sources and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper makes a comprehensive comparative analysis of conventional methodologies versus contemporary approaches in the realm of web and media analysis and design. With the advent of digital evolution, traditional techniques have undergone significant transformations, reshaping the methodologies used in web and media analysis and design. By juxtaposing the established practices with emerging innovations, this study elucidates the nuanced differences, strengths, and limitations inherent in each method. Through meticulous examination, the study sheds light on how traditional methods have evolved alongside technological advancements, while also evaluating the efficacy of novel methods in addressing contemporary challenges. By scrutinizing their respective contributions, the study endeavors to unravel the intricate dynamics underlying user behavior and the resultant impact on design outcomes. Moreover, this comparative exploration serves to underscore the importance of understanding the evolving paradigms in web and media analysis and design. By synthesizing insights gleaned from both traditional and modern approaches, researchers and practitioners can obtain valuable perspectives for refining strategies, optimizing user experiences, and driving innovation in design methodologies. In essence, this study serves as a beacon for navigating the complex interplay between tradition and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of web and media analysis and design, offering valuable insights to propel the field forward in an era defined by rapid digital transformation and evolving user expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subversion of Sanskrit literature is a trope in Dalit literature that allows the exploration of Dalit identities in territories of discourse that were forbidden to them. The 2021 Kerala Sahitya Academy Award-winning novel Moustache by S Hareesh inverts the epic Ramayana by writing an immoral, ignoble, and superhuman Dalit man as its protagonist. This novel critiques the classical tropes by satirizing glorious happy endings of classical Sanskrit literatures. It presents the reality of casteism as a folly to the epic. This novel is also a commentary on the inglorious nature of masculinity in intersection with caste to deride the failings of masculinities as a hegemonical structure. But the language of this criticism has derivatives from colonial tropes of caste communities written into the memory of Indian society through sociopolitical institutions for governance in colonial India. This hampers the criticism of Indian social structure by intercepting the language of criticism. This paper is a study of language used to describe masculinities in the novel Moustache, with the purpose tracing the tropes and oriental constructs of Asian men in the novel to reveal the overlap between a colonial criticism of Oriental society and intersectional criticism of caste and gender in Moustache. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials through a Deleuze and Guattarian lens, reading it as a utopian imaginary that attempts to provide an alternate vision of the world. Acclaimed to be a path-breaking work, the trilogy transcends traditional genre classification by addressing some existential, philosophical, and metaphysical questions while romancing the young-adult literature genre. It moves effortlessly across the boundaries between past and present, reality and fantasy, and the eminence of the works lie in the conflicts that emerge at these meeting points. Through his iconic work, Pullman attempts to displace the power of the Western metanarrative and suggests his own democratic version of identity formation. He displaces the metanarrative of the 'Kingdom of Heaven' and replaces it with the notion of 'The Republic of Heaven' placing its roots in a utopian scheme that envisages a society ungoverned by any religious institution, where sexual pleasure, gaining knowledge, and living to the fullest form the basis of good living--a reterritorialized world of freedom and agency. The works have a trenchant poignance in the post-pandemic dystopia and provide solace with their life-affirming alternate vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphic novels can be integral to enhancing curriculum standards. However, comic books, as educational material, still remain controversial in certain education systems, as this medium is regarded by some as sheer entertainment, thereby hindering students' motivation to seek out informal, picture-based literature to read. Graphic adaptation being of great interest to many students, this literary medium may well increase the motivation of young readers to engage in reading and literacy. This paper shows how graphic adaptation can prove to be an effective way to introduce students to classic works of literature, with an analysis of Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a connection between human beings and their physical environment. Any disruption to this connection as a result of changes in the environment affects the individual. Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World focuses on the underlying melancholic feeling of an individual in relation to the changes in the external environment or, in other words, solastalgia. Through the characterization of an old painter named Masuji Ono, the novel makes the readers contemplate on the significance of the connection between human beings and the external physical world. This paper, using the idea of solastalgia by Glenn Albrecht, scrutinizes the different kinds of spatialities in Ishiguro's work. Simultaneously, it also delineates the inherent pain in the mind of the central character, Ono, by mapping the connections between him and the external landscape, uncovering in the process, the numerous spaces seen in the narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of a nation is nebulous as a construct to be restricted within the confines of a definition and is relived and revisited through the chronicles of history across time and space (and not only academic spaces). The epistemological and ontological configurations of the construct of a nation depicts it as a liquefied narrative to be construed from diverse angles. In his work, The Renaissance in India and Other Essays on Indian Culture, Sri Aurobindo talks about India as a nation in the face of Western incursions and posits the concept of an Indian renaissance in the mode of a reawakening or revival of the original spirit of the nation along with its ideals. He refers to a new India trying to recover herself to arrive at a healthy revival by returning to the spiritual motif which is the basic foundation of her culture, but she must apply the same procedure to every aspect of the nation's life--art, literature, poetry, polity, and religion. She is the Bharata Shakti operating on the basis of her spiritual energy, trying to sustain a balance between the mind, body and spirit. This paper explores the diverse interpretations of the concept of nation as represented by Sri Aurobindo (2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the ESL student-teachers' English proficiency levels and analyze the associated test instrument's quality features such as reliability, validity, practicality, authenticity, and washback. The study was conducted at EFL University with a cohort of 18 student-teachers from diverse mother tongue backgrounds. The proficiency test comprised four sections, i.e., reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing, each contributing to a total score of 50 marks. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) were employed to ensure objectivity in scoring and evaluation. The analysis of the proficiency test instrument focused on its practicality, construction, administration, scoring, and ease of interpreting results. Data obtained from the test were analyzed using the mean scores of each test-taker, with particular reference to the performance in each section. The findings indicated that the test-takers performed uniformly as a group. They further demonstrated a uniform level of performance among the student-teachers, with the proficiency test fulfilling its intended purpose. The test appears to meet all established criteria for a standard assessment instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of green supply chain practices is a crucial part of most manufacturing industries in developed and developing countries, many of which are yet to adopt the concept to fulfill supplier demand and market trends. This paper aims to identify the drivers behind the adoption of green practices by medium-scale manufacturing companies in the FMCG sector of Rajasthan. Data were collected from 323 respondents and analyzed using SPSS software. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory analysis were carried out to identify the drivers, which are: green demand, financial performance, green operational practices, environmental performance, and reverse logistics. This study found that the identified factors play a vital role in the adoption of green supply chain practices by medium-scale manufacturing companies in FMCG sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's organizations, there are two ways for leaders to get things done with both internal and external stakeholders--through a hierarchy or through a network. While it may seem that hierarchy has more power to get things going, often it is one's network that gives one leverage over a larger part of the organization. The higher one moves in an organization, the lesser control they have over all its aspects; but with a strong network, one can have an eye on almost every aspect of the organization. This paper explores how one can increase one's network, use one's influence, and collaborate with others to create a winning culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissatisfaction with the quality of working relationship between leaders and their colleagues continues to be the primary reason for executive derailment, staff turnover, loss of trust in leadership, workplace dissatisfaction and low employee engagement. Research into such matters has tended to focus more on the 'Above-the-Line' observable and measurable facets of executive behavior and has (seemingly) neglected the emotionally-grounded workplace dynamics and phenomena. This paper seeks to draw attention to the 'Below-the-Line' phenomena as one way of rectifying this imbalance and seeming neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between individualistic values and the intent of sustainable entrepreneurship among students of Gedu College of Business Studies (GCBS) in Bhutan. The study employed quantitative research design with descriptive approach. A sample of 290 responses were analyzed using different statistical tools. The questionnaire for the study was adopted from Ndofirepi (2022). The findings suggests that complex factors influence sustainable entrepreneurship intention. The three models under investigation collectively highlight the critical role of individualistic values in moderating the relationships between various entrepreneurial predictors--attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATE), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms (SN) and sustainable entrepreneurship intention (SEI). Each model underscores the significant positive effects of the primary predictors (ATE, PBC, and SN) on SEI, while also illustrating how these effects are either enhanced or diminished by individualistic values. Policymakers and educators aiming to promote sustainable entrepreneurship should consider these dynamics for fostering an environment that enhances perceived behavioral control, positive attitude towards entrepreneurship, and subjective norms, while acknowledging the varying influences of individualistic values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented in our generation. It represented an acute crisis that saw countries crippled economically, socially and morally. For leaders all across the world, this crisis was a challenge that they had never anticipated and were unprepared for. Within this context, this paper sets out to explore leadership in small and medium enterprise businesses across four industry sectors. Using a phenomenological approach, nine leaders across four businesses were interviewed. The questions were designed around a framework of six constructs garnered from literature that epitomized leaders' competencies during a crisis. They were: authenticity, empathy, transparency, creativity, flexibility (in business) and resilience. Transcript analysis was done using CAQDAS, NVivo. In all, 135 codes were extracted from the transcripts and distilled into 17 conceptual (second-order) categories. Further aggregation resulted in five emergent themes reflective of leading businesses in and through crises. Cross-referencing these themes with literature resulted in a theoretical model--Entrepreneurship-as-Practice. Overall, the phenomenological approach to understanding leadership in crises produced an applicable model for current and future crises preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether a purpose-driven organization is desirable will depend upon the purpose in relation to stakeholder aspirations, concerns and requirements, and the situation, circumstances and context. This paper examines what corporate purpose and a purpose-led business might mean for corporate governance, the quality, value and growth that are sought, independent directors, ESG and sustainability, diversity and the role of future boards. It presents questions that directors could consider in relation to selected items on board agendas when balancing contending claims upon resources, establishing priorities and endeavoring to become and remain purpose-led. A corporate purpose should reflect global risks, existential threats, challenges and opportunities, be responsible, sustainable, inclusive and appropriate for the wider contexts in which a company is active and could have an impact. As situations, circumstances and contexts change and/or evolve, a purpose may need to be revisited, reviewed and redefined, flexibly interpreted and intelligently implemented if it is to be resilient and remain relevant. Where this does not happen, and interests and parties become more aware of the costs and negative consequences and implications for themselves of certain purpose-led and/or ESG initiatives, they may seek to delay their implementation and/or prevent their achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As today’s mobile workforce and business environment expand to include a variety of users, the organization’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) is increasingly susceptible to security issues. Current VPN solutions on different operating systems are exposed to a large number of data breaches by hackers. This paper aims at implementing multiple convenient and secured ways to deploy, monitor and manage all user history, analyze their behavior and context, and automate their levels of access to corporate systems and resources. A software was written to observe, detect and record selected network activities such as repeated login attempts, username and password authenticity, status of VPN ports and IP addresses, and so on. The user interfaces were created using Javafx. Java programming language interfaced with Python was used for the logical parts, and H2 development tool was used for the database. Multiple servers in different locations are configured to check these network conditions and alert the Network Administrator via sms, email or other alarm system between once-per-minute and once-per-hour for the purposes of analysis and mitigation. The software further enables two-way communications between a chat client and a chat server based on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on a novel hybrid strategy of using artificial intelligence (AI), real-time imaging, and predictive analysis for forest fire detection (Liu et al., 2020). Such approach drastically cuts operational costs, time, and the necessary manpower, using real-time imaging of AI and analytics (studies that use sensors and drones) and predictive algorithm via neuro-fuzzy Logic. The AI deep learning technology is well suited for areas with dense vegetation, giving valuable maps. They gather the information necessary for producing satellite images. In particular, the neuro-fuzzy Logic model collects and processes the data obtained from real-time satellite, drones and other observations. This makes a direct transition from staff-controlled UAS to robots. The synergistic combination of these techniques increases real-time detection and prediction accuracy, which in turn provides a robust solution for effective disaster management and early intervention in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) on the moon are expected to contain large amounts of water and ice, which is crucial for sustainable exploration of the moon and beyond. However, there is limited information about small-scale features and ice distribution within the PSRs due to low resolution and/or poor quality of the orbital imagery captured. This paper proposes a method to use the existing general-purpose algorithm, Block-Matching and 3D Filtering (BM3D), to denoise the noisy crater images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is aspiring to become a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, which requires sustaining annual economic growth rate of 8 to 10% for the next quarter century. Rising domestic savings and investment in India are found to be intimately interlinked with acceleration of economic growth over the decades. The Indian banking sector has played a critical role in mobilization of domestic savings and funding productive investments. This paper analyzes the role of improved banking profitability and productivity during the post-reform period in augmenting domestic savings and investments. However, high loan delinquencies had negative consequences, diminishing banking profitability and causing financial losses for several public sector banks in the late 2010s. To avoid any disruptions to Indian growth prospects, it is essential to avoid recurrences of loan delinquencies going forward. Adoption of innovative and prudential banking practices and regulations is imperative for continuous improvement in profitability and productivity of banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chains are very important for the economy of a country. With increased globalization and outsourcing, the supply chain risks have increased. It becomes imperative to identify the various risks inherent in a supply chain and to find out the interrelationships between them so that we can manage/mitigate them. The electronics industry plays a major role in the country's economy. This paper seeks to understand the risks inherent in an electronics supply chain and model the risks using interpretive structural modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cahn-Hilliard equation is a fundamental model in the study of phase separation and coarsening phenomena in binary mixtures. The paper investigates the perturbative solutions of the one-dimensional Cahn-Hilliard equation for small spatial and temporal variables. Starting with a uniform state, a small perturbation was introduced and first-order perturbation expansion was derived. Utilizing Fourier transforms, the linearized form of Cahn-Hilliard equation was solved to obtain the general solution. The dispersion relation revealed the growth rates of perturbation modes, providing insight into the early-time dynamics of phase separation. The analytical approach lays the groundwork for understanding the evolution of small perturbations and their impact on the phase separation process in binary systems. This work has potential applications in materials science, particularly in understanding the microstructural development of alloys and polymer blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 40% of the world's population suffer from lack of potable water. The paper attempts to fabricate and test a pyramid-shaped solar still having fins. The conventional solar still serves as the baseline, while the finned design incorporates enhanced heat transfer surfaces to improve productivity. Experiments were conducted during three days in the month of March, and the average results are presented. The higher absorber plate, glass plate and water temperatures were recorded between 12 noon and 1 p.m. in the pyramid solar still having fins. The pyramid-shaped solar still model embraces 3 liters of potable water during the day superior to the conventional still. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nylon is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used often as transference sheets for water proof packaging. The ease of cutting and sealing a nylon material, especially during mass production of nylon bags, has necessitated automating the process. This paper develops an affordable and effective low-cost semi-automatic nylon cutting and sealing machine that can be utilized by small-scale businesses. The 900 x 400 x 350 mm machine comprises sealing and cutting filament, transformer with wires, teflon tape, micro switch, electric motor, transmission shaft, aluminum casing, mild steel stand and microcontroller. The components were optimized for durability, yet simple one operator use and portability for small-scale business settings. A transmission shaft size 25.4 mm in diameter and 850 mm in length is placed on the machine. The size of the shaft is selected according to the size of the electric motor. Structural analysis through testing validated the structural integrity of key parts. The yield stress was 380 N/mm2 and the safety factor was considered to be 2, so the working stress was 190 N/mm2 and the permissible shear stress was 100.71 N/mm². The performance testing showed that the prototype semi-automatic cutting and sealing machine has efficiency of 80% while cutting and sealing nylon at a rate of 700 bags per hour. These results confirm the machine's ability to overcome the limitations of laborious manual methods through a continuous, high-output cutting and sealing process. Further, the machine is functional and possesses high performance efficiency with reasonable degree of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion is a destructive attack on a material in the environment that occurs in the aviation industry, as in various other industries. Corrosion may be aqueous or dry. For aqueous corrosion, an electrolyte, a thin film of moisture, contaminated or otherwise, must wet the surface of the substrate. Then anodic and cathodic reactions occur. These may be separated by a few atomic units or larger distances depending upon the form of corrosion or the composition of the substrate and environment. In dry corrosion, corrosion manifests as either general or localized. Its high temperature counterpart involves reactions at high temperature regimes with fluids, which may be ordinary air contaminated with pollutants such as CO2, SO2, etc. In all cases, the substrates disintegrate, flow and collapse. Both processes involve the movement of electrons and ions. This paper focuses on corrosion and its mitigation as witnessed in the aviation industry, which includes aircraft, airport buildings, runways/storage facilities, pipes and others employed for the comfort of the flying public. For corrosion in aircraft (aqueous and high temperature), diagnostic tools could be deployed in the form of on-board sensors, for diagnosing where and when corrosion-related maintenance is required. Accurate examination of various corrosion incidents and procedures is critical for aviation safety, particularly for the aircraft, which will go a long way in minimizing aircraft maintenance cost which is huge in the Nigerian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banking is a responsible business based on trust and fairness. Corporate governance in banking institutions becomes crucial in navigating through the uncertain world we live in. This topic has piqued the attention of a wide variety of scholars around the world, and it has gained momentum in recent years. The aim of this study is to identify the key contributors, key areas, current trends, and potential research directions. The paper uses a systematic literature review methodology, as well as bibliometric and content analysis, to examine 311 studies from the Scopus database. Citations and PageRank are used to classify the most influential papers as well as the most influential contributors. A co-citation network was developed to see the conceptual framework of this research area. The study identifies research discrepancies, and seven actionable research paths are proposed for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to identify the possible changes in the aims and objectives of English literature courses at the undergraduate (UG) program. This is a feasible and relevant endeavor because without further radical restructuring of syllabi UG programs would soon become both irrelevant and uninspiring. There are two levels at which the problem needs to be addressed: ideal and practical. Ideally, we should be able to design a syllabi that would make the subscribers of the program fluent users of the English language and offer exposure to literary/cultural traditions that expand their horizon of imagination. Practically, we should develop syllabi which are freed from the prison house of canon. This paper suggests that in restructuring the syllabi, we need to expand the literary discourses studied and accommodate more contemporary interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper revisits the Lebensraum concept and examines its role in world politics, with reference to the Chinese and Russian strategies towards Taiwan and Ukraine, respectively, to achieve their geopolitical goals, thereby drawing a parallel between Adolf Hitler’s strategic ideas and those of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in the 21st century. The paper analyzes Lebensraum, both conceptually and theoretically, to examine how it influences the territorial annexation strategy of a country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the relationship between supply-driven components of India's inflation and inflation expectations as derived from the Reserve Bank of India's Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH). To be precise, it determines a threshold level for 'food' and 'combined food and fuel' CPI inflation rate beyond which the inflation expectations start getting de-anchored. The novelty of this study lies in throwing light on the timing of central bank intervention in episodes of supply side inflation with an objective to anchor inflation expectations. The estimation is carried out by using quarterly time series data on inflation and inflation expectations from 2012 to 2022. The results obtained in the study suggest the existence of a inflation threshold level for food at 7-7.5% and for combined food and fuel at 6.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper contributes to the literature by showing the progress made in deposit insurance and risk domain in the banking sector using a bibliometric approach. A conjoint study of deposit insurance and risk yields a broader view on the research trend progression. The analysis shows that niche themes around banking regulation, Prompt Corrective Action (PCA), and emerging markets have evolved. Banking regulations form a cornerstone of financial stability, with PCA progressively showing predominance, reflecting early warning signals of a possible banking failure while deposit insurance may be a key tool to prevent the impact of such failure from reaching the consumers, it does not improve the protection available to other stakeholders which presents a corporate governance challenge of balancing conflicting interests of different stakeholders in the banking system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women’s bodies become the sites of confrontation during times of communal crisis. When violence is unleashed on a woman’s body, the body performs two roles: ensuring physical and mental compliance to refrain from exercising their agency and safeguarding the domination of the patriarchal structure and practices of their respective social group. The second function is to perform the desire of the instigator of violence. The current paper proposes to undertake a comparative study of the representation of violence against women during the communal riots that followed the Malabar Rebellion in 1921 and the Partition of India in 1947. To substantiate the above argument, the paper cross-examines two movies, 1921 and Pinjar, and two literary texts, This Is Not That Dawn and “Duravastha,” to display violence on a woman’s body to reinforce the symbolic and physical marginalization across multiple social groups. The paper explains the commonality in treating women’s bodies as a measuring unit for society’s wellbeing across southern and northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. The comparative study of both the films and novels expounds on the precarious location of women characters placed within the gambit of a specific social group during the turbulent political climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the multifarious skills needed for management professionals to help organizations achieve their goals. The prevalence of skills is critical for every business organization. The positive attitude of employees to accomplish challenging tasks comes from their skill set. Every organization intends to have a pool of charismatic human capital for its progression. Of late, this has become indispensable because the present world economic order has undergone transformation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the sagging business fortunes of a majority of blue-chip companies the world over, a real threat to the existence of business firms is looming large. The moot question to address is as to how the countries can assuage the after-effects of the pandemic. The answer lies in the fact that acumen and skills of professionals can tackle any crisis. The paper focuses on an amalgamation of skills for such professionals, which would provide momentum to their professional progress. The study suggests that critical thinking, inquisitiveness, excellent communication skills, proactiveness, and creativity are the key skills to watch out for in the coming years for the success of organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the impact of cultural studies on communication and the ways in which it has been influenced by various academic fields. Conflict in international relationships often stems from a failure to effectively communicate due to language barriers and differences in views on what constitutes successful communication. Another facet of business life is the code of ethics and professional standards that apply in various fields. The major tool for enforcing discipline and maintaining acceptable behavior is the company’s culture. The paper explores methods for enhancing intercultural communication, overcoming common barriers, and emphasizing the value of cultural diversity in practices and beliefs. The paper also sheds light on how the gap in cultural knowledge can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings, as people tend to classify others according to how closely they conform to their own set of social standards and use pejorative phrases to describe those who disagree. The paper also provides advice for getting through communication barriers caused by a lack of assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing awareness and significance of the “environment protection” concept— which imposes a responsibility on businesses, policymakers, governments, and regulatory agencies for tackling climate change and global warming—has created an urgent need for carefully examining current green and sustainable banking practices. This study aims to provide an overview of the present situation and future trends in green and sustainable banking through bibliometric research. For a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, the study includes 272 published research studies from the Scopus database for the period 1989 to 2023. Bibliometrics with MS-Excel, Biblioshiny R Studio, and VOSviewer were used to recognize and assess the trend of the related studies, research areas, authors, nations, institutions, and keywords. The research findings reveal the emerging trend and thematic evolution with regard to green and sustainable banking has increased recently. The findings will be helpful for academics and reviewers in selecting future green banking research topics and for decision makers in defining the standards for green banking research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation Z, or Gen Z, are those who were born roughly between 1995 and 2010 (Bencsik, 2016; Francis and Hoefel, 2018; and Bohlich, 2020). Gen Z shows unique characteristics when they are compared with millennials and their preceding generation (Francis and Hoefel, 2018). Gen Z proportion is gradually increasing in the workforce and organizations are realizing that their retention will be challenging (Dolot, 2018). The current study explores the characteristics and preferences of Gen Z and its possible implications for organizations. The study assumes importance as Gen Z will continue to be a significant proportion of the workforce over the next decade and beyond (Lettink, 2019). Thus understanding them will help organizations prepare better to engage and retain them. The paper presents the outcome of a systematic review of studies conducted by several researchers across the world. Relevant papers that dealt with research done on different sample groups comprising Gen Z predominantly were studied. The characteristics and preferences of Gen Z are summarized based on the common themes from all the findings across geographies. Preferences are segmented under five dimensions and parameters highlighted. The five dimensions and preferences signify what an organization should focus on while recruiting and managing Gen Z. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper embarks on a journey through the history and evolution of space exploration, spanning from its 20th century origins in military and telecommunication endeavors to its current status as a global pursuit in the 21st century. It emphasizes the pressing need for contemporary and adaptable international laws and regulations to govern this increasingly vital field effectively. The competitive landscape of space exploration is highlighted, focusing on major players such as the US, Russia, and China, exploring their motivations and significant achievements in the cosmic race. The paper also examines the growing role of private space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and iSpace, detailing their substantial contributions to commercial space endeavors, colonization efforts, and resource extraction. It sheds light on the escalating complexities arising from challenges like space debris and resource utilization, underscoring the critical importance of robust international regulations to govern the burgeoning commercial space industry. The paper discusses the urgent need for an updated global regulatory framework for space activities, emphasizing the importance of precise celestial object classifications and responsible resource utilization. It calls for strategic public-private partnerships, like NASA's collaboration with TransAstra's Apis program, and explores the potential of alternative fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of technology and its advancements have brought various fundamental and structural changes to various sectors of the economy, including the banking sector. In India, the move towards e-banking was initiated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by relying upon several recommendations provided by high-level committees formed for promoting the growth of information technology in the field of banking. In the current scenario, digital payment methods have replaced conventional paper-based methods due to their costefficiency and expediency. However, it is accompanied by certain challenges, such as poor security measures followed by institutions, which in turn create reputational, operational, or legal risks as they might lead to the disclosure and misuse of sensitive personal information of customers. In order to combat such risks and meet the challenges, the legal framework needs to be strengthened and made more stringent, while specific laws governing electronic payments need to be complied with. The paper examines the relevance of the growing electronic fund transfer systems in India, issues associated with them, existing statutory provisions, and directions issued by the RBI to combat such challenges, and offers suggestions to strengthen the legal framework in order to protect customers as well as participating institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accounting literature boasts a long list of studies on the impact of earnings information on stock prices. Recently, this strand of literature has been given a new twist by exploring the dynamics of earnings-returns relation at the aggregate level. The knowledge about this relationship is particularly useful for investors who hold diversified portfolios. The paper tests if the aggregate earnings-returns relationship is different when stocks are grouped according to different characteristics such as size, value, profitability and investment. The results suggest that the relation between aggregate earnings and stock returns is relatively stronger for large-cap and growth stocks as compared to small-cap and value stocks. These findings are valuable for investors and fund managers who use factor-based strategies to manage their investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the extent of corporate disclosure in the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) reports of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. A sample of 55 companies is taken, and based on the disclosure checklist containing 52 information items, the extent of disclosure is measured both at the aggregate level and with respect to different reporting areas of the MD&A report. It is found that average level of aggregate disclosure is 64.8%, which is moderately high. The maximum disclosure score is 90% and minimum 25%. The variation in the extent of disclosure among the sample companies is measured by range and standard deviation, which are 65% and 11.2%, respectively. As far as disclosure in specific areas of the MD&A report is concerned, a few companies have made 100% disclosure in respect of industry structure and development, risk and concern, and segment reporting, while some have made no disclosure about outlook information. The overall results suggest that there exists scope for improving the quality of disclosure in MD&A reports of Indian companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a prototype setup for detecting and tracking transmission line faults using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This system automatically detects, analyzes and classifies the transmission line faults, while also tracking the location of fault. The setup uses a combination of ESP32, display, potential transformers, current transformers and GSM module to sense, process and transmit data. The instrument transformers accurately sense data and send to ESP32. Comparing with reference value, it analyzes fault and sends information via GSM module to a designated number and server. This prototype ensures fast processing of data and detects faults accurately in different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient traffic management at signalized intersections is integral to urban infrastructure development, requiring accurate estimation of delay times to mitigate congestion and enhance overall transportation systems. The limitations of traditional methodologies have prompted the exploration of novel technologies like light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors. This paper investigates and compares the accuracy of delay time estimations obtained from LiDAR sensor technology with those derived from microsimulation in Aimsun. The paper critically examines the discrepancies and potential complementarity between delay times obtained from LiDAR sensor technology and those derived from microsimulation in Aimsun. The research involves an in-depth evaluation of real-time, high-resolution data collected by LiDAR sensors, assessing their accuracy in capturing the intricate movements and behavior of vehicles at signalized intersections. Simultaneously, Aimsun microsimulation delay time models are scrutinized for their ability to accurately replicate these observed delay times. The disparities identified serve as critical insights into the challenges of both methodologies, prompting the discussion on the prospects of integrating LiDAR-derived data and microsimulation calibration processes to enhance the precision and reliability of delay time estimations. The results demonstrate that LiDAR accurately calculates delay times at signalized intersections, with differences from Aimsun consistently below 6.5% on days with peak vehicle volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic landscape of the present digital era too, knowledge management (KM) continues to occupy the center stage and is pivotal to the common good of society at large. However, the paradigm of KM experienced a significant change with the arrival and meteoric rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), leading to “generative AI knowledge management”. The innovative approach of “generative AI knowledge management” (Generative KM, for short) harnesses the inherent ability of GenAI for creation, analysis, optimization, and diffusion of knowledge in ways never imagined before. GenAI can thus contribute immensely to augment KM systems. GenAI-supplemented KM systems in turn can be leveraged for financial inclusion through financial literacy. This paper explores how the pairing of GenAI with KM systems—Generative KM—can strengthen KM, its application in the context of financial literacy and financial inclusion, and the future of this disruptive technology. The key inference is that KM systems can be enriched significantly with GenAI; KM processes—for example, knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation—can leverage GenAI for its value-add of dynamic content updates. GenAI is well set to be the central piece of KM, as digital technology continues its rapid stride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) policy of free and fair trade has led to persistent decline in the average world trade tariff rates. It also ensured prior ratification of non-tariff measures implemented by countries. At the same time, countries across the world have introduced trade facilitation measures to ensure smooth flow of goods across borders. Despite these, countries still face substantial trade barriers. Against this backdrop, using data from India, the present paper aims at analyzing the impact of trade barriers on its exports by calculating a bilateral trade restrictiveness index based on tariff, non-tariff and border administrative and regulatory measures. The results show that trade restrictions faced by a country depend on its export basket composition, specific export products and its export destinations and hence are unique to each country. They confirm the existence of substantial trade barriers for a country, as against the general perception that trade restrictions have declined over the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the root of the second wake of export pessimism is the argument that exportled growth (ELG) models suffer from a fallacy of composition. Under constrained global demand, all exporting nations cannot simultaneously pursue ELGs, and the ensuing battle for markets would eventually cause more competitive exporters to drive out or displace less competitive ones. Considering how the Indian economy has witnessed a deceleration in her export of services since the mid-2000s, this paper enquires whether similar export-displacements could have lent to this status quo. Using bilateral service trade data for the years 2005-2015, the paper tests the displacement or crowding out of India’s export of services to advanced OECD nations by exports from other developing and emerging market economies. Our results show the remarkable presence of complementarity between service exports from India and that from other exporting powerhouses like China, Singapore and Vietnam, though the country appears to have been losing markets for her prime services to certain emerging exporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]