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A Numerical Investigation on Thermal Gradients and Stresses in High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell During Start-up
The High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (HT-PEMFC) stacks using polybenzimidazole (PBI) based membranes have an inability to internally heat up at low temperatures to their nominal operating temperature (160C180C) during the start-up process. Several strategies, such as direct electrical heating, coolant/gas channel heating, catalytic hydrogen-oxygen combustion, etc., are proposed in the literature to assist the heating for quick start-up situations. However, little knowledge exists on the transient thermomechanical stresses induced during the start-up heating process due to non-uniformity in heat supply and disparity in thermal properties of the cell components. The objective of the present research is to analyze the thermal gradients and thermal stresses developed in the HT-PEMFC structure during the start-up with various heating methods discussed in the literature, as well as during the cell operation by exploiting the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) approach. The use of polyalkylene glycol (Fragoltherm S-15-A) based Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) in the coolant channel has substantially improved the start-up time due to the high Nusselt number. However, a significant gradient in temperature distribution is observed during the preheating process, which resulted in great inhomogeneous stresses in the membrane, particularly in the in-plane direction. Interestingly, the degree of uniformity in membrane current density distribution during cell operation is increased. A detailed heat analysis in the cell showed that the heat generated in the cell due to electrochemical reactions is sufficient to raise the cell temperature from 120C to operating temperature in a short time. Being subjected to a compressive stress of above 40 MPa, which is higher than the ultimate strength of a typical acid doped PBI membrane, the electrolyte is the most vulnerable component during the start-up. Hence, to inhibit the concomitant effect on cell performance and degradation, a novel start-up strategy should be implemented. 2021 Elsevier Ltd -
Protection Against SIM Swap Attacks on OTP System
One-time password-based authentication stands out to be the most effective in the cluster of password-less authentication systems. It is possible to use it as an authentication factor for login rather than an account recovery mechanism. Recent studies show that attacks like SIM swap and device theft raise a significant threat for the system. In this paper, a new security system is proposed to prevent attacks like SIM swap on OTP systems, the system contains a risk engine made up of supervised and unsupervised machine learning model blocks trained using genuine user data space, and the final decision of the system is subject to a decision block that works on the principles of voting and logic of an AND gate. The proposed system performed well in detecting fraud users, proving the systems significance in solving the problems faced by an OTP system. 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Optimal location and parameters of GUPFC for transmission loss minimization using PSO algorithm
Transmission losses are one of the major losses faced by our power system. Reduction of transmission losses will benefit us by saving a large amount of power. The transmission losses can be reduced by placing FACTS devices in the power system. Among all the FACTS devices Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) and Generalized Unified Power Flow Controller (GUPFC) are the best. Incorporating the GUPFC in to the power system and placing it to the optimal location and setting its output to optimal values can reduce the transmission losses. This paper explains the way to locate the optimal location of GUPFC and finding the optimal setting using PSO algorithm to reduce the total transmission losses. Voltage variation is taken as the criteria for finding the location and PSO is used for finding the settings of GUPFC. This study is conducted on an IEEE 14-bus system using MATLAB software. 2017 IEEE. -
Prospects of Medical Tourism - A Study on the Management Trends and Practices of the Prominent Participants of Hospital Sector in South India
International Journal of Research in Commerce & Management, Vol-3 (12), pp. 73-76. ISSN-0976-2183 -
COVID-19 pandemic, risk-reduction strategies and crisis management in the travel insurance sector
Travel has always been considered to be a risky affair as there are multiple uncertainties associated with it. Though the tourism industry has developed sophisticated methods to manage these risks, there are still certain uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances that might affect the physical, emotional, and mental state of travellers. The result would be a huge financial burden for the traveller and increased frustration towards the tour operator. The concept of travel insurance was introduced to relieve travellers of such unforeseen risks while travelling. Moreover, the Covid 19 pandemic has instilled a sense of fear and doubt among the minds of travellers which affects their travel decision-making to a large extent. Destinations and tourism suppliers have introduced various risk reduction strategies and methods to resolve this issue. This paper focuses on understanding the concept of risk associated with travel, the various dimensions of risk management, and the key strategies adopted by tour operators and suppliers to minimize such risks. 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. -
Tools and technologies for the governance of knowledge management
Knowledge management is a consolidation of various endeavours and disciplines. This chapter assesses the space of knowledge management and examines the significance of running a successful business with an efficient management system. To have a smooth management in a company, all the employees in the company need to access all the required information, which may be comprised of documents, collaboration of teams, policies in various departments, etc. All of these require an efficient knowledge management system. A framework for characterising the various tools and techniques available to knowledge management practitioners are well explored in the chapter. 2022, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
PANDEMIC-INDUCED CRISES IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY AN INDIAN CONTEXT
This paper aims to examine the pandemic-induced crises psychological and physical distress experienced by the employees during the Covid19 pandemic and the implications on job loss and job characteristics from all domains of the hospitality industry in India. The study is designed to explore the pandemic-induced tourism crisis along with emotional, mental, and physical effects. An in-depth qualitative exploration was used and a tool comprising of data sets include representatives from aviation, resorts and hotel segments, tour operators, and travel agents. The researchers used a semi-structured questionnaire that had two sections and explored industry concerns, HR strategies, and employee distress through a multi-stage process involving coding and content analysis. The study analyzed the pandemic-induced crises at the micro and macro levels and grouped them under three essential dimensions such as; organizational and industry concerns, organizational HR policies, and employees psychological distress. The subthemes under these dimensions can contribute to scale validation. The subthemes grouped under the three major dimensions have come out as a theoretical model of how the pandemic has affected professionals at these three levels. The findings as items can be validated through descriptive research in quantitative terms forming the future scope. The study analyzed the perceptions of professionals in the tourism and hospitality business amid the pandemic and concludes that a proactive HR policy can minimize employees psychological distress. 2022 Editura Universitatii din Oradea. All rights reserved. -
Analogy of Social Entrepreneurship and Community Empowerment: An Inclusive Tourism Approach with Technological Intervention
Destinations overall development is ascertained by its conscious measures toward inclusive engagement with responsible business practices. The social enterprises functioning in the tourism system engage the disadvantaged communities responsibly for economic prosperity and community empowerment. Tourism social entrepreneurship is an innovative mechanism toward social upliftment by enhancing the benefits and contemplating through the core issues of host communities. This chapter focuses on case lets on communities, particularly those located in less-developed regions of India, who encounter various social problems. A sustainable community development through tourism leads economic growth in developing marginalized communities and economically empowers the low-income localities. Technological intervention for community empowerment and better engagement is the need of the hour. It is instrumental to understand the ideology of social entrepreneurial opportunities for community empowerment. Tourism relies on multiple industries and it is challenging in delivering desired community development goals. Adaption of techno-enabled system toward community development can build the entrepreneurship capacity of marginalized communities. Technological interventions for empowering the community toward rural development is the thrust dealt in the proposed chapter. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd 2024. -
Sinking houseboats and swaying home stays: community resilience and local impacts of COVID-19 in managing tourism crisis in Kerala
Purpose: The tourism sector of the state of Kerala in India is highly vulnerable and has been extensively impacted by the global pandemic disaster. This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 (Corona virus pandemic) on houseboat operators and homestay managers. Design/methodology/approach: This paper indicates a multi-stakeholder assessment method to examine various pandemic disaster facets through a structured discussion with different destination stakeholders. This study examines qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews from homestay owners, houseboat operators and government designators in Kerala. This study proposes a conceptual community resilience competency framework that could facilitate speedy crisis management responses. In this study, the sample comprises of nine respondents who play a pivotal role in the travel business, comprising the public sector, private sector, NGO's and community leaders. Findings: The qualitative findings identify Indias and the state of Kerala's roles in handling crisis management scenarios over internal strategies and strategy formulation. The results indicate that the supplementary industry practitioners explore tactical and strategic management initiatives to sustain their businesses. The dynamics of stakeholder engagement adopted by the state is given prominence. Originality/value: This study suggests mechanisms to re-establish the brand image and the possible strategies and suggestions that could help in the survival of the Kerala tourism industry in the post-disaster period. The new normal has been substantiated in the study by incorporating strategies and precautionary methods adopted by the homestay and houseboat operators so as to address the guests' safety concerns. 2021, International Tourism Studies Association. -
Tourism business management and competitiveness: Intervention of inclusive practices and community based approach towards community empowerment
The travel, tourism, and hospitality industry is a rapidly evolving sector that contributes to the global economy effectively. Effective business management is crucial for success in this industry, as it requires a delicate balance of customer satisfaction, financial sustainability, and responsible practices. In this chapter, we delve into the key aspects of business management in the tourism industry and explore strategies for achieving sustainable growth and success. This chapter explores a multistakeholder perspective in examining the various facets of business engagement in an inclusive setting. The chapter is iterative, with a focus on the crisis management strategies adopted by the tourism business, to tackle the challenges that stakeholders face in a crisis situation. The study also examines case-lets from the hospitality operators. The chapter primarily endorses business management with coping strategies in a crisis management scenario to equip the stakeholders during disasterprone situations. Towards building a competitive and empowered community, a competency framework is proposed for speedy crisis management responses. The implications indicate the role of destinations, over internal strategies and strategy formulation. Paradoxical dilemmas towards inclusive engagement is clarified with dynamics to understand stakeholder engagement in the leisure industry with strategic and tactical perspectives adopted by a good destination governance. The allied and supplementary tourism industry practitioners in the hospitality sector portray business management and success in business through empowered communities with a tactical and strategic outlook. This indeed can reposition and rebrand tourism in the "New Normal" examined through case lets to address the success of inclusive engagement for community self-sufficiency and empowered teams. 2024 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. -
Community Resilience and Crisis Management: Stakeholders Perspective of the Tourism Industry
The tourism industry is very vulnerable and has been extensively impacted by varied types of crisis. An attempt is made to precipitate and reflect on the nature of tourism disasters indicating an imperative need for an integrated approach to deal with crisis with disaster planning and a response system. Destinations at crisis impacts humankind causing environmental impacts and economic downfall and largely impacts the local community to recover from the disaster. This chapter examines varied impacts affecting the tourism industry and addressed negative impacts like the Economic crisis and loss of brand image in the post-crisis situation. The conceptual framework indicates Community Resilience model towards destination development and Resilience Building. The role of key stakeholders supporting e-governance and financial resilience pertaining to tourism business is further examined. The chapter explores mechanisms to re-establish the brand image during the restoration phase and have indicated possible strategies and suggestions in the recovery phase of an affected region. Disaster risk reduction is a significant and major phenomenon in handling all kinds of crisis management, therefore this chapter will be an essential reading for tourism education and destination managers who are engaged in destination crisis planning and disaster management. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022. -
Modeling destination competitiveness: The unfamiliar shift for destination rebranding, restructuring, and repositioning with DMOs
Tourism is a tactical economic practice across the globe, but the urban and provincial transformations in the industry are strongly contemplated in the light of an unfamiliar shift in tourism business. This chapter discusses an integrated concept with a framework relating systematic approach of managing the destination and its competitiveness. An investigation on the impact on tourism and the recent narrative of national, regional, and local planning approach directs towards efficient destination management organizations (DMO) in practice for future development. This has proceeded by the formation of a competitive approach, emphasizing on the DMO roles and responsibilities helpful for a destination management during an unfamiliar business trend. Modeling destination competitiveness demands an absolute mechanism through destination rebranding, restructuring, and repositioning with DMOs for enabling competency. 2018, IGI Global. -
Introduction. Inclusive business approaches in tourism: Stakeholder engagement
[No abstract available] -
Digitization and smart tourism: Technological opportunities for luxury tourism and destination image
Commitment to technology, sustainability, innovation, and accessibility has not only improved the quality of life but has also created a niche for luxury tourism with smart tourism eco-space. Smart tourism destinations (STD) need vigorous, well-connected stakeholders with the help of a technological platform for data exchange. Instant data exchange creates extremely large data sets known as big data. This chapter aims to contribute to the understanding on how smart tourism destinations could potentially enhance luxury tourism that is more personalized to meet visitors' unique needs and preferences. Developing smart tourism destinations can be an effective mode to engage all the stakeholders and tourists. In improving destination performance, smart tourism ecosystem applies social media analytics and smart tourism technologies. This chapter aims to relate local area as smart tourism local service systems (S-TLSS) and luxury tourism. 2021 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
First Order Derivative Spectrophotometric Determination of Thorium in Geological Samples Using Diacetylmonoxime p-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone
Mapana Journal of Sciences, Vol-12 (1), pp. 15-30. -
Abjection and Intersecting Trans Women Identities: Examining Doing Gender through Malayalam Movies Ardhanaari and Njan Marykutty; [Abjeo e Identidades de Mulheres Trans Interseccionadas: Examinando Fazendo Gero atrav dos Filmes em Malayalam Ardhanaari e Njan Marykutty]; [Examinando hacer gero a trav de las pelulas en malayalam Ardhanaari y Njan Marykutty]
The non-confirmation to vexed societal gender norms places trans identities in an abjected state. Media, mainly cinema, plays an indispensable role in shaping, shunning, and promulgating such ideologies. To understand this discourse, the Malayalam films Ardhanaari (2015) and Njan Marykutty (2018) are taken to examine the question of abjection, a concept by Kristeva, and doing gender, by West and Zimmerman. The study argues that the abjection trans identities face forces them to perform their gender in accordance with cisnormative femininity. The study further argues that trans identities should embrace abjection and employ it as a political tool to disrupt the established hegemonic traditional gender structure and its definitions. 2023 Universidad de Guadalajara. All rights reserved. -
Investigations on the electronic properties and effect of chitosan capping on the structural and optical properties of zinc aluminate quantum dots
Quantum confined uncapped and chitosan capped nanoparticles of ZnAl2O4 synthesized by microwave-assisted solgel method were investigated by structural analysis and optical techniques. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of cubic spinels with crystallite size 4.5 nm and 3.4 nm, respectively for uncapped and chitosan capped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles. Chitosan capping produced a blue shift in bandgap energy (3.84 to 3.94 eV) agreeing with size effects according to the Brus equation. A blue shift in emission peak and enhancement in photoluminescence intensity was also observed upon chitosan capping. The electronic band structure and the density of states of the bulk spinel were also calculated using density functional theory. The effective masses of electrons and holes estimated based on the band structure were used to extract the excitonic Bohr radius. 2021 Elsevier B.V. -
Electrochemical investigations of chitosan/ZrO2-Bi2O3 composite for advanced energy and environmental applications
Energy needs are on the rise, and the need for effective corrosion resistance measures are also vital to meet the requirements prevailing in society. A multifunctional Chitosan/ZrO2-Bi2O3 composite is synthesized, keeping electrochemical analysis of energy and environmental applications in mind. Various physicochemical methods confirm the impact of integrating ZrO2-Bi2O3 into chitosan, resulting in improved efficacy across applications. The electrocatalytic supercapacitance, hydrogen evolution reaction, and corrosion inhibition studies are carried out to evaluate the efficiency of the synthesized composite. The composite shows a specific capacitance of 636.5 F/g, ensuring the effective utility for supercapacitance applications. The lower overpotential of 135.2 mV is shown by the composite in the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. The synthesized composite also shows 96.2 % efficacy in corrosion inhibition studies. The studies conducted demonstrate the increased effectiveness of chitosan when combined with bimetal oxide. The chitosan composite is therefore a competent catalyst for energy and environmental applications. 2024 Elsevier Ltd -
Highly selective derivative spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) in hydrogenation catalysts and alloy samples
A simple, selective and sensitive derivative spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of palladium(II) using a newly synthesised reagent diacetylmonoxime-(p-anisyl)-thiosemicarbazone in acetic acid medium. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity of the coloured species are 3.8 104 L mol-1 cm-1 and 2.8 ng cm-2, respectively. Beer's law is obeyed between 0.2-2.0 ?g mL-1 of Pd(II) at 440 nm. The stoichiometry of the complex is found to be 1:2 (metal:ligand). Calibration graph for the first order derivative spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) is derived by measuring derivative amplitudes at 480 nm with a linear range 0.15-2.6 ?g mL-1. The metal ions, which are normally associated with palladium in mineral and alloy samples, do not interfere. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the trace level determination of palladium in hydrogenation catalysts and some synthetic mixtures. -
Adsorptive removal studies of Rhodamine B by PEG capped polyaniline/TiO2/CuO composite
The availability of pure and fresh water is the prime need of human beings for survival. The fact that the rate of water pollution is alarmingly increasing is making scientists think of ways to minimize the pollution effects. Among the numerous techniques, adsorption is the most cost-effective and easy method for removing pollutants from water bodies. In this study, a ternary PEG capped polyaniline/TiO2/CuO composite with excellent surface area is synthesized, and its adsorption studies carried out using Rhodamine B, one of the strongest organic pollutants. The characterization studies of the prepared composites have been done using XRD, FT-IR, HR-TEM, DLS, zeta potential, BET, and XPS analyses. Isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies of adsorption have been done for the prepared composite to evaluate its adsorptive efficiency. The adsorption studies of RhB dye using the synthesized composite followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The kinetics study for the adsorption process indicates that pseudo second order kinetics fits best with the adsorption process taking place on the PANI/TiO2/CuO composite. The thermodynamic studies reveal the spontaneity of the process and the exothermic behavior at lower temperatures. The results prove the efficiency of the synthesized adsorbent towards environmental remediation studies. 2023 Elsevier Ltd