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Impact of the length of stay at hotels on online reviews
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The length of stay (LoS) is of major importance from the perspective of the management of tourist destinations. As tourists heavily rely on the online reviews of other travelers as a primary information source, this study aims to empirically examine how the LoS can influence the online reviews for hotels, with special emphasis on the textual review content.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzes online review data collected from Booking.com by using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program to operationalize review depth, analytical thinking and the authenticity reflected in customer reviews. Based on the analyzed data, this study used a series of regression analyses to understand the impacts of the LoS on online reviews.
Findings
The author’s analysis found that a longer stay at a hotel causes consumers to be more likely to post online reviews that not only include a numerical rating as well as written content but also lengthier and more detailed descriptions of their hotel experiences. Further analysis found that the LoS at hotels causes systematic differences in the linguistic attributes of the review content. Specifically, consumers who stay longer tend to write reviews with more analytical information, resulting in consumers perceiving the online reviews as more authentic.
Research limitations/implications
Although the LoS has been considered a significant issue in tourism, studies examining the impact of different lengths of stay on consumers’ post-purchase behaviors are limited. In this light, the author’s findings demonstrate how the LoS can change the linguistic attributes of online reviews. It expands the body of knowledge of the LoS in tourism.
Originality/value
This study represents the first attempt to empirically examine and reveal how the different length of stay at a hotel systemically influences consumer review-posting behaviors
Exploring a resource allocation security protocol for secure service migration in commercial cloud environments
Get PDFRecently, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of cloud computing systems that offer Cloud services such as Networks, Servers, Storage, Applications, and other available on-demand re-sources or pay-as-you-go systems with different speeds and Qualities of Service. These cloud computing environments share resources by providing virtualization techniques that enable a single user to ac-cess various Cloud Services Thus, cloud users have access to an infi-nite computing resource, allowing them to increase or decrease their resource consumption capacity as needed. However, an increasing number of Commercial Cloud Services are available in the market-place from a wide range of Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). As a result, most CSPs must deal with dynamic resource allocation, in which mobile services migrate from one cloud environment to another to provide heterogeneous resources based on user requirements. A new service framework has been proposed by Sardis about how ser-vices can be migrated in Cloud Infrastructure. However, it does not address security and privacy issues in the migration process. Fur-thermore, there is still a lack of heuristic algorithms that can check requested and available resources to allocate and deallocate before the secure migration begins. The advent of Virtual machine technol-ogy, for example, VMware, and container technology, such as Docker, LXD, and Unikernels has made the migration of services possible. As Cloud services, such as Vehicular Cloud, are now being increasingly offered in highly mobile environments, Y-Comm, a new framework for building future mobile systems, has developed proactive handover to support the mobile user. Though there are many mechanisms in place to provide support for mobile services, one way of addressing the challenges arising because of this emerging application is to move the computing resources closer to the end-users and find how much computing resources should be allocated to meet the performance re-quirements/demands. This work addresses the above challenges by proposing the development of resource allocation security protocols for secure service migration that allow the safe transfer of servers and monitoring of the capacity of requested resources to different Cloud environments. In this thesis, we propose a Resource Allocation Secu-rity Protocol for secure service migration that allows resources to be allocated efficiently is analyzed. In our research, we use two differ-ent formal modelling and verification techniques to verify an abstract protocol and validate the security properties such as secrecy, authen-tication, and key exchange for secure service migration. The new protocol has been verified in AVISPA and ProVerif formal verifier and is being implemented in a new Service Management Framework Prototype to securely manage and allocate resources in Commercial Cloud Environments. And then, a Capability-Based Secure Service Protocol (SSP) was developed to ensure that capability-based service protocol proves secrecy, authentication, and authorization, and that it can be applied to any service. A basic prototype was then devel-oped to test these ideas using a block storage system known as the Network Memory Service. This service was used as the backend of a FUSE filesystem. The results show that this approach can be safely implemented and should perform well in real environments
Sun shines in Dubai with Shams: A journey of renewable energy space in the United Arab Emirates
No full textSaeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has a dream for the future of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that involves renewable energy significantly contributing to the energy mix of the country. Shams Dubai was launched as a smart initiative to connect solar energy to buildings, a part of the Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme. The case encourages students to analyze the business process, innovation, and value chain of Shams Dubai. It highlights the viability of the process of expanding renewable energy in the context of the UAE and discusses the current and long-term effectiveness of Shams Dubai. The business question deals with the scalability of Shams Dubai and addresses the concern of the strategic planning head, Mr. Ahmad, in meeting the Demand Side Management targets of 2030. Another business question involves the feasibility of Shams Dubai meeting the objectives of individuals and organizations in the installation of solar rooftops.
Shams Dubai was launched in 2014 in response to Executive Council Resolution 46 that called for the connection of solar energy to the distribution grid of Dubai. Dubai Government’s Supreme Council of Energy had set a target of renewable energy supplying 1% of Dubai’s energy mix by 2020 and 5% by 2030 under the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 plan. Initial results are encouraging and suggest that this project will be successful. It will be interesting to see if sustainable growth of Shams Dubai and the Demand Side Management strategy is realized. Will the targets of 2030 and 2050 be met? Will the policy mechanisms and stakeholder structures that have been put in place be sufficiently robust to drive this in the future? Is Shams Dubai viable, and will it meet the objectives of a sustainable future for the UAE
What is data?
No full textThe word 'data' often appears in research papers but it can sometimes be hard to determine exactly what the author is using the term 'data' to mean. The simplest definition is that data are information that have been collected and recorded ( Herzog 2016).
Within midwifery practice data are collected constantly, from simple information like birth weights to more complex statistics on staffing ratios. Data help to answer questions, establish baselines or determine trends and can take many forms
Exploring Human Resource management practise through the Qatar HR Forum; framing the influence of 'Tharaba' culture and the development of Qatar-centric competencies for HR professionals practising in Qatar
Get PDFQatarisation policy has emerged from the Qatar National Vision 2030 and has become embedded into organisations’ core strategic visions. Qatarisation aims to place knowledgeable local Qataris into senior professional roles to lead their country. Human Development is a core pillar of the National Vision and is an expected responsibility of each organisation and its employees. This responsibility directly impacts the Human Resource Management (HRM) function and HRM professionals developing talent in Qatar. This is a challenge due to a lack of Qatar-centric frameworks available to HR Professionals practising in Qatar and a lack of understanding of influences on HRM Practises. The research focused on overcoming this challenge and contributing to a sustainable framework solution for HR professionals in Qatar.
There were three main aims; to review HR literature while exploring the fundamental principles and context of the HR professional practise in Qatar; to explore ways HR practitioners in the Qatar HR Forum could drive and support a change in HRM practise, and to contribute to professionalising HRM Practise in Qatar. A qualitative interpretivistic approach explored the experiences and perceptions of HR professionals practising in Qatar, who are members of the Qatar HR Forum, through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, to understand the complexities of HRM in Qatar.
The findings show that distinctive expatriate and Qatari influences need to be considered with a new framing of how Qatari culture might influence and impact current and future HRM practises. This has been conceptualised as ‘Tharaba Culture’ – ذرابه , which encompasses behaviours, customs, and unwritten expectations that locals acknowledge as their culture. It is based on influences such as family ties, leadership status, expected norms and non-negotiable behaviours, engulfed in the wisdom of the respected elders formulated from tribal descent. The research further impacts practise, with a significant outcome being the development of a Qatar-centric HR competency framework, which will provide a foundation for HR professionals to meet the unique challenges and complexities of HRM practise in Qatar
Molecular dynamic simulation reveals structure differences in APOL1 variants and implication on pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease
Get PDFBackground: According to observational studies, two polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene have been linked to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Africans. One polymorphism involves the substitution of two amino-acid residues (S342G and I384M; known as G1), while the other involves the deletion of two amino-acid residues in a row (N388 and Y389; termed G2). Despite the strong link between APOL1 polymorphisms and kidney disease, the molecular mechanisms via which these APOL1 mutations influence the onset and progression of CKD remain unknown. Methods: To predict the active site and allosteric site on the APOL1 protein, we used the Computed Atlas of Surface Topography of Proteins (CASTp) and the Protein Allosteric Sites Server (PASSer). Using an extended molecular dynamics simulation, we investigated the characteristic structural perturbations in the 3D structures of APOL1 variants. Results: According to CASTp’s active site characterization, the topmost predicted site had a surface area of 964.892 Å2 and a pocket volume of 900.792 Å3. For the top three allosteric pockets, the allostery probability was 52.44%, 46.30%, and 38.50%, respectively. The systems reached equilibrium in about 125 ns. From 0–100 ns, there was also significant structural instability. When compared to G1 and G2, the wildtype protein (G0) had overall high stability throughout the simulation. The root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) of wildtype and variant protein backbone Cα fluctuations revealed that the Cα of the variants had a large structural fluctuation when compared to the wildtype. Conclusion: Using a combination of different computational techniques, we identified binding sites within the APOL1 protein that could be an attractive site for potential inhibitors of APOL1. Furthermore, the G1 and G2 mutations reduced the structural stability of APOL1
Bioinformatics, computational informatics, and modeling approaches to the design of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidates
Get PDFThis article is devoted to applying bioinformatics and immunoinformatics approaches for the development of a multi-epitope mRNA vaccine against the spike glycoproteins of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in selected African countries. The study’s relevance is dictated by the fact that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began its global threat at the end of 2019 and since then has had a devastating impact on the whole world. Measures to reduce threats from the pandemic include social restrictions, restrictions on international travel, and vaccine development. In most cases, vaccine development depends on the spike glycoprotein, which serves as a medium for its entry into host cells. Although several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged from mutations crossing continental boundaries, about 6000 delta variants have been reported along the coast of more than 20 countries in Africa, with South Africa accounting for the highest percentage. This also applies to the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in South Africa. The authors suggest that bioinformatics and immunoinformatics approaches be used to develop a multi-epitope mRNA vaccine against the spike glycoproteins of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in selected African countries. Various immunoinformatics tools have been used to predict T- and B-lymphocyte epitopes. The epitopes were further subjected to multiple evaluations to select epitopes that could elicit a sustained immunological response. The candidate vaccine consisted of seven epitopes, a highly immunogenic adjuvant, an MHC I-targeting domain (MITD), a signal peptide, and linkers. The molecular weight (MW) was predicted to be 223.1 kDa, well above the acceptable threshold of 110 kDa on an excellent vaccine candidate. In addition, the results showed that the candidate vaccine was antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic, thermostable, and hydrophilic. The vaccine candidate has good population coverage, with the highest range in East Africa (80.44%) followed by South Africa (77.23%). West Africa and North Africa have 76.65% and 76.13%, respectively, while Central Africa (75.64%) has minimal coverage. Among seven epitopes, no mutations were observed in 100 randomly selected SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins in the study area. Evaluation of the secondary structure of the vaccine constructs revealed a stabilized structure showing 36.44% alpha-helices, 20.45% drawn filaments, and 33.38% random helices. Molecular docking of the TLR4 vaccine showed that the simulated vaccine has a high binding affinity for TLR-4, reflecting its ability to stimulate the innate and adaptive immune response
Freedom of thought in South Africa: undoing Apartheid’s attempt at thought control
No full textOn 19 October 1977, a day that has since become known as Black Wednesday, the Apartheid regime in South Africa banned three newspapers: the World, the Weekend World and the Voice. This marked the start of decades of repression, given legal force through legislation such as the Publications Act, 1987. Journalists were jailed without trial, writers, academics, dissidents of various stripes were banned, jailed, and forced into exile. The State in South Africa tightened control over movement, speech, and ultimately, through censorship combined with propaganda, thought itself. By the beginning of the 1990s, a culture of censorship, secrecy and intellectual repression seemed to be entrenched in South Africa. However, in 1996 this culture was broken decisively with the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the fledgling South African democracy’s new Constitution. Not only does Clause 16 guarantee freedom of expression, Clause 15 specifically includes the right to freedom of belief and opinion. Black Wednesday became Media Freedom Day, celebrated annually. 26 years have now elapsed since the shining promise of these clauses were made law, 45 years since Black Wednesday. This paper explores how and to what extent South African law create and guarantee space for the ancient African traditions of the lekgotla or indaba, where everyone is encouraged to speak their minds
A pilot study for satellite-tracking Gadwalls Mareca strepera wintering in the Lea Valley, UK
Get PDFA pilot study monitored four overwintering Gadwalls fitted with satellite trackers in November 2018 at Rye Meads Nature Reserve, Hertfordshire. The research assessed the feasibility of a larger study investigating the range, movement and habitat preference of Gadwall utilising the Greater London wetland areas, and the suitability of fitting trackers using a glue-attachment method. Tracked birds varied in extent of movement. Two male Gadwalls remained largely sedentary, making use of the freshwater gravel lakes in the Lee Valley Regional Park. A pair-bonded male and female moved together, spending a number of weeks in the Lea Valley before moving 20 km to Hatfield Forest, Essex. This represented a change of habitat to a mature woodland with established lakes and ponds. We speculate that differences in movement between the male–female pair and other males may be attributable to mating effort and individual differences in migratory strategy. Considerable variation in the retention of trackers was seen, with one bird believed to have gradually removed the device through preening. Retrap data for one male showed overwinter weight loss that was higher than in any of 14 Gadwalls recorded previously. The cause of weight loss was unknown and we recommend further investigating the energetic costs of having a tracker fitted. Glue attachment may be unreliable for studies that require monitoring of Gadwalls for more than a few weeks, due to a high likelihood of attachment failure
The legal development of R2P within the norm life cycle based on actual state practice
No full textThe notion of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was presented to the international community as a solution to redress the failings of the current legal framework. It was unanimously adopted in 2005 as part of the World Summit Outcome Document (Outcome Document) within paragraphs 138, 139 and 140.1 For the purpose of this text, these paragraphs outline the definition and framework accepted by states and represent the basis for the analysis of the development of R2P as a norm within the period of 2005-2021.
Although the issue of R2P has been discussed on various levels and time spans, its status as a norm still remains unclear. Despite the seemingly straightforward definition, to this day a definitive position or agreement on the scope or recognition of R2P as a legal norm is absent. An analysis of R2Ps position as a legal norm and its place withing the norm life cycle, will be presented, adding to the already existing debate by analysing the relevant resolutions, legal documents and most importantly state debates in light of new insights on state positions on R2P, with the intent of clarifying and uncovering the actual state practice and the consequent effects on R2P’s development as a norm of international law.
Focusing on the possibility of R2P having developed into a norm of customary international law, state practice and opinio juris of countries from every region representative of the different positions on R2P are included within the study to provide an overall overview of this development. The definition of R2P will be compared to the relevant state practice and opinio juris, as well as the prevalent widening of its scope beyond the parameters of paragraph 138-140 of the Outcome Document and how this reflects on R2P’s development. The main aim is to identify the legal position of R2P in light of the new facts and analysis presented in this text, especially regarding the Arab perspective