Predictors of review sites usage in hotels

The tourism industry has been strongly impacted by the consumer use of review sites. Since review travel sites such as TripAdvisor allowed accommodations to create own profiles with information, hotels began incorporating these actions into their engaging customers programming. Despite the benefits that review sites can offer to customers, hotels and accommodations, its implementation is not developed and exploited in all its possibilities, and little is known about hotels use of this review sites. This study explores the topic trough quantitative methodology, conducting multiple correlation analysis of data obtained from a sample of 301 hotel managers. Managers consider they are committed to this type of platforms and are capable of use it accurately. Also it was found evidence of correlation between use of TripAdvisor and hotel characteristics (size, ownership structure, and category). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis shows competence and commitment as the most important predictors of use intensity

A critical comparison between DWT and Hilbert-Huang-based methods for the diagnosis of rotor bar failures in induction machines

(c) 2012 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.[EN] In this paper, a cutting-edge time-frequency decomposition tool, i.e., the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT), is applied to the stator startup current to diagnose the presence of rotor asymmetries in induction machines. The objective is to extract the evolution during the startup transient of the left sideband harmonic (LSH) caused by the asymmetry, which constitutes a reliable evidence of the presence of the fault. The validity of the diagnosis methodology is assessed through several tests developed using real experimental signals. Moreover, in this paper, an analytical comparison with an alternative time-frequency decomposition tool, i.e., the discrete wavelet transform (DWT), is carried out. This tool was applied in previous works to the transient extraction of fault-related components, with satisfactory results, even in cases in which the classical Fourier approach does not lead to correct results. The results of the application of the HHT and DWT are analyzed and compared, obtaining novel conclusions about their respective suitability for the transient extraction of asymmetry-related components, as well as the equivalence, with regard to the LSH extraction, between their basic components, namely: 1) intrinsic mode function, for the HHT, and 2) approximation signal for the DWT.This work was supported in part by the Spanish “Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia,” in the framework of the “Programa Nacional de proyectos de Investigación Fundamental,” project reference DPI2008-06583/DPI and in part by “Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia” through the Programa de Apoyo a la Investigación y Desarrollo under Contract PAID-06-07.Antonino-Daviu, J.; Riera-Guasp, M.; Pineda-Sanchez, M.; Pérez, RB. (2009). A critical comparison between DWT and Hilbert-Huang-based methods for the diagnosis of rotor bar failures in induction machines. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications. 45(5):1794-1803. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2009.2027558S1794180345

Efecto de la infusión de Mentha spicata L. en el rendimiento y las características organolépticas de canales de pollos de engorde Cobb 500

[ES] El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la infusión de Mentha spicata L. sobre el rendimiento y las características organolépticas de los pollos de engorde Cobb 500. Se siguió el manejo, la bioseguridad y el bienestar de las aves para los sistemas de casas abiertas, utilizando un diseño completamente al azar (CRD). Se utilizaron 200 pollos mixtos de 1 día de edad, para evaluar los efectos de los tratamientos durante 35 días. Se distribuyeron en cinco tratamientos, con cuatro réplicas, de 10 aves cada uno a los siguientes grupos: T1 (control), T2 (infusión de M. spicata al 10%), T3 (infusión de M. spicata al 20%), T4 (Infusión de M. spicata al 30%) y T5 (infusión de M. spicata al 40%). Las variables estudiadas fueron el rendimiento de pollos de engorde, el peso de la canal y las características organolépticas. Los datos se procesaron utilizando el programa estadístico Statgraphics Centurión XV.I, realizando un análisis multivariado de la varianza y determinando los factores con efecto, y un ANOVA por semana para las variables productivas; se elaboraron tablas de contingencia con los datos de los indicadores organolépticos para determinar las diferencias (Prueba de Chi-cuadrado). Los resultados muestran que la administración de M. spicata L. al agua de bebida no tiene efecto sobre el rendimiento de los pollos de engorde, con la excepción del consumo de alimento, que disminuye, lo que refleja un efecto similar sobre el peso visceral. La presencia de flavonoides en la planta disminuyó el grosor de la grasa abdominal porque favorece el metabolismo de los lípidos de las aves. No hubo diferencia en el olor de la carne, sin embargo, hubo diferencias significativas en los parámetros de sabor, terneza y jugosidad.[EN] The objective of this research was evaluate the effect of Mentha spicata L. infusion on the productive performance and organoleptic characteristics of Cobb 500 broilers. The management, biosecurity and welfare of birds for open houses systems were followed using a completely random design (CRD). In order to evaluate treatments effects during 35 days, 200 1-day-old mixed chickens were distributed in five treatments, with four réplicas, of 10 birds each in the following groups: T1 (control), T2 (M. spicata infusion at 10%), T3 (M. spicata infusion at 20%), T4 (M. spicata infusion at 30%) and T5 (M. spicata infusion at 40%). The variables studied were broilers productives performance, carcass weight, abdominal fat and organoleptic characteristics. The data was processed using statistical program Statgraphics Centurión XV.I, performing a multivariate analysis of variance and determining the factors with effect, and ANOVA of productive variables per week; contingency tables were prepared with organoleptic indicators data to determine differences (Chi-square test). Results show no effect on productive parameters up to 30% per liter because a decrease in feed consumption in the slaugther week for T5 (40% of infusion) which indicate a limit of infusion use; the principal effects on infusion M. spicata L was on abdominal fat which was lower thickness in T4 (30%) and T5 (40%) maybe due to the presence of flavonoids in the mint plant, which have a positive effect on lipid metabolism, resulting in a lean product. Flavor, tenderness and juiciness showed a favorable acceptance for meat of animals recibing the infusion treatements in relation to the control group due to the tendency of the majority of the Ecuador population to consume products with markables organoleptics characteristiques coming from animals raised in tradicional form.To the Animal Scientist Doctor Dervin Bartolo Dean Gutiérrez, PHD and Veterinary Medicine Doctor Carlos Armando Alvarez Díaz for his collaboration in writing and translation into the English language of this work.Sanchez-Quinche, A.; Solórzano Saldarriaga, J.; Quevedo Guerrero, J.; Paladines Romero, J.; Pérez Baena, I. (2019). Effect of Mentha spicata L. infusión on the productive performance and organoleptic characteristics of Cobb 500 broilers. Acta Agronómica. 68(4):312-318. https://doi.org/10.15446/acag.v68n4.72174S31231868

Effects of exercise training on obesity‐related parameters in people with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta‐analysis

.Background: Efforts to synthesise existing knowledge concerning the effects of exercise interventions on obesity (i.e. changes in body weight and composition) have been made, but scientific evidence in this matter is still limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify and critically analyse the best available evidence regarding the use of physical exercise as a strategy to attenuate obesity through its effects on adiposity-related anthropometric parameters in people with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library through specific keywords up to July 2020. The search adhered to the population, intervention, comparison and outcome strategy. Randomised controlled trials addressing the effects of the exercise intervention on adiposity-related anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, fat percentage or body weight) in children, adolescents and adults with ID were included. The methodological quality of the studies found was evaluated through the PEDro scale. Results: A total of nine investigations with children and/or adolescents (10–19 years) and 10 investigations with adults (18–70 years) were selected, mostly experiencing mild and moderate ID. Methodological quality was fair in 13 of these publications, good in five and excellent in one. Seventeen trials reported comparable baseline and post-intervention data for the intervention and control groups and were included in the meta-analysis. In nine studies, the intervention group performed a cardiovascular training programme. Five papers described a combined training programme. Two trials executed whole-body vibration training programmes, and one publication proposed balance training as the primary intervention. According to the meta-analysis results, the reviewed studies proposed exercise modalities that, in comparison with the activities performed by the participants' in the respective control groups, did not have a greater impact on the variables assessed. Conclusions: While physical exercise can contribute to adiposity-related anthropometric parameters in people with mild and moderate ID, these findings show that exercise alone is not sufficient to manage obesity in this population. Multicomponent interventions appear to be the best choice when they incorporate dietary deficit, physical activity increase and behaviour change strategies. Finding the most effective modality of physical exercise can only aid weight loss interventions. Future research would benefit from comparing the effects of different exercise modalities within the framework of a multicomponent weight management intervention.S

Chemical physics insight of PPy-based modified ion exchange membranes: a fundamental approach

Four commercially available, cost-effective ion exchange membranes (two cationic and two anionic exchange membranes, CEMs and AEMs, respectively) were modified to mitigate crossover phenomena of the redox active species typically observed in Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries (AORFB) systems. The modification strategy was carried out using a pyrrole(Py)-based polymer which successfully reduced the permeation of two redox active organic molecules, a viologen derivative (named BP7 throughout this study) and TEMPOL, by an order of magnitude. Additionally, modified membranes showed not significant changes in ion conductivity, with negligible effect on the electrical conductivity of the membranes at a given conditions. The morphology, physicochemical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of the membranes were determined to evaluate the impact of these modifications. AEMs modified in this manner were found to have optimal properties, showing an increase in ion exchange capacity while maintaining excellent mechanical stability and unaltered permselectivity. Additionally, the diffusion boundary layer of these AEMs was slightly extended, which suggests a greater double layer stability for ion exchange processes than in the case of CEMs. Our work shows that these modified membranes could be an appealing approach for AORFB applicationsThis work has been funded by the European Union under the HIGREEW project, Affordable High-performance Green Redox Flow batteries (Grant agreement no. 875613). H2020: LC-BAT-4-2019875613

The Low Redshift survey at Calar Alto (LoRCA)

The Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) feature in the power spectrum of galaxies provides a standard ruler to measure the accelerated expansion of the Universe. To extract all available information about dark energy, it is necessary to measure a standard ruler in the local, z<0.2, universe where dark energy dominates most the energy density of the Universe. Though the volume available in the local universe is limited, it is just big enough to measure accurately the long 100 Mpc/h wave-mode of the BAO. Using cosmological N-body simulations and approximate methods based on Lagrangian perturbation theory, we construct a suite of a thousand light-cones to evaluate the precision at which one can measure the BAO standard ruler in the local universe. We find that using the most massive galaxies on the full sky (34,000 sq. deg.), i.e. a K(2MASS)<14 magnitude-limited sample, one can measure the BAO scale up to a precision of 4\% and 1.2\% using reconstruction). We also find that such a survey would help to detect the dynamics of dark energy.Therefore, we propose a 3-year long observational project, named the Low Redshift survey at Calar Alto (LoRCA), to observe spectroscopically about 200,000 galaxies in the northern sky to contribute to the construction of aforementioned galaxy sample. The suite of light-cones is made available to the public.Comment: 15 pages. Accepted in MNRAS. Please visit our website: http://lorca-survey.ft.uam.es

Soil and leaf mineral element contents in mediterranean vineyards: bioaccumulation and potential soil pollution

The study reported here concerns the geochemical distributions of macro- and trace elements (including potentially toxic elements, PTEs) in the vineyard soils of Alcubillas, which is one of the oldest, albeit not world-renowned, wine-growing areas in La Mancha (Central Spain). Soil and leaf samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to ascertain the levels of various elements in the soil and the plant. The potential toxicity of the elements was assessed with regard to the development of the vineyard. Despite the fact that fertilizers and pesticides are employed in the vineyards in this area, the results showed that the levels of trace elements in the soil samples did not exceed the reference values according the pedogeochemical values for the region and Spain. This finding suggests that the study area is not polluted, and therefore, there are hardly any traces of anthropogenic contamination. The Biological Absorption Coefficient (BAC) was calculated to assess the assimilation of various elements from the soil to the leaves, and differences were found in the element absorption capacity of the vines. Some elements were not taken up by Vitis vinifera despite elements like Zr and Rb being present in relatively high concentrations in the soil. The production in these soils does not represent a threat to human health or the ecosystem, because the farmers in this area are extremely careful to preserve the environment and they only farm to achieve moderate yields of grapes per hectar

High contrast optical imaging of companions: the case of the brown dwarf binary HD-130948BC

High contrast imaging at optical wavelengths is limited by the modest correction of conventional near-IR optimized AO systems.We take advantage of new fast and low-readout-noise detectors to explore the potential of fast imaging coupled to post-processing techniques to detect faint companions to stars at small separations. We have focused on I-band direct imaging of the previously detected brown dwarf binary HD130948BC,attempting to spatially resolve the L2+L2 benchmark system. We used the Lucky-Imaging instrument FastCam at the 2.5-m Nordic Telescope to obtain quasi diffraction-limited images of HD130948 with ~0.1" resolution.In order to improve the detectability of the faint binary in the vicinity of a bright (I=5.19 \pm 0.03) solar-type star,we implemented a post-processing technique based on wavelet transform filtering of the image which allows us to strongly enhance the presence of point-like sources in regions where the primary halo dominates. We detect for the first time the BD binary HD130948BC in the optical band I with a SNR~9 at 2.561"\pm 0.007" (46.5 AU) from HD130948A and confirm in two independent dataset that the object is real,as opposed to time-varying residual speckles.We do not resolve the binary, which can be explained by astrometric results posterior to our observations that predict a separation below the NOT resolution.We reach at this distance a contrast of dI = 11.30 \pm 0.11, and estimate a combined magnitude for this binary to I = 16.49 \pm 0.11 and a I-J colour 3.29 \pm 0.13. At 1", we reach a detectability 10.5 mag fainter than the primary after image post-processing. We obtain on-sky validation of a technique based on speckle imaging and wavelet-transform processing,which improves the high contrast capabilities of speckle imaging.The I-J colour measured for the BD companion is slightly bluer, but still consistent with what typically found for L2 dwarfs(~3.4-3.6).Comment: accepted in A\&

Integral field spectroscopy of nitrogen overabundant blue compact dwarf galaxies

We study the spatial distribution of the physical properties and of oxygen and nitrogen abundances in three Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxiess (HS 0128+2832, HS 0837+4717 and Mrk 930) with a reported excess of N/O in order to investigate the nature of this excess and, particularly, if it is associated with Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars We have observed these BCDs by using PMAS integral field spectroscopy in the optical spectral range (3700 - 6900 {\AA}), mapping their physical-chemical properties, using both the direct method and appropriate strong-line methods. We make a statistical analysis of the resulting distributions and we compare them with the integrated properties of the galaxies. Our results indicate that outer parts of the three galaxies are placed on the "AGN-zone" of the [NII]/H{\alpha} vs. [OIII]/H{\beta} diagnostic diagram most likely due to a high N/O combined with the excitation structure in these regions. From the statistical analysis, it is assumed that a certain property can be considered as spatially homogeneous (or uniform) if a normal gaussian function fits its distribution in several regions of the galaxy. Moreover, a disagreement between the integrated properties and the mean values of the distribution usually appears when a gaussian does not fit the corresponding distribution. We find that for Mrk 930, the uniformity is found for all parameters, except for electron density and reddening. The rotation curve together with the H{\alpha} map and UV images, reveal a perturbed morphology and possible interacting processes. The N/O is found to be constant in the three studied objects at spatial scales of the order of several kpc so we conclude that the number of WR stars estimated from spectroscopy is not sufficient to pollute the ISM and to produce the observed N/O excess in these objectsComment: 17 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic