Integrating the Chatbot Technology as One of the Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Services in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تقديم إطار نظري للدور الذي يمكن أن تلعبه تكنولوجيا الشاتبوت في تطوير وتحسين الخدمات في قطاع الضيافة خاصة والذي يعتبر من أهم القطاعات وأكثرها تأثيرا على الاقتصاد. بداية بعرض المفاهيم حول مختلف متغيرات الدراسة من قطاع الضيافة والسياحة، وتقديم تعريفات لتكنولوجيا الشاتبوت والذكاء الاصطناعي والإسهامات التي قدمتها لتحسين خدمات قطاع السياحة والضيافة. توصلت الدراسة إلى أن تكنولوجيا الشاتبوت أسهمت بشكل كبير في تغيير المفاهيم المرتبطة بخدمة الزبون بصفة عامة من خلال إدخال طرق غير بشرية للتواصل مع الزبون وتلبيه حاجاته في ظل العصرنة التي يتجه لها العالم حاليا ومستقبليا.The study aims to provide a theoretical framework, for the role that chatbot technology play in developing and improving services in the hospitality sector in particular, which is considered one of the most important and most influential sectors on the economy.Beginning with presenting concepts about the various study variables of hospitality and tourism sector then providing definitions of chatbot technology, Artificial intelligence and their contributions to improve services of the tourism and hospitality sector. The study found out that chatbot technology has contributed greatly to changing the concepts associated with customer service in general by introducing non-human ways to communicate with the customers and meet their needs in light of the modernization that the world is heading towards now and in the future

Cloning, expression and purification of the general stress protein Yhbo from Escherichia coli.

We cloned, expressed and purified the Escherichia coli yhbO gene product, which is homolog to the Bacillus subtilis general stress protein 18 (the yfkM gene product), the Pyrococcus furiosus intracellular protease PfpI, and the human Parkinson disease protein DJ-1. The gene coding for YhbO was generated by amplifying the yhbO gene from E. coli by polymerase chain reaction. It was inserted in the expression plasmid pET-21a, under the transcriptional control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter and lac operator. A BL21(DE3) E. coli strain transformed with the YhbO-expression vector pET-21a-yhbO, accumulates large amounts of a soluble protein of 20 kDa in SDS-PAGE that matches the expected YhbO molecular weight. YhbO was purified to homogeneity by HPLC DEAE ion exchange chromatography and hydroxylapatite chromatography and its identity was confirmed by N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis. The native protein exists in monomeric, trimeric and hexameric forms

The Escherichia coli thioredoxin homolog YbbN/Trxsc is a chaperone and a weak protein oxidoreductase.

Escherichia coli contains two thioredoxins, Trx1 and Trx2, and a thioredoxin-like protein, YbbN, which presents a strong homology in its N-terminal part with thioredoxin 1 and 2. YbbN, however, does not possess the canonical Cys-x-x-Cys active site of thioredoxins, but instead a Ser-x-x-Cys site. In addition to Cys-38, located in the SxxC site, it contains a second cysteine, Cys-63, close to Cys-38 in the 3D model. Cys-38 and Cys-63 undergo an oxidoreduction process, suggesting that YbbN functions with two redox cysteines. Accordingly, YbbN catalyzes the oxidation of reduced RNase and the isomerization of scrambled RNase. Moreover, upon oxidation, its oligomeric state changes from dimers to tetramers and higher oligomers. YbbN also possesses chaperone properties, promoting protein folding after urea denaturation and forming complexes with unfolded proteins. This is the first biochemical characterization of a member of the YbbN class of bacterial thioredoxin-like proteins, and in vivo experiments will allow to determine the importance of its redox and chaperone properties in the cellular physiology

Genetic study of sex inversion in humans

Sex reversal is considered to be a form of disorders of sex development or DSD (disorders/Differences of sex development). This is an inconsistency between gonadal, phenotypic and chromosomal sex. Sexual development, including the development of gonads and organs reproduction and the acquisition of secondary sexual characteristics, is under genetic control. Indeed, following the bibliographic study carried out in this report, we were able to better understand the pathophysiology of sex reversal, enumerate the associated genetic mutations and identify the signaling pathways affected. In addition, a retrospective study was performed to determine the frequency of sex reversal compared to other categories of DSD. This work focused on a sample of 981 patients with clinical signs indicating the presence of DSD. These patients presented to the Cytogenetics laboratory of the Institut Pasteur in Morocco between the years 2011 and 2021. The karyotype was performed on a heparinized tube according to the standard method. Based on the karyotype results, we found 74 cases of sex inversion corresponding to 7.54%. Abnormal karyotypes accounted for 37.31% with a predominance of Turner syndrome (41.53%), 26.23% of Klinefelter syndrome, 12.3% of patients presented with XY female type sex inversion, 7.92% with sex reversal type XX men and 7.65% had mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Finally, to guide the diagnosis, we established a course of action indicating the genes which are the most incriminated in the two types of sex inversion

Nouveaux aspects de la regulation de la replication de l'ADN chez Escherichia coli

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : TD 79353 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Influence du chargement sur la propagation en fatigue de fissures courtes dans un acier de construction navale

METZ-SCD (574632105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Chaperone properties of Escherichia coli thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase.

Thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase and NADPH form the thioredoxin system and are the major cellular protein disulphide reductase. We report here that Escherichia coli thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase interact with unfolded and denatured proteins, in a manner similar to that of molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. Thioredoxin and/or thioredoxin reductase promote the functional folding of citrate synthase and alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation. They also promote the functional folding of the bacterial galactose receptor, a protein without any cysteines. Furthermore, redox cycling of thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase in the presence of NADPH and cystine stimulates the renaturation of the galactose receptor, suggesting that the thioredoxin system functions like a redox-powered chaperone machine. Thioredoxin reductase prevents the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat-shock conditions. It forms complexes that are more stable than those formed by thioredoxin with several unfolded proteins such as reduced carboxymethyl alpha-lactalbumin and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. These results suggest that the thioredoxin system, in addition to its protein disulphide isomerase activity possesses chaperone-like properties, and that its thioredoxin reductase component plays a major role in this function

Appréciation de la relation entre le contrôle de gestion et les systèmes ERP : étude théorique

This abstract provides a concise overview of the intricate interplay between management control and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, shedding light on the evolving landscape of organizational management practices in the digital age. Management control encompasses the strategies, mechanisms, and processes employed by organizations to ensure alignment with their objectives and goals. On the other hand, ERP systems have become integral to modern businesses, offering comprehensive software solutions to streamline operations, data management, and decision-making. This paper extensively explores the complex interconnection between management control and ERP systems, shedding light on several pivotal aspects. For instance, it delves into how ERP systems function as central hubs for organizational data, granting immediate access to vital information. This, in turn, enhances the integration of data and information, empowering management with real-time insights. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of ERP systems in elevating reporting and analysis capabilities. Through the provision of sophisticated reporting and analytical tools, these systems equip management with the means to assess key performance indicators (KPIs), fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, thereby promoting accountability and transparency within the organization. Understanding the dynamic interaction between management control and ERP systems is crucial for organizations seeking to optimize their control mechanisms and leverage the potential of ERP technology. This paper offers insights into how this relationship can be harnessed to enhance organizational performance, while also addressing the obstacles that may impede its successful implementation.   Keywords: Management Control, ERP Systems, Data Integration, Organizational Performance, Decision-Making. Classification JEL: O33 Paper type: Theoretical ResearchCe résumé donne un aperçu concis de l'interaction complexe entre le contrôle de gestion et les systèmes de planification des ressources de l'entreprise (ERP), mettant en lumière le paysage évolutif des pratiques de gestion organisationnelle à l'ère numérique. Le contrôle de gestion englobe les stratégies, les mécanismes et les processus utilisés par les organisations pour garantir l'alignement sur leurs objectifs et leurs buts. Ainsi, les systèmes ERP sont devenus partie intégrante des entreprises modernes, suscitant des solutions logicielles complètes pour rationaliser les opérations, la gestion des données et la prise de décision. Ce document explore en profondeur l'interconnexion complexe entre le contrôle de gestion et les systèmes ERP, en mettant en lumière plusieurs aspects essentiels. Par exemple, il explique comment les systèmes ERP fonctionnent comme des centres de données organisationnelles, privilégiant un accès immédiat à des informations vitales. Cela améliore l'intégration des données et des informations et permet à la direction de disposer d'informations en temps réel. En outre, l'étude souligne le rôle central des systèmes ERP dans l'amélioration des capacités de reporting et d'analyse. Grâce à des outils sophistiqués de reporting et d'analyse, ces systèmes donnent à la direction les moyens d'évaluer les indicateurs clés de performance (KPI), favorisant une culture de prise de décision fondée sur les données, et encourageant ainsi la responsabilité et la transparence au sein de l'organisation. Comprendre l'interaction dynamique entre le contrôle de gestion et les systèmes ERP est crucial pour les organisations qui cherchent à optimiser leurs mécanismes de contrôle et à tirer parti du potentiel de la technologie ERP. Ce document donne un aperçu de la manière dont cette relation peut être exploitée pour améliorer les performances de l'organisation, tout en abordant les obstacles qui peuvent entraver une mise en œuvre réussie.   Mots clés : Contrôle de gestion, systèmes ERP, intégration des données, performance organisationnelle, prise de décision. JEL Classification : O33 Type du papier : Recherche Théoriqu

Membrane docking of an aggregation-prone protein improves its solubilization.

International audienceWe used preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase, a three domain fusion protein that aggregates extensively at 43 degrees C in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli to search for multicopy suppressors of protein aggregation and inclusion bodies formation, and took advantage of the known differential solubility of preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase at 37 and 43 degrees C to develop a selection procedure for the gene products that would prevent its aggregation in vivo at 43 degrees C. First, we demonstrate that the differential solubility of preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase results in a lactose-positive phenotype at 37 degrees C as opposed to a lactose-negative phenotype at 43 degrees C. We searched for multicopy suppressors of preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase aggregation at 43 degrees C by selecting pink lactose-positive colonies on a background of white lactose-negative colonies after transformation of bacteria with an E. coli gene bank. We found only two multicopy suppressors of preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase aggregation at 43 degrees C, protein isoaspartate methyltransferase (PIMT) and the membrane components ChbBC of the N,N'-diacetylchitobiose phosphotransferase transporter. We have previously shown that PIMT overexpression reduces the level of isoaspartate in preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase, increases its thermal stability and consequently helps in its solubilization at 43 degrees C (Kern et al., J. Bacteriol. 187, 1377-1383). In the present work, we show that ChbBC overexpression targets a fraction of preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase to the membrane, and decreases its amount in inclusion bodies, which results in its decreased thermodenaturation and in a lactose-positive phenotype at 43 degrees C. Cross-linking experiments show that the inner membrane protein ChbC interacts with preS2-S'-beta-galactosidase. Our results suggest that membrane docking of aggregation-prone proteins might be a useful method for their solubilization

Escherichia coli HdeB Is an Acid Stress Chaperone

We cloned, expressed, and purified the hdeB gene product, which belongs to the hdeAB acid stress operon. We extracted HdeB from bacteria by the osmotic-shock procedure and purified it to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. HdeB has a molecular mass of 10 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which matches its expected molecular mass. We purified the acid stress chaperone HdeA in parallel in order to compare the two chaperones. The hdeA and hdeB mutants both display reduced viability upon acid stress, and only the HdeA/HdeB expression plasmid can restore their viability to close to the wild-type level, suggesting that both proteins are required for optimal protection of the bacterial periplasm against acid stress. Periplasmic extracts from both mutants aggregate at acidic pH, suggesting that HdeA and HdeB are required for protein solubilization. At pH 2, the aggregation of periplasmic extracts is prevented by the addition of HdeA, as previously reported, but is only slightly reduced by HdeB. At pH 3, however, HdeB is more efficient than HdeA in preventing periplasmic-protein aggregation. The solubilization of several model substrate proteins at acidic pH supports the hypothesis that, in vitro, HdeA plays a major role in protein solubilization at pH 2 and that both proteins are involved in protein solubilization at pH 3. Like HdeA, HdeB exposes hydrophobic surfaces at acidic pH, in accordance with the appearance of its chaperone properties at acidic pH. HdeB, like HdeA, dissociates from dimers at neutral pH into monomers at acidic pHs, but its dissociation is complete at pH 3 whereas that of HdeA is complete at a more acidic pH. Thus, we can conclude that Escherichia coli possesses two acid stress chaperones that prevent periplasmic-protein aggregation at acidic pH