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Purpose This study addresses a central research question: Is individuals’ propensity to hide knowledge a “political phenomenon” among researchers in the Indian higher education institutions? Drawing upon social exchange and uncertainty management theories, the authors examine how a three-way interaction effect of perceptions of organizational politics, political will and political skill contributes to knowledge hiding. In addition, this study aims to develop a nuanced understanding of the knowledge hiding phenomenon in the Indian higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a mixed-method study design with an explanatory sequential approach. The authors gathered data through a cross-sectional survey of 286 researchers (Study 1) followed by two focus group discussions (Study 2) involving 13 academic researchers from five Indian universities. The sample includes full-time faculty members, postgraduate and full-time doctoral students engaged in research. Findings The results of Study 1 indicate that researchers’ perceptions of organizational politics positively relate to their knowledge hiding. The findings of this study also suggest that the positive relationship between perceptions of organizational politics and knowledge hiding turns negative for individuals with high political will and high political skill. The focus group discussions (Study 2) explore significant predictors of knowledge hiding. This study unveils various characteristics of knowledge, knowledge hider, knowledge seeker and interpersonal dynamics as the key drivers of knowledge hiding in Indian academia. Originality/value The significant contributions of this study are to provide new insights into the relationship between organizational politics and knowledge hiding and to unravel the various factors that incite knowledge hiding among researchers in the Indian higher education context. This study is one among the few in the knowledge hiding literature to adopt a mixed-method research design with an explanatory sequential approach.

PurposeThe stress-coping model is extensively studied in the academic context. Past studies have primarily focused on different coping strategies adopted by students to overcome academic stress. However, an important question, how to equip students to cope with stress, was ignored. Drawing on stress-coping theory and the extracurricular activity (ECA) literature, the current study investigates the intervention of ECA participation on students’ coping, academic performance, and well-being in a natural setting.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a “cross-sectional post-test only quasi-experimental design” using a natural experimental setting.FindingsThe findings indicate that participation in ECA has a significant influence on academic outcomes. Different types of ECA participation influence well-being, whereas time spent on ECA positively affects academic performance. Further, the findings also indicate that involvement in ECA moderates the relationship between academic stress and coping.Practical implicationsThe study results have practical implications for designing interventional ECA to enhance students’ academic outcomes and well-being.Originality/valueThe study indicates the effectiveness of ECA participation in dealing with academic stress and the development of constructive coping strategies. Hence, the authors advise the academic administrators to integrate ECA in the academic setting.

Purpose The dynamic career scenario and the significant change from traditionally placing careers in employers’ hands to self-managing one’s careers have sparked profound scholarly interest in career growth. This paper aims to analyze quadricentennial literature on career growth published during the years 1995 through 2020. In this paper, through bibliometric and integrative reviews, the authors address the two critical questions, “what do we know?” and “where should we go?” While the bibliometric review examines the evolution and trends, the integrative review examines the dynamics of conceptual frameworks, primary research foci, research context and quality in research designs and methods. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines to identify the papers for this review. The data set comprised 102 papers and 60 papers for bibliometric and integrative review, respectively. “CiteSpace” is used for the bibliometric analysis and the template designed by the authors is used for the integrative review. Findings The results present conceptual clarification for career growth and its related constructs. The bibliometric analysis findings highlight the extensive research on career growth followed by organizational career growth and career growth opportunities. The findings also show that seven of the top 10 productive authors are from China. This study also identifies theoretical, conceptual and methodological opportunities and provides recommendations intended to further research engagements across the different aspects of career growth. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to introduce bibliometric analysis into career growth literature. This research adopts an integrative review approach and offers insights into career growth literature.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the current state of knowledge of sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) and to gain more insights from the articles originated from the emerging economies. This paper also sets an agenda for future research in this knowledge domain.Design/methodology/approachThe authors perform a systematic literature review by analyzing the primary studies related to SE originating from emerging economies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This review scrutinizes a total number of 45 studies to explore the current state of research in this knowledge domain from such economies.FindingsOverall, this review finds that SE research is still at the nascent stage, especially in the context of emerging economies. The authors elicit a few sub-themes, within the SE research, such as individual-level factors, organizational-level factors, institutional-level factors and cultural and social factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors present a few limitations of this study. Firstly, this study uses articles from the Scopus and Web of Science only. Secondly, this systematic review is limited to the articles originated from emerging economies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Thirdly, this review gives overall picture of the SE research in emerging economies and the same in other economies is not in the scope of this study.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will be helpful to the researchers to locate avenues for future course of research in SE field. This study helps the policymakers and educational institutions of emerging economies understand and ingrain sustainability element in entrepreneurship, and thereby helps them to fulfill sustainable economy and sustainable development goals.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in the field of SE in emerging economies. This review gives more insights on the state of SE in the emerging economies, as these economies can significantly contribute to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have widely been acknowledged as a unified platform to reduce the digital divide and make education accessible to all. It also enables students’ access to professors and educational contents sans spatial and institutional barriers. Despite several benefits, MOOCs’ adoption and completion rate remain unimpressive, especially among developing countries. Using Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), we examine the key factors that influence the behavioral intention to use MOOCs among students in an Indian private university. The data from 412 postgraduate students were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structured Equation Modelling. The study identifies barriers to use MOOCs, in a university that has offered free MOOCs courses and certifications to the students. The study makes several theoretical contributions and offer adequate insights for higher education institutions to administer and integrate MOOCs in their curriculum.

Objectives The coverage of the study extends over BRICS nations. This study aims to identify the major causes of under-5 mortality across the selected nations of Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). Methods Secondary data served as inputs to the survey. Relevant data were obtained from the World Bank data repository, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) official online repository between the years 2000 and 2015. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, such as trend analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), were used to make sense of the relationship between the macro, community, and individual level variables on under-5 mortality. Results The results indicated a decreasing pattern in deaths from all the disease conditions affecting the under-5 age group for all 5 countries. Conclusion The outcome of the study provides insights on disease transitions over time across the regions, which may have policy-related and educational implications.

Entrepreneurship education enhances the entrepreneurial potential of students, leading them to take up an entrepreneurial career. But, in India, a vast majority of youths with latent entrepreneurial potential are passing out of colleges without the needed basic entrepreneurial skills. The inconsistency towards entrepreneurship development policy is hurting the economy as a whole. The study analyses entrepreneurial potential of students and entrepreneurship education in the higher education system. It also examines whether there exists an alignment among them using the data triangulation method. The findings signify that entrepreneurial potential of students is on the upper side, and entrepreneurship education in higher education system is below average. The outcome of this study highlights the increasing need to focus on entrepreneurship education in higher education.

The role of research-embedded higher education is regarded as one of the driving forces of any growing economy. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are recognized, among their peers, for t...

Objectives Digital contact tracing (DCT) was touted as an effective alternative to lockdown and other restrictive measures in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite considerable investments in research and development, the usage of DCT apps was found to be phenomenally low across the world. In this context, the current study investigates the factors influencing citizens’ continuance intentions to use the DCT app. Methods A theoretical framework was developed by extending the Expectation-confirmation model (ECM) of Information system continuance with Technology trust theory and a contextual factor perceived security and privacy to predict citizens’ continuance intentions to use the DCT app. The model was empirically tested using data from a field survey of 206 actual users of a DCT app implemented in India. Results The findings reveal that user satisfaction, trust in government, and trust in technology are significant predictors of citizens’ continuance intention. The model demonstrates high explanatory power by explaining 57.8% of the variance of continuance intention. It also validates the role of perceived security and privacy and trust in technology in determining user satisfaction. Conclusion The study makes a theoretical contribution by extending the ECM framework to predict DCT app continuance behavior. The insights from the study could be helpful for developers and policymakers in crafting strategies to improve the usage of DCT apps during future disease outbreaks.

Purpose The purpose of the study is to analyse the perception of students toward a computer-based exam on a custom-made digital device and their willingness to adopt the same for high-stake summative assessment. Design/methodology/approach This study followed an analytical methodology using survey design. A modified version of students’ perception of e-assessment questionnaire (SPEAQ) was used to elicit information from the subjects, who were drawn from a first-year post-graduate course in management and commerce, soliciting voluntary participation in the survey. SmartPLS 2.0 was the major analytical tool used to understand the theoretical robustness of observed and latent variables through structural equation modelling. The final model was retained based on the structural significance of the path coefficients. Findings The results of the study offer ample evidence to establish the proposed theoretical relationship. It was found that the subjects of the study maintained a positive attitude toward e-assessment. Hence, the introduction of e-exams for high-stake assessment is suitable to current generation students. Research limitations/implications Findings of the study may be irrelevant to students who are not subject to e-learning processes, as an e-assessment can only be effective when students have ample exposure to working on computers. Practical/implications A major practical implication of the study is that e-exams will positively influence the outcome of education and effectiveness of the teaching–learning process. Technology, as an eclectic paradigm, can amplify the educational outcome by boosting the competency of students to meet challenges of any emerging situations. Originality/value The idea of an e-exam, using a custom-made device, is unprecedented. This paper offers a convincing empirical evidence to academic administrators to integrate e-assessment with e-learning programs.

The present study reports the synthesis of cyclic PNC-28 peptide with solid phase peptide synthesis method. In first step we synthesize linear PNC-28 Peptide and in second step we cyclize (N-to-C or head-to-tail cyclization) the linear PNC-28 peptide. The molecular formula of cyclic PNC-28 peptide is C64H88N12O16 and its m/z mass is ≈1233.64. Elemental analysis of cyclic PNC-28 is C, 59.99; H, 6.92; N, 13.12; O, 19.98. The characterization of LC-MS, CD, FT-IR, 1HNMR has been done to confirm the successful synthesis and cyclization of linear PNC-28 peptide

Background and objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with three bonding systems under laboratory conditions and to compare resin tag penetration after debonding. Materials and methods: The study was done on 60 extracted human premolar teeth, divided into three groups of 20 teeth each. Each group was bonded with three different types of bonding systems namely, the single component bonding system-Biofix, conventional light cured bonding system-Transbond XT and conventional chemical cured bonding system-Unite. The shear bond strength of the bonding system in each group was tested using Instron testing machine. After debonding, the samples were sectioned and viewed under scanning electron microscope to evaluate the resin tag penetration. The depth of penetration was measured with the measuring tool in the scanning electron microscope and marked. Results: The study revealed that the group bonded with Biofix has got the enough bond strength as the conventional chemical cured bonding system, Unite. The resin tag penetration into enamel was seen to be highest for Transbond XT, and for Biofix and Unite it was comparable and less. Conclusion: The shear bond strength values for Biofix is above the needed value to sustain normal oral and orthodontic forces and the residual resin tag remained after debonding are also less. Hence, the single component bonding system Biofix can be considered as a good material of choice for normal clinical bonding procedures.

Aims: The purpose of the study is to determine whether the nickel released from the stainless steel brackets have any cytotoxic effects on gingival fibroblast. Materials and Methods: Brackets are an important component of fixed orthodontics. Orthodontists are mainly concerned about the brands and various systems incorporated into the brackets. The manufactures claim bracket superiority without valid research. Since we are dealing with a biologic system factors like biocompatibility, cytotoxic potential should be taken into consideration before selecting an appliance to the patient. The cytotoxic activity of the media was investigated with MTT and comet assay. Results: The results of the study show that the amount of nickel leached is capable of bringing damage to the fibroblast. Conclusion: Our study concludes that nickel solution at minimal concentration of 1.18 μg could damage human gingival fibroblast and the nickel released from the different brands of the brackets are not uniform.

Collagenous spherulosis is a rare entity usually seen in association with benign breast lesions. It is often picked up incidentally with a reported incidence of about 0.2% in cytological material. There are very few reports describing cytomorphological features of collagenous spherulosis. To the best of our knowledge this is the only case reported from the middle-east region. The presence of hyaline spherules surrounded by a single layer of benign myoepithelial cells is the hallmark of collagenous spherulosis on FNA. However, due to close cytological resemblance, it can be misdiagnosed as adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. A 40-year-old woman presented with a history of a painless lump in the infraareolar region of left breast for a year. Fine needle aspiration was performed. The smears showed scanty cellularity comprising of cohesive clusters and a few branching fragments of benign ductal epithelial cells closely intermingled with many spherical, acellular homogenous hyaline globules. Few bare bipolar nuclei were noted in the background. A diagnosis of collagenous spherulosis associated with benign proliferative breast disease was made. Cytopathologists need to be aware of this entity in order to differentiate it from adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast which requires radical treatment.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign proliferative histiocytic disorder characterised by massive lymphadenopathy. While extranodal involvement can occur in generalised RDD, isolated soft tissue RDD (STRDD) is extremely rare. We report a 17-year-old male patient who presented to the maxillofacial outpatient department of the Sultan Qaboos Hospital, Salalah, Oman, in 2015 with a painless cheek mass which had been slowly growing over the previous two months. Routine histopathological examinations and immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of STRDD. Currently, surgical excision is considered to be the most effective curative treatment for STRDD, as the outcomes of other treatment modalities are still unknown. Despite its rarity, STRDD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of histiocytic soft tissue lesions.

Peptides Synthesis Using Photolytically Cleavable 2-Nitrobenzyloxy-carbonyl Protecting Group

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) crosslinked with tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate was prepared and used as solid support for immobilizing bromine function. The resin bound hydrotribromide was found to be an efficient reagent for the oxidation of alcohols and dibromination of alkenes. The role of the macromolecular matrix in dictating the efficiency of the oxidizing reagent was elucidated by preparing crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone resins with varying mole percent of cross-linking agent. Studies revealed that the extent of functionalisation as well as the reactivity of the oxidizing function was highly dependent on the degree of crosslinking of the macromolecular matrix. The effect of various reaction conditions such as the temperature, solvent and molar concentration of the reagent was also examined in order to find the optimum conditions for oxidising reactions.

When α‐oxoketene dithioacetals 1a–n were treated with the bromine complex of a copolymer of 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and 4‐vinylpyridine, the corresponding thiolcarboxylates 2a–n were formed in excellent yields. The reaction also works with other 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone‐derived polymers as well as commercially available polyvinylpyrrolidone–bromine complexes. The method is suitable for preparing aliphatic, aromatic, and γ,δ‐unsaturated β‐oxothiolcarboxylates.

An efficient cross-linked polymer support for solid-phase synthesis was prepared by introducing glycerol dimethacrylate cross-linker to polystyrene network using free radical aqueous suspension polymerization. The support was characterized by various spectroscopic methods. Morphological feature of the resin was analyzed by microscopy. The polymerization reaction was investigated with respect to the effect of amount of cross-linking agent, which in turn vary the swelling, loading, and the mechanical stability of the resin. The solvent uptake of the polymer was studied in relation to cross-linking and compared with Merrifield resin. The stability of the resin was tested in different synthetic conditions used for solid-phase peptide synthesis. Hydroxy group of the support was derivatized to chloro and then amino groups using different reagents and reaction conditions. Efficiency of the support was tested and compared with TentaGel™ resin by following different steps involved in the synthesis of the 65–74 fragment of acyl carrier protein. The results showed that the poly(styrene-co-glycerol dimethacrylate) (GDMA-PS) is equally efficient as TentaGel resin in peptide synthesis. The purity of the peptides was analyzed by HPLC and identities were determined by mass spectroscopy and amino acid analysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4382–4392, 2005

This study concentrates on the foreign trade surplus of the princely state of erstwhile Travancore and its impact on the economy of Travancore during 1894-1947. Further, an attempt has been made to analyze the trade surplus in the light of classical and neo-classical theories and with the theory of export pessimism.