Volume-12, Issue-5

September-October, 2026

Research Paper

1. Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Opportunities, Challenges and its Impact on Teaching and Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in higher education, offering new opportunities to enhance teaching, learning, assessment, research, and academic activities. This study examines the awareness and utilisation of AI tools among faculty members and identifies their perceived benefits, challenges, and impact on teaching and learning effectiveness. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design and collects primary data from 100 faculty members selected through simple random sampling. Data are collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed through simple percentage analysis, Chi-square test, and regression analysis. The findings indicate that faculty members recognise the potential of AI to improve teaching efficiency, content preparation, personalised learning, assessment, and academic productivity. The Chi-square analysis reveals significant associations between AI utilisation and selected demographic and institutional factors, particularly AI training. Regression analysis demonstrates a positive and significant influence of AI utilisation on perceived teaching and learning effectiveness. However, concerns related to academic integrity, misinformation, privacy, ethical use, and inadequate training remain important challenges. The study concludes that systematic AI training, institutional support, and appropriate ethical guidelines are essential for effective and responsible AI integration in higher education.

Published by: Dr. D. RajasekaranResearch Area: Education

Organisation: NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil NaduKeywords: Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Faculty Members, Teaching and Learning

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2. Japanese Expansion in East Asia and Its Historical Legacy

The paper focuses on how japan emerged as a dominant power in the region following commodore perry arrival and meiji restoration through the world wars and the impact it has in the contemporay world.

Published by: Sujeet ShenbagakumarResearch Area: Hisotry

Organisation: University of Pecs, HungaryKeywords: Meiji restoration, Tokugawa, Daimyo

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3. Digital Health Interventions for Breastfeeding Support: Evidence, Implementation Gaps, and The Next Generation of Equitable Lactation Care

Breastfeeding is a high-impact maternal and child health intervention, yet global exclusive breastfeeding remains at 48% among infants younger than six months, below the 60% World Health Assembly target for 2030. At the same time, the period after hospital discharge is characterized by fragmented access to skilled lactation support, creating a strong rationale for digital health interventions (DHIs). This narrative evidence review synthesizes recent evidence on mobile health (mHealth), smartphone applications, short-message services, social media and peer-support platforms, telelactation, and hybrid digital-professional models. Particular emphasis is placed on randomized evidence and on the implications for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 randomized or cluster-randomized trials involving 33,785 participants across 18 countries found that DHIs increased the odds of exclusive breastfeeding (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.91–3.50; 39 trials; n=11,601), although heterogeneity was substantial (I²=83%) and certainty was very low. Breastfeeding duration showed a moderate standardized benefit (SMD 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.67), while any breastfeeding was not significantly improved (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.90–1.31). Evidence suggests that digitally enabled support is most useful when it is timely, interactive, tailored, and linked to trained personnel rather than functioning as a stand-alone information repository. However, evidence on cost-effectiveness, safety, digital exclusion, implementation fidelity, and long-term scale-up remains sparse. This review argues that the next phase of digital breastfeeding support should shift from asking whether digital tools work to determining which components work, for whom, at what postpartum moment, and under what health-system conditions. Hybrid, equity-sensitive models integrated with routine maternal and newborn care appear the most defensible direction for policy and research.

Published by: Dr. Arushi MishraResearch Area: Reproductive Health

Organisation: Nebulous Business Solutions, Pune, MaharashtraKeywords: Breastfeeding, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Digital Health, Mhealth, Telelactation, Mobile Applications, SMS, Maternal Health, Lactation Support, LMICS

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4. A Comparative Study on Hemodialysis Versus Peritoneal Dialysis Regarding the Efficacy and Safety in the Management of ESRD

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major clinical condition requiring renal replacement therapy. Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are the two commonly used dialysis modalities, but they differ in the way they remove uremic toxins and excess fluid and may therefore have different efficacy and safety profiles. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in the management of patients with ESRD. Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, over a period of six months from July to December 2024. Patients with ESRD receiving maintenance HD or PD were included. Demographic characteristics, vital signs, blood urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and dialysis-related complications were assessed before and after dialysis. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were expressed as percentages. Appropriate statistical tests were applied, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Both HD and PD resulted in reductions in urea, BUN, and serum creatinine. The post-dialysis serum creatinine level was lower in patients receiving HD than in those receiving PD (3.1±1.2 vs. 4.2±1.3 mg/dL; p=0.02). Urea and BUN levels were also numerically lower following HD, although the between-group differences were not statistically significant. Vital signs remained broadly comparable between the two modalities. A significant difference was observed in the occurrence of peritonitis, which was higher among PD patients than HD patients (18% vs. 5%; p=0.002). Differences in sepsis and catheter-related infection were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both HD and PD were effective in improving biochemical parameters in patients with ESRD. HD demonstrated greater reduction in serum creatinine and was associated with more rapid biochemical clearance, while PD provided a continuous dialysis approach with generally stable short-term vital signs. However, peritonitis was significantly more frequent with PD. The choice of dialysis modality should therefore be individualized based on the patient's clinical condition, infection risk, residual renal function, access to care, and preference.

Published by: Ratna Prabha, Dr V Snehal, Ravi, Anudeepti, MallikaResearch Area: Nephrology

Organisation: Kinggeorge Hospital, VisakhapatnamKeywords: End-Stage Renal Disease, Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Dialysis Efficacy, Serum Creatinine, Peritonitis.

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5. Generative AI in Statistics Education: Predicting Students’ Confidence in Evaluating AI-Generated Answers

Students are increasingly using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) for learning, problem solving and understanding statistical concepts. However, the effective use of such tools requires the ability to critically assess and validate AI-generated solutions. In this study we investigate GenAI use among undergraduate Statistics students, focusing on Perceived Learning Benefits (PLB), Verification Behavior Score (VBS) and confidence in judging AI-generated statistical solutions. Data were acquired from 294 undergraduate students (244 GenAI users) through a structured online questionnaire. Perceived learning advantages and verification behavior were assessed using multi-item measures. A Random Forest classification model was constructed to predict students’ confidence in judging AI-generated statistical answers from AI-use patterns, learning advantages, verification behavior, Statistics experience and year of study. We tested the model with a stratified 5-fold cross-validation. The results point to the pedagogical value of GenAI and the need for verification and critical evaluation skills in AI-assisted learning of Statistics.

Published by: Omkar Chandrashekhar ThakurResearch Area: Statistics

Organisation: Department of Statistics, St. Xavier's College, Empowered Autonomous Institute, MumbaiKeywords: Generative AI, Statistics Education, Artificial Intelligence Literacy, Student Confidence

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6. Effect of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Versus Non-Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Training on Lower Extremity Motor Control and Functional Mobility in Sub-Acute and Chronic Stroke Patients: An Experimental Study

Stroke frequently damages the brain pathways responsible for planning and carrying out movement, leaving many survivors with weakness, poorly coordinated lower limb movements that make standing, walking and turning difficult. Pacing a patient's steps to an external sound, generally called rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), is a promising add-on to ordinary physiotherapy, but it remains unclear how much of the benefit comes from the steady beat itself rather than from listening to sound during exercise in general. This experimental study compared a rhythm-based auditory cueing programme with a non-rhythmic (ambient) auditory programme, using identical balance and gait exercises, in patients recovering from stroke. Twenty-two sub-acute and chronic stroke patients aged 40-70 years were selected by purposive sampling and divided into two equal groups. Group A practiced balance and gait exercises paced to metronome beats matched to their own walking cadence; Group B performed the same exercises while listening to ambient music with no fixed beat. Both groups additionally received conventional physiotherapy, three sessions a week for four weeks. Lower-limb motor control, dynamic balance and walking speed were assessed by using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Lower Extremity), the Dynamic Gait Index and the Ten-Meter Walk Test. Both groups improved significantly on all measures (p<0.001), but gains were consistently larger in the rhythm-cued group, particularly in voluntary motor control, coordination/speed, dynamic balance and walking speed (p<0.05 to p<0.001); reflex-related scores changed little in either group. These findings indicate that pairing balance and gait training with a steady auditory beat produces greater improvement in lower-limb motor control and functional mobility than the same training paired with non-rhythmic sound, supporting rhythmic auditory stimulation as a simple, cost effective addition to stroke rehabilitation.

Published by: Dr. Hunita Dhanju (PT), Dr. Krina Trivedi (PT), Bhargavi Dharmendrasinh RanaResearch Area: Physiotherapy

Organisation: Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Vadodara, GujaratKeywords: Stroke Rehabilitation, Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation, Auditory-Motor Entrainment, Lower Extremity Motor Control, Functional Mobility, Gait Training

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7. Effect of Brain Gym Exercises on Postural Balance and Health-Related Quality of Life in School-Going Hearing Impaired Children: An Experimental Study

Children with sensorineural hearing loss often have impaired Balance and postural instability issues occur because of the shared inner ear pathology. Brain Gym exercises combine cross body movements that helps in cross-lateral sensory processing in the brain which may improve postural stability, moreover limited clinical evidence exist regarding its effectiveness in hearing impaired children. Objective: To compare the effect of Brain Gym exercises against standard physical exercises for static, dynamic balance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hearing-impaired school going children. Methods: 30 students (age 10–15 years, hearing loss > 40 dB, Pediatric Balance Scale score < 52) were recruited through purposive sampling from special schools in Vadodara and assigned to Group A (Brain Gym, n=15) or Group B (General Physical Exercises, n=15). Both groups were given exercise protocol for 35–40 minutes per session, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes measured were static balance (Flamingo Balance Test), dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test composite score), and quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0). Results: Both groups showed statistically significant within-group improvements (p < 0.001), Group A achieved greater gains. Fall attempts during Flamingo test decreased significantly more in Group A compared to Group B (Right: t = 2.16, p = 0.03; Left: t = 2.31, p = 0.02). Group A also showed greater improvement in Y-Balance Test composite reach (Right: t = 6.25, p < 0.001; Left: t = 4.96, p < 0.001) and overall PedsQL scores (t = 6.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Incorporating Brain Gym exercises into pediatric rehabilitation of deaf children substantially impacts postural control and quality of life than general physical exercises alone.

Published by: Dr. Hunita Dhanju (PT), Dr. Hemangi Parmar (PT), Dr. Zeel Tusharkumar Shah (PT), Dishaba Yogendrasinh SolankiResearch Area: Physiotherapy

Organisation: Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Vadodara, GujaratKeywords: Hearing Impairment, Brain Gym, Static Balance, Dynamic Balance, Quality Of Life, Pediatric Rehabilitation

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8. A Hybrid Deep Learning Framework Integrating Variational Autoencoder with Self-Attention and MobileNet for Enhanced Malware Detection: An Optimized XGBoost Approach Using EMBER 2018 and 2024 Datasets

The increase in advanced types of malwares is one of the factors that are very challenging to traditional detection systems. In this paper, a new hybridized deep learning model is proposed, which combines Variational Autoencoder (VAE) and self-attention architecture and MobileNet with strong malware detection and classification. It is proposed that the research methodology will use the EMBER 2018 and EMBER 2024 datasets, with extensive preprocessing and normalization processes to improve the ability of features to be represented. Our dual-branch model learns complementary information the VAE-attention branch learns contextual dependencies of latent representations, whereas the MobileNet branch learns hierarchical visual patterns of malware representation in the form of byte representations. These attributes are combined with the help of interconnecting layers and trained with XGBoost to provide a final classification. As reported by experiment, binary classification and multi-class classification accuracy of 99.47 and 98.23 respectively are significantly better than the current state-of-the-art methods on EMBER 2024. The framework has a 3.2% improvement of detection rate with 42% false positives compared to traditional methods.

Published by: Vinita, Manju MandotResearch Area: CSE

Organisation: JRN Rajasthan Vidhyapeeth (Deemed to bee University), Udaipur, RajasthanKeywords: Malware Detection, Self-Attention, Variational Autoencoder, XGBoost, EMBER Dataset, MobileNet, Deep Learning, Binary Classification, Feature Fusion, Multi-class Classification

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9. Financial Fundamentals and Stock Market Performance: Evidence from BSE Top 50 Companies

This study examines the relationship between market performance and financial performance of companies listed in the BSE Top 50 index of the Bombay Stock Exchange. The primary objective is to analyze whether strong financial fundamentals translate into superior market returns and to evaluate the risk–return trade-off among leading Indian corporations over medium- and long-term periods. Approach: The study adopts a quantitative and empirical research design using secondary data collected from annual reports, financial statements, and stock market databases. A purposive sample of 50 top-performing companies from the BSE Top 50 was selected. Financial performance was measured using key indicators such as Return on Equity (ROE), Earnings Per Share (EPS), Net Profit Margin, and Return on Assets (ROA), while market performance was evaluated through stock returns, volatility, beta, and risk-adjusted measures including the Sharpe Ratio, Treynor Ratio, and Jensen's Alpha. Data were analyzed over 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression techniques to determine the strength and significance of relationships. Originality: Unlike prior studies that examine either financial performance or stock market performance independently, this research integrates both dimensions to assess whether financial strength consistently leads to superior market valuation and investor returns within India's blue-chip segment. Practical Implementation: The findings provide valuable insights for investors, portfolio managers, and financial analysts by highlighting whether investment decisions should rely primarily on financial fundamentals, market trends, or a combination of both. The study supports evidence-based investment strategies for long-term wealth creation in the Indian equity market.

Published by: Chetna Tansukhbhai ParmarResearch Area: Finance

Organisation: GSFC University, Vadodara, GujaratKeywords: Market Performance, Financial Performance, BSE Top 50, Risk–Return Trade-off, Risk-Adjusted Performance, Sharpe Ratio, Treynor Ratio, Jensen's Alpha, Return on Equity, Indian Stock Market  

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10. Can Derivative-Based Hedging Improve the Risk-Adjusted Returns of Portfolios Holding Alternative Investments?

The inclusion of alternative investments in modern portfolio allocation can significantly increase diversification because investors want returns that are not fully explained by traditional equity and fixed-income holdings. Alternative investments are here defined as financial assets outside stocks, bonds and cash (e.g., hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, commodities and infrastructure). Although these assets improve diversification and have attractive return potential they also come with risks which are often harder to observe or manage than those of traditional securities such as market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk, leverage risk, currency risk and interest rate rise plus non-linear/asymmetric return distributions. Derivatives like futures, options, forwards and swaps allow investors to hedge specific components of this risk without liquidating the underlying positions. This review synthesizes existing literature on derivative-based hedging to test whether it improves risk-adjusted returns of portfolios containing alternative investments. The literature suggests that hedging effectiveness depends on the relationship between the hedging instrument and the exposure being hedged, hedge ratio achieved, investment horizon and market conditions. Hedging costs are incurred, volatility reduction does not translate into improved risk-adjusted return because hedging also requires upside participation so volatility reduction doesn’t lead to higher risk adjusted return. From hedge funds, commodities and equity-linked strategies evidence shows that hedging is generally more reliable where underlying risk is systematic and hedging instrument tracks exposure closely but less reliable where risk is idiosyncratic, illiquid or hard to observe which is common in private equity and private credit. In general the literature seems to indicate that derivative-based hedging can enhance risk-adjusted returns of alternative-investment portfolios only if it is applied to identifiable systematic and hedgeable risks, costs are taken into account and so on. Hedging should therefore be viewed as a tool for managing risk exposure and improving efficiency in portfolio management rather than as a guaranteed means of increasing dollar returns.

Published by: Himanshu GargResearch Area: Finance

Organisation: Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, DelhiKeywords: Alternative Investments, Derivatives, Hedging, Portfolio Management, Risk-Adjusted Returns, Futures, Options, Risk Management, Portfolio Diversification, Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio.

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11. Stocks, Bonds, Gold, and Bitcoin: A Comparative Analysis of Risk-Adjusted Returns from 2022 to 2024

This paper examines the relationship between U.S equities, gold, Bitcoin and short term government debt over the three years from January 2022 to December 2024, a period defined by the fastest Federal Reserve rate hiking cycle in four decades, the beginnings of a cutting cycle, alongside the January 2024 approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Using a monthly return rate data and a risk-free rate derived from Treasury bill yields, this study calculated Sharpe and Sortino ratios, a six-month rolling beta for Bitcoin and gold against the S&P 500 as well as a pairwise correlation matrix across all three price based assets which is set against the Federal Funds Effective Rate as a contextual overlay. The findings show that gold recorded the highest risk-adjusted return among the three assets. This was the case for both the Sharpe and Sortino ratios. Bitcoin’s beta against the S&P 500 also changed significantly during the period studied. It moved from below zero to above four within a few months. This increase occurred during the period following the approval of the Bitcoin ETFs. However, Bitcoin’s beta later fell again as the Federal Reserve approached its first rate cut in late 2024. Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 (0.571) was substantially stronger than gold’s (0.243). In comparison, Bitcoin and gold themselves had only a weak correlation of 0.299. Overall, these results suggest that Bitcoin behaved more like a volatile and equity-adjacent asset rather than an independent store of value during this period. The study connects this pattern to prospect theory and loss-averse behaviour.

Published by: Hrehaan AnandResearch Area: Economics And Finance

Organisation: Oberoi International School, JVLR Campus, Mumbai, MaharashtraKeywords: Portfolio Diversification, Risk-Adjusted Return, Bitcoin, Monetary Policy, Safe-Haven Assets, Behavioral Finance

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12. A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Osteoporosis Among Post-Menopausal Women of Selected Areas of Distt. Mandi (H.P)

Abstract: Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive disease characterized by decreased bone mass and structural deterioration, leading to an increased risk of fractures. Postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable due to hormonal changes, especially the decline in estrogen levels. In India, the prevalence of osteoporosis is high among post-menopausal women, particularly in rural areas where awareness and access to preventive healthcare are limited. Educational interventions like structured teaching programs can help bridge the knowledge gap and promote preventive practices. Aim :To assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching program on knowledge regarding osteoporosis among post-menopausal women in selected areas of District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A pre-experimental, one-group pretest/post-test designwas adopted. A total of 100 post-menopausal women were selected through non- probability purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge regarding osteoporosis before and after the intervention. The structured teaching program included lectures, visual aids, and demonstrations related to osteoporosis prevention. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; the effectiveness of the intervention was tested using the paired t-test, and associations with demographic variables were analysed using the chi-square test. Findings: Thepretest findings revealed that 5% had good knowledge ,29% ofwomen had poor knowledge, 66% had average knowledge. After the intervention, 62% demonstrated good knowledge, 38% had average knowledge, and none had poor knowledge. The mean knowledge score increased from 13.56 (SD = 4.76) in the pretest to 22.20 (SD = 3.43) in the post-test.The paired t-test showed a statistically significant improvement (t = 14.28, p = 0.00001*). A significant association was found between knowledge levels and variables such as occupation and type of family. Conclusion: The structured teaching program was effective in significantly enhancing the knowledge of post-menopausal women regarding osteoporosis. Educational interventions can play a critical role in promoting awareness and preventive practices, especially in rural settings where health literacy is low.

Published by: Mrs. Shivani, Mrs. Priyanka sharma, Mrs. Sunita deviResearch Area: MSc Nursing In Medical Surgical Nursing

Organisation: Abhilashi College of Nursing, Tanda Mandi, (H.P.)Keywords: Knowledge, Structured Teaching Programme, Himanchal Pradesh

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13. Powering Micro-Businesses: A Theoretical Analysis of Electricity Reliability, Productivity and Capital Investment in Maharashtra

This paper examines how electricity reliability may affect the operating hours and capital investment decisions of micro-businesses in Maharashtra, India. While access to electricity has expanded substantially, having a grid connection does not necessarily guarantee a reliable or predictable supply. For micro-businesses operating with limited financial resources, frequent power interruptions and poor power quality can reduce productive operating time, leave electricity-dependent equipment underutilised, increase operating costs and create uncertainty around future investment. The study adopts a theoretical secondary research approach, drawing on existing literature on electricity reliability, firm productivity, capacity utilisation, infrastructure and investment under uncertainty. Rather than estimating a direct causal relationship using original business-level data, the paper synthesises these strands of literature to develop a conceptual framework for understanding how electricity reliability can influence micro-business decisions. The analysis focuses on two main channels: the effect of electricity reliability on productive operating time and capacity utilisation, and its potential effect on the expected returns and risks associated with capital investment. The paper argues that the economic value of electricity cannot be fully captured by measuring access alone. For micro-businesses, the reliability and predictability of supply may influence how effectively existing productive resources are used and the conditions under which further investment becomes worthwhile. The study concludes by considering the implications for electricity and MSME policy in Maharashtra and identifying areas for future empirical research.

Published by: Kavya MehtaResearch Area: Energy Economics

Organisation: Prabhavati Padamshi Soni International Junior College, Mumbai, MaharashtraKeywords: Electricity Development, Reliability Capital, Cost of Production, Opportunity Cost

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14. A Simple Dynamic GPS Attendance System for College Classrooms Without Dedicated Hardware

Taking attendance in college classes usually wastes lecture time or requires costly hardware like fingerprint readers, RFID cards, or Bluetooth beacons. Simple web forms are cheaper, but students can easily share access links or class codes with absent friends who punch in from outside the room. This paper presents a practical, low-cost attendance system that needs no extra hardware or paid server hosting. The teacher’s mobile phone serves as the location anchor. When an attendance session opens, the app records the teacher’s GPS coordinates. Students then open the web portal on their own phones, select their name, type in a temporary 6-digit code shown on the board, and fetch their device location. The system calculates the distance between the student and the teacher using the standard Haversine formula. If the student is within a preset boundary (such as 35 to 50 meters), the punch is recorded as present. We tested the system with a class of 78 engineering students in a multi-story concrete college building in Kerala. The test verified 98.7% of in-class submissions accurately while blocking students outside the boundary. The app also prevents duplicate submissions from the same phone, giving colleges an easy, free way to run quick roll calls.

Published by: Prasobh JohnResearch Area: Computer Science And Engineering

Organisation: Independent ResearcherKeywords: Student Attendance, GPS Geofencing, Mobile Web App, Google Apps Script, Classroom Management.

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15. Wearable ECG Monitoring with Embedded Deep Learning for Real-Time Arrhythmia Detection

ardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide, and arrhythmia, an irregularity in heart rhythm, demands timely detection. Conventional ECG monitoring is bulky, hospital-bound and computationally heavy, which limits continuous monitoring in everyday settings. This paper presents an IoT-based arrhythmia detection system that combines a lowcost wearable ECG front end with a lightweight deep learning model running directly on the sensor node. Biopotentials are acquired with ECG electrodes, conditioned by an AD8232 analog front end, digitised and processed by an ESP32 microcontroller, and classified by a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (DL-LAC) into five heartbeat classes: Normal (N), Supraventricular (S), Ventricular (V), Fusion (F) and Paced (P). Because the network learns features directly from raw single-lead ECG, no manual feature engineering is required. The model, trained on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, reaches approximately 96.2% overall accuracy, with on-device inference latency of about 80 ms per window and a memory footprint below 500 KB. Duty cycling reduces power consumption by about 40%, extending battery life from four to over six hours. The results indicate that on-device deep learning is a practical route to continuous, low-latency and privacy-preserving cardiac monitoring.

Published by: Ms. Subha P SResearch Area: Biomedical Engineering

Organisation: Marian Engineering CollegeKeywords: Arrhythmia Detection, ECG, Internet of Things, Edge Computing, Convolutional Neural Network, ESP32, AD8232

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16. Evaluation of Stress Management Behaviours and Psychological Well-being

Stress is a multidimensional psychological and physiological response that occurs when individuals perceive that environmental demands exceed their available coping resources. Although short-term stress may support motivation and adaptive functioning, persistent or poorly managed stress can negatively influence emotional health, concentration, sleep, interpersonal relationships, academic or occupational functioning, and overall quality of life. The present study evaluated stress-management behaviors and psychological well-being using responses obtained through a structured survey. The analysis included 210 consenting participants. Demographic characteristics, perceived stress experiences, coping behaviors, social support, lifestyle practices, and indicators of psychological well-being were examined using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Mean, median, standard deviation, standard error, frequency, and percentage distributions were calculated. Composite stress-burden and perceived-support indicators were also examined. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to investigate relationships between continuous or ordinal variables, while chi-square tests examined associations between categorical variables. Exploratory analysis also included one-way analysis of variance and internal-consistency assessment where appropriate. The mean stress-burden score was 6.62, with a median of 7.00, a standard deviation of 2.68, and a standard error of approximately 0.19. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a small positive association between the examined variables (r = .138, p = .045). Chi-square analysis identified statistically significant associations between age group and high-stress classification (χ² = 11.831, p = .008) and between work/study duration and high-stress classification (χ² = 9.343, p = .025). These findings suggest that stress experiences are not distributed uniformly across demographic and lifestyle groups. The findings also support the importance of strengthening adaptive stress-management behaviors, social connectedness, healthy routines, physical activity, adequate sleep, and accessible psychological support. Because the study used a cross-sectional survey design, the findings should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causation.

Published by: Bhumi Gajendra Musale, Bindiya Sharma, Joana JohnsonResearch Area: Psychology

Organisation: Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science,New Panvel - 410206Keywords: Stress Management, Psychological Well-Being, Perceived Stress, Coping Behaviour, Social Support, Stress Burden, Mental Health, Lifestyle, Students.

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17. Climate Change and Sustainable Economic Growth: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Propositions

Climate change has become one of the major challenges facing economic development across the world. Economic growth has improved living standards and reduced poverty, but activities such as industrialization, fossil fuel use, deforestation, and intensive agriculture have also increased pressure on natural resources and the environment. This paper examines the relationship between climate change and sustainable economic growth and explores how economies can continue to develop while protecting the environment and improving social well-being. The study is based on secondary data collected from books, academic journals, government publications, and reports of international organizations such as the IPCC, UNDP, World Bank, IEA, and UNEP. A descriptive and analytical approach is used to understand the economic effects of climate change and possible pathways towards sustainability. The study finds that climate change affects several important areas of economic activity, including agriculture, industrial production, infrastructure, public health, labor productivity, and financial stability. Climate-related risks can also slow progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty, food security, health, water, energy, employment, sustainable cities, and climate action. The paper highlights the importance of combining climate mitigation with adaptation measures to reduce these risks. It further discusses the green economy as a practical pathway towards sustainable growth through renewable energy, efficient use of resources, cleaner technologies, green innovation, and environmental protection. The study argues that economic growth and environmental protection should not be treated as competing objectives. Instead, sustainable policies can help economies achieve growth while building resilience, creating new opportunities, protecting natural resources, and improving the quality of life. A balanced approach that brings together economic progress, environmental responsibility, and social inclusion is therefore essential for achieving sustainable development for present and future generations.

Published by: Dr. Priyadarshini HapseResearch Area: Humanities

Organisation: Ness Wadia College of Commerce, PuneKeywords: Climate Change, Sustainable Economic Growth, Green Economy, Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Resilience

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18. A Simplex based re-evaluation of Goal Programming in Product Mix Optimization Project Report

The most profitable use of a manufacturing company's scarce machine time occurs when the company is operating in the most efficient manner. The product mix problem of XYZ Company, a manufacturer of suits, jackets and trousers is used in this paper to illustrate the real-life application of the Simplex methodology of linear programming. The processing time, weekly station capacity, demand limits, selling prices and raw material costs are from a published case study. The goal is to determine the optimal level of production for each product per week in order to maximize profit. The model contains 3 decision variables, 11 constraints: 8 production stations and 3 demand limits. This was solved by using the Simplex tableau iterations and verified using the Microsoft Excel Solver. The best plan is to sell 476.23 suits, 753.75 jackets, and 600 trousers each week and the maximum weekly profit is ₺612,017.30. The demand limit for trousers is fully utilized and two stations are used: Model Preparation and Slaughterhouse. The shadow prices indicate that an additional minute at Slaughterhouse contributes approximately ₺236.31 to the weekly profit, whereas the other six stations have idle time. The results reveal that the Simplex method not only provides a production plan, but also provides a definite direction as to where additional capacity is worth purchasing.

Published by: Hridaay Chheda, Ishaan Chaskar, Ishan Agarwal, Jannat Sachdeva, George AugustineResearch Area: Operations Research

Organisation: NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of CommerceKeywords: Linear Programming, Simplex Method, Product Mix, Shadow Price, Excel Solver, Apparel Industry

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Research Paper

19. Evaluating Machine Learning Signal Validation in Bollinger Band Mean-Reversion Trading: A Strategy-Dependent Experimental Study

Abstract Financial markets exhibit changing volatility and regime-dependent behavior, making the interaction between deterministic trading rules and machine-learning validation an important empirical question. This study evaluates a Bollinger Band Mean Reversion (BBMR) strategy and examines whether a generic machine-learning filtering layer improves the characteristics of its candidate signals. The supplied experimental registry contains 30 independent configurations: five unfiltered baseline configurations and 25 ML-assisted configurations formed by crossing five timeframes—1-minute, 3-minute, 5-minute, 15-minute and 1-hour—with five confidence settings of 0.50, 0.53, 0.55, 0.57 and 0.60. Across the registry, 99,807 recorded orders are reported. The five baseline configurations show a descriptive aggregate win percentage of 66.55% and a row-wise Net Realized sum of 316,612.56. The 25 ML-assisted configurations show a descriptive aggregate win percentage of 19.85% and a row-wise Net Realized sum of -135,285.70. Increasing the ML confidence setting reduces recorded activity from 15,278 orders at 0.50 to 2,373 at 0.60, but the reduction in activity is not accompanied by a corresponding improvement in win percentage or aggregate descriptive profitability. The ML-assisted win percentage remains below the baseline at every tested timeframe, and only the 1-hour ML group has a positive row-wise Net Realized sum. An implementation-level inspection further indicates that the validation feature layer is dominated by generic contextual variables such as moving-average slope, momentum, volatility and risk/reward measures rather than direct Bollinger mean-reversion descriptors. The findings therefore suggest a strategy-dependent limitation: the tested ML filter changes the trade population substantially, but does not improve the evaluated BBMR strategy and may be mismatched to the short-horizon mean-reversion mechanism. The result should not be generalized to all ML methods or all BBMR implementations; it is an empirical finding for the supplied configuration. Keywords: Bollinger Bands, Mean Reversion, Machine Learning, Signal Validation, Algorithmic Trading, Feature Engineering, Multi-Timeframe Analysis, Backtesting, Strategy-Dependent Validation.

Published by: Venkata Maheswara Rao Atchula, Dr. Pawan Kumar PareekResearch Area: Computer Science And Engineering

Organisation: Nirwan University, Jaipur RajasthanKeywords: Bollinger Bands, Mean Reversion, Machine Learning, Signal Validation, Algorithmic Trading, Feature Engineering, Multi-Timeframe Analysis, Backtesting, and Strategy-Dependent Validation.

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Research Paper

20. Genetically Modified Crops: Benefits, Risks, and Future Prospects

Genetically modified (GM) crops are an important application of agricultural biotechnology, developed to introduce selected traits that may improve crop performance, quality, or resilience. This review examines the potential benefits, limitations, and future prospects of GM crops, with attention to their relevance for food security and sustainable agriculture. Desired traits can include resistance to particular insect pests, tolerance to specific herbicides, improved nutritional composition, and selected forms of tolerance to environmental stress. Depending on the crop, trait, and farming system, these technologies may help reduce losses and, in some cases, lower the use of certain insecticides. However, outcomes are not uniform: they depend on local ecology, crop management, resistance-management practices, and access to appropriate seeds and knowledge. Important issues include gene flow, the evolution of resistant pests or weeds, possible effects on non-target organisms, biodiversity, seed affordability, market access, and public confidence. Food and environmental safety therefore require case-by-case assessment based on the specific crop and trait, alongside transparent regulation and monitoring. Newer approaches, including CRISPR-based genome editing, may expand the range of traits available for crop improvement, although their benefits and risks also need careful evaluation. Overall, GM crops should be assessed using scientific evidence and local agricultural conditions rather than treated as universally beneficial or harmful. Their responsible use may contribute to resilient food systems when integrated with sound agronomy, biodiversity protection, and fair access for farmers.

Published by: Nirmala ChoudharyResearch Area: Biotechnology

Organisation: Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University (administration), Jaipur, RajasthanKeywords: Genetically Modified Crops, Agricultural Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Biosafety, Crop Improvement, Genome Editing, Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture

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Research Paper

21. Flexibility or Power? A Difference-in-Differences Test of the Remote Work Wage Discount

Remote work has expanded substantially, giving workers greater flexibility while raising questions about whether differences in remote and on-site wages reflect workers' willingness to trade income for flexibility and how long such wage discounts last. The research question investigates if compensating differentials persist or whether the wage discount for remote work shrinks as remote job options in an occupation expand. A difference-in-differences framework was used to compare occupations experiencing relatively high and low growth in remote job opportunities. The analysis combines occupation-level remote job-posting data from WFH Map with wage data from the American Community Survey analysed by Pabilonia and Vernon. Occupational wage information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is also used to provide additional wage context. The high-expansion occupations experienced a 6.62 percentage-point increase in their remote wage differential compared with a 1.05 percentage-point increase in low-expansion occupations, producing a +5.57 percentage-point difference-in-differences estimate, indicating that the relative wage position of remote workers improved more strongly where remote employment opportunities expanded, providing partial support for the monopsony mechanism. The relatively limited period and data constraints mean that longer-term changes in the remote labour market may be needed to determine whether the wage discount predicted by the monopsony hypothesis becomes more evident over time.

Published by: Nevaan VijayvergiaResearch Area: Economics

Organisation: Aditya Birla World Academy, Mumbai, MaharashtraKeywords: Remote Work, Wage Differentials, Rosen's Compensating Differentials, Monopsony, Labour Market Power, Outside Options, Difference-in-Differences

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Research Paper

22. Testing Subscription Inertia: Evidence from India’s 2021 Recurring-Payment Rules by RBI

Did the RBI's 2021 recurring-payment rules, which required customers to re-authorise auto-debits, reveal how much subscription retention depended on consumer inertia rather than preference? The study considers the transition period from October 2021 to be a regulatory shock and compares the activity in the months leading up to the shift with the activity in the months following, both in terms of card-based online payments and UPI payments, as well as between credit- and debit-card transactions, by applying an event-study and difference-in-differences framework. RBI card-payment data from public reports and NPCI UPI transaction data for the year 2021 and RBI e-commerce observations of cards made available through May 2022. Online card transactions are a proxy for subscription-level churns, as these aren't publicly known and are interpreted with caution. There was no evidence of a sudden drop in card activity at the moment reported to happen by the inertia hypothesis. Debit-card transactions grew by 1.81% in the first half of the year as compared to the second half, and credit-card transactions grew by 0.79% in the second half when compared to the first half. The difference between the card and UPI was statistically significant, but the pre-existing divergent trends violated the parallel trends assumption. But the evidence does not allow concluding that there is a causal effect of subscription inertia, but merely at the level of the available proxy to payment.

Published by: Nevaan VijayvergiaResearch Area: Economics

Organisation: Aditya Birla World Academy, Mumbai, MaharashtraKeywords: Subscription Inertia, Consumer Inertia, Recurring Payments, RBI E-Mandate, Behavioural Economics, Difference-In-Differences, Event Study, Regulatory Shock

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Research Paper

23. Future Directions & Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism Start-ups and Innovation in Sustainable Tourism

The hospitality and tourism industry is experiencing a profound transformation shaped by sustainability concerns, rapid technological advancements, and evolving consumer expectations. This paper explores the future trajectory of the sector with a particular emphasis on the role of start-ups in fostering sustainable tourism innovation. It examines how emerging technologies, novel business models, and environmentally responsible practices are redefining traditional tourism frameworks. The study integrates theoretical perspectives with practical insights derived from Indian start-up case studies to illustrate how innovation can drive sustainability. The findings indicate that start-ups are critical enablers of change, promoting resource efficiency, community engagement, and experiential tourism. The paper concludes by outlining strategic recommendations for stakeholders to achieve long-term resilience and sustainability in hospitality and tourism.

Published by: Sameer DigheResearch Area: Hospitality

Organisation: Sheila Raheja Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai, MaharashtraKeywords: Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Innovation, Start-Ups, Green Tourism, Digital Transformation, India

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