A structural equation model of cooperative member satisfaction and long-term commitment

The organizational growth of farmer cooperatives is tied to increased heterogeneity in member attitudes and perceptions. To inform possible solutions, a better understanding of the complex interrelationships of member attitudes and perceptions is necessary. Using survey responses from 1,116 members of an organic marketing cooperative in the United States, this paper develops a structural equation model of six factors: organic lifestyle, mission support, participation, trust, satisfaction, and long-term commitment. The final model illustrates nine significant relationships, including satisfaction and long-term commitment. The result suggests the long-term survival or viability of farmer cooperatives is not only dependent on its financial performance but also the utility of its members. In terms of member attitudes and perceptions, trust and mission support may offer the best opportunities for farmer cooperatives to foster member satisfaction and thus address the negative consequences of heterogeneity

Accuracy and the influence of marrow fat on quantitative CT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of the femoral neck in vitro

Abstract Bone mineral measurements with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were compared with chemical analysis (ChA) to determine (1) the accuracy and (2) the influence of bone marrow fat. Total bone mass of 19 human femoral necks in vitro was determined with QCT and DXA before and after defatting. ChA consisted of defatting and decalcification of the femoral neck samples for determination of bone mineral mass (BmM) and amount of fat. The mean BmM was 4.49 g. Mean fat percentage was 37.2% (23.3%–48.5%). QCT, DXA and ChA before and after defatting were all highly correlated (r>0.96,p<0.0001). Before defatting the QCT values were on average 0.35 g less than BmM and the DXA values were on average 0.65 g less than BmM. After defatting, all bone mass values increased; QCT values were on average 0.30 g more than BmM and DXA values were 0.29 g less than BmM. It is concluded that bone mineral measurements of the femoral neck with QCT and DXA are highly correlated with the chemically determined bone mineral mass and that both techniques are influenced by the femoral fat content

Distribution of trabecular and cortical bone related to geometry. A quantitative computed tomography study of the femoral neck

METHODS: The relation between geometry and the distribution of trabecular and cortical bone mass and density in the human femoral neck was evaluated with quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Quantitative computed tomography data were obtained from 2-mm thick computed tomography slices of 20 human femur necks in vitro. A standardized scan position in each femur was used with the smallest cross-section as reference point. RESULTS: When trabecular bone mass (TrBM) and cortical bone mass were presented as percentage of total bone mass (ToBM), it was found that, starting at the cranial (head) side, ToBM consists of 78% TrBM. About 21% of ToBM can be found as TrBM at the caudal (trochanter) side. At the smallest cross-sectional volume TrBM is 33% of ToBM. For every 2-mm slice, an average decrease of 5% TrBM can be seen. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that geometry and bone mass distribution are related. Whereas total bone mass remains relatively stable, the cortical and trabecular bone mass changes extensively. This implies that QCT measurements in the femoral neck depend highly on midneck positioning

Influence of calibration materials in single- and dual-energy quantitative CT

With single-energy (SE) quantitative computed tomography (CT), the density of bone mineral in the vertebral body can be estimated. With dual-energy (DE) quantitative CT, both bone-mineral density and fat content can be measured. The calibration device normally used contains materials mimicking trabecular bone, fat, and hematopoietic tissue. To evaluate the influence of different calibration materials on these estimates, theoretical CT numbers were calculated for the trabecular part of the vertebral body and for different calibration devices. Calibration devices were simulated; they contained either identical materials or various accepted tissue-mimicking materials. For all combinations, quantitative CT data were generated for the SE quantitative CT method and for two DE quantitative CT methods. Only one method provided accurate results under ideal circumstances. The selection of tissue-mimicking materials in the calibration devices is important for the interpretation of results of SE and DE quantitative CT. Errors of more than a factor 2 were found when different types of materials were used

What is measured in electrogastrography?

The object of this study was to elucidate what is actually measured in electrogastrography. Comparison of gastric signals simultaneously recorded from serosal and cutaneous electrodes in the conscious dog led to the following findings: 1. In the absence of phasic contractile activity and electrical response activity (ERA), the cutaneous recordings contained a frequency corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the electrical control activity (ECA) of the stomach (about 0.08 Hz). 2. Tachygastrias gave rise to cutaneous signals containing the tachygastric frequency (about 0.25 Hz). 3. The amplitude of the electrogastrogram increased when ERA occurred. It is concluded that both ECA and ERA are reflected in the electrogastrogram. A model is proposed that describes the electrogastrogram as the result of field potentials generated by depolarization and repolarization dipole

Gastric pacemaker rhythm in conscious dog

The pacemaker rhythm in the stomach of six healthy conscious dogs was studied by means of the measurement of sequential electrical control activity (ECA) intervals. Only the rhythm originating in the normal pacemake area was studied. An electrical response activity (ERA) score was used to assess contractile activity. Whereas substantial shortening of nonectopic ECA intervals did not occur, contraction-related interval lengthening was a characteristic phenomenon. The temporal relations between ERA scores and interval durations were found to be dependent on the gastric level at which the signals were derived. The activity front of the interdigestive myoelectric complex (IDMEC) appeared to be correlated with the periodic occurrence of considerably prolonged intervals; this sign could be used for recognition of the IDMEC. The motor quiescence phase of the IDMEC was correlated with small interval-to-interval variation, as was the early postprandial phas

Recording of gastrointestinal electrical activity from surface electrodes

The surface recording of electrical activities generated by the gastrointestinal tract is reviewed, with particular reference to surface recording of gastric electrical activity (electrogastrography or EGG). The available data on interdigestive and postprandial characteristics of the EGG signal in health and disease, including techniques of recording and signal analysis, are summarise