The Influence of Table Top Technology in Full-service Restaurants

The use of tabletop technology continues to grow in the restaurant industry, and this study identifies the strengths and weakness of the technology, how it influences customers, and how it can improve the bottom line for managers and business owners. Results from two studies involving a full-service casual dining chain show that dining time was significantly reduced among patrons who used the tabletop hardware to order or pay for their meals, as was the time required for servers to meet the needs of customers. Also, those who used the devices to order a meal tended to spend more than those who did not. Patrons across the industry have embraced guest-facing technology, such as online reservation systems, mobile apps, payment apps, and tablet-based systems, and may in fact look for such technology when deciding where to dine. Guests’ reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with 70 to 80 percent of consumers citing the benefits of guest-facing technology and applications. The introduction of tabletop technology in the full-service segment has been slower than in quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and guests cite online reservation systems, online ordering, and tableside payment as preferred technologies. Restaurant operators have also cited benefits of guest-facing technology, for example, the use of electronic ordering, which led to increased sales as such systems can induce the purchase of more expensive menu items and side dishes while allowing managers to store order and payment information for future transactions. Researchers have also noted the cost of the technology and potential problems with integration into other systems as two main factors blocking adoption.

Do tratamento das reclamações à gestão da insatisfação: o comportamento de empresas hoteleiras mediante a insatisfação de seus clientes

Consumer dissatisfaction, when properly handled, is a significant information source for the manager. Studies in this area allow broadening the understanding of certain customer attitudes and behaviors, such as loyalty, repurchase intention or satisfaction and trust increase. Above and beyond supporting consumer feedback, dissatisfaction can provide significant opportunities for organizational learning. Starting from dissatisfied customer information, companies can detect service flaws and develop new products. This work presents the results of an investigation on the behavior of businesses belonging to the hotel sector in Natal, RN, through the dissatisfaction of their customers. We have sought to map the main problems presented by customers to hotels, in the perception of managers and employees, as well as to understand both the process of dissatisfactionrelated data collection, analysis, and processing, and the utilization of such information by businesses. Beyond this, we have compared the habits of organizations to the company reaction approaches described in the literature: Complaint Handling, Complaint Management, and Dissatisfaction Management. The used methodology has been based on case study. Data was collected via indepth interviews with managers and employees in six hotels, two independent ones and four belonging to national and international hotel networks. We have also made use of documents provided by the organizations, such as guest complaint registers and reports from satisfaction surveys on which content analysis was subsequently performed. The results of the investigation point to a high level of awareness in the companies concerning the importance of consumer dissatisfaction. Even though the maximum grade in the procedure scale is not achieved, it has been observed that answer to dissatisfaction is given in planned and systematic form, geared towards consumer satisfaction and improvement of products and processes. Hotel businesses still have to look into other possibilities for mapping consumer dissatisfaction, which implies, among other aspects, articulation with a range of public and private organizations in such a way as to guarantee sustainability of touristic activities in the long term

Contracting Freedom: Race, Empire, and U.S. Labor Importation Programs, 1942-1964

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Direct Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Flames

The present paper is a report on progress in the simulation of turbulent flames using the Cray T3D and T3E at the Edinburgh parallel computing centre, using codes developed in Cambridge. Two combustion DNS codes are described, ANGUS and SENGA, which solve incompressible and fully compressible reacting flows respectively. The technical background to combustion DNS is presented, and the resource requirements explained in terms of the physic and chemistry of the problem. Results for flame turbulence interaction studies are presented and discussed in terms of their relevance to modelling. Recent work on the fully compressible problem is highlighted and future directions outlined.

O microbioma humano

O organismo humano encontra-se colonizado por uma complexa diversidade de microrganismos. O conjunto destes microrganismos, que incluem as bactérias, fungos, vírus e protozoários, no homem denomina- se microbioma humano. Estima-se que entre a superfície interna e externa, o microbioma humano seja composto por 100 triliões de microrganismos. O microbioma humano varia muito nas mais diversas regiões do nosso corpo, dependendo de condições ambientais. Sabe-se, por exemplo, que nas regiões mais húmidas e quentes encontram-se uma maior concentração de microrganismos, enquanto que nas regiões menos húmidas, existe uma quantidade menor de microrganismos. O microbioma é de vital importância para a saúde humana, e o seu estudo conduz a um melhor conhecimento da sua complexa dinâmica, podendo conduzir ao desenvolvimento de novas formas de diagnóstico e até mesmo de tratamento de certas patologias. Assim sendo, a compreensão da diversidade fisiológica humana, bem como a de outros animais, passa pelo conhecimento da distribuição destes microrganismos nos diferentes órgãos e seu papel biológico. O desenvolvimento de técnicas de genética permitiram o estudo metagenómico importante para descrever a diversidade do microbioma humano, que não seria possível através da cultura das espécies pois um grande número destas não é cultivável. Esta dissertação tem como principal objetivo descrever o microbioma humano e de que forma esta influência o sistema imunitário. E numa segunda parte dar uma visão sobre a importância da análise metagenómica na identificação e caraterização do microbioma Humano.

Spatiotemporal control over the co-conformational switching in pH-responsive flavylium-based multistate pseudorotaxanes

A multistate molecular dyad containing flavylium and viologen units was synthesized and the pH dependent thermodynamics of the network completely characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, UV-vis and stopped-flow. The flavylium cation is only stable at acidic pH values. Above pH ≈ 5 the hydration of the flavylium leads to the formation of the hemiketal followed by ring-opening tautomerization to give the cis-chalcone. Finally, this last species isomerizes to give the trans-chalcone. For the present system only the flavylium cation and the trans-chalcone species could be detected as being thermodynamically stable. The hemiketal and the cis-chalcone are kinetic intermediates with negligible concentrations at the equilibrium. All stable species of the network were found to form 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 host : guest complexes with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) with association constants in the ranges 10(5)-10(8) M(-1) and 10(3)-10(4) M(-1), respectively. The 1 : 1 complexes were particularly interesting to devise pH responsive bistable pseudorotaxanes: at basic pH values (≈12) the flavylium cation interconverts into the deprotonated trans-chalcone in a few minutes and under these conditions the CB7 wheel was found to be located around the viologen unit. A decrease in pH to values around 1 regenerates the flavylium cation in seconds and the macrocycle is translocated to the middle of the axle. On the other hand, if the pH is decreased to 6, the deprotonated trans-chalcone is neutralized to give a metastable species that evolves to the thermodynamically stable flavylium cation in ca. 20 hours. By taking advantage of the pH-dependent kinetics of the trans-chalcone/flavylium interconversion, spatiotemporal control of the molecular organization in pseudorotaxane systems can be achieved.

Estudo da efetividade dos mecanismos de compartilhamento de memória em hipervisores

The growing demand for large-scale virtualization environments, such as the ones used in cloud computing, has led to a need for efficient management of computing resources. RAM memory is the one of the most required resources in these environments, and is usually the main factor limiting the number of virtual machines that can run on the physical host. Recently, hypervisors have brought mechanisms for transparent memory sharing between virtual machines in order to reduce the total demand for system memory. These mechanisms “merge” similar pages detected in multiple virtual machines into the same physical memory, using a copy-on-write mechanism in a manner that is transparent to the guest systems. The objective of this study is to present an overview of these mechanisms and also evaluate their performance and effectiveness. The results of two popular hypervisors (VMware and KVM) using different guest operating systems (Linux and Windows) and different workloads (synthetic and real) are presented herein. The results show significant performance differences between hypervisors according to the guest system workloads and execution time.

Nine for ones in nine: a schizophrenic cyborg love story.

By appropriating the images of the schizophrenic and the cyborg from Deleuze and Guattari, and from Donna Haraway respectively, this paper seeks to discuss the relationship between human and computer, composer and performer in a way that undermines and subverts the normal binaries commonly employed, and even implied in the descriptions of these relationships in this paper. “Nine for ones in nine”, despite employing the use of the OpenMusic software in its composition, retains a degree of choice and indeterminacy for the performers; despite employing the use of precise just harmony in its design and intent, the work depends upon the imprecision of human control rather than ceding to the precision of a synthesiser. Given the vast possibilities opened up to composers by the use of computers to calculate and create sound, why then do composers continue to employ performers in the realisation of their designs, and rely on sometimes hundreds of years-old technology to articulate them in real time? The very social and imprecise aspect of the act of performance is key to the messy, compromised, and complicit product that scores such as Nine for ones in nine aim to produce.

Seed layer technique for high quality epitaxial manganite films

We introduce an innovative approach to the simultaneous control of growth mode and magnetotransport properties of manganite thin films, based on an easy-to-implement film/substrate interface engineering. The deposition of a manganite seed layer and the optimization of the substrate temperature allows a persistent bi-dimensional epitaxy and robust ferromagnetic properties at the same time. Structural measurements confirm that in such interface-engineered films, the optimal properties are related to improved epitaxy. A new growth scenario is envisaged, compatible with a shift from heteroepitaxy towards pseudo-homoepitaxy. Relevant growth parameters such as formation energy, roughening temperature, strain profile and chemical states are derived.

Blue Streak

The Blue Streak, named for the Sandusky, Ohio athletic teams, opened in 1964. It was the first new wooden roller coaster at the park since the Cyclone in 1929. A classic out-and-back coaster with a fast and hilly ride, the 78-foot-high Blue Streak is a long time guest favorite. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014.

Courtesy Corps at Cedar Point

To make Cedar Point more guest-oriented, a Courtesy Corps was created, much like that at Disneyland. College girls were recruited for their guest services skills. They answered questions and provided information and assistance to guests. This picture of a young lady who was part of the corps was taken in 1968.

Cedars Hotel

The Cedars Hotel opened on the Bay side of Cedar Point in 1915. It incorporated the original White House Hotel. It featured 270 guest rooms, a cafeteria, and a gift shop as well as areas with wicker chairs and writing tables.

Alumni involvement in a technology program

Abstract: Everyone knows that in today's modern world, it is hard to keep up with the pace of the ever changing field of technology. This is no different in technology programs at the cegep level. Teachers who are employed at the cegep level find it difficult to keep up to date with the evolving industry trends, especially when working full time. In this paper, the involvement of alumni in the program is examined. The purpose of this study is to examine five areas of alumni involvement. These five major areas of alumni involvement are advisory committees, internships, field trips, guest speaking and real life projects. The literature is reviewed with respect to each of the described areas of involvement as well as theories of motivation. The shift of emphasis from teacher to student is discussed as well as the role of the teacher when faced with changes in technology. Finally students and alumni are surveyed to examine their perceptions to the various types of alumni involvement in the B.S.E.T. program. This research helps to describe whether and to what degree alumni involvement benefits our students in B.S.E.T. Several variables are examined, such as: academic satisfaction and alumni involvement; graduation year and academic satisfaction; graduation year and alumni involvement. The study also examines areas such as motivational attitudes of graduates to stay involved; areas where it is crucial for alumni to stay involved; desire to partner in a capstone project and area of involvement that tends to motivate students the most and that the graduates find of utmost importance.

Género, idade e antiguidade na empresa : Uma análise comparativa de contracto psicológico.

Poucos são os estudos que relacionam variáveis de nível individual como o género, idade e antiguidade na empresa, com a percepção de contracto psicológico, no entanto para além destas variáveis moldarem o conteúdo do contracto psicológico (Guest, 2004), parecem também determinar diferentes valores e interesses de trabalho (Elizur, 1994; Bal, Lange, Jansen e Velde, 2008). Tais evidências chamam a atenção das organizações para o facto de diferentes grupos de trabalhadores apresentarem diferentes percepções de contracto psicológico, podendo consequentemente responder de diferente forma às mesmas políticas organizacionais (Freese & Schalk, 1996). O presente estudo procurou perceber se diferentes grupos de trabalhadores, de diferentes géneros, idades e antiguidades apresentam diferentes percepções de contracto psicológico, procurando posteriormente aceder às causas percebidas de quebra de contracto (Renegação, Disrupção, Incongruência e Anulação), mencionadas na literatura por Rousseau (1995) e Morrinson e Robinson (1997). Foi utilizada uma amostra, recolhida por conveniência, de 83 participantes pertencentes a uma empresa do sector alimentar, constituída por 57,8% de mulheres e 42,2% de homens. Em média possuem 37 anos de idade e 9 anos de antiguidade na empresa. Foi aplicado um questionário, desenvolvido por Lester, Turnley, Bloodgood e Bolino (2002) constituído por diferentes dimensões (Compensação, Recompensas com base na performance, Características da Função, Progressão e Desenvolvimento, Recursos e Relação Laboral) que constituem o contracto psicológico, assim como pelas diferentes causas percebidas de incumprimento da promessa. Após uma análise factorial, foram extraídos 5 factores (Características da Função, Relação Laboral, Compensação, Recursos e Progressão e Recompensas com base na performance). Os resultados demonstraram que os trabalhadores mais velhos percepcionam que a sua empresa lhes proporciona menos do que o prometido relativamente à Compensação, resultados igualmente obtidos para os trabalhadores com mais antiguidade na empresa. Uma posterior análise correlacional demonstrou que a idade está associada com a antiguidade dos trabalhadores. Quanto à causa percebida de incumprimento, os resultados evidenciaram que a maioria dos trabalhadores atribui o incumprimento das promessas à Renegação. Por outras palavras, os trabalhadores entendem que a sua organização não cumpriu as promessas que lhes fez, simplesmente porque assim o quis.

Trapping phosphorus (III) into polyoxometalates: synthesis, characterisation and electronic behaviour study

The introduction of electronically-active heteroanions into polyoxometalates (POMs) is one of the emerging topics in this field. The novel clusters have shown unprecedented intramolecular electron-transfer features that can be directly mediated by the incorporated heteroanions. In this thesis, we will focus on the study of phosphite (HPO32-) as new non-traditional heteroanions, discover HPO32- templated nanostructures, investigate their electronic behaviours as well as understand the self-assembly process of HPO32--templated species. The thesis starts with incorporating HPO32- into POM cages. The feasibility of this work was illustrated by the successful trapping of HPO32- into a “Trojan Horse” type {W18O56} nanocage. The reactivity of embedded {HPO3} was fully studied, showing the cluster undergoes a structural rearrangement in solution whereby the {HPO3} moieties dimerise to form a weakly interacting (O3PH···HPO3) moiety. In the crystalline state a temperature-dependent intramolecular redox reaction and structural rearrangement occurs. This rearrangement appears to proceed via an intermediate containing two different templates, a pyramidal {HPO3} and a tetrahedral {PO4} moiety. {HPO3} templated POM cages were then vigorously expanded and led to the isolation of five either fully oxidised or mixed-valence clusters trapped with mono-, di-, or tri- {HPO3}. Interestingly, an intriguing 3D honeycomb-like host-guest structure was also synthesised. The porous framework was self-aggregated by a tri-phopshite anion templated {W21} cluster with a {VO4} templated Wells-Dawson type {W18} acting as a guest species within the hexagonal channels. Based on this work, we further extended the templating anions to two different redox-active heteroanions, and discovered a unique mixed-heteroatom templated system built by pairing redox-active {HPIIIO3} with {TeO3}, {SeO3} or {AsO3}. Two molecular systems were developed, ie. “Trojan Horse” type [W18O56(HPO3)0.8(SeO3)1.2(H2O)2]8- and cross-shaped [H4P4X4W64O224]32-/36-, where X=TeIV, SeIV, AsIII. In the case of {W18(HPO3)0.8(SeO3)1.2}, the compound is found to be a mixture of heteroleptic {W18(HPO3)(SeO3)} and homoleptic {W18(SeO3)2} and {W18(HPO3)2}, identified by single crystal x-ray diffraction, NMR as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. The cluster exhibited similar temperature-dependent electronic features to “Trojan Horse” type {W18(HPO3)2O56}. However, due to the intrinsic reactivity difference between {HPO3} and {SeO3}, the thermal treatment leads to the formation of an unusual species [W18O55(PO4)(SeO3)]5-, in which {HPO3} was fully oxidised to {PO4} within the cage, whereas and lone-pair-containing {SeO3} heteroanions were kept intact inside the shell. This finding is extremely interesting, as it demonstrated that multiple and independent intramolecular electronic performance can be achieved by the coexistence of distinct heteroatoms within a single molecule. On the other hand, the cross-shaped [H4P4X4W64O224]32-/36- were constructed by four {W15(HPO3)(XO3)} building units linked by four {WO6} octahedra. Each building unit traps two different heteroatoms. It is interesting to note that the mixed heteroatom species show self-sorting, with a highly selective positional preference. Smaller ionic sized {HPO3} are self-organised into the uncapped side of {W15} cavity, whereas closed side are occupied by larger heteroatoms, which is surprisingly opposed to steric hindrance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are currently underway to have a full understanding of the preference of heteroatom substitutions. This series of clusters is of great interest in terms of achieving single molecule-based heteroatom-dependent multiple levels of electron transfer. It has opened a new way to design and synthesise POMs with higher diversity of electrical states, which may lead to a new type of Q-bits for quantum computing. The third chapter is focused on developing polyoxotungstate building blocks templated by {HPO3}. A series of building blocks, {W15O48(HPO3)2}, {W9O30(HPO3)} {W12O40(HPO3)2} and hexagonal {W6O18(HPO3)} have been obtained. The first four building blocks have been reported with {SeO3} and/or {TeO3} heteroanions. This result demonstrates {HPO3} has a similar reactivity as {SeO3} and {TeO3}, therefore studying the self-assembly of {HPO3}-based building blocks would be helpful to have a general understanding of pyramidal heteroatom-based molecular systems. The hexagonal {W6O18(HPO3)} is observed for the first time in polyoxotungstates, showing some of reactivity difference between {HPO3} and {SeO3} and {TeO3}. Furthermore, inorganic salts and pH values have some directing influence on the formation and transformation of various building blocks, resulting in the discovery of a family of {HPO3}-based clusters with nuclearity ranging from {W29} to {W106}. High resolution mass spectrometry was also carried out to investigate the cluster solution behaviour and also gain information of building block speciation. It is found that some clusters experienced decomposition, which gives rise to potential building blocks accountable for the self-assembly.