La influencia de la cultura sobre la búsqueda de información. El caso de la vivienda para 'turismo residencial' en la Costa Blanca.

The influence of culture in the buying decision process is analyzed by focusing on the information seeking behaviour for a product representing a complex decision making. The literature proves the importance of culture for the decision process while there are hardly any studies available for the real-estate sector. Using a cultural specific approach, the influence of culture (represented by the dimensions of horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism, risk aversion, and future time perspective) on information seeking behaviour (importance of information sources, information search effort, cognitive effort and perceived risk) is analyzed. The study, with a sample of people from three European countries - Spain, Germany and United Kingdom - who bought a house for residential tourism within the last four years in the Costa Blanca area found significant influences of culture on the different groups and variables considered. Se realiza un análisis de la influencia de la cultura sobre el proceso de decisión de compra, centrándose en la etapa de búsqueda de información en un bien de decisión de compra compleja. La literatura ha incidido en la importancia de la cultura como factor importante, aunque apenas hay literatura en el ámbito del marketing del sector inmobiliario. Tras adoptar un enfoque específico-cultural, se analiza la influencia diferencial de la cultura (medida mediante las dimensiones 'verticalidad-horizontalidad' y 'colectiva-individual', la aversión al riesgo y la orientación al tiempo) sobre la búsqueda de información medida mediante la importancia dada a las fuentes de información, los esfuerzos de búsqueda y cognitivo y el riesgo percibido. El estudio, realizado en una muestra de compradores de vivienda para turismo residencial en los últimos 4 años en la CostaBlanca, procedentes de 3 países europeos -España, Alemania y Reino Unido- muestra la influencia real y significativa de la cultura en los diversos colectivos y variables consideradas.: Marketing Inmobiliario, Comportamiento del consumidor cross-cultural, Estudio Intercultural, Vivienda, Turismo Residencial, Cultura, Búsqueda de Información, Proceso de Toma de Decisiones. Real-estate marketing, Cross-cultural consumer behaviour, Intercultural study, Residential tourism, Culture, Information seeking, Decision making process.

Circular Framework in the Design & Planning Phase of Construction

Executive Summary The transition towards circular economy in the design and construction industry represents a transformative opportunity to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. This dissertation delves deeply into how circular strategies can be implemented within the construction sector, examining their potential to mitigate resource depletion and waste generation, while fostering innovation and efficiency. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical research, the study provides a robust understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with circular models and offers actionable insights for stakeholders navigating the shift from linear to circular economic practices. The backdrop for this research lies in the unsustainable nature of the traditional linear economic model, which dominates the construction industry. The environmental implications of this model are profound, including resource depletion, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing these issues, there is an urgent need to transition towards a circular economy, which emphasizes the regeneration of resources, reduction of waste, and sustainable development. Within this context, circular models offer a pathway to operationalize circular economy principles, enabling the design and construction industry to evolve towards sustainability. The central research question addressed in this dissertation is: How can circular models be effectively implemented in the design and construction industry to support sustainability transitions? To answer this, the study explores the theoretical foundations of circular economy, their practical applications, and the systemic changes required to embed these models within industry practices. The research also identifies the benefits of circular models, including reduced material costs, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced competitiveness, alongside the barriers that hinder their adoption, such as regulatory challenges, cost concerns, and resistance to change. The concept of the circular economy underpins this research, offering a paradigm shift from the linear model to one that prioritizes the closing, slowing, and narrowing of resource loops. In the construction industry, this involves designing buildings and infrastructure to maximize material recovery, minimize waste, and extend the lifecycle of materials and components. For example, prefabricated modular systems enable components like walls and beams to be easily dismantled and reused in new projects, reducing demolition waste and conserving resources. Additionally, closed-loop supply chains, where materials are continuously recycled and reintegrated into production processes, exemplify the practical application of circular economy principles in construction. The literature review highlights the evolution of circular economy principles and their relevance to the construction industry. The transition from a linear to a circular model requires a fundamental rethinking of design, production, and consumption patterns. Key principles of the circular economy, such as designing for disassembly, material recovery, and shared ownership, are particularly relevant to construction. For instance, reversible connections in building structures allow for easy disassembly and reuse of components, while leasing models for building materials ensure that resources are returned and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Circular models play a pivotal role in operationalizing circular economy principles. Circular models prioritize strategies that narrow, slow, and close resource loops, enabling companies to reduce waste and optimize resource use. In the construction industry, these models manifest in various ways, including design-phase models that incorporate sustainable materials and modular construction techniques, construction phase models that emphasize waste reduction and on-site recycling, and supply-phase models that establish closed-loop material recovery systems. The dissertation identifies key benefits, such as cost savings through material efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced brand reputation. However, it also acknowledges challenges, including the high upfront costs of implementing circular practices, limited availability of secondary materials, and regulatory barriers. Empirical research forms a cornerstone of this study, combining multiple case studies and survey-based analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of CBM adoption in the construction industry. The case studies examine companies implementing circular economy, offering insights into their experiences, challenges, and successes. For example, a Danish construction firm developed a materials exchange platform that enables contractors to buy and sell excess materials, reducing both costs and waste. Similarly, a UK-based modular housing company adopted a circular leasing model, wherein building components are rented rather than sold, ensuring their reuse at the end of their lifecycle. These examples illustrate the practical application of circular models and their potential to drive innovation and sustainability in construction. Survey data complements the case studies, capturing the perspectives of nearly 150 construction industry stakeholders across Europe. The findings reveal common perceptions about circular models, with small firms citing upfront costs and lack of technical expertise as significant barriers, while large firms highlight challenges in integrating CBMs into complex supply chains. The survey also identifies key enablers of circular model adoption, such as government incentives, stakeholder collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. Regulatory and legal frameworks play a critical role in shaping the adoption of circularity in the construction industry. The dissertation examines the impact of policies such as the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan, which sets ambitious recycling targets for construction and demolition waste. While these policies create a supportive environment for CBMs, inconsistencies in local building codes and regulations often hinder their implementation. For example, stringent safety requirements for reclaimed materials, such as recycled concrete aggregates, limit their application despite evidence of their safety and performance. The research underscores the need for harmonized regulations that balance innovation with safety and quality standards. A significant contribution of this dissertation is the development of a circular framework tailored to the initial design & planning phase of construction industry. This framework integrates design thinking principles with practical tools to guide stakeholders in implementing circular strategies. Key components include material flow mapping, which visualizes the lifecycle of materials to identify opportunities for reuse and recycling; a circular economy toolkit, featuring templates like the circular model canvas and collaboration strategies that foster partnerships between designers, contractors, and waste management firms. For instance, a construction firm in the Netherlands applied the framework to reclaim wooden beams from demolished buildings, treating and repurposing them for new flooring projects. The findings of this research highlight the importance of experimentation and collaboration in overcoming barriers to circular model adoption. Internal experimentation, such as testing prefabricated wall systems made from recycled gypsum, demonstrates the viability of circular practices, while collaborative innovation, such as closed-loop concrete recycling programs, exemplifies the power of partnerships in driving sustainability. The research also emphasizes the adaptability of circular models, noting that strategies must be tailored to a company’s size, resources, and specific needs. The dissertation concludes that circular economy offers a transformative opportunity for the construction industry to align environmental goals with economic benefits. However, realizing this potential requires a multi-faceted approach that includes policy support, industry collaboration, and capacity building. Policymakers must establish clear and consistent regulations that promote material reuse and innovation, while industry stakeholders must foster stronger partnerships to share knowledge and resources. Additionally, training programs are essential to equip professionals with the skills needed to implement circular models effectively. Future research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts of circular models, including market integration and full-scale implementation. Emerging technologies, such as AI-driven material recovery systems and 3D printing with recycled materials, also warrant further investigation. By providing a comprehensive roadmap for integrating circular economy principles into construction, this dissertation offers practical tools and strategies to support sustainability transitions in one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries

Intramedulläre Tumoren – Management- und Outcome-Analyse

In der Therapie intramedullärer Tumoren herrschen noch Unsicherheiten über den Zeitpunkt und das Ausmaß der Tumorresektion sowie über die damit verbundenen funktionellen Ergebnisse. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt eine retrospektive Analyse der Krankengeschichte von 70 Patienten mit intramedullären Tumoren dar, die zwischen 1987 und 2007 in der Neuro-chirurgischen Universitätsklinik Bonn operiert wurden. Die Krankenakten wurden hin-sichtlich des progressionsfreien Überlebens und des neurologischen Status sowie des Einflusses der o.g. Faktoren analysiert. Des Weiteren wurde die Durchführung eines intraoperativen Monitorings sowie adjuvanter Therapiemaßnahmen erfasst. Das progressionsfreie Überleben für Patienten mit einer vollständigen Tumorresektion war mit durchschnittlich 66 Monaten signifikant länger als für Patienten mit einer Tumorbiopsie, deren progressionsfreies Überleben im Mittel 2,7 Monate betrug (p=0,014). Keinen statistisch signifikanten Einfluss auf das progressionsfreie Überleben zeigten in unserer Studie der WHO-Grad, die Höhenausbreitung sowie die Lokalisation der Tumore. Das neurologische Outcome der Patienten war maßgeblich vom präoperativen neurologischen Zustand der Patienten abhängig (p=0,001). So konnten unter den Patienten, die sich präoperativ in einem guten neurologischen Status entsprechend dem Mc-Cormick-Grad I oder II befanden, postoperativ 82,6 % bzw. zum Zeitpunkt des letzten Follow-up 73,3 % diesem zugeordnet werden, während nur 8,3 % bzw. 13,1 % der Patienten mit einem präoperativen McCormick-Grad III oder IV diesem entsprachen. Dabei beeinflussten weder die Geschlechtszugehörigkeit noch das Alter noch die Tumorlokalisation noch die Anzahl der Wirbelkörperhöhen oder die Dauer der präoperativ bestehenden Symptomatik das neurologische Outcome signifikant. Unseren Ergebnissen zufolge profitieren von einer Operation insbesondere Patienten, die frühzeitig, bei noch gering ausgeprägten neurologischen Defiziten, operiert wurden und jene, bei denen eine komplette Tumorresektion erreicht werden konnte. Der Einsatz eines intraoperativen Monitorings scheint dabei das Erreichen einer kompletten Tumorresektion zu begünstigen. Eine adjuvante Therapie bleibt malignen Tumoren und Metastasen vorbehalten

Host–microbe interactions in the developing zebrafish

The amenability of the zebrafish to in vivo imaging and genetic analysis has fueled expanded use of this vertebrate model to investigate the molecular and cellular foundations of host-microbe relationships. Study of microbial encounters in zebrafish hosts has concentrated on developing embryonic and larval stages, when the advantages of the zebrafish model are maximized. A comprehensive understanding of these host-microbe interactions requires appreciation of the developmental context into which a microbe is introduced, as well as the effects of that microbial challenge on host ontogeny. In this review, we discuss how in vivo imaging and genetic analysis in zebrafish has advanced our knowledge of host-microbe interactions in the context of a developing vertebrate host. We focus on recent insights into immune cell ontogeny and function, commensal microbial relationships in the intestine, and microbial pathogenesis in zebrafish hosts

Patterns and Scales in Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology

The body surfaces of humans and other animals are colonized at birth by microorganisms. The majority of microbial residents on the human body exist within gastrointestinal (GI) tract communities, where they contribute to many aspects of host biology and pathobiology. Recent technological advances have expanded our ability to perceive the membership and physiologic traits of microbial communities along the GI tract. To translate this information into a mechanistic and practical understanding of host-microbe and microbe-microbe relationships, it is necessary to recast our conceptualization of the GI tract and its resident microbial communities in ecological terms. This review depicts GI microbial ecology in the context of 2 fundamental ecological concepts: (1) the patterns of biodiversity within the GI tract and (2) the scales of time, space, and environment within which we perceive those patterns. We show how this conceptual framework can be used to integrate our existing knowledge and identify important open questions in GI microbial ecology

Methods for generating and colonizing gnotobiotic zebrafish

Vertebrates are colonized at birth by complex and dynamic communities of microorganisms that can contribute significantly to host health and disease. The ability to raise animals in the absence of microorganisms has been a powerful tool for elucidating the relationships between animal hosts and their microbial residents. The optical transparency of the developing zebrafish and relative ease of generating germ-free zebrafish makes it an attractive model organism for gnotobiotic research. Here we provide a protocol for: generating zebrafish embryos; deriving and rearing germ-free zebrafish; and colonizing zebrafish with microorganisms. Using these methods, we typically obtain 80–90% sterility rates in our germ-free derivations with 90% survival in germ-free animals and 50–90% survival in colonized animals through larval stages. Obtaining embryos for derivation requires approximately 1–2 hours with a 3–8 hour incubation period prior to derivation. Derivation of germ-free animals takes 1–1.5 hours, and daily maintenance requires 1–2 hours

Commensal microbiota stimulate systemic neutrophil migration through induction of Serum amyloid A: Microbiota regulate systemic neutrophil function

Neutrophils serve critical roles in inflammatory responses to infection and injury, and mechanisms governing their activity represent attractive targets for controlling inflammation. The commensal microbiota is known to regulate the activity of neutrophils and other leucocytes in the intestine, but the systemic impact of the microbiota on neutrophils remains unknown. Here we utilized in vivo imaging in gnotobiotic zebrafish to reveal diverse effects of microbiota colonization on systemic neutrophil development and function. The presence of a microbiota resulted in increased neutrophil number and myeloperoxidase expression, and altered neutrophil localization and migratory behaviours. These effects of the microbiota on neutrophil homeostasis were accompanied by an increased recruitment of neutrophils to injury. Genetic analysis identified the microbiota-induced acute phase protein serum amyloid A (Saa) as a host factor mediating microbial stimulation of tissue-specific neutrophil migratory behaviours. In vitro studies revealed that zebrafish cells respond to Saa exposure by activating NF-κB, and that Saa-dependent neutrophil migration requires NF-κB-dependent gene expression. These results implicate the commensal microbiota as an important environmental factor regulating diverse aspects of systemic neutrophil development and function, and reveal a critical role for a Saa-NF-κB signalling axis in mediating neutrophil migratory responses

Microbial Colonization Induces Dynamic Temporal and Spatial Patterns of NF-κB Activation in the Zebrafish Digestive Tract

The nuclear factor κ-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) transcription factor pathway is activated in response to diverse microbial stimuli to regulate expression of genes involved in immune responses and tissue homeostasis. However, the temporal and spatial activation of NF-κB in response to microbial signals have not been determined in whole living organisms, and the molecular and cellular details of these responses are not well understood. We used in vivo imaging and molecular approaches to analyze NF-κB activation in response to the commensal microbiota in transparent gnotobiotic zebrafish

Zebrafish tissue injury causes upregulation of interleukin-1 and caspase-dependent amplification of the inflammatory response

Interleukin-1 (IL-1), the ‘gatekeeper’ of inflammation, is the apical cytokine in a signalling cascade that drives the early response to injury or infection. Expression, processing and secretion of IL-1 are tightly controlled, and dysregulated IL-1 signalling has been implicated in a number of pathologies ranging from atherosclerosis to complications of infection. Our understanding of these processes comes from in vitro monocytic cell culture models as lines or primary isolates, in which a range and spectra of IL-1 secretion mechanisms have been described. We therefore investigated whether zebrafish embryos provide a suitable in vivo model for studying IL-1-mediated inflammation. Structurally, zebrafish IL-1β shares a β-sheet-rich trefoil structure with its human counterpart. Functionally, leukocyte expression of IL-1β was detectable only following injury, which activated leukocytes throughout zebrafish embryos. Migration of macrophages and neutrophils was attenuated by inhibitors of either caspase-1 or P2X7, which similarly inhibited the activation of NF-κB at the site of injury. Zebrafish offer a new and versatile model to study the IL-1β pathway in inflammatory disease and should offer unique insights into IL-1 biology in vivo

Robotic injection of zebrafish embryos for high-throughput screening in disease models

The increasing use of zebrafish larvae for biomedical research applications is resulting in versatile models for a variety of human diseases. These models exploit the optical transparency of zebrafish larvae and the availability of a large genetic tool box. Here we present detailed protocols for the robotic injection of zebrafish embryos at very high accuracy with a speed of up to 2000 embryos per hour. These protocols are benchmarked for several applications: (1) the injection of DNA for obtaining transgenic animals, (2) the injection of antisense morpholinos that can be used for gene knock-down, (3) the injection of microbes for studying infectious disease, and (4) the injection of human cancer cells as a model for tumor progression. We show examples of how the injected embryos can be screened at high-throughput level using fluorescence analysis. Our methods open up new avenues for the use of zebrafish larvae for large compound screens in the search for new medicines