scholarly journals Time Series Modeling Analysis of the Development and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spa Tourism in Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11476
Author(s):  
Anna Šenková ◽  
Martina Košíková ◽  
Daniela Matušíková ◽  
Kristína Šambronská ◽  
Ivana Kravčáková Vozárová ◽  
...  

Natural healing resources in the form of mineral and thermal waters and climatic conditions, together with a rich history and modern medical procedures, rank Slovakia among the important European countries in the field of spas. At the same time, spa tourism has a significant economic benefit for the country. This study examined the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on spa tourism in Slovakia. The Box-Jenkins methodology was used to model and forecast the time series for selected indicators. The analysis used monthly data on the capacity and performance of spa facilities for 2006–2019 and compared the forecast development for 2020–2021 with the reality as affected by the pandemic. Despite the high quality of the models, the methodology used did not take into account an unexpected event such as a pandemic. Therefore, the models were quite inaccurate and had little predictive value. At the same time, it is clear that the pandemic significantly affected spa tourism.

Author(s):  
S.S. Volkov ◽  
A.V. Konovalov ◽  
A.L. Remizov

In this work, the impact of dyes and fillers on the process of heat generation during ultrasonic welding of plastics was studied, which made it possible to influence the weldability and quality of products. Experiments to weld samples of plastics with various concentrations of dyes and fillers were carried out. Based on the experimental data, it was established that the main parameters of the welding process and the properties of the polymer influenced weldability and performance indicators of the weld joint. The nature and the concentration of the dyes and fillers injected into the polymer to obtain certain characteristics and colors had an impact as well. Optimal concentrations that provided the best weldability, strength and quality of the weld products were obtained for fat-soluble dyes and organic pigments (0.1–1.5 g/kg) as well as disperse fillers and inorganic pigments (5–12 g/kg). Types of dyes and fillers and their optimal concentrations for fat-soluble dyes, organic pigments and disperse fillers were determined. Parameters of the process of ultrasonic welding of dyed and filled plastics were defined. It was established that welded products with the recommended optimal concentration and types of dyes and fillers showed the best weldability, increased strength and performance, and could be used longer under various climatic conditions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
Rizqa Raaiqa Bintana ◽  
Putri Aisyiyah Rakhma Devi ◽  
Umi Laili Yuhana

The quality of the software can be measured by its return on investment. Factors which may affect the return on investment (ROI) is the tangible factors (such as the cost) dan intangible factors (such as the impact of software to the users or stakeholder). The factor of the software itself are assessed through reviewing, testing, process audit, and performance of software. This paper discusses the consideration of return on investment (ROI) assessment criteria derived from the software and its users. These criteria indicate that the approach may support a rational consideration of all relevant criteria when evaluating software, and shows examples of actual return on investment models. Conducted an analysis of the assessment criteria that affect the return on investment if these criteria have a disproportionate effort that resulted in a return on investment of a software decreased. Index Terms - Assessment criteria, Quality assurance, Return on Investment, Software product


2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN GERRING ◽  
STROM C. THACKER ◽  
CAROLA MORENO

Why are some democratic governments more successful than others? What impact do various political institutions have on the quality of governance? This paper develops and tests a new theory of democratic governance. This theory, which we label centripetalism, stands in contrast to the dominant paradigm of decentralism. The centripetal theory of governance argues that democratic institutions work best when they are able to reconcile the twin goals of centralized authority and broad inclusion. At the constitutional level, our theory argues that unitary, parliamentary, and list-PR systems (as opposed to decentralized federal, presidential, and nonproportional ones) help promote both authority and inclusion, and therefore better governance outcomes. We test the theory by examining the impact of centripetalism on eight indicators of governance that range across the areas of state capacity, economic policy and performance, and human development. Results are consistent with the theory and robust to a variety of specifications.


2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Safi ◽  
Anna M. Aniserowicz ◽  
Heather Colquhoun ◽  
Jill Stier ◽  
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia

Abstract Background Eating disorders (ED) can reduce quality of life by limiting participation and performance in social and occupational roles, including paid or unpaid work. The association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance must be well understood to strengthen vocational rehabilitation programmes and prevent occupational disruptions in the ED population. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine the degree of association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance in 15-year-olds and older; (2) to highlight the specific ED symptoms that are most correlated with changes in work performance and participation; (3) to compile the most common metrics and assessments used to measure work participation and performance with ED. Methods Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library will be searched for observational and experimental studies that meet the following criteria: (1) a clinical sample of typical or atypical ED; (2) paid or unpaid employment or training; (3) an association between ED pathologies and work participation or performance. Unpublished data will also be examined. Title and abstract, and full-text screening will be conducted in duplicate. Risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments will be completed. A random-effect meta-analysis will be performed. Discussion This synthesis can clarify knowledge and gaps around the impact of ED on work functioning, thereby allowing better evaluation, improvements and development of current workplace assessments, interventions, and policies. Trial registration The registration number for this systematic review on PROSPERO is CRD42021255055.


Author(s):  
Arwa Hassan Baabbad

The present study aimed to find out the role of corporate governance in improving the quality of information in the Saudi Electricity Company. The researcher used the descriptive survey methodology. As to achieve the study objectives، the researcher utilized the questionnaire tool، in which the study sample (50) members of SEC distributed into employees، managers and decision makers. The study concluded to many results، among of which are: there is a statistically significant relationship between the availability of corporate governance system and performance improvement of the Saudi Electricity Company، there is a statistically significant relationship between corporate governance and appropriateness in improving the performance of the Saudi Electricity Company، it was also found that there is a statistically significant relationship between corporate governance and optimal disclosure in improving the performance of Saudi Electricity Company. The study also found that there is a statistically significant relationship between corporate governance and the right timing in improving the performance of the Saudi Electricity Company. The study suggested number of recommendations، among of which are: the importance of the shareholding companies to comply with the corporate governance regulations considering the interest of companies and their shareholders and all other parties benefiting from the financial statements، attempting to take advantage of the multiple benefits of corporate governance and expand its application in the various economic units in Saudi Arabia، conduct studies on companies that applies the requirement of the Corporate Governance Regulations، and the impact of the application of corporate governance on the shares of these units to find out the relationship between the quality of accounting information in light of the application of corporate governance and the stock market from another angle، imposing deterrent penalties concerning the Corporate Governance Regulations on companies that did not apply this regulation.


Author(s):  
Kelli L Sullivan ◽  
Paulina A Kulesz ◽  
Steven Paul Woods

Abstract Objective Retrospective and prospective memory deficits are associated with lower quality of life (QoL); however, there are no validated measures that comprehensively and directly assess the impact of memory problems on QoL. The Survey of Memory-Related Quality of Life (SMRQoL) was developed as a 30-item questionnaire to measure memory-related QoL. Method Both HIV+ (n = 195) and HIV− (n = 146) participants completed the SMRQoL, a neurocognitive research battery, and validated self-report questionnaires of memory, QoL, and mood. Participants were recruited into younger (age ≤ 40 years) and older (age ≥ 50 years) groups per the parent study design. Results The SMRQoL had a unidimensional factor structure and demonstrated measurement invariance across the HIV+ and HIV− participants. Analyses of 111 clinically stable participants (e.g., persons with no incident or remitting central nervous system disorders) who returned for a 14-month follow-up visit indicated that the SMRQoL had adequate test–retest stability. There was a significant interaction of age and HIV status on the SMRQoL, such that older HIV+ participants reported the lowest memory-related QoL. SMRQoL scores were associated with validated measures of mental and physical QoL, self-reported memory and cognitive symptoms, and performance-based memory and executive functions. Conclusions The SMRQoL shows evidence of reliability and validity as a measure of memory-related QoL that can be used to assess the impact of memory problems on everyday life, but future work is needed to demonstrate the measure’s incremental value in the context of diagnosis and treatment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Joy M. Abit ◽  
Katlynn Weathers ◽  
D. Brian Arnall

Increased canola production costs and acres have driven Oklahoma (OK) farmers to ask more questions about their nutrient management recommendations in their production system. A study was conducted in 2011–2013 at Lahoma and Perkins, OK, to evaluate the effect of applying diammonium phosphate (DAP, 18-20-0:N-P-K) directly with seed on crop stand, grain yield, and grain quality of canola. In addition, the impact of proportion nitrogen (N) applied as a preplant and topdress was also evaluated. Diammonium phosphate was banded with the seed at planting at 0, 17, 34, 51, 67, and 84 kg DAP ha−1. Remaining N was applied as urea (46-0-0) either as split (40% preplant and 60% topdress) application or as topdress only. Stand count reduction of up to 71% was observed with seed-placed DAP. However, loss of stand did not impair grain yield due to canola’s ability to compensate for open areas via branching. Application of DAP of up to 84 kg ha−1 with seed may be possible; however, soil and climatic conditions should be considered when deciding how much DAP will be placed with seed. Moreover, when climatic conditions limit early season growth and favor late spring growth, applying all N at topdress (no preplant) tended to provide greater canola grain yield.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Guinehut ◽  
Christine Coatanoan ◽  
Anne-Lise Dhomps ◽  
Pierre-Yves Le Traon ◽  
Gilles Larnicol

Abstract Satellite altimeter measurements are used to check the quality of the Argo profiling floats time series. The method compares collocated sea level anomalies from altimeter measurements and dynamic height anomalies calculated from Argo temperature and salinity profiles for each Argo float time series. Different kinds of anomalies (sensor drift, bias, spikes, etc.) have been identified on some real-time but also delayed-mode Argo floats. About 4% of the floats should probably not be used until they are carefully checked and reprocessed by the principal investigators (PIs). The method appears to be very complementary to the existing quality control checks performed in real time or delayed mode. It could also be used to quantify the impact of the adjustments made in delayed mode on the pressure, temperature, and salinity fields.


1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick G. Knirk ◽  
Patricia J. Knirk

The more technology we employ to enhance the quality of our personal and professional lives, the more noise we seem to produce. The effects of this on us, both mentally and physically, can be great. In addition to the aggravation and headaches we have all experienced due to noise while working, noise can be utilized as a positive force in increasing morale and performance, or ignored and become a potential source of physical and psychological harm.


2013 ◽  
Vol 584 ◽  
pp. 50-53
Author(s):  
De Gong Chang ◽  
Deng Chen Li ◽  
Song Mei Li ◽  
Guang Zhen Zhou ◽  
Hai Xia Zhao

Pneumatic splice makes use of high-speed compressed air as the driving force to complete the yarn splicing, noticing that the change of the vent pressure has a significant effect on yarn splicing. This paper studies the impact of vent pressure on the quality of yarn splicing when twisting and untwisting. Modeling, analysis and simulation of the air splice is done with the integration of Pro/E and ANSYS software, to study the flow filed and obtain the influence on the speed and pressure of the inside the splicing chamber when changing the speed and pressure while keeping the diameter of splicing chamber diameter, the vent hole diameter and the relative angle are unchanged. The results of the analysis of the air splice will lay a solid foundation for the further optimized structure design.


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