Pricing in the hotel and catering sector

A model explaining gross margins in the hotel and catering sector is developed. A cost-mark-up model for the retail sector is used as a starting point. Although we have to reject the hypothesis of mark-up pricing in the hotel and catering sector, the model proves a useful instrument to discriminate between such influences as sales composition, costs and their various components, scale and demand conditions on price setting. Our empirical evidence stems from the Dutch hotel and catering sector (1977 through 1981)

О финансово-экономическом кризисе

У статті для визначення позиції молодих учених, стосовно фінансово-економічної кризи 2008–2010 р. використаний метод нечіткої кластеризації даних, що працює в режимі паралельної їхньої обробки. Наведено заходи щодо зниження наслідків кризи для України.В статье для определения позиции молодых ученых, применительно к финансово-экономическому кризису 2008—2010 гг. использован метод нечеткой кластеризации данных, который работает в режиме параллельной их обработки. Приведены мероприятия по снижению последствий кризиса для Украины.In an article for determining the position of young scientists, in relation to financial and economic crisis, 2008— 2010. used the method of fuzzy clustering, which operates in parallel processing. Shows the measures to reduce the impact of the crisis in Ukraine

Circulating angiopoietin-2 levels in the course of septic shock: relation with fluid balance, pulmonary dysfunction and mortality

Contains fulltext : 79899.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)PURPOSE: To investigate whether angiopoietin-2, von Willebrand factor (VWF) and angiopoietin-1 relate to surrogate indicators of vascular permeability, pulmonary dysfunction and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality throughout the course of septic shock. METHODS: In 50 consecutive mechanically ventilated septic shock patients, plasma angiopoietin-2, VWF and angiopoietin-1 levels and fluid balance, partial pressure of oxygen/inspiratory oxygen fraction and the oxygenation index as indicators of vascular permeability and pulmonary dysfunction, respectively, were measured until day 28. RESULTS: Angiopoietin-2 positively related to the fluid balance and pulmonary dysfunction, was higher in non-survivors than in survivors and independently predicted non-survival throughout the course of septic shock. VWF inversely related to the fluid balance and pulmonary dysfunction throughout the course of septic shock, was comparable between survivors and non-survivors and predicted non-survival on day 0 only. Angiopoietin-1 positively related to pulmonary dysfunction throughout the course, but did not differ between survivors and non-survivors. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to VWF, plasma angiopoietin-2 positively relates to fluid balance, pulmonary dysfunction and mortality throughout the course of septic shock, in line with a suggested mediator role of the protein

Endotoxemia-induced inflammation and the effect on the human brain

Introduction: Effects of systemic inflammation on cerebral function are not clear, as both inflammation-induced encephalopathy as well as stress-hormone mediated alertness have been described.Methods: Experimental endotoxemia (2 ng/kg Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) was induced in 15 subjects, whereas 10 served as controls. Cytokines (TNF-?, IL-6, IL1-RA and IL-10), cortisol, brain specific proteins (BSP), electroencephalography (EEG) and cognitive function tests (CFTs) were determined.Results: Following LPS infusion, circulating pro- and anti inflammatory cytokines, and cortisol increased (P < 0.0001). BSP changes stayed within the normal range, in which neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100-? changed significantly. Except in one subject with a mild encephalopathic episode, without cognitive dysfunction, endotoxemia induced no clinically relevant EEG changes. Quantitative EEG analysis showed a higher state of alertness detected by changes in the central region, and peak frequency in the occipital region. Improved CFTs during endotoxemia was found to be due to a practice effect as CFTs improved to the same extent in the reference group. Cortisol significantly correlated with a higher state of alertness detected on the EEG. Increased IL-10 and the decreased NSE both correlated with improvement of working memory and with psychomotor speed capacity. No other significant correlations between cytokines, cortisol, EEG, CFT and BSP were found.Conclusions: Short-term systemic inflammation does not provoke or explain the occurrence of septic encephalopathy, but primarily results in an inflammation-mediated increase in cortisol and alertness