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Brinjal ( Solanum melongena L.) is an important warm-season vegetable with immense antioxidant potential. The present study aims to identify superior high-yielding plants with round fruits and tolerance to bacterial wilt through heterosis breeding. This study evaluated 52 brinjal genotypes, including 48 local landraces collected from eastern India, emphasizing the state of Odisha and four released varieties. The selection process focused on variations in both quantitative and qualitative traits and examined genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for yield and yield-contributing traits. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') had an overall mean value of 0.733, with significant variations observed in fruit length-to-breadth ratio, leaf blade color, fruit shape, and petiole color. The estimated h 2 BS for each tested attribute varied from 64.90 to 98.17%, showing that all traits were highly heritable. Based on multivariate analysis, nine parents with different genetic backgrounds were selected among 52 genotypes of diverse origins for breeding study. To ascertain the degree of heterosis, dominance reaction, combining ability and gene action for 12 quantitative features crossed in a diallel fashion without reciprocals to develop 36 F 1 hybrids. Average fruit weight (79.46%) had the highest degree of significant heterobeltiosis in the desired directions, followed by fruit yield per plant (71.61%), plant spread (58.07%), primary branches per plant (56.25%), and days to 1st flowering (-32.72%). No dominance to over-dominance effects was involved in the inheritance of fruit yield and yield-attributing traits. Four landraces (Selection from BBSR-192-1, BBSR-192-1, BBSR-08-2, and BBSR-195-3) were identified as promising general combiners for fruit yield and yield-attributing traits. Overall, based on per se performance, heterotic response as well as estimates of combining ability, the four important crosses namely, BBSR-08-2 X BBSR-192-1, Jammusahi Local X BBSR-192-1, BBSR-195-3 X BBSR-192-1and BBSR-10-26 X BBSR-192-1 were highly tolerance to bacterial wilt as well as yield and suitable for commercial exploitation as F 1 hybrid in Solanum melongena for eastern part of India.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the toxicity of fluoride and arsenic on morphology and behaviour of fish Clarias batrachus. Based on 96 hour LC50 values at the 95% confidence limits of sodium fluoride (NaF) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) obtained from the preliminary tests, various sub-lethal concentrations of NaF and As2O3 were selected for combined toxicity testing. During the experiment, fish were regularly observed for any changes in their external morphology and behaviour. Behavioural changes were observed in terms of air gulping, opercular movement, swimming activity, body position, general activity and food sensitivity. Control fish remained normal throughout the experiment period (96 hour) but erratic, exodus and speedy movements were found in all treated groups. The number of air gulps (per 15 min, 24-96 hour) significantly increased (P<0.001) in the exposed Group I (20 mg.L-1 As2O3) as compared to control. A significant increase (P<0.01) in the number of opercular movements (per min for 24-96 hour) was recorded in treatment groups as compared to control. Apparent changes such as excessive mucous secretion, increased body discolouration, loosening of skin and complete loss of skin (head region and fins) were also observed. Skin loss was more intense in fish subjected to Group I.

The emergence of the Open Banking (OB) system is developing the landscape of traditional financial services by introducing a collaborative model that includes banks, customers, and TPPs. This model allows the banks to share customers' data with TPPs (FinTech startups) with the due consent of their customers. This shared data assists the TPPs in developing the customer-required tailored services. In order to find pertinent publications in the newly emerging field of open banking, the current work uses a systematic literature review methodology. The sole objective ofthe study is to do a thematic review, recognizing the problems connected to Open Banking, finding the gaps in the literature, and attempting to draft the agenda for further studies. The only focus of the current study is to shed light on the conceptual development of Open Banking, requirements for implementation of Open Banking, Open Banking v/s Traditional Banking, Open Banking regulation and security, customers' benefits from Open Banking, and challenges for the OB system. This article established that Open Banking has explored new tailored services per the customer's requirements. Thus, the primary concern is developing and implementing suitable regulations and initiatives for effective implementation and adoption. The recommendations are based on articles that have been reviewed for future research.

Nano-graphite (NG) and acid modified nano-graphite (ANG) nanoparticles were synthesized from graphite powder using a strong acid i.e. a mixture (sulphuric acid and nitric acid). The optical study and stability of NG and ANG/water nano-fluids were determined by using Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurement. The thermal properties including thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and volumetric heat capacity of the nano-fluids were measured in the mass fraction range 0 – 0.053 wt% and at temperature range of 20 – 80°C. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the nano-fluids show considerable rise, whereas volumetric heat capacity reduced with NG and ANG concentrations. The thermal conductivity improvement of the nano-fluid shows a considerable rise, with maximal increases of 67.64% and 75.97% for 0.053 wt% NG and ANG loadings, respectively. The volumetric heat capacity of the nano-fluids reductions with rise in mass fraction of NG and ANG and increases with increase in temperature. As a result, ANG nanoparticles are more effective at raising the thermal conductivity of water-based nanofluids, then the NG particles at given the above mass fraction loadings. Finally, based on the findings, in terms of thermal characteristics in practical systems, nano-fluids can be determined to be a viable alternative to water-based fluids.

New research is being conducted to better understand the relationship between mechanical characteristics and strain rate in polymeric materials. In this study, calcium phosphate nanoparticles were incorporated into polylactic acid using ultrasonic vibration-assisted melt mixing, and the samples were cast under vacuum. The normal stress difference and relaxation modulus for the Polylactic acid/Calcium phosphate nanocomposites were calculated using the experimentally measured value of viscoelastic properties. The dependency of normal stress difference and relaxation modulus on different parameters was also shown for the validation of the expressions. The first normal stress difference and relaxation modulus were predicted based on the frequency dependence viscoelastic characteristics of polylactic acid/calcium phosphate nanocomposites. The first normal stress difference increases with shear rate and reaches a plateau at lower shear rates. The value of the first normal stress differential increases with calcium phosphate nanoparticle concentration, demonstrating that calcium phosphate promotes elasticity. The relaxation modulus falls as shear rates increase while increasing with calcium phosphate nanoparticle concentration. However, the incorporation of the calcium phosphate nanoparticle to polylactic acid increases the relaxation modulus because of polymer-filler interaction.

In order to understand the phytoplankton community structure and its relationship with the environmental variables in the near shore waters of Kalpakkam, east coast of India, observations were carried out during 2008–2009. Phytoplankton population was comprised of 219 species, and the density was higher during the southwest monsoon (SWM) and inter-monsoon seasons than that of north east monsoon (NEM) season. The nutrient status on a temporal and spatial scale indicated the impact of point sources carrying anthropogenic runoff. Comparison of ambient nutrient ratios with the Redfield ratio (N/P/Si = 16:1:16) showed a clear temporal variation in the factors that regulate the phytoplankton growth. SWM and inter-monsoon season was evident to have an acute N-limitation of algal growth (~76 %) whereas P-limitation was encountered during the NEM season (~75 %). Interestingly, a sizable population of cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium erythraeum) were noticed during NEM season when there was an exponential increase in nitrogen concentration, probably due to nitrogen fixation. No significant impact of temperature on phytoplankton proliferation was observed in situ during the study period.

Conventional fertilizers, although widely available, are relatively low in nutrient use efficiency and cause serious environmental concerns like eutrophication, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nitrate poisoning, and soil pollution. With this in mind, a randomized block design (RBD) experiment was conducted in an experimental field taking 10 treatments and 3 replications to investigate the effects of integrated approaches of nano-formulated DAP fertilizer applications on rice growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency over conventional approaches. The result revealed that plant height, panicle length, number of tillers hill −1 , total number of grain panicle −1 , and root length were maximum in T 10 treatment (50% of the soil test recommended doses (STD) for N and P + seedling root dipping (SRD) with nano DAP at 5 mL L −1 + twice foliar sprays (FS) with nano DAP at 4 mL L −1 at 25 and 45 DAT (date after transplanting). The highest mean grain yields (4.12 and 4.05 Mg ha −1 ) and nutrient uptake were recorded in the T 2 treatment (100% STD), but this was at par with T 10 treatment. The highest benefit–cost ratio (2.26) was recorded in T 10 , which was 3.5% higher than T 2 . N and P agronomic use efficiency (AUE) ranged from 7.5% to 31.5% and 15% to 63%, and recovery efficiency (RE) ranged from 30% to 94.2% and 11.2% to 90.4%. The highest nutrient use efficiency was recorded with T 10 , followed by T 9 , and lowest in T 4 . Post-harvest soil pH and available N and P were significantly highest in T 10 . Soil MBC, MBN, MBP, urease, and phosphatase activity were found significantly higher in T 2 , followed by T 10 . The integrated application of 50% STD for N and P + SRD with nano DAP at 5 mL L -1 + twice FS with nano DAP at 4 mL L −1 at 25 and 45 DAT application can be a suitable substitute for conventional DAP and urea for rice in climate-smart agriculture as it possibly reduces environmental pollution while undisturbing crop yield over the 100% STD.

The study seeks to highlight the key variables affecting usage of e-government by internal users of Indian Central Excise. An e-government acceptance model is developed and empirically tested using the 163 usable questionnaire responses from internal users of the Indian Central Excise. A priority of the variables is set by calculating the “total effect” of each variable on “intention to use e-government.” Further, the “total effect” is compared with “ratio of acceptance” and clear recommendations for the Central Excise are generated for increasing the usage of e-government among it users. The model developed here can be applied in other similar e-government projects to test the users’ intention to accept the system.

Purpose - The aim of this study is to investigate the likely antecedents of young Indian professionals' behavioral intention (BI) to use the income tax e-filing service.Design methodology approach - Prior to data collection, for which a self-administered survey was conducted, lecture-demonstrations were arranged to familiarize the potential respondents with the income tax e-filing service. The psychometric data were analyzed for reliability and construct validity of the measures, and thereafter a regression analysis was carried out.Findings - Regression results showed that antecedents of young Indian professionals' BI to use the income tax e-filing service are: perceived ease-of-use, personal innovativeness in information technology, relative advantage (RA), performance of e-filing service, and compatibility (COMP).Originality value - Past studies on income tax e-filing are beset by problems of adopter bias, and failure to treat trust as a multi-dimensional. In addition, these studies are skewed towards two theories, namely technology acceptance model, and theory of planned behavior. Although perceived characteristics of innovating has held considerable promise as an alternative framework, it has a chronic problem of confounding between RA and COMP. In investigating the antecedents of young Indian professionals' intention to use the income tax e-filing, this study also tries to deal with these issues, which are important to the practice of e-government adoption research.

Metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles undoubtedly have plenty of applications in environmental, biomedical, and analytical sciences. Owing to wide utilities, so far, numerous attempts have been made for the eco-friendly fabrication of these nanoparticles, using different plant, animal, and microbial extracts. In the pursuit of the best reducing and capping entities for the reduction of precursors, several attempts were made using the plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis , an evergreen plant belonging to the family Nyctanthaceae. This article focuses on the applications of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis extracts in the fabrication of nanoparticles of various metals such as silver, gold, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and copper oxide. This plant is reported to contain several phytochemicals such as steroids, iridoid glycosides, tannins, terpenes, and triterpenoids. In respective research attempts, after synthesis and characterization, these nanoparticles were evaluated for one or more applications such as antimicrobial activity against microbes, cytotoxicity against cell lines, and/or photocatalytic activity using dye. In a few cases, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential were also evaluated using well-established protocols. The use of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis extracts indicated the involvement of its phytocompounds in reducing the metal source and stabilizing the nanoparticles. In conclusion, it could be noted that nanoparticles have better antimicrobial activity and photocatalytic potential over the same plant extracts. Graphical Abstract