Search

When a hotel decides to open in a new location, it must select a specific entry mode that determines its degree of control and ownership. This study combines agglomeration theory with information economics to explain how hotel agglomerations influence the entry modes of new hotels. In particular, we argue that when facing different levels of information asymmetry derived from hotel agglomerations, new hotels should reduce the risk of adverse selection in choosing their entry modes. Using a sample of new hotels in China, this study shows that in areas of co-located higher-quality hotels, new hotels choose shared-control modes (franchise or management contracts) over full-control modes. Evidence from a sample of foreign hotels also indicates that in areas of co-located same-country-of-origin hotels, new hotels are encouraged to choose shared-control modes (franchise or management contracts) over full-control modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central research topic in tourism management concerns tourists’ choice of specific destinations. The present article reviews and advances the extant literature on destination image. From this review, we suggest that individuals have a multitude of destination associations, the total imagery that relates to the destination, and label this concept destination imagery. Individuals also hold an overall image used as a heuristic or a mental shortcut, which is labeled destination image. The concepts of destination imagery and destination image are distinct, yet they have often been conflated within the literature. The article further provides an extensive review of the literature with regard to the definitions, dimensionality, antecedents, and outcomes of the focal concepts as well as geographical scope of destination imagery and image studies and methodologies. This review has led to a novel understanding and delimitation of the focal concepts within the imagery–image duality model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple peptidomimetic that self-assembles into polymorphic beta-sheet quaternary structures, such as protofilaments, is reported.

Research was conducted to examine the hypothesis that the most pathogenic transthyretin (TTR) variant, L55P, forms amyloid fibrils under acidic conditions and protofilaments under physiological conditions. Fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy were used to monitor tertiary structural changes while electron microscopy and sedimentation velocity studies were used to characterize self-assembly mediated by acid and thermally induced partial denaturation. Results suggest a common mechanism for TTR amyloid fibril formation.

Tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) labeling is the standard technique for determining the kinetic activity of tumors. This method has been used to label multiple sections of tumor specimens obtained from seven patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Considerable variability was observed in the labeling index in different sites from the same specimen. To reduce the large sampling error due to heterogeneity, we recommend that an average value be determined from multiple sections when employing this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Gambling-related harm to concerned significant others (CSOs) is an important public health issue since it reduces CSOs' health and wellbeing in numerous life domains. This study aimed to 1) estimate the first national prevalence of CSOs harmed by gambling in Australia; 2) identify the characteristics of CSOs most at risk of harm from another person's gambling; 3) compare the types and number of harms experienced by CSOs based on their relationship to the person who gambles; and 4) compare the number of harms experienced by CSOs by self-identified gender., Methods: Based on a national CATI survey weighted to population norms, 11,560 respondents reported whether they had been personally and negatively affected by another person's gambling in the past 12 months; and if so, answered detailed questions about the harms experienced from the person's gambling who had harmed them the most., Results: Past-year prevalence of gambling-related harm to adult Australian CSOs was (6.0%; 95% CI 5.6%-6.5%). CSOs most commonly reported emotional harms, followed by relationship, financial, health and vocational harms, respectively. Former partners reported the most harm, followed by current partners, other family members and non-family members, respectively. Female CSOs were more likely to report more harm and being harmed by a partner or other family member, and male CSOs from a non-family member., Discussion and Conclusions: The findings provide new insights into the wider societal burden of gambling and inform measures aimed at reducing harm to CSOs from gambling and supporting them to seek help.