Effects of Traditional and Electronic Word-of-mouth on Destination Image of Vacation Tourists: a Case of Branson, Missouri

Word-of-Mouth effect on products decision-making have been studied for over 40 years. However, the effects of integrated word-of-mouth (WOM), both traditional and electronic, on tourism products are yet to be investigated. This study aims to assess the effects of and differences between traditional WOM and electronic WOM, the effects of and differences between personal WOM and commercial WOM, and the effects of and differences between positive and negative WOM in both traditional and electronic WOM on perceived destination image. Online and face-to-face surveys were used to collect the data from visitors who have visited Branson in the past and have registered with tourists' data base in Branson, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce. Face-to-face survey was also administered to visitors who had visited Branson Welcome Center during the survey period. A descriptive design using a cross-sectional sample survey was used to collect data for the proposed research hypotheses, which were later tested using ANOVA and regression analysis. Results of the study indicated that traditional WOM has a greater influence on destination image compared to electronic WOM. Personal WOM has a greater influence on destination image compared to commercial WOM. However, negative WOM exerts less influence on destination image compared to positive WOM while negative electronic WOM has a greater influence on destination image compared to negative traditional WOM. These results support the proposed hypotheses only partially. Tourists' brand relationship with electronic WOM communicator, expertise, and WOM information configuration may act as a moderator in this study. Accordingly, asymmetric dimensions of WOM effects on destination image were found. More integrated future research is needed to reveal the mechanics of WOM effects on destination image for the purpose of marketing strategy.School of Hotel and Restaurant Administratio

The Suzaku Observations of SS Cygni in Quiescence and Outburst

We present results from the Suzaku observations of the dwarf nova SS Cyg in quiescence and outburst in 2005 November. Owing to high sensitivity of the HXD PIN detector and high spectral resolution of the XIS, we have determined parameters of the plasma with unprecedented precision. The maximum temperature of the plasma in quiescence 20.4 +4.0-2.6 (stat.) +/- 3.0 (sys.) keV is significantly higher than that in outburst 6.0 +0.2-1.3 keV. The elemental abundances are close to the solar ones for the medium-Z elements (Si, S, Ar) whereas they decline both in lighter and heavier elements. Those of oxygen and iron are 0.46 and 0.37 solar, respectively. That of carbon is exceptionally high and 2 solar at least. The solid angle of the reflector subtending over the optically thin thermal plasma is Omega/2\pi = 1.7+/-0.2 (stat.) +/-0.1 (sys.) in quiescence. A 6.4 keV iron Ka line is resolved into a narrow and broad components. These facts indicate that both the white dwarf and the accretion disk contribute to the continuum reflection and the 6.4 keV iron Ka line. We consider the standard optically thin boundary layer as the most plausible picture for the plasma configuration in quiescence. The solid angle of the reflector in outburst Omega/2\pi = 0.9 +0.5-0.4 and a broad 6.4 keV iron line indicates that the reflection in outburst originates from the accretion disk and an equatorial accretion belt. From the energy width of the 6.4 keV line, we consider the optically thin thermal plasma in outburst as being distributed on the accretion disk like solar coronae.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ Suzaku 3rd special issue Pdf of this paper can be downloaded from http://www.astro.isas.jaxa.jp/~ishida/Papers/sscyg_sub2.pd

An Apparent Hard X-ray Decline of CH Cygni

CH Cygni is a symbiotic star consisting of an M giant and an accreting white dwarf, which is known to be a highly variable X-ray source with a complex, two-component, spectra. Here we report on two Suzaku observations of CH Cyg, taken in 2006 January and May, during which the system was seen to be in a soft X-ray bright, hard X-ray faint state. Based on the extraordinary strength of the 6.4 keV fluorescent Fe K-alpha line, we show that the hard X-rays observed with Suzaku are dominated by scattering.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japa

Comparative Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Long-Term Use of Imidafenacin and Solifenacin in Patients with Overactive Bladder: A Prospective, Open, Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial (the LIST Study)

Objectives. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic disease, but comparative trials of anticholinergics, which are commonly used for treatment of OAB, have generally been performed for up to 12 weeks only. There is no comparative study of a long-term intervention. Methods. We conducted a 52-week prospective randomized comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two anticholinergics. Results. Forty-one Japanese patients with untreated OAB were randomly assigned to imidafenacin and solifenacin groups. There was no difference in OABSS and KHQ scores between the two groups, but the severity and incidence of adverse events caused by the anticholinergics showed increased differences between the groups with time. The severity of dry mouth and the incidence of constipation were significantly lower in the imidafenacin group (P = 0.0092 and P = 0.0013, resp.). Conclusions. This study is the first long-term trial to show differences in the properties of anticholinergics that were not detected in short-term studies. Since OAB is a chronic disease, we conclude that imidafenacin is preferable to solifenacin from a perspective of safety

Gravitational Redshift Detection from the Magnetic White Dwarf Harbored in RX J1712.6-2414

Gravitational redshift is a fundamental parameter that allows us to determine the mass-to-radius ratio of compact stellar objects, such as black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs (WDs). In the X-ray spectra of the close binary system, RX J1712.6$-$2414, obtained from the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating observation, we detected significant redshifts for characteristic X-rays emitted from hydrogen-like magnesium, silicon ($\Delta E/E_{\rm rest} \sim 7 \times 10^{-4}$), and sulfur ($\Delta E/E_{\rm rest} \sim 15 \times 10^{-4}$) ions, which are over the instrumental absolute energy accuracy (${\Delta E/E_{\rm rest} \sim 3.3} \times 10^{-4}$). Considering some possible factors, such as Doppler shifts associated with the plasma flow, systemic velocity, and optical depth, we concluded that the major contributor to the observed redshift is the gravitational redshift of the WD harbored in the binary system, which is the first gravitational redshift detection from a magnetic WD. Moreover, the gravitational redshift provides us with a new method of the WD mass measurement by invoking the plasma-flow theory with strong magnetic fields in close binaries. Regardless of large uncertainty, our new method estimated the WD mass to be $M_{\rm WD}> 0.9\,M_{\odot}$.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

ReAlignerV: Web-based genomic alignment tool with high specificity and robustness estimated by species-specific insertion sequences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Detecting conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) across species highlights the functional elements. Alignment procedures combined with computational prediction of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) can narrow down key regulatory elements. Repeat masking processes are often performed before alignment to mask insertion sequences such as transposable elements (TEs). However, recently such TEs have been reported to influence the gene regulatory network evolution. Therefore, an alignment approach that is robust to TE insertions is meaningful for finding novel conserved TFBSs in TEs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We constructed a web server 'ReAlignerV' for complex alignment of genomic sequences. ReAlignerV returns ladder-like schematic alignments that integrate predicted TFBSs and the location of TEs. It also provides pair-wise alignments in which the predicted TFBS sites and their names are shown alongside each sequence. Furthermore, we evaluated false positive aligned sites by focusing on the species-specific TEs (SSTEs), and found that ReAlignerV has a higher specificity and robustness to insertions for sequences having more than 20% TE content, compared to LAGAN, AVID, MAVID and BLASTZ.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ReAlignerV can be applied successfully to TE-insertion-rich sequences without prior repeat masking, and this increases the chances of finding regulatory sequences hidden in TEs, which are important sources of the regulatory network evolution. ReAlignerV can be accessed through and downloaded from <url>http://genet.med.kagawa-u.ac.jp/</url>.</p

On the iron Kalpha complex in magnetic cataclysmic variables

We present a compilation of spectra of the iron Kalpha region in magnetic cataclysmic variables, using data from the Chandra-HETG. The H-like, He-like and fluorescent components are clearly resolved, and there are hints of the structure within each component. The different shape of the He-like component in AM Her might be related to greater cyclotron cooling in this star. A surprising absence of Doppler shifts in the H-like and He-like components implies that the X-ray emission is predominantly from the denser, lower-velocity base of the accretion columns. This absence will allow ASTRO-E2 to resolve the structure in each component, leading to temperature diagnostics. We do not confirm the report that the H-like and He-like components of AO Psc are Compton broadened; however we do detect a Compton-downshifted shoulder to the fluorescent line of GK Per. Further, a Doppler-shifted wing of this line arises in the high-velocity, pre-shock flow.Comment: To appear in MNRAS; 5 page

Cognitive function during exercise under severe hypoxia

Acute exercise has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function. In contrast, severe hypoxia can impair cognitive function. Hence, cognitive function during exercise under severe hypoxia may be determined by the balance between the beneficial effects of exercise and the detrimental effects of severe hypoxia. However, the physiological factors that determine cognitive function during exercise under hypoxia remain unclear. Here, we examined the combined effects of acute exercise and severe hypoxia on cognitive function and identified physiological factors that determine cognitive function during exercise under severe hypoxia. The participants completed cognitive tasks at rest and during moderate exercise under either normoxic or severe hypoxic conditions. Peripheral oxygen saturation, cerebral oxygenation, and middle cerebral artery velocity were continuously monitored. Cerebral oxygen delivery was calculated as the product of estimated arterial oxygen content and cerebral blood flow. On average, cognitive performance improved during exercise under both normoxia and hypoxia, without sacrificing accuracy. However, under hypoxia, cognitive improvements were attenuated for individuals exhibiting a greater decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation. Cognitive performance was not associated with other physiological parameters. Taken together, the present results suggest that arterial desaturation attenuates cognitive improvements during exercise under hypoxia