Interfirm Structure and Buyer-Salesperson Behavior Impact on Relationship Outcomes

The individual level interaction between the buyer and salesperson can best be understood in the broader framework provided by the inter-firm relationship. Very little research has been conducted that examines both firm level and interpersonal level constructs in the context of business relationships. The primary purpose of this study is to design and test a theoretical model that examines the effect of inter-firm structure and buyer-salesperson behaviors on relationship outcomes. The results suggest that in established relationships, the external environment plays a role in determining the how buyer-seller firms structure their relationships. The way in which the relationship is structured plays an important role in determining how the buyer and salesperson interact. Both inter-firm structure and buyer-salesperson behaviors, in turn, influence buyer satisfaction

Treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome with co-enzyme Q10 and amitriptyline, a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), which is defined by recurrent stereotypical episodes of nausea and vomiting, is a relatively-common disabling condition that is associated with migraine headache and mitochondrial dysfunction. Co-enzyme Q10 (Co-Q) is a nutritional supplement that has demonstrated efficacy in pediatric and adult migraine. It is increasingly used in CVS despite the complete lack of studies to demonstrate its value in treatment</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using an Internet-based survey filled out by subjects with CVS or their parents, the efficacy, tolerability and subject satisfaction in CVS prophylaxis were queried. Subjects taking Co-Q (22 subjects) were compared against those taking amitriptyline (162 subjects), which is the general standard-of-care.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Subjects/parents reported similar levels of efficacy for a variety of episode parameters (frequency, duration, number of emesis, nausea severity). There was a 50% reduction in at least one of those four parameters in 72% of subjects treated with amitriptyline and 68% of subjects treated Co-Q. However, while no side effects were reported on Co-Q, 50% of subjects on amitriptyline reported side effects (P = 5 × 10^-7), resulting in 21% discontinuing treatment (P = 0.007). Subjects/parents considered the benefits to outweigh the risks of treatment in 47% of cases on amitriptyline and 77% of cases on Co-Q (P = 0.008).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that the natural food supplement Co-Q is potentially efficacious and tolerable in the treatment of CVS, and should be considered as an option in CVS prophylaxis. Our data would likely be helpful in the design of a double-blind clinical trial.</p

Interacting supernovae and supernova impostors. SN 2007sv: the major eruption of a massive star in UGC 5979

We report the results of the photometric and spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the transient SN 2007sv. The observables are similar to those of type IIn supernovae, a well-known class of objects whose ejecta interact with pre-existing circum-stellar material. The spectra show a blue continuum at early phases and prominent Balmer lines in emission, however, the absolute magnitude at the discovery of SN 2007sv (M_R = - 14.25 +/- 0.38) indicate it to be most likely a supernova impostor. This classification is also supported by the lack of evidence in the spectra of very high velocity material as expected in supernova ejecta. In addition we find no unequivocal evidence of broad lines of alpha - and/or Fe-peak elements. The comparison with the absolute light curves of other interacting objects (including type IIn supernovae) highlights the overall similarity with the prototypical impostor SN 1997bs. This supports our claim that SN 2007sv was not a genuine supernova, and was instead a supernova impostor, most likely similar to the major eruption of a luminous blue variable.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 15 pages, 11 figures, 5 table

ACVR2 (activin receptor type 2)

Review on ACVR2 (activin receptor type 2), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Response to Immunization with Haemophilus influenzae Type b Polysaccharide-Pertussis Vaccine and Risk of Haemophilus Meningitis in Children with the Km(1) Immunoglobulin Allotype

In experimental animals, immune responses to certain antigens are regulated by immunoglobulin allotype-linked genes. In an effort to detect such genes in humans, we examined the antibody responses of 74 healthy children with different Km(l) or Gm(23) allotypes to a Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (type b polysaccharide capsule-pertussis vaccine). The anticapsular antibody responses of black or white children with the Km(1) allotype were 4.6- to 9.5-fold higher than those of children who lacked this determinant (P \u3c 0.004). No significant differences were found in antibody response with respect to the Gm(23) allotype. The frequencies of Km(l) and Gm(23) also were examined in 170 patients with Haemophilus meningitis, 71 patients with epiglottitis, and 173 control children. Km(1) was detected less frequently in black patients with meningitis (38%) than in those with epiglottitis (81%, P \u3c 0.002) or in controls (66%, P \u3c 0.0007). The relative risk of meningitis thus was 3.2-fold lower among black children with the Km(1) allotype than in those who lacked this allotype (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.6). However, the risk of meningitis was not decreased in white children with the Km(l) allotype (odds ratio = 1.0). There were no significant differences in the frequency of Gm(23) among the patient groups and controls. The Km(l) allotype but not the Gm(23) thus defines a subpopulation of children of both races who are high responders to this vaccine, and black children but not white children with the Km(l) allotype are at decreased risk of developing Haemophilus meningitis. These data indicate that in blacks, genes associated with Km(l) may affect immune response to a prototype type b Haemophilus vaccine, and perhaps interact with another factor related to race to affect susceptibility to Haemophilus meningitis

New insight into the molecular control of bacterial functional amyloids.

New insight into the molecular control of bacterial functional amyloids. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 5:33. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00033 New insight into the molecular control of bacterial functional amyloid

Elasticity model of a supercoiled DNA molecule

Within a simple elastic theory, we study the elongation versus force characteristics of a supercoiled DNA molecule at thermal equilibrium in the regime of small supercoiling. The partition function is mapped to the path integral representation for a quantum charged particle in the field of a magnetic monopole with unquantized charge. We show that the theory is singular in the continuum limit and must be regularised at an intermediate length scale. We find good agreement with existing experimental data, and point out how to measure the twist rigidity accurately.Comment: Latex, 4 pages. The figure contains new experimental data, giving a new determination of the twist rigidit

Using participant hedonic ratings of food images to construct data driven food groupings

Theorists posit that food reward is a powerful determinant of intake, yet little is known regarding how individuals’ hedonic ratings of a variety of foods interrelate and how hedonic ratings correspond to habitual dietary intake. Participant ratings of food appeal of 104 food images were collected while participants were in a fed state (n = 129). Self-reported frequency of intake of the food items, perceived hunger, body mass index (BMI), and dietary restraint were also assessed. Principal components analysis (PCA) was employed to analyze hedonic ratings of the foods, to identify component structures and to reduce the number of variables. The resulting component structures comprised 63 images loading on seven components including Energy-Dense Main Courses, Light Main Courses and Seafood as well as components more analogous to traditional food groups (e.g., Fruits, Grains, Desserts, Meats). However, vegetables were not represented in a unique, independent component. All components were positively correlated with reported intake of the food items (r’s = .26–.52, p < .05), except for the Light Main Course component (r = .10). BMI showed a small positive relation with aggregated food appeal ratings (r = .19; p < .05), which was largely driven by the relations between BMI and appeal ratings for Energy-Dense Main Courses (r = .24; p < .01) and Desserts (r = .27; p < .01). Dietary restraint showed a small significant negative relation to Energy-Dense Main Courses (r = −.21; p < .05), and Meats (r = −.18; p < .05). The present investigation provides novel evidence that how individuals’ hedonic ratings of foods aggregate into food components and how these component ratings relate to dietary intake. The notable absence of a vegetable component suggests that individuals’ liking for vegetables is highly variable and, from an empirical standpoint, not related to how they respond hedonically to other food categories

Neutron Source Strength Estimates from (a, n) Reactions in Binary Mixtures of Actinide Particles and Light Element Particles

The cumulative distribution of package dose rates, based on the 18 batches of historical PuO{sub 2} particle size distributions, is shown in Fig. 6 for ''Hanford 10-13% Pu-240'' plutonium. The calculated dose rates for all batches range from about 50 mrem/h to about 2,200 mrem/h, with over 50% of the batches being less than the 200 mrem/h limit for public transportation. A more refined analysis would show that almost all of the batches would be less than 200 mrem/h, but some could exceed this limit as seen by the distribution shape. Without detailed characterization of the BeO particle size distribution, additional analysis would not remove the uncertainty in these calculations. Because the actual amount of beryllium contamination is likely to be much less than 500 g, the dose rates would be expected to be much lower than those shown here. Based on the particle size distribution analysis of the 18 batches analyzed, it is also likely that most of the 3013 cans to be loaded in the 9975 Package will have dose rates that are less than the 200 mrem/h limit for the package surface. However, extra care will be required in performing, and verifying, the dose rate measurements at the surface of the package, prior to shipment