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The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of grape powder on the proximate, physicochemical and sensory quality of chocolate- and caramel-coated chhana (traditional dairy product obtained by acid coagulation of hot milk) delights.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of grape powder on the quality characteristics of chocolate- and caramel-coated chhana delights. The product was developed by incorporating different levels of grape powder (2, 4 and 6 per cent), and further, the product was analysed for proximate, physicochemical and sensory parameters.

In chocolate-coated chhana delights, moisture (p = 0.01), ash (p = 0.03) and water activity (p = 0.02) increased significantly at 6 per cent level of grape powder incorporation, whereas pH (p > 0.01) showed a significant decreasing trend at 4 and 6 per cent level of grape powder incorporation. Chocolate coating loss (p = 0.02) was found to be significantly higher at 6 per cent level of addition. Cooking yield (p > 0.01) of chocolate-coated chhana delights increased significantly at 4 and 6 per cent level of grape powder incorporation. In caramel-coated chhana delights, moisture (p > 0.01) and ash (p = 0.02) content increased significantly at 6 per cent level of grape powder addition, and pH (p > 0.01) value decreased significantly at 6 per cent level of grape powder addition, whereas results were found to be vice versa in case of water activity (p = 0.01) and titratable acidity (p = 0.03) at 6 per cent level of grape powder addition.

Designer confection could be developed for school going children by incorporating grape powder in the formulation of chocolate- and caramel-coated chhana delights.

This research aims to gain a holistic understanding of how video conferencing (VC) apps' media characteristics influence individuals' perceptions of VC apps and, ultimately, their use and continued use in professional settings.

A conceptual research model is developed by integrating constructs from media synchronicity theory (MST), social presence theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model, as well as ubiquity, technicality and perceived fees. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to empirically test the conceptual model using data collected from 252 working professionals from the European Union.

The results reveal that while performance expectancy (PE) and facilitating conditions (FC) are fundamental to VC app use, these factors alone do not explain the use and continuing use of VC apps in the professional context. Media characteristics that include synchronicity, social presence, and ubiquity are equally crucial to professionals using VC apps. It also confirms the moderating effect of convergence on the relationship between synchronicity and PE and the moderating effect of technicality and perceived fees on the relationship between ubiquity and FC.

For researchers, the study offers insights into the extent to which technological and socially derived characteristics of VC apps influence the routine tasks undertaken by professionals in virtual work settings. For practitioners, recommendations pivotal to the use of VC apps are presented to promote higher acceptance and improved well-being of the professional workforce.

The screen Cauchy–Riemann (SCR)-lightlike submanifold is an important class of submanifolds of semi-Riemannian manifolds. It contains various other classes of submanifolds as its sub-cases. It has been studied under various ambient space. The purpose of this research is to study the geometry of SCR-lightlike submanifolds of metallic semi-Riemannian manifolds.

The article is divided into five sections. The first section is introductory section which represents brief overview of the conducted research of this article. The second section outlines the key results that are utilized throughout the paper. In section three, the definition of SCR-lightlike submanifold is constructed with one non-trivial example. In section four and five, the important results on integrability, totally geodesic foliations and warped product are given.

The SCR-lightlike submanifold is introduced. One non-trivial example is constructed which helps to understand the given structure. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the integrability and to be totally geodesic for various distributions are obtained. The necessary and sufficient conditions for induced connection on totally umbilical SCR-lightlike submanifolds to be a metric connection are discussed. Various results are found on totally umbilical SCR-lightlike submanifolds. Finally, the existence of the warped product lightlike submanifold of the type N^⊥×_λN_T is studied.

SCR-lightlike submanifolds have been explored within ambient manifolds possessing various structures, such as Kaehler, Sasakian and Kenmotsu structures. In this article, we investigate this structure on submanifolds of metallic semi-Riemannian manifolds. This original and authentic research will aid researchers in advancing the study of semi-Riemannian manifolds.

Pyrus Pyrifolia (Sand Pear) is one of the most underused pear variety despite its nutraceutical potential. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the Pyrus Pyrifolia in term of origin, distribution and classification, nutritional and bioactive potential, therapeutic potential and valorization along with future prospectus.

A wide variety of publications (88) were identified through electronic databases (Science direct, PubMed, SciELO, Google scholar, Link springer and Research gate) under the umbrella of different keywords such as bioactive compounds, health benefits, nutrition, sand pear, Pyrus and Pyrus pyrifolia.

Pyrus Pyrifolia (Sand Pear) is abundant in nutritional and bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, vitamins and minerals. It exhibits therapeutic potential as being an antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. However, P. pyrifolia is not much explored by food researchers and industrialists, hence remaining underused. A few attempts have been made toward the use of P. pyrifolia for jam, jelly, candy and wine preparation. However, more research is required for the commercial processing of P. pyrifolia and to enhance its availability outside its growing area.

In this paper, nutritional and bioactive compounds of P. pyrifolia are discussed that provide knowledge to the researchers for its use as a functional ingredient.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the concept of “politically exposed persons (PEPs)” as provided under the Indian anti-money laundering (AML) regime, particularly focussing on the Reserve Bank of India guidelines to its supervised banks on dealing with the potential money laundering risks posed by PEPs.

The definition of PEPs as provided by international standard setters and the concept as defined by the Indian AML regime was examined to examine the extend of the compliance of the Indian AML regime with the mandatory requirements of revised 2012 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and other international standards.

The paper clearly establishes that the current AML regime of India does not fully comply with the mandatory requirements of the revised 2012 FATF recommendations, and the RBI guidelines do not provide any clear indications to its supervised banks on the effective development and implementation of AML PEPs control. The paper argues that it is high time for India to increase its regulatory focus on the issue of PEPs and to expand its definition of PEPs by including both domestic PEPs and “close associates” of PEPs within the definition.

The paper demonstrates in an exceptional way that despite variations in the scope of the PEPs definition at an international level, all the standard setters have included certain key individuals (both domestic and foreign PEPs and “close associates” of PEPs) within the scope of the definition and how the legal and regulatory requirements in India are falling short of compliance even with these minimum key requirements. By adopting a step-by-step approach in critically examining the current legal and regulatory requirements enforced on banks in India to efficiently deal with the money laundering risks posed by PEPs, the paper makes a valuable contribution in highlighting the steps that might be taken to strengthen PEPs’ AML controls in India.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of infectious diseases that primarily affect low-income countries situated near the equator. Effective diagnostic tools hold the key to stemming the spread of these infectious diseases. However, specificity is a major concern associated with current diagnostic protocols. In this regard, electrochemical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensors could play a crucial role, as highlighted by renewed interest in their research. The purpose of this study was to highlight the current scenario for the design and development of biosensors for the detection of NTDs related pathogens. This review highlights the different types of factors involved and the modifications used to enhance sensor properties.

The authors discuss the potential of electrochemical DNA biosensors as efficient, affordable diagnostic tools for the detection of pathogens associated with NTDs by reviewing available literature. This study discusses the biosensor components, mainly the probe selection and type of electrodes used, and their potential to improve the overall design of the biosensor. Further, this study analyses the different nanomaterials used in NTD-based electrochemical DNA biosensors and discusses how their incorporation could improve the overall sensitivity and specificity of the biosensor design. Finally, this study examines the impact such techniques could have in the future on mass screening of NTDs.

The findings provide an in-depth analysis of electrochemical DNA biosensors for the detection of pathogens associated with NTDs.

This review provides an update on the different types and modifications of DNA biosensors that have been designed for the diagnosis of NTD-related pathogens.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the role of banks in detecting and mitigating money laundering risks in trade finance activities, especially in commercial letters of credit, and to answer the central question: do banks comply with regulations that are inadequate (if so, is more stringent regulation compatible with the commercial world of trade finance?), or are banks are in danger of non-compliance?

The relevant principles promulgated by international organisations as well as the law enacted in UK to prevent money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit was examined to assess banks’ compliance with their anti-money laundering (AML) obligations. The key provisions of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Wolfsberg Trade Finance Principles were discussed, and the extent of banks’ compliance with these provisions was highlighted by carefully analysing the steps a bank might take at various stages of the operation of a commercial letter of credit and what the banks in fact do. The paper relies heavily on the findings of the recent study conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) to analyse the actual practice followed by UK banks in controlling money laundering risks in transactions involving commercial letters of credit.

The paper establishes that considering the formal nature of commercial letters of credit (which makes them independent from the underlying transaction), any stringent measures to regulate trade finance activities of a bank may destroy the effectiveness of commercial letters of credit as a tool for promoting international trade. The current law and regulations together with the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group Sectoral Guidance and the Wolfsberg Principles provide the requisite legal and regulatory framework to control money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit. The paper however establishes that the majority of banks in UK currently appear to be in danger of non-compliance with the UK AML regime and certainly need to meet their AML obligations in a more serious way.

The findings may influence banks to adopt a more vigilant approach in their trade finance activities and to undertake more responsibility in ensuring compliance with the current AML law and regulations, while highlighting that their current practice may put them in danger of non-compliance.

The paper demonstrates in an exceptional way the legal and regulatory requirements for banks to prevent money laundering risks in their trade finance activities and where, in practice, the banks are falling short of compliance with these requirements. By adopting a step-by-step approach in evaluating banks’ “current-and-must have” approach to controlling money laundering risks at various stages of a commercial letter, the paper makes a valuable contribution to the study of combating money laundering in commercial letter of credit transactions.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate how blockchain, a new emergent technology, has spread throughout the insurance industry by evaluating incidents reported in the literature, either academic or trade publications. This study specifically aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the main effects of blockchain on the insurance sector’s core operations.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Review based approach has been utilised by evaluating incidents reported in the literature, either academic or trade publications.

Findings: Blockchain is a technology attracting more and more interest from academics and business professionals. It can be seen that the technological advancements and benefits of blockchain in the insurance industry can help it expand manifold. The wise use of technology can only provide the same. If applied without thought, it can be disastrous too. With the future integration of AI and other machine learning technologies, the authors can see that clerical work in the industry can completely shift to computers and humans can use more of their time in more developmental activities and results.

Practical Implications: The sector is moving in the direction of digital transformation employing emerging technologies and is ready for disruptions and change shortly regarding processes, industry structure, rivalry, and organisational structure.

Research Limitations: Future researchers could investigate the existing technique to examine the dissemination of upcoming technologies, such as cognitive computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, in certain industries or organisational functions.