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The role of digital marketing promoting tourism business. A study of use of the social media in prompting travel.
Get PDFThis study explores how digital marketing, especially through social media, impacts tourism businesses. We looked at different sources like academic studies, industry reports, government papers, and online platforms to understand this connection better. We found that digital marketing, like using social media and videos, plays a big role in making people interested in travelling. For instance, research showed that when people see digital marketing, they are more likely to think about going on trips and spending money on them. Social media is also changing how people plan and book their trips. Reports showed that most travelers now use social media to decide where to go and even book their travel experiences. This shift in behavior shows how important social media has become in travel planning.
Government reports also told us that the Internet is changing how people travel. More tourists use the Internet to plan and book their trips. These reports highlight that digital tools are making a big difference in the way we travel. Online platforms like social media are not just communication tools; they also inspire travel plans and help people decide where to go. We learned that social media is trusted by travelers and is shaping the way people choose their travel destinations.
This research shows that digital marketing, especially through social media, is not just a trend but a powerful tool for tourism businesses. By understanding how people use the Internet and social media, businesses can connect with travelers, share their stories, and create stronger connections. This research gives us a better understanding of how digital marketing is changing the world of travel
Comparative Effects of No-dig and Conventional Cultivation with Vermicompost Fertilization on Earthworm Community parameters and Soil Physicochemical Condition
Get PDFBecause of the numerous ecosystem services provided by the soil, such as elemental cycling, food production, water filtration and storage, this resource requires special protection to maintain total efficiency of these services. However, standard agricultural practices can have a degrading effect, not only on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, but may also threaten soil invertebrate communities. Soil macrofauna, and earthworms in particular, play a critical role in soil ecosystems because their activities affect the availability of nutrients for plants, shape soil structure, and significantly impact organic matter dynamics. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of two systems used in plant cultivation (no-dig and conventional digging). Both used vermicompost as an organic fertilizer and looked at selected characteristics of Lumbricidae groupings and the dynamics of selected soil physicochemical properties. The study was conducted over three years in the same area to ensure that the soil characteristics were the same. The NDG (no-dig) and DG (conventional digging) sites were prepared as appropriate with a perennial hay meadow (MW) used as a control site. An electrical extraction (octet) method was used to collect earthworms. The same six species of earthworm were found at each site: Dendrodrilus rubidus (Sav.), Lumbricus rubellus (Hoff.), Aporrectodea caliginosa (Sav.), Aporrectodea rosea (Sav.), Octolasion lacteum (Ö rley), and Lumbricus terrestris (L.). Earthworm abundance and biomass were found to be significantly higher at the NDG site compared to DG (NDG > DG; abundance by 24% (p < 0.05), biomass by 22% (p < 0.05)). No significant differences between NDG and MW were shown. Moisture, temperature, and soil organic carbon content likely influenced the abundance and biomass of Lumbricidae. The NDG site showed significantly higher organic carbon and moisture content and significantly lower temperatures than the DG site. The average number of earthworms damaged by digging was 0.85 ind. m-2 , but did not significantly affect the other results. Overall, NDG is preferable to DG for enhancing earthworm and physicochemical parameters of soil
In situ generation of nanoparticles on and within polymeric materials
Get PDFIt is well-established that the structural, morphological and performance characteristics of nanoscale materials critically depend upon the dispersion state of the nanofillers that is, in turn, largely determined by the preparation protocol. In this report we review synthetic strategies that capitalize on the in situ generation of nanoparticles on and within polymeric materials, an approach that relies on the chemical transformation of suitable precursors to functional nanoparticles synchronous with the build-up of the nanohybrid systems. This approach is distinctively different compared to standard preparation methods that exploit the dispersion of preformed nanoparticles within the macromolecular host and presents advantages in terms of time and cost effectiveness, environmental friendliness and the uniformity of the resulting composites. Notably, the in situ generated nanoparticles tend to nucleate and grow on the active sites of the macromolecular chains, showing strong adhesion on the polymeric host. So far, this strategy has been explored in fabrics and membranes comprising metallic nanoparticles (silver, gold, platinum, copper, etc.) in relation to their antimicrobial and antifouling applications, while proof-of-concept demonstrations for carbon and silica based nanoparticles as well as titanium oxide, layered double hydroxide, hectorite, lignin and hydroxyapatite based nanocomposites have been reported. The nanocomposites thus prepared are ideal candidates for a broad spectrum of applications such as water purification, environmental remediation, antimicrobial treatment, mechanical reinforcement, optical devices, etc
Platform To Test and Evaluate Human-Automation Interaction (HAI) For Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems
Get PDFThe human-agent-robot teamwork (HART) framework enables humans to co-work with machines to create profitable applications by utilising their complementary strengths. Human-automation interaction (HAI) in autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) is modelled in this research via an intelligent platform using aerial digital twins (DTs) interconnecting physical twins in the real-world environment with virtual twins (VTs) in the digital environment, enabling advanced immersive interactions. The developed platform aims to establish a tight interface between two intelligent agents: humans and Automation-in-the-Loop (AITL) aerial agents by fusing their task-oriented manipulation/modification/calibration inputs in the human plane and the automation plane. The tight cognitive coupling of these planes within HART, regarding the human and machine factors, is expected to yield substantial improvements in overall task performance that cannot be achieved individually in unanticipated situations considering the embodied agents and unique intelligence and skills at both sites
Inclusive Child Engagement in HCI: Exploring Ocean Health with Schoolchildren
Get PDFIn a ten-week project with nine school classes across the North West of England we explored ocean health with IT-enabled solutions. We describe the activities carried out under headings of participation, learning, and design. Participation activities, which included recruitment, focused on setting the parameters for children’s inclusion and ensuring they understood how data might be used, and that handing in artefacts to the research team was their choice. Learning happened in an environment of contextual relevance that enabled children to develop data literacy whilst we could explore relevant research questions. Design was a journey from individual to whole-class design, while developing engineering thinking and social cohesion. We reflect on the journey showing that children learned from the activities and acquired a new enthusiasm for their local coastline. We reflect on how our inclusive approach can broaden HCI research to wider communities of children and encourage others to apply our model
An evidence-based plan for addressing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment and support crisis
Get PDFAssessing reliability and validity of food safety culture assessment tools
Get PDFSince its recognition as a plausible direction to assure food safety, food safety culture research has evolved with several commercial and scientific assessment tools developed to evaluate the food safety culture in food businesses. However, existing research does not specify the validity and reliability checks required to demonstrate rigor in the tool development process and there is no unified methodology to confirm robustness of the tools to ensure trustworthiness and usefulness of findings and inferences generated. The purpose of the study was to develop a method to evaluate food safety culture assessment tools and to assess the reliability and validity of existing food safety culture assessment tools using the developed method. Eleven elements were found to be key in validating food safety culture assessment tools. Of the eight tools assessed, only one tool (CT2) was validated on each of the elements. The depth of validation strategies differed for each tool. Three out of the five commercial tools published peer reviewed publications that demonstrated the validation checks that were done. Face validation, and pilot testing were evident and appeared to be done the most. Whilst content, ecological, and cultural validity were the least validated for scientific tools, factor analysis and reliability checks were the least evaluated for commercial tools. None of the tools were assessed for postdictive validity, concurrent validity and the correlation coefficient relating to construct validity. Having an established science-based approach is key as it provides a way to determine the trustworthiness of established assessment tools against accepted methods. [Abstract copyright: © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Analytic and In Silico Methods to Understand the Interactions between Dinotefuran and Haemoglobin
Get PDFAbstractThis work lies in the growing concern over the potential impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment. Pesticides are extensively used to protect crops and control pests, but their interaction with essential biomolecules like haemoglobin (Hb) remains poorly understood. Spectrofluorometric, electrochemical, and in silico investigations have been chosen as potential methods to delve into this issue, as they offer valuable insights into the molecular‐level interactions between pesticides and haemoglobin. The research aims to address the gaps in knowledge and contribute to developing safer and more sustainable pesticide practices. The interaction was studied by spectroscopic techniques (UV–Visible & Fluorescence), in silico studies (molecular docking & molecular dynamics simulations) and electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and tafel). The studies showed effective binding of dinotefuran with the Hb which will cause toxicity to human. The formation of a stable molecular complex between ofloxacin and Haemoglobin was shown via molecular docking and the binding energy was found to be −5.37 kcal/mol. Further, molecular dynamics simulations provide an insight for the stability of the complex (Hb‐dinotefuran) for a span of 250 ns with a binding free energy of −53.627 kJ/mol. Further, cyclic voltammetry and tafel studies show the interaction of dinotefuran with Hb effectively
Never waste a crisis: Initiatives responding to men who use violence during COVID-19
Get PDFA crisis creates a time when normal problem-solving mechanisms are thrown into disarray. The COVID-19 pandemic plunged individuals and service systems into crisis. While recognising the destructive impact on health and well-being for those involved, the aim of this study was to explore opportunities for change created during a crisis, addressing the question: What has been learnt under COVID-19 about delivering domestic abuse services to perpetrators in the UK and Australia? Documentary analysis (31 documents reviewed in Australia, and 180 searched and analysed in the UK) and interviews (24 interviews with practitioners and policy and practice leads in the UK, and 11 interviews, and one focus group in Australia) were used to explore innovations in responses to perpetrators. Two key shifts in the delivery of services to men who use violence were identified: the pivot to remote delivery; and the emergence of interventions to provide accommodation and support for perpetrators. The study demonstrated that the policy window could open at a time of crisis to support innovative developments. Early evaluations highlighted positive developments. However, further research is needed to understand more fully the implications for safety and accountability
Development of a cancer pathway support guide for patients and carers: A co-design project
Get PDFBackground
Cancer diagnosis is a complex and multifaceted process that can be stressful and anxiety-provoking for patients. Evidence-based tools and information aids that can be used for guiding and supporting patients during cancer investigations and after diagnosis are limited. This paper presents a user-centred co-design project that aims to develop a cancer pathway support tool for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
Method
A mixed method co-design approach was used including prototype development (January-March 2022), three online co-design workshops (April-June 2022), one-to-one feedback and beta testing informed by the standardised Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) questionnaire (July -October 2022). Nine individuals with lived experience of cancer contributed to the project and are referred to as co-designers.
Results
The co-designers valued the potential importance of a tool that can be used by the patients and carers if they want specific information about cancer investigations, diagnosis and treatment. The ability to select what they need as opposed to long leaflets and generating their own questions for the healthcare providers were highlighted as important aspects of improving patient care. The tool was collectively designed to provide clear definitions of the cancer care pathway, easily accessible links from trusted resources, and includes practical information to minimise the burden that can be experienced from preparation for appointments and tests. Beta testing results with a small sample of potential users including patients, carers and health care providers (n=23) showed high acceptability of the guide (Range= 7-35, Mean=28.52, Standard Deviation =3.88) based on the TFA questionnaire.
Conclusion
A cancer pathway support tool called “Your Cancer Pathway Support Guide (YCPSG)” was developed as a result of an iterative co-design process aiming to improve patient experience and outcomes for people referred on a suspected cancer pathway or who have been diagnosed with cancer. The tool provides information and support in both digital and PDF formats. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential impact of “Your Cancer Pathway Support Guide” on patient outcomes and experience, and the wider system