Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University (HNGU) is a public university in Patan, Gujarat, India. The geographical jurisdiction of the North Gujarat University encompasses four districts: Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. It is NACC 'A' accredited state university with a CGPA of 3.02..
A novel series of nematic liquid crystals with rod-like structures, derived from [1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl(E)-4-((4-n-alkoxybenzylidene) amino) benzoate (XnI) and 4 -benzoylphenyl (E)-4-((4-(n-alkoxy) benzylidene) amino) benzoate (XnII) have been successfully synthesised, where n ranges from 4, 6, 8 & 10. Proton magnetic resonance, mass and infrared spectroscopy were used to analysed and characterised. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarising optical microscopy (POM) were used to examine the liquid crystal behaviour of all produced substances. All homologous series XnI and XnII compounds displayed a nematic mesophase. The impact of molecular flexibility, the range of transition temperatures and the comparative research were all systematically investigated. The X4I-X10I homologues exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase within the temperature range of 177-148 degrees C, while the X4II-X10II homologues show a nematic mesophase at temperatures between 169 and 122 degrees C. XnI & XnII compounds studied using Gauss View 6 software and were subjected to geometry optimisation using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6 -31+G(d,p) level of theory as implemented in Gaussian 16 quantum chemistry package. The band gap values, calculated by the difference of the energy values of HOMO and LUMO, were higher for the XnI series as compared to the XnII compounds.
Purpose This study examines the motivational mechanisms underlying FinTech application adoption and user satisfaction in an emerging economy by extending Vroom's Expectancy to Instrumentality to Valence (EIV) theory. Addressing limitations of dominant technology acceptance models that underplay user capability and motivation, the study integrates digital literacy and financial literacy as foundational enablers of expectancy formation and value realization. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 832 active FinTech users across urban and rural regions of Gujarat, India. Measurement and structural models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS 22 and AMOS 26. Reliability, validity, mediation effects and robustness checks were systematically assessed. Findings Results demonstrate that hedonic value, utilitarian value, self-efficacy, digital literacy and financial literacy significantly enhance expectancy, while subjective norms do not. Expectancy positively influences competence, which partially mediates its effect on valence. The extended model explains substantial variance in expectancy (R-2 = 0.68), competence (R-2 = 0.54) and valence (R-2 = 0.62), underscoring the critical role of literacy in shaping motivational beliefs and satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on payment-oriented FinTech applications within a single Indian state, limiting generalizability. Future studies may extend the framework to investment-based FinTech services and adopt longitudinal designs. Practical implications Findings highlight the necessity for FinTech providers and policymakers to embed digital and financial literacy interventions within platform design and user engagement strategies to enhance adoption, trust and financial inclusion. Originality/value This study offers a theoretically integrated and empirically validated extension of Vroom's EIV framework, positioning literacy as a central motivational capability in FinTech adoption an area largely overlooked in prior models.
Quinoline–chalcone derivatives were synthesized via the Claisen–Schmidt condensation using a base catalyst in methanol at room temperature. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Compounds 5a and 5b exhibited good in vitro antibacterial activity with zones of inhibition ranging from 20 to 21 mm. Among the tested compounds, 5a and 5d demonstrated the strongest antifungal potency. Molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 5a exhibited a glide score of –8.6 kcal/mol, indicating strong binding interactions with the tyrosine kinase domain of the human EGFR protein (PDB ID: 4WKQ). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for 100 ns using Desmond software to evaluate the stability and dynamic behavior of the protein–ligand complex for the most potent derivative 5a. In silico ADME analysis predicted a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, suggesting drug-like properties for the synthesized compounds.
A species of pebble crab, Alox chaunos Galil Ng, 2007 is recorded for the first time from India. The specimen examined was collected from the trawl catch at Digha Mohana, West Bengal state, India. Alox chaunos can be identified based on the carapace surface covered with mushroom-like tubercles, irregular pits, a prominent groove on the surface running parallel to the anterolateral carapace margin, and a slender male first gonopod (G1), slightly twisted in its distal half. The shape of the second gonopod (G2) illustrated in previous studies appears aberrant; an accurate illustration is provided herein. Alox chaunos can be differentiated from its close congener A. rugosum based on carapace shape, groove pattern, long telson, and narrow G1 distally. The species was originally described from specimens collected in the Philippines, redescribed based on specimens from Japan and is reported here for the first time from India.
Nine novel pyrazole-thiophene-oxadiazole hybrid compounds (8a-i) were synthesized, characterized using spectroscopic techniques, and evaluated for anticancer and antimicrobial activities using molecular docking, DFT calculations, and ADMET profiling. Compound 8i exhibited the most potent anticancer activity against HepG2 (IC50 = 1.3 +/- 1 mu M) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 10.6 +/- 1 mu M) cell lines, comparable to that of doxorubicin. Antimicrobial screening revealed that compound 8b exhibited the highest antibacterial activity (40.6 +/- 0.8 mm zone against S. aureus). In contrast, compound 8c demonstrated superior broad-spectrum activity against bacteria (32.2 mm against S. aureus and 30.1 mm against E. coli) and fungi (12.3 mm against C. albicans), surpassing that of the reference drugs. Molecular docking showed compound 8i with the highest binding affinity to Human Topoisomerase II alpha (-7.6030 kcal/mol vs. -5.4560 kcal/mol for doxorubicin). In comparison, compound 8c exhibited optimal binding to the Candida albicans target 5AEZ (-6.055 kcal/mol), which correlated with the experimental results. DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) revealed that compound 8i possessed the smallest HOMO-LUMO gap (3.9464 eV), highest reactivity, and optimal softness (0.4998). The RDG analysis confirmed the extensive noncovalent interactions that contribute to molecular stability. ADMET profiling indicated low gastrointestinal absorption and CYP3A4 inhibition for all compounds, with compound 8g exhibiting the most favorable metabolic profile. These findings establish pyrazole-thiophene-oxadiazole hybrids as promising dual anticancer and antimicrobial scaffolds for further development of novel therapeutic agents.
