Zur Rolle der Sprachkompetenzen im Tourismus: eine empirische Studie bei Hotels in der Schweiz und Österreich

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit der Sprachkompetenz von Hotels, welche aus fünf verschiedenen Destinationen stammen. Die Wichtigkeit der Sprachen nimmt zu und aufgrund dessen wird im Rahmen dieser Bachelorarbeit analysiert, wie es um die Mehrsprachigkeit der Hotels in den drei Feriendestinationen Crans Montana, Ischgl und Zermatt sowie in den beiden städtischen Orten Zürich und Wien steht. Dazu wurden deren Webseiten und Antworten auf Buchungsanfragen in verschiedenen Sprachen analysiert und ausgewertet. Anschliessend wurde untersucht, ob diesbezüglich Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Ländern (Österreich und der Schweiz) festgestellt werden können

The γδ T Lymphocytes of the Perinatal Murine Thymus

We have previously shown that the adult thymus contains three subsets of γδ T cells that can be defined by the expression of Thy-1 and heat-stable antigen (HSA). In this study, the number of cells in each of these thymic γδ populations was investigated at different stages throughout life. In adult mice, the populations stayed relatively constant, however, in contrast, there were major variations in them early in development. It was shown that only two of the γδ populations were present in the prenatal thymus, a major population of Thy-1+ HSA- cells, and a smaller population of Thy-1+ HSA- cells. However, after birth, most of the Thy-1+ HSA-cells appear to loose the Thy-1 antigen, forming the third population of HSA- Thy-1-cells. The adult configuration of populations appeared to be established within the first week after birth. Therefore, whereas the γδ populations stayed relatively constant from this time point onwards, there were major variations early in development. Throughout life, most γδ thymocytes are CD4- CD8-, however, in the neonatal thymus, there are some CD4+ and CD8+ γδ thymocytes, and these are contained in the Thy-1+ HSA- population

Influential Article Review - Internal Management’s Voluntary Transparency and Auditor's Declaration: China Proofs

This paper examines management. We present insights from a highly influential paper. Here are the highlights from this paper: We examine what determines a firm’s decision to disclose a self-assessment report on its internal control (IC) system and to further attain an auditor’s attestation on the report, using a sample of firms from the Shanghai Stock Exchange during the period 2006–2010. We hypothesize and find supporting evidence that the likelihood of having voluntary disclosure of IC self-assessment with an auditor’s attestation is positively related to future equity refinancing, mutual-fund shareholding, and whether the firm is controlled by the government, especially the central government. Our study also takes the identification problem into consideration, as our sample includes firms with IC weaknesses/deficiencies. Our study not only makes an incremental contribution to the literature, but also has practical implications, especially for regulators and investors in China. For our overseas readers, we then present the insights from this paper in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German

A systematic performance comparison of two Smooth Pursuit detection algorithms in Virtual Reality depending on target number, distance, and movement patterns

We compared the performance of two smooth-pursuit-based object selection algorithms in Virtual Reality (VR). To assess the best algorithm for a range of configurations, we systematically varied the number of targets to choose from, their distance, and their movement pattern (linear and circular).  Performance was operationalized as the ratio of hits, misses and non-detections.  Averaged over all distances, the correlation-based algorithm performed better for circular movement patterns compared to linear ones (F(1,11) = 24.27, p < .001, η² = .29). This was not found for the difference-based algorithm (F(1,11) = 0.98, p = .344, η² = .01). Both algorithms performed better in close distances compared to larger ones (F(1,11) = 190.77, p < .001, η² = .75 correlation-based, and  F(1,11) = 148.20, p < .001, η² = .42, difference-based). An interaction effect for distance x movement emerged. After systematically varying the number of targets, these results could be replicated, with a slightly smaller effect. Based on performance levels, we introduce the concept of an optimal threshold algorithm, suggesting the best detection algorithm for the individual target configuration. Learnings of adding the third dimension to the detection algorithms and the role of distractors are discussed and suggestions for future research added

Systematic visual analysis of groundwater hydrographs: potential benefits and challenges

Visual analysis of time series in hydrology is frequently seen as a crucial step to becoming acquainted with the nature of the data, as well as detecting unexpected errors, biases, etc. Human eyes, in particular those of a trained expert, are well suited to recognize irregularities and distinct patterns. However, there are limits as to what the eye can resolve and process; moreover, visual analysis is by definition subjective and has low reproducibility. Visual inspection is frequently mentioned in publications, but rarely described in detail, even though it may have significantly affected decisions made in the process of performing the underlying study. This paper presents a visual analysis of groundwater hydrographs that has been performed in relation to attempts to classify groundwater time series as part of developing a new concept for prediction in data-scarce groundwater systems. Within this concept, determining the similarity of groundwater hydrographs is essential. As standard approaches for similarity analysis of groundwater hydrographs do not yet exist, different approaches were developed and tested. This provided the opportunity to carry out a comparison between visual analysis and formal, automated classification approaches. The presented visual classification was carried out on two sets of time series from central Europe and Fennoscandia. It is explained why and where visual classification can be beneficial but also where the limitations and challenges associated with the approach lie. It is concluded that systematic visual analysis of time series in hydrology, despite its subjectivity and low reproducibility, should receive much more attention

Preventing human immunodeficiency virus infection among sexual assault survivors in Cape Town, South Africa: an observational study.

We describe 131 South African sexual assault survivors offered HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). While the median days completed was 27 (IQR 27, 28), 34% stopped PEP or missed doses. Controlling for baseline symptoms, PEP was not associated with symptoms (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.66, 2.64). Factors associated with unprotected sex included prior unprotected sex (OR = 6.46, 95% CI = 3.04, 13.74), time since the assault (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.57) and age (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.57). Trauma counseling was protective (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.58). Four instances of seroconversion were observed by 6 months (risk = 3.7%, 95% CI = 1.0, 9.1). Proactive follow-up is necessary to increase the likelihood of PEP completion and address the mental health and HIV risk needs of survivors. Adherence interventions and targeted risk reduction counseling should be provided to minimize HIV acquisition

Similarity-based approaches in hydrogeology: proposal of a new concept for data-scarce groundwater resource characterization and prediction

A new concept is proposed for describing, analysing and predicting the dynamic behaviour of groundwater resources based on classification and similarity. The concept makes use of the ideas put forward by the “PUB” (predictions in ungauged basins) initiative in surface-water hydrology. One of the approaches developed in PUB uses the principle that similar catchments, exposed to similar weather conditions, will generate a similar discharge response at the catchment outlet. This way, models developed for well-observed catchments can be used to make predictions for ungauged catchments with similar properties (topography, land use, etc.). The concept proposed here applies the same idea to groundwater systems, with the goal to make predictions of the dynamic behaviour of groundwater in poorly observed systems using similarities to well-observed and understood systems. This paper gives an overview of the main ideas, the methodological background, the progress so far, and the challenges that the authors regard as most crucial for further development. One of the main goals of this article is thus to raise interest for this new concept within the groundwater community. There are a multitude of highly interesting aspects to investigate, and a community effort, as with PUB, is required. A second goal is to foster and exchange ideas between the groundwater and surface water research communities who, while often working on similar problems, have often missed the opportunity to learn from each other

Reducing Disparities in the Burden of Cancer: The Role of Patient Navigators

Many racial and ethnic minority patients with cancer face barriers related to access to health care and information. Patient navigators, say the authors, could help to overcome these barriers

Changes in seasonality of groundwater level fluctuations in a temperate-cold climate transition zone

In\ua0cold (i.e. boreal, subarctic, snowy)\ua0climate\ua0zones, dynamic\ua0groundwater\ua0storage is greatly affected by the timing and amount of snowmelt. With global warming, cold climates\ua0in\ua0the northern hemisphere will\ua0transition\ua0to temperate. As temperatures rise, the dominant type of precipitation will\ua0change\ua0from snow to rain\ua0in\ua0winter. Further, the growing season is prolonged. This has\ua0a\ua0direct impact on the aquifer recharge pattern. However, little is known about the effect of changing annual recharge regimes on\ua0groundwater\ua0storage. The present work deduces the impact of shifting\ua0climate\ua0zones on\ua0groundwater\ua0storage by evaluating the effect of\ua0climate\ua0seasonality\ua0on intra-annual hydraulic head\ua0fluctuations. The work compares intra-annual hydraulic head\ua0fluctuations\ua0in\ua0a\ua0temperate-cold\ua0climate\ua0transition\ua0zone\ua0(Fennoscandia) from two different periods (1980–1989, 2001–2010). This is done by associating rising vs. declining hydraulic heads with hydrometeorology. Due to the northwards migration of the temperate\ua0climate\ua0zone, there is\ua0a\ua0shift\ua0in\ua0seasonality\ua0between the two periods. This has\ua0a\ua0negative impact on\ua0groundwater\ua0levels, which are significantly lower\ua0in\ua02001–2010, particularly near the\ua0climate\ua0transition\ua0zone. The results demonstrate that increasing temperatures\ua0in\ua0cold\ua0climate\ua0regions may\ua0change\ua0the\ua0seasonality\ua0of\ua0groundwater\ua0recharge, by altering the main recharge period from being snowmelt-dominated (spring) to rain-dominated (winter). Additionally, this is connected to the duration of the growing season, which impedes\ua0groundwater\ua0recharge. The coupled effect of this on\ua0groundwater\ua0in\ua0the study area has led to\ua0a\ua0significant decrease\ua0in\ua0groundwater\ua0storage