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This study tackled the issues with service robots in hospitality industry and how to leverage robotic technology effectively. The implementation of robots in the hospitality industry was pushed to the boundary; however, customer satisfaction did not improve much as people still complain about the lengthy check-in process, the confusing communication, and other common complaints; there are more associated issues, such as underwhelming welcome, robots do not understand a specific accent, robots run out of battery, robots struggle to understand guests’ requests. Another issue was that some guests were uncomfortable with being served by service robots. The study aimed to determine the relevant degree of robotic staff implementation in the hospitality industry to improve customer satisfaction. For the empirical analysis, the data are coming from the given-out survey, including people who work at the hotel and people who do not work at the hotel, to gather comprehensive opinions from people with diversified occupancy. The study conducted a multiple-choice survey and a short answer question to leave them blank for people who want to express their feelings for service robots.

Background: The interleukin-10 (IL-10)-819T/C polymorphism has been indicated to be correlated with ischemic stroke susceptibility, but this relationship remains controversial. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the potential association between IL-10-819T/C polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk. Methods: Databases including Pubmed, Embase, and CNKI were searched. Data were extracted and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: Eight case-control studies with 1832 cases and 1520 controls were included in this meta-analysis. IL-10-819T/C polymorphism may decrease the risk of ischemic stroke (C vs T: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.91–1.12; CC vs TT: OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.73–1.14; CT vs TT: OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.95–1.28; CC + CT vs TT: OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.92–1.22; CC vs CT + TT: OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.75–1.11). In the stratified analysis by sample size, and case-control matched status, significant associations were still not observed in all genetic models. In the subgroup meta-analysis based on source of controls, IL-10-819T/C polymorphism had decreased ischemic stroke risk for recessive model in population-based controls’ subgroup (CC vs CT + TT: OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.95), but not in the hospital-based controls’ subgroup. In the stratified analysis based on ethnicity, IL-10-819T/C polymorphism had decreased ischemic stroke risk for recessive model in Asian populations (CC vs CT + TT: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62–0.99), but not in Caucasian populations. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results suggest that the IL-10-819T/C polymorphism is not associated with ischemic stroke risk. Larger scale studies are needed for confirmation.

The Interleukin-10 -1082A/G polymorphism has been indicated to be correlated with ischemic stroke susceptibility, but the results of studies are still debatable. Thus, a meta-analysis was carried out.Databases including PubMed, Embase, and CNKI were searched. Data were extracted and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.12 case-control studies with 2722 cases and 2405 controls were included in this meta-analysis. IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism may decrease the risk of ischemic stroke (G vs A: OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87; GG vs AA: OR = 0.59, 95% CI:0.48-0.74; AG vs AA: OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51-0.93; GG+AG vs AA: OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.84; GG vs AG+AA: OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93). Meanwhile, similar results were also observed in matched studies, hospital-based subgroup, Asians, and large sample-size studies.In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that the IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism contributes to decreased ischemic stroke risk. Further large-scale and well-designed studies are still needed to confirm the results of our meta-analysis.

Considering that the white LED’s spectral response decreases exponentially with the increase of carrier frequency for the on-off-keying non-return-to-zero (OOK-NRZ) visible light communication (VLC) data links, a first-order RC high-pass filter is designed and fabricated as a post-equalizer (PE) to compensate the LED spectral response. Formulation and simulation are both available for illustrating the VLC performance with and without PE. Experiments are performed in detail for the fabricated OOK-NRZ VLC system integrated with PE. The data transmission results show that by using PE, the measured carrier bandwidth is enhanced from 0.8 (0.4–1.2) MHz to 1.7 (0–1.7) MHz, and the bit-error-rate (BER) is less than 10−9. It proves the feasibility of the proposed scheme in OOK-NRZ VLC data links.

Large-scale wind power incorporated into power grid brings new challenges to optimal dispatch of power system. Especially, wind power at different locations may has a significant degree of correlation. A copula function was used to characterize the Joint Probability Distribution (JPD) of wind power from multiple wind farms considering their correlation. An optimal dispatch model based on Chance Constrained Programming (CCP) for power system with multiple wind farms was set up. And Sample Average Approximation (SAA) was proposed to transform the chance constrains. Finally Genetic Algorithm (GA) was employed to solve the optimal model. Simulation results indicate that copula function can well express the correlation of wind power from multiple wind farms and SAA has been a dramatic increase and improvement on the search of solution.

Wind power at different locations may has a significant degree of correlation. A copula function, in this paper, is employed to characterize the Joint Probability Distribution (JPD) of wind power from multiple wind farms considering their correlation. Based on this, an optimal dispatch model of power system with multiple wind farms is proposed based on Chance Constrained Programming (CCP) to describe the randomness of wind power. And a new method named Sample Average Approximation (SAA) is used to transform the chance constrians in CCP. Finally the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is used to solve the dispatch model. Simulation results show the affectivity of this model and method, which will be highly useful for optimal dispatch of power system with multiple wind farms.

Background: Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the MCP-1-2518A/G polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk; however, the actual association is controversial. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship in Chinese population, we performed this meta-analysis. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases to identify studies that examined the association between the MCP-1-2518A/Gpolymorphism and the risk of CAD. We estimated the pooled odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval to assess this association. Results: Seven studies containing 4024 Chinese subjects (2260 patients with CAD and 1764 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. MCP-1-2518A/G polymorphism was not found to be significantly associated with CAD risk in all comparisons (for G vs A: OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.92-1.32; for AG+GG vs AA: OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.79-1.53; for GG vs AA+AG: OR=1.05, 95% CI=0.91-1.21; for GG vs AA: OR=1.12, 95% CI=0.82-1.54; for AG vs AA: OR=1.05, 95% CI=0.76-1.47). Similarly, no associations were found in subgroup analysis based on source of control and endpoint. Conclusions: the MCP-1-2518A/G polymorphism was not associated with the risk of CAD in Chinese population.