UNDERSTANDING TOURIST SERVICE QUALITY PERCEPTIONS AND LOYALTY INTENTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SECTOR: APPLICATION OF DATA MINING METHODS AND KANO’S MODEL

Kuo-Chien Chang,Mu-Chen Chen,Nien-Te Kuo,Chia-Lin Hsu,Yi-Sung Cheng 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.7

This study used the methods of decision tree analysis, association rule analysis, and Kano’s model to explore the behavior patterns of mainland China tourists staying at the international tourist hotels in Taiwan. To this end, the data of their demographics, travel variables, overall satisfaction with the lodging experience, different service quality perceptions, and loyalty intentions were included. The decision tree analysis showed that a tourist’s overall satisfaction with the lodging experience, satisfaction with the quality of core intangible services, and certain demographic characteristics are three important determinants of tourist loyalty towards the hotels. In terms of the effect of demographics, the customers’ monthly income and length of stay at the hotel are two main determinants in this study. In addition, if the customer perceptions of different parts of hotel service quality are taken into account, among the five hotel service quality domains, core intangible services from the receptionist, housekeeping personnel, and food & beverage personnel are found to be important influences on hotel customer loyalty intention. In other words, high quality intangible services are important for luxury hotels to demonstrate their unique ability to help customers experience the service quality that creates loyalty intentions. With regard to the association rule analysis, the results showed that core intangible service aspects from the receptionist, housekeeping personnel, and food & beverage personnel are strongly associated with customer loyalty intentions, as are the tangible aspects of the reception and hotel room facilities. The former indicated that reception in the hotel lobby could be considered one of the most important servicescapes because of its impact in forming many of the first impressions of hotel guests, while the latter is treated as core offerings in hotels that would be encountered by most hotel customers. If the tourists are mainly from package tours, the intangible services and tangible facilities of these areas are the important areas to create customer satisfaction. However, if the tourists are mainly independent tourists because they have more time and free choice to stay at the hotel longer than the package tour tourists, the intangible services and tangible facilities of the entertainment or business centers would be even more important to these tourists than to the package tour tourists. With regard to Kano’s model analysis, the results showed that, based on mainland China tourists’ perceptions, most of the service elements fit into the category of one-dimensional quality attributes. This means that these service elements are positively and linearly related to customer satisfaction, and the greater fulfillment of the attribute results in a greater degree of satisfaction. This also means that hotels should make more effort to innovate their intangible services and tangible facilities to create business advantages in the market.

Photocatalytic study of Zinc Oxide with bismuth doping prepared by spray pyrolysis

Lin, Tzu-Yang,Hsu, Yu-Ting,Lan, Wen-How,Huang, Chien-Jung,Chen, Lung-Chien,Huang, Yu-Hsuan,Lin, Jia-Ching,Chang, Kuo-Jen,Lin, Wen-Jen,Huang, Kai-Feng Techno-Press 2015 Advances in nano research Vol.3 No.3

The unintentionally doped and bismuth (Bi) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) films were prepared by spray pyrolysis at $450^{\circ}C$ with zinc acetate and bismuth nitrate precursor. The n-type conduction with concentration $6.13{\times}10^{16}cm^{-3}$ can be observed for the unintentionally doped ZnO. With the increasing of bismuth nitrate concentration in precursor, the p-type conduction can be observed. The p-type concentration $4.44{\times}10^{17}cm^{-3}$ can be achieved for the film with the Bi/Zn atomic ratio 5% in the precursor. The photoluminescence spectroscopy with HeCd laser light source was studied for films with different Bi doping. The photocatalytic activity for the unintentionally doped and Bi-doped ZnO films was studied through the photodegradation of Congo red under UV light illumination. The effects of different Bi contents on photocatalytic activity are studied and discussed. Results show that appropriate Bi doping in ZnO can increase photocatalytic activity.

UNDERSTANDING TOURIST SERVICE QUALITY PERCEPTIONS AND LOYALTY INTENTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SECTOR: APPLICATION OF DATA MINING METHODS AND KANO’S MODEL

Kuo-Chien Chang,Mu-Chen Chen,Nien-Te Kuo,Chia-Lin Hsu,Yi-Sung Cheng 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.1

This study used the methods of decision tree analysis, association rule analysis, and Kano’s model to explore the behavior patterns of mainland China tourists staying at the international tourist hotels in Taiwan. To this end, the data of their demographics, travel variables, overall satisfaction with the lodging experience, different service quality perceptions, and loyalty intentions were included. The decision tree analysis showed that a tourist’s overall satisfaction with the lodging experience, satisfaction with the quality of core intangible services, and certain demographic characteristics are three important determinants of tourist loyalty towards the hotels. In terms of the effect of demographics, the customers’ monthly income and length of stay at the hotel are two main determinants in this study. In addition, if the customer perceptions of different parts of hotel service quality are taken into account, among the five hotel service quality domains, core intangible services from the receptionist, housekeeping personnel, and food & beverage personnel are found to be important influences on hotel customer loyalty intention. In other words, high quality intangible services are important for luxury hotels to demonstrate their unique ability to help customers experience the service quality that creates loyalty intentions. With regard to the association rule analysis, the results showed that core intangible service aspects from the receptionist, housekeeping personnel, and food & beverage personnel are strongly associated with customer loyalty intentions, as are the tangible aspects of the reception and hotel room facilities. The former indicated that reception in the hotel lobby could be considered one of the most important servicescapes because of its impact in forming many of the first impressions of hotel guests, while the latter is treated as core offerings in hotels that would be encountered by most hotel customers. If the tourists are mainly from package tours, the intangible services and tangible facilities of these areas are the important areas to create customer satisfaction. However, if the tourists are mainly independent tourists because they have more time and free choice to stay at the hotel longer than the package tour tourists, the intangible services and tangible facilities of the entertainment or business centers would be even more important to these tourists than to the package tour tourists. With regard to Kano’s model analysis, the results showed that, based on mainland China tourists’ perceptions, most of the service elements fit into the category of one-dimensional quality attributes. This means that these service elements are positively and linearly related to customer satisfaction, and the greater fulfillment of the attribute results in a greater degree of satisfaction. This also means that hotels should make more effort to innovate their intangible services and tangible facilities to create business advantages in the market.

Comparison of Equivalent Oxide Thickness and Electrical Properties of Atomic Layer Deposited Hafnium Zirconate Dielectrics with Thermal or Decoupled Plasma Nitridation Process

Chen-Kuo Chiang,Chien-Hung Wu,Chin-Chien Liu,Jin-Fu Lin,Chien-Lun Yang,Jiun-Yuan Wu,Shui-Jinn Wang 대한금속·재료학회 2012 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.8 No.5

The NH3 thermal annealing and decoupled plasma nitridation (DPN) processes are compared for the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) scaling of atomic-layer-deposited hafnium zirconate (HfZrO2) gate dielectric. Detailed physical, optical, and electrical characteristics of nitrided HfZrO2 (HfZrON) film are reported. It is found that DPN can yield a thinner SiOx interfacial layer (IL) (about 0.12 nm more in terms of EOT scaling)and a more densified HfZrO2 layer compared to those obtained using NH3 thermal annealing at a 16% nitrogen dose. NH3 thermal nitridation causes a large nitrogen distribution tail at the SiOx IL/Si substrate interface and increases leakage current, which suppresses EOT scalability.

Traditional Chinese medicine attenuates hospitalization and mortality risks in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ in Taiwan

Tsai Li-Jen,Chung Chi-Hsiang,Lin Chien-Jung,Su Sheng-Chiang,Kuo Feng-Chih,Liu Jhih-Syuan,Chen Kuan-Chan,Ho Li-Ju,Kuo Chih-Chun,Chang Chun-Yung,Lin Ming-Hsun,Chu Nain-Feng,Lee Chien-Hsing,Hsieh Chang-H 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.2

Background: Diabetic patients are at high risk of developing cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become increasingly popular as an adjuvant treatment for patients with chronic diseases, and some studies have identified its beneficial effect in diabetic patients with cancer. The purpoes of this study was to outline the potential of TCM to attenuate hospitalization and mortality rates in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). Methods: A total of 6,987 diabetic subjects with CIS under TCM therapy were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, along with 38,800 of 1:1 sex-, age-, and index year-matched controls without TCM therapy. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to compare hospitalization and mortality rates during an average of 15 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 3,999/1,393 enrolled-subjects (28.62%/9.97%) had hospitalization/mortality, including 1,777/661 in the TCM group (25.43%/9.46%) and 2,222/732 in the control group (31.80%/10.48%). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed a lower rate of hospitalization and mortality for subjects in the TCM group (adjusted HR=0.536; 95% CI=0.367–0.780, P<0.001; adjusted HR=0.783; 95% CI=0.574– 0.974, P = 0.022). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative risk of hospitalization and mortality in the case and control groups was significantly different (log rank, P<0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with CIS under TCM therapy were associated with lower hospitalization and mortality rates compared to those without TCM therapy. Thus, TCM application may reduce the burden of national medical resources.

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Attentuates N-Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Inflammation in Rat Livers

Kuo-Hsin Chen,Bor-Ru Lin,Chiang-Ting Chien,Chien-Hsin Ho 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.7

Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to liver injury. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) is rich in vitamin C, gallic acid, flavonoids, and tannins, which may protect against hepatoxicity-induced liver injury. We elucidated the effects of supplementary Amla (100 mg/kg of body weight) on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced injury by evaluating reactive oxygen species (ROS) responses in the liver and bile, the degree of accumulated leukocytes and Kupffer cell infiltration, 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal stains, apoptosis and autophagy, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) levels, and antioxidant/oxidant enzymes in rats. Amla was more potent than vitamin C in scavenging O_2^−·, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide. N-Nitrosodiethylamine increased ROS production in liver and bile, hepatic Kupffer cell and leukocyte infiltration, 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal accumulations, apoptosis and autophagy, and plasma ALT, AST, and γ-GT levels in the rats, decreased hepatic manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase protein expressions, and enhanced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) protein expressions. Amla significantly preserved MnSOD and catalase expressions and decreased iNOS and CYP2E1 protein expressions in N-nitrosodiethylamine-treated livers. Amla decreased N-nitrosodiethylamine-enhanced hepatic apoptosis and autophagy appearances via down-regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Beclin-1 expression. Thus Amla supplementation counteracts N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced liver injury via its antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-autophagy properties.

Current Indications for Spinal Endoscopic Surgery and Potential for Future Expansion

Kuo-Tai Chen,김진성,Abel Po-Hao Huang,Martin Hsiu-Chu Lin,Chien-Min Chen 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.1

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) has evolved as a safe, effective, and efficient alternative for minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). The innovation of full-endoscopic systems makes definitive decompression surgery through different approaches feasible. The approach can be determined according to the location of the target lesion or the surgeon's preference. During the past 2 decades, ESS has expanded its indications from lumbar to cervical spines. Except for decompression, endoscopy-assisted fusion surgery is also developing. However, ESS is still evolving and has a steep learning curve. The revolution of technologies and ESS techniques will enable surgeons to treat various spinal diseases more practically. In recent years, the application of the computer-assisted navigation system and augmented reality have reformed imaging quality and interpretation. The endoscopic rhizotomy techniques have opened a new way for MISS of chronic low back pain. This review introduces the current indications of ESS and its potential future expansion.

The Inventory and Statistics of Potential Large-scale Landslide Areas in Southern Taiwan

( Kuo-wei Li ),( Chien-yu Lin ),( Jyh-jong Liao ),( Yi-wen Pan ),( Keng-hao Kang ),( Che-ming Yang ) 대한지질공학회 2019 대한지질공학회 학술발표회논문집 Vol.2019 No.2

This study produced an inventory of the 2,523 potential large-scale landslide areas (PLSLAs) in southern Taiwan. These PLSLAs were delineated using LiDAR DEM of 1m resolution after the 2009 Typhoon Morakot by other institutes. Using the inventory, we conducted a statistical analysis of the important geologic and geomorphologic factors possibly related to a PLSLA. The statistical analyses reveal that, among the 2,523 PLSLAs, (1) 82% of elevation are between 750 and 2,750 m, (2) 79% of the area are between 10 and 40 hectares, (3) 76% of the slope height are between 200 and 600 m, (4) 86% of the slope are between 25 and 40 degrees and (5) 83 percent of stream order are less than 3. Rock formations of these PLSLAs range from Oligocene to Miocene; 67% of the strata are slate, and 12% are interbedded of sandstone and shale. This study selected 24 medium to high risk cases of the 2,523 PLSLAs, and interpreted the micro-geomorphological features from 1m LiDAR DEM. The following three patterns were present: (1) PLSLA with clear features of gravitational slope deformation in slope height more than 500 m condition, (2) PLSLA with the relic of paleo landslides induced by gravitational buckling, toppling, or plane sliding, (3) PLSLA with river bank erosion on slope toe and head-cut erosion induced by gully development. Based on statistics, the stream order of the PLSLAs with gravitational slope deformation usually would exceed 3; 83% of PLSLAs are the areas also with paleo large-scale landslide.

A Methodology to Build a Groutability Formula via a Heuristic Algorithm

Chien-Lin Huang,Jen-Chen Fan,Kuo-Wei Liao,Tsung-Hsun Lien 대한토목학회 2013 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.17 No.1

The goal of this study is to provide a methodology to develop a groutability (N) formula of sandy silt soils using microfine cement grouts in a permeation grouting. Because the Fines Content (FC) of the sandy silt soils studied is relatively high, and the size of the grouts used is significantly smaller than the Portland cement, the existing empirical formulas cannot deliver a promising prediction of N. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is an alternative tool used to predict N. However, SVMs do not provide an explicit formula,which creates an obstacle for practical engineers. Thus, a heuristic algorithm (the Tabu search, TS) was used to build the prediction formula. A total of 240 in-situ data samples were analyzed to ensure the accuracy of the proposed formula. The format of the existing empirical formula was adopted in the proposed TS-based formula. Four parameters were considered in our TS models: the effective soil particle size (D10), the soil particle size (D15), the water-to-cement ratio (w/c) and the FC. The prediction accuracy of the TSbased formula was approximately 94.17%, indicating that the proposed formula is a suitable tool. Because the proposed formula has a similar format to that of formulas that are typically used, the proposed approach can be implemented readily in practical engineering settings. Note that the proposed formula was only verified by the collected data samples, the suitability of applying the built formula to other conditions needs more investigation.

Angelica dahurica attenuates melanogenesis in B16F0 cells by repressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Fang Chien-Liang,Goswami Debakshee,Kuo Chia-Hua,Day Cecilia Hsuan,Lin Mei-Yi,Ho Tsung-Jung,Yang Liang-Yo,Hsieh Dennis Jine-Yuan,Lin Tzu-Kai,Huang Chih-Yang 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2023 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.19 No.1

Background Melanogenesis is a complex process which is tightly regulated by several enzymes. However, abnormal melanogenesis can cause severe dermatological problems. Roots of Angelica dahurica have been used for skin care as a part of traditional Chinese medicine for many generations. However, the role of A. dahurica in melanogenesis remains unclear. Objective Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that NK-1R exerts positive effects in melanogenesis via the Wnt/βcatenin signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects of A. dahurica ethanol extract (ADE) on NK-1R and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and evaluated the effect of NK-1R on melanogenesis in B16F0 cells. Results Angelica dahurica ethanol extract efficiently downregulated Neurokinin-1 receptor and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by decreasing the expression of β-catenin, MITF, LEF-1, TYR, TRP1, and TRP2 and increasing the expression of GSK3β, which resulted from the weakened expression of the Neurokinin-1 receptor inhibitor [Sar9,Met(O2 )11]-Substance P (SMSP). Furthermore, the intracellular melanin assay and cellular tyrosinase activity confirmed these findings. Conclusion This study suggests that ADE has potential to downregulate Neurokinin-1 receptor in SMSP-induced B16F0 cells, thereby repressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and reduces melanin production.