Informatics Publishing Limited

Sam Thomas ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin.

Abstract

The perceptions of foreign tourists are very important in designing a suitable adventure tour package for any potential destination. This study was undertaken with the objective of understanding the attributes the foreign tourists consider important in a Kerala based adventure tour package. Based on the data collected from 104 foreign tourists visiting Kerala, India, the important attributes expected in a Kerala based adventure tour package are identified. Exploratory factor analysis was used to get the underlying dimensions. The possible variation in the importance attached to these dimensions, based on demographic characteristics of the tourists, are also analyzed. The findings are discussed to draw conclusions on designing an appropriate adventure tour package for international tourists.

Keywords

Adventure Tourism, Kerala, Tourist Perception, Factor Analysis, ANOVA

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D. S. Nagesh ¹, Sam Thomas ²

Affiliations
1 Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 011, IN
2 School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi 682 022, IN

Abstract

Research and development(R&D) projects which are classified into basic research, applied research and product development are being carried out by industries, academia and R&D institutes. Such projects funded by government agencies are common among nations all around the globe. They are basically aimed at developing national science and technological competence than direct market orientation or commercialization and are in many respects different from industrial R&D projects. Most of them are handled by the academic/R&D institutions. Their target is long term, need high intellectual input, benefits may not be tangible and risk is high. The outcome of such R&D projects is not always successful and the underlying reasons may vary widely. Various factors have been identified and projected: out of which many are common, some are contextual and the rest are even contradicting. Not many attempts were carried out to identify the factors which contribute to the success of projects carried out by academic/R&D institutions, which is of high relevance to the Indian context. Hence in this article, we attempt to review various factors contributing to the success of projects which are funded by the government and grouped them into common eight categories such as type of the project, leader's competence, team, environment, funding and other resources, management support, collaboration and degree of difficulty.

Keywords

Project Management, R and D, Success Factors.

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V. Subramanian ¹, Sam Thomas ¹, A. Devasena ², S. Ku. Rabadran ³, Kuldeep Chouhan ⁴

Affiliations
1 Dhanalakshmi College of Engg, Chennai, Tamilnadu, IN
2 Dhanalakshmi College of Engg., Chennai, Tamilnadu, IN
3 Research Division, GE(Energy), IN
4 Dr. MGR University, Chennai-95, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Image processing schemes which exhibits flexibility, adaptability and non-linearity are extremely useful for applications such as image transformation, correction of blurring effects, noise removal, histogram equalization etc. Images with random variations in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) can be treated with conventional adaptive filters. The demerits associated with adaptive filters are inability to cope with structural variations, limited performance to address low range noise spatial density (typically less than 0.2). This paper addresses these disadvantages and proposes a wavelet transform based filtering scheme for image processing. This scheme uses Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) as performance metric and the results shows a higher PSNR was yielded by the scheme.

Keywords

Image Processing, Wavelet Transform (WT), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR).

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Savarimuthu Prakash ¹, Sam Thomas ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Velappanchavadi, Chennai - 600077, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Information and Communication Engineering, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, a TiO₂ memristor with a non-linear ion drift model is analytically estimated for the power reduction in a basic analog circuit. Methods/Analysis: For the estimation of power reduction, the non-inverting and inverting amplifier configurations for conventional resistance and memristors are considered. The circuit is chosen since the output is directly proportional to the input and the component values. The recent progress in the experimental realization of memristive devices has renewed interest in artificial neural networks. Findings: To emulate human brain like functionalities at circuit level require two components, neurons and the connecting synapses are required in artificial neural networks. The synapse is a crucial element in biological neural networks. The memristor has been predicated as electronic equivalent of biological synapse. Basically memristor, a resistor with memory; non-volatile and its response depends on continuous set of resistance values, making it ideal for tuning synaptic weights of neuromorphic cells. The first observation on analytical estimate power reduction from conventional op-amp based non-inverting and inverting amplifier circuits to that of memristance based op-amp non-inverting and inverting amplifier circuits indicate 99% reduction in power consumption. Secondly, by varying the amplitude of the input voltage resulted in varying power dissipation in conventional amplifier but resistance values remains constant as expected. However, by varying the amplitude of the input voltage applied to the memristor the power dissipation in the circuit provide an empirical estimating result a clear variation in memristance. Novelty/Improvement: Hence, this phenomenon indicates that weighted resistance function in a synapse can be implemented using memristors. The feasible scaling-up to approach real device densities requires reduced power consumption.

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Abhilash G. Nambudiri ¹, Sam Thomas ²

Affiliations
1 Assistant Professor, Rajagiri Business School, Kochi, IN
2 Professor, School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Cochin, IN

Abstract

What are the systemic social factors, which determine the success and failure of social projects (development projects)? How can we design better social developmental initiatives focusing on creation of specific social outcomes? The researcher is applying the concept of social capital to address these questions. Focus of this paper is to explain the process of social capital creation and its effects on the outcome o f social projects. The researcher intents to make two important contributions. First, proposing some plausible arguments that will explain the formation of social capital through different Social intervention models. Second, proposing a conceptual model, which could explain the success or failure of different Social Projects. Through the research six main postulates were proposed. First, It was proposed that increased levels of participation of actors in a community would significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. Cultural understanding of each actor in a community would significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. Information sharing between each actor in a community will significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. Social Identity of individual actors in a community will significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. Sense of belongingness of individual actors to a community will significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. Lastly, Pro-social motivation of individual actors in a community will significantly contribute to the creation of social capital. As a conclusion, a theoretical model for understanding the process of creation of social outcome was also proposed through this comprehensive review paper

Keywords

Antecedents, Social Capital, Social intervention, Social Outcome, Moderation.

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