Using Agency Theory in Understanding Switching Behavior in B2B Service Industries “I”

Understanding switching behavior is a cornerstone in sustaining customer led marketing efforts especially in services which depend on long-term relationships with the customers and where the switching process is compound and costly for both the customer and the service provider. The issue of understanding the motives and barriers behind agency-brand switching behavior still needs further conceptual support and empirical investigation in service industries context, where the emphasis placed on investigating the actual switching motives without trying to conceptualize the issue, which if done will result in better understanding for the whole switching process. In this paper, the authors attempt to bridge this gap in the literature by examining the criterion validity of the switching behavior model using the agency theory, as the relation between the business company (principle) and an Advertising agency (the agent) could be described as agency relationship. Furthermore, this approach helps in supporting the efforts for retaining the business-to-business customers, strengthening the relationship with them, developing and adopting globally integrated customer led strategies in different countries, a trend which is expected to dominate the marketing field in the future due to the increasing role of the agency brand selection and switching in today’s world markets.Brand switching, agency theory, business to business marketing, service marketing, international advertising research

Purification of kappa (k)-carrageenase from locally isolated Cellulosimicrobium cellulans

Partial purification of the crude kappa (k)-carrageenase present in the culture filtrates of Cellulosimicrobium cellulans was carried out by fractional precipitation, using ammonium sulphate, acetone and ethanol individually. The highest recovered protein (37.08%) combined with enzyme activity was obtained with ammonium sulphate. The fraction precipitated by 90% ammonium sulphate was re-purified by anion exchange chromatography diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose, A-52 and 79 fractions were obtained. The loaded protein was separated into 4 peaks. The third protein peak was the major one which contained the most recovered enzyme activity (84.95%) from the eluted fractions. The collected fractions of this peak were subjected to further purification by re-chromatography on Sephadex G-100. The k-carrageenase activity was fractionated into 2 peaks. The first peak was the major one containing 95.622% of the total recovered activity. The pooled fractions of the major protein component showed a specific k-carrageenase activity of 46.22 U/mg protein, yielding about 4.6 fold purification of the crude enzyme preparation. Some properties of purified k-carrageenase obtained from cellusimicrobium cellulans cultures were studied. The optimum reaction temperature of the purified k-carrageenase was 30°C and the maximum activity occurred at a reaction pH of 6.Key words: Cellulosimicrobium cellulans, k-carrageenase, purification, sephadex G-100, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) sephadex A-52

Mechanical Characterization of Cryomilled Al Powder Consolidated by High-Frequency Induction Heat Sintering

In the present investigation, an aluminum powder of 99.7% purity with particle size of ~45 µm was cryomilled for 7 hours. The produced powder as characterized by scanning, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction gave a particle size of ~1 µm and grain (crystallite) size of 23±6 nm. This powder, after degassing process, was consolidated using high-frequency induction heat sintering (HFIHS) at various temperatures for short periods of time of 1 to 3 minutes. The present sintering conditions resulted in solid compact with nanoscale grain size (<100 nm) and high compact density. The mechanical properties of a sample sintered at 773 K for 3 minutes gave a compressive yield and ultimate strength of 270 and 390 MPa, respectively. The thermal stability of grain size nanostructured compacts is in agreement with the kinetics models based on the thermodynamics effects

The Effect of Nano–Micro Silica Mixture on the Shear Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beams

This paper examines the significance of nano silica and micro silica mixture on the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams. The nano and micro silica mixture was used as a partial replacement for Portland cement with different proportions to produce four (4) concrete mixtures. In this research, the tests on fresh concrete mixtures (slump test, density test and air content test) were performed. The compressive strength of concrete mixtures was tested. The shear strength of reinforced concrete beams with and without shear reinforcement is examined. Moreover, the influence of the multi-sized silica mixture on other mechanical characteristics of concrete related to the shear behavior of concrete beams, shear crack width, the inclination angle of shear cracks and deflection were also examined. From test results, the mixture of 2% nano silica with 8% micro silica was found to lead to the highest compressive strength, it improve the concrete compressive strength up to 33% compared with control specimens. The shear strength of the concrete beam incorporating 8% micro silica and 2% nano silica mixture was also improved, it increased by 30% and 59 % for beams with and without steel stirrups, respectively. The significance of nano-micro silica mixture on the concrete contribution to the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams is examined. The nano-micro silica mixture increased concrete contribution to shear strength of reinforced concrete beams up to 17%

The rising burden of spondylodiscitis in Germany: an epidemiologic study based on the federal statistical office database [Abstract]

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis is the commonest form of infectious disease of the spine and harbours a high mortality rate of up to 20%. Recent demographic trends in Germany, such as an aging population, immunosuppression, and intravenous drug use, suggest that the incidence of spondylodiscitis may be on the rise. However, the exact epidemiological development of the disease remains uncertain. This study aims to analyse the burden on the tertiary healthcare system in Germany using data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (FSOG) database. Materials and Methods: All cases of spondylodiscitis diagnosed between 2005 and 2021 were identified from the FSOG database. The study characterised the mean duration of hospital stays, total and population-adjusted number of diagnoses made, age-stratified incidence, and outcomes of hospitalised patients. Results: A total of 131,982 diagnoses for spondylodiscitis were identified between 2005 and 2021. The number of diagnoses for spondylodiscitis has doubled during this period, from 5.4/100,000 population in 2005 to 11/100,000 population in 2021. The highest increase in admissions was recorded for those aged 90 years and above (+1307%), 80-89 (+376%) and 70-79 (+99%). Hospital discharges to rehabilitation facilities have increased by 160%, and discharges against medical advice by 91%. On the other hand, during the analysed period, the in-hospital mortality rate has decreased by 52%. Conclusion: The population-adjusted incidence of spondylodiscitis in Germany has more than doubled between 2005 and 2021, highlighting the clinical relevance of this disease. During the same period, in-hospital mortality dropped by half. These findings suggest the need for further investigation into optimal therapy, particularly the role and timing of surgical treatment

Sagitol C, a new cytotoxic pyridoacridine alkaloid from the sponge Oceanapia sp.

AbstractA new pyridoacridine alkaloid named sagitol C (2) together with two known compounds; kuanoniamine C (1) and sagitol (3) were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the Indonesian sponge Oceanapia sp. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic methods 1D and 2D NMR, in addition to mass spectrometry and comparison with literature data. Sagitol C was found to exhibit cytotoxic activity when tested against different cancer cell lines

Cross-Sectional Comparison of Behavioral Risk Factors for HIV/HCV in People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Egypt

Background Egypt has the greatest HCV prevalence worldwide at 15% and a concentrated HIV epidemic in male people who inject drugs (PWID) at 6.8%, who are at a high risk for HCV infection as well. Injection drug use is criminalized in Egypt, and there is limited availability of harm reduction programs. Drug-use and sexual risk behaviors between PWID and the general population have not been studied there. Methods To address this gap, a cross-sectional HIV/HCV epidemiological study of 632 consenting injection drug users in Cairo and Alexandria was conducted. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to evaluate the associations between HIV/HCV and needle sharing or sexual practices using SAS 9.4. Results 10.6% (63/ 604) of the study population tested positive for HIV and 61.5% (384/624) tested positive for HCV. Sharing needles with more than 10 people was associated with HIV and HCV infection (OR=3.65, p-val=0.001; OR=2.05, p-val=0.02, respectably). Age was associated with both HIV and HCV (p-val=0.03 and Conclusions The results indicate that the growing epidemic among PWID in Egypt may place the general population at risk for HIV and HCV primarily through sexual contact. In Russia, repressive policies toward PWID allowed HIV to spread to the general population at the start of the epidemic in 2000. Now, 48% of HIV is heterosexually transmitted in Russia and the country contributes \u3e80% of the HIV cases in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In response to the epidemic, even more punitive laws and regulations were introduced in Russia, and their HIV prevalence has seen a 49% increase between 2005 and 2015. A similar trajectory can be expected for Egypt if preventative measures are not taken. Common-sense harm reduction programs like clean needle exchanges and decriminalization of injection drug use should be part of a comprehensive plan to control the spread of HIV and HCV in Egypt

Effects of short term feeding of some marine microalgae on the microbial profile associated with Dicentrarchus labrax post larvae

AbstractThis study investigates the microbial profile and antimicrobial activity of four marine microalgae species, Tetraselmis chuii, Nannochloropsis salina, Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella salina used in aquaculture of Dicentrarchus labrax in the post larval stage to estimate which was the best algal species that could be used as a green water technique and achieving the maximum rate of growth and survival of D. labrax post larvae. The results represented a significant increase in the length and width of D. labrax at p<0.05 recorded in the case of enrichment with I. galbana followed by N. salina, and the most weight was recorded in the case of N. salina as compared with the control. Significant increase in percentage of survival of D. labrax was recorded in the case of C. salina and T. chuii (70% and 60.1%, respectively) as compared with the control (22%). The antibacterial activity (AU) of the different microalgal ethanolic extracts against fish indicator pathogens was determined. The results indicated that the ethanolic extracts of C. salina and T. chuii have the most positive records against the fish indicator pathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio damsela, Vibrio fluvialis and Aeromonas hydrophila). The current study was extended to determine the GC–MS of ethanolic extract of C. salina and T. chuii. The main constituents detected in the ethanolic extract were organic acids like hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and an acyclic diterpene alcohol like phytol

Ospemifene Displays Broad-Spectrum Synergistic Interactions with Itraconazole Through Potent Interference with Fungal Efflux Activities

Azole antifungals are vital therapeutic options for treating invasive mycotic infections. However, the emergence of azole-resistant isolates combined with limited therapeutic options presents a growing challenge in medical mycology. To address this issue, we utilized microdilution checkerboard assays to evaluate nine stilbene compounds for their ability to interact synergistically with azole drugs, particularly against azole-resistant fungal isolates. Ospemifene displayed the most potent azole chemosensitizing activity, and its combination with itraconazole displayed broad-spectrum synergistic interactions against Candida albicans, Candida auris, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus (ΣFICI = 0.05–0.50). Additionally, in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, the ospemifene-itraconazole combination significantly reduced fungal CFU burdens in infected nematodes by ~75–96%. Nile Red efflux assays and RT-qPCR analysis suggest ospemifene interferes directly with fungal efflux systems, thus permitting entry of azole drugs into fungal cells. This study identifies ospemifene as a novel antifungal adjuvant that augments the antifungal activity of itraconazole against a broad range of fungal pathogens