Search Results (170)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered one of the most harmful bacteria to human health. Dentistry, like all healthcare disciplines, places great emphasis on preventing scenarios that may result in cross-infection. Although various tested and already used materials are suitable for filling the root canal system, Gutta-Percha (GP) remains the preferred and widely accepted gold standard. Objective: We performed an in vitro analysis of the contamination of GP points, regarding the strains of Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus, using classical microbiology methods and molecular biology techniques. Methods: Gutta-Percha points of two different brands from opened packages (already in use for 1 month) were collected for analysis. The assessment involved incubating the GP points in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium to detect microbial growth. Growing microorganisms were plated on a selective and differential chromogenic medium for MRSA/MSSA strains, and the identification of isolates was confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). In the case of microbial growth, the GP point was submitted to a disinfection protocol. Results: From the 315 collected GP points, only 6 (1.9%) resulted in being positive for microbial growth. After confirmation by PCR, only one sample of the six GP points was contaminated by MRSA, and the remaining five were MSSA-contaminated. The disinfection protocol was effective in all contaminated GP points. Conclusions: The Gutta-Percha points from opened pre-sterilized packages showed a very low degree of contamination by MRSA/MSSA. However, the detection of MSSA and MRSA strains raises concerns about potential contamination in dental clinic environments, and this risk cannot be considered negligible. Full article

Implant surgery in individuals with atrophic maxilla presents challenges, particularly concerning nasal cavity complications such as perforations, implant migration, and airway obstruction. While panoramic radiographs offer diagnostic convenience, their two-dimensional nature limits the evaluation of anatomical structures. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a three-dimensional assessment, enhancing surgical planning accuracy and potentially reducing complications. With the aim of understanding the measurement differences between panoramic radiographs and CBCT images, this retrospective study examined CBCT images of patients with severely atrophic maxilla taken between September 2021 and December 2023 at the Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Dentistry. Virtual implants were placed in various tooth regions using OnDemand3D software. The incidence of nasal cavity perforations and vertical bone height differences between panoramic radiographs and CBCT images were evaluated. For this purpose, vertical bone length measurements in panoramic and CBCT images were compared for the virtual implant placement areas. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and ANOVA, were performed to determine significant differences among quantitative measurements, and a chi square test with Bonferroni corrected z-tests were used for possible associations between ratios. CBCT data from 59 patients, totaling 1888 virtual implants, revealed significant differences in implant depths among tooth regions (F = 9.880, p < 0.001). Canine regions showed higher perforation risks, especially with 12 mm and 14 mm implants. Panoramic radiographs often overestimated vertical bone height in canine and first premolar regions compared to CBCT measurements, which could lead to increased perforation risks. Radiographic evaluations using CBCT prior to implant surgery in atrophic maxilla cases are crucial to prevent nasal cavity complications. Panoramic radiographs may inadequately represent three-dimensional anatomy, underscoring the importance of CBCT for accurate implant placement and surgical planning. Further studies should consider varying implant sizes and brands to generalize findings. Full article

Recognizing the vital role of a positive city image in attracting stakeholders, urban officials are increasingly implementing cultural branding strategies to establish and highlight their city’s distinct character. Culture, essential in urban development, shapes identity and local economy, encouraging social cohesion and sustainability. According to existing research, strategies for branding places—and cities in particular—through arts and culture include associating them with a famous personality (such as Barcelona’s perceived connection with Gaudi), flagship buildings (like Paris with the Eiffel Tower) and hallmark events (as exemplified by Cannes and its Film Festival). The European Capital of Culture awarded annually by the European Union, which associates a city with a good cultural reputation, was a favorable starting point for this research. Fourteen EcoC Bidbooks brought forward by candidate cities bidding for the title within the 2020–2026 time frame were analyzed in order to investigate essential components of city branding. The study delves into aspects such as perceived image of European Capital of Culture candidates, problems behind this perceived image and ideal city image, revealing recurrent themes that define cultural European cities today. In addition, the research identifies new strategies that complete Ashworth’s list (such as culture tailored to a particular natural environment, alternative spaces turned into culture hubs, artistic transportation, historical moments and movements, culture gamification, grassroots culture, culture thematization, highlighting the cultures of minorities, cultural fusions and embracing local folklore and mythical creatures). This helps bridge a gap in the specialized literature on cultural place branding. The study’s originality extends to the analysis of Ecoc Bidbooks as a sum of cultural branding strategies proposed by the candidate cities. Each Bidbook is in fact a cultural vision of the city under optimum financial circumstances, thereby carrying a significant weight in the realm of research. Full article

This study investigates levels of green place image and their association with different types of greenspace by examining residents’ perceptions of urban greenspaces. Place image refers to an individual’s comprehensive perception of a location, formed through various interactions, and it encompasses two distinct aspects: attraction and retention. The former can be established without extensive interaction, while the latter requires deeper physical and psychological connections, such as a sense of place (SOP) and place identity (PI). Although much research on urban greenspaces has concentrated on the retention aspect, focusing on residents’ psychological, physical, social, and environmental engagements, the attraction dimension, including place brand (PB), visual image (VI), and place reputation (PR), has been less explored. This study collected data from 536 on-site surveys across four types of urban greenspaces in Taipei city: small-size greenspaces, neighborhood parks, multipurpose parks, and green corridors, and they were analyzed through factor analysis (FA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using R software (R-4.3.3). The FA identifies two factors and their significant sub-attributes aligning with theoretical findings, i.e., attraction and retention. Further analysis using MANOVA determines that the multipurpose park is the most influential type of greenspace, significantly affecting urban residents’ development of positive green place images. These findings highlight the importance of perceiving urban greenspaces as critical areas for multi-dimensional stakeholders, suggesting a balanced approach to development and management that emphasizes both attraction and retention strategies as well as nature and built facilities. Full article

Admittedly, tourism stakeholders become more aware of the negative impacts of tourism, and it has become increasingly important to brand and position destinations towards sustainability. The main concern is emphasizing economic, social, and environmental awareness and implementation at the destination level regarding planning and development. This paper identifies the importance of sustainable place branding as part of destination social responsibility in the current global context. The main focus is identifying visitors’ responses as part of sustainable destination marketing. The study conducts a systematic literature review by rigorously selecting 26 related articles from the 106 search results for further analysis. The study results highlight the emergence of sustainable place branding concepts in academic literature, especially after the post-pandemic period. The themes identified in the literature analysis revolve around sustainable place branding in creating unique tourism experiences and engagement that resonates with the visitors’ self-perceptions and expectations of a destination. Sustainable place branding positively impacts destination image, trust, value, and loyalty. Moreover, it can create positive visitor outcomes, such as an intention to revisit because of positive word of mouth. The article concludes with suggestions for future research, emphasizing the need to explore further sustainable place branding and its influence on visitors’ responses in the evolving landscape of global tourism. Full article

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in the place of HIB application (ONB) and 10 cm above it (OFFB) immediately after its application and during four consecutive days, the time required for application of each HIB digit and the occurrences of rebranding; second, with two batches of cows (N = 97 and N = 94, respectively, by measuring the time spent to read cattle ID and comparing the efficiency of HIB vs. EET (electronic ear tag) and visual ear tags (VET) vs. EET. Skin temperature was significantly affected by the interaction between the place where the skin temperatures were taken (on and 10 cm above the HIB) and assessment day, with temperatures in ONB on days d0 and d2 being higher than in OFFB (p < 0.05), and 86% of the calves required at least one rebranding. EET reading was faster than HIB and VET (p < 0.001), and fewer errors were made when reading EET than HIB (1/97 vs. 17/97) and VET (2/94 vs. 12/94). We concluded that HIB potentially compromises cattle welfare and has a lower efficiency for cattle identification than EET and VET. Full article

Cities are complex entities, reflecting an intricate system of relationships intertwined over time, development processes, and territorial planning, sustainability and management. Within this network of interactions among people and territories, the presence of territorial brands stands out. The central research question focuses on how the construction of an analytical framework can reveal intertwined power relations in a territory represented by territorial brands. The aim of this study is to develop and apply a unique analytical matrix, designed to highlight, and analyze the intricate power relations in a territory defined by territorial brands. Urban-geography and cultural studies approaches were incorporated into the case study methodology. Findings from the study revealed multiple layers of intertwined power relations in the territory, where territorial brands play the role of legitimizing mechanisms for the discourses of social actors in the produced territory. The conclusion emphasizes the effectiveness of the “territorial brand in regional development” matrix (TBRD) in highlighting the layers of power relations, as well as highlighting the contradictions between the local and the global in the space produced and represented by territorial brands. This study not only contributes to more effective territorial management but also enhances the understanding of the interaction between brand and territory, emphasizing the influence of these dynamics on the configuration and representation of urban space, including sustainability issues and their associated challenges. Full article

Based on the trust/commitment theory and the customer-based brand equity theory, this study aims to ascertain which of the brand equity drivers of A. Le Coq beer have an impact on attachment and its overall brand equity in the Estonian brewery market. In order to achieve this goal, an empirical study was conducted based on the 17 customer-based/consumer-based brand equity models: the 15 brand equity models, including the beer/beverage brand equity models, the 2 internal brand equity models, as well as 3 other related models. The study utilised a sample of convenience of 120 University of Tartu students. The questionnaire was placed on Google’s online survey administration service. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) through AMOS29 was used for testing the fit of the model and covariances (through AMOS29) were used for testing the hypotheses. Additionally, t-test analysis was used for the differences in the means between the demographic characteristics and the items of the model. The results show that brand meaning has a strong positive effect on attachment strength, which significantly influences relationship factors—commitment, trust, and satisfaction. Another major finding is that the relationship factors—commitment, trust, and satisfaction—play a significant role in the development of the brand equity of A. Le Coq beer. This study provides useful insights for brewery marketing managers by exploiting the strong positive relationships found between beer brand equity drivers, such as the strong positive relationships found within consumers of beer, i.e., the relationships between brand reputation and brand image, brand meaning and attachment strength, attachment strength and commitment, attachment strength and satisfaction, attachment strength and trust, satisfaction and brand equity, commitment and brand equity, and trust and brand equity. This finding contributes to the literature on brand equity related to the Estonian environment. Five differences in demographic characteristics seem to play a role in designing strategies by the management teams of different brands for increasing the consumption of their competing brands of beer. A replication of a model previously used for a non-product is part of the novelty of this paper. In addition, all the examined relationships are found to be positive and significant, which provides a contribution to the existing literature. Full article

The mass media are central to everyday life, a meeting point for citizens with the facts of the current social situation, and a space for the meaning, perception, interpretation, and construction of the notion of reality in the collective imagination. The impact of technology and communication platforms on the social fabric has opened up access to information and atomized trust and credibility in the face of the journalistic brand, an instance of crisis on the smartphone screen in which the media are relegated to the background and influencers, opinion leaders, and the protagonists of the facts themselves, in direct contact with the followers, gain relevance. The transformation configured in the users’ content diet aims to review the industry’s behavior on social networks to interpret why it is losing its place in the citizens’ consumption agenda. This research, which relied on a mixed methodology, downloaded messages from Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok profiles of two written, five audio, and two audiovisual media in a period of 91 days, and added them to what was carried out in the same period in 2019 and 2021. The corpus of the study made it possible to prove the composition of the communication, the operational tactics, and the thematic axis. The research concluded that the Colombian mass media need to innovate to establish productive routines that bet on digital native products, corresponding to the dynamics of networked consumption by an audience that concentrates all actions on screen devices. Full article

Given the complex interplay between economic and cultural–historical factors, this paper explores scene perception and its mechanism in individual and collective cognition of historical commercial streets. Based on a perception model constructed from scene theory, the study utilizes user scene experience feedback from Beijing Road, a commercial pedestrian street in Guangzhou. It conducts a systematic assessment using hierarchical analysis (AHP) across three dimensions: authenticity, theatricality, and legitimacy. The findings reveal the following: (1) according to visitors, traditional cuisine, cultural and creative arts, and Lingnan’s intangible cultural heritage received low ratings; (2) historical relics and traditional cuisine are dominant factors, highlighting public attention to cultural heritage, but the role of historical–cultural characteristics and festival activities is relatively marginalized; (3) cultural–historical relics and traditional cuisine are the leading factors that contribute to an authentic experience, while historical context and festival activities constitute secondary factors; (4) cultural landscapes and arts are central to theatrical experiences, with modern visual elements playing a lesser role; (5) diversified commercial formats and public services are the core factors influencing legitimacy experience, reflecting the role of market diversity and policy orientation in building consumer trust. The design of historical and cultural streets should prioritize the preferences of those experiencing them to promote cultural identity and historical continuity. Additionally, the synergy between commercial diversity and policy orientation should be strategically emphasized to form a business ecosystem supporting sustainable development. Future commercial street renewals should focus on the key role of visual narrative in shaping brand culture. This paper offers insights into the dynamic process of constructing scene experience from perspectives of spatial materialization and emotional empowerment to cultural identity, providing references for strategies in historical place renewal. Full article

In light of COVID-19, people are increasingly anxious about indoor air quality data in places where they live and work. Access to this data using a consumer-grade air quality monitor has become a way of giving agency to building users so that they can understand the ventilation effectiveness of the spaces where they spend their time. Methods: Fourteen low-cost, air quality devices marketed to consumers were tested (seven types, two of each product): AirBird, Airthings View Plus, Aranet4 Home, Awair Omni, Eve Room, Laser Egg + CO₂, and Purple Air PA-1. The study focus was accuracy and useability using three methods: a low-cost laboratory setting to test accuracy for CO₂; a comparison to a calibrated, research grade meter for particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, and relative humidity; and short-term field testing in a residential environment to understand the quality of feedback given to users. Results: Relating to accuracy, all devices were within acceptable ranges for temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂, and only one brand’s results met the accuracy threshold with the research grade monitor when testing PM2.5. In terms of usability, a significant variation in response time and data visualization was found on the devices or in the smartphone applications. Conclusions: While accuracy in IAQ data is important, in low-cost air quality devices marketed to consumers it is just as important that the data be presented in a way that can be used to empower people to make decisions and modify their indoor environment. We concluded that response time, user-interface, data sharing, and visualization are important parameters that may be overlooked if a study just focuses on accuracy. The design of the device, including its appearance, size, portability, screen brightness, and sound or light warning, must also be considered. The act of measuring is important, and more studies should focus on how users interpret and react to building performance data. Full article

Levothyroxine tablets, although highly prescribed in the United States, have been one of the most frequently recalled products. Because of the importance of the medication, several efforts have been put in place by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) to control the quality of levothyroxine tablets available to patients using the drug. The choice of excipients used in the formulation has been shown to impact the hygroscopicity and microenvironment, and ultimately the stability of the levothyroxine tablets formulations. Based on information generated from the US FDA Enforcement Report database, one of the main reasons for recalls is the low potency of different batches of the product. The yearly product recall trends for levothyroxine formulations were determined using the FDA Enforcement Report database. Three brands of levothyroxine tablets were selected with excipient lists similar to those products that have been historically recalled. The samples were placed at ambient (~23 °C), accelerated stability (40 °C/75% RH), and stress (50 °C/75% RH) conditions for up to 6 months. Sample potencies were determined at 0, 1.5, 3, and 6 months using the methods for assay and impurities in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph for levothyroxine tablets. Additional sample monitoring was conducted by overlaying the initial powder X-ray diffractograms (PXRD) of the samples from 0 months with the patterns generated thereafter. There has been a decline in the number of levothyroxine tablets recalled over the years. The highest numbers of recalls were recorded in the years 2013 [33] and 2020 [23]; no recalls occurred in the years 2019 and 2022. All of the brands evaluated met the USP 95.0–105.0% assay requirements at 1.5 months under accelerated conditions; only one of the brands complied at 3 months. Under ambient conditions, two brands were stable at 6 months, with borderline assay results. For stability, levothyroxine was found in microgram quantities in the formulations and PXRD could not detect changes at these low levels. However, we found some distinguishing data for samples under stress conditions. Full article

Place branding is a discipline at the intersection of geography and communications, devoted to the process by which places become brands, understood as devices for managing a desired identity presented to the outside world, and also for internal consumption by the residents of the place. This paper intends to explain the conceptualization process of a place brand, and to present the methodological framework for building a brand that takes into account all audiences and stakeholders, thus strengthening the identity of the place. The case presented here is Masquefa, a municipality in the Barcelona province. The methodology has been structured in three phases: first, an initial diagnosis and data gathering; next, fieldwork and public participation (interviews, surveys, and discussion in focus groups); and third, construction of the story. The conclusions of this article show how a municipality without any significant tangible and intangible assets to truly identify it can build a brand story accepted by all agents, both public and private, which will help it grow sustainably in the future. Full article

In this technological era, businesses tend to place advertisements via the medium of Wi-Fi advertising to expose their brands and products to the public. Wi-Fi advertising offers a platform for businesses to leverage their marketing strategies to achieve desired goals, provided they have a thorough understanding of their audience’s behaviors. This paper aims to formulate a new RFI (recency, frequency, and interest) model that is able to analyze the behavior of the audience towards the advertisement. The audience’s interest is measured based on the relationship between their total view duration on an advertisement and its corresponding overall click received. With the help of a clustering algorithm to perform the dynamic segmentation, the patterns of the audience behaviors are then being interpreted by segmenting the audience based on their engagement behaviors. In the experiments, two different Wi-Fi advertising attributes are tested to prove the new RFI model is applicable to effectively interpret the audience engagement behaviors with the proposed dynamic characteristics range table. The weak and strongly engaged behavioral characteristics of the segmented behavioral patterns of the audience, such as in a one-time audience, are interpreted successfully with the dynamic-characteristics range table. Full article

This study investigated the attitudes of Croatian consumers regarding their preferences for cured meat products from the Black Slavonian Pig. The survey was conducted on a sample of 410 consumers who completed an online survey about their consumption habits, knowledge about the pig breed, and socio-demographic characteristics. In this study, the independent samples t-test and ANOVA were conducted to determine the significant differences between the most important attributes in the purchase of cured Black Slavonian Pig products and the socio-demographic characteristics, consumption, and purchase habits of the respondents. Statistically significant differences were found between the studied intrinsic (color, odor, fat content, and salt content) and extrinsic variables (production method, brand, quality mark, and origin) in relation to the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (gender, age, employment status, number of household members, and number of children under 15 in the household) and place of purchase, knowledge about the breed, and frequency of consumption of Black Slavonian Pig meat and products. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used to determine the consumer segments. Based on the responses received, three homogeneous consumer segments were identified: intrinsically oriented meat consumers, extrinsically oriented meat consumers, and uninterested meat consumers. The information obtained in the study is important for producers and retailers, as they can use our findings to develop successful marketing tools and different marketing strategies to promote cured Black Slavonian Pig products. Full article