An empirical analysis of tourist satisfaction: A case-study of Zlin-ZOO in the Czech Republic

This paper aims to assess the mediating role of tourist satisfaction based on certain antecedents and consequences for the fa mous zoo of the Moravian region in the Czech Republic. Relatively, the overlooked segment of the hospitality sector, particularly, the recreation segment is addressed by taking the case of the aforementioned zoo to analyze the antecedents and consequences of tourist satisfaction fr om visitors’ viewpoints. Hence, the assessment of the mediating role of tourist satisfaction by taking the case of Zoo in the recreation segment is the novel aspect, due to its thorough investigation about the role of significant antecedents and consequences. Based on the primary da ta and application of the PLS-SEM, results indicated direct and indirect effects, the construct ‘emotion’ significantly affects tourist satisfaction as a direct effect. Tourist satisfaction also predicts the recommendation/WoM and corporate image significantly while only ‘emotion’ is signi ficant with respect to indirect effects. The study concludes that ‘emotion’ is an important antecedent for consideration, whilst recommendation/WoM, and corporate image are significant constructs of consequences related to tourist satisfaction. The study i mplications and limitations are considered whilst future research directions have been suggested in the end part of the paper. © 2020 Editura Universitatii din Oradea. All rights reserved

The role of social media on tourists' behavior: An empirical analysis of millennials from the Czech Republic

Due to the emergence of Web 2.0 and consequently the increased use of social media, this study aims to explore the role of social media in changing the behavior of tourists and the choice of a destination. Despite the massive popularity of social media, the studies with a comprehensive set of driving constructs along with indicators of social media regarding the changing behavior of tourists are lacking in the literature. Therefore, framed by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the present study fulfills this research gap by developing a set of driving constructs and carrying out an empirical analysis by collecting data from millennials in the selected universities of the Czech Republic. Through the non-random sampling technique, precisely convenience sampling, 261 valid responses were received, and partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was performed to achieve the objectives of this study. The results indicate that social media channels have a significant impact on behavioral intention and the actual behavior of tourists (significant direct and indirect effect). The constructs tourist information search and tourism promotion were partially supported toward predicting the behavior of tourists. Control-variables related to socio-economic characteristics such as gender and educational level also have a significant impact in determining the actual behavior of tourists. Hence, overall, the study concludes with the significant and considerable impact of social media on the behavior of tourists. The contributions of the study and future directions are discussed at the end of the paper. © 2020 by the authors.Internal Grant Agency of FaME, Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2020/005, FSR-S/2020/FaME/001

Gender based differences in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the common complications of diabetes mellitus. Aim: To find out gender based differences in frequency of DM, age at diagnosis of DM and subsequent onset of DPN, duration of DM and DPN and electrophysiological patterns. Methodology: On the basis of non-probability purposive sampling, a cross sectional study was conducted at Neurology department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Patients fulfilling the ADA criteria for DM, and DPN were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 version. Results: A total of 125 patients were included in the study with 57/125 (45.6%) males and 68/125 (54.4%) females. This difference in gender based frequency was not statistically significant (p\u3c0.324]. Although mean age of females [51.83+10.04 yrs.] was lower than that of males [53.29+9.39 yrs.] but this difference was also not significant (p\u3c0.504). There was no significant difference (p\u3c0.685) in the mean age at onset of DM in men (42.03+9.97yrs) and women (41.24+10.62yrs). Both genders took a mean period of 08 yrs to develop DPN. The mean age of onset of DPN was 50.87+9.43yrs in men and 49.25+10.62yrs in women and this was not statistically significant (p\u3c0.374). Sensory-motor mixed polyneuropathy was the commonest electrophysiological pattern (51%) seen in both the genders. Conclusion: In our study, gender based differences in DPN are statistically not significant with respect to frequency of diabetes, age at diagnosis of diabetes or at onset of DPN, duration of DM before onset of DPN and electrophysiological patterns. More studies are required to settle whether gender based differences in onset and progression of diabetic neuropathy exist

Physico-Chemical Properties and Fertility Status of District Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

Physico-chemical properties of soils in Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab Province, Pakistan, were determined for better management. A total of 3198 soil samples collected from all tehsils of Rahim Yar Khan district (662 samples from Khan Pur, 800 samples from Liaquat Pur, 866 samples from Rahim Yar Khan and 870 soil samples from Sadiq Abad) were tested in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during 2011-2013. Soil characteristics of Rahim Yar Khan district were evaluated through physical and chemical analyses. Representative soil samples received/collected from farmers fields were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic matter (OM), available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents. Texture of the soils varied from sandy loam to loam. About 53% soils had EC values within the normal range (< 4 dS m-1). The pH values of 92% soils ranged from 7.5 to 8.5 with an average of 8.06 and 7% soils had pH > 8.5. About 93% soils were poor (< 0.86%) in organic matter and only 7% soil samples had satisfactory level of organic matter (0.86-1.29%). About 47% soils were poor( < 7 ppm) in available phosphorus,33 % samples had satisfactory level of  available phosphorus (7-14 ppm) and only 20 % samples had adequate level of  available phosphorus (>14 ppm) contents. The K status of most of soils was in satisfactory (50%) and adequate range (43%). The objective of present study is to assess the soil fertility and salinity status of Rahim Yar Khan district for formulation of optimum fertilizer recommendations for different crops grown in the area. Keywords: Soil Analysis, EC, pH, SOM, P, K, Rahim Yar Kha

Long-Term Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in The Treatment of Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease

Long-Term Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in The Treatment of Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease Objectives: To determine the outcomes in patients with small-vessel disease (SVD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-coated balloon (DCB) and correlate these adverse outcomes with various risk factors. Methodology: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) from January 2020 to December 2022. After being approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee, fifty-four patients who presented with SVD were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Written informed consent was obtained from the patients. They were treated with DCB and observed clinically on follow-ups at 15, 30, 60, and 90 days, & later after every 6 months for up to 2 years. Only those patients who presented with symptoms underwent repeat angiography. The outcomes assessed were cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: Cardiovascular mortality occurred in 2(3.7%), MI in 3(5.6%) and TLR in 2(3.7%) patients. There was a significant association between cardiovascular mortality, MI, and TLR with diabetes mellitus and BMI. Age was only significantly related to cardiovascular mortality. Conclusion: A drug-coated balloon is an effective and feasible treatment modality for small vessel disease. The incidence of outcomes of cardiovascular mortality, MI, and TLR after DCB is low, making it a safe modality. Advanced age, obesity, and diabetes mellitus alone or with hypertension are the predicting factors of adverse outcomes after DCB in patients with SVD. Keywords: Drug-coated balloon, DCB, Small vessel coronary artery disease, SV

The role of government in tourism competitiveness and tourism area life cycle model

The study investigates the role of government in tourism competitiveness and underlying relationship based on the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model. The involvement of government in the process of tourism development is somehow crucial, however, this involvement should be controlled. The study uses time-series data and exploits a case study approach to fulfil the overlooked aspect of the tourism industry about the current theme under study. From the selected three countries in the Asia Pacific, the results indicate that China is close to the consolidation stage, India is in between the “Involvement” and “Development” stage, and Pakistan is in between the “Exploration” and “Involvement” stage, with reference to TALC model. The study concludes that the lower level of government involvement is needed for China, and a higher level of government involvement is needed for India and Pakistan to enhance the level of competitiveness. © 2020 Asia Pacific Tourism Association.Internal Grant Agency of FaME, TBU [IGA/FaME/2020/005]; FaME, TBU [FSR-S/2020/FaME/001

Phytochemistry of Ziziphus Mauritiana; its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential

Background: Z. mauritiana is a very common and easily available plant all over the world, including Pakistan. It finds a lot of importance due to its nutritional and medicinal value.Methods: Current studies were performed to investigate the phytochemical nature and antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Z. mauritiana (Lahore, Pakistan). Total phenolic contents in leaves and pulp extracts were identified using a modified Folin-Ciocalteu’s method while total sugars were determined by Lane and Eynon method. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical-scavenging activity assay using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer at 517 nm. The antimicrobial potential was tested by agar well diffusion method using imipenem as standard drug.Results: The methanolic extracts of leaves and pulp contained tannins, saponins, phlobatannins, alkaloids and flavonoids while steroids were absent in both the samples. The pulp and leave extracts have shown the presence of 57.3% and 37.89% sugar contents, respectively. The concertation of total phenolic contents (TPC) was found higher in pulp extracts as compared to that observed in leaves. The methanolic pulp extract has shown higher antioxidant potential as compared to the leaves extract. However, methanolic leaves extract exhibited higher antibacterial potential as compared to the methanolic pulp extract.Conclusion: The methanolic extracts of Z. Mauritiana pulp and leaves contain many biologically active ingredients and are biologically active against most of the tested bacterial strains. Its pulp and leaves are richer in numerous antioxidants and secondary metabolites. The pulp extract exhibited higher antioxidant potential as compared to the leaves extract.Keywords: Z. Mauritiana; Phytochemicals; Total Phenolic contents; Antibacterial