Customer orientation of service employees in family businesses in the hotel sector

The business interactions between front-line employees and customers are crucial to evaluating service quality and for business performance. A gap has been identified in the literature on both customer orientation of service employees (COSE) and family businesses (FBs). These two concepts have never been studied together before. This study presents a concept that develops a theoretical model based on Hennig-Thurau (2004). This model drives research about the COSE and FBs in the hotel sector. The two main contributions are: (1) electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) is proposed as a consequence of COSE within FBs and (2) a questionnaire has been developed from relevant subscales to measure COSE and the two possible consequences derived from it (Customer Satisfaction and eWOM). A database from Iberic Balance Analysis System (SABI) has been selected to study these variables in the hotel sector, and it will be used in a future empirical study that is expected to provide support for the theory

Wave attenuation and dispersion due to floating ice covers

Experiments investigating the attenuation and dispersion of surface waves in a variety of ice covers are performed using a refrigerated wave flume. The ice conditions tested in the experiments cover naturally occurring combinations of continuous, fragmented, pancake and grease ice. Attenuation rates are shown to be a function of ice thickness, wave frequency, and the general rigidity of the ice cover. Dispersion changes were minor except for large wavelength increases when continuous covers were tested. Results are verified and compared with existing literature to show the extended range of investigation in terms of incident wave frequency and ice conditions

Cadenas productivas Colombianas: cómo la política pública transforma la agricultura

Las políticas de desarrollo rural han evolucionado considerablemente en América Latina. Durante los últimos 15 años, una de las principales áreas de énfasis ha sido el desarrollo de iniciativas que promuevan la formación de cadenas productivas en el sector agrícola en torno a unos productos estratégicos, los cuales generan economías rurales mucho más competitivas. En Colombia, el enfoque es novedoso, ya que se centra en el establecimiento de organizaciones de cadenas en el ámbito nacional y regional. Como lo demuestra un análisis hecho por el equipo de Vinculación de los Agricultores a los Mercados del Área de Investigación en Análisis de Políticas (DAPA, por sus siglas en inglés) del CIAT, gracias al apoyo de la Fundación Ford Región Andina y Cono Sur, esta estrategia tiene un enorme potencial competitivo en el sector agrícola; solo si se consigue una focalización geográfica adecuada y se fortalece su capacidad de gobernanza

Comparison of Single Image Processing Techniques and Their Combination for Detection of Weed in Lawns

[EN] The detection of weeds in lawns is important due to the different negative effects of its presence. Those effects include a lack of uniformity and competition for the resources. If the weeds are detected early the phytosanitary treatment, which includes the use of toxic substances, will be more effective and will be applied to a smaller surface. In this paper, we propose the use of image processing techniques for weed detection in urban lawns. The proposed methodology is based on simple techniques in order to ensure that they can be applied in-situ. We propose two techniques, one of them is based on the mathematical combination of the red, green and blue bands of an image. In this case, two mathematical operations are proposed to detect the presence of weeds, according to the different colorations of plants. On the other hand, we proposed the use of edge detection techniques to differentiate the surface covered by grass from the surface covered by weeds. In this case, we compared 12 different filters and their combinations. The best results were obtained with the Laplacian filter. Moreover, we proposed to use pre-processing and post-processing operations to remove the soil and to aggregate the data with the aim of reducing the number of false positives. Finally, we compared both methods and their combination. Our results show that both methods are promising, and its combination reduces the number of false positives (0 false positives in the 4 evaluated images) ensuring the detection of all weeds.This work is partially found by the Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte with the Subvenciones para la contratación de personal investigador en fase postdoctoral, grant number APOSTD/2019/04, by European Union through the ERANETMED (Euromediterranean Cooperation through ERANET joint activities and beyond) project ERANETMED3-227 SMARTWATIR, and by the European Union with the "Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER) - Europa invierte en zonas rurales", the MAPAMA, and Comunidad de Madrid with the IMIDRA, under the mark of the PDR-CM 2014-2020 project number PDR18-XEROCESPED.Parra-Boronat, L.; Parra-Boronat, M.; Torices, V.; Marín, J.; Mauri, PV.; Lloret, J. (2019). Comparison of Single Image Processing Techniques and Their Combination for Detection of Weed in Lawns. International Journal On Advances in Intelligent Systems. 12(3-4):177-190. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/158241S177190123-

Low-cost Soil Moisture Sensors Based on Inductive Coils Tested on Different Sorts of Soils

[EN] The use of precision agriculture and the Internet of Things has improved the efficiency of many cultures. Nevertheless, there are a few low-cost options to monitor soil moisture. Moreover, those options depend on the specific characteristics of the soil. In this paper, we attempt to find a sensor, based on mutual inductance, that could be used for more than one sort of soil. We study three prototypes, one of them with casing. The sensors are powered with a voltage of 10 peak to peak volts. One of the soils has a high content of organic matter and sand while the other is rich in sand and silt. The best prototype for the soil with high levels of organic matter has 10 turns on the powered coil and 5 on the induced coil. The best frequency for this sensor is 1340 kHz. For the soil with a significant quantity of silt, the best prototype has 80 turns on the powered coil and 40 on the induced coil. The frequency at which this sensor works best is 229 kHz, which happens to be its peak frequency. With those characteristics regressions lines with R2 values higher than 0.75 can be modeledThis work is partially found by the Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte with the Subvenciones para la contratación de personal investigador en fase postdoctoral, grant number APOSTD/2019/04, by European Union through the ERANETMED (Euromediterranean Cooperation through ERANET joint activities and beyond) project ERANETMED3-227 SMARTWATIR, and by the European Union with the Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER) Europa invierte en zonas rurales, the MAPAMA, and Comunidad de Madrid with the IMIDRA, under the mark of the PDR-CM 2014-2020 project number PDR18-XEROCESPED.Parra-Boronat, M.; Parra-Boronat, L.; Lloret, J.; Mauri, PV.; Llinares Palacios, JV. (2019). Low-cost Soil Moisture Sensors Based on Inductive Coils Tested on Different Sorts of Soils. IEEE. 616-622. https://doi.org/10.1109/IOTSMS48152.2019.8939258S61662

Colombian supply chains: how public policy shapes agriculture

Over the last 15 years, public policies for rural development in Latin America have evolved significantly. One strategy that has been increasingly incorporated into national agendas involves the strengthening of agricultural supply chains through public sector initiatives, policies, and incentives. With the aim of promoting a competitive rural economy in an increasingly globalized world, Colombia has developed an innovative policy approach that focuses on the development of supply chain organizations at the regional level. This strategy has enormous competitive potential when it is well targeted and has strong institutional support, as evidenced by the Ford Foundation-funded study reported here

Women's reproductive rights in the inter-American system of human rights: conclusions from the Field, June - September 2014

The Inter-American System of Human Rights has proven to be a forum for the advancement of women’s reproductive rights in the Inter-American region. However, the Inter-American System faces significant challenges in promoting structural transformative change that enables women’s enjoyment of their reproductive health rights. This report examines three reproductive rights cases from the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights: María Mamerita Mestanza Chávez v. Peru; Paulina Ramirez Jacinto v. Mexico; and Artavia Murillo et al. v. Costa Rica. In the summer of 2014, interviews were conducted with representatives in each of the case study countries, with the objective of the research being two-fold: (1) to understand how each of the cases developed, and the subsequent challenges and advancements; and (2) to learn from these cases in order to suggest recommendations for how actors can make better use of the Inter-American System as one of several avenues for protecting, promoting and fulfilling women’s reproductive rights. The report first discusses challenges in implementing women’s reproductive health rights, and then explores how the Inter-American System can strengthen its work on women’s reproductive health rights

Gene deficiency in activating Fcγ receptors influences the macrophage phenotypic balance and reduces atherosclerosis in mice

Immunity contributes to arterial inflammation during atherosclerosis. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins induce an autoimmune response characterized by specific antibodies and immune complexes in atherosclerotic patients. We hypothesize that specific Fcγ receptors for IgG constant region participate in atherogenesis by regulating the inflammatory state of lesional macrophages. In vivo we examined the role of activating Fcγ receptors in atherosclerosis progression using bone marrow transplantation from mice deficient in γ-chain (the common signaling subunit of activating Fcγ receptors) to hyperlipidemic mice. Hematopoietic deficiency of Fcγ receptors significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion size, which was associated with decreased number of macrophages and T lymphocytes, and increased T regulatory cell function. Lesions of Fcγ receptor deficient mice exhibited increased plaque stability, as evidenced by higher collagen and smooth muscle cell content and decreased apoptosis. These effects were independent of changes in serum lipids and antibody response to oxidized low-density lipoproteins. Activating Fcγ receptor deficiency reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression, nuclear factor-κB activity, and M1 macrophages at the lesion site, while increasing anti-inflammatory genes and M2 macrophages. The decreased inflammation in the lesions was mirrored by a reduced number of classical inflammatory monocytes in blood. In vitro, lack of activating Fcγ receptors attenuated foam cell formation, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory gene expression, and increased M2-associated genes in murine macrophages. Our study demonstrates that activating Fcγ receptors influence the macrophage phenotypic balance in the artery wall of atherosclerotic mice and suggests that modulation of Fcγ receptor-mediated inflammatory responses could effectively suppress atherosclerosis

Species differences in the songs of the critically endangered Niceforo\u27s Wren and the related Rufous-and-white Wren

Niceforo\u27s Wrens (Thryothorus nicefori) and Rufous-and-white Wrens (Thryothorus rufalbus) are closely related Neotropical birds. Niceforo\u27s Wrens, critically endangered endemic Colombian songbirds, are generally considered a sister species to Rufous-and-white Wrens, although some have suggested that they may represent a well-marked race. A careful comparison of the two taxa has never been conducted. Here we present a thorough study of the songs of male Niceforo\u27s and Rufous-and-white Wrens based on recordings collected throughout both species\u27 geographic ranges. Both species sing low-pitched songs composed of varied pure tone whistles. Niceforo\u27s Wren songs are shorter and simpler with fewer syllables and syllable types; they have higher frequency trills and terminal syllables; and they have distinctive terminal syllables with a broader bandwidth, higher frequency of maximum amplitude, and a larger number of frequency modulations. Discriminant analysis based on fine structural details of songs differentiates the two species. In a subspecies-level discriminant analysis, all five subspecies of Rufous-and-white Wren cluster together and are distinct from Niceforo\u27s Wren. Comparisons of morphometric measurements and plumage features reveal parallel differences in body size (Niceforo\u27s Wrens are larger for most measurements) and plumage color (Niceforo\u27s Wrens are more gray than Rufous-and-white Wrens). This study is the first to compare Rufous-and-white versus Niceforo\u27s Wrens with a quantitative approach and supports the idea that these taxa are best understood as distinct species. © The Cooper Ornithological Society 2007