Users' participation in facebook brand pages and its influence on word-of-mouth: the role of brand knowledge and brand relationship

Due to the development of social media, brands have integrated Social Networking Sites (SNS) as an important part of their communication mix. This change calls for studies that help to understand the role of SNS in the communication mix, through further investigating their effects for brands and acknowledging their influencing triggers. Concerning that, previous studies have associated the use of SNS to effects on WoM, with SNS contributing as a tool skilled for generating conversations about the brand. The current study focuses on investigating the triggers of these effects. In previous research, WoM was accepted as being triggered by constructs related to the effects of SNS on increasing users´ knowledge about the brand and improving perceived relationship value. Despite their relevance, studies in SNS so far have not yet explored these approaches in an integrative manner. So researchers and managers could understand how these dimensions behave in relation to each other in triggering WoM. The current study addresses this research gap, proposing an integrative perspective that combines brand knowledge and brand relationship constructs while investigating the effects on WoM. Direct and indirect effects are proposed with mediating relations being supported by the Theory of Reason Action (TRA) and Social Exchange (SET). Two surveys were implemented, with 218 and 550 valid responses obtained. Results were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings support the relevance of brand relationship variables (trust and affective commitment) in influencing WoM, with trust assuming a pivotal role. Moreover, triggers related to brand knowledge also influence the effects, with brand awareness and attitude driving significant effects. Managerial and theoretical implications are discussedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synchronous mucinous adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid seeding onto a pre-existing anal fistula

Carcinoma within a long-standing fistula-in-ano is rare and may be defined by specific neoplastic involvement of the fistulous track in the absence of rectal mucosal carcinoma. The presence of a carcinoma of mucinous histology occurring synchronously in the perianal region and the colon is exceptionally rare. We present a case with a review of the literature concerning its aetiopathogenesis and treatment. A 72-year-old man with a 2 months history of dark red rectal bleeding and mucus per rectum with alternating constipation and diarrhoea, was observed. Clinical examination and a barium enema showed a perianal fistula and an annular stenosing lesion of the rectosigmoid. Preoperative CT scan confirmed the colonic lesion. Colonic resection and wide fistula excision were performed. Histology showed an adenocarcinoma with a clear resection margins. The fistula also showed a similar histology. Chemoradiation (5-Fluorouracil (425 mg/m(2)) and Leucovorin (20 mg/m(2)) with 4500 cGy external beam radiotherapy was utilized. Subsequent clinical follow-up and CT examination of the patient has not revealed recurrent disease at 14 months

Structural validation of a realistic wing structure: the RIBES test article

Several experimental test cases are available in literature to study and validate fluid structure interaction methods. They, however, focus the attention mainly on replicating typical cruising aerodynamic conditions forcing the adoption of fully steel made models able to operate with the high loads generated in high speed facilities. This translates in a complete loss of similitude with typical realistic aeronautical wing structures configurations. To reverse this trend, and to better study the aerolastic mechanism from a structural point of view, an aeroelastic measurement campaign was carried within the EU RIBES project. A half wing model for wind tunnel tests was designed and manufactured replicating a typical metallic wing box structure, producing a database of loads, pressure, stress and deformation measurements. In this paper the design, manufacturing and validation activities performed within the RIBES project are described, with a focus on the structural behavior of the test article. All experimental data and numerical models are made freely available to the scientific community

An RBF Meshless Approach to Evaluate Strain Due to Large Displacements in Flexible Printed Circuit Boards

Thin plates are very often employed in a context of large displacements and rotations, for example, whenever the extreme flexibility of a body can replace the use of complicated kinematic pairs. This is the case of the flexible Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) used, for example, within last-generation foldable laptops and consumer electronics products. In these applications, the range of motion is generally known in advance, and a simple strategy of stress assessment leaving out nonlinear numerical calculations appears feasible other than desirable. In this paper, Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) are used to represent a generic transformation of a bi-dimensional plate, with all the derivate fields being analytically achieved without the need for a numerical grid for large-displacement applications. Strains due to bending are easily retrieved with this method and satisfactorily compared to analytical and shell-based Finite Element Method (FEM) benchmarks. On the other hand, the computational costs of the juxtaposed methods appear far different; with the machine being equal, the orders of magnitude of the time elapsed in computation are seconds for the RBF-based strategy versus minutes for the FEM approach

Determinants of the continuance intention of Airbnb users : consumption values, co-creation, information overload and satisfaction

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationships among the dimensions of consumption values (functional, social and emotional), co-creation, information overload, satisfaction and continuance intention derived from the use of the Airbnb platform. Design/methodology/approach: A Web-based survey was conducted among Italians, and a valid sample of 259 persons was obtained for data analysis. Findings: The survey results indicated that only functional value and social value are strong predictors of satisfaction in the use of the Airbnb website for accommodation booking. Co-creation and absence of information overload also contribute to satisfaction with using the Airbnb website for accommodation booking, which in turn affects continuance intention. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study are highly destination-specific, given that the authors collected the data only from Italian residents. The sample was based on a snowball sampling technique; thus, the study findings could be misrepresented because of sampling selection bias. Moreover, the study was limited to the use of three dimensions of consumption values, co-creation, information overload and satisfaction to predict continuance intention. Furthermore, the present study adopted a Web-based survey questionnaire. Practical implications: Managerial implications include recommendations for hosts to emphasise their prices when listing accommodations on the Airbnb website and to focus on active interaction with potential guests. Information on the website should also be organised to avoid information overload. Originality/value: This study allows a deeper understanding of users’ continuance intention with regards to the Airbnb website by exploring the possible determinants

Tourism experiences, memorability and behavioural intentions : a study of tourists in Sardinia, Italy

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test Kim et al.’s (2012) seven-dimension memorable tourism experience (MTE) scale in a new context and with a new sample. In addition, the study aims to test for causes or relationships between satisfaction, MTE dimensions, co-creative tourism experiences and memorability, as well as the mediating effect of memorability on tourists’ behavioural intention. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a cross-sectional survey design using a questionnaire to collect data. Three trained interviewers questioned international travellers in the boarding area in Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport while they were waiting to board their flights home. The interviewers also distributed and administered the questionnaires. The questionnaire was in English. Data collection was carried out from August to October 2017. Findings: In terms of the theoretical implications of this study, its findings result in a different MTE construct than that of Kim et al.’s (2012) study. Although they discuss seven important experiential tourism factors that are likely to affect the memorability of a person’s experience, what emerges from the present research is that satisfaction, novelty, refreshment, involvement and knowledge significantly influence the memorability of a tourist’s experience. Research limitations/implications: This study has some limitations. First, it is highly site-specific and based on a convenience sample, rendering the findings non-generalizable to either the destination under investigation or any other tourism destination. Further studies should be conducted in other Mediterranean cities to generalise the significance of these findings. Although English can be considered the primary international language, the fact that the survey has been written only in English could have excluded non-English speakers from participating in the study. In addition, the study has not considered national domestic tourists. In the future, translating the survey into different languages and interviewing domestic tourists visiting the island might be useful. Practical implications: Tourism service providers could gather feedback forms from tourists to measure and improve their satisfaction. Additionally, the multiplicity of actors involved in the tourism sector should coordinate and cooperate with one another to create tourism experiences that result in high overall visitor satisfaction. Tourism service providers could also offer new and diverse encounters, for example, the chance to attend local festivals to arouse curiosity, as studies suggest that such novel activities make the experiences particularly memorable. Public officials should also focus on site rejuvenation to appeal to novelty seekers who have visited previously. Originality/value: Overall, the study highlights the discrepancies in the effects of satisfaction, MTE dimensions and co-creative tourism experience on the memorability of a trip experience in relation to previous studies. The results of the analysis refute the assumption that the seven MTE dimensions are representative across a variety of destination-specific tourist experiences. Besides the identified five dimensions, opening up the discussion on other factors that might influence the memorability of tourists’ experiences presents an updated agenda

Inspiratory resistance decreases limb blood flow in COPD patients with heart failure

Hosp Clin Porto Alegre, Exercise Pathophysiol Res Lab, BR-90035007 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, Div Cardiol, BR-90035007 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilSerra Gaucha Coll, Phys Therapy Dept, Caxias Do Sul, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, Pulmonary Div, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilFed Univ Rio Grande, Fac Med, Dept Med, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Resp Dis, Pulmonary Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, São Paulo, BrazilQueens Univ, Dept Med, Div Respirol, LACEP, Kingston, ON, CanadaKingston Gen Hosp, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, CanadaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Resp Dis, Pulmonary Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc