Employee engagement in the era of remote workforce: role of human resource managers

The study aims to find the different roles of Human Resource Managers on employee engagement in the era of the remote workforce. With many companies undergoing a digital transformation, the number of employees working remotely across different industries increases. Based on the roles defined by Dave Ulrich Model, the study has developed a framework to determine the HR role – employee engagement relationship. The data has been obtained from the primary source – questionnaire and secondary sources – existing research papers for the literature review. For data analysis, this study has used SPSS software. The results revealed that the various roles of HR Managers under have a significant impact on the practices for remote employee engagement. There were three roles of HR Managers (Employee Champion, Change Agent, and Strategic Partner) with seven variables considered; for employee engagement, five variables were considered for the study. All the variables of HR Roles were found to have a statistical relationship with the different employee engagement parameters for the remote workforce. Thus, indicating that HR Managers have a role in employee engagement. The scope and limitations of the study have also been stated.

Real-time assessment of the Ganga river during pandemic COVID-19 and predictive data modeling by machine learning

In this study, four water quality parameters were reviewed at 14 stations of river Ganga in pre-, during and post-lockdown and these parameters were modeled by using different machine learning algorithms. Various mathematical models were used for the computation of water quality parameters in pre-, during and post- lockdown period by using Central Pollution Control Board real-time data. Lockdown resulted in the reduction of Biochemical Oxygen Demand ranging from 55 to 92% with increased concentration of dissolved oxygen at few stations. pH was in range of 6.5-8.5 of during lockdown. Total coliform count declined during lockdown period at some stations. The modeling of oxygen saturation deficit showed supremacy of Thomas Mueller model (R2 = 0.75) during lockdown over Streeter Phelps (R2 = 0.57). Polynomial regression and Newton's Divided Difference model predicted possible values of water quality parameters till 30th June, 2020 and 07th August, 2020, respectively. It was found that predicted and real values were close to each other. Genetic algorithm was used to optimize hyperparameters of algorithms like Support Vector Regression and Radical Basis Function Neural Network, which were then employed for prediction of all examined water quality metrics. Computed values from ANN model were found close to the experimental ones (R2 = 1). Support Vector Regression-Genetic Algorithm Hybrid proved to be very effective for accurate prediction of pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen and Total coliform count during lockdown.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-022-04423-1.

Selection of ACC deaminase positive, thermohalotolerant and drought tolerance enhancing plant growth-promoting bacteria from rhizospheres of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba grown in arid regions

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) expressing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity are widely acknowledged to have a role in mitigation of abiotic stress caused by extreme environmental conditions. Consequently, several studies have focused on the isolation of ACC deaminase positive PGPBs. However, the application of such strains in drought-prone arid regions has remained grossly under-exploited. In order to be used in arid agroecosystems, PGPBs need to have the dual capability: to express ACC deaminase and to have the ability to tolerate increased temperature and salt concentration. Conspicuously, to date, very few studies have reported about isolation and characterization of PGPBs with this kind of dual capability. Here we report the isolation of bacterial strains from rhizosphere(s) of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, a commercial crop from arid regions of Rajasthan, India, and their characterization for ACC deaminase activity and thermohalotolerance. Isolates found positive for desired traits were subsequently assessed for plant growth promotion under simulated drought conditions. Our finding showed that although the bacterial diversity within the rhizosphere of C. tetragonoloba grown in the arid region is quite poor, multiple isolates are ACC deaminase positive. Four isolates were found to be ACC deaminase positive, thermohalotolerant, and successfully enhanced drought tolerance. These isolates were identified as strains belonging to genera Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Stenotrophomonas based on 16S rRNA sequence homology.

Signatures for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma: a comparative genetic analysis

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are obstructive lung diseases which progress in severity with time. Environmental causes and genetic makeup of individuals play important roles in disease manifestation. The aim of present study was to search for diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers to differentiate COPD and asthma.Materials and methods: Seven ADAM33 and two AQP5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The association of genotypes, haplotypes and allelic combination of variants in different genes was analyzed in 194 COPD, 150 asthma patients and 220 controls.Results: The genotype frequencies of SNPs V4(C/G), T1(T/C), S2(G/C) of ADAM33 and AQP5 A/G (rs3736309) were associated with COPD and asthma (P=0.038 to P<0.001), while S1(A/G) and F+1(C/T) were associated with asthma (both P<0.001) and V1(G/T) with 20 COPD (P<0.001). The allele frequencies of V4(C/G) (both P<0.001), V1(G/T) (both P<0.05), S2(G/C) (both P<0.01) and S1(A/G) (both P<0.05) were associated with COPD and asthma, while F+1(C/T) was associated only with asthma (P=0.005). Haplotypes of ADAM33 'GGTGGGT' (P=0.027), 'CGTCGGC' (P<0.001) and AQP5 'GA' and 'AG' (both P<0.001) were significant only in COPD.Conclusion: ADAM33 F+1(C/T) variant and allele combination 'GGTGGGTGA' may be specific markers for asthma, while AQP5 'AG' appeared as a haplotype associated only with COPD. These specific genetic biomarkers may be exploited to predict individual predisposition to COPD and asthma.

Fatigue Life Enhancement of Titanium Alloy by the Development of Nano/Micron Surface Layer Using Laser Peening

Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn (Ti-15-3) is a metastable beta alloy which is considered to be a potential alternative for Ti-6Al-4V alpha+beta alloy for aerospace applications, especially for sheet products. This paper describes the work carried out to enhance the fatigue life of Ti-15-3 in an economical way by means of laser peening without coating (LPwC) using Nd:YAG laser operating at a power density of 5 GW cm^-2. In order to have a sufficient bulk hardness and high compressive stresses on the surface, as-received beta solution treated (ST) Ti-15-3 was subjected to aging (520 °C/10 h/Air-cooled) and then to LPwC. Laser peening induced a notable increase in R_a (arithmetic mean roughness), which was measured using MAHR GD-120 profilometer. The Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis of the aged sample (STA) revealed a significant increase in the alpha precipitation (20 vol%), and this led to a substantial increase in the hardness (~40%) and UTS (~50%). In addition to this, peening of aged (STA+LPwC) sample resulted in a considerable increase (~12%) in near-surface microhardness and compressive residual stress (maximum stress of -195 MPa at a depth of 150 μm). This increase in compressive stress and microhardness led to an enhancement in the fatigue life of the STA+LPwC sample by 210% when compared to STA sample. In spite of high surface roughness induced by the LPwC, fractography studies revealed that crack initiation was independent of surface roughness.

A review on the molecular characterization of digenean parasites using molecular markers with special reference to ITS region

The rDNA region of eukaryotes has the immense potential to resolve the evolutionary and phylogeny problems using molecular markers. As evident from the present review, ITS region data is considered for interpretation of inter and intra-specific variations of 136 studies of 33 families including 78 genus and 114 species affecting individuals worldwide. Along with ITS-1 and ITS-2 region in 29 studies 18S region, in 38 studies 28S region and in 43 studies mitochondrial genes (COI and NDI) were also analyzed. Three new genera (Allobilharzia gen. nov., Caulanus gen. nov., and Latuterus gen. nov.) and 49 new species were discovered. Only 47 studies expressed variations at intra-specific and inter-specific level in complete ITS region, ITS-1 and ITS-2 rDNA sequences due to differences in nucleotide positions. According to the findings ITS region is more reliable and precise marker for demarcation and identification of species in combination of other DNA markers. Major studies were involved around the parasites of families Fasciolidae, Schistosomatidae, Opisthorchidae, Paragonimidae and Paramphistomidae, Clinostomidae, Diplostomidae, Haploporidae, among others infecting humans, farm animals, birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians on the clinical basis. In future, molecular and bioinformatics aspects based on genetic variations will lead to explore the untouched areas of trematodes.

Intermediate-dose methotrexate and cisplatin in the treatment of advanced epidermoid esophageal carcinoma. Response rate and disease-free survival

Seventeen patients with inoperable locoregional disease (epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus) were treated only with two courses of intermediate-dose methotrexate (200 mg/m2 on day 1) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2/d for 5 days). According to the response criteria, 14 (82.4%) achieved a good response (GR) and 3 (17.6%) showed no response (NR). The median recurrence-free survival time was 5 months (range, 2 to 16 months) in seven patients with regular follow-up. Three patients are still alive and disease-free at 37+, 44+, and 51+ months. No patient received radiotherapy or surgery after chemotherapy until recurrence. This combination schedule appears to be effective in advanced esophageal carcinoma.

A new approach to the management of burn injuries using PVP + neosporin

Treating superficial burns by forming a "crust" using povidone iodine (PVP) lotion and neosporin powder (N) is markedly superior to other known methods as shown by the minimal infection rate and markedly reduced healing time. This is basically because of the wide spectrum of action, tenning effect of PVP and attainment of a dry burn surface. At the same time the subescharal injection of PVP shows a distinct reduced septicaemia and local infection rates, early escharolysis followed by early graft take up and subsequent healing. In addition being an open method of treatment psychological advantage is also notable in the absence of pain during dressing.

Inhibition of human colonic epithelial cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro by calcium

Nine patients at high risk of developing colon cancer were placed on daily p.o. supplementation of 1500 mg of calcium for 4-8 weeks. The colonic epithelial cells in six of these patients showed a statistically significant decrease in their [3H]thymidine labeling indices in tissue culture so that they resembled those of patients at low risk of developing colon cancer. The three nonresponders had similar labeling indices before and after calcium supplementation. Biopsies from each of nine high-risk patients exhibited a decrease in proliferation when they were cultured in vitro with a high level of CaCl2 (2.2 mM compared with the 0.1 mM optimum value for proliferation). Two adenomas and two carcinomas showed a different pattern of response than normal cells, exhibiting no inhibition of growth at 2.2 mM CaCl2. These data indicate that the growth inhibition induced by high levels of extracellular calcium levels is lost at a stage in tumor development before cells become malignant.

Anterior chemotherapy in esophageal cancer

Front loading chemotherapy using methotrexate (200 mg/m2) alone or methotrexate (200 mg/m2) with cisplatin (20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days) was used in epidermoid carcinoma of esophagus. Evaluation after two courses showed objective response of 50% or greater in 48% of patients with methotrexate alone. Response rate was increased to 76.2% with addition of cisplatin to methotrexate. Small lesions (less than 10 cm) showed better response as compared to advanced cases. Therapy was generally well tolerated and good palliation was obtained even after the first course. Postchemotherpy treatment either with surgery or radiotherapy was tolerated without any major complications. The data confirm the short-term usefulness of initial chemotherapy with methotrexate and cisplatin in esophageal cancer. Results of prolonged follow-up will help to evaluate the role of front loading chemotherapy on long-term survival.

Immunity in esophageal carcinoma

In carcinoma of the esophagus, response to in vivo sensitization with recall antigens and DNCB was markedly depressed with 13% and 16% positivity respectively. Similarly, the number of T-cells was found to be significantly low (24 +/- 14) as compared to normal control (61 +/- 23). Blastogenesis index with PHA was only 1.75 +/- 1.04 in contrast to normal of 6.79 +/- 2.57. This depression was independent of serum albumin level and body weight. Cell-mediated immunity was further depressed following radiotherapy and did not improve following enteral alimentation for 3 weeks. In untreated patients, there was a significant rise in levels of IgA (298 +/- 184 mg/100 ml) as compared to normal (154 +/- 54 mg/100 ml). Levels of IgA did show a downward trend following enteral hyperalimentation. Circulating immune complexes and serum CEA level were elevated in almost 50% of patients. These data confirm the influence of tumor-related impairment of cell-mediated immunity while nutrition appears to affect IgA levels.

Pulmonary artery dissection and rupture in Eisenmenger's syndrome

A patient with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary arterial hypertension (Eisenmenger's syndrome) associated with aortic coarctation with follow-up for 19 years, and with rupture of an aneurysmatic pulmonary artery is described. An incident of extreme fright with a possible transient systemic hypertension may have precipitated the dissection of the pulmonary arterial intima and the rupture.