An Examination of Brand Personality in Economy Hotel Segment: Common and Differentiating Factors

The purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of brand personality in the economy hotel segment and whether hotel brand personality could differentiate between similar hotel brands. Courtyard and Hampton Inn are used in this study. The results of this study suggest that brand personality dimensions could be clearly delineated in the economy hotel sector, in consistent with Aaker’s dimensions, Ruggedness, Competence, Excitement, Sophistication, and Sincerity. Moreover, similar hotel brands could be perceived differently based on brand personalities. Additionally, although common brand personality factor structure could be used to describe economy hotel brands in general, specific hotel brand does exhibit some unique dimensions

Hotels hurting horrifically but hopeful: A case study of the Indianapolis hotel industry

Purpose: The authors delve into the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the hotel industry in Indianapolis in comparison to its competition. The impact of the virus on the hotel industry was analyzed for Indianapolis and its major competitors (Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, San Antonio and Kansas City) to learn about how severe the impact is and attain insight into how these destinations can rebound. Methods: This paper uses data from Smith Travel Research (STR), a service that produces daily hotel metrics often cited in mainstream media and academic journals. This secondary data source gathers data from participating hotels to obtain a sample of data on occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR). The trends in the data are compared over time and between cities in the analysis. Results: The findings illustrate that the hotel industry in Indianapolis was able to replace some transient visitors with contracts and group bookings, suggesting that proactive and assertive policies have assisted in the management of the crisis. Implications: The findings from the analysis illustrate that leveraging innovative policies and looking at new markets may assist in the rebounding of convention tourism in Indianapolis and its competitors

An Investigation of Fashion Brands\u27 Social Media Marketing: How Young Women\u27s Photographic Image Preferences effect eWOM behaviors and Purchase Intention based on VALS

The purpose of this study was to identify the type of photographic images (prefer to see a product by itself, product worn by a non-celebrity model, or product worn by celebrity model) posted on social media by fashion brands that stimulate young women\u27s eWOM behaviors and purchase intention, in addition to whether individuals\u27 VALS (values and attitudes) typology played a role in their preferences. The study confirmed that VALS typology can be used to assess whether photographic images posted by fashion brands for product promotion can influence potential consumers to share information with others, comment on the product through the selected platform, and intend to purchase the product. The results indicated that young women preferred to see a product worn by a non-celebrity model than the product itself or by a celebrity

Identifying and Comparing the Influence of Instagram on the Creativity and Design Process of Female Fashion Design Students in Saudi Arabia and in the United States

Social media has become a fundamental part in our life because it helps to stay in touch with friends and family and discover new communities. Fashion design students can use social media, specifically Instagram to find new designs and to learn from popular designers. The purpose was to identify and compare the influence Instagram has on the creativity and design process of fashion design students in Saudi Arabia and in the United States. This research examined the impact of Instagram with respect to the use in two countries. The effect of social media examined from the differences of adoption between the countries and how fashion design students from each country use Instagram. Results indicated that Saudi Arabia students were more active on social media than students in the United States. The motivation for using Instagram was to increase knowledge about the design process and to communicate with designers

Two first-in-human studies of xentuzumab, a humanised insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-neutralising antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumours

BACKGROUND: Xentuzumab, an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1/IGF-2-neutralising antibody, binds IGF-1 and IGF-2, inhibiting their growth-promoting signalling. Two first-in-human trials assessed the maximum-tolerated/relevant biological dose (MTD/RBD), safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and activity of xentuzumab in advanced/metastatic solid cancers. METHODS: These phase 1, open-label trials comprised dose-finding (part I; 3 + 3 design) and expansion cohorts (part II; selected tumours; RBD [weekly dosing]). Primary endpoints were MTD/RBD. RESULTS: Study 1280.1 involved 61 patients (part I: xentuzumab 10–1800 mg weekly, n = 48; part II: 1000 mg weekly, n = 13); study 1280.2, 64 patients (part I: 10–3600 mg three-weekly, n = 33; part II: 1000 mg weekly, n = 31). One dose-limiting toxicity occurred; the MTD was not reached for either schedule. Adverse events were generally grade 1/2, mostly gastrointestinal. Xentuzumab showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics. Total plasma IGF-1 increased dose dependently, plateauing at ~1000 mg/week; at ≥450 mg/week, IGF bioactivity was almost undetectable. Two partial responses occurred (poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour). Integration of biomarker and response data by Bayesian Logistic Regression Modeling (BLRM) confirmed the RBD. CONCLUSIONS: Xentuzumab was well tolerated; MTD was not reached. RBD was 1000 mg weekly, confirmed by BLRM. Xentuzumab showed preliminary anti-tumour activity

4β-Hydroxywithanolide E from Physalis peruviana (golden berry) inhibits growth of human lung cancer cells through DNA damage, apoptosis and G2/M arrest

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The crude extract of the fruit bearing plant, <it>Physalis peruviana </it>(golden berry), demonstrated anti-hepatoma and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the cellular mechanism involved in this process is still unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Herein, we isolated the main pure compound, 4β-Hydroxywithanolide (4βHWE) derived from golden berries, and investigated its antiproliferative effect on a human lung cancer cell line (H1299) using survival, cell cycle, and apoptosis analyses. An alkaline comet-nuclear extract (NE) assay was used to evaluate the DNA damage due to the drug.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was shown that DNA damage was significantly induced by 1, 5, and 10 μg/mL 4βHWE for 2 h in a dose-dependent manner (<it>p </it>< 0.005). A trypan blue exclusion assay showed that the proliferation of cells was inhibited by 4βHWE in both dose- and time-dependent manners (<it>p </it>< 0.05 and 0.001 for 24 and 48 h, respectively). The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 4βHWE in H1299 cells for 24 and 48 h were 0.6 and 0.71 μg/mL, respectively, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic agent against lung cancer. In a flow cytometric analysis, 4βHWE produced cell cycle perturbation in the form of sub-G₁accumulation and slight arrest at the G₂/M phase with 1 μg/mL for 12 and 24 h, respectively. Using flow cytometric and annexin V/propidium iodide immunofluorescence double-staining techniques, these phenomena were proven to be apoptosis and complete G₂/M arrest for H1299 cells treated with 5 μg/mL for 24 h.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, we demonstrated that golden berry-derived 4βHWE is a potential DNA-damaging and chemotherapeutic agent against lung cancer.</p

Culinary Graduates’ Career Decisions and Expectations

This study investigates the expectations of career opportunities and career decisions of prospective culinary graduates in the food service industry. The study analyzed data from a sample of 336 college students majoring in culinary arts from three different culinary schools located in the northeastern region of the United States. The results show that the availability of the new labor force for entry and mid-level positions appears to be lower than the growth of student enrollment. Research findings suggest that monetary factors, including salary and benefits, along with advancement opportunities are the major factors influencing culinary graduates’ career decisions. The familiarity with career opportunities and willingness to accept job offers were also assessed. Recommendations are offered to bridge the gap between the expectations of culinary graduates and recruiters for improved recruitment results