IT MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT… BUT IT IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!

Ines Branco-Illodo,Teresa Heath 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

This study identifies the best gift ever as a new type of gift with specific characteristics that make it different from the ideal, „perfect gift‟. For this, we draw on consumers‟ lived experiences to understand the underlying traits of their most cherished gifts. This understanding is of great importance for retailers, who strive to assist consumers on their search for the „perfect gift‟ (Mintel, 2015). As Belk (1996) suggests, the „perfect gift‟ involves sacrifice, altruism, luxury, surprise and is uniquely appropriate for the recipient. Although this concept has been widely used in the literature, there remain two main limitations to address. First, existing work focused on the „perfect gift‟ is conceptual and considers this type of gift in its ideal form, thus neglecting actual experiences of givers and receivers as consumers of their most special gifts. Although some empirical research exists around the subject (Tuten & Kiecker, 2009), these studies assume the „perfect gift‟ conceptualisation proposed by Belk (1996) or suggest that “the „perfect gift‟ metaphor is not always an accurate prototype for giving” (Otnes, 2018, p.222). In addition to this, the retail environment has changed considerably since Belk‟s (1996) work. The new digital world reconfigures the definitions of gift-giving contextualised in a pre-digital landscape (Belk, 2013; Otnes, 2018), raising questions for example, of whether digital gifts can be perfect (Belk, 2013). In order to address these concerns, we propose to study participants‟ experiences of their best gift ever (both given and received); to this effect, we conducted 27 face-to-face semi-structured interviews. We did not prompt participants with any characteristics of the „perfect gift‟ from the literature but rather focused on capturing participants‟ insights about their best gift ever in their own terms. While we drew insights on the categorisation of the perfect gift proposed by Belk (1996), we adopted an interpretivist perspective allowing themes to emerge from the data (Holbrook & O‟Shaughnessy, 1988). Our findings show that the best gift ever might not be perfect but it is attainable and proposed as a new concept to understand gifts. This extends existing research beyond the notion that the perfect gift, like most perfection, remains an ideal more than a reality in our gift giving (Belk, 1996, p.76). Our analysis suggests that the best gift ever is: 1) experiential (i.e. symbolic meanings are associated with the shared giver-receiver experience), 2) memorable (i.e. the experience is remembered vividly and gift meaning evolves overtime); and 3) delightful (i.e. experience of deep emotions of delight, excitement and pleasure). Finally, although the best gift ever shares characteristics with those of the perfect gift including appropriateness, sacrifice, altruism and luxury, our data shows that these characteristics defining the ideal perfect gift (Belk, 1996) are not necessarily met by the best gift ever in most cases. That is, not all of these traits were simultaneously present within the same best gift ever experience and some of them were not important for our participants. Practitioners could support customers in the creation of the best gift ever by helping to build memorable and delightful gift experiences, the value of which can be enhanced over time.

Employer Branding as Important Issue in Attracting New Academic Employees -An Assessment from a Student`s Point of View

( Ines Daniel(dr. ) ),( Michael Brusch(prof. Dr. ) ),( Kerstin Große(b. Sc. ) ),( Therese Kozlowski(m. Sc. ) ) 한국품질경영학회 2015 한국품질경영학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.2

Purpose Nowadays, people are one of the most important resources for a company and an employer brand is an intangible asset. First, well-trained graduates are looking for companies that embody certain characteristics and fit their needs at the best possible rate. Second, companies are looking for motivated and capable employees, which allow the company to achieve good performances, to generate a positive image of the labor market and retain more loyal employees to the company. Due to these circumstances, companies need to differentiate themselves clearly from other companies and produce a higher perceived employer attractiveness to find the best employees. This can be done by a sophisticated and individual employer branding concept. Methodology/Approach In this investigation, an empirical investigation of roundabout 430 students of a technical university in a medium-sized city in Germany was conducted. The data collection and analysis will focus on different methodical alternatives identifying factors and important criteria of employer branding. Therefore, multivariate data analysis methods such as factor analysis will be applied. Furthermore, some region specific problems are analyzed. Originality/Value of Paper The analyses of the empirical data focus on important factors of employer branding and allow new insights for researchers from a theoretical and from a practical point of view, especially to smaller regions and companies. To ensure efficient employer branding, it is particularly important to detect which factors influence the attractiveness of the employer, which criteria are especially important, and how potential employees are looking for new employers. In addition, some general implications and recommendations for later use will be developed.

Marriage Migrants‘ representation in Korean Cinema

Ines Miranda de Dios 인문사회과학기술융합학회 2018 예술인문사회융합멀티미디어논문지 Vol.8 No.11

This paper studies how marriage migrants are being depicted in Korean Cinema. In the recent years, the foreign population in South Korea has been increasing and so has done the presence of migrant minorities in media, including cinema. This study discusses that korean cinema shows dominant ideologies of power in Korean society where marriage migrants are located at the bottom. Five films were analyzed and from this analysis five frames were extracted. Marriage migrants are frequently depicted as subordinated or powerless, they are usually women in the role of wives, mothers, and daughters-in-law, they are treated as ethnic others, sexualized others or commodities. Consequently, their relationships with Korean nationals are formed by power relations. Moreover, Korean national who do establish some sort of intimate relationship with the marriage migrants are represented as people in the margins of Korean society. In this way, it is reinforced the social position of marriage migrants as outsiders in the Korean society.

Assessment of Rhamnus alaternus Leaves Extract: Phytochemical Characterization and Antimelanoma Activity

Ines Bouhlel Chatti,Imene Ben Toumia,Yosr Krichen,Mouna Maatouk,Leila Chekir Ghedira,Mounira Krifa 한국식품영양과학회 2022 Journal of medicinal food Vol.25 No.9

Rhamnus alaternus (Rhamnaceae) has been used as a laxative, purgative, diuretic, antihypertensive, and depurative. However, few scientific research studies on its antimelanoma activity have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimelanoma effect of an enriched total oligomer flavonoid (TOF) extract, from R. alaternus, and to identify its phytochemical compounds. The chemical composition of TOF extract was assessed by HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS2) analysis. Antimelanoma activity was determined on cultured tumor cell B16F10 by the crystal violet assay, the alkaline comet assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB), annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide (V-FITC/PI) staining, the cell cycle distribution, and the wound healing assay. Regarding chemical composition, a mixture of quercetin diglucoside, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, kaempferol-3-O-(2G-α-L-rhamnosyl)-rutinoside, rhamnetin hexoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rhamnocitrin hexoside, pilosin hexoside, apigenin glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside was identified as major phytochemical compounds of the extracts. TOF extract inhibits melanoma B16F10 cell proliferation in dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis was confirmed by comet assay, AO/EB, and annexin V-FITC/PI test. TOF extract could also induce S phase cell cycle, inhibit, and delay the cell migration of B16F10 cells. The findings showed that TOF extract from R. alaternus could be a potentially good candidate for future use in alternative antimelanoma treatments.

Poster Session:PS 0209 ; Myasthenia Gravis: We Looked, but Did We Really See?

( Ines Castico ),( Carina Freitas ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a relatively rare autoimmune disease in which antibodies form against acetylcholine postsynaptic receptors at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles. As a result patients present muscle weakness which is increased by exertion and relieved by rest. Although generalized weakness might be present, initial symptoms are usually confi ned to a specifi c muscle group, frequently the extraocular muscles. We report the case of a 23 year old female patient with no relevant personal or familial history. She fi rst came to our consultation about a year ago because she was pregnant. The pregnancy went well but after 6 months she started complaining of she came for another consultation referring asthenia, double vision and heavy eyelids especially at the end of the day. After a thorough investigation we learned that she was operated to her left eyelid ptosis by an ophthalmologist but with no diagnosis. Clinical diagnosis of MG was made and the patient was referred to a neurologist who confi rmed our suspicion and initiated pharmacological treatment with Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitors. Conclusion: We have seen the patient for 1 year but had never really given importance to her ptosis until it got worse and she complained about it. Do we really see our patients or just look at them?

Get the Assistance on Your Screen: Image-guided Colorectal Surgery (Hyperspectral and ICG)

Ines Gockel 대한외과학회 2022 대한외과학회 학술대회 초록집 Vol.2022 No.11

Bacillus subtilis Bacteriocin Bac 14B with a Broad Inhibitory Spectrum: Purification, Amino Acid Sequence Analysis, and Physicochemical Characterization

Ines Hammami,Bassem Jaouadi,Abir Ben Bacha,Ahmed Rebai,Samir Bejar,Xavier Nesme,Ali Rhouma 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.1

Bacillus subtilis strain 14B was used to produce a novel antimicrobial peptide (bacteriocin) called Bac 14B. Pure bacteriocin was obtained after heat and acidic treatments (80°C and pH 4), precipitation by ammonium sulfate, and chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and Mono Q Sepharose columns. Based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis, purified Bac 14B is a monomer protein with a molecular mass of 20110.13 Da. N-terminal sequencing allowed for the straightforward identification of its first 12 residues, which were of a pure bacteriocin. It also revealed that this bacteriocin contained a unique sequence, namely M-L-K-A-N-L-Q-N-P-L-N-A, suggesting the identification of a novel compound. Bac 14B was stable for 1 h at temperatures up to 80°C and pH of 4 ~ 8. It also proved sensitive to various proteases, which demonstrated its protein nature. Bac 14B displayed a bacteriolytical mode of action and a broad range of inhibitory spectra toward Gram-positive and -negative pathogens. Interestingly,based on conventional agronomic seed vigor parameters,the application of Bac 14B (500 activity units/mL)to various crops revealed that this bacteriocin was a potent exogenous enhancer of growth that stimulated the seedling vigor of tomatoes and muskmelons. Compared to those of the control, the germination percentage, shoot weight,shoot height, and root length were all significantly enhanced in Bac 14B-treated plant seeds. Bac 14B also exhibited effective disinfectant properties against a wide range of seedborne diseases and significant effects on the control of damping off diseases, particularly at the pregermination stage. It also proved to be effective against root rot diseases caused by Alternaria solani and other bacterial seedborne pathogens such as wilt diseases. The findings indicate that Bac 14B is the first B. subtilisproduced bacteriocin ever reported to exhibit such promising biological properties. Bacillus subtilis strain 14B was used to produce a novel antimicrobial peptide (bacteriocin) called Bac 14B. Pure bacteriocin was obtained after heat and acidic treatments (80°C and pH 4), precipitation by ammonium sulfate, and chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and Mono Q Sepharose columns. Based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis, purified Bac 14B is a monomer protein with a molecular mass of 20110.13 Da. N-terminal sequencing allowed for the straightforward identification of its first 12 residues, which were of a pure bacteriocin. It also revealed that this bacteriocin contained a unique sequence, namely M-L-K-A-N-L-Q-N-P-L-N-A, suggesting the identification of a novel compound. Bac 14B was stable for 1 h at temperatures up to 80°C and pH of 4 ~ 8. It also proved sensitive to various proteases, which demonstrated its protein nature. Bac 14B displayed a bacteriolytical mode of action and a broad range of inhibitory spectra toward Gram-positive and -negative pathogens. Interestingly,based on conventional agronomic seed vigor parameters,the application of Bac 14B (500 activity units/mL)to various crops revealed that this bacteriocin was a potent exogenous enhancer of growth that stimulated the seedling vigor of tomatoes and muskmelons. Compared to those of the control, the germination percentage, shoot weight,shoot height, and root length were all significantly enhanced in Bac 14B-treated plant seeds. Bac 14B also exhibited effective disinfectant properties against a wide range of seedborne diseases and significant effects on the control of damping off diseases, particularly at the pregermination stage. It also proved to be effective against root rot diseases caused by Alternaria solani and other bacterial seedborne pathogens such as wilt diseases. The findings indicate that Bac 14B is the first B. subtilisproduced bacteriocin ever reported to exhibit such promising biological properties.

Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis (PM): Results of a Single-Center Experience and Register Study

Ines Gockel,Boris Jansen-Winkeln,Linda Haase,Philipp Rhode,Matthias Mehdorn,Stefan Niebisch,Yusef Moulla,Orestis Lyros,Florian Lordick,Katrin Schierle,Christian Wittekind,René Thieme 대한위암학회 2018 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.18 No.4

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) have poor prognosis. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in combination with systemic chemotherapy is a novel treatment option for patients in stage IV of the disease. Materials and Methods: Between November 2015 and June 2018, prospective data collection was performed in 24 patients with GC and PM (median age, 57; range, 44–75 years). These patients underwent 46 PIPAC procedures with a median number of 2 interventions per patient (range, 1–6). A laparoscopic access was used and a combined therapy of cisplatin and doxorubicin aerosol was administered. Results: The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index before the 1st PIPAC was 14 (range, 2–36), and the median ascites volume in patients before the 1st PIPAC was 100 mL (range, 0–6 mL, 300 mL). Eleven patients, who received 2 or more PIPAC procedures, had decreased and stable volumes of ascites, while only 3 patients displayed increasing volume of ascites. The median overall survival was 121 days (range, 66–625 days) after the 1st PIPAC procedure, while 8 patients who received more than 3 PIPAC procedures had a median survival of 450 days (range, 206–481 days) (P=0.0376). Conclusions: Our data show that PIPAC is safe and well tolerated, and that the production of ascites can be controlled by PIPAC in GC patients. Patients, who received 2 or more PIPAC procedures, reported a stable overall quality of life. Further studies are required to document the significance of PIPAC as a palliative multimodal therapy.

Parametric identification of handwriting system based on RLS algorithm

Ines CHIHI,Chekib GHORBEL,Afef ABDELKRIM,Mohamed BENREJEB 제어로봇시스템학회 2011 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2011 No.10

This paper deals with parametric identification based on Recursive Least Squares algorithm (RLS) to describe the human handwriting process. The electromyographic EMG signals records of muscle activities in the forearm during handwriting movements contain the adequate information to present this biological process.So, the handwriting process can be described from the relationship between EMG signals and the pen-tip movement. An experimental approach has been carried out to measure the forearm EMG signals and the pen-tip displacements on writing some of fundamental drawing and Arabic letters.These measurements are used to identify the handwriting process. In this research, a new fourth order, linear model is proposed to identify handwriting process. Good qualitative and quantitative agreement was found between traces and trajectories calculated with identified system.

Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Antiproliferative, and Antioxidant Potentials and DNA Damage-Protecting Activity of Acacia salicina Extracts

Ines Bouhlel Chatti,Ilef Limem,Jihed Boubaker,Ines Skandrani,Soumaya Kilani,Wissem Bhouri,Mohamed Ben Sghaier,Aicha Nefatti,Hedi Ben Mansour,Kamel Ghedira,Leila Chekir-Ghedira 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.3

The extract enriched in total oligomer flavonoids (TOF), and the aqueous, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of Acacia salicina were investigated for their polyphenolic compound content, antioxidative activity in the nitro blue tetrazolium/riboflavin assay system, antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial reference strains, antigenotoxic activity tested with the Ames assay, and cytotoxic activity against the K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line and L1210 leukemia murine cells. TOF extract was effective at inhibiting nitro blue tetrazolium reduction by superoxide radical in a nonenzymatic O2•−-generating system. Significant activity against bacterial reference strains Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Salmonella typhimurium was shown with all the tested extracts. These extracts significantly decreased the genotoxicity induced by sodium azide and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine. A pronounced cytotoxic effect on both leukemia cell lines was detected in TOF, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, and cytotoxic activities exhibited by A. salicina depended on the chemical composition of the tested extracts.