Analysis of Travel Experience Quality at City Destinations

Bandung is one of the many destinations which could be categorised as urban tourism or urban travel destinations. These destinations have different characteristics compared to other types destinations, therefore the experience gained by tourists during visits would be different. This study aims to create a means of measuring the quality of the tourist experience viewed from three phases of travel experience, namely pre-travel phase measured by information search construct, planning, decision making; experiential phase, measured with product attributes, interaction and involvement constructs; and Recollection phase, measured by these constructs: meaning, satisfaction, storing, sharing, and Recollection. The research method is descriptive and verification using factor analysis data analysis techniques. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires to tourists who visit the city of Bandung as many as 200 people. The results showed that the proposed model is valid and reliable for measuring the travel experience

Evaluating the Virtual Management Information Systems (MIS) Classroom

This paper outlines techniques for an active learning environment in a virtual MIS classroom, as well as a comparison of outcomes in that distance learning class with a regular, live, MIS class. These techniques included discussions, small group projects and cooperative work supported by technology such as chat sessions, e-mail and bulletin boards. Feedback to students was improved through the use of an online grade book and e-mail. Outcomes were measured in terms of grades for participation, exercises, assignments, tests and the overall grade. There were no significant differences in outcomes. The paper also presents the results of a survey measuring students\u27 experiences with the virtual class. Students were generally very positive about the quality of the learning experience. Teaching a distance learning class using active learning techniques is a difficult and time-consuming enterprise

TOWARDS A DESCRIPTIVE DEPTH INDEX FOR 3D CONTENT: MEASURING PERSPECTIVE DEPTH CUES

International audience3D quality of experience (QoE) in nature is a multidimensional problem and involves many factors that contribute to the global quality rating such as image quality, depth perception and visual discomfort. One important aspect for the development and evaluation of 3D processing techniques is the selection of appropriate 3D content. To this aim it is necessary to develop computational methods that can automatically measure the 3D characteristics of a scene, similar to the spatial and temporal information indices commonly used for assessing 2D content. The presented work is one step in the development of such a depth index (DI) which will target the evaluation of the depth-related characteristics of 3D video sequences. The paper focuses on the linear perspective as one of the major monocular depth cues. It compares two distinct approaches for measuring the strength of perspective depth cues and analyzes their limits on a 2D image dataset with associated subjective ratings

The Impact of Applying Quality Standards on the Internal Operations in the Public Sector in the Sultanate of Oman

Purpose:  The aim of this study is to identify the impact of applying quality standards on the internal operations efficiency in public sector institutions in the Sultanate of Oman along with measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of operations after applying quality standards.   Theoretical framework: This study focuses on the definition of quality and its history, quality standards, its types, rational behind their application, continuous improvement methodology which is Deming cycle (plan, Do, check, Act), and defining internal processes and their dimensions.   Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve the objective of this study , the questionnaire was used as a main tool for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed to a simple random sample of 115; 107, questionnaires were retrieved and (102) were suitable for analysis. The data was then analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques (arithmetic means and standard deviations, multiple linear regression analysis using the stepwise method, and Cronbach alpha for stability).   Findings: The main findings in this study was identifies that prove there is a gap between quality standereds applications in planning of operations, readiness, and outputs.   Research /Practical /Social Implications: This study is significant since it focuses on the influence of applying quality standards in terms of results and effect, specifically on processes and whether there is continuous process improvement. In social indicator it is impacting individuals satisfactions specially when speaking about the customers experience. Moreover, in enconmoical indocators it is indicates improvement of the institutional performance.   Originality/ Value: This study is distinguished from previous studies in that it focuses on the impact of applying quality standards in terms of results and effect, specifically on processes. Moreover, this study specially build based on Oman experience.

User-driven quality of experience modelling for mobile video optimisation

The increasing demand for mobile video has attracted much attention from both industry and researchers. To satisfy users and to facilitate the usage of mobile video, providing optimal quality to the users is necessary. As a result, quality of experience (QoE) becomes an important focus in measuring the overall quality perceived by the end-users, from the aspects of both objective system performance and subjective experience. However, due to the complexity of user experience and diversity of resources (such as videos, networks and mobile devices), it is still challenging to develop QoE models for mobile video that can represent how user-perceived value varies with changing conditions. Previous QoE modelling research has two main limitations: aspects influencing QoE are insufficiently considered; and acceptability as the user value is seldom studied. Focusing on the QoE modelling issues, two aims are defined in this thesis: (i) investigating the key influencing factors of mobile video QoE; and (ii) establishing QoE prediction models based on the relationships between user acceptability and the influencing factors, in order to help provide optimal mobile video quality. To achieve the first goal, a comprehensive user study was conducted. It investigated the main impacts on user acceptance: video encoding parameters such as quantization parameter, spatial resolution, frame rate, and encoding bitrate; video content type; mobile device display resolution; and user profiles including gender, preference for video content, and prior viewing experience. Results from both quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed the significance of these factors, as well as how and why they influenced user acceptance of mobile video quality. Based on the results of the user study, statistical techniques were used to generate a set of QoE models that predict the subjective acceptability of mobile video quality by using a group of the measurable influencing factors, including encoding parameters and bitrate, content type, and mobile device display resolution. Applying the proposed QoE models into a mobile video delivery system, optimal decisions can be made for determining proper video coding parameters and for delivering most suitable quality to users. This would lead to consistent user experience on different mobile video content and efficient resource allocation. The findings in this research enhance the understanding of user experience in the field of mobile video, which will benefit mobile video design and research. This thesis presents a way of modelling QoE by emphasising user acceptability of mobile video quality, which provides a strong connection between technical parameters and user-desired quality. Managing QoE based on acceptability promises the potential for adapting to the resource limitations and achieving an optimal QoE in the provision of mobile video content

The Effect of Prenatal Gentle Yoga on Sleep Quality and Anxiety Levels in Pregnant Women Trimester III

Women who are in pregnancy, especially pregnancy in the third trimester, often experience physical or psychological changes, one of the changes experienced is abnormal sleep quality and anxiety that arises because the time of delivery is approaching, these conditions if not immediately overcome can cause discomfort during pregnancy. Yoga is a complementary therapy that can be applied by pregnant women in overcoming complaints both physically and psychologically. The purpose of the study was to determine how the influence of prenatal gentle yoga on sleep quality and anxiety levels in III trimester pregnant women. The type of research is two group pretest posttest design, namely one group to assess sleep quality and one group to assess the anxiety of pregnant women, which is a sample of III trimester pregnant women with a total of 30 people divided into 2 groups, purposive sampling techniques, research at the Maternity Clinic kasih Ibu Galang, measuring instruments using questionnaires and measuring results are tested with t tests. The results obtained are the influence of prenatal gentle yoga on the sleep quality of third trimester pregnant women with a p value of 0.029 and there is an influence of gentle yoga on the anxiety level of third trimester pregnant women with a p value of 0.000. It is recommended for mothers, especially those who are pregnant in the third trimester, to be able to take part in prenatal gentle yoga to be able to overcome pregnancy complaints such as difficulty sleeping and anxiety facing childbirth

Childbirth experience questionnaire: validating its use in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) was developed in Sweden in 2010 and validated in 920 primiparous women. It has not been validated in the United Kingdom (UK). Measuring the impact of an intervention on a woman's childbirth experience is arguably as important as measuring its impact on outcomes such as caesarean delivery and perinatal morbidity or mortality and yet surprisingly it is rarely done. The lack of a robust validated tool for evaluating labour experience in the UK is a topical issue in the UK at present. Indeed NICE say 'A standardised method to measure and quantify women's psychological and emotional wellbeing and their birth experiences is urgently required to support any study investigating the effectiveness of interventions, techniques or strategies during birth.' METHODS: The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire and part of the Care Quality Commission Maternity Survey (2010) was sent to 350 women at one month postnatal. The CEQ was sent again two weeks later. The CEQ was tested for face validity among 25 postnatal mothers. Demographic data and delivery data was used to establish construct validity of the CEQ using the method of known-groups validation. The results of the scored CEQ sent out twice were used to measure test-retest reliability of the CEQ by calculating the quadratic weighted index of agreement between the two scores. Criterion validity was measured by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient for the CEQ and Maternity Survey scores. RESULTS: Face validity of the CEQ in a UK population was demonstrated with all respondents stating it was easy to understand and complete. A statistically significantly higher CEQ score for subgroups of women known to report a better birth outcome demonstrated construct validity of the CEQ. A weighted kappa of 0.68 demonstrated test-retest reliability of the CEQ. A Pearson correlation co-efficient of 0.73 demonstrated a strong correlation between the results of the CEQ and the results of the 'gold standard' assessment of childbirth experience in the UK: the Maternity Survey and hence criterion validity of the CEQ. CONCLUSIONS: The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of childbirth experience in the UK population

QoE Assessment for Multi-Video Object Based Media

Recent multimedia experiences using techniques such as DASH allow the streaming delivery to be adapted to suit network context. Object Based Media (OBM) provides even more flexibility as distinct media objects are streamed and combined based on user preferences, allowing the experience to be personalised for the user. As adaptation can lead to degradation, modelling and measuring Quality of Experience (QoE) are crucial to ensure a perceptibly-optimal user experience. QoE models proposed for DASH include quality-related factors from single video-object streams and hence, are unsuitable for multi-video OBM experiences. In this paper, we propose an objective method to quantify QoE for video-based OBM experiences. Our model provides different strategies to aggregate individual object QoE contributions for different OBM experience genres. We apply our model to a case study and contrast it with the QoE levels obtained using a standard QoE model for DASH

Measurement with Persons: A European Network

The European ‘Measuring the Impossible’ Network MINET promotes new research activities in measurement dependent on human perception and/or interpretation. This includes the perceived attributes of products and services, such as quality or desirability, and societal parameters such as security and well-being. Work has aimed at consensus about four ‘generic’ metrological issues: (1) Measurement Concepts & Terminology; (2) Measurement Techniques: (3) Measurement Uncertainty; and (4) Decision-making & Impact Assessment, and how these can be applied specificallyto the ‘Measurement of Persons’ in terms of ‘Man as a Measurement Instrument’ and ‘Measuring Man.’ Some of the main achievements of MINET include a research repository with glossary; training course; book; series of workshops;think tanks and study visits, which have brought together a unique constellation of researchers from physics, metrology,physiology, psychophysics, psychology and sociology. Metrology (quality-assured measurement) in this area is relativelyunderdeveloped, despite great potential for innovation, and extends beyond traditional physiological metrology in thatit also deals with measurement with all human senses as well as mental and behavioral processes. This is particularlyrelevant in applications where humans are an important component of critical systems, where for instance health andsafety are at stake