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Before the Gig Economy Tracing the Transformations in Delhis Taxi Industry
Studying Delhis radio taxi industry, this paper traces the transitional process of traditional taxi services in the capital to radio taxi services and finally to the current app-based taxi aggregators. The radio taxi companies ruptured old kinship ties and informal relations with a combination of technology, surveillance, and financea process app-based taxi aggregators have further refined. There is also an account of the labour struggles in the industry that preceded the advent of the platform economy. 2022 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved. -
The Un-Human Beings: The Denial of Muslim Migrants Bodies in India and Poland
This essay traces the political and legal discourses around migrants and refugees in two distinct conditions: the postcolonial and the postsocialist of India and Poland, respectively. The two countries have recently turned to nationalist right-wing politics with an increasingly hostile focus on foreign Others, particularly Muslims. In the context of increased global surveillance and criminalization of Muslims, we show how the bodies of Muslim migrants are dehumanized and constructed as threats, denying their humanity in the process. We do this through the two cases of Ayub and Ameer, two Muslim men navigating their illegality in two different contexts in India and Poland. This essay is a contribution to the literature on postcolonial and postsocialist theories and critical debates about the possibilities of dialogue between postsocialist and postcolonial geographies. The examples we use demonstrate that the postcolonial and postsocialist nation-states respond to global phenomena such as migration and Islamophobia in ways that have discernible traces of their histories and are constituted distinctively from the western metropoles. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Role of ICT in harnessing poverty reduction: An empirical study using an ARDL approach
The catalytic role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in poverty reduction has been examined in this chapter, in line with the United Nation's first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-1). This study focuses on the impact of ICT variables such as individuals using the internet, population covered by a mobile-cellular network, mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions, and international bandwidth usage, on poverty alleviation using relevant data covering countries worldwide from 2010 to 2022. Employing the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, the study examines both short-run dynamics and long-run effects of ICT interventions towards achieving SDG-1. Results reveal a stronger relationship between internet usage and poverty reduction, alongside a counterintuitive finding showing a negative coefficient for international bandwidth usage. The findings of the study emphasize the pivotal role of internet usage and international bandwidth usage in poverty mitigation. Further, as evidenced by data findings, any immediate changes in the ICT indicators such as international bandwidth usage, population covered by a mobile network, mobile telephone subscriptions may not affect the poverty levels in the short term. The results of the study posit the policymakers to acknowledge the impact of internet usage in alleviating poverty among the world countries. The study reckons that improvement of internet infrastructure and enhancement of digital literacy initiatives via increased internet usage has the potential to harness poverty reduction. 2025 A. Jose Anand and Saravanan Krishnan. All rights reserved. -
Graphene Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy Systems
The high degree of mechanical, electrical, and thermal conductivity of graphene enables its application in the renewable energy sector. Graphene plays a vital role in diodes, photovoltaic cells, supercapacitors, batteries, and full cells applications and it enhances the existing efficiency in a tremendous way. The addition of graphene can do tremendous effects on all kinds of inorganic and organic materials for solar cells. In the supercapacitor domain, graphene plays a vital role to provide a large surface which can be useful for energy storage applications. The hybrid supercapacitor and battery trends in research and technology have been discussed. The electrical vehicles and green applications need and accomplishments of graphene and its derivatives have also been described. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Assessing the loyalty of shoppers of attire multi - Brand outlets: A research study
This study aimed to ascertain whether the loyal shoppers referred their loved ones, friends, relatives, peer groups, well wishers, etc. to their preferred MBOs for fulfilling their shopping requirements. The study was conducted with 400 respondents at Coimbatore city, India. The research is a descriptive one. The data was collected using the mall intercept survey method. The data was analyzed using frequency distribution, cross tabulation, reliability and validity test, chi-square test, correlation, and t - test. Majority of the respondents sustained with the same MBOs due to various reasons like wider designs, collections, and product quality. The study revealed that the shoppers of MBOs were loyal towards their stores because 38% of the respondents referred five to ten people and 38.5% brought two to four new customers to shop from their preferred MBOs. The above facts like customer referrals and frequent purchases were the components chosen for this study, which proved the loyalty of shoppers towards the multi-brand outlets. -
Effect of impulse buying on socioeconomic factors and retail categories
The study aimed to determine the impulse buying behaviour of shoppers at apparel multi-brand outlets using socio-economic factors and retail categories. The research is a descriptive one, and it was conducted among 400 Indian respondents. This research was carried out to identify the impulsive behaviour of respondents at multi-brand outlets because it occurs high in organized retail stores due to attractive displays and latest design and collections. The study revealed that impulse buying behaviour varies among the distinct age profile. The study found that men shop more impulsively than women. The impulse buying did not have a high impact on changes in monthly family income of the respondents. The impulse buying behaviour was displayed more within the same multi-brand outlets than the other retail categories. -
On-off fluorescence detection of exposed phosgene via pyrazine ring formation on a triphenyl amine backbone supplemented with a theoretical approach and practical environmental applications
Using 4-(diphenylamino)benzaldehyde as the fluorophore and 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, a fluorescent probe known as 2-amino-3-(((E)-4-(diphenylamino)benzylidene)amino)-maleonitrile (ADM) has been developed for the selective detection of phosgene through a unique cyclization pathway producing a substituted pyrazine derivative attached to a triphenyl amine backbone. This reaction led to a notable reduction in the emission intensity of ADM at 565 nm. This is the first study that reports ADM as a sensory material for the selective detection of phosgene, achieved by forming a new heterocyclic pyrazine structure. With a quick response time of only 80 seconds, the detection limit of the probe ADM towards phosgene has been calculated as 4.23 ?M. Several spectroscopic methods, including UV-vis, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational investigations are used to study the sensing behavior. In practical applications, the sensor ADM can be used for soil analysis, the dipstick method, and the detection of phosgene from chlorinated hydrocarbon sources such as dichloromethane, chloroform and household solvents like paint remover. 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
A rapid and selective on-off fluorescence detection of lethal pulmonary agent phosgene supplemented with theoretical approach: a cost-effective sensing tool for household bleach and soil analysis
A fluorescent probe, 4-(di-phenylamino)-benzaldehyde oxime (DPBO), was developed comprising 4-(diphenylamino) benzaldehyde as the fluorophore and hydroxyl amine, where the resultant oxime group leads to the formation of a recognition site for the selective on-off fluorescence detection of lethal phosgene with the dimer formation of DPBO through carbonate linkage generated from phosgene. The probe DPBO also exhibits notable spectrofluorometric response in different solvents, as demonstrated by SEM analysis. The detection limit of the probe DPBO towards phosgene was calculated as 21.53 ?M, with a fast reaction response time within 30 s and the fluorescence quenching efficiency of DPBO by phosgene was measured through the Stern-Volmer quenching constant (KSV) estimated at 1.03 104 M?1. Confirmation of the sensing mechanism was achieved through various spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational studies. For practical applications, the sensor DPBO can be utilized for the detection of phosgene in household bleach, soil analysis and dipstick method. 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Fatigue surface analysis of AL A356 alloy reinforced hematite metal matrix composites
This study intends to investigate how copper chill affects the fatigue behaviour of composites made of aluminium alloy A356 and hematite. It was cast by altering the weight fraction particles of hematite (0 to 12%wt in increments of 3%wt) by sand casting method with and without copper chills at its end to get isotropic and homogenous significant characteristics under liquid metallurgical way. The test specimens were prepared in accordance with ASTM specifications. Ducom-type fatigue testing equipment (rotating bending-low cycle fatigue) is used in experiments to examine fatigue behaviour. The micrographic images were taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and interpreted uniform reinforcement of hematite particles, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were used to reveal microscopic details. The existence of the hematite particles and their phases was revealed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that the composites cast with copper chills have significantly greater fatigue strength than the casting obtained without copper chills. It was also observed that at 9%wt, copper chilled composite shows improve in fatigue strength about 10.2% as compared without chilled composites. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. -
Viscosity-sensitive and AIE-active bimodal fluorescent probe for the selective detection of OCl? and Cu2+: a dual sensing approach via DFT and biological studies using green gram seeds
A novel dual-mode viscosity-sensitive and AIE-active fluorescent chemosensor based on the naphthalene coupled pyrene (NCP) moiety was designed and synthesized for the selective detection of OCl? and Cu2+. In non-viscous media, NCP exhibited weak fluorescence; however, with an increase in viscosity using various proportions of glycerol, the fluorescence intensity was enhanced to 461 nm with a 6-fold increase in fluorescence quantum yields, which could be utilized for the quantitative determination of viscosity. Interestingly, NCP exhibited novel AIE characteristics in terms of size and growth in H2O-CH3CN mixtures with high water contents and different volume percentage of water, which was investigated using fluorescence, DLS study and SEM analysis. Interestingly, this probe can also be effectively employed as a dual-mode fluorescent probe for light up fluorescent detection of OCl? and Cu2+ at different emission wavelengths of 439 nm and 457 nm via chemodosimetric and chelation pathways, respectively. The fast-sensing ability of NCP towards OCl? was shown by a low detection limit of 0.546 ?M and the binding affinity of NCP with Cu2+ was proved by a low detection limit of 3.97 ?M and a high binding constant of 1.66 103 M?1. The sensing mechanism of NCP towards OCl? and Cu2+ was verified by UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence analysis, 1H-NMR analysis, mass spectroscopy, DFT study and Job plot analysis. For practical applications, the binding of NCP with OCl? and Cu2+ was determined using a dipstick method and a cell imaging study in a physiological medium using green gram seeds. 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
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The unique risk factor profile of triple-negative breast cancer: a comprehensive meta-analysis
Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis compared with other breast cancer subtypes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with TNBC in adult women. Methods: EMBASE, Medline, SCOPUS, and gray literature were queried with no limit on the date or language of publication. The exposures of interest included parity, breastfeeding, duration of breastfeeding, age at menarche, age at first live birth, oral contraceptive (OC) use, duration of OC use, use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), family history, body mass index (BMI), alcohol use, smoking, and breast density. The main outcome of interest was TNBC. Study quality was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for case control studies and cohort studies. We estimated weighted odds ratios from random effects models to study the exposureoutcome associations. Protocol was registered under the number: PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021254594. Results: Thirty-three studies were included. Family history, longer duration of OC use, and higher breast density were significantly associated with increased risk for TNBC, whereas later age at menarche, later age at first birth, and breastfeeding were protective against TNBC. Parity, MHT, alcohol, smoking, and BMI were not significantly associated with TNBC overall, but higher parity was associated with higher risk among Black women. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that TNBC has a distinct risk factor profile compared with overall breast cancer. This can be the foundational work in identification of actionable TNBC risk factors to improve prevention and early detection of these poor prognosis breast tumors. The Author(s) 2024. -
Ensuring robust and secure supply chain: Deploying blockchain
Transparency, visibility, security, source-to-store traceability, and rising customer expectation are the critical points in the retail supply chain. The global supply chain involves a nexus of manufacturers and suppliers who urge for a robust network addressing the above challenges in the supply chain. A better provenance tool can benefit retailers, as customers are more concerned about the retail journey of the product start from its origin. Within the small span since its inception, blockchain has revolutionized the businesses and shown promising result in reshaping the supply chain. Blockchain in retail can provide evidence for the authenticity of product, tacking details for reliable retail delivery and enriching customer experience through product provenance. This chapter aims to explain to retailers the challenges, opportunities, and potential application of blockchain in the retail supply chain. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Use of blockchain technology for smart health-care services: a critical perspective of ethnic minority group
Purpose: The essence of blockchain governance is a far departure from the cryptocurrency or Bitcoin that has led to innovation and changing the outline of medical services. The major challenge in medical services is the lack of accessibility of medical services and lack of awareness. A large group of the population belonging to an ethnic minority has a high rate of complications, re-operation and graft rejection. To connect with a minority group and address privacy and safety issues, blockchain-based e-health-care services have massive potential in the medical industry, especially from the perspective of the social aspect. Design/methodology/approach: The study proposed a framework that describes the complex interplay of different stated factors, including perceived ease of use, trust, perceived usefulness and perceived security and privacy. The paper uses structural equation modeling to understand the ethnic minority groups readiness to adopt blockchain-based e-health-care services. Findings: It was found that all the direct relationships between variables are supported by the findings and have a significant positive relationship with the adoption intention. The tested framework will help regulatory bodies and marketers to develop support health-care service mechanisms for ethnic minority groups by addressing their issues related to security and privacy. Originality/value: Blockchain-based e-health-care services have massive potential in the medical industry, although, its actual diffusion has not been explored much, with particular reference to an ethnic minority group. This study will explore the diffusion of smart health-care services with respect to ethnic minority group. 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Blockchain for customer transparency in e-commerce a survival of fittest not fastest
Blockchain has been envisioned as the most disruptive technology in the landscape of ecommerce. There has been an array of challenges for e-commerce retailers to handle like transparency, immutability, reliability and disintermediation. The paper is an attempt to understand consumer acceptance towards new technology where the primary focus would be transparency and plans for human salvation by combating the environment and ethical challenges. The study emphasises the prospective use of blockchain technology in ecommerce industry which has been coupled with the vagueness of these issues. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) has been used as the base model to understand the consumer behaviour towards using blockchain technology as a new platform with special reference to fashion apparel sector. Providing traceability of product with an objective of consumer transparency in this mould will change the way of doing online shopping and will have more onus on retailers. Copyright 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Blockchain Integrated Retail Logistics Chain: An Adoption Perspective
The task of managing public health and safety is a multifaceted and delicate one that demands the careful upkeep of numerous processes and systems, with a particular emphasis on cold chain logistics. The primary objective of this research is to investigate how blockchain technology can meet the needs of a retail cold chain. To accomplish this goal, we employed a comprehensive technological adoption model, partial least squares structural equation modeling, and a quantitative cross-sectional survey approach to ascertain stakeholder adoption intentions toward a blockchain-enabled cold supply chain. Our findings suggest that blockchain technology has the capacity to effectively facilitate the goals of the retail cold chain. 2024 IEEE. -
Characteristic Mode Analysis of Fashion Brands Conductive Logos as Potential Radiators
A few popular fashion brand logos, which can be employed as potential radiating elements, are investigated in this paper based on the theory of characteristic mode (TCM). Such an analysis would further help design multi-band wearable antennas within the frequency range from 1 to 6 GHz. The resonant behavior and bandwidth capability for various modes are presented and discussed. It is observed that all the studied logos demonstrate a first resonant frequency around 1.5 GHz, while both Lacoste and Louis Vuitton logos show wider modal bandwidths capabilities. 2023 IEEE. -
Impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act on Rural Credit System in India: A Standard Logit Difference in Difference Approach
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of India is one of the most extensive social safety nets programs in the developing world. The initiative attempts to enhance rural livelihoods in India by lowering rural poor vulnerability and misery. The programs nature and extent of execution vary from state to state. Using panel data sets from the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS), which covering India for two waves, 200405 and 201112. We used a quasi-experimental approach, such as the difference-in-difference technique of effect evaluation, to quantify the programs influence on rural families credit and debt structures. The empirical analysis shows evidence of changing the behavior of taking loans from formal sources among non-poor households actively participating in the MGNREGA program. But the difference-in-difference results shows that among poor households participating in the MGNREGA scheme, the tendency to depend on formal sources to take loans is still insignificant. That means informal lending sources are still more prevalent among poor people. This tendency has not changed even after the initiation of this program. The article finishes with policy recommendations for successfully targeting the program, notably the social safety net benefits to disadvantaged households in India. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Blockchain Integrated Pharmaceutical Cold Chain: An Adoption Perspective
A complex and sensitive chain needs to be appropriately maintained to manage public health and people's lives. This is especially true of the cold pharmaceutical chain. The primary objective of this study is to explain how blockchain adaption might meet a pharmaceutical cold chain's requirements. A comprehensive technological adoption model, partial least square structural equation modeling, and a quantitative cross-sectional survey approach were utilized to identify stakeholder adoption intentions toward a blockchain-enabled cold supply chain. This study provides evidence that blockchain technology has the potential to support the objectives of the cold pharmaceutical chain. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024. -
Decision-making using regression analysis: a case study on Top Tier Holidays LLP
Research methodology: This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to the overall tour experience and services provided by Top Tier Holidays. The study is mixed in nature, and the researchers have used analytical tools to analyse the data factually. Multiple regression using MS Excel is used in the study. Case overview/synopsis: This case is based on the experiences of a real-life travel and tour company located in New Delhi, India. The case helps understand regression analysis to identify independent variables significantly impacting the tour experience. The CEO of the company is focused on improving the overall customer experience. The CEO has identified six principal determinants (variables) applicable to tour companies success. These variables are hotel experience, transportation, cab driver, on-tour support, itinerary planning and pricing. Multiple regression analysis using Microsoft Excel is conducted on the above determinants (the independent variables) and the overall tour experience (the dependent variable). This analysis would help identify the relationship between the independent and dependent variables and find the variables that significantly impact the dependent variable. This case also helps us appreciate the importance of various parameters that affect the overall customer tour experience and the challenges a tour operator company faces in the current competitive business environment. Complexity academic level: This case is designed for discussion with the undergraduate courses in business management, commerce and tourism management programmes. The case will build up readers understanding of linear regression with multiple variables. It shows how multiple linear regression can help companies identify the significant variables affecting business outcomes. 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.