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Occupancy improvement in serviced apartments: Customer profiling
Sustaining and improving higher occupancy and generating steady revenue by bringing the experience of Home away from Homefor the Customers is the business model of ServicedApartments Industry. Serviced Apartment Industry has to be highly competitive. Its performance is governed by many factors such as competition, technology, social factors and lastly Customers themselves. This study focuses only on Customer profile. To achieve results, the Serviced Apartment Owners/Managers will need to study Customers profile and their needs. Customer satisfaction and retention lead to better customer loyalty, occupancy rates, and revenue. In this paper a methodological framework to analyze and profile Serviced Apartment Customers is discussed, focusing on the factors and particularly the Customer information which could help in increasing the Occupancy. There is a trend that would normally go unnoticed if analysis of data is taken at the aggregate level but looking at them individually, it provides interesting information. 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, London. -
The reality of distribution faced by SMEs: A UK perspective
[No abstract available] -
Counseling and psychotherapy in india: Professionalism amidst changing times
India is a melting pot of diversity in castes, communities, geographical regions, languages, religions, and practices, within a geographical area of 32,87,263 kilometers, with 28 states and seven union territories. Although the notions of counseling and psychotherapy are Western, the process of mentoring and assisting individuals through their developmental issues was already present in ancient models of care in India, such as the Guru Shishya System,1 the Joint Family Network,2 and traditional healing. Counseling and psychotherapy do not exist as completely distinct disciplines in India. Although counseling grew out of a strong guidance format and led to a proliferation of trained and lay counselors and psychotherapy arose from a strong theoretical clinical psychology background, these differences are blurred in society. As Arulmani (2007) points out: all that is termed as counseling today was embedded within a complex support system of social relationships (p. 70). Although these fields progressed, difficulties with accreditation exist. The Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP), along with other bodies such as the Counseling Association of India, offer discussions of matters related to psychotherapy counseling and clinical psychology, and provide the code of conduct in India (IACP, 1993). Varma (1982) highlighted seven distinct features of the Indian population that strongly infiuence how counseling and psychotherapy are practiced and received by clients: Mutual interdependence, lack of psychological sophistication involving introspective and verbal abilities, social distance between the doctor and the patient due to class hierarchies, religious belief in rebirth and fatalism and related accountability, guilt attributed to misdeeds in past life and social approval-related shame, and lower emphasis on confidentiality as society can be therapeutic allies. India is a collectivistic society wherein the self is relational (Roland, 2005), though recent socio-economic changes have resulted in a contradictory mix of traditional and modern elements in families (Murthy, 2003). Shah and Isaac (2005) note that relationship problems dominate themes in clinical interviews and in the process of individual, couple and family therapy sessions in India. 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Knowing human gaze
Studies have examined the understanding of human gaze in animals. Gaze following in human infants has been successfully demonstrated, showing that infants can follow the eye direction of another though the ability to represent the intentions of gaze behaviour emerges only after the onset of object permanence or a period over eighteen months of age. Comparative studies indicate that gaze following or gazing at humans vary in different species of animals. Wolves for example were observed to look least at human experimenters during a performance task, whereas dogs turned to look more often and monkeys looked to a lesser extent at their experimenters. It is of interest to discuss that gaze following is different from understanding gaze. Dogs have been observed to be successful in gaze following and almost at par with young children. However, the intention of another's gaze is not as clearly understood by dogs as in humans. We (Ittyerah and Gaunet 2009) have shown that the response of dogs to the gaze of their caretakers did not differ between guide dogs of the blind and pet dogs of sighted people. Both groups of dogs seemed to have responded to the head direction of their caretakers during a search task, indicating that the visual status of the caretaker did not affect the dog's understanding of human gaze. Further some breeds of dogs may respond more often to gaze, while larger inter ocular distances in large dogs could facilitate their response to visual cues. Therefore awareness of interactions between breed and physical size could contribute to studying gaze and cognition among dogs. -
Key management solutions for database as a service: A selective survey
In todays scenario, efficient data processing is a fundamental and vital issue for almost every scientific, academic, or business organization. To tackle this issue, organizations end up installing and managing database systems to satisfy different processing needs. In case of adopting a traditional solution, the organization needs to purchase the necessary hardware, deploy database products, establish network connectivity, and hire professional people who run the system. But this solution is getting impractical and expensive as the database systems and problems become larger and complicated (El-Khoury et al., 2009). Again, traditional solution entails different costs from the perspective of the investments involved. These concerns are handled efficiently to a great extent by the fast developing technology that goes by the name, cloud computing.. 2014 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Arts education, academic achievement and cognitive ability
Although art is often considered to be a means for maximizing human potential, the causes and consequences of artistic experiences are poorly understood. The present chapter reviews the relevant literature concerning the consequences of participating in the arts. It is clear that training in the arts improves performance on arts-specific tasks. For example, children who take music lessons perform better than their untrained peers on musical tasks such as perceiving musical key and harmony (Corrigall and Trainor, 2009). But training in the arts may also be associated with performance in non-arts domains. This chapter examines the possibility of four such associations, namely whether arts education is associated with academic achievement, general cognitive ability, language processing and visuospatial skills. In each case, the literature is evaluated in terms of the consistency of the findings and the evidence for claims of causation. Training in the arts and academic achievement Training in the arts is associated positively with academic achievement. For example, in a sample of Canadian high-school students, participation in musical activities in the eleventh grade predicted academic achievement in the twelfth grade (Gouzouasis, Guhn and Kishor, 2007). Other results point to similar associations between academic achievement and involvement in any type of arts-related activity. In one study that included more than 25,000 American high-school students, arts participation and school grades were recorded during the eighth, tenth and twelfth grades (Catterall, Chapleau and Iwanaga, 1999). At each point in time, students who were involved in the arts had better grades than other students. A similar positive association emerged in a meta-analysis of five correlational studies (Winner and Cooper, 2000). In a larger meta-analysis of 10 years of data from the American College Board (198898), Vaughn and Winner (2000) concluded that compared to students without arts training, students reporting any form of arts involvement (dance, drama, music and visual arts) obtained higher scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This advantage for the arts group was evident for the verbal score, the mathematics score and the composite score. Students with drama lessons showed the strongest association, followed (in descending order) by students studying music, painting and dance. Even enrollment in theoretical classes (e.g., music or art history courses) was predictive of better SAT scores. Cambridge University Press 2014. -
Mobile Apps for Enhanced Bleisure Tourism Experiences: Exploring the Prospects and Challenges
Mobile applications play a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing bleisure travel experiences. These apps offer solutions for communication, itinerary planning, transportation booking, and leisure discovery, reflecting the evolving expectations of modern travelers for efficiency, flexibility, and customized experiences. Despite their benefits, challenges such as data privacy concerns and information overload persist. Looking ahead, the future of bleisure travel is poised for further transformation through advances in mobile technology, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence. However, a research gap exists in understanding the full spectrum of mobile apps catering to bleisure tourists' needs. This chapter aims to address this gap by classifying mobile apps for bleisure tourism, exploring their advantages, and identifying challenges and opportunities for innovation. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of mobile technology in shaping the landscape of bleisure tourism in the digital age. 2024 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Corrosion behaviour in friction stir processed and welded materials
This chapter presents a comprehensive study on the influence of friction stir processing/welding (FSW/FSP) on corrosion behaviour. It briefly discusses the different aspects of corrosion including corrosion types, measurement techniques and data analysis. The corrosion behaviour of a wide range of friction stir processed materials, including light weight metals such as magnesium and aluminum alloys, as well as high strength metals such as steel, has been discussed in detail. The influence of FSP parameters on the microstructural evolution, comprising grain-size and precipitate refinement along with its correlation with the corrosion properties, has been described for different materials. 2014 The authors and contributors. All rights reserved. -
Parallel organizations and subversion of the grass-roots democracy in Andhra Pradesh
[No abstract available] -
Counseling and Psychotherapy in India: Radha's Story
This chapter discusses the case of Radha, who presented with depression and infertility. The focus of counseling was to alleviate Radha's psychological distress, help her redefine her identity, and explore alternatives to infertility in the individual and marital context. The counselor's suggestion to use traditional healing practices, especially Pranayama, greatly helped the client, as she used these practices as for preventive coping. Handling the sensitive issue of infertility was challenging for the counselor, especially dealing with the ingrained cultural resistance to infertility and the client's value system that contributed to her own psychological state. Classical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy are indeed useful but require contextualization and an understanding of eclectic practice. Along with eclectic practice, integration of alternative systems of care, such as traditional healing practices, is seen as essential in the practice of counseling and psychotherapy in India. 2015 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved. -
Thermoelectric effects in graphene
Graphene, owing to its unique electronic properties, has become one of the active areas of condensed matter research with promising applications in future efficient thermoelectric (TE) and energy storage devices. The present work reviews the status of thermoelectric power (TEP) of graphene systems, including single-layer, bilayer, and nanoribbons. The theory of TEP, based on the Boltzmann transport formalism in 2D systems, is given. An analysis of the experimental data, in terms of the diffusion and the phonon-drag contributions to TEP, with regard to the various scattering mechanisms operative in graphene systems, is presented. The outlook on TEP for better understanding of the TE properties of graphene is discussed. 2016 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. -
Thermoelectric effects in graphene
Graphene, owing to its unique electronic properties, has become one of the active areas of condensed matter research with promising applications in future efficient thermoelectric (TE) and energy storage devices. The present work reviews the status of thermoelectric power (TEP) of graphene systems, including single-layer, bilayer, and nanoribbons. The theory of TEP, based on the Boltzmann transport formalism in 2D systems, is given. An analysis of the experimental data, in terms of the diffusion and the phonon-drag contributions to TEP, with regard to the various scattering mechanisms operative in graphene systems, is presented. The outlook on TEP for better understanding of the TE properties of graphene is discussed. 2016 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved. -
Extraction of preformed mixed phase graphene sheets from graphitized coal by fungal leaching
The potential use of coal as source of carbon nano structure is seldom investigated. Herein we report a facile fungal solubilization method to extract mixed phase carbon structure from low grade coal. Coal had been used as a primary source for the production of carbon nanostructure with novel property, in addition to its main utility as a fuel. The major hurdle in its application is the inherent mineral embedded in it. An environmentally benign demineralization procedure make coal as a widely accepted precursor for the novel carbon materials. With Aspergiilus niger leaching, the randomly oriented preformed crystalline mixed phase nanocarbon in coal can be extracted. Raman studies revealed the presence of E2g scattering mode of graphite. The sp3 domains at ~1355 cm-1 (D band) is an indication of diamond like structure with disorder or defect. In the 2D region, multilayer stacking of graphene layers is noticed. The ratio of the defect to graphitic bands was found to be decreasing with increasing rank of coal. Bio leaching of coal enhances the carbon content in coal while eliminating the associated minerals in it. These defected carbon is an ideal material for graphene quantum dots and carbon dots, which are useful in drug delivery and bio imaging applications. 2017, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Entrepreneurship education: Innovations and best practices
Entrepreneurship education has become a priority for policy-makers especially in developing countries. Such interventions in the education system are expected to create a culture of entrepreneurship in the society and thereby bring economic benefits through the enterprising behaviour of individuals resulting in better performance of existing organizations as well as creation of new ventures. While the process appears to be simple and straightforward, the experiences have often belied the expectations. The fact that it is rather difficult to assess the long-term impact of entrepreneurship education adds to the confusion and ambiguities. Educators therefore have been tinkering with various aspects of entrepreneurship education and training in the hope of arriving at the best design. Obviously, this has led to many innovations in the curriculum, pedagogy, target groups and institutions involved in entrepreneurship education. The present paper attempts to document these innovations and best practices under a 'WHAT-HOW-WHO-WHERE' framework to capture the four domains of activities involved. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, we have developed a fairly comprehensive picture of what is happening in the field and proposed a theoretical model highlighting the dual role of entrepreneurship education, namely developing enterprising individuals in the society and providing knowledge and skills required for enterprise creation. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017. All rights are reserved. -
Public Policy, Policy Research, and School Counseling in India
This chapter discusses the development of school counseling in India and examines public policy and policy research that influence the practice of school counseling. The chapter traces the history of school counseling in India followed by an examination of the contribution of several public policies that has implications for the professional practice of school counseling in India from post independent India. Public policies and programs from the sectors of education, health and mental health, family welfare, and department of children and women are evaluated for their implications for school-based counseling services. The chapter also examines the existing policy research base. Research related to school mental health and systematic reviews on child and adolescent mental health are reviewed and their implications for school counseling examined. The chapter concludes by discussing the policy gaps and highlighting specific recommendations for the practice of school-based counseling in India. The authors suggest several recommendations including the identification of education and health policies that can be achieved by having counselors in schools, an evaluation of existing policies and programs to determine the current level of implementation, and development of school counseling competencies and high-quality training models to build competencies in school counseling. Springer International Publishing AG 2017. -
Composites based on natural polymers
Polymers are composed of macromolecules of high molecular weight formed by the repeated union of small molecules known as monomers. Polymer materials over other materials such as metals and ceramics, are of light weight and hence extensively used. The use of renewable raw materials can provide a substantial activity for a sustainable society and environment. Natural polymer composites can provide an alternative to increasingly scarce raw materials from plants and animals. 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. -
Promoting entrepreneurship in higher educational institutions: The role of entrepreneurial methodologies
Entrepreneurship education is one of the most influential forces in the growth and development of an economy. It diminishes the twin issues of unemployment and poverty through entrepreneurship creation. The paradigm shift of student focus on job-oriented programme to job-creating programmes such as Management in Entrepreneurship, Diploma in Entrepreneurship and other training programmes raised the scope of entrepreneurship. Based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, this paper suggests that the pedagogical tools employed in entrepreneurship education such as role modelling, hands-on experience, incubation and mentoring support can be effectively used for developing entrepreneurial intentions among the students in higher educational institutions. The paper discusses few propositions developed based on the literature review and proposes a model which can be adopted by higher educational institutions for increasing entrepreneurial intention and thereby entrepreneurship. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017. All rights are reserved. -
A hybrid semantic algorithm for web image retrieval incorporating ontology classification and user-driven query expansion
There is always a need to increase the overall relevance of results in Web search systems. Most existing web search systems are query-driven and give the least preferences to the users needs. Specifically, mining images from the Web are a highly cumbersome task as there are so many homonyms and canonically synonymous terms. An ideal Web image recommendation system must understand the needs of the user. A system that facilitates modeling of homonymous and synonymous ontologies that understands the users need for images is proposed. A Hybrid Semantic Algorithm that computes the semantic similarity using APMI is proposed. The system also classifies the ontologies using SVM and facilitates a homonym lookup directory for classifying the semantically related homonymous ontologies. The users intentions are dynamically captured by presenting images based on the initial OntoPath and recording the user click. Strategic expansion of OntoPath based on the users choice increases the recommendation relevance. An overall accuracy of 95.09% is achieved by the proposed system. 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Critique of normality in Cormac McCarthy's Suttree
[No abstract available]