Product Development in Crowdfunding: Theoretical and Empirical Analysis

Problem definition: Crowdfunding goes beyond raising funds. Entrepreneurs often use crowdfunding to solicit feedback from customers in order to improve their products, and may therefore prefer to launch their crowdfunding campaigns using basic versions of their products with fewer features. However, customers may not be persuaded by a campaign if the product appears to be underdeveloped. In view of this trade-off, a key question for entrepreneurs is how much to develop a product before launching a crowdfunding cam- paign. / Methodology/results: Analyzing a game-theoretical model and testing its predictions empirically, we study: 1) how the development level of a product at campaign launch, measured by the initial number of product features, in uences whether customers will make comments that help entrepreneurs improve the product; 2) whether entrepreneurs continue to improve the product during the campaign; and 3) whether the campaign is successful. We show that, as the number of product features at campaign launch increases, the likelihood that customers will make comments and that the product will be improved during the campaign first increases but then decreases. Furthermore, the likelihood of campaign success first increases but then decreases with the number of product features at campaign launch. Finally, by analyzing the interactions between customer feedback, product improvement, and campaign success, we show that customer feedback motivates entrepreneurs to improve the product during the campaign. Moreover, entrepreneurs should take account of the initial number of features and customer feedback when improving the product, because oth- erwise product improvements can harm campaign success. / Managerial implications: Our study provides practical insights on how entrepreneurs can use crowdfunding to aid product development and improve- ment. Specifically, entrepreneurs should avoid overdeveloping their products before crowdfunding campaigns because, as well as decreasing the chance of campaign success, this could hinder their ability to save devel- opment costs (e.g., market research costs) through involving customers in product development

Investigation of Theileria annulata and Theileria buffeli/orientalis in cattle from Kirikkale – Turkey by reverse line blotting analyses

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of T. annulata and T. buffeli/orientalis species in cattle from Kirikkale province using reverse line blotting (RLB) and comparing the results with microscopy. Blood samples were collected from 294 cattle from 9 districts of Kirikkale (Centre, Bahsili, Baliseyh, Celebi, Delice, Karakecili, Keskin, Sulakyurt and Yahsihan) between May-October 2010. From cattle that has at least grazed once and over one year old of age. A blood smear from ear tip peripheral blood was prepared and a venous blood sample from jugular vein was taken. Blood smears were inspected and documented for the presence of Theileria spp. piroplasms after Giemsa staining. Venous blood samples were used for extraction of DNA for Reverse Line Blotting (RLB) analyses. Out of 294 samples analyzed 44 (15%) were found to have Theileria spp. piroplasms with microscopic examination, while 77 (26.1%) harbored T. annulata as determined by RLB. In none of the samples T. buffeli/orientalis was detected. The prevalence of Theileria spp. and T. annulata was highest in Keskin district. This study presents the first investigation of Theileria species in cattle from Kirikkale province. © 2016, Israel Veterinary Medical Association. All rights reserved

Investigation of Theileria annulata and Theileria buffeli/orientalis in Cattle from Kirikkale - Turkey by Reverse Line Blotting Analyses

WOS: 000387824600005This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of T. annulata and T. buffeli/orientalis species in cattle from Kirikkale province using reverse line blotting (RLB) and comparing the results with microscopy. Blood samples were collected from 294 cattle from 9 districts of Kirikkale (Centre, Bahsili, Baliseyh, Celebi, Delice, Karakecili, Keskin, Sulakyurt and Yahsihan) between May-October 2010. From cattle that has at least grazed once and over one year old of age. A blood smear from ear tip peripheral blood was prepared and a venous blood sample from jugular vein was taken. Blood smears were inspected and documented for the presence of Theileria spp. piroplasms after Giemsa staining. Venous blood samples were used for extraction of DNA for Reverse Line Blotting (RLB) analyses. Out of 294 samples analyzed 44 (15%) were found to have Theileria spp. piroplasms with microscopic examination, while 77 (26.1%) harbored T. annulata as determined by RLB. In none of the samples T. buffeli/orientalis was detected. The prevalence of Theileria spp. and T. annulata was highest in Keskin district. This study presents the first investigation of Theileria species in cattle from Kirikkale province.Kirikkale University Scientific Research Coordination UnitKirikkale University [2010/2]This manuscript is summarized from Kirikkale University, Institute of Health Science PhD thesis. This research was supported by the Kirikkale University Scientific Research Coordination Unit (Project number: 2010/2). This study was presented as an oral presentation in 19. National Congress of Parasitology & Echinococcosis Symposium with International participation

Prevalence and Intensity of Sarcocystis spp. Microscopic Cysts in Sheep Muscles...In: Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine - Vol. 69 - N°1 - Mar. 2014

Percoll gradient centrifugation can purify different parasitic stages from tissues or faeces of hosts. Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis develop microscopically visible cysts in sheep muscles. In this study, the distribution of microscopic cysts were determined in different muscles groups of sheep naturally infected with Sarcocystis spp. by using percoll gradient centrifugation. Sarcocystis spp. microscopic cysts were detected as 91% of sheep. S.tenella and mixed infections with S.tenella and S.arieticanis were observed in the tissue samples at a prevalence of 91% and 18.7%, respectively. Sarcocystis species cysts were most prevalent in the tongue muscle tissue at a rate of 80%. The cysts were observed a rate of 73%, 69% and 61% in the masseter, intercostal muscles and diaphragm, respectively. The relationship between the cysts present and the different muscles groups was significantly different (p<0.001). The number of microscopic cysts ranged from 4-476 (mean 235) per 5 grams muscle samples. Percoll gradient centrifugation should be considered as an alternative method for detection of Sarcocystis spp. microscopic cysts in host muscles

Prevalence and Concentration of Sarcocystis spp. Microscopic Cysts in Sheep Muscles Using Percoll Gradient Centrifugation

YILDIZ, Kader/0000-0001-5802-6156WOS: 000332720200003Percoll gradient centrifugation can purify different parasitic stages from tissues or faeces of hosts. Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis develop microscopically visible cysts in sheep muscles. In this study, the distribution of microscopic cysts were determined in different muscles groups of sheep naturally infected with Sarcocystis spp. by using percoll gradient centrifugation. Sarcocystis spp. microscopic cysts were detected as 91% of sheep. S. tenella and mixed infections with S. tenella and S. arieticanis were observed in the tissue samples at a prevalence of 91% and 18.7%, respectively. Sarcocystis species cysts were most prevalent in the tongue muscle tissue at a rate of 80%. The cysts were observed a rate of 73%, 69% and 61% in the masseter, intercostal muscles and diaphragm, respectively. The relationship between the cysts present and the different muscles groups was significantly different (p<0.001). The number of microscopic cysts ranged from 4-476 (mean 235) per 5 grams muscle samples. Percoll gradient centrifugation should be considered as an alternative method for detection of Sarcocystis spp. microscopic cysts in host muscles.TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TOVAG 110O497]This work was supported by a grant from TUBITAK (project no: TOVAG 110O497)