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This study makes a novel contribution to the tourism literature by proposing an inverted U–shaped impact of air quality on tourist arrivals and examining this relationship using 58 major tourist cities in China from 2004 to 2015. The estimation of linear and nonlinear dynamic panel regression tests is based on the system generalized method of moments. The linear test results show that air quality measured by the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has a significantly negative impact on both inbound and domestic tourist arrivals. The nonlinear test results validate an inverted U–shaped link between air quality and both inbound and domestic tourist arrivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the influence of subsidies provided by traditional (e.g., a bricks-and-mortar retail mall) and electronic (e.g., Alibaba and Amazon) retail platforms to consumers. We look at the competition between traditional retailers, who sell in a shopping mall, and e-tailers, who sell on the electronic platform. Our focus is on analyzing and demonstrating how these channel subsidies influence (1) pricing behaviors for the e-tailer and the traditional retailer and (2) consumers utilities and channel choices. The main findings are as follows. Whether from the perspective of consumers utilities or from the perspective of consumer channel choice, consumers with different WTP are influenced differently by channel subsidies. While both types of subsidy help the two channels attract some low willingness to pay consumers, the electronic channel subsidy can help the electronic channel attract consumers who are willing to pay more from the traditional channel. The results can help retailers and channel subsidy providers to understand how channel subsidies work, and the differences in the WTP of consumers who purchase products before and after subsidies. This understanding informs retailers' segmentation, targeting and pricing decisions and helps subsidy providers to make channel subsidy-related decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the business cycle of tourism market (BCTM) in Taiwan. It begins by studying the BCTM based on a Markov regime-switching (MRS) model. The MRS model reveals strong evidence of a regime-switching BCTM with two distinct regimes: a high-growth regime (HGR) and a low-growth regime (LGR), over the period from 1st quarter of 1969 to 1st quarter of 2011. The second step is to examine the driving forces of the BCTM. Specifically, the study identifies the factors that cause the tourism market to stay in the high-growth regime (HGR). Test results show that the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP), growth rate of exports, and inflation rate are significant drivers of the BCTM in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influences of macroeconomic factors on hotel stock returns in Japan using a 30-year data period. In addition to the macroeconomic variables commonly used in previous studies (i.e., changes in discount rate [DSCHG], growth rates of money supply [ΔMS], changes in unemployment rate [UPCHG], growth rates of consumer price index [ΔCPI], and industrial production [ΔIP]), we also include the percentage change in yen–dollar exchange rate (ΔEXCH), the percentage change in oil price (ΔOILP), and growth rates of total trade (ΔTTR) as critical explanatory factors of Japanese hotel stock returns. This study uses the Granger causality procedure based on the vector autoregression model. Test results indicate that economic variables DSCHG, UPCHG, and ΔOILP could significantly cause Japanese hotel stock returns and serve as significant determinants of Japanese hotel stock returns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tourism demand often fluctuates as a result of unexpected events, such as natural disasters, epidemics, and changes in economic conditions. This study applied the portfolio theory model to Japan’s inbound tourist markets and proposed optimal market shares by nationality. By comparing the growth rate (arrivals’ mean growth rate) and risk (uncertainty in growth rate of arrivals) associated with each departure country, we were able to suggest the optimal regional market shares of various portfolios for particular goals. This study sheds light on diversification in tourism markets and offers tourism authorities in Japan explicit guidelines for the long-term development of the country’s tourism industry. For example, to reach the highest reward ratio, tourism authorities should reallocate resources from the Taiwanese and American markets to the United Kingdom–Germany–France and Hong Kong markets. Japan’s tourism authorities can use the results of this research to review their long-term tourism policies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nipah virus (NiV) is known to be a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus, which is included in the World Health Organization Research & Development Blueprint list of priority diseases with up to 70% mortality rate. Due to its high pathogenicity and outbreak potency, a therapeutic countermeasure against NiV is urgently needed. As NiV needs to be handled within a Biological Safety Level (BSL) 4 facility, we had developed a safe drug screening platform utilizing a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) based on a NiV-induced syncytium formation that could be handled within a BSL-1 facility. To reconstruct the NiV-induced syncytium formation in BEVS, two baculoviruses were generated to express recombinant proteins that are responsible for inducing the syncytium formation, including one baculovirus exhibiting co-expressed NiV fusion protein (NiV-F) and NiV attachment glycoprotein (NiV-G) and another exhibiting human EphrinB2 protein. Interestingly, syncytium formation was observed in infected insect cells when the medium was modified to have a lower pH level and supplemented with cholesterol. Fusion inhibitory properties of several compounds, such as phytochemicals and a polysulfonated naphthylamine compound, were evaluated using this platform. Among these compounds, suramin showed the highest fusion inhibitory activity against NiV-induced syncytium in the baculovirus expression system. Moreover, our in silico results provide a molecular-level glimpse of suramin's interaction with NiV-G's central hole and EphrinB2's G-H loop, which could be the possible reason for its fusion inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study processed the recent in vivo survey results for over a thousand patients and optimized their neck and head CT angiography triggered timing (CTA-TT) via the inverse problem algorithm, which ensured the maximal ratio of both left and right arterial to upper sinuses (LRA/US). These results are instrumental in examining the ischemic stroke syndromes along the neck and head. These 1001 patients were randomly categorized into test surveyed (802 patients) and verification group (199 patients), then a six factors semi-empirical formula was constructed by the STATISTICA program. The six factors were assigned a patient's biological data and preset of the CTA facility; namely Age, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), contrast media dose (CMD), Pre (injected pressure of CMD), and body surface area (BSA). Each factor was normalized into dimensionless values and incorporated into the dataset matrix V [ 8 0 2 × 2 2 ] to analyze the coefficient matrix M [ 2 2 × 1 ]. The derived semi-empirical formula closely correlated with experimental data, according to the loss function Φ = 4. 4 0 8 4 , correlation coefficient r 2 = 0. 9 4 6 8 , and variance of 0.8965. The formula verification for 199 more patients (verification group) yielded a correlation coefficient r 2 = 0. 8 9 6 5. Thus, it can be used for the CTA-TT estimation of patients without their preliminary tests, avoiding unnecessary irradiation. The estimated LRA/US was 2. 1 9 ± 0. 3 0 for the verification group in this study. A simplified three-factor formula, featuring only age, MAP, and BSA, was also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopts a circuits of culture approach to examine the role of tourism performing arts (TPA) storytelling in conveying a sense of place to visitors, and its potential impact on their attitudes towards sustainable tourism development. Through a survey of 437 visitors and structural equation modeling, the study reveals the distinct storytelling attributes that contribute to TPA's effectiveness. The study also finds that tourists' sense of place completely mediates the relationship between these storytelling attributes and their support for tourism development. These findings offer important insights into the potential of TPA storytelling as a tool for promoting sustainable tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of ambient air polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured simultaneously from August 2002 to July 2003 in an industrial area (Taichung Industrial Park) and a suburban area (Tunghai University) in central Taiwan. Particle-bound PAH were collected on quartz filters and gas-phase PAH on glass cartridges using polyurethane foam sampler. Both types of samples used soxhlet analytical method and were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis were also used to characterize and identify PAH emission source in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Taguchi-based optimization of head and neck CT angiography (CTA) using in-vivo enhanced triggered timing for 600 patients was accomplished in this study. A total of 600 patients were categorized into three (test, verification, and implementation groups with 360, 120, and 120 patients, respectively). The patients in the test group were randomly assigned into 18 sub-groups according to Taguchi L 1 8 (2 1 × 3 6 ) orthogonal array for optimizing factor combinations of head and neck CTA. The signal-to-noise ratio was defined as a high LRA/US ratio (both left and right arterial pressure divided by upper sinuses' one) and low stdev. The seven factors of CTA were: (A) left- or right-hand injection; (B) tube current, mA; (C) kilovoltage peak, kVp; (D) contrast media concentration; (E) FOV; (F) flow rate of contrast media; and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop. With the Taguchi unique organization, 18 sub-groups (each containing 20 patients' real LRA/US ratios) could cover 1458 cases and provide the appropriate reliability. The optimal factor combination was identified as follows: (A) left-hand injection, (B) tube current of 280 mA, (C) 100 kVp, (D) contrast media concentration of 60%, (E) FOV of 250 mm, (F) contrast media flow rate of 4.0 ml/s, and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop of 0.9 s. The optimal suggestion was validated in the verification group with 120 patients and applied to the implementation group with 120 patients. The successful factor combination is instrumental in defining a standard protocol for medical staff in deriving the maximal LRA/US value (2. 3 2 0 ± 0. 7 6 4) of head and neck CTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The concentrations of ambient air polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in a farm area (Tunghai University Pastureland) between August 2001 and April 2002 in central Taiwan, Taichung. Particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected on quartz filters, the collected sample was extracted with a dichloromethane (DCM)/n-hexane mixture (50/50, v/v) for 24h, and then the extracts were subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis. The PM2.5 (fine particulate) and PM2.5–10 (coarse particulate) total PAHs concentrations at the Tunghai University Pastureland sampling site were found to be 180.62ngm−3 and 164.98ngm−3, respectively. In general, the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were higher in spring and winter than those of summer and autumn for either PM2.5 or PM2.5–10 in Pastureland in central Taiwan. Moreover, coarse particulates are the dominant species during the dust storm season (March and April) in central Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5–10) particulates were collected simultaneously by using a versatile air pollutant system at a traffic sampling site during daytime and nighttime sampling periods during August 2003 to March 2004. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled with hollow cathode lamps were used for chemical analysis. Enrichment factor and principal component analysis were used to compare chemical components and to find the possible emission sources at this traffic sampling site. The variation of metallic element concentrations on fine and coarse particulates during daytime and nighttime was also discussed in this study. Soil dust, traffic exhaust, marine salt and anthropogenic activities were the major pollutant sources at the traffic sampling site in central Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Daytime and nighttime period sampling programs were carried out by a versatile air pollutant system (VAPS) to collect the fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5–10) particulates simultaneously at a traffic sampling site in front of Hungkuang University during August to October 2003. Chemical analyses of metallic elements were accomplished by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled with hollow cathode lamps. Statistical methods, such as correlation coefficients and principal component analysis (PCA), were used to compare chemical components and to find the possible emission sources at this traffic sampling site. The variations of metallic element concentrations in fine and coarse particulates during daytime and nighttime were also discussed in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concentrations of ambient air polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured simultaneously in an industrial area (Taichung Industrial Park, TIP) and suburban area (Tunghai University, THU) in central Taiwan, Taichung. A total of samples were collected simultaneously at the two sites between August 2002 and March 2003. Particle-bound PAHs (p-PAHs) were collected on quartz filters and gas-phase PAHs (g-PAHs) on glass cartridges using polyurethane foam sampler, respectively. Both types of samples were extracted with dichloromethane/n-hexane mixture (50/50, v/v) for 24 h, then the extracts were subjected to gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis. Moreover, the roadside dust particle PAHs composition were also collected and analyzed at TIP, THU and traffic road sampling sites. The five main road lines in Taichung City were selected as traffic road sampling sites. Correlation studies between PAHs concentrations and meteorological parameters were revealed that temperature has greater effects (P>0.6) than other meteorological parameters such as wind speed, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure on g-PAHs and p-PAHs. PAHs sources were resolved by using principal component analysis and diagnostic ratios. The major sources of PAHs were combustion, traffic vehicle exhaust (diesel and gasoline engine), incinerator and industrial stationary sources at both sampling sites in central Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aerosol samples for total suspended particulate matter were collected by two PS-1 samplers from October 2002 to April 2003 at Tunghai University and Taichung Industrial Park in central Taiwan. The average concentrations of TSP at the industrial sampling site were higher than at the suburban sampling site during the sampling period. The samples collected were analyzed by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the elemental analysis. Statistical methods such as correlation coefficient and principal component analysis were also used to identify the possible pollutant source. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concentrations of gas-phase and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured simultaneously at an industrial area (Taichung Industrial Park) and a suburban area (Tunghai University Campus) in Taichung, Taiwan. Twenty-four hours samplings for two consecutive days were performed between August and December 2002 at both sampling sites. Ambient air particle-bound PAHs were collected on quartz filters and gas-phase PAHs were collected on glass cartridges using a PUF Sampler, respectively. Both types of samples were extracted with a DCM/n-hexane mixture (50/50, v/v) for 24 h, then the extracts were subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) analysis. Total PAHs concentrations at the Taichung Industrial Park (TIP) sampling site and the Tunghai University Campus (THUC) sampling site were found to be 1232.3 ± 963.6 and 609.8 ± 356.3 ng/m3, respectively. Stationary combustion processes were mainly responsible for PAHs sources at the TIP sampling site, while traffic vehicle exhaust was the largest contributor for PAHs sources at the THUC sampling site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atmospheric aerosol particles and metallic concentrations were monitored at the Experimental Farm of Tunghai University (EFTU) sampling site in this study. Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) was collected by using a PS-1 sampler at the farm-sampling site, in central Taiwan, from July 2001 to April 2002. At the same time, PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 were also measured with a Universal sampler from January 2002 to April 2002. Only subjects with the most complete data records on TSP sampling (N=43) and PM10 sampling (N=23) were used in this analysis. Taichung Industrial Park, Taichung Kang Road (traffic) and a Hospital Incinerator surround the Experimental Farm of Tunghai University. Atmospheric concentrations of metallic elements were analyzed by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-680/G). The results indicated that the metallic elements Mg, Cu and Mn were the largest components in the TSP fraction; the metallic elements Fe and Cd were the largest composition in the PM2.5–10 fraction; however, the metallic elements Pb, Zn, Cr and Ni were the largest abundance in the PM2.5 fraction. The atmospheric metallic elements in the TSP, PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 fractions came different emission sources, such as soil, traffic, industry and resuspended particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]