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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the key role of WhatsApp as WhatsApp-customer relationship management (w-CRM) for strengthening the relationship in the education sector. The paper is exploratory in nature. Design/methodology/approach: A self-administered questionnaire was developed with 20 items for four latent constructs. The data were collected from the undergraduate and postgraduate students of Sri Sri University, Cuttack (Odisha), India, based on convenience sampling. The hypotheses were tested through regression and correlation analyzes. Findings: The findings of the study unveiled that the relationships between students and teaching staff, students and non-teaching staff, and teaching and non-teaching staff can be strengthened by the adoption of w-CRM. Practical implications: WhatsApp can be an inevitable tool to emerge with traditional CRM system to facilitating the advance implementation of w-CRM in the service industry. Originality/value: Although the present study is limited to one of the service sectors, i.e. education, it unfolds the scope of implementation of w-CRM in different services. Especially, small and medium enterprises can implement this tool hand to hand to maintain strong relationships with customers.

Introduction and aim: At present, several microbial diseases are prominent and of concern worldwide. The intent of this study was to examine the antibacterial potential of newly synthesized tetradentate macrocyclic complexes against different bacterial strains. The macrocyclic scaffold has gained attention as a biologically active class of supramolecular chemistry due to its unique properties and ability to target various microorganisms. Thus, the goal of the present study was to develop a series of biologically active transition metal-based macrocycles. Material and methods: All macrocyclic compounds were synthesized by a template method and validated by molar conductivity, elemental studies, and spectral and magnetic studies. Antibacterial activities of all metal complexes were evaluated against Escherichia coli (MTCC 739) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 731) bacterial strains by taking ampicillin as a standard reference drug. DNA photocleavage potential was explored using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Results revealed the formation of novel macrocyclic complexes via tetra nitrogen bond trapping of metals. Copper complexes have strong potential against S. aureus bacteria as copper and nickel both show good DNA photocleavage potential. Concusion: The findings endorse the biomedical relevance of these macrocyclic scaffolds, suggesting avenues for further exploration in targeted drug delivery and potential clinical applications. The proposed octahedral geometry for the complexes enhances our understanding of their structural aspects. This research contributes substantively to the field, laying the foundation for future investigations in advanced antimicrobial design and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, CQDs decorated MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 heterojunction was prepared successfully by hydrothermal technique for photocatalytic disinfection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and mineralization of methyl orange (MO) dye. The charge transferal route and mineralization process in CQDs-MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 heterojunction were comprehensively investigated by advanced spectroscopic techniques. The improved visible-light activity and enhanced photo-generated charge transferal efficacy caused dual Z-scheme CQDs-MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 heterojunction to achieve boosted photodegradation ability. The catalytic degradation trend was followed as CQDs-MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 > MnIn2S4 > CdS > Bi2S3. The dye was mineralized within 180 min under visible light irradiation. The effect of reaction parameters, pH effect, catalyst dosage, and H2O2 addition on MO degradation was also investigated. The degradation rate was maximal at pH 4 with a pseudo-first-order rate constant, 0.0438 min−1. The assessment of antibacterial properties revealed that CQDs-MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 composite effectively inactivated E. coli under visible light. Scavenging experiments, transient photocurrent response, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy suggested that • O 2 - and holes were the dominant reactive species. The Z-scheme heterojunction is recyclable up to ten photocatalytic cycles according to recycling experiments. This research indicates the importance of dual Z-scheme CQDs decorated MnIn2S4/CdS/Bi2S3 heterojunction in wastewater remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) endeavouring as major pathogen in infectious disease, predominantly in urinary tract infection (UTI) and increased resistance in NFGNB are matter of concern. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of NFGNB, antibiotics resistance pattern, plasmid profiling, and antibacterial efficacy of Moringa oleifera against NFGNB. NFGNB were isolated from clinically suspected UTI patients. Identification of isolates and their antibiotics sensitivity pattern were analyzed according to conventional method, and Vitek 2 automated system. Moreover, NFGNB were evaluated for biofilm production and presence of plasmid. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera was evaluated against NFGNB. P. aeruginosa (86.0%), and A. baumannii (10.0%) were the most frequent NFGNB followed by Providencia rettgeri 2.0%, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 1.0%, myroides species 1.0%. 68.6% P. aeruginosa and 60.0% A. baumannii were biofilm producers whereas imipenem and meropenem were the most effective antibiotics. Isolated NFGNB showed multiple bands of plasmid. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera leaves extract showed antibacterial activity against tested NFGNB. MDR-NFGNB presents challenges in treatment and Moringa oleifera leaf extract may be used as an alternative medicine. However, the therapeutic role of specific ingredients present in extract needs further investigation and purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify the inabilities of service firms to connect to different age group customers in the era of smart technologies. Despite various service innovations, customer services seem to be worsening across the world. It is imperative to understand different age group customers' experiences while using smart technologies to address current customer strategies and practices in the service sector. The study adopted the CIT method to collect participants' experiences who were using smart technologies in various service settings. The study indicates how staff and top management personnel of service firms are using smart technologies as a shield to avoid human contact with their customers presently. Additionally, the study highlights the relevance of people, empathy, and interactive marketing practices for improving services even in the era of smart technologies. It means that service firms should connect more and more customers through various smart technologies but get themselves disconnected from these technologies to keep a direct human interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study emphasizes that mutual fund is the most suitable investment avenue for common persons. The study investigates the popularity of mutual fund investments in the present scenario. The paper consisted of 281 usable samples of mutual fund investors. The variables were measured on a five-point Likert scale, which starts from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. The selected method of data analysis included descriptive analysis, reliability and validity analysis, percentage, and regression analysis to test the validity, reliability and research hypotheses with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version 16.0). The study found that popularity of mutual funds has increased in today's market. This paper suggests that mutual funds are the most suitable investment avenue for common persons due to high returns with low risks, portfolio diversification investment scheme, tax benefits, rating of funds by renowned agencies, and so on. This study would help the mutual fund companies and their managers in designing innovative products and services according to the needs of the investors. It would also help in developing and expanding knowledge in the field of mutual fund investment and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]