Neutrino oscillation signatures of oxygen-neon-magnesium supernovae

We discuss the flavor conversion of neutrinos from core collapse supernovae that have oxygen-neon-magnesium (ONeMg) cores. Using the numerically calculated evolution of the star up to 650 ms post bounce, we find that, for the normal mass hierarchy, the electron neutrino flux in a detector shows signatures of two typical features of an ONeMg-core supernova: a sharp step in the density profile at the base of the He shell and a faster shock wave propagation compared to iron core supernovae. Before the shock hits the density step (t ~ 150 ms), the survival probability of electron neutrinos is about 0.68, in contrast to values of 0.32 or less for an iron core supernova. The passage of the shock through the step and its subsequent propagation cause a decrease of the survival probability and a decrease of the amplitude of oscillations in the Earth, reflecting the transition to a more adiabatic propagation inside the star. These changes affect the lower energy neutrinos first; they are faster and more sizable for larger theta_13. They are unique of ONeMg-core supernovae, and give the possibility to test the speed of the shock wave. The time modulation of the Earth effect and its negative sign at the neutronization peak are the most robust signatures in a detector.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures (16 figure files). Text and graphics added for illustration and clarification; Results unchanged. Version accepted for publication in Physical Review

Augmented Reality (AR) in Urban Heritage Tourism.

New technology has been seen as a way for many businesses in the tourism industry to stay competitive and enhance their marketing campaign in various ways. AR has evolved as the buzzword of modern information technology and is gaining increasing attention in the media as well as through a variety of use cases. This trend is highly fostered across mobile applications as well as the hype of wearable computing triggered by Google’s Glass project to be launched in 2014. However, although research on AR has been conducted in various fields including the Urban Tourism industry, the majority of studies focus on technical aspects of AR, while others are tailored to specific applications. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the current implementation of AR in the Urban Tourism context and identifies areas of research and development that is required to guide the early stages of AR implementation in a purposeful way to enhance the tourist experience. The paper provides an overview of AR and examines the impacts AR has made on the economy. Hence, AR applications in Urban Tourism are identified and benefits of AR are discussed

Value of Augmented Reality at Cultural Heritage Sites: A Stakeholder Approach

As the pace of Augmented Reality (AR) adoption quickens, cultural heritage sites have begun to focus on the opportunities provided by this new and innovative technology. However, small organizations often fear making large investments in AR without a proof of concept due to the risk of failure. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the perceived value of AR from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives to ensure the long-term viability of technological innovations in small cultural heritage organizations. The present study uses a small museum in the UK to explore the perceived value of the implementation of AR within the museum context using a stakeholder approach. Qualitative data were gathered from twenty-four stakeholders via focus groups and interviews. This case study shows that AR has economic, experiential, social, epistemic, cultural & historical, and educational value from both internal and external stakeholders’ perspectives. AR is considered to be a way to preserve history, enhance visitor satisfaction, generate positive word-of-mouth, attract new target markets and contribute to a positive learning experience. This paper contributes to the knowledge gap in the area of stakeholders’ perceived value of AR for cultural heritage tourism

Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and 3D Printing for the Co-Creation of Value for the Visitor Experience at Cultural Heritage Places

Purpose This paper aims to propose a value co-creation framework through examining the opportunities of implementing augmented reality, virtual reality and 3D printing in to the visitor experience in the cultural heritage places. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes the conceptual model of value co-creation using a case study approach by presenting some cases of a cultural heritage place in UK. Findings Findings suggest that the effective use of multiple technologies in the context of cultural heritage places contributes to the co-creation of value for both cultural heritage organisations and also for visitors’ pre-visit, onsite and post-visit experience. Businesses can benefit from increased spending, intention to return and positive word-of-mouth while visitors receive a personalised, educational, memorable and interactive experience. Practical implications Cultural heritage places have to find new ways to in order to survive increasingly fierce competition. Using technology and the concept of value co-creation can prove to be a valuable concept in an attempt to attract new target markets, enhance visitors’ experience, create positive word-of-mouth and revisit intentions. Originality/value Recently, increased importance has been placed on the co-creation of value to account for consumers interest in playing part in the development of services and products recently. This research takes a holistic approach using augmented reality, virtual reality and 3D printing from value co-creation perspective

Educators’ Perspectives of eLearning in Swiss Private Hospitality Institutions

Copyright © The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education. Hospitality education, delivered via traditional and/or contemporary methods, is crucial in preparing students the required managerial competencies to be successful in the hospitality industry. Hence, this study aims to provide a rare insight of hospitality educators’ perspectives of preparing their students the required managerial competencies through eLearning platforms in private hospitality institutions located in Switzerland. Twelve experienced educators were purposively recruited to participate in face-to-face interviews. Then, template analysis was employed to analyze the interview transcriptions to determine the usage of eLearning to prepare students’ administrative, technical, conceptual, interpersonal, and leadership competencies. This study found some educators reluctant to use eLearning, while others were underutilizing the eLearning functions in educating their students. The educators were challenged by time constraints, lack of training, and unmotivated students. Educators were cautioned to employing eLearning platforms. Then, eLearning training was suggested to overcome their challenges

Distribution Channels for Travel and Tourism: The Case of Crete

The tourism distribution channels network is extremely complex. In particular, the emergence of technologies; the development of online social networks, online review sites as well as mobile location-based services has added additional channels of distribution. The awareness of new opportunities within the tourism distribution channels is essential for tourism professional in order to remain competitive and successful. Therefore, this study aims to update the tourism distribution channels model within the context of Crete, Greece. Twenty managers from hotels and tour operators were interviewed and the data were analysed using content analysis. Interviewees identified an increased importance of social media and mobile for today’s distribution market and the future decreased importance of incoming agents. Instead, the tourism industry has to start focus on Extranet/XML

Online social networking: Relationship marketing in UK hotels

The role and the existing and potential use of online social networking as a relationship marketing (RM) tool is evaluated in the context of luxury hotels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the persons responsible for the management of social networking in 10 luxury hotels. Constant comparative analysis, applied within a codebook framework, revealed online social networks (OSNs) provided RM opportunities and increased business value. It is acknowledged that the full potential of OSNs has yet to be realised in terms of hotel marketing. Opportunities for extending the utilisation of OSNs are identified alongside recommendations for hotel marketing practitioners with regard to addressing consumers' needs, and areas for further research are outlined. © 2013 Copyright 2013 Westburn Publishers Ltd

Social Media Marketing in Selected UK Hotels

Within the UK service sector social media marketing is one of the fastest growing forms of online marketing, yet recent research has shown that hotels have been slow to implement these networks into their overall marketing strategies, therefore failing to capitalize on customer relationship management opportunities emerging through these networks. This study aims to explore how four and five star UK hotels have implemented social media networks into their marketing strategies. Further, hotel guests' reasons to use social media and expectations on hotels regarding their social media pages are presented and analyzed. To conduct this research, 32 interviews were held with 14 hotel social media managers, 2 hotel PR (Public Relations) agencies and 16 hotel guests using social media pages. The research has shown that UK luxury hotels have created social media strategies and are aware of its advantages and disadvantages. Further, the research revealed that there are differences between hotel guests’ expectations and hotels strategies on social media networks

The Slow Food Movement and sustainable tourism development: a case study of Mold, Wales

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss stakeholders’ understanding of sustainable tourism development and their experiences regarding the contribution of these movements to sustainable tourism development. The contribution of the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements to the success of a tourism destination is evaluated by determining local stakeholders’ perceptions of the meaning of these terms and views on their benefits. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 11 purposively sampled local stakeholders. The interview questions spanned knowledge, membership and perceived benefits of the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements and the contribution of these Movements to sustainable tourism development. The data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings – Varying levels of familiarity with the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements were evident. Clear economic and personal benefits from membership were acknowledged. It was confirmed that the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements have contributed to sustainable tourism development and that public–private partnership is key to its success. Research limitations/implications – The specific research context and limited purposive sample suggest great caution in any generalisation of the results. Practical implications – Close and continued involvement of stakeholders plus membership of the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements can contribute strongly to promoting sustainable tourism development in rural areas. Social implications – It is recognised that the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements make a substantial contribution to local economies and add value to sustainable practices. Originality/value – Involving local stakeholders in public–private partnerships can contribute to the success of rural tourism destinations when the Slow Food and Cittaslow Movements are considered as alternative approaches to sustainable tourism development