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Sustaining livelihoods and culture through tourism development: The case of sriniketan in West Bengal, India
The rural area of Sriniketan in West Bengal, India is full of cultural embodiments that can not only serve as a base to develop tourism but also generate sustainable livelihoods. However, the Sriniketan region suffers from chronic poverty and its unique culture is getting depleted thanks to the lack of awareness and interest among locals. With the help of the DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework (DFID-SLF), this study tries to analyse the contributions that culture-based tourism can make towards generating sustainable livelihoods at Sriniketan. A modified SLF has been prepared with an added element of cultural capital as a contribution to the existing livelihood literature and guiding sheet for future practitioners. Based on the primary (in-depth interviews of fifteen households and five key respondents) and secondary data collected, this paper concludes that tourism development in Sriniketan can not only aid its cultural preservation but also generate an alternate source of livelihood and thereby, making both (culture and livelihoods) sustainable 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Gamification in Tourism Teaching and Learning: Exploring the Emergent Dimensions
First introduced in 2002 by British Programmer Nick Pelling, the term gamification has gained massive momentum in the last decade with extensive applications in teaching and learning (Hebebci & Selahattin, Current Studies in Social Sciences 2021:174, 2021). In its simplest form, gamification refers to the adoption of principles and design elements of various games in nongame situations (Deterding et al. From game design elements to gamefulness: Defining gamification. In Proceedings of the 15th international academic MindTrek conference: Envisioning future media environments (pp. 915), 2011). Further, the interaction between the students and technological interventions is rising, opening new avenues for innovative strategies like gamification to promote effective teaching and learning (Kapp, The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education. Wiley, 2012). In the context of tourism, works of (Nair, B. B. Endorsing gamification pedagogy as a helpful strategy to offset the COVID-19 induced disruptions in tourism education. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 30, 100362, 2022.) and Aguiar-Castillo, Herndez-Lez, De SaPez, and Pez-JImez (Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 27, 100267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2020.100267, 2020) provide insights into the various facets of gamification as a tool for teaching and learning. However, these works hardly address the emerging issues in adoption, implementation, and barriers that have been dealt with in this chapter. Against this backdrop, the first section of this paper ventures into the various implications of gamification in the field of tourism teaching and learning. Next, taking cues from significant land marking studies, this work lists the factors responsible for making gamification an effective teaching and learning tool in tourism. Lastly, attempts have been made to underline the elements that may pose challenges in the path of the rise of gamification as a teaching and learning tool. This work can be primarily classified as a conceptual paper with a systematically drawn inductive approach. Majority of the paper has been drafted based on the review of critical works derived from the search of keywords such as gamification and tourism and teaching and learning on major search engines such as Scopus, Web of Science, and JSTOR. The authors conclude that gamification as a teaching and learning tool in tourism education is still its necesent stages of implementation, and there are an equal number of challenges that need to be addressed before it (gamification) becomes a mainstream tool in tourism teaching and learning. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd 2024. -
Management practices on execution effectiveness of strategies based on Thirukkural
Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar contains couplets that speak about the morale necessary for an individual based on the roles played in various circumstances of life. These are applied to various fields including management even today. In this chapter, the authors conduct a narrative analysis on two major aspects of management skills to be inculcated in managers for successful progression of the organization. Execution is one such important aspect of management which plays a significant role in constructing effective doable strategies and executing the strategies without delay after proper analysis, thus sustaining the motivation level of the team and progress. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Cognitive synergy: Enhancing late career engagement with ergonomic solutions
The chapter explores the intricate relationship between cognitive ergonomics and late career employees, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities of an aging workforce. It combines research findings and case studies to understand how cognitive aging affects job performance and satisfaction. A central theme is the importance of technology training and support for older workers. As technology advances, organizations must ensure their older employees have the skills to navigate these changes. This includes training in new software and tools, and ongoing support. Flexible work arrangements are also crucial, reducing stress and fatigue from long commutes and rigid schedules. Health screenings and age-friendly workplaces are key. Regular health screenings and access to healthcare can address physical and cognitive challenges. Designing workspaces and processes for older workers fosters inclusivity and diversity. In conclusion, the chapter offers recommendations for organizations to leverage the late career workforce. 2024 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Tools and framework for cyber-physical agricultural systems
The development of cyber-physical agricultural systems (CPASs) has created new opportunities for precision farming, sustainable food production, and efficient use of resources. CPAS leverages advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to collect, analyze, and utilize data to improve farming practices. However, the implementation of CPAS requires the use of various tools and frameworks to ensure seamless integration and communication between different components of the system. One of the key tools for CPAS is sensors. This chapter focuses on key tools for CPAS, such as sensors that can collect data on environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and nutrient levels, enabling farmers to monitor crop growth and identify issues. The use of drones equipped with cameras and sensors can provide a birds eye view of farmland, allowing farmers to detect issues that are difficult to detect otherwise. Frameworks such as the Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC-UA) provide a standardized approach to communication between different devices and systems in agricultural systems. OPC-UA enables secure and efficient data exchange between sensors, machines, and other components, enabling the integration of various tools and frameworks within CPAS. This framework ensures that different components of CPAS can communicate seamlessly, leading to more efficient and effective farming practices. Another critical framework for CPAS is the decision support system (DSS). DSS utilizes AI and ML algorithms to analyze data from various sources and provide recommendations to farmers. For example, DSS can provide guidance on crop selection, planting dates, irrigation schedules, and pest management. This framework can assist farmers in making informed decisions that can increase yield, reduce waste, and improve sustainability. 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -
Wireless Technology for Providing Safety in Vanets
Both the safety and efficiency of our present transportation systems might benefit greatly from the implementation of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). In this book chapter, the author investigates the significance of wireless technology in improving VANET security. Before discussing the numerous wireless technologies that form the backbone of VANET security, this chapter digs into VANET architecture and communication paradigms. These can be anything from tried-and-true standards like IEEE 802.11p (WAVE) to forward-thinking concepts like 5G cellular networks ability to link vehicles to other objects. Collision avoidance, cooperative adaptive cruise control, junction collision alarms, and pedestrian safety are just some of the real-world applications of V2V communication that have been shown. The importance of security mechanisms, such as authentication, encryption, and data integrity, is discussed at length in this chapter. The narrative also delves into the fascinating intersections of VANETs with autonomous cars and AI, all while tackling issues like spectrum allocation, scalability, and privacy concerns. Case studies shed light on the concrete effects of VANET safety installations, showing how they may reduce accident rates and ease traffic congestion. This last chapter summarizes the potential of wireless technologies to usher in an era of enhanced road safety via the medium of VANETs, distills important insights, and calls for greater advances. 2024 CRC Press. -
Integration of Mobile Edge Computing in Wireless Technology
This chapter delves into the potential for Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) to revolutionize wireless networks through its incorporation in wireless technologies. The authors give a thorough introduction to MEC, including its components, design, and the reasoning behind combining it with wireless networks. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of technologies for wireless communication, focusing on the establishment and improvement of 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi networks. Different deployment strategies and supporting technologies for MEC integration with mobile networks are explored to demonstrate the adaptability and scalability of this approach. Improved connection, lower latency, and higher bandwidth utilization are just some of the benefits and obstacles of MEC integration that are demonstrated using practical scenarios and applications. This chapter also discusses techniques for optimizing performance and managing resources, as well as security and privacy concerns unique to wireless networks that make use of MEC. In this article, we explore the continuing standardization efforts and industry activities that are pushing MEC usage in wireless networks. Finally, the authors describe the unanswered questions and potential future developments in MEC-enabled wireless networks. This chapter presents a thorough analysis of MEC's incorporation into wireless technology, revealing how this development has the potential to revolutionize mobile communications and open up fresh avenues for developing useful services and applications. 2024 CRC Press. -
Synergistic effect of bio-nanocarbon embedded polymer nanocomposite and its applications
For applications involving sustainable materials, bio-nanocarbon was examined as a material to improve the properties of fiber-reinforced nanobiocomposite. A thorough investigation has been conducted using nano biocarbon as a filler and reinforcing material. However, the composite's inferior mechanical, physical, and thermal properties are a result of a poor fiber-matrix interface. As a result, in this study, biocarbon nanoparticles were created and used as functional components to enhance the properties of polymeric composite materials. To emphasize the scientific and technological issues that need to be resolved in order to create artificial composites with bio-inspired structures, recent studies of bio-inspired nano-carbon composites are discussed in this study. These include the production techniques for resolving the nanocarbon dispersion problem and creating bio-inspired structures, as well as the microstructure and composite characteristics characterization. In order to reveal natural design principles and serve as a resource for future research, bio-inspired composites and their applications are thoroughly examined and explained. 2023 Bentham Science Publishers. -
Green Synthesis and Application of Copper-Based Nanomaterials
A vital aspect of nanoscience and nanotechnology is the synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructures. Although nanotechnology is a relatively new field of study, nanomaterials have been used in industry for years. Synthesis of nanomaterials is an essential area due to its significant characteristics and is ideally suited for applications in a multiple discipline. Metal and metal-based nanoparticles play a major role across all disciplines, making up the majority of all nanomaterials. Among these, copper-based nanomaterials have drawn a lot of curiosity considering their varied features and wide range of uses in numerous sectors, particularly in nanotechnology for healthcare and biomedical fields. Synthesis of copper-based nanomaterials can be achieved by several approaches such as physical, chemical, biological methods. Among these approaches, synthesizing nanomaterials through biological processes is the most affordable and environmentally responsible method. This chapter aims to share details on green synthesis of copper-based nanomaterials obtained from different sources and utilized in a broad range of industries including electronics, agriculture, biomedicine, and manufacturing. 2024 American Chemical Society. -
Properties, Synthesis, and Characterization of Cu-Based Nanomaterials
Copper-based nanomaterials offer a fascinating array of properties that make them pivotal in various technological applications. These materials, when scaled down to the nanoscale, exhibit enhanced electrical conductivity, surpassing their bulk counterparts. This book chapter primarily focuses on the properties, synthesis, and characterization of copper nanoparticles while also discussing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. Their large surface-to-volume ratios enable efficient electron transport, making them valuable components in electronics and conductive inks for flexible devices. Furthermore, copper nanomaterials possess exceptional thermal conductivity, making them crucial for efficient heat management in electronics and advanced thermal interface materials. Copper and copper oxide have positive economic and environmental effects. Their catalytic properties render them important in diverse chemical reactions and as components in energy storage systems like batteries and supercapacitors. Additionally, the tunability of their optical properties makes them suitable for various photonic and optoelectronic applications, ranging from sensors to light-emitting devices. The multifaceted properties of copper-based nanomaterials continue to drive innovation across a broad spectrum of industries. 2024 American Chemical Society. -
Biomass-Based Functional Carbon Nanostructures for Supercapacitors
For the creation of next-generation biocompatible energy technologies, it is urgently necessary to examine environmentally acceptable, low-cost electrode materials with high adsorption, rapid ion/electron transit, and programmable surface chemistry. Because of their wide availability, environmentally friendly nature, and affordability, carbon electrode materials made from biomass have received a lot of interest lately. The biological structures they naturally possess are regular and accurate, and they can be used as templates to create electrode materials with precise geometries. The current study is primarily concerned with recent developments in research pertaining to biomass-derived carbon electrode materials for supercapacitor applications, including plant, fruit, vegetable, and microorganism-based carbon electrode materials. Also provided is a summary of alternative synthesis methods for the conversion and activation of biomass waste. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Risks and ethics of nanotechnology: an overview
Environmental nanotechnology is thought to be important to current environmental engineering and scientific techniques. The biomedical, textile, aerospace, manufacturing, cosmetics, oil, defense, agricultural, and electronics industries can all benefit from the use of nanotechnology to enhance a wide range of material properties, including physical, chemical, and biological properties. However, nanotechnology-based products or nanomaterials (e.g., nanofibers, nanowires, nanocomposites, and nanofilms) may be harmful to human health. Since nanomaterials are usually manufactured using novel manufacturing techniques and have a variety of sizes, shapes, and surface energies, there can also be uncertainties in their manufacture and handling. This chapter provides a detailed account of ethical issues related to nanotechnology, particularly environmental toxicity, risk management, health risk evolution, and environmental significance of nanomaterials. In addition, environmental challenges, toxic effect of nanoparticles on the environment, ethics of nanotechnology, and social, ecological, biological, and other legal issues are highlighted. The potential of nanomaterials in environmental remediation and their use in environmental protection is also emphasized. 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -
Artificial intelligence and service marketing innovation
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into service marketing in India is expected to significantly impact marketing strategies and economic dynamics. The emphasis on personalization, automation, predictive analytics, and chatbots will enhance customer engagement and brand loyalty, leading to increased sales and revenue. Automation of marketing workflows will streamline operations, improve efficiency, and foster business growth. AI's predictive analytics capabilities will help businesses make informed decisions about their marketing strategies, particularly in a diverse market like India. AI-driven chatbots will enhance customer satisfaction and engagement, contributing to positive brand perception and loyalty. However, there may be concerns about job displacement, particularly in routine tasks. The growth of AI-driven service marketing can contribute to the development of a technologydriven ecosystem in India, attracting investments, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating innovation. 2024 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Face and Emotion Recognition from Real-Time Facial Expressions Using Deep Learning Algorithms
Emotions are faster than words in the field of humancomputer interaction. Identifying human facial expressions can be performed by a multimodal approach that includes body language, gestures, speech, and facial expressions. This paper throws light on emotion recognition via facial expressions, as the face is the basic index of expressing our emotions. Though emotions are universal, they have a slight variation from one person to another. Hence, the proposed model first detects the face using histogram of gradients (HOG) recognized by deep learning algorithms such as linear support vector machine (LSVM), and then, the emotion of that person is detected through deep learning techniques to increase the accuracy percentage. The paper also highlights the data collection and preprocessing techniques. Images were collected using a simple HAAR classifier program, resized, and preprocessed by removing noise using a mean filter. The model resulted in an accuracy percentage for face and emotion being 97% and 92%, respectively. 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Data Modeling and Analysis for the Internet of Medical Things
Smart biomedical technology greatly assists in rapid disease screening and diagnosis within hospitals. One innovative device, a smart inhaler, incorporates sensors to track medication doses, usage patterns, and effectiveness. These inhalers provide valuable support to asthma sufferers, allowing for improved condition management and better patient outcomes. Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions worldwide, causes airway constriction and swelling, resulting in breathing difficulties. Typically, medication such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators is used for management. However, medication adherence is often inadequate, leading to worsened outcomes and exacerbations. Smart inhalers aim to address this challenge by enabling users to monitor medication usage and compliance. Equipped with sensors, the inhalers track when, how much, and how frequently the prescribed medication is taken. The collected data is then transmitted to a mobile app or web portal, accessible to patients and healthcare providers. This integration facilitates medication tracking and provides personalized coaching for improved asthma control. The gathered data serves multiple purposes, including helping patients monitor their medication use and adherence. Patients can receive feedback on their treatment plan adherence and utilize the app to set medication reminders, promoting adherence and enhancing outcomes. 2024 CRC Press. -
Queering Doctor Who and Supernatural: An ecofeminist response to Bill Potts and Charlie Bradbury
Both Bill Potts from Doctor Who and Charlie Bradbury from Supernatural are iconic lesbian characters who have irreversibly changed the landscape of the long-running shows in which they are featured: the first queer character to appear on Doctor Who as a companion since Captain Jack Harkness, Bill Potts, is the shows first lesbian character to feature in a starring role. Her story arc is bookended by her relationship with Heather, who is first encountered in Bills first episode on the series and who returns to save Bills life at the end of her time as the Doctors companion. Heathers association with what appears to be water or oil-but is eventually revealed to be an alien life force resembling a liquid-is a significant factor in her transition from human to trans-human, and the elemental force that she becomes may be related to the transcendentalist roots of ecocritical discourse. Similarly, Charlie Bradburys role as the Queen of Moondor, a Live Action Role Playing arena, and her subsequent encounter with the faerie Gilda may be viewed in the context of the correlation of geek culture and the return to the natural, pre-industrial/pre-technological world of the episode LARP and the Real Girl (2013). These analyses are examined through an ecofeminist lens that consists primarily of approaches to ecofeminism in the twenty-first century. As Greta Gaard observes in her 2011 essay Ecofeminism Revisited: Rejecting Essentialism and Re-Placing Species in a Material Feminist Environmentalism, " ecofeminism in the late twentieth century declined because of charges of gender essentialism. However, given the emergence of areas such as animal studies, vegan studies, and speciesism, ecocriticism has again risen to prominence in the field of gender studies, and perhaps one way of avoiding the charge of essentialism is to place ecofeminist criticism within the larger framework of questions relating to a pluralistic and queer sense of gender and sexual identities. In this, both Bill and Charlie lend themselves to interpretations based on emerging discourses in ecocritical queer studies. 2021 selection and editorial matter, Douglas A. Vakoch. -
Digital educational neuropsychology: Challenges and opportunities
This chapter introduces the various facets of digital educational neuropsychology. It begins by explaining digital educational neuropsychology and the current practices in digital neuropsychology. It then explains the opportunities and the challenges faced by neuropsychology in digitization of neuropsychology education, training, assessment, and rehabilitation and how it can be improved. The challenges in the implementation of digital educational neuropsychology in terms of access and equity; validity and reliability of digital assessments; training and professional development; variability in the perceptual, motor, and cognitive demands across different devices; and the rapid changes in technology are explained elaborately. A full discussion on opportunities including enhancement of digital education using neuropsychological techniques, neuroscience experimental techniques, in tandem with behavioural measures is provided. Further, the importance of collaborative effort from professionals is required to build more effective strategies for digital education is emphasized. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Service learning beyond the classroom: Engaging students in environmental stewardship
Service learning offers a dynamic approach to education, extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community. This chapter explores integrating service learning principles with environmental stewardship, focusing on engaging students in meaningful activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of the environment. By immersing students in real-world environmental projects, this chapter integrates six stages of the IPARDC model with environmental stewardship. Besides that, this chapter discusses a six-step system focused on environmental stewardship for service learning. Moreover, it discusses strategies for designing and implementing effective service-learning experiences that promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and social responsibility. Through collaboration with community partners and integration with the academic curriculum, service learning empowers students to actively participate in environmental stewardship efforts actively, fostering a sense of responsibility and advocacy for the natural world. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Underlying Opportunities and Challenges of Digitalization in Gig Economy
There has been enormous growth in the gig sector across the world. The term gig refers to the short-term arrangement. For instance, an aspiring musician might celebrate after he obtains a gig contract or a painter may get a gig contract for some particular period of time. Both of them might get paid either a fixed fee or a fee based on the contract given. The gig economy has given rise to freelance workers, part-time workers, project-based workers, independent contractors, and contract workers. The gig economy has occupied a prominent place in the United States. According to the survey conducted by Intuit, nearly 40% of American workers are working as an independent contract worker in the year 2020. By means of the increase in the cost level and large masses seeking for jobs and livelihood, the concept of gig economy has opened doors for earning extra income through the gig work. The concept of digital platforms, greater digitalization, and accessibility to higher technology advancement such as the adoption of Artificial Intelligence is giving a boost to the concept of gig economy. There has been a growth in the acceptance of smartphones and the percentage of digitalization is an aiding factor permitting gig freelancers to offer numerous qualified services over the tech-based platform. Gig employees have the potential of signing any tasks in which they have a specific skill set. For example, a worker specialized in interior beautification on an ad-hoc basis for various customers as an alternative of undertaking a full-time inside designing work at a company. Advanced countries such as the United States were the initial adoption of the gig economy started due to advanced rates of digitalization, economic growth, and increase in the disposable income. All these enabling factors were responsible for foremost growing firms being initiated in the United States. Examples of firms are Uber, Airbnb, and Upwork. Nations such as the United States are presently a frontrunner in the international gig economy. On the contrary, emerging nations like India characterize a countless latent in terms of adoption of the gig economy. The reason behind the boost in gig economy is the growing supply of outworkers and lesser skilled labour force. With further knowledge diffusion and the upgrading in human resources and capital, India will nurture in the worldwide gig economy at a hastening pace. India can follow the United States gig economy by studying its trends and encourage the possible gig responsibilities. There are instances such as Ola and OYO operational in the Indian Economy. 2025 selection and editorial matter Alex Khang, Babasaheb Jadhav, Vugar Abdullayev Hajimahmud and Ipseeta Satpathy; individual chapters, the contributors. -
Mitigating Mental Health Burden of Youth During COVID-19 Through Resilience and Hope: Evidences from India and Germany
In the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, young professionals and graduating students experience considerable psychological adversity due to the uncertainty surrounding their futures. Given the positive psychological outcomes and the potential to alleviate stress, we examine the role of resilience and hope in causing a substantial variance in the stress response to anticipation of crisis among Indians living in India and Germany. Resilience, hope, crisis apprehension, and the psychological response to the COVID-19 pandemic were measured among participants from India and Germany (n = 650) via an online survey using non-probability convenient sampling. Parallel mediation and conditional indirect effects showcase the differential roles of resilience and hope among socio-culturally similar but geographically divergent groups. Hope mediates the effect of pandemic-led crisis apprehension on perceived stress among those residing in India; resilience operates to mitigate stress among those from Germany. Findings highlight the contradistinctive role of resilience and hope in reducing stress and imply an urgent need for promotion of ameliorative practices. Resilience effectively mitigates the psychological burden of the COVID-19 crisis and can be promoted to reskill individuals; however, elevating hope in a crisis obligates prudence. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.