Reinforcement of Brand Relationships in an Omnichannel Environment: A Qualitative Study on Clothing Shopping

Today’s brands operate in an omnichannel environment consisting of different online and offline channels where the brand can be experienced. This qualitative study investigates brand relationship reinforcement in the omnichannel environment among customers of a Finnish clothing brand, R-Collection. The data collection was conducted in 2021 by interviewing ten customers of R-Collection. We examined the brand relationship reinforcement in four channels: brick-and-mortar (B&M), online store, social media, and second hand. The findings show that brand relationships can be rein-forced differently in these channels. In B&M stores, sensing the quality of clothing, a customer experience that meets expectations, and store atmosphere worth visiting are essential for strengthening the brand relationship. In online stores, finding the best online deal, browsing clothes for entertainment, testing and considering before purchase decision, and feeling of exclusivity after purchase affirmed the brand relationship. Other peoples’ admiration, staying informed by following the pleasant brand, well-targeted sponsored ads that provide information, and inspiring brand ambassador strengthen the brand relationship on the social media channel. Finally, in the second-hand channel, ‘treasure hunting’, an opportunity to resell at a reasonable price and contribution to a sustainable lifestyle reinforce shoppers’ brand relationships. The omnichannel brand relationships needs more research from different perspectives

Resin-immobilized palladium nanoparticle catalysts for organic reactions in aqueous media: Morphological aspects

An insight into the nano- and micro-structural morphology of a polymer supported Pd catalyst employed in different catalytic reactions under green conditions is reported. The pre-catalyst was obtained by copolymerization of the metal-containing monomer Pd(AAEMA)2 [AAEMA = deprotonated form of 2-(acetoacetoxy) ethyl methacrylate] with ethyl methacrylate as co-monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker. This material was used in water for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl bromides, and for the reduction of nitroarenes and quinolines using NaBH4 or H2, as reductants. TEM analyses showed that in all cases the pristine Pd(II) species were reduced in situ to Pd(0), which formed metal nanoparticles (NPs, the real active species). The dependence of their average size (2-10 nm) and morphology on different parameters (temperature, reducing agent, presence of a phase transfer agent) is discussed. TEM and micro-IR analyses showed that the polymeric support retained its porosity and stability for several catalytic cycles in all reactions and Pd NPs did not aggregate after reuse. The metal nanoparticle distribution throughout the polymer matrix after several recycles provided precious information about the catalytic mechanism, which was truly heterogeneous in the hydrogenation reactions and of the so-called "release and catch" type in the Suzuki coupling

Iron(II) modified natural zeolites for hexavalent chromium removal from contaminated water

Abstract Three different types of Fe(II)-modified natural zeolites were tested as supports in continuous-flow columns for the treatment of Cr(VI) contaminated water. The natural zeolites chosen as support were commercially available Zeosand (80% clinoptilolite), ATZ (79% phillipsite/chabazite), and ZS-55RW (90% Chabazite). All the examined modified zeolites turned out active for hexavalent chromium abatement, lowering its concentration below the European regulation level, even at relatively high flow rates (40 mL/h, linear velocity 15 cm/h). Zeosand, having a broader pH range of stability, was found to be the best one in terms of both Fe(II) uptake (0.54 wt%) and Cr removal (90 mg Cr/Kg zeolite)

Catalytic activities of heterogeneous catalysts obtained by copolymerization of metal-containing 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate

AbstractAmong the synthetic strategies commonly used for supporting a metal complex onto an organic polymer in order to obtain an heterogenous catalyst, a valid choice is to synthesize a metal containing monomer (MCM), which can subsequently be subjected to polymerization with suitable comonomers and crosslinkers, achieving a supported transition metal catalyst as a metal-containing polymer (MCP). In this context, during the last two decades, we explored the use of 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (HAAEMA) as a ligand to prepare several MCMs for the relevant MCPs. In this review we summarize and discuss our developments in the studies of the catalytic activity of these "hybrid" catalysts. These catalysts have demonstrated high efficiency and/or excellent selectivity in several kinds of chemical reactions and very often they could be recovered and reused in multiple cycles maintaining their activity and selectivity without suffering from appreciable metal leaching

Multivariate tools to investigate the spatial contaminant distribution in a highly anthropized area (Gulf of Naples, Italy)

The Gulf of Naples located in a high anthropized coastal area is subjected to an infrastructural intervention for the installation of a submarine power pipeline. In order to evaluate the distribution of contaminants in the seafloor sediments, a preliminary study has been conducted in the area using multivariate techniques. The statistic approach was performed to gain insights on the occurrence of organic and inorganic contaminants within the area, aiming to identify the relevant hot spots. Three geographical sub-areas influenced by different contaminant association were recognized: Torre Annunziata (TA), Capri (CA), and middle offshore (MO). TA and CA resulted marked by a severe contamination pattern due to anthropogenic pressures. In addition, the influence of the depositional basin in governing the contamination trend has been pointed out. The supervised technique PLS_DA resulted to be a powerful tool in addressing the complexity of the huge dataset acquired during the marine survey, highlighting the main trends in the variability of quality indicators, orienting thus the deeper investigations during follow-up monitoring activities

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Numerical study of water quality improvement in a port through a forced mixing system

Over the years, the growing development of coastal areas urbanization has led to marine habitat loss and degradation. With the continuous increase in population and industrialization, coastal zones are facing several issues arising from the continued decline in the quality of water and sediments and the rapid deterioration of marine ecosystems. Shipping activities exacerbate such a situation, especially in the vicinity of harbors, which are often affected by stagnant and contaminated waters, containing organic as well as inorganic substances. In Italy, although the environmental legislation does not appropriately consider the port as a water body, specific actions are required in order to properly manage these basins. In this regard, a 3D numerical model is firstly performed to detect the hydrodynamic circulation and the water renewal within a port in the southern Adriatic coast of the Apulian region (South of Italy). Then, some configurations of a possible technical solution, i.e. a pumping system aimed at improving water quality, are modelled. Specifically, the system consists of a pump that draws water from areas with less water exchange and enters it into areas inside the port with lower hydrodynamic circulation. The different results, in terms of (i) number of sinks and sources, and (ii) their location, are compared to obtain the best technical solution that enhances the water renewal and then improves its quality. The study allows readers to identify methods for proper planning and management of such shallow sea areas with low water exchange and thus highly susceptible to accumulation of harmful substances in the water, that are ports

Geo-chemo-mechanical characterization of a polluted marine basin

The work shows the first results of the characterization of the heavily polluted sediments in the Mar Piccolo basin (Taranto, south of Italy), obtained thanks to an integrated investigation method. In the field of the actions promoted by the Italian Government to select the most sustainable remediation strategies, a multidisciplinary investigation of the site has been carried out involving the reconstruction of the geological set-up of the basin, the analysis of the chemical contamination and the geo-mechanical properties of the sediments collected up to 30 m below the sea floor. The devices and methodologies used for the off-shore sampling, storage and transport of the sediments and for the laboratory testing were specifically designed to obtain the best possible picture of the site. The quality of the soil sampling resulted to be high enough for chemical, geochemical and geotechnical characterization and to develop integrated analyses. With this purpose, the paper discusses preliminary correlations of data, focusing on the geotechnical properties of plasticity that have been interpreted in the light of soil composition and chemical and geological facets of the sediments

Oxidation of benzyl alcohols to aldehydes and ketones under air in water using a polymer supported palladium catalyst

This work deals with the catalytic conversion of benzyl alcohols to aldehydes or ketones using a polymer supported palladium catalyst which formed metal nanoparticles under reaction condition. The oxidation reaction was carried out on a series of substituted benzylic alcohols under air in water. The obtained results showed high selectivity also for the oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes without over-oxidation products. In addition, the catalyst was recycled several times with negligible metal leaching into solution. © 2014 Elsevier B.V

Influence of hydrodynamic features in the transport and fate of hazard contaminants within touristic ports. Case study: Torre a Mare (Italy)

The environmental quality of Torre a Mare port (Italy) was assessed evaluating on one side, the chemical concentration of nine metals and metalloids within bottom sediments and on the other one, by exploring the impact of hydrodynamic conditions in contaminant’s transport within the most polluted basins. The investigated port was selected as case study because it resulted much more polluted than it was expected based on the touristic port activities and related stressors loading on it. In order to determine the origin and fate of contaminants in the port basin, 2D numerical simulations were carried out by MIKE21 software. The hydrodynamic module (HD) based on a rectangular grid was initially used to characterize the flow field into two domains that cover the inner and offshore harbor area. Then, advection–dispersion (AD) and water quality (WQ) modules were coupled in order to simulate the simultaneous processes of transport and dispersion of hypothetical pollutant sources. The dissolved/suspended sediment particulates (DSS) were selected as contaminant tracers. The comparative analysis between simulation responses and the real metal contaminant distribution showed high agreement, suggesting that contaminants mainly come from outside port and tend to accumulate in the inner basin. In fact, hydrodynamic circulations cause inflowing streams toward the harbor entrance and the particular port morphology hampers the exit of fine sediments from the inner basin, enhancing thus the accumulation of sediment-associated contaminants within the port area. The study confirms that the quality of touristic port areas strongly depends on both pollution sources located within and outside the port domain and it is controlled mainly by the hydrodynamic-driven processes