Clustering and hotel room prices in Dubai

In this article, we study the influence of the room properties, hotel amenities, hotel location, and, more importantly, the characteristics of hotels in the surrounding area on the prices of hotel rooms. The effects of different determinants are estimated using the hedonic price model for a cross-section of 250 hotels in Dubai. In addition to the typical characteristics of hotels and hotel rooms such as hotel amenities, star rating, and room size, we include location-specific characteristics such as accessibility to public transportation, airport, and, more importantly, clustering variables to capture the effects of local competition and spillovers from surrounding hotels. Our results indicate significant and strong effects of accessibility to attractions, transportation, hotel’s star rating, and room size, as expected. Our estimations also indicate that local competition reduces the room price, and local quality spillover increases the room price, and both effects are predominantly limited to the hotel’s immediate surroundings. Our estimations indicate that having one more hotel in the immediate surroundings decreases the room price by about one percent, and an increase in the average quality of the hotels in the immediate surroundings by one star rating increases the room price by more than 20%.

Current status of quality of care for public hospitals in Korea : Comprehensive comparison with private hospitals

Objective: This ecological study aims to perform a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of the quality of care in public and private hospitals according to hospital type.Methods: Thisstudy compared and analyzed the results of the National Quality Assessment Program (NQAP) of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) and Incentive Scheme for Quality Evaluation of Hospital Services. The NQAP results published on the HIRA website, as of the end of May 2021, and the internal data of HIRA for the 2020 Incentive Scheme for Quality Evaluation of Hospital Services were used as data collection sources.Results: The NQAP analysisrevealed that the overall average scores were higher for public rather than private hospitals, while the Incentive Scheme for Quality Evaluation of Hospital Services analysis reported that the proportion of higher grades (i.e., grades 1 and 2) was higher in public hospitals. Therefore, it was revealed that public hospital quality levels were notlowerthan that of private hospitals.However, itis necessary to improve the quality levelsin terms ofthe quality distribution.Conclusions: The quality levels of public hospitals are notlowerthan that of private hospitals. However,the high average quality level, we identified certain areas that required improvement in their quality level throughout the distribution. Currently, public hospitals that are particularly located in the lower ranks should strive to achieve the average quality level demonstrated by same level private hospitals, thereby, achieving progressive quality levels and minimizing the between institutions. Thus, furtherresearch should focus on identifying the trends of differencesin quality levels, and they should determine the causes by controlling for the characteristics of medical institutions.

Analysis of risks methodology in information systems

A method of risk analysis in information systems is being developed. The ways of ensuring the efficiency of control systems in the conditions of information confrontation with the use of the game theory apparatus are investigated. The desire to ensure high efficiency of modern management information systems, minimize financial costs, provide energy and information protection of the management system, highlights the creation of a system of analysis and risk management in information systems. It is assumed that the control system can implement the following behavioral strategies in a conflict situation: the control system does not change the algorithm, but changes the class of algorithms used to achieve the maximum value of the average quality by choosing the probability Pij for a given set of countermeasures, the control system changes the algorithm operation, the class of operating algorithms used to maximize the average quality of fixed countermeasures, the control system changes the operating algorithm and the class of operating algorithms used depending on the countermeasure strategy in order to achieve maximum quality. Using the apparatus of game theory, an analysis was performed and a method for estimating the average value of the quality of the communication system with different strategies of the conflicting parties was developed. The technique of estimation of average value of an indicator of quality of functioning of a control system is developed and expressions for an estimation of average value of an indicator at various strategies of behavior are received. It is shown that the solution to the problem of improving the quality of the control system is possible through the use of a mixed strategy of system behavior and the choice of structure and parameters of the control system that increase the partial quality of its operation.

Nanopore-based genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing data of Nosema ceranae-inoculated and un-inoculated eastern honeybee workers' midguts

Apis cerana cerana is an excellent subspecies of Apis cerana, playing a vital role in pollination for wild flowers and crops as well as ecological balance. Nosema ceranae, an emergent fungal parasite infecting various bee species, originates from eastern honeybee. In this article, midguts of N. ceranae-inoculated A. c. cerana workers at 7 days post inoculation (dpi) and 10 dpi (AcT1 and AcT2) and un-inoculated workers' midguts (AcCK1, AcCK2) were subjected to Nanopore-based genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing. Totally, 1773258, 2151476, 1927874 and 2109961 clean reads were generated from AcCK1, AcCK2, AcT1, and AcT2 groups, with the N50 lengths of 7548, 7936, 7678, and 7291 and the average quality value of 8.97, 8.95, 9.24, and 8.98, respectively. Among these, 93.85%, 94.49%, 88.69%, and 81.27% clean reads could be mapped to the reference genome of A. c. cerana. In the aforementioned four groups, 2149685, 2614513, 1637018 and 2726985 CHG sites were identified; the numbers of CHH sites were 9581990, 11801082, 7178559, and 12342423, whereas those of CpG sites were 14325356, 15703508, 14856284 and 13956849, respectively. Additionally, there were 36114, 118867, 30249, and 82984 6mA methylation sites respectively discovered. These data can be used for identifying differential 5mC methylation and 6mA methylation engaged in response of eastern honeybee workers to N. ceranae infestation, and for investigating the 5mC or 6mA methylation-mediated mechanism underlying host response.

Analysis of Posters for Informing the Population via Social Media during Covid-19: Ukrainian Network

Objective. This study aims to determine the extent to which psycholinguistic variables are included in the analysis of the quality of directive posters on social media during Covid-19. Methods. The methods used in the study include analysis of the relevant scientific literature on the identification of psycholinguistic categories and variables relevant to the study; expert assessment of qualitative parameters of posters published on Facebook by official organizations; methods of descriptive statistics. Results. The analysis of 298 unique works conducted through Ukrainian network on Facebook revealed that the overall average quality of the publications is on the borderline between medium and high levels – 69.3% (by text parameters – 70.0%, graphic parameters – 68.6%). Conclusions. The study revealed that psycholinguistic variables such as readability, imageability, concreteness, conceptual familiarity, semantic size, name agreement, image agreement, visual complexity, typicality, image variability, authenticity of texts, processing fluency, etc. penetrate deeply related research on the creolized texts in various forms and interpretations. The quality of the posters on Facebook made by the official institutions operating in the field of health care is at the borderline between medium and high levels. These indicators are most in need of improvement on text parameters such as “Emphasis” and “Call to action”, as well as on graphical parameters such as “Presence of interactive graphic links” and “Understandability of illustration message without text”.

The cost of ignorance: reputational mark-up in the market for Tuscan red wines

Purpose This work argues for and provides an empirical investigation of the idea that imperfectly informed consumers use simple signals to identify the characteristics of wine, for example, the geographical denomination. The reputation of a denomination will thus be an important guide for consumers when assessing individual wines. Design/methodology/approach The price–quality relationship is studied in a fairly homogenous geographical area where a large number of wine types is present. This is done by using a simple OLS analysis on a database of more than 2,000 different red wines produced in a period of just four years in only one Italian region. Findings The results show that some denominations have a lower average quality score and that price differentials between denominations are linked to differences in average quality, although consumers tend to exaggerate the quality gap between prestigious denominations and others. Research limitations/implications A producer in a prestigious denomination benefits from a substantial mark-up relative to an equally good producer from another denomination. Furthermore, denomination neutral wines have a stronger price–quality relationship than denomination specific wines. Practical implications Consumers should not be misled by what is on the bottle, but should rather consult wine guides to become better informed before purchasing. Social implications The fact that quality and sensory characteristics often play a minor role in determining the price of a commodity is not immediately compatible with the postulate that consumers are well informed. Originality/value Unlike previous work, this paper investigates a limited area (Tuscany) and only red wines, thus making it possible implicitly to control for many other factors which might otherwise confound the price–quality relationship.

When the Walls Come Down: Evidence on Charter Schools’ Ability to Keep Their Best Teachers Without Unions and Certification Rules

Theories of market-based school reform suggest that teacher labor markets may be inefficient because schools lack autonomy to incentivize performance in hiring, retention, and compensation. We test this empirically by comparing teacher exits in the deregulated market of New Orleans with neighboring traditional school districts. We find that the relationship between teacher performance and retention is stronger in the deregulated market. We also find positive associations between salary and performance, but only when teachers transfer from one charter school to another. While teacher retention is more closely tied to performance in New Orleans, this did not yield a net gain in teacher quality, because new teachers in New Orleans were of lower average quality than their peers in neighboring districts.

Radiographic optimization of the lateral position of the knee joint aided by CT images and the maximum intensity projection technique

Background Standard lateral knee-joint X-ray images are crucial for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of many knee-joint-related conditions. However, it is difficult to obtain standard lateral knee-joint X-ray images in the current knee-joint lateral radiography position. Purpose To optimize the lateral position of knee joint for radiography aided by computed tomography (CT) images and the maximum intensity projection technique. Materials and methods One hundred cases of anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of knee joints were included. Of these, 50 cases were for lateral radiography in conventional position, and the other 50 cases were for lateral radiography in optimized position. The optimized position was acquired by a retrospective analysis of one hundred cases of knee-joint CT images. The quality of the X-ray images in optimized group was compared with those in conventional group. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results There were differences in the optimized position between males and females. The posterior condyles of the femoral epiphysis in optimized group were in perfect superimposition for most patients. However, the ones in conventional group were not. The average quality score of the lateral knee-joint X-ray images in optimized position was 3.76 ± 0.98, which is much higher than the 1.84 ± 1.15 score in conventional position. Moreover, the difference in the average quality score was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Optimization of the lateral position of knee joint for radiography is possible with the aid of CT images and the maximum intensity projection technique.

Evaluation of the quality of embryo based on morphology cultured at low oxygen concentration

Objectives: evaluating the quality of embryo morphology cultured at low oxygen concentration (5%) at different stages of embryonic development: day 3, day 5. Methods: the present study examined 168 IVF/ICSI cycles from October 2019 to February 2021 at the Assisted Reproductive Center, 16A Ha Dong General Hospital. Embryos were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group 1 used a K-system G-210 tri-gas incubator (Australia) (5% O2, 5% CO2, 90% N2) while group 2 used a Thermo Scientific 371 dual-gas incubator (Denmark) (5% CO2, 75% N2 with 20% atmospheric Oxygen concentration). Participants in the study were patients younger than 37 years old, with AMH>1.2 ng/ml, and AFC≥4. Mature oocytes were injected with sperm, and cultured in a sequential medium (G1,G2-PLUSTM). Embryologists assessed embryos on the day of fertilisation, days 3, 5, and compared the results of the two groups, using the method of descriptive statistics and T-test. The results revealed an insignificant difference in fertilisation rate and the quality of cleavages cultured in these 2 groups (percentages of good- and average quality cleavages were, in turn, 77.28±4.62% và 77.99±5.03%, at p>0.05, number of poor quality cleavages were, in turn, 1.71±0.38 vs 1.97±0.49 with p>0.05). The results on day 5 embryo showed that the percentage of blastocysts (from fertilisation) and the percentage of morphologically good- and average-quality blastocysts tended to increase higher when cultured in 5% oxygen concentration (p<0.05) compared with the 20% one (57.79±3.60% and 53.05±4.50%, 78.62±4.42% and 70.97±5.67%, respectively). Conclusions: embryo cultured in a low oxygen concentration helps embryos develop better on day 5 than when cultured at atmospheric concentrations

“QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS, GUWAHATI, ASSAM: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY.”

According to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) (17 Dec. 2020)- there are 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10 million deaths. Worldwide according to Global cancer statistics; 2018 head and neck cancer accounts for more than 6, 50,000 cases and 3, 3,000 deaths annually. According to Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR (2020) there were about 13.9 lakhs cancer cases, which is likely to increase to 15.7 lakhs by 2025, based on current trends. According to ICMR- National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research NCDIR (2020) the number of cancer cases in the northeast was 50,317 (27,503 in males and 22,814 in females) and is estimated set to increase to 57,131 by 2025 (13.5%). According to a report from National Cancer Registry Programme, India (2020); the majority of the patients for head and neck cancer patients were estimated to be 66.6%. Cancer is a one of the major public health problem both in developed and developing countries around the globe. Quality-Of-Life (QOL) of a cancer patient before and after the treatment is an important issue especially for the cancer survivors, their families, and the care providers. Aim:The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life among cancer patients in selected hospitals, Guwahati, Assam. Methods and materials: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted to identify the quality of life among cancer patients in selected hospitals, Guwahati, in order to accomplish the objectives of the study. Purposive sampling technique was used for obtaining the adequate sample for the study. The conceptual framework used in the study was based on ferrans and powers quality of life mode. Study was undertaken on 100 head and neck cancer patients in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. Participants were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality Of Life was assessed by distributing the structured tool to the respondent. Results: Data analysis was done by calculating mean, SD and chi-square test. It was found that out of 100 respondents majority 62 (62%) of the respondents were in the age groups above 50 years, 62 (62%) of the respondents were in the age groups above 50 years, 71 (71%) of the respondents were male, 64 (64%) of the respondents were married, 38 (38%) of the respondents had monthly income Rs 10,002- Rs 29,972, 65 (65%) of the respondents belongs to joint family, 56 (56%) of the respondents were Hindu, 60 (60%) of the respondents completed primary school, 39 (39%) of the respondents were diagnosed with Ca oral, 34 (34%) of the respondents were in stage 3, 53 (53%) of the respondents had a duration of >5 years, 48 (48%) of the respondents had undergone chemotherapy. In assessing the Quality Of Life it reveals that out of 100 respondents, majority i.e. 76 (76%) of respondents had average Quality Of Life .The demographic variables marital status, average monthly family income, staging of disease and duration of illness had shown statistically signicant association with level of Quality Of Life. The QOLDemographic Variables age, gender, type of family, religion, education, diagnosis and type of treatment had not shown statistically signicant association with level of quality of life among cancer patients. Conclusion:Through this study, the investigator concluded that majority of the head and neck cancer patients had average Quality Of Life.