Sense of Humour and its Effects on Great Britain's Destination Image

Among the vast array of topics being subject of studies in the tourism field, there has been a general neglect in investigating the role that humour plays in tourism generally, and destination images in particular. This neglect is more noticeable when contrasted with the considerable number of studies on measuring tourists’ perceived image of physical attributes of destinations. The unique importance of humour in marketing tourism destinations has been largely overlooked by tourism academics on the one hand and tourism practitioners on the other. This thesis recognises the neglect of the role of ‘humour’ and ‘sense of humour’ (SOH) in tourism research and examines this overlooked and underexplored topic in detail. It makes a novel contribution to research on tourism and culture, and on tourism destination image (TDI). By taking a cross-cultural communication perspective and employing sociology, psychology and anthropology-oriented approaches within the field of tourism studies, the thesis focuses on the qualitative nature and the importance of the British sense of humour (BSOH) and its respective role in shaping Britishness, and British national character and national identity. It examines how BSOH, British society, and British culture contribute to Great Britain’s (GB’s) destination image and its attractiveness in tourists’ minds. In doing so, it makes an empirical contribution to our understanding of tourists’ perceived images of nations and destinations. The thesis employs a qualitative methodology. 82 international tourists were interviewed face-to-face in capital cities of GB: London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. The interviews were concerned with giving a deeper insight into the behaviour and reaction of tourists visiting GB and examined the role of BSOH in study participants’ images, perceptions and encounters with BSOH during their visits. The interviews were further concerned with giving a deeper insight into how BSOH might influence visitors’ thinking around GB’s social, cultural, and national identity. The Constructive - Contemporary Grounded Theory (CCGT) analysis method employed sheds light on the reciprocal relationship between the notions of ‘humour’, ‘image’, ‘perception’, ‘mediated stereotypes’, ‘identity’, ‘language and language barriers’ and ‘experience’. By looking at these notions, the thesis goes beyond the established wisdom that physical attributes of tourism destinations are at forefront of tourists’ perceptions and imaginations of destinations. The results reveal BSOH plays a significant role in shaping national character and national identity representations of Britishness in tourists’ minds. The results further reveal the ways in which when tourists come across BSOH during their visits, how it affects their experiences and results in different types of image making, which further impacts their perceptions of British cultural and national identity and additionally contributes to the attractiveness of GB as a tourism destination

The assesment nursing attitude of spiritual care : a descriptive study in Birjand teaching hospitals

معنویت و مراقبت معنوی جزء الینفک مراقبت کل نگر در پرستاری محسوب شده و توجه به آن میتواند نقش مهمی در بهبودی بیماران و دستیابی به اهداف سالمتی داشته باشد. نگرش و آگاهی پرستاران نسبت به مراقبت معنوی میتواند نقش مهمی را جهت اجرای این مراقبت ایفا نماید. لذا مطالعه حاضر با هدف تعیین نگرش پرستاران نسبت به مراقبت معنوی صورت گرفته است. واحدهای مورد پژوهش 222 پرستار از دو بیمارستان آموزشی شهر بیرجند بودند که به روش سرشماری انتخاب شدند. جمع آوری دادهها با استفاده از پرسشنامه نگرش نسبت به مراقبت معنوی (SCPS (صورت گرفته و دادهها توسط نرم افزار Spss16 مورد تحلیل قرار گرفت. نتایج به دست آماده حاکی از نگرش باالی پرستاران نسبت به مراقبت معنوی بوده است )4=M , 8/2=SD .)بین نگرش نسبت به مراقبت معنوی و سن، تعداد سالهای خدمت و نوع بخش خدمت رابطه معنیداری گزارش شد)20/2<P .)در این زمینه پیشنهاد میگردد که بایستی عالوه بر ایجاد نگرش مثبت نسبت به مراقبت معنوی راهکارهایی در جهت اجرای هر چه بیشتر این جنبه از مراقبت در نظر گرفته شود

Steps towards mathematical modeling of microcasting process from mesoscopic point of view

Microcasting is one of the significant technologies for the production of metallic micro parts with high aspect ratio (ratio of flow length to diameter). The aim of this research is to investigate scaling effects on mathematical formulation of fluid flow in micro casting and present governing differential equations. Keywords: microcasting,, microchannel, meso scele, fluid flow, mathematical modeling

The Role of Journey Purpose in Road Traffic Injuries: A Bayesian Network Approach

Road traffic injuries are now regarded as the eighth leading cause of death globally. For example, in 2016, 102,362 traffic injuries took place in Spain in which 174,679 drivers suffered injuries. These findings necessitated the development of the current study which focuses on the prime factors that cause this type of injuries. The aim of this study, therefore, is to explore the behavioral factors that entail a higher risk of suffering either a serious or a fatal injury for drivers. Methods. The findings are based on information and data provided by “Dirección General de Tráfico” (DGT) in Spain on traffic injuries that occurred in the year 2016. Reviewing a wide range of the literature, the authors identified the most influential variables and created a model using the Bayesian networks. The variables that define the model are grouped into four factors: vehicle factor, road factor, circumstantial factor and human factor. Results. The results suggest that the principal variables that determine a higher probability of serious or fatal injuries in traffic injuries are: lack of using appropriate safety accessories, high-speed violations, distractions as well as errors. Finally, the research shows the severity probability based on reason of displacement (“in itinere,” on business, or in leisure)

Identifying and ranking the barriers to the effectiveness of E-learning In-Service Training (case study Kurdistan University of medical sciences)

Background and Objectives: Organizations have used a variety of educational methods to achieve their goals in terms of in-service training of their employees: such as presentations and lectures, group discussions, field visits, or field trips and case studies and so on. Virtual training or e-learning is one of the newest and most innovative training methods that organizations use to train their employees. Due to the special importance of in-service training of employees on one side and the advancements in technology on the other side, the need to use these technologies in the field of organizational training is called for more than ever. But, besides all these factors, organizations should not use unscrupulous and ineffective uses of technology without adequate analysis. but It is also logical to have a deep and accurate understanding of e-learning, in other words evaluate and analyze the barriers ahead. In this regard, the present research aims to study the Virtual In-Service Training of employees and identify barriers to its effectiveness (case study, Kurdistan University of medical sciences). The research is a descriptive survey and in terms of purpose, it's an applied research Materials and Methods: statistical society consisting of managers, academic professors and specialists in the field of the study. 29 people were selected through deliberate and snowball sampling among the statistical society. In order to answer the research questions, Initially, using library study and interview method, data collection was done which resulted in identifying 32 factors. In the qualitative section, the data obtained from the interview were analyzed using content analysis; In this way, the number of words, and terms used in the sentences and the amount of their repetition were counted and checked so that the patterns in the statements were discovered and the obstacles were extracted in the form of short phrases. The Delphi method was then used to confirm the consensus of experts on identified barriers. During the three stages of the Delphi method finally classified 25 factors (barriers) in the form of six main barriers. After concluding the final consensus with the Kendall coefficient of 78%, the factors were ranked using Friedman test. each of the sub-factors was also ranked. Findings: all in all, 32 factors were identified and ranked as barriers to e-learning and In-Service Training: factors related to the learner were ranked first, infrastructure factors, general factors, educational content, factors related to the teacher and organizational factors were ranked afterwards. Each of the main barriers had other sub-factors which were also evaluated and ranked with the Friedman test. For example, in the section on barriers related to learners: learner resistance to change was ranked first, limited knowledge and skills of learners on information technology was ranked second, lack of trust in cyberspace learning was ranked third and learners limitations in accessing Information technology instruments was ranked forth Conclusion:  Considering the identified obstacles and also determining the importance of each of them, Measures (such as cost allocation & so on) taken to ensure the effectiveness of in-service virtual training are suggested to focus primarily on learners and then on other factors based on the degree of  its importance.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2020 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Music distraction among young drivers: analysis by gender and experience

The aim of this study was to quantify the probability of committing a speed infraction by young drivers and to investigate to what extent listening music could affect young drivers’ emotions as well as their driving performances at the wheel. To achieve this aim, employing Bayesian networks, the study analysed different music styles, in which they resulted in sample drivers’ speed infractions. Gender and drivers’ experiences at the wheel were the other factors, which were taken into account when interpreting the study results. Variables taken into account in this study included type of music whilst driving, gender of drivers, and drivers’ driving experiences. These variables further incorporated into the study of other telemetric variables including acceleration, number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine, brake, traffic, and other types of infractions other than speed, which were considered as dependent variables. A driving simulator was used, and different driving simulation studies were carried out with young people aged between 20 and 28 years. Each participant carried out three simulations by listening to different type of music in each journey. The study defined a conceptual model in which the data were analysed and evaluated mathematically through Bayesian networks. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of music on driving speed. Based on the different variables, the study further analysed the probability of speed infractions committed by drivers and their adequate speed. The range of frequency probabilities varied between 96.32% (which corresponds to experienced male drivers who do not listen to music) and 79.38% (which corresponds to less-experienced female drivers who listen to music), which resulted in their happiness or aggression.FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional) for developing Castilla y Le´on´s region. *e title of the project is “Modelizaci´on mediante t´ecnicas de machine learning de la influencia de las distracciones del conductor en la seguridad vial-Modeling the influence of driver´s distractions on road safety through machine learning techniques.” Ref. BU300P1

Hyperglycemia decreased medial amygdala projections to medial Preoptic area in experimental model of diabetes mellitus

In Wistar rats, reproductive behavior is controlled in a neural circuit of ventral forebrain including the medial amygdala (Me), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial preoptic area (MPOA) via perception of social odors. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a widespread metabolic disease that affects many organs in a variety of levels. DM can cause central neuropathies such as neuronal apoptosis, dendritic atrophy, neurochemical alterations and also causes reproductive dysfunctions. So we hypothesized damage to the nuclei of this circuit can cause reproductive dysfunctions. Therefore in this project we assessed diabetic effect on these nuclei. For this purpose neuron tracing technique and TUNEL assay were used. We injected HRP in the MPOA and counted labeled cells in the Me and BNST to evaluate the reduction of neurons in diabetic animals. Also, coronal sections were analyzed with the TMB histochemistry method. Animals in this study were adult male Wistar rats (230 ± 8g) divided to control and 10-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups. After data analysis by SPSS 16 software, a significant reduction of HRP-labeled neurons was shown in both Me and BNST nuclei in the diabetic group. Moreover, apoptotic cells were significantly observed in diabetic animals in contrast to control the group. In conclusion, these alterations of the circuit as a result of diabetes might be one of the reasons for reproductive dysfunctions. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Clinical Grade Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Banking

In this study, our aim was to produce a generation of GMP-grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for clinical applications. According to our results, we fulfill to establish consistent and also reproducible current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells from five female donors. The isolated cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10 fetal bovine serum and characterized by standard methods. Moreover, karyotyping was performed to evaluate chromosomal stability. Mean of donors' age was 47.6 ± 8.29 year, mean of cell viability was 95.6 ± 1.51, and cell count was between 9�106 and 14�106 per microliter with the mean of 12.2�106 ± 2863564.21 per microliter. The main aim of this project was demonstrating the feasibility of cGMP-compliant and clinical grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells preparation and banking for clinical cell transplantation trials

Clinical grade human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell banking

In this study, our aim was to produce a generation of GMP-grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for clinical applications. According to our results, we fulfill to establish consistent and also reproducible current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells from five female donors. The isolated cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10 fetal bovine serum and characterized by standard methods. Moreover, karyotyping was performed to evaluate chromosomal stability. Mean of donors� age was 47.6 ± 8.29 year, mean of cell viability was 95.6 ± 1.51, and cell count was between 9�106 and 14�106 per microliter with the mean of 12.2�106 ± 2863564.21 per microliter. The main aim of this project was demonstrating the feasibility of cGMP-compliant and clinical grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells preparation and banking for clinical cell transplantation trials. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Generalized Brans-Dicke cosmology in the presence of matter and dark energy

We study the Generalized Brans-Dicke cosmology in the presence of matter and dark energy. Of particular interest for a constant Brans-Dicke parameter, the de Sitter space has also been investigated.Comment: 9 page