WHAT MOTIVATES EWOM IN HOTEL INDUSTRY? CAUSALEXPLANATIONS FROM FSQCA

Helena Martins Gonçalves,Graça Miranda Silva,Telma Gomes Martins 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2016 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2016 No.7

Web 2.0 has changed the way users create, share and use online information (O'Connor, 2008). The testimony of anonymous and exempt consumers that emits reviews and ratings through online reviews is a form of Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM). Positive online reviews can contribute to a significant increase in hotel reservations (Ye, Law, & Gu, 2009). Online reviews are amidst the most important factors that influence hotel reservations (Dickinger & Mazanec, 2008) However, only a small percentage of travelers contribute actively with new reviews and evaluations (Bronner & Hoog, 2011). Thus, it is very important to know what motivates consumers to make online hotel reviews, to get more online comments and, consequently, more hotel reservations. Cantallops and Salvi (2014) say that there is little research on eWOM and hotels. The objective of this study is to identify the different causal combinations (configurations) of motivations (personal, social benefit, social concern, and consumer empowerment (Bronner & Hoog, 2011)), and socio-demographic characteristics (gender and age) that lead to hotel online reviews. The study uses the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) because it allows to identify the necessary and sufficient configurations to achieve the outcome (Fiss, 2011). This is an innovative approach in this domain, to the best of our knowledge, because the study focuses on the causal recipes of motivations and not on the net effects of independent motivations as past research do. The study obtained a convenience sample of 192 valid responses, from an online survey.The measures show adequate reliability. The results show that the social concern is a necessary condition and the consumer empowerment is an “almost always necessary” condition. The analysis of sufficient conditions show that three different combinations (explain 43.6% of the cases) of conditions exist that lead to eWOM: 1) being a female older than 35 years old combined with high social concern and high consumer empowerment; 2) being a female older than 35 years old combined with high social concern and high personal motivations; and, 3) being a male combined with the presence of high social concern, high personal motivations, and high consumer empowerment which represents the most significant representation of consumers that make online reviews. Managers should consider these recipes in communication and website design strategies. For example, for men, it is important to have jointly a simple communication channel so that they can easily share positive or negative experiences to help others (social concern); a travel website where they get some fun (personal motivation); and, to believe that their opinions are taken into account by the hotels, namely to improve service (consumer empowerment). In this way,hotels and travel services providers promoting these aspects will tend to have more and better online reviews, which will have a positive influence on hotel reservations. Future studies should consider different motivations for online reviews and eWOM.

Identification of Novel Compounds Inhibiting Chikungunya Virus-Induced Cell Death by High Throughput Screening of a Kinase Inhibitor Library

Cruz, Deu John M.,Bonotto, Rafaela M.,Gomes, Rafael G. B.,da Silva, Camila T.,Taniguchi, Juliana B.,No, Joo Hwan,Lombardot, Benoit,Schwartz, Olivier,Hansen, Michael A. E.,Freitas-Junior, Lucio H. Public Library of Science 2013 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.7 No.10

<▼1><P>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne arthrogenic alphavirus that causes acute febrile illness in humans accompanied by joint pains and in many cases, persistent arthralgia lasting weeks to years. The re-emergence of CHIKV has resulted in numerous outbreaks in the eastern hemisphere, and threatens to expand in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, no effective treatment is currently available. The present study reports the use of resazurin in a cell-based high-throughput assay, and an image-based high-content assay to identify and characterize inhibitors of CHIKV-infection in vitro. CHIKV is a highly cytopathic virus that rapidly kills infected cells. Thus, cell viability of HuH-7 cells infected with CHIKV in the presence of compounds was determined by measuring metabolic reduction of resazurin to identify inhibitors of CHIKV-associated cell death. A kinase inhibitor library of 4,000 compounds was screened against CHIKV infection of HuH-7 cells using the resazurin reduction assay, and the cell toxicity was also measured in non-infected cells. Seventy-two compounds showing ≥50% inhibition property against CHIKV at 10 µM were selected as primary hits. Four compounds having a benzofuran core scaffold (CND0335, CND0364, CND0366 and CND0415), one pyrrolopyridine (CND0545) and one thiazol-carboxamide (CND3514) inhibited CHIKV-associated cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with EC<SUB>50</SUB> values between 2.2 µM and 7.1 µM. Based on image analysis, these 6 hit compounds did not inhibit CHIKV replication in the host cell. However, CHIKV-infected cells manifested less prominent apoptotic blebs typical of CHIKV cytopathic effect compared with the control infection. Moreover, treatment with these compounds reduced viral titers in the medium of CHIKV-infected cells by up to 100-fold. In conclusion, this cell-based high-throughput screening assay using resazurin, combined with the image-based high content assay approach identified compounds against CHIKV having a novel antiviral activity - inhibition of virus-induced CPE - likely by targeting kinases involved in apoptosis.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Recent outbreaks and expanding global distribution of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in different regions of Asia, Africa and Europe necessitates the development of effective therapeutic interventions. At present, only two antiviral compounds (chloroquine and ribavirin) that inhibit viral infection <I>in vitro</I> have been used in clinical cases of chikungunya infections. However, neither of these compounds have shown strong efficacy in vivo. Recent attempts to identify new antiviral candidates for CHIKV using cell-based phenotypic approach have been reported. In this study, we developed a simple cell-based high-throughput assay using resazurin to identify potential anti-CHIKV compounds. This high-throughput assay is based on the metabolic reduction of resazurin to the highly fluorescent resorufin by viable cells as an indicator of activity against CHIKV-induced CPE. We screened 4,000 small molecules belonging to the BioFocus kinase inhibitor chemical library and found a cluster of related molecules with antiviral activity against CHIKV. Finally, we characterized the putative mode of action of these active compounds using an image-based high content assay and conventional virological methods (<I>i.e.</I>, virus yield reduction assay, microneutralization assay).</P></▼2>

Assessment of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal: A study using cone-beam computed tomography

Eduarda Helena Leandro do Nascimento,Maria Luiza dos Anjos Pontual,Andréa dos Anjos Pontual,Danyel Elias da Cruz Perez,José Natal Figueiroa,Marco Antônio Gomes Frazão,Flávia Maria de Moraes Ramos-Pere 대한영상치의학회 2016 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.46 No.2

Purpose: Sufficient area in the interforaminal region is required for dental implant placement, and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal is located within the limits of this area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of the anterior loop in a Brazilian sample population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis. Results: An anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650). Conclusion: In this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases it was less than 1 mm long. Although this is a prevalent anatomical variation, safety limits for the placement of implants in this region cannot be established before an accurate evaluation using imaging techniques in order to identify and preserve the neurovascular bundles. Materials and Methods CBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis. Anatomic Variation; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Mandible Results An anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650). Conclusion In this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases ... Purpose: Sufficient area in the interforaminal region is required for dental implant placement, and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal is located within the limits of this area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of the anterior loop in a Brazilian sample population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis. Results: An anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650). Conclusion: In this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases it was less than 1 mm long. Although this is a prevalent anatomical variation, safety limits for the placement of implants in this region cannot be established before an accurate evaluation using imaging techniques in order to identify and preserve the neurovascular bundles. Materials and Methods CBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis. Results An anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650). Conclusion In this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases it was less than 1 mm long. Although this is a prevalent anatomical variation, safety limits for the placement of implants in this region cannot be established before an accurate evaluation using imaging techniques in order to identify and preserve the neurovascular bundles.

Ferroelectric switching behavior of pulsed laser deposited Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films

José P.B. Silva,Koppole C. Sekhar,Sofia A.S. Rodrigues,Anatoli Khodorov,Javier Martín-Sanchez,Mário Pereira,Maria J.M. Gomes 한국물리학회 2012 Current Applied Physics Vol.12 No.4

The effect of pulse amplitude on the ferroelectric and switching properties of pulsed laser deposited Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films has been studied. The structural and morphological analysis revealed that the films had a well crystallized perovskite phase and grain size of about 30e40 nm. A well saturated PeE hysteresis loop was observed with a remnant polarization (Pr)z4.8 mC/cm2 and a coercive fieldz100 kV/cm at a frequency of 1 kHz. The Pr has been found to be decreased only 4.3% after passing 8.0 × 108 cycles. The analysis of switching response with nucleation limited switching model reveals that characteristic switching time (t0) variance is due to the random distribution of the local electric fields. The peak value of polarization current and t0 exhibits exponential dependence on reciprocal of pulse amplitude. The effect of pulse amplitude on the ferroelectric and switching properties of pulsed laser deposited Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films has been studied. The structural and morphological analysis revealed that the films had a well crystallized perovskite phase and grain size of about 30e40 nm. A well saturated PeE hysteresis loop was observed with a remnant polarization (Pr)z4.8 mC/cm2 and a coercive fieldz100 kV/cm at a frequency of 1 kHz. The Pr has been found to be decreased only 4.3% after passing 8.0 × 108 cycles. The analysis of switching response with nucleation limited switching model reveals that characteristic switching time (t0) variance is due to the random distribution of the local electric fields. The peak value of polarization current and t0 exhibits exponential dependence on reciprocal of pulse amplitude.

Solar photocatalysis of a recalcitrant coloured effluent from a wastewater treatment plant

Vilar, Vitor J.P.,Gomes, Ana I.E.,Ramos, Vanessa M.,Maldonadob, Manuel I.,Boaventura, Rui A.R. Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.5

A photocatalytic study of a coloured effluent from a wastewater treatment plant was carried out in a pilot plant using compound parabolic collectors (CPC) in order to find out the best conditions for colour removal, since the discharge limit for this parameter is not achieved after conventional wastewater treatment. The interaction between ultraviolet natural radiation and $TiO_2$ strongly enhanced the colour degradation rate. Different $TiO_2$ concentrations were tested and the optimum concentration achieved was $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$. The use of peroxydisulfate ($S_2{O_8}^{2-}$) as an additional electron scavenger gave a noticeable effect on colour and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal due to the formation of additional powerful oxidant species ($OH^{\cdot}$ and ${SO_4}^{{\cdot}-}$). However, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) as additional oxidant was more efficient on colour degradation than $S_2{O_8}^{2-}$. The amount of energy necessary for the same colour removal (C/$C_0$ < 0.1) was 6, 14 and $80\;kJ_{UV}\;L^{-1}$, respectively, for the following systems using sunlight: $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$ + 5 mM $H_2O_2$, $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$ + 2 mM $S_2{O_8}^{2-}$ and $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$. The first-order kinetic constants (0.487, 0.207 and $0.053\;L\;kJ^{-1}$) and initial degradation rates (32.1, 10.0 and $2.2\;mg\;kJ^{-1}$) showed the same behaviour.

Computational study of the wind load on a free-form complex thin shell structure

A. Moret Rodrigues,Ana Tomé,M. Glória Gomes 한국풍공학회 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.25 No.2

The accelerated development of new materials, technologies and construction processes, in parallel with advances in computational algorithms and ever growing computational power, is leading to more daring and innovative architectural and structural designs. The search for non-regular building shapes and slender structures, as alternative to the traditional architectural forms that have been prevailing in the building sector, poses important engineering challenges in the assessment of the strength and mechanical stability of non-conventional structures and systems, namely against highly variable actions as wind and seismic forces. In case of complex structures, laboratory experiments are a widely used methodology for strength assessment and loading characterization. Nevertheless, powerful numerical tools providing reliable results are also available today and able to compete with the experimental approach. In this paper the wind action on a free-form complex thin shell is investigated through 3D-CFD simulation in terms of the pressure coefficients and global forces generated. All the modelling aspects and calibrating process are described. The results obtained showed that the CFD technique is effective in the study of the wind effects on complex-shaped structures.

Origin of congenital coronary arterio-ventricular fistulae from anomalous epicardial and myocardial development

Palmquist-Gomes P.,Ruiz-Villalba A.,Guadix J. A.,Romero J. P.,Bessiéres B.,MacGrogan D.,Conejo L.,Ortiz A.,Picazo B.,Houyel L.,Gómez-Cabrero D.,Meilhac S. M.,de la Pompa J. L.,Pérez-Pomares J. M. 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Coronary Artery Fistulae (CAFs) are cardiac congenital anomalies consisting of an abnormal communication of a coronary artery with either a cardiac chamber or another cardiac vessel. In humans, these congenital anomalies can lead to complications such as myocardial hypertrophy, endocarditis, heart dilatation, and failure. Unfortunately, despite their clinical relevance, the aetiology of CAFs remains unknown. In this work, we have used two different species (mouse and avian embryos) to experimentally model CAFs morphogenesis. Both conditional Itga4 (alpha 4 integrin) epicardial deletion in mice and cryocauterisation of chick embryonic hearts disrupted epicardial development and ventricular wall growth, two essential events in coronary embryogenesis. Our results suggest that myocardial discontinuities in the embryonic ventricular wall promote the early contact of the endocardium with epicardial-derived coronary progenitors at the cardiac surface, leading to ventricular endocardial extrusion, precocious differentiation of coronary smooth muscle cells, and the formation of pouch-like aberrant coronary-like structures in direct connection with the ventricular lumen. The structure of these CAF-like anomalies was compared with histopathological data from a human CAF. Our results provide relevant information for the early diagnosis of these congenital anomalies and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their embryogenesis.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in the Roots of Maize Lines Contrasting for Al Tolerance Grown in Limed and Non-Limed Brazilian Oxisoil

( Eliane A. Gomes ),( Christiane A. Oliveira ),( Ubiraci G. P. Lana ),( Roberto W. Noda ),( Ivanildo E. Marrie ),( Francisco A. De Souza ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.7

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the greatest limitations to agriculture in acid soils,particularly in tropical regions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can supply plants with nutrients and give protection against Al toxicity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil liming (i.e., reducing Al saturation) on the AMF community composition and structure in the roots of maize lines contrasting for Al tolerance. To this end, we constructed four 18S rDNA cloning libraries from L3 (Al tolerant) and L22 (Al sensitive) maize lines grown in limed and non-limed soils. A total of 790 clones were sequenced, 69% belonging to theGlomeromycota phylum. The remaining sequences were from Ascomycota, which were more prominent in the limed soil, mainly in the L3 line. The most abundant AM fungal clones were related to the family Glomeraceae represented by the genera uncultured Glomus followed b Rhizophagus and Funneliformis. However, the most abundant operational taxonomic units with 27% of the Glomeromycota clones was affiliated to genus Racocetra. This genus was present in all the four libraries, but it was predominant in the non-limed soils, suggesting that Racocetra is tolerant to Al toxicity. Similarly, Acaulospora and Rhizophagus were also present mostly in both lines in non-limed soils. The community richness of AMF in the non-limed soils was higher than the limed soil for both lines. The results suggest that the soil Al saturation was the parameter that mostly influences the AMF species composition in the soils in this study.

Computational study of the wind load on a free-form complex thin shell structure

Rodrigues, A. Moret,Tome, Ana,Gomes, M. Gloria Techno-Press 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.25 No.2

The accelerated development of new materials, technologies and construction processes, in parallel with advances in computational algorithms and ever growing computational power, is leading to more daring and innovative architectural and structural designs. The search for non-regular building shapes and slender structures, as alternative to the traditional architectural forms that have been prevailing in the building sector, poses important engineering challenges in the assessment of the strength and mechanical stability of non-conventional structures and systems, namely against highly variable actions as wind and seismic forces. In case of complex structures, laboratory experiments are a widely used methodology for strength assessment and loading characterization. Nevertheless, powerful numerical tools providing reliable results are also available today and able to compete with the experimental approach. In this paper the wind action on a free-form complex thin shell is investigated through 3D-CFD simulation in terms of the pressure coefficients and global forces generated. All the modelling aspects and calibrating process are described. The results obtained showed that the CFD technique is effective in the study of the wind effects on complex-shaped structures.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antimycobacterial Activities of Bromelia balansae (Bromeliaceae)

Roberta Gomes Coelho,Neli Kika Honda,Maria do Carmo Vieira,Rosenei Louzada Brum,Fernando Roge´rio Pavan,Clarice Queico Fujimura Leite,Claudia Andre´a Lima Cardoso 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.5

Bromelia balansae (Family Bromeliaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in the central region of Brazil as a cough syrup and also eaten roasted. The methanolic extract of ripe fruits was analyzed by chromatographic methods and spectrometrically. Four glycoside flavonols were isolated: kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), and kaempferol 3,7-di-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (4). The resazurin microtiter assay was used to measure the biological activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results showed a moderate activity of the methanolic extract with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 128μg/mL. Antioxidant activity was evaluated as free radical scavenging capacity and inhibition of peroxidation. Free radical scavenging capacity was assessed by measuring the scavenging activity of methanolic extract and methanolic fraction on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The methanolic extract showed low values of antioxidant activities, whereas the methanolic fraction exhibited free radical scavenging activity ranging from 20.2% to 91.1%, and the inhibition of peroxidation values ranging from 5.6% to 27.5%. This is the first chemical study reported in the literature about this species.