A cross validation of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) with Private Labels in Spain

Molinillo,S., Ekinci, Y., Japutra, A. (2014)'A cross validation of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) with Private Labels in Spain'. in Martínez-López, Gázquez-Abad, J.C. and Sethuraman, R. J.A. (eds.) Advances in National Brand and Private Label Marketing. Second International Conference, 2015. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, pp. 113-125In recent years a number of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) models and measurement scales have been introduced in the branding literature. However, examinations of brand equity in Private Labels (PL) are rather limited. This study aims to compare the validity of the two prominent CBBE models those introduced by Yoo and Donthu (2001) and Nam et al. (2011). In order to test the models and make this comparison, the study collected data from 236 respondents who rated private labels in Spain. A list of 30 different fashion and sportswear PL was introduced to respondents. These brands do not make any reference to the retail store in which they are sold. Research findings suggest that the extended CBBE model introduced by Nam et al. (2011) and Ciftci et al. (2014) is more reliable and valid than Yoo and Donthu’s model for assessing PL. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Airway persistence by the emerging multi-azole-resistant Rasamsonia argillacea complex in cystic fibrosis

Infections caused by Rasamsonia argillacea complex have been reported in various clinical settings. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the main underlying conditions. An observational cohort study of CF patients with Rasamsonia in respiratory samples was conducted. Eight isolates from six patients were identified as R. argillacea complex and tested for antifungal susceptibility. All isolates had high MICs to voriconazole and posaconazole and low MECs to echinocandins. Four patients experienced lung function decline in the year preceding first Rasamsonia isolation. This continued in the year following first isolation in three out of four cases. Antifungal therapy was initiated in two patients, to which only one exhibited a clinical response. Three out of six patients died within three years of isolating Rasamsonia. Genotyping suggests that similar genotypes of Rasamsonia can persist in CF airways. Consistent with other fungi in CF, the clinical impact of airway colonization by Rasamsonia is variable. In certain patients, Rasamsonia may be able to drive clinical decline. In others, though a clear impact on lung function may be difficult to determine, the appearance of Rasamsonia acts as a marker of disease severity. In others it does not appear to have an obvious clinical impact on disease progression