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Exploring Socio-Variational Patterns in Indian Adolescents Lexical Diversity: Insights for Education
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vast data emerged regarding the plummeting literacy and readability levels among Indian adolescents, posing a challenge to address in its present condition of a vastly heterogeneous socio-demographic environment. This study is grounded in Bourdieu and Passeron's (1977) theory, which acknowledges schools as places with societal relevance that perpetuate social inequality. This implies the need to formulate robust policies to address educational inequalities. To this extent, the researchers used an exploratory design to evaluate lexical diversity by purposively sampling 100 volunteer teenagers across three schools. In addition to the data received from school officials, survey questionnaires collected socio-economic information (age, gender, area of stay, socio-economic scale [SES], and school type). The authors used the Kuppuswamy SES scale (2022) to determine socio-economic scale measures, as well as the calculation of Lexical Diversity scores through the computational open-source software TextElixir. The findings reveal that age and gender do not affect lexical diversity. However, school type, SES, and area of stay significantly affect adolescents from the lower social class, who need targeted interventions to bridge gaps of educational inequity. This study addresses the limitations of previous correlational studies by offering educational insights to ensure educational equity amidst prevalent social class inequalities. Authors. -
Exploring Socio-Political Factors and Quality of Life Among LGBT Individuals in India
The quality of life of queer individuals in India is a result of a complex sociopolitical climate which is what this study aims to explore through qualitative methodology. Previous research has explored the social factors that impact the wellbeing of LGBT individuals in western countries, while the impact of politics on the wellbeing of marginalized groups is still largely unexplored. Through thematic analysis, this study found that family support and peer networks are the two most important social structures that determine the quality of life of LGBT emerging adults in India, whereas the impact of politics on wellbeing depends on the level of political awareness of the participants and their socio-political privilege in terms of caste, class and gender. However, there were significant differences in the relevant factors that affect the quality of life for cisgender and transgender participants which leaves room for further research. The findings indicate intra-community conflicts and changing dynamics within the community, and there needs to be extensive research on understanding the intersectionality of different identities within the community and their impact on the lives of queer individuals. 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Exploring social networking data sets
A network is a collection of objects/devices that are linked to one another through wired and wireless communication. Networks are everywhere, and they are formed to share resources among users. Nodes and edges form a network structure. Nodes describe the objects, whereas edges represent the connections between them. Network analysis is advantageous in a wide variety of live application activities. It enables us to get a thorough knowledge of the structure of a connection in social networks, the structure or process of development in environmental events, and even the study of organisms' biological systems. Additionally, network analysis allows the estimation of complex network patterns, and the network structure may be examined to disclose the network's basic features. If anyone examines a social connection among Facebook users, for example, the nodes indicate the target people and the edges reflect the connections between users, such as friendships or group memberships. The objective of this chapter is to describe and visualize social network analysis (SNA) using Python and NetworkX, a Python framework for analyzing the structure, dynamics, and functions of complex networks. 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. -
Exploring silenced subaltern voices of three-fold oppressed dalit women in Akkarmashi by Sharankumar Limbale : A postcolonial reading /
Roots International Journal Of Multidisciplinary Researches, Vol.2, Issue 3, pp.13-15, ISSN No: 2349-8684. -
Exploring Shopping Opportunities and Elevating Customer Experiences Through AI-Powered E-Commerce Strategies
This research explores the efficacy of clustering algorithms in enhancing customer experiences within the e-commerce landscape. Through experiment trials utilizing K-means and DBSCAN clustering techniques, valuable insights have been gleaned. The trials yielded silhouette scores ranging from 0.55 to 0.72, indicating moderate to good clustering quality across different experiments. In K-means clustering, the number of clusters varied from 3 to 6, with inertia values spanning approximately 722.41456.8. Conversely, DBSCAN clustering resulted in varying cluster numbers, ranging from 2 to 4, contingent on the combinations of epsilon and min_samples values explored. These findings underscore the significance of judiciously selecting clustering algorithms and parameter settings to achieve meaningful segmentation of e-commerce data. Effective utilization of clustering algorithms empowers businesses to discern valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and patterns. Consequently, businesses can tailor their strategies to deliver personalized experiences, targeted marketing campaigns, and optimized product recommendations. This research propels the exploration of additional clustering techniques and parameter refinements for enhanced clustering performance in e-commerce applications. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024. -
Exploring private university attractiveness from students perspective to ensure sustainable institutes: an empirical investigation from Indian perspective
Purpose: This study aims to explore various determinants of university attractiveness and its relationship with sustainable institutes. Further, the study examines the mediating role of perceived student support and sense of belongingness on the relationship between university attractiveness and sustainable institutes. Design/methodology/approach: The data analysis was conducted with 637 responses from the students from private universities located in the northern region of India. Variance based partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied in the study to investigate the proposed conceptual model on sustainable higher institutions. Additionally, by applying PLS Predict, the predictive relevance of sustainable institutions with important and performing constructs was found out. Findings: The results of this study indicate that university attractiveness plays a critical role in enhancing perceived student support, and it has a direct and significant impact on developing sustainable institutes. Further, students sense of belongingness is expressed as significant mediator between university attractiveness and sustainable institutes. The predictive relevance of the study was reported to be high. Most important indicators of university attractiveness were found to be teaching, research and publications, branding and promotion, and diversity in courses offered by the private universities. Research limitations/implications: The conceptual model under study can be investigated with a moderating effect of private and government universities in future. Additionally, the role of additional variables in online scenario under current pandemic situation can be assessed through the model used in this study. Future research can be done by using qualitative analysis through thematic analysis and sentiment analysis of students in higher education institutes. Originality/value: The present study is the first to explore the mediating relationship of perceived student support and sense of belongingness with university attractiveness and sustainable institutes. The conceptual framework can prove to be important for education specialists, administrators of education institutes at university level and policymakers. The study offers effective ideas for policymakers to bring sustainability in education sector in near future especially in emerging economies and attain sustainable development goals. 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Exploring perspectives on risks to mental health problems in adolescents: A dual method approach
This study explores different perspectives on the risk factors of mental health problems among adolescents using a dual method approach. 12 mental health professionals were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Nine Focus Group Discussions were conducted with parents, teachers and school going adolescents (aged 12-18). Data were transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Common codes and categories were extracted from both the methodologies thus, representing triangulation and trustworthiness of findings. The results show seven major coding categories including self concept, coping mechanisms, parenting principles and family dynamics, teacher-student dynamics, peer interaction and media. Participants across the groups described the relevance of these categories in the mental health of adolescents. The findings were illustrated using Bronfenbrenners ecological systems theory framework. The findings have important implications in terms of identification and management of mental health difficulties in adolescents especially from a preventive perspective. The findings conclude that risk factors exist within the individual as well the contextual systems which make an adolescent vulnerable to a number of mental health problems. The findings can be included in the primary prevention framework by identifying and modifying these risk factors and therefore, delaying the progression of mental health difficulties into a major disorder. 2022 RESTORATIVE JUSTICE FOR ALL. -
Exploring perceptions of psychology students in Delhi-NCR Region towards using mental health apps to promote resilience: a qualitative study
Background: Mental health apps (MHapps) have the potential to become an essential constituent for addressing mental health disparities and influencing the psychological outcomes of students in India. Though lauded as a practical approach to preventing various mental health issues, there are concerns that developing and utilizing MHapps standardized on Western populations produce ineffective results for the natives of Asian countries such as India due to a wide range of cultural differences. This research was conducted on psychology students living in the Delhi-NCR region of the Indian subcontinent. The study explored psychology students perceptions, needs, and preferences regarding mental health apps that promote resilience, identified barriers and facilitators for developing effective mental health apps, and explored the cultural relevance of the development of MHapps in India. Methods: This was an exploratory study utilizing focus group discussions among psychology students. Psychology students were sampled using snowball sampling from Delhi-NCR region colleges to participate in FGDs. We conducted six focus groups, which included a representation of 30 psychology students from full-time UG/PG courses. The study used a reflexive thematic analysis framework using the six-step Braun and Clarke process to develop themes. Results: Psychology students valued MHapps for their easy accessibility, 24*7 functionality, affordable costs, highly engaging features, and the option of being anonymous. However, students preferred the apps based on established psychological frameworks with strong empirical evidence and the availability of remote mental health professionals with relevant qualifications and training. The main barriers to using MHapps identified by students included difficulties in differentiating between real and fake MHapps, lack of progress tracking of the users due to minimal human interactions, and ethical and data privacy concerns. Students also emphasized the cultural relevance of MHapps. The interpretation of our findings indicates that students demanded transparency regarding the authenticity of MHapps. Conclusion: The findings of this exploratory investigation offer a better understanding of how college students perceive the usage of MHapps to improve resilience. This study highlights that further research should explore the specific needs and preferences of university students for developing and implementing effective MHapps for different contexts. The Author(s) 2024. -
Exploring ocean pH dynamics via a mathematical modeling with the Caputo fractional derivative
Global warming is a complex problem with far-reaching global implications. One of its notable repercussions is the escalation of CO2 levels in the atmosphere, resulting in the phenomenon known as Ocean Acidification (OA). In this research, we have established a correlation between four key factors: marine species, human population, CO2 levels, and ocean pH. By formulating a Caputo fractional differential equation, we investigated the dynamics of these variables to evaluate the significance of this climatic phenomenon. The model analysis reveals that the rise in anthropogenic CO2 emissions causes a reduction in the oceans pH level and increases OA.This process, in turn, decreases the oceans ability to absorb CO2, making it less effective in mitigating climate change. In this study, it was demonstrated that elevated levels of CO2 result in a reduction in pH levels, which in turn causes a decrease in the population of marine species that play a critical role in numerous economic sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, and fisheries. Moreover, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the influence exerted by the intrinsic growth rate of the human population. We examined various theoretical aspects, including the assessment of existence and uniqueness. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the effect of key parameters on the dynamics of the system using the generalized AdamsBashforthMoulton method. The Author(s) 2024. -
Exploring novice Indian school counsellors' experiences collaborating with teachers and administrators
Previous studies have shown that collaboration between school counsellors and other stakeholders such as teachers and administrators leads to improved outcomes for students and a better school climate. The current qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of novice school counsellors in India regarding collaboration with teachers and administrators. The sample included 11 novice school counsellors working in five different cities who were recruited using purposive sampling. The thematic analysis of the data collected via semistructured interviews revealed six main themes: 'Counsellors' perceptions about collaboration', 'Collaboration with teachers', 'Collaboration with administrators', 'Challenges faced during collaboration', 'Strategies helpful in collaboration' and 'Impact of training'. Implications discussed include the need for school counsellors to advocate for their role, the need for training programs to prepare stakeholders for collaboration, and the need for policies to integrate the role of a school counsellor into schools. The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press. -
Exploring motivations, impact, and coping mechanisms of post-dating on female dating app users
Online dating apps are a popular platform for forming new connections. Generally, a virtual acquaintance intensifies between the users, eventually converting it into an offline relationship. Despite the anonymity of users being a prime motivation to initiate a conversation, it does pose challenges, including mental health issues and sexual abuse. There are increasing reports of privacy violations, extortions, cyberstalking, and sexual assaults connected with dating apps. While people in a relationship decide to set boundaries to avoid each other, both users go through an uncomfortable phase. Unless both parties mutually share the responsibility, the relationship issues are not sorted out without going through an abusive phase. One person's separation anxiety might become a physical manifestation, including virtual and physical assaults. The current study relies on focus group discussions to understand postdating app manifestations and its impact on female dating app users. The study involves respondents mostly exposed to online dating. 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Exploring Mortality Salience and Pandemic Impact in the Context of COVID-19
Mortality salience refers to a state of conscious awareness of death and the inevitable conclusion of life, associated with psychological terror. The COVID-19 pandemic generated increased awareness of illness and death, and effectuated changes in death cognitions and peoples experiences around psychological or sociocognitive domains of media and life goals. To understand these changes, this study administered the Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure (Levasseur et al., 2015) to 103 emerging adults in India, post which 6 participants proceeded for a semi-structured interview exploring pandemic experiences, news consumption and goal prioritization, to examine specific areas in relation to death cognition. The thematic analysis demonstrates psychological effects, and discusses developments in health and death-related psychological processes. Focus on career goals and health maintenance, cautious news consumption and disadvantageous impacts on mental health are seen, significant in navigating healthcare measures for emerging adults, as we move forward into this new normal. The Author(s) 2021. -
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Exploring Meaningfullness of Life among Survivors of Sex Trafficking in India
Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking which is considered a contemporary form of slavery. It is made up of victims (supply), buyers (demand), and traffickers (distributors). Sex trafficking is a billion dollars industry. It generates more profit than any other industry in the world, illicit or otherwise. It is estimated that one woman or child is commercialized to be a sex slave every hour. The present study aimed to explore the meaningfulness of life among survivors of sex trafficking in India. It is a two-phase research design where the researcher has collected quantitative data first, and qualitative data was collected during the second phase. The qualitative phase comprises data from 126 subjects They were divided into two groups. Group 1, survivors rescued within two years (N=63), and group 2, survivors post two years after the rescue (N=63). Group 1 (M=15.58) scored lower on the meaningfulness of life compared to group 2 (M=23.15). Group 1 (M=16.80) is less satisfied with life compared to group 2 (M=22.65). Group 1 (M=61.09) has a lower quality of life compared to group (M=77.49). Group 1 tends to have lesser positive emotions and more negative emotions compared to group 2. There was a moderate positive correlation between the current meaning in life and satisfaction with life, r=.42, n=126, p<.001. There was a negative moderate correlation between the current meaning in life and negative emotions r=-49, n=126, p<.001, and there was a strong, positive vii correlation between current meaning in life and positive emotions, r=.53, n=126, p<.001. Results from the qualitative phase, which comprises data from 20 participants show that survivors' life in slavery was meaningless and marked by torture and rape. The meaningfulness of life for participants in the current study depends on a new identity, acceptance, education, spirituality, and respect. Those who have children found the meaningfulness of life in motherhood. Participants reported not being fully satisfied with their life and they described what they need to increase their life satisfaction. First is livelihood, that is food and shelter over their heads, good health, and dreams/goals fulfillment that for most of them is to get an education and/or professional training. Survivors reported having more negative emotions than positive emotions. Physical health problems found among participants were headache, gastritis, cough, and fever. Psychological health symptoms found among them were depression, anxiety, isolation, crying spells, and fatigue. Survivors have a limited social life because they distrust almost all people. The environment was found to be unsafe for girls and women and they ask for protection for themselves and for all females in the country. -
Exploring Machine Learning Models to Predict the Diamond Price: A Data Mining Utility Using Weka
In contrast to gold and platinum, whose values may be fairly determined, determining a diamond's worth involves a far more complex set of considerations. The appropriate rate is based on many factors, not just one of the stones. Diamonds are graded based on their appearance, carat weight, cut quality, and how well they have presented dimensions like a table's surface, depth, and breadth. In order to accurately forecast diamond prices, this study seeks to develop the most effective approaches possible. Different machine learning classifiers are trained on the diamond dataset to forecast diamond prices based on the features. This article shows how to analyze diamond prices using WEKA's data mining software. Diamond data have been utilized for this study. These methods include M5P, Random Forest, Multilayer perceptron, Decision Stump, REP Trees, and M5Rules. For the purpose of estimating the cost of a diamond, different Machine Learning classifiers are compared and contrasted. Performance measures and analysis showed that Random Forest was the best-performing classifier. Experimental findings show, as shown by the coefficient of correlation that Random Forest is better than other classification methods. 2023 IEEE. -
Exploring loneliness in relation to attributional styles in children with locomotor disabilities
The concept of loneliness, as an experience with both cognitive and emotional components, has been scientifically extended to the child population only recently. With indications that loneliness can be reported by children as young as 5-7 years, it becomes relevant to examine this topic in children of specific populations. In this case, children with locomotor disabilities are examined. In addition, loneliness has been associated theoretically with the attributional style of an individual, wherein it is proposed that an internal-stable-global attributional style combines with other factors to predict greater loneliness. This research aimed at examining loneliness in relation to attributional styles in children with locomotor disabilities, studying in inclusive or integrated education settings in Bangalore. 30 children with locomotor disabilities were compared on scores of loneliness and attributional styles to 30 children without disabilities, using the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire and the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire - Revised. These scores were also analysed and results indicated that there was no significant difference in loneliness between children with locomotor disabilities and nondisabled peers. There was a significant difference in attributional styles between the two groups, and a negative correlation was found between loneliness and attributional styles in the children with locomotor disabilities. The implications of the research include the argument for attributional retraining to address loneliness Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. -
Exploring Investment Behaviour of Working Women for Economic Empowerment
Growth in investments leads to the economic and household upliftment of each person. We can see the presence of women in every area of our economy. They play the role of a teacher, doctor, nurse, engineer, accountant, military officers, entrepreneur, and many more. Now women are more educated; they have their assets in gold and other precious ornaments. They are also aware of various investment schemes available. This study analyzes working women's investment behavior and examines how it is beneficial for our society's economic and household upliftment. The data collection was carried out through 400 respondents using a questionnaire. The study area covers only the Bengaluru Urban population. Five Taluks in the Bengaluru urban were selected for the study. Cluster sampling is followed for selecting samples, and data is collected from each clusters. Eighty samples from each cluster were selected, and data is collected using the survey method. The tools used for data analysis consist of Henry Garrett ranking method, Weighted Average Method, and Percentage Analysis. Risk preferences of the investors were analyzed using the factors derived from the article written by Vashisht and Gupta, 2005. The current study aims at salaried women employees who have a regular income, which they can contribute to savings and investment for the economic and household developments. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Exploring In Situ Kinetics of Oxygen Vacancy-Rich B/P-Incorporated Cobalt Oxide Nanowires for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Defect-engineering of transition-metal oxide-based nanocatalysts is an innovative approach for improving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to their enhanced activity and stability. The present study introduces a facile approach aimed at enhancing OER activity by incorporating boron and phosphorus into cobalt oxide nanowires (B/P-CoOx NWs). The resulting material, enriched with oxygen vacancies (Ov), as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), induced a complete structural transformation from Co3O4 to a CoO phase. The B/P-CoOx NWs exhibited an impressive overpotential of only 230 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH. The presence of Ov was proved to be responsible for the improvement in conductivity along with the quantity and quality of active sites. Electrochemical kinetic analysis was performed to reveal the crucial role of Ov in facilitating the OER mechanism by enhancing the adsorption and desorption of OH- ions and O2 molecules from the surface. The robustness of the developed electrocatalyst was demonstrated through a chronoamperometric test conducted over 80 h and a recyclability test spanning 10 000 cycles. This study focuses on the fabrication and dynamic investigation of the electrocatalyst, laying the groundwork for further advancements in non-noble material-based electrocatalysts. 2024 American Chemical Society. -
Exploring How Gender and Culture Shape the Lived Experiences of Indian Clients with Emotional Abuse: A Social Justice Approach to Counselling
In this study, we have carried out an in-depth, idiographic exploration of how Indian clients describe their experiences of emotional abuse in a parent-adult child context from a social justice lens. This study focused on the contribution of persisting systemic influences, including gender and culture, in maintaining emotional abuse. We collected data from seven participants through a semi-structured interview schedule, and utilized an interpretative phenomenological analysis for the research design and analysis. Findings indicatedvarious cultural and gender norms were responsible for contributing to and maintaining emotional abuse. The five master themes developed included Unmet Emotional Needs, Mental Health Issues due to Impact of Emotional Abuse, Gender and Culture Norms as Backgrounded, Unfair and Oppressive Norms and Attitudes, and Intergenerational Nature of Norms, Beliefs, and Abuse. Implications for counsellors, policymakers, and researchers in the fields of counselling and psychotherapy, social justice, social psychology, and critical psychology are discussed. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024. -
Exploring graph-based global similarity estimates for quality recommendations
Data sparsity or the insufficiency of past user preferences in predicting future user needs continues to be a major challenge for RS engines. We propose a solution to the sparsity problem by exploring similarity measures that capture the global patterns of commonality between users or items by leveraging on indirect ways of connecting users (items) through a user (item) graph. Entities (users or items) sharing common features are connected to each other by edges weighted by their proximity or distance. Graph-based techniques, for estimating transitive similarity between entities not directly connected, are exploited to bring the entities closer thus facilitating collaboration. Furthermore, we also propose a combined user-item graph approach for exploiting the similarity between users preferring similar items (and vice versa). In this work, we have suggested alternatives to the already existing global similarity assessment and we aim to investigate the appropriateness of the proposed techniques under differing data features. 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.