The Utility of Blockchain Technology in the Electronic Commerce of Tourism Services: An Exploratory Study on Romanian Consumers

Blockchain technology is considered one of the most revolutionary innovations that has much to offer the tourism industry, having a positive impact among consumers with the help of interactive applications but also easy to use. Tourist services must constantly evolve in a society where the consumer has everything a click away and his requirements are demanding when it comes to quality leisure. Blockchain technology has the power to change the course of the travel experience, offering the customer more autonomy, but the applications developed by the providers can offer transparency and trust to the customers from the moment T0, when the desire to go on a trip is born, until the end at which it should provide feedback. So far, digital and tourism specialists have not agreed on the development of blockchain-based applications, although the benefits are great for both consumers and tourism service providers, as in this publication we can see a series of advantages that blockchain technology can offer the tourism field. This paper also investigates the satisfaction that the Romanian consumer has after purchasing tourist services through e-commerce applications, a satisfaction that can be an additional motivation for specialists to implement blockchain technology. Following the research in this paper, it can be seen how important it is to develop a series of easy-to-use applications, because if the consumer does not manage to use the applications, this affects the degree of satisfaction and the intention to continue using the online applications for the purchase of tourism services.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Satisfaction with, Adherence to, and Perspectives toward COVID-19 Preventive Measures among Public Health Students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant influence on education systems, educational environments, teachers, and students. This study aims to assess the satisfaction with, adherence to, and perspectives toward COVID-19 preventive measures among public health students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia in order to enhance their campus experience. This study utilized a cross-sectional methodology. Data were collected using convenience sampling between 2–19 November 2020; this was accomplished using an online survey administered via Google Forms. The final sample consisted of 200 participants. More than half of the participants (55.0%) were dissatisfied with the preventive measures that had been applied on campus, while 19.0% had a neutral outlook. Interestingly, female participants showed a higher level of dissatisfaction toward the preventive measures (70.6%) than male participants (43.5%). The ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the degree of satisfaction with the COVID-19 preventive measures and the participant’s gender and education level. Male students were more likely to be satisfied with the preventive measures (p < 0.029, OR = 2.199) than female students. In addition, final year students were 4.1 times more likely to be satisfied with the COVID-19 preventive measures (p < 0.004, OR = 0.242) than Year 2 students, and 6.2 times more likely to be satisfied (p ≤ 0.001, OR = 0.162) than Year 3 students. Efforts are needed to improve the students’ satisfaction with COVID-19 preventive measures. Steps are also required to ensure that the procedures and actions introduced by the college extend to all students. In addition, further research is needed to recognize and understand the participants’ experiences after moving to the new buildings, receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and returning to on campus study.

Sequential Use of CO2 Laser Prior to Nd:YAG and Dye Laser in the Management of Non-Facial Warts: A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Warts are benign lesions of viral etiology characterized by a hyperkeratotic appearance tending to spread across the skin surface. Various treatments have been proposed to manage this condition, such as acids, imiquimod, photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, and various lasers. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we describe a combination protocol using CO2 laser prior to Nd:YAG laser for lesions interesting the palmoplantar areas or dye laser for lesions on other skin surfaces in the management of non-facial warts resistant to traditional therapies. In total, 34 patients with 103 warts suffering from wart infection resistant to traditional therapies treated from 1 January 2019 to 1 June 2020 were retrospectively enrolled at the Dermatological Unit of Magna Graecia University (Catanzaro, Italy). Two dermatologists measured clinical results, classifying lesions with complete resolution, partial resolution, or non-responding. Patients at four months follow-up were asked to evaluate their degree of satisfaction with a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Almost all patients reported the complete resolution of lesions, with no patient reporting scarring. Five patients reported hypopigmentation in the treated areas. The mean satisfaction level was high. Only three patients experienced a relapse of the condition. Conclusions: Using a vascular laser following a CO2 superficial ablation of warts may help reduce the risk of scarring and decrease the incidence of relapses for lesions resistant to traditional therapies. Therefore, more extensive studies will be necessary to confirm the obtained results.

Integrity Constraints Revisited: From Exact to Approximate Implication

Integrity constraints such as functional dependencies (FD) and multi-valued dependencies (MVD) are fundamental in database schema design. Likewise, probabilistic conditional independences (CI) are crucial for reasoning about multivariate probability distributions. The implication problem studies whether a set of constraints (antecedents) implies another constraint (consequent), and has been investigated in both the database and the AI literature, under the assumption that all constraints hold exactly. However, many applications today consider constraints that hold only approximately. In this paper we define an approximate implication as a linear inequality between the degree of satisfaction of the antecedents and consequent, and we study the relaxation problem: when does an exact implication relax to an approximate implication? We use information theory to define the degree of satisfaction, and prove several results. First, we show that any implication from a set of data dependencies (MVDs+FDs) can be relaxed to a simple linear inequality with a factor at most quadratic in the number of variables; when the consequent is an FD, the factor can be reduced to 1. Second, we prove that there exists an implication between CIs that does not admit any relaxation; however, we prove that every implication between CIs relaxes "in the limit". Then, we show that the implication problem for differential constraints in market basket analysis also admits a relaxation with a factor equal to 1. Finally, we show how some of the results in the paper can be derived using the I-measure theory, which relates between information theoretic measures and set theory. Our results recover, and sometimes extend, previously known results about the implication problem: the implication of MVDs and FDs can be checked by considering only 2-tuple relations.

Borrowers satisfaction evaluation from Microfinance institution by Using FCEM

Boundless researchers have made efforts to assess the impact of Microfinance on poverty reduction both positively and negatively, but the perception of borrowers about the effectiveness of Microfinance has not been yet found. This study adopts the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method (FCEM) in conjunction with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the level of satisfaction of borrowers with the products and services of microfinance institutions at different criterion levels. The goal is to assess the level of satisfaction for each criterion level under the degree of satisfaction of the borrower about the product and services provided by Microfinance Institution (MFI). Findings show that the claim of MFI was false because study evidence makes it clear that borrowers are not satisfied with the product and services of MFI. In addition to the literature, this study also highlighted the weakness of the MFI product and services. Thus, both the government and the MFIs can improve their performance and change their policies for the welfare of the borrowers.

Use of Poetry in the English as a Second Language Classroom: A Study of Second Year Undergraduates in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

This study focuses on the effectiveness of the use of literature among English as a Second Language (ESL) students. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether poetry has an impact on language teaching and learning in undergraduates in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. This study focuses on poetry as a motivation factor and as a productive method to practice language in the ESL classroom. The target population was randomly selected from the second-year students who offer Center for English Language Learning (CELL) as their core subject for their degree program. The students were chosen at random from the sample, with 20 individuals divided into two groups. After the class, the first group was tested using non-literature content, and their scores were recorded. The second group received the identical instruction as the first, with the same test results. As a result, after learning the lesson through a poem, the second group was tested again, and their scores were recorded. They were also given a questionnaire to gauge their degree of satisfaction. The effectiveness of using poetry in learning and teaching was examined by comparing the independent variables. When the effectiveness of the employment of poetry in second language learning students is measured, the outcome-oriented examination shows no difference. There seem certain positive and negative effects.

The Effects of Parent Education on Perceptions of Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Objectives: Parents’ incomplete knowledge of AAC is apt to make them believe in misconceptions about AAC, which hinders them from having the appropriate interventions for their children. Considering the fact that parents’ perception of AAC has a large impact on AAC intervention, this study aims to examine the effects of parent education on the perception of AAC.Methods: Twenty-five mothers of children with complex communication needs participated in the study. Parent Education is designed as a 40-minute program consisting of (1) introduction to AAC, (2) exploring AAC systems, (3) developing linguistic competence using AAC, (4) tips for using AAC at home, and (5) policies and financial support. Extra time for question-and-answers was provided to each participant. To measure the effect of parent education on parents’ AAC perception and the relationship of participants’ change in perception with their satisfaction with the education program, two types of survey questionnaires were developed.Results: The repeated measured ANCOVA showed that the difference between the total scores of pre-and post-surveys was significant. The Spearman’s rho was .443, indicating a moderate positive correlation between the degree of satisfaction and the change in AAC perception.Conclusion: This study showed that parent education had a positive effect on parents’ perceptions of AAC overall. In particular, there was a significant change of opinion in the misconception that children must have intact cognitive skills to use speech-generating devices, the idea which showed the lowest scores in the pre-survey. It seems that the education program which focused on correcting misconceptions about AAC and providing relevant information and opportunities to use AAC devices helped to lead to these positive effects.

ESG factors as tool for forming business reputation

The article focuses on the ESG factors determining the activities of most companies in recent years. The relationship between ESG principles and the business reputation of a modern company has been indicated. Business reputation is found to be formed under the influence of a number of factors, among which a responsible attitude to the environment, social responsibility and the quality of corporate governance have come out in the first place in recent years. The analysis proved that the ESG principles are firmly entrenched abroad, the number of companies with an ESG rating is growing exponentially, and their profitability is increasing. It has been stated that the Russian business has not yet included ESG principles as mandatory parameters of active investment strategies. The emphasis is put on the relationship with stakeholders, since it is the stakeholders who evaluate the company's activities from the standpoint of the degree of satisfaction of their needs. The conducted analysis has proved that an assessment includes not only profit maximization and dividend growth, but also the results of social and environmentally responsible practices of companies. It has been inferred that there is a relationship between the sustainable development of the company, its business reputation, the creation of ethical values and taking into account the interests of stakeholders in the company's strategy. It is emphasized that ESGs become an instrument of active investment strategies and a tool that determines the business reputation of the company. The practice of responsible ESG investment has been illustrated, the role of institutional investors in the dissemination of this practice has been highlighted.

A study of the degree of customer satisfaction with hotel services during COVID

The purpose of the article is to develop proposals to increase the degree of satisfaction of hotel services consumers during COVID among residents of Kazakhstan and Russia. The article examines the issues of service, service, cost and quality of services of hotel enterprises, including measures to counteract coronavirus infection. Marketing research was conducted in the third quarter of 2021, the methodology for determining the degree of satisfaction consisted of six stages. The research results have shown that, despite the existing mobility restrictions in the studied countries, the economically active population feels the need for attractive emotions, rest, and a change of scenery. The survey data showed that the epidemiological situation in the examined countries impacted tourist trips over the past year and a half. The respondents noted the need to comply with health safety measures. The choice of recreation and accommodation facilities was influenced by the cost of PCR analysis, especially for families traveling with children, and the availability of a vaccination passport. Also, in the conditions of COVID, the choice of consumers was made in favor of personal vehicles. This period has increased the demand for domestic tourism facilities. However, most previous consumers’ requirements for services have remained the same – for quality of service, cost, and friendly attitude. The respondents attributed to the key factors: hotel location, clean rooms, and quality of food. 85% of respondents are satisfied with the hotel services and measures of safe stay. Conclusions and recommendations based on the study findings can be applied by the enterprises providing hotel and catering services.

The Degree of Practicing Administrative Corruption by junior High Schools’ Principals within the Green Line and its Relationship to Jop Satisfaction among Teachers and Instructors from their Point of View: درجة ممارسة الفساد الإداري لدى مديري المدارس الإعدادية وعلاقته بالرضا الوظيفي للمعلمين والمرشدين في منطقة المثلث داخل الخط الاخضر من وجهة نظرهم

The current study aimed to identify the administrative corruption degree in junior high schools within the Green Line in Triangle region cities, and its relationship to job satisfaction among teachers and instructors from their point of view. This research is a descriptive correlational survey type that was implemented using a two- axis and eight- domain questionnaire as a tool. The sample consisted of (390) participants of teachers and instructors. The sample was selected randomly during the academic year 2020\2021. The results of the study showed that administrative corruption, from the sample's point of view, obtained an overall average (3.25 out of 5) with a practice rating of (medium). As for the sub- domains; The corruption related to employees got the highest average of (3.75) with a rating of (large), then material with an average of (3.31) then transactions with an average of (3.17) and finally corruption in facilities with an average of (3.05), all of them with a rating of practice, (medium). As for the job satisfaction axis of teachers and instructors, it was obtained an overall average (3.27 out of 5) with a degree of satisfaction (medium). The level of the domains; Satisfaction with the school environment got the highest average (3.66), with an average (significant) degree, then satisfaction with qualification and training with an average (3.21), then satisfaction with leadership with an average (3.04), and finally financial satisfaction with an average (2.94), all with a degree of satisfaction (medium). The results also showed a relationship between job satisfaction and administrative corruption with a negative relationship that amounted to (r =- 0.29; p < 0.1), and corruption is statistically significant. The study also showed that there are statistically significant differences between the average estimates of the study sample of the level of their estimates of administrative corruption and their job satisfaction in the four areas, according to the gender variable in favor of females, and according to the qualification variable in favor of the bachelor's holders, and according to the experience variable in favor of those with less experience, and according to the school variable in favor of teachers and instructors from private schools. Based on the results of the study, the researcher presented a set of recommendations to reduce administrative corruption and increase the satisfaction of teachers and instructors, including: Working to provide an organized educational environment in educational institutions that reflects the state of interdependence between the goals put forward by the administration and teachers and effective participation between the different parties to achieve the desired goals and bring out a future generation. It was also suggested to conduct complementary research on the subject.