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Evaluation of Consumer Experiences by Extended AIDUA Framework in the World of the Metaverse the Future of Next-Gen Hospitality
The hospitality industry is continuously exploring novel ways to enhance consumer experiences, and the advent of the metaverse presents exciting prospects for transforming guest interactions. The metaverse can provide an immersive, 3D social experience of a virtual world by using technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, which helps bridge the gap between the real and virtual worlds. This study explores consumer experiences in the metaverse in the hospitality context. Using the extended AIDUA (artificial intelligence device usage acceptance) model, the research aims to comprehensively analyze customers willingness to accept the metaverse in the dynamic digital landscape. The objective of this study is to investigate how the metaverse revolutionizes consumer experiences in the hospitality sector, specifically in the context of room and amenity booking, in-house events, and virtual tours. In this study, a three-step cognitive appraisal process with utilitarian motivation and the attitude of the customers that determines customers willingness and objection to utilizing AI devices is evaluated through secondary data. The metaverse empowers guests to optimize in-house event participation, seamlessly navigate their stay through taking a virtual walkthrough to explore a higher-end suite, and touring the city virtually. Practical implications for industry practitioners and researchers seeking to exploit the potential of the metaverse to create an immersive and unforgettable consumer experience in the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality are explored in this chapter. 2024 selection and editorial matter, Park Thaichon, Pushan Kumar Dutta, Pethuru Raj Chelliah and Sachin Gupta; individual chapters, the contributors. -
A Different Humour: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of the Nature of Participation of Select Indian Female Stand-Up Comedians on YouTube
In recent times, Stand-up Comedy space in India has been registering itself as an alternative public sphere. As comedy has always been understood to be a masculine domain in any given society, it becomes imperative to examine if this aspect of the ????implied??? public sphere of the Stand-up Comedy space changes the dimension of comedy. This dissertation studied the nature of participation of both the male and female stand-up comics on YouTube using descriptive surveys which reported the default nature of the stand-up comedy space in India. Furthermore, the thesis studied the implications of the performances by select few female comics with specific reference to the audience reception of their comedic routines. In addition, this dissertation studied how female stand-up comics negotiate their citizenship and gender in a stand-up comedy space in India. Thematic and Critical Discourse Analysis were used to examine the theme, style, and nature of humour pervasive throughout their comedic routines. The style of humour presentation by the select female comics included subversion which was articulated in varied ways, often by marking it explicitly through themes, narratives and humour, and in other times, using it covertly. The thesis explored the dimensions of ???unladylike??? or ???unfunny??? which were used as markers to identify their routines by both themselves and their YouTube audience/commentators, the thesis also attempted to explain how these comedians found a balance between ????doing gender??? and ????undoing gender??? in these comedy spaces. The thesis concluded with an argument that the stand-up comedy space as negotiated by the select comics provides us a glimpse of an emergent feminist public sphere. -
Revolution of the Indian Agricultural Landscape using Machine Learning and Big Data Techniques: A Systematic Review
The world of Big Data has been rapidly expanding into the domains of Engineering and Machine Learning. The biggest challenge in the Big Data landscape is the incompetence of processing vast amounts of data in a time-efficient manner. The agriculture domain has so long only relied on traditional method for yield prediction. This can be bettered by using novel Machine Learning techniques and innovative thinking. The study provides the review of most of the techniques already implemented in the ML, Big Data and Agriculture domain- traditional and modern- while focusing on highlighting the difference in accuracy between the traditional methods and the more advanced methods. 2022 IEEE. -
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Bioconvective flow of bi-viscous Bingham nanofluid subjected to Thompson and Troian slip conditions
This paper describes the bioconvection phenomenon and its significant influence on the thermal features of the flow of bi-viscous Bingham (BVB) nanofluid past a vertically stretching flat surface. The analysis of the impact of convection parameters is considered along with various other forces. Meanwhile, the flow of BVB nanofluid is put through the slip conditions defined by Thompson and Troian for the velocity at the boundary. The flow of BVB nanofluid is modeled using the partial differential equations (PDEs) under the assumptions of thermophoresis and Brownian motion which occur due to the movement of nanoparticles. Along with these forces, the radiation is also considered so that the obtained results are close to the practical scenarios. Thus, using the proper Lie group similarity transformations, the intended mathematical model is converted into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The resulting equation system is encoded using the RKF-45 technique, and the outcomes are explained using graphs and tables. The solutions found for the model showed that, for higher ranges of the non-Newtonian fluid parameter, the velocity decreases while the heat transferred by the nanofluid increases. The availability of motile density at the surface grows as the Plet number rises, whereas the Schmidt numbers decline in their respective profiles. 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
Prognostic value of somatosensory-evoked potentials in neurology: A critical review in hypoxic encephalopathy
Prediction of prognosis in comatose patients surviving a cardiac arrest is still one of the intractable problems in critical care neurology because of lack of fool-proof ways to assess the outcome. Of all these measures, somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP) has been perhaps the most evaluated and heavily relied-upon tool over the past several decades for assessing coma. Recent studies have given rise to concerns regarding the 'absoluteness' of SSEP signals for the prognostic evaluation of coma. In this critical review, we searched the literature to focus on studies conducted so far on the prognostic evaluation of postanoxic coma using SSEPs. All those studies published on the use of SSEP as a prognostication tool in postanoxic coma were reviewed. A narrative review was created that included the strengths as well as limitations of the use of SSEP in postanoxic coma. The use of SSEP in coma has been universal for the purpose of prognostication. However, it has its own advantages as well as limitations. The limitations include challenges in performing and getting SSEP signals during coma as well as the challenges involved in reading and interpreting the signals. The recent usage of therapeutic hypothermia has become another factor that often interferes with the SSEP recording. Finally, based on these study results, some recommendations are generated for the effective use of SSEPs in comatose patients for further prognostication. We advocate that SSEP should be an integral component for the assessment of postanoxic comatose patients due to its several advantages over other assessment tools. However, SSEP recorDings should follow certain standards. One should be aware that its interpretation may be biased by several factors. The bias created by the concept of 'self-fulfilling hypothesis' should always be borne in mind before discontinuation of life support systems in terminal patients. -
A review on the immunomodulatory properties of functional nutraceuticals as dietary interventions for children to combat COVID-19 related infections
COVID-19 is a significant threat to humanity in the present day due to the rapid increase in the number of infections worldwide. While most children may be spared of the direct mortality effects of the disease, those with weak immune systems are prone to adverse effects. Child mortality increases due to the stress caused to the health care system that disrupts essential health care needs such as immunisation and antenatal care. The use of functional foods (FF) aids in disease-prevention as they are known to have protective effects against COVID-19 by boosting childrens cellular and humoral immunity. Plant components such as glycyrrhizin, epigallocatechin gallate, allicin, and fucoidan exhibit antiviral properties against various viruses, including SARS-CoV 2. Microbial foods that are made of probiotics, can enhance immunity against various respiratory viruses. Food enriched with additives such as lactoferrin, piperine, and zinc can boost immunity against COVID-19. With proper definitive drug therapy not available for treating COVID-19 and most of the disease management tools rely on symptoms and non-specific supportive care, developing a functional paediatric formulation will prevent further deterioration in infant health. It is wise to investigate the toxicological aspects of Functional Foods components especially when formulating for children. The safe limits of ingredients should be strictly followed during FFs formulation. Stronger regulations with advanced analytical techniques can help to formulate functional foods into the mainstream in child nutraceuticals. The purpose of this review is to compile collective information on the functional nutraceuticals specifically for infants and children up to the age of 10 years that could confer immunity against COVID-19 and other related viruses. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2023, The Author(s). -
Food additives and contaminants in infant foods: a critical review of their health risk, trends and recent developments
The infant food market has expanded rapidly over the past two decades. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including concerns over the health effects of infant food additives and issues with food safety. However, new evidences suggest that certain food additives, such as those used to preserve and transport infant formula to keep it fresh for longer, should be avoided. Science into the effects of additives on human behavior makes up a sizable sector of the additives market. Problems such as hypernatremic dehydration, malnutrition, and obesity in infants are directly linked to faulty formula production. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established the toxicity types and chemical tests necessary for evaluating the safety of food additives and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) compounds. These tests are crucial in understanding the food safety aspects of food additives. The health effects of different types of food additives on infants are discussed in this context. The article gives an outline of various national and global agencies that provides recommendations and standards to gauge the quality of baby food. The immunological responses, allergic reaction pathways and other related health hazards among the infants and young children caused by the food additive are discussed in this article. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) The Author(s) 2024. -
The Effect of Lyrical Music on Hopelessness in College Students
Hopelessness is a product of negative future expectations, negative feelings toward the future and feeling a lack of control over future improvements. One of the major factors that play a role in hopelessness are Negative Life Events (NLE) along with the interaction of negative inferential styles. College students are seen to experience both NLE and engage in negative inferential styles which is seen in their portrayal of hopelessness. The aim of the study was to reduce levels of hopelessness in college students through an intervention that involved listening to songs having hopeful lyrics. The study strived to answer the following question: Can hopeful lyrics in songs can have an effect on hopelessness? The sample consisted of college students (N=66), who were randomly assigned to three groups, namely the lyrical music group (hopeful lyrics and music), music group (only music) and the control group (no intervention). The Beck???s hopelessness scale was used to measure their levels of hopelessness before the intervention and at the end of 4 weeks. The lyrical music group and the music group participants were exposed to songs and instrumental tracks twice a week, for a duration of 4 weeks. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for related samples was used to analyse the effect of the intervention or lack of, on levels of hopelessness. The Kruskal-Wallis was used to analyse the difference score between the three groups. Results indicated that the lyrical music group (p = .001) had a significant difference in levels of hopelessness after the intervention, however the music group (p = .072) and the control group (p = .402) showed no significant difference. There was a significant difference between the three groups with regard to the difference obtained from their pre-test and post-test scores (p = .03). Pairwise comparisons have helped to see where that difference lies. Thus it can be concluded that hopeful lyrical music does have an effect on hopelessness and can be seen as differing from the functions of music alone. -
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Exploring vector and raster data formats for geospatial visualization with python
The chapter uses Python to explore vector and raster data formats within geospatial visualization. It highlights their pivotal role across diverse environmental science, urban planning, and natural resource management domains. A nuanced comprehension of these formats is deemed essential for proficient geospatial visualization in Python, as they facilitate the storage and manipulation of spatial data. Vector data formats accurately represent points, lines, and polygons within a coordinate system. In contrast, raster data formats are tailored to depict continuous surfaces or grids of data. An array of libraries and tools are outlined for exploring and visualizing these geospatial data formats in Python, each serving distinct functionalities ranging from data manipulation to visualization. The chapter systematically introduces the concept of geospatial visualization, elucidates the disparities and application scenarios of vector and raster data formats, and subsequently elucidates various Python libraries and tools conducive to geospatial data manipulation and visualization. 2024 by IGI Global. -
On ? -Vertex Choosability of Graphs
A connected, simple graph G with vertex set V(G) = { 1 , 2 , , n} is said to be vertex (n,k)-choosable, if there exists a collection of subsets { Sk(v) ? V(G) : v? V} of cardinality k, such that Sk(u) ? Sk(v) = ? for all uv? E(G) , where k is a positive integer less than n. The maximum value of such k is called the vertex choice number of G. In this paper, we introduce the notion of ?- choosability of graphs in terms of their vertex (n,k)-choice number and initiate a study on the structural characteristics of ?-choosable graphs. 2020, The National Academy of Sciences, India. -
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Fabrication of Robust Wettability Gradients on Soft Surfaces Through Physicochemical Modulations
The creation of robust surface gradients on soft materials is an emerging area of research in materials chemistry. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), an elastomeric soft material, is widely employed in diverse research fields due to its exceptional properties including ease of processability, newlinebiocompatibility, and transparency. These properties make it an ideal choice for applications in microfluidics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices. Creating surface gradients on soft surfaces can be challenging, requiring expensive chemicals, sophisticated instrumentation, time, and complex experimental setups. This study presents simple and cost-effective methods newlinefor creating chemical (wettability) and physical (morphological) gradients on newlinePDMS surfaces. The methods we developed to create wettability gradients involves (i) newlinecreation of a gradient of crosslinking density on the PDMS surface by using newlinea differential curing method and (ii) selective inhibition of normal curing newlineusing an inhibitor. Contact angle measurements confirm the successful newlinecreation of both radial and linear gradient of surface wettability using both these methods with regions of higher crosslinking density exhibiting higher hydrophobicity. We have also devised an innovative technique for fabricating morphological gradients on soft surfaces. The method makes use of newlinedifferential curing and buckling instability to create hierarchical wrinkled patterns on the PDMS surface. Optical microscopy and profilometry confirm the uniformity, reproducibility, and controlled optical properties of the wrinkled surface patterns. newlineGradients we prepared demonstrated excellent performance in various applications, including water collection, cell adhesion, and triboelectric charge generation. They can be utilized in microfluidics, sensors, and newlinebiomedical devices due to their structural consistency, controllable physical newlineresponses, and reproducibility of the performances. -
Decolonising Caste in the Indian Context: The Psyche of the Oppressor
Caste is a social construct as well as a psychological phenomenon. So far, it has been predominantly viewed, understood and researched through the lens of anthropology, sociology, economics and political science. However, very little understanding has been gained in the domain of psychological science with respect to caste in the Indian context. The population of the Global South (includes the regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania) cannot be understood with the frameworks and research undertaken by the Global North (Europe and North America, known as the West, the industrialised world) because the knowledge production centres of psychology have predominantly been Euro-American centric, as many critics have pointed out. Although research has been scarce in relation to caste and psychology, it has mostly revolved around the oppressed. Therefore, this article aims to shift the focus from the oppressed to the oppressor. To understand Indian human behaviour and thought, it is essential to view it through the lens of the colonial past, the caste system and religion, which are intertwined with each other. This article aims to look at the psychology of the oppressor in the Indian context through the psychological frameworks of purity and pollution. It also stems from the premise that casteism is inculcated through modelling and intergenerational learning. Hence, the above-mentioned factors help to understand unequal power relations and discrimination, which facilitate the decolonisation of the Indian psyche. It also highlights the influence of colonisation on the mind and behaviour with respect to caste. 2023 Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad. -
Mindfulness: An emotional aid to the glass ceiling experiences
We have progressed to a phase where there is very little difference between men and women, but the reality in many countries is that women are looked down as the inferior gender and not given career opportunities to explore. They are not let into the decision-making roles at the organization even when they have an equal qualification, experience and skill. They are placed low in the hierarchy which allows them to witness the functions at the higher level of the organization but restricts them from participating in them. There are a lot of factors like cultural, socio-demographic factors and society itself that influence this disparity in the organization. These contributory factors create the glass ceiling phenomenon at the workplace, thereby generating emotional and psychological imbalances in women employees. This is a conceptual paper aiming to explore the concept and impact of mindfulness, and various concepts of mindfulness could be used as an emotional aid to treat the psychological effects of the glass ceiling. It further explains some of the mindful concepts like mindful walking, mindful life and mindfulness-based stress reduction technique in treating some of the psychological and emotional issues like depression, anxiety, frustration, traumatic experiences, adjustment issues, addiction, stress, low self-esteem, low self-confidence and aggression. It also elucidates adopting mindfulness techniques in real organizational scenarios where women are constantly discriminated because of their gender and opportunities are taken away. 2021 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license. -
Technology-based scalable business models: Dimensions and challenges of a new populist business model
Technology based scalable businesses (TSB) have made a significant impact on our lives. The landscape change driven by TSBs has forced many well-established brick-and-mortar businesses to relook at their business models. Despite the influential strides made by TSBs in altering the business landscape the business literature on them is scant. This chapter is a modest attempt to examine TSBs. Scalable businesses could be broadly described as those that can achieve a disproportionate increase in sales/revenue/profits compared to the costs incurred, primarily aided by technology. Google and Uber are examples of how new industries get created and how existing industry landscapes get changed because of technology. Interlinking of technology has offered hitherto unexperienced growth opportunities to such companies. However, the uniqueness of these businesses leaves much to be desired from conventional metrics in adequately explaining the performance of technology-based scalable businesses. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Antecedents of employee readiness for change in the IT sector and the manufacturing sector: A comparative study
A sample of 305 employees comprising nearly equal numbers from the manufacturing sector and from the information technology (IT) sector in India was assessed in terms of: 1) attributes of the individual employees (practical intelligence and creative behaviour); 2) processes (participation in making decisions and the quality of communication); 3) contextual factors (trust in management and history of change), to predict the readiness of the employees for change. The predictors of employee readiness for change differed between the two sectors, and the factor most closely related to the readiness was prior experience of organisational changes. Copyright 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Imidazopyridine chalcones as potent anticancer agents: Synthesis, single-crystal X-ray, docking, DFT and SAR studies
New imidazopyridinechalcone analogs were synthesized through the ClaisenSchmidt condensation reaction. The newly synthesized imidazopyridine-chalcones (S1S12) were characterized using spectroscopic and elemental analysis. The structures of compounds S2 and S5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The global chemical reactivity descriptor parameter was calculated using theoretically (DFT-B3LYP-3-211, G) estimated highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital values and the results are discussed. Compounds S1S12 were screened on A-549 (lung carcinoma epithelial cells) and MDA-MB-231 (M.D. Anderson-Metastatic Breast 231) cancer cell lines. Compounds S6 and S12 displayed exceptional antiproliferative activity against lung A-549 cancer cells with IC50 values of 4.22 and 6.89 M, respectively, compared to the standard drug doxorubicin (IC50 = 3.79 ?M). In the case of the MDA-MB-231 cell line, S1 and S6 exhibited exceptionally superior antiproliferative activity with IC50 of 5.22 and 6.50 ?M, respectively, compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 5.48 ?M). S1 was found to be more active than doxorubicin. Compounds S1S12 were tested for their cytotoxicity on human embryonic kidney 293 cells, which confirmed the nontoxic nature of the active compounds. Further molecular docking studies verified that compounds S1S12 have a higher docking score and interacted well with the target protein. The most active compound S1 interacted well with the target protein carbonic anhydrase II in complex with pyrimidine-based inhibitor, and S6 with human Topo II? ATPase/AMP-PNP. The results suggest that imidazopyridine-chalcone analogs may serve as new leads as anticancer agents. 2023 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft. -
Imidazopyridine Hydrazine Conjugates as Potent Anti-TB Agents with their Docking, SAR, and DFT Studies
Novel imidazopyridines hydrazine conjugates were designed and synthesized for their anti-tubercular (anti-TB) activity. A cytotoxicity assay was conducted with Vero cells to determine the safety profile of the most effective compounds. It was found that compound (IA3) (MIC=0.78 ?M) and (IA8) (MIC=1.12 ?M) were nearly 3.7 and 2.5 times more active than pyrazinamide. Based on Density functional theory (DFT), these molecules exhibited better charge transfer between molecular orbital's, which made them suitable for biological applications. Molecular docking on Mycobacterium tuberculosis InhA bound to NITD-916 (PDB: 4R9S) revealed that compounds possessed greater binding affinity towards proteins. In addition, the most active anti-TB compounds (IA3) and (IA8) exhibited high levels of interaction with the target protein and exceptional safety profile, suggesting they may prove to be effective leads for new drugs. 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.