Customer Engagement in Emerging Markets: Framework and Propositions

Emerging markets are a major contributor to global GDP, thus offering a primary source for economic growth. However, despite these acclaimed benefits, little remains known regarding customer engagement (i.e., a customer’s resource investment in his/her brand interactions) in emerging markets, thus exposing a pertinent literature-based gap. The development of enhanced insight into customer engagement dynamics in emerging (vs. developed) markets is important, given the idiosyncrasies characterizing these markets (e.g., chronic resource shortages, inadequate infrastructure), thus warranting the undertaking of further research in this integrative area. In response to this gap, this paper develops a framework and an associated set of Propositions of emerging market-based customer engagement, by drawing on Sheth’s (2011) emerging market hallmarks. Specifically, our Propositions postulate that the emerging market tenets of socio-political governance, inadequate infrastructure, market heterogeneity, chronic resource shortages, and unbranded competition uniquely affect emerging market-based customer engagement. We conclude by discussing our findings and by outlining key implications that arise from our analyses

Customer Engagement in Emerging Markets: Framework and Propositions

[EN] Emerging markets are a major contributor to global GDP, thus offering a primary source for economic growth. However, despite these acclaimed benefits, little remains known regarding customer engagement (i.e., a customer’s resource investment in his/her brand interactions) in emerging markets, thus exposing a pertinent literature-based gap. The development of enhanced insight into customer engagement dynamics in emerging (vs. developed) markets is important, given the idiosyncrasies characterizing these markets (e.g., chronic resource shortages, inadequate infrastructure), thus warranting the undertaking of further research in this integrative area. In response to this gap, this paper develops a framework and an associated set of Propositions of emerging market-based customer engagement, by drawing on Sheth’s (2011) emerging market hallmarks. Specifically, our Propositions postulate that the emerging market tenets of socio-political governance, inadequate infrastructure, market heterogeneity, chronic resource shortages, and unbranded competition uniquely affect emerging market-based customer engagement. We conclude by discussing our findings and by outlining key implications that arise from our analyses.S

Recommendations for measuring whisker movements and locomotion in mice with sensory, motor and cognitive deficits.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have measured whisker movements and locomotion to characterise mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. However, these studies have always been completed in isolation, and do not involve standardized procedures for comparisons across multiple mouse models and background strains. NEW METHOD: We present a standard method for conducting whisker movement and locomotion studies, by carrying out qualitative scoring and quantitative measurement of whisker movements from high-speed video footage of mouse models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Somatosensory Cortex Development and Ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Sex, background strain, source breeder and genotype all affected whisker movements. All mouse models, apart from Parkinson's disease, revealed differences in whisker movements during locomotion. R6/2 CAG250 Huntington's disease mice had the strongest behavioural phenotype. Robo3R3-5-CKO and RIM-DKOSert mouse models have abnormal somatosensory cortex development and revealed significant changes in whisker movements during object exploration. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): Our results have good agreement with past studies, which indicates the robustness and reliability of measuring whisking. We recommend that differences in whisker movements of mice with motor deficits can be captured in open field arenas, but that mice with impairments to sensory or cognitive functioning should also be filmed investigating objects. Scoring clips qualitatively before tracking will help to structure later analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Studying whisker movements provides a quantitative measure of sensing, motor control and exploration. However, the effect of background strain, sex and age on whisker movements needs to be better understood

What can whiskers tell us about mammalian evolution, behaviour, and ecology?

Most mammals have whiskers; however, nearly everything we know about whiskers derives from just a handful of species, including laboratory rats Rattus norvegicus and mice Mus musculus, as well as some species of pinniped and marsupial. We explore the extent to which the knowledge of the whisker system from a handful of species applies to mammals generally. This will help us understand whisker evolution and function, in order to gain more insights into mammalian behaviour and ecology. This review is structured around Tinbergen’s four questions, since this method is an established, comprehensive, and logical approach to studying behaviour. We ask: how do whiskers work, develop, and evolve? And what are they for? While whiskers are all slender, curved, tapered, keratinised hairs that transmit vibrotactile information, we show that there are marked differences between species with respect to whisker arrangement, numbers, length, musculature, development, and growth cycles. The conservation of form and a common muscle architecture in mammals suggests that early mammals had whiskers. Whiskers may have been functional even in therapsids. However, certain extant mammalian species are equipped with especially long and sensitive whiskers, in particular nocturnal, arboreal species, and aquatic species, which live in complex environments and hunt moving prey. Knowledge of whiskers and whisker use can guide us in developing conservation protocols and designing enriched enclosures for captive mammals. We suggest that further comparative studies, embracing a wider variety of mammalian species, are required before one can make large-scale predictions relating to evolution and function of whiskers. More research is needed to develop robust techniques to enhance the welfare and conservation of mammals

Fetal middle cerebral to uterine artery pulsatility index ratios in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies

Objectives To calculate the normal range for the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA)/uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) ratio in the third trimester of pregnancy and to assess its value, compared with that of the MCA/umbilical artery PI ratio, in predicting an unfavorable outcome of pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. Methods Doppler blood flow velocimetry of the uterine and umbilical arteries and fetal MCA was performed. We calculated the ratios between 1) the PI of the MCA and the mean PI value of both uterine arteries and 2) the PI of the MCA and the PI of the umbilical artery. All women were examined at or beyond 26 weeks of gestation. A cross-sectional study of 231 normal pregnancies was conducted to construct the reference range. Values below the 5(th) percentile or an MCA/umbilical artery PI ratio lower than 1.08 were defined as brain-sparing. A further 115 pregnancies with pre-eclampsia (50 mild and 65 severe) were assessed prospectively and the results were related to perinatal outcome. The accuracy of MCA/uterine artery and MCA/umbilical artery PI ratios for prediction of unfavorable pregnancy outcome was compared. Results Normal MCA/uterine artery PI ratios decreased with advancing gestational age. Redistribution of the fetal circulation indicated by a low MCA/uterine artery PI ratio was seen in 30% of the mild (n = 15) and 46% of the severe (n = 30) pre-eclamptic cases. There was a significant difference between those without and those with signs of brain-sparing, respectively, in mean birth weight (2456.0 vs. 1424.5 g), gestational age at delivery (35.6 vs. 31.3 weeks) and gestational age at the time of examination (34.9 vs. 30.9 weeks). Furthermore, there was a significantly higher rate of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates (57.8% vs. 25.7%), preterm delivery (100% vs. 81.8%) and Cesarean section (90.7% vs. 66.7%) in cases with an MCA/uterine artery PI ratio below the 5th percentile. However, there was no difference between the groups in the rate of low 5-min Apgar scores, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, or deliveries before 34 weeks. The MCA/uterine artery and MCA/umbilical artery PI ratios were similar in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome. Both ratios were better at predicting the outcome of pregnancy than were signs of increased vascular impedance in either the umbilical or uterine arteries. Conclusions Normal MCA/uterine artery PI ratio decreases with gestational age. Abnormally low MCA/uterine artery PI ratios are related to unfavorable pregnancy outcome. The predictive value of the MCA/uterine artery PI ratio is similar to that of the MCA/umbilical artery PI ratio. Copyright (c) 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Correlation of sonographic characteristics and pathomorphological findings in cases of early-stage cervical cancer: preliminary results.

Objectives: To correlate the sonographic two-dimensional (2D) gray-scale features with pathological findings in early-stage invasive cervical cancer. Methods: Eighteen patients with biopsy-confirmed invasive cervical carcinoma (stages IB1 IIA according to FIGO staging) who underwent surgery were enrolled in the study. Transvaginal 2D gray-scale sonography was performed in all of them at the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine prior to hysterectomy. The largest diameters of tumor mass, tumor shape, tumor area, as well as the deepest cervical stromal invasion and the largest thickness of tumorfree cervical stroma in sagittal and axial planes were correlated with their pathomorphological equivalents using Pearson correlation coefficients. Toshiba NICE and Canvas X Scientific Edition software packages were employed for the analysis and correlation of sonographic and pathomorphological images. The interobserver variability was evaluated by having two blinded sonologists interpret each examination and calculating kappa statistics. The intraobserver variability was assayed in nine patients at 24-h intervals. Results: At 2D gray-scale analysis 15 patients (83%) showed detectable tumor masses. The largest diameters of the tumor mass (maximum length, depth and width) measured at sonographic and pathomorphological examinations correlated well (R = 0.87, R = 0.89 and R = 0.76, respectively). The largest tumor area measured in both sagittal and axial planes also showed a strong correlation (R = 0.78 and R = 0.84, respectively). Poor correlation was seen in the deepest cervical stromal invasion (R = 0.14). A discrepancy of more than 10% of the tumor shape in the sagittal plane seen during sonography and pathomorphological examination occurred in seven cases (47%). Conclusions: Two-dimensional gray-scale sonography is accurate in the assessment of early-stage cervical cancer. This method should be considered in all patients with early-stage cervical cancer scheduled for radical treatment