Managing Change and Strategic Thinking: Evidences from Hospitality and Tourism Sector of the UK

This qualitative paper examines the strategic thinking and managing change in complex business environment in the hospitality and tourism sector of the UK through the cases of Hilton London Canary Wharf and Hilton London Tower Bridge. For the purpose of analysis, researchers explored the research phenomenon under different models including TALC model and IBTEE Model. Using convenience sampling, researchers interviewed face-to-face 12 Line Managers and 30 employees through open-ended semi-structured interview questions regarding change management process and obstacles interlinked with it. Findings revealed that although Hilton hotels have adapted changes to some extent but there is still more room for further improvement. The management of the selected hotels highly relies on the training purpose for the effective change adaption whereas coaching and research is lagging behind. The biggest constraint during effective change adaption is the diverse background of the workforce as most are from the multicultural backgrounds. Moreover, the communication, ritual, and cultural barriers are causing issues in the change process. Lastly, the recommendations are given for consolidating effective change management at workplace

Liquefaction Potential Evaluation Based on Site Classes – A Performance Based Approach

Lots of research work is being carried out in evaluating the liquefaction susceptibility. The main objectives of these studies are to identify the regions which are vulnerable to liquefaction. In the present study, an attempt has been made to predict the liquefaction susceptibility based on corrected SPT values required to prevent the liquefaction for given return periods. The evaluation of liquefaction susceptibility requires the calculation of two parameters, seismic loading and the soil resistance. In most of the studies, the seismic loading will be evaluated based on probabilistic methods and the evaluation of soil resistance will be done based on deterministic analysis. In the present study these parameters were evaluated based on the probabilistic methods. The contour curves showing the spatial variation of SPT values required to prevent the liquefaction for return periods of 475 and 2500 years are presented here. The liquefaction hazard curves, based on SPT values for some of the selected cities in the study area are also presented here

The Onset of Stationary and Oscillatory Convection in a Horizontal Porous Layer Saturated with Viscoelastic Liquid Heated and Soluted From Below: Effect of Anisotropy

The onset of double diffusive stationary and oscillatory convection in a viscoelastic Oldroyd type fluid saturated in an anisotropic porous layer heated and soluted from below is studied. The flow is governed by the extended Darcy model for Oldroyd fluid. Stability analysis based on the method of perturbations of infinitesimal amplitude is performed using the normal mode technique. The analysis examines the effect of the Darcy Rayleigh number, the solutal Darcy the Rayleigh number, the relaxation time, the retardation time and the Lewis number. Important conclusions include the destabilizing effect of the relaxation time, the Darcy Rayleigh number and the Lewis number and the stabilizing effect of the solutal Darcy Rayleigh number, the retardation time and anisotropy parameter. Some of the results are generalization of the previous findings for isotropic porous medium

Principles and Practices of Seismic Microzonation: Case Studies in India

This paper presents an overview of the principles and practices of seismic microzonation with some case studies in India. India has experienced major damages and loss of life due to earthquakes. Macrozonation map in Indian seismic code IS-1893 is frequently revised soon after a major earthquake in the country. New revision which was published in 2002 after Bhuj earthquake in 2001 contains four macro zones. These zones are based on geology and limited seismology input without considering geotechnical aspects such as site effects and liquefaction. In order to understand the earthquake vulnerability of major urban centers and prepare new zonation map, the Govt. of India has initiated microzonation of 63 cities in India after 2001 earthquake. Many microzonation studies are under progress and few of them have been completed. This paper presents an overview of these studies. Seismic microzonation of Jabalpur urban area is the first work in India towards seismic microzonation of Indian cities. Jabalpur study has provided many learning lessons to other studies. Preliminary microzonation of Delhi has been completed and detailed one is under progress. Seismic Hazard and Microzonation Atlas of the Sikkim Himalaya has been published with geological and seismological background. Microzonation of Guwahati was done based on geology, geomorphology, seismotectonics, soil characteristics, pre-dominant frequencies, peak ground acceleration, seismic hazard and demography. Seismic Microzonation of Dehradun has been prepared based on shear wave velocity with site response. First order Microzonation of Haldia has been developed based on peak ground acceleration, predominant frequency and elevation map. Different maps and results were presented for Gujarat microzonation based on noise survey and after shock data. None of these studies included the geotechnical aspects. The geotechnical aspects were fully incorporated in the recently completed Microzonation work of Bangalore and the ongoing study of Chennai microzonation. An overview of seismic microzonation studies in India is presented in this paper

Residual effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice

A field experiment was laid out in split plot design on residual effect of treatments comprising three nitrogen levels viz. N75 (N1), N100 (N2) and N125 (N3) in main-plot treatments and seven weed control treatments viz. (W1-butachlor + 1 Hand Weeding, W2-butachlor + 2 Mechanical Weeding, W3-butachlor + 2,4-D, W4-bispyribac sodium, W5-butachlor + bispyribac sodium, W6-HW-2, W7- control) as sub-plot treatments conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Rajaula Agriculture Farm, MGCGVV, Satna (M.P.) to study the residual effect of N-levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice. In case of succeeding wheat, the residual 125 kg N/ha performed the best with respect to growth, yield-attributes with the result 31.11 q/ha grain yield and Rs.33509/ha income. While, under sub plot treatments, Hand weedings two times were recorded significant grain yield (28.66 q/ha) and straw yield (38.17 q/ha) at (P <0.05) over control. However it was found non-significant different and also noticed higher over rest treatments. In this succession, Butachlor + 2, 4-D (0.80 kg/ha) was higher but in second position and similar trend was observed in successive way with rest of treatments

Fresnel zone plates for Achromatic Imaging Survey of X-ray sources

A telescope with Fresnel Zone Plates has been contemplated to be an excellent imaging mask in X-rays and gamma-rays for quite some time. With a proper choice of zone plate material, spacing and an appropriate readout system it is possible to achieve any theoretical angular resolution. We provide the results of numerical simulations of how a large number of X-ray sources could be imaged at a high resolution. We believe that such an imager would be an excellent tool for a future survey mission for X-ray and gamma-ray sources which we propose.Comment: 4 Pages, 5 Figures, Proceeding of the 2nd Kolkata Conference on "Observational Evidence for the Black Holes in the Universe", Published in AIP, 200

Transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients presenting as paraplegia/paraparesis a prospective single institution study

Background: Multiple myeloma a plasma cell neoplasm characterized by heterogeneous myriad of presentation with paraparesis or paraplegia in 20% cases due to spinal cord compression by vertebral collapse, compression or fracture.Methods: This is a prospective observational study of thirty transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients with paraplegia/paraparesis. Pretreatment evaluation done as per standard protocol including MRI whole spine. Involved spine XRT 8Gy single fraction followed by BLD (Bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 weekly once, Lenalidomide 10mg/m2 for 21 days, oral dexamethasone 40 mg weekly once). Neurological parameters, time to neurological and tumor response at 6 months assessed. Patients in very good partial response or complete response were maintained on Lenalidomide and bisphosphonate therapy for a period of two years. The duration of symptoms and time to response were analyzed with Mann Whitney Cox test.Results: 15 patients were grade 0 power and others grade 1 or 2. Median time to any neurological response was 2.97 weeks. 63.3% of patients achieved power of grade 5, 30% grade 4 and 6.7% grade 3 powers. 23.3% patients received complete response while 63.3% patient’s very good partial response.Conclusions: Bedridden myeloma patients had an excellent improvement in quality of life and tumor control with this treatment schedule.

Topological dynamical quantum phase transition in a quantum skyrmion phase

Quantum skyrmionic phase is modelled in a 2D helical spin lattice. This topological skyrmionic phase retains its nature in a large parameter space before moving to a ferromagnetic phase. Next nearest-neighbour interaction improves the stability and it also causes a shift of the topological phase in the parameter space. Nonanalytic behaviour of the rate function observed, when the system which is initially in a quantum skyrmion phase is quenched to a trivial quantum ferromagnetic phase, indicates a dynamical quantum phase transition. Dynamical quantum phase transition is absent when the system initially in a skyrmion phase is quenched to a helical phase

Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis due to peptic ulcer disease: a rare presentation

Primary adult hypertrophic stenosis is uncommon with an uncertain etiopathogenesis and associated gastric outlet obstruction mimics gastric carcinoma. We present a case of AHPS as sequel of peptic ulcer disease in a 72 year old male. With the advent of proton pump inhibitors as a mainstay of medical therapy, complication into gastric outlet obstruction is a rare disease today. Upper GI endoscopy revealed a distended stomach, residual food and a hyperemic bulky pylorus not accommodating the endoscope. Barium meal follow-through revealed a dilated stomach and minimal barium passing through the pylorus. Histological analysis revealed mild dysplasia at the focus with dense inflammatory infiltrates composed of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the lamina propria. No evidence of malignancy was noted, favouring chronic gastritis. The condition mimics other forms of proliferative disorders like carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We present the clinical findings, imaging analysis and discuss etiopathogenesis and management