Local food purchase behavior of U.S. consumers: Application of an extended theory of planned behavior and self-congruity theory

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents to the behavior to purchase local food by using the extended theory of planned behavior with additional considerations of moral aspects and self-congruity theory. Structural equation modeling was conducted and all hypothesized paths were analyzed. Although hypotheses were constructed based on direct correlations between variables, the study also looked into indirect and total effects on actual local food purchase in order to explain the model more comprehensively. Overall, the purchase of local food was found to be a multifaceted and dynamic decision-making process. In addition to the TPB variables, moral norm and self-congruity were found to influence consumers' local food purchase directly and indirectly, indicating that they were meaningful additions to the TPB model

Examination of the Systematic Risk Determinants of the Casino Industry

This study examined financial measures which are the determinants of systematic risk in the casino industry. Financial data was collected from 29 casinos in the U.S. in the period of 2002 through 2006 for the multiple regression analysis using annual data set as previous empirical studies. In addition, one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests were conducted with quarterly data from 32 U.S. casinos. In short, different casino managers in the different casino segments should use different financial strategies to reduce risk. Furthermore, casino investors should understand unique financial characteristics of different segments in the casino industry. In addition, casino managers should keep trying to attract customers with well-established plans and a wide range of activities to keep casinos from having a high-risk season.School of Hotel and Restaurant Administratio

The influence of chronic renal failure on the spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens in community-acquired acute pyelonephritis presenting as a positive urine culture

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of chronic renal failure (CRF) in the antimicrobial resistance of uropathogens in patients with community-acquired acute pyelonephritis (APN) remains poorly understood.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>We performed a retrospective analysis of 502 adults (54 men, 448 women; mean age 61.7 ± 16.0 years, range 18-98 years) who were treated for community-acquired APN at Kosin University Gospel Hospital (Busan, Republic of Korea) during a ten-year period (January 2000 to December 2009). We evaluated the spectra and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of uropathogens in CRF and non-CRF patients with community-acquired APN that presented as a positive urine culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 502 adult subjects were classified as either non-CRF APN patients (336 patients, 66.9%) or CRF APN patients (166 patients, 33.1%) according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate. No significant differences in the sensitivity of <it>E. coli </it>to a third cephalosporin, aminoglycoside (except gentamycin), or ciprofloxacin were observed between non-CRF and CRF patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In our series of patients with community-acquired APN that initially presented as a positive urine culture, CRF did not influence the isolation rates of different uropathogens or their patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobials.</p

Driving RVpark/Campground Selection: A Grounded Theory Approach

The ability to “provide almost unrestricted land travel” (Prideaux & Carson, 2003, p. 307) has made drive tourism popular for tourists. A considerable sub-sector of the drive tourism industry is that of the multi-billion-dollar recreational vehicle industry (RV). Minimal academic research has been conducted on this important sub-sector of the drive tourism industry. This study builds upon previous research towards a further understanding of the RV consumer. A grounded theory approach was used to drive the direction of the research for this study. Given the scope of the data and studies that have been done regarding RV industry, this study examines the extent that motivational factors vary amongst three distinct segments of travelers within the RV industry. This study adds to the academic body of knowledge through the expansion of motivational research into the RV industry while also exploring spending patterns and importance of various sources of information amongst consumers. The research will give the industry a deeper understanding of the needs of the varying target markets so they can better tailor the offerings to meet consumer demands

Building the Foundation for a Health Education Program for Rural Older Adults

We explored rural older adults’ perceptions of health to inform health promotion program development, using social marketing as our framework. Participants in seven focus groups viewed independence and holistic health as indicators of health and identified healthful eating and physical activity as actions to promote health. Barriers to these actions included physical limitations, social factors, financial considerations, motivation issues, and information confusion. Participants desired education that improves knowledge and skills, provides socialization opportunities, and occurs in familiar, affordable locations. Our findings can be useful to others developing health programming for rural-residing older adults. Also, we show that applying social marketing principles during formative assessment can be helpful in tailoring programs to audience interests and concerns

Deep Seawater flow Characteristics Around the Manganese Nodule Collecting Device

AbstractFlow field characteristics with outflow discharge from a collecting device in deep seawater while gathering manganese nodules have been analyzed by CFD. Numerical model is used for the analysis with CFD program of FLUENT. It is assumed that the collecting device is 4.5×5.4×6.7m with outflow speed = 1.75 m/s and the current speed = 0.1m/s.Overall seawater flow field characteristics are largely influenced by the outflow discharge from the collecting device and manganese nodule particle behavior. The outflow discharge effect reaches to about few times of the collecting device in back. As simulation results, flow velocity and streamline distributions are compared including turbulence kinetic energyvariation. This study will be useful for optimal design for manganese nodule collecting device system in deep sea

A carbon nanotubes-silicon nanoparticles network for high performance lithium rechargeable battery anodes

As an effort to address the chronic capacity fading of Si anodes and thus achieve their robust cycling performance, herein, we develop a unique electrode in which silicon nanoparticles are embedded in the carbon nanotubes network. Utilizing robust contacts between silicon nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, the composite electrodes exhibit excellent electrochemical performance : 95.5% capacity retention after 140 cycles as well as rate capability such that at the C-rate increase from 0.1C to 1C to 10C, the specific capacities of 850, 698, and 312 mAh/g are obtained, respectively. The present investigation suggests a useful design principle for silicon as well as other high capacity alloying electrodes that undergo large volume expansions during battery operations.

Effects of Infrared Radiation and Heat on Human Skin Aging in vivo

Sunlight damages human skin, resulting in a wrinkled appearance. Since natural sunlight is polychromatic, its ultimate effects on the human skin are the result of not only the action of each wavelength separately, but also interactions among the many wavelengths, including UV, visible light, and infrared (IR). In direct sunlight, the temperature of human skin rises to about 40°C following the conversion of absorbed IR into heat. So far, our knowledge of the effects of IR radiation or heat on skin aging is limited. Recent work demonstrates that IR and heat exposure each induces cutaneous angiogenesis and inflammatory cellular infiltration, disrupts the dermal extracellular matrix by inducing matrix metalloproteinases, and alters dermal structural proteins, thereby adding to premature skin aging. This review provides a summary of current research on the effects of IR radiation and heat on aging in human skin in vivo