Search

Background/Aims The aim of this study was to investigate long-term post-discontinuation outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had been treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNF-αi) which was then discontinued. Methods Sixty Korean patients with RA who participated in a 5-year GO-BEFORE and GO-FORWARD extension trials were included in this retrospective study. Golimumab was deliberately discontinued after the extension study (baseline). Patients were then followed by their rheumatologists. We reviewed their medical records for 2 years (max 28 months) following golimumab discontinuation. Patients were divided into a maintained benefit (MB) group and a loss-of-benefit (LB) group based on treatment pattern after golimumab discontinuation. The LB group included patients whose conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug(s) were stepped-up or added/switched (SC) and those who restarted biologic therapy (RB). Results The mean age of patients at baseline was 56.5 years and 55 (91.7%) were females. At the end of follow-up, 23 (38.3%) patients remained in the MB group. In the LB group, 75.7% and 24.3% were assigned into SC and RB subgroups, respectively. Fifty percent of patients lost MB after 23.3 months. Demographics and clinical variables at baseline were comparable between MB and LB groups except for age, C-reactive protein level, and corticosteroid use. Restarting biologic therapy was associated with swollen joint count (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 3.55) and disease duration (adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23) at baseline. Conclusions Treatment strategies after discontinuing TNF-αi are needed to better maintain disease control and quality of life of patients with RA.

The study assesses the feasibility of vaccine tourism. Psychological factors, such as perceived stress and fear of COVID-19, were treated as the antecedents of the constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Data were collected from the respondents from India, and the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was employed for the analysis. Results reveal that perceived stress and fear of COVID-19 positively and significantly influence attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, subjective norms predominantly influence behavioral intention. Likewise, perceived behavioral control and attitude influence behavioral intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulations are used for studying the sputtering properties of MgO(100) surface by He, Ne, and Xe atoms and also examine their dependence on various conditions of projectiles and surfaces. A surface model including the monolayer step is studied and it is shown that the yields have increased for grazing-angle incidence.

An efficient computational method is described within a first-principles framework to calculate capacitances of metal-insulator-metal structures including interfacial effects. The interfacial effect is negligible in the case of a Au/MgO interface, whereas the local dielectric constant for a Ni/Zr[O.sub.2] interface has shown a signature of intrinsic dead layers.

This study investigated (1) the positive effects of a company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) and responsible gambling (RG) strategies on residents' perceived benefits and their quality of life (QOL); (2) the effects of residents' perceived negative social impacts from casino development on their perceived benefits and QOL; and (3) whether these relationships are invariant across two gaming communities. We collected data from 458 residents of two gaming communities in the Gangwon Province of South Korea. The findings showed that economic CSR had the strongest positive impact on residents' perceived benefits, followed by philanthropic CSR and supplementary RG. These factors also had significant indirect effects on residents' QOL via perceived benefits. The negative social impacts factor was found to negatively influence residents' perceived benefits and QOL. These relationships were statistically invariant across the two gaming communities. The current study offers a legitimacy and stakeholder theory-driven approach to examine CSR, gaming communities' perceived negative social impacts and benefits from casino development, and QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have criticized the traditional contingent valuation method (CVM) due to its potential response bias. To address this bias, several studies have employed improved CVM survey designs. When respondents disguise the truth, non-sampling errors are created that cannot be corrected by these elaborate survey modifications. To reduce this type of non-sampling error, Park and MacLachlan (2008) suggested the exaggeration bias-corrected (EBC) CVM, which assumes a functional mechanism between real and spurious willingness to pay (WTP). The authors verify the effectiveness of the EBC-CVM in non-sampling error reduction, which in turn derives more error-corrected economic value. Few studies have employed the EBC-CVM in a tourism context. The main goals of this study are to introduce EBC-CVM and to test its validity in a tourism study. The results indicate that EBC-CVM contributes to the reduction of non-sampling errors. The implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a particular type of wetlands, mudflats are a potentially valuable natural resource that has become an alternative destination for nature- based tourism. One prominent example of using mudflats in a tourism context is the Boryeong Mud Festival. To understand the role of the touristic experience in shaping the need for preservation, this study: (a) examines the effect of experiences in a nature-based festival on visitors' willingness-to-pay (WTP) to preserve mudflats; and (b) estimates the preservation value of mudflats by using a contingent evaluation method. In particular, the perceived value of festival experiences is included in the proposed models when estimating visitors' WTP. The results indicate that the experience of festival visitors was positively associated with WTP by showing that festival visitors perceived a higher level of utility for preserving mudflats as the functional value of festival experience increased. Based on the error-reduced WTP results, the average respondents' WTP and the annual aggregate preservation value of mudflats were estimated at KRW 11,039 (US$8.64) and KRW 22,818 million (US$17.85 million), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes that 'travel time' derived from a geographic information system (GIS) can be used as a numerical proxy for travel cost in place of 'travel distance' in the standard travel cost method (TCM). The study examines the validity and usefulness of the 'shortest transport time' compared to the 'shortest transport distance'. The investigation was conducted at the Hahoe Heritage Village in South Korea by means of a survey of visitors leaving the village after sightseeing. In all, 552 surveys were valid for econometric analysis. The zonal TCM was applied to estimate consumer surplus for the research site. The study contributes to the pursuit of a more practical methodology for investigating the travel cost model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relationships among lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS), healthy food choices, trust, and emotional loyalty and the moderating role of age between seniors and non-seniors in restaurants. Design/methodology/approach - Partial least squares (PLS)-graph software (version 3.0) was used to analyze the measurements and structural models. The authors employed a PLS regression analysis for both the formative and reflective constructs in the empirical test of the research model. Findings - The study revealed that the senior market segment differs from the non-senior market segment in the following ways: the magnitude of impact of LOHAS on healthy food choices is much stronger for senior diners than for non-senior diners and the impact of LOHAS on trust and emotional loyalty is greater for seniors than non-seniors. Research limitations/implications - The results of this study can guide the restaurant industry in its research on the implications of LOHAS for seniors. Practical implications - Restaurant marketers should develop different strategies for the senior and non-senior market segments, and they need to focus on target segments rather than attempting to appeal to the market as a whole. Originality/value - This paper assists researchers and practitioners by shedding light on the differences among LOHAS, healthy food choices, trust, and emotional loyalty between senior and non-senior diners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between the following key variables: internal service quality, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, self-esteem, and organizational commitment. The study sought to identify ways to improve casino employees’ job satisfaction, further enhance employees’ organizational commitment, and possibly decrease job turnover intention. A total of 328 Korean casino dealers responded to a survey questionnaire developed to test the study model. Results showed that all internal service quality dimensions (i.e., training, communication, and perceived benefits) positively influenced job satisfaction, as did self-efficacy. Job satisfaction subsequently and concurrently influenced self-esteem and organizational commitment. Based on study findings, management can glean practical implications for enhancing the quality of effective communication strategies, career development programs, and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This research extends the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by incorporating the expectation of tourist visa exemption to explicitly predict mainland Chinese travellers' intention to visit Korea, and compares the extended model with the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the TPB. The extended model was tested using potential Chinese travellers to Korea as samples. The results of structural analyses indicated that the data fitted the extended model well, and the inclusion of the critical new construct (expectation of tourist visa exemption) in a tourism context significantly enhanced the prediction of visit intention. Specifically, the effects of all volitional and non-volitional factors on visit intention were positive and significant, and expectation of tourist visa exemption was found to be the best predictor of visit intention among antecedent variables. This study concluded that the extended model of the TPB advanced our understanding of Chinese tourists' decision-making process of selecting Korea as a tourist destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-term effects of hosting the 2002 World Cup on the Korean economy are examined. Simulations using a computable general equilibrium model are carried out in a short-run framework, where the shock level was taken from the percentage changes in foreign tourism receipts observed between 2000 and 2002. Because of the dramatic events that occurred before and after 2002, the effect of these events must be removed to estimate the effects of the World Cup on the Korean economy. Using time series forecasting models, attempts are made to isolate the impacts of the 9/11 terrorist attacks from the impact of the World Cup. The results suggest that hosting the World Cup had a positive impact on the economy. This positive impact, however, is smaller than the negative impact of the 9/11 attacks. These differences explain the downturn in the Korean tourism industry and economy in 2002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

War is one of the world's great tragedies, but it is clear that the history and social outcomes of war as a human experience and event as well as the indirect outcomes of warfare - artefacts, nostalgia, reunions and physical sites with broader historical or environmental significance - serve as resources that can be positioned to stimulate tourism in formerly war-torn regions. The purpose of this study was to analyse the motivations of visitors to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and examine those findings relative to a review of conceptual research related to identifying the motivations for travel to war-related tourism destinations. An onsite survey was designed and administered to Japanese tourists at the DMZ. The results indicate that five factors could be delineated from thirty-eight DMZ motivations using a factor analysis: opposing political regime; knowledge/appreciation of history, culture, and security; curiosity/adventure; war and consequences; and nature-based tourism. In comparison to a push-pull theory-based framework of ten conceptualized domains of war-tourism-related motivations, three factors indicate a basis in pull forces, one factor in push force motivations, and one factor exhibits both pull and push force characteristics. Managerial implications, which suggest future research directions, are identified and discussed in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although visa-free entry is important to tourism flows across borders there has been limited academic research into the effects of this arrangement on international tourism demand. Using the ARIMA, the ARIMA intervention, Winters Exponential Smoothing and the Stepwise Autoregressive models, this study examined the effect of visa-free entry on tourism demand between South Korea and Japan, and estimated the impact of this visa-free travel on tourism numbers and receipts. The results showed that for Koreans visiting Japan, introducing visa-free travel was statistically significant with a positive sign. In the first year tourists increased by 12.1 percent and receipts by $US246 million and in the second year tourists increased by 25 percent and receipts by $US792 million. The key finding is that in a market with strong effective demand, the influence of a change to visa-free entry could be greater than 20 percent. However, as individual, national and external reasons modulate each context, further research into the influence of visa controls on various established tourism markets is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared residents' community attachment in two rural gaming communities in Colorado, USA and Gangwon Province, South Korea by examining whether residents' socio-demographic variables were related to their community attachment and whether residents' community attachment affected their perceived impacts, benefits and support for casino gaming development. Both casino impact areas have shared similar underlying legalization characteristics; both communities were depressed mining areas whose economy had declined significantly. The findings revealed that residents' community attachments were significantly different between the two data collection sites. Consequently, the differences in community attachment influenced residents' perceptions of, benefits, and support for gaming development in both sites. The findings partly reinforced earlier findings regarding the relationships between community attachment and attitudes to tourism, supporting the notion that highly community-attached individuals view the benefits of tourism more positively and show a stronger support for tourism in their communities than less attached individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to capture the underlying quality dimensions (value antecedents) that distinguish between first-timers and repeaters and that cultivate festival loyalty. Structural relationships were analyzed across the quality dimensions, value, and loyalty for first-time and repeat visitors. Structural equation modeling revealed that program and convenient facilities alone were antecedents to value for repeaters, whereas food and souvenir, as well as program and convenient facilities, were value antecedents for first-timers. Specifically, repeat visitors showed stronger relationships on program value and convenient facility value than did first-time visitors. On the other hand, first-time visitors associated more strongly with relationships on food value and souvenir value than did repeat visitors. This distinction resulted in a stronger value-loyalty relationship for repeat visitors than for first-time visitors. These findings contribute to the understanding of festival-attendee behavior and thus, provide researchers and practitioners with insights into how to design a festival in such a way that promotes repeat visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) and ALPS-like syndrome are variable clinical conditions characterized by lymphoproliferative disease, autoimmune cytopenias and susceptibility to malignancy. A 59-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for intractable generalized pain and stiffness with multiple swollen joints for 2 weeks. A low-grade fever, intermittent hypotension and confusion were associated with the pain. The evaluation revealed multiple joint bony erosions with effusion and a ruptured Baker’s cyst and positive AFB testing on the joint biopsy of the right wrist. In addition, there were a macular skin rash with telangiectasia and perivascular lymphocyte infiltration, a cytopenia without abnormal cells, a hepatosplenomegaly, a pericardial thickness with effusion and pleural effusion. The patient was treated with anti-mycobacterial drugs, NSAIDs and glucocorticoids for 10 months. But with the symptoms worsening, the patient developed cervical lymph node enlargements and was diagnosed as a diffuse large B cell lymphoma with hemophagocytosis on biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown horticultural therapy (HT) provides both physical and mental benefits to those engaged in the gardening activities. Individuals' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for these benefits, however, is unknown because of the lack of well-defined markets for HT. As such, this study estimates individuals' mean WTP for a HT site in Busan, South Korea. Mean WTP is ≈$170/month U.S. per individual. WTP, however, shows a wide dispersion; the standard deviation of the estimated WTP is ~$60 U.S. This study provides additional information to the policymakers of Busan concerning the issue of developing a horticultural site for its citizens. This information must be weighed against the costs of developing the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport tourism has received growing attention as a source of generating significant revenue and contributing major economic benefits to host cities, regions, and countries. However, current methods for assessing economic impact have had variable success in estimating tourist numbers and expenditure directly attributable to a sport tourism mega event. This paper reports on the assessment of one such event, the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, using an estimation method that excluded tourists whose travel was non-event related. The survey research conducted during the event established that 57.7% of total tourist arrivals during the period of the event could be classified as either directly and indirectly attracted by the World Cup. Using this data it was calculated that the World Cup generated an economic impact of US$1.35 billion of output (sales), US$307 million of income, and US$713 million of value added for South Korea. The results also showed that foreign World Cup tourists provided a much higher yield compared with foreign leisure tourists, spending an estimated 1.8 times as much. Inclusion of the expenditure by non-World Cup tourists (42.3%) in the calculations of impact would have resulted in a significant overestimation due to the further multiplication of the expanded figures by an input-output model, misleading the net economic impact of the event. The use of survey data to distinguish event from non-event tourists, and their respective expenditure, clearly illustrates some of the methodological pitfalls associated with forecasting that is simply based on generic tourist data. Furthermore, the data generated by this assessment of net direct expenditure and economic impact using the input-output analysis can be used as a comparison point for other mega sport events. In terms of further research, it is evident that existing models of impact assessment have not adequately conceptualized aversion and diversion effects and this begs the future inclusion of these concepts in economic impact forecasting for mega-events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was developed to examine the underlying relationships among the sociodemographic variables of casino community residents, the perceptions of potential benefits and costs, and the support for casino development based on the social exchange theory. The results show that social and economic benefits were most significant in determining the level of support for casino development. None of the demographic variables significantly affected support level. Based on the results of this study, casino operators and policymakers should make efforts to minimize the negative social factors and maximize social and economic benefits if they want support from residents for further development of casino businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is intense competition to host sports mega-events as cities and countries perceive that doing so will enhance their global image and make the destination more attractive to future tourists. Is there empirical evidence to prove that hosting a mega sport event really does stimulate international visitation and enhance the destination's image? In this paper we investigate this question in relation to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. To this end, 412 foreign tourists were surveyed during the World Cup about their image of South Korea. Differences in demographics, motive and perceptions between tourists travelling specifically for the World Cup, and those coming to South Korea for non-World Cup-related reasons, are noted. The study provides a baseline dataset from which future research on mega-sport events can build. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the relationship between sport and tourism in reference to a specific hallmark event, the Fdération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 2002 Football World Cup. In particular, it investigates the terrorism-related issues that affected the event and the possible implications for future mega sporting events in Australia. It seeks to contribute to awareness of spectator experiences of this event by understanding perceptions of safety and responses to security measures. A questionnaire survey of a convenience-based sample of World Cup spectators in the Republic of Korea was undertaken to determine: the extent to which the terrorist attacks on the United States of America on 11 September, 2001 changed these sport tourists' motivations to attend the event; how safe they felt in Korea during the World Cup; and how risk management measures taken by the event organizers impacted on the tourists' level of enjoyment. The findings are discussed in the context of sport event management, concluding with consequences for the future organization of sports events. While this study focused on the impact of an act of terrorism, it is suggested that the implications of other critical incidences with global ramifications, such as the recent war in Iraq and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) need to be taken into account when planning mega sporting events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the attempt to quantify the economic benefits of ecotourism resources for recreational use at Mount Minju in South Korea. Use of contingent valuation method (CVM); Method for eliciting willingness to pay (WTP); Selection of a realistic payment vehicle; Model specification for measuring WTP.

Examines the secondary impact as compared to the primary impact of foreign tourists receipts on the South Korean economy. Analysis of the performance of the tourism industry in South Korea; International inbound tourism to South Korea; Methodology; Results and discussion.

Prolonged spiking fever, an evanescent salmon-colored rash, arthralgia or arthritis, leukocytosis and organ dysfunction are characteristic of adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD). A 25-year-old woman with fever lasting over 3 weeks presented to our clinic. The patient had a spiking fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, a fine pink-colored skin rash, arthralgia, myalgia with a high ESR, ferritin and elevated hepatic enzymes. NSAID and prednisolone were prescribed for AOSD with SIRS. After 4 days of therapy, with mild confusion, the patient went into status epilepticus lasting several hours and died after cardiovascular collapse. There has been only one case of status epilepticus associated with AOSD in the medical literature. Here we report a case of AOSD with SIRS complicated by fatal status epilepticus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform first-principles calculations on metal-HfO2 interfaces in the presence of oxygen vacancies. Pt, Al, Ti, and Ag are considered as electrodes. It is found that oxygen vacancies are strongly attracted to the interface with binding energies of up to several eVs. In addition, the vacancy affinity of interfaces is proportional to the work function of metals, which is understood by the transition level of the vacancy and metal-Hf bonding. Interfacial segregation of vacancies significantly affects effective work functions of p metals. Our results are consistent with flatband shifts in p-type field effect transistors employing high-k dielectrics and metal gates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemophagocytic syndrome, cytomegalovirus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) would each be critical diseases separately. Viral infections, autoimmune diseases or malignancies can complicate the Hemophagocytic syndrome. Cytomegalovirus infection is known to be prevalent in immune compromised hosts, and can exacerbate the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. A 25-year-old man presented with fever and acute pericarditis with the hemophagocytic syndrome, cytomegalovirus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus; all developed concurrently at the onset of illness. With treatment, using ganciclovir and glucocorticoid medication the patient improved. Here we report this rare case and review the medical literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preface to the book "Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing" 2009 issue is presented.