Dynamic modeling of web purchase behavior and e-mailing impact by Petri net

In this article, the authors introduce Petri nets to model the dynamics of web site visits and purchase behaviors in the case of wish list systems. They describe web site activities and their transition with probability distributions and model the sequential impact of influential factors through links that better explain web purchase behavior dynamics. The basic model, which analyzes site connections and purchases to explain visit and purchase behavior, performs better than a classical negative binomial regression model. To demonstrate its flexibility, the authors extend the wish list Petri net model to measure the impact of e-mailing intervals on visit frequency and purchase.internet; wish list; e-mail; Petri net; dynamic model

Nonlocal interactions by repulsive-attractive potentials: radial ins/stability

In this paper, we investigate nonlocal interaction equations with repulsive-attractive radial potentials. Such equations describe the evolution of a continuum density of particles in which they repulse each other in the short range and attract each other in the long range. We prove that under some conditions on the potential, radially symmetric solutions converge exponentially fast in some transport distance toward a spherical shell stationary state. Otherwise we prove that it is not possible for a radially symmetric solution to converge weakly toward the spherical shell stationary state. We also investigate under which condition it is possible for a non-radially symmetric solution to converge toward a singular stationary state supported on a general hypersurface. Finally we provide a detailed analysis of the specific case of the repulsive-attractive power law potential as well as numerical results. We point out the the conditions of radial ins/stability are sharp.Comment: 42 pages, 7 figure

A study of training methodology for customer contact employees in Spain, and implications on service quality

Studies on training for customer contact employees in the hotel industry have not been found in Spain. In the United States, ample research has been conducted in the areas of training, service quality, and customer satisfaction. However, studies on training programs for customer contact employees, and studies that address the influence of customer contact employees on customers\u27 perceptions of quality are fairly This exploratory study was intended to evaluate the training methodology provided to customer contact employees in luxury properties in Spain, to assess perceptions of effectiveness of such training methods, and to relate such methodology to perceptions of service quality. It was found that a property\u27s commitment to customer service might be related to the ratio of customer contact employees to total number of employees, that importance given to training might differ according to hotel ownership, and that most training is conducted on-the-job

The relationship between pain beliefs and physical and mental health outcome measures in chronic low back pain: direct and indirect effects

Low back pain remains a major health problem with huge societal cost. Biomedical models fail to explain the disability seen in response to reported back pain and therefore patients’ beliefs, cognitions and related behaviours have become a focus for both research and practice. This study used the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire and had two aims: To examine the extent to which pain beliefs are related to disability, anxiety and depression; and to assess whether those relationships are mediated by pain self-efficacy and locus of control. In a sample of 341 chronic low back pain patients, organic and psychological pain beliefs were related to disability, anxiety and depression. However, organic pain beliefs were more strongly related to disability and depression than psychological pain beliefs. Regression analyses revealed that these relationships were in part independent of pain self-efficacy and locus of control. Further, mediation analyses revealed indirect pathways involving self-efficacy and, to a lesser extent chance locus of control, between organic pain beliefs, on the one hand, and disability, anxiety and depression, on the other. In contrast, psychological pain beliefs were only directly related to disability, anxiety and depression. Although longitudinal data are needed to corroborate our findings, this study illustrates the importance of beliefs about the nature of pain and beliefs in one’s ability to cope with pain in determining both physical and mental health outcomes in chronic low back pain patients

Doença de Lyme: anticorpos anti Borrelia burgdorferi nos trabalhadores rurais da Argentina

Lyme Disease is a tick-borne (specially by Ixodes ticks) immune-mediated inflammatory disorder caused by a newly recognize spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Indirect fluorescent antibody (IF) staining methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are frequently relied upon to confirm Lyme borreliosis infections. Although serologic testing for antibodies has limitations, it is still the only practical means of confirming B. burgdorferi infections. Because we have no previous report of Lyme disease in human inhabitants in Argentina, a study was designed as a seroepidemiologic investigation of the immune response to B. burgdorferi in farm workers of Argentina with arthritis symptoms. Three out of 28 sera were positive (#1,5 and 9). Serum # 1 was positive for Immunoglobulin G at dilution 1:320, serum # 5 and # 9 both to dilution 1:160; while for Immunoglobulin M all (#1, 5 and 9) were positive at low dilution (1:40) using IF. The results showed that antibodies against B. burgdorferi are present in an Argentinian population. Thus caution should be exercised in the clinical interpretation of arthritis until the presence of B. burgdorferi be confirmed by culture in specific media.A doença de Lyme, é uma desordem inflamatória, intermediada pelo sistema imunogênico, transmitida por carrapatos (especialmente do Gênero Ixodes) e causada por uma espiroqueta recentemente descoberta, a Borrelia burgdorferi. A técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (IF) é com freqüência usada para confirmar o diagnóstico da infecção por este microrganismo. Embora os métodos práticos tenham limitações, é no entanto o único método prático para seu diagnóstico. Devido a não existência de registros prévios dessa doença na Argentina, foi realizada pesquisa seroepidemiológica para determinar a presença de imunoglobulinas nos trabalhadores rurais da Argentina, com sintomas de artrite. Sobre um total de 28 soros analisados, 3 resultaram positivos (o soro número 1 com um título de 1:320 para IgG, embora os soros números 5 e 9 ambos foram reativos a diluição 1:160). Esses mesmos soros foram analisados para a IgM sendo todos eles levemente reativos (1:40), usando IF. Os resultados mostram que anticorpos anti Borrelia burgdorferi se encontram presentes na população da Argentina. Deve-se ter, portanto, precaução na interpretação clínica das artrites até que a presença de Borrelia burgdorferi seja confirmada pelo cultivo nos meios específicos

Personal qualities of effective sport psychologists: a sports physician perspective

Abstract Previous literature within applied sport psychology offers little detailed discussion regarding the personal qualities of sport psychology practitioners and the impact of these qualities on practice. This paper presents an exploration of the views of sport physicians regarding the personal characteristics and qualities of applied sport psychologists deemed necessary for effective practice. Five UK-based physicians and one Head of Medical Services, working in a range of elite and professional sports, were interviewed about their experience and perceptions of working with sport psychologists. The interview transcripts were content analysed and trustworthiness criteria applied. Four key themes emerged from the data, labelled ‘Personal qualities’, ‘Relationship Building’, ‘Professionalism in Practice’, and ‘Similarities between Psychologist and Physician’. The findings within each theme offered interesting insights into the impact of personal qualities on effective sport psychology practice. This study extends the existing literature on sport psychologists’ characteristics and effectiveness and offers new insights into their personal qualities and how these interact with the practice environment. The findings supported the growing emphasis within the field on the importance of the person behind the practitioner. Suggestions are offered with reference to the need to consider how literature from counselling psychology and medical training could assist the development of practice and education and training in sport psychology

Fia med knuff - Socialsekreterares upplevelser av sin makt i arbetet med tvångsomhändertagande av ungdomar

The power of social services, involving there line of work with care for young persons with problems, is often discussed in negative terms by the general public and has gotten a great deal of attention, therefore we got interested of the social workers side of the story. The purpose of this study is to highlight social workers experiences of their power in their work with care for young persons with problems. In order to find an answer to our purpose we conducted seven qualitative interviews with professional social workers with experience of working with young persons, we also conducted one qualitative interview with Lina Ponnert, an expert on “the care of young persons act”. To analyze our empirical material we applied Michel Foucaults power theories and Yeheskel Hasenfelds theory on human service organizations. The social workers in our study had difficulties talking about their power but in general they saw that their power could be used in good purpose. The social workers considered the law to be the main source of their power in their work. They also felt that many of the young persons that they work with are aware of the social workers power, but they felt that their power in some situations was appreciated by the young persons. Our conclusion is that the power of social workers is a complex issue