The Influence of Social Media Marketing on Customer Purchasing Behavior of Senior High School Students

The primary goal of this research was to determine the influence of social media marketing (SMM) on the customer purchasing behavior (CPB) of senior high school (SHS) students. Utilizing the non-experimental quantitative method of research and validated questionnaires in data analysis with Mean, Person Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (Pearson-r), and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis as statistical tools, the outcome displayed that the levels of social media marketing and customer purchasing behavior through the lens of SHS students are high, which means that these two variables are oftentimes manifested. There is a strong positive relationship between social media marketing and customer purchasing behavior. It was also found out that quality content, as a domain of social media marketing, best influences customer purchasing behavior

The Effect of Scaffold Modulus on the Morphology and Remodeling of Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Hydrogel materials have been successfully used as matrices to explore the role of biophysical and biochemical stimuli in directing stem cell behavior. Here, we present our findings on the role of modulus in guiding bone marrow fetal mesenchymal stem cell (BMfMSC) fate determination using semi-synthetic hydrogels made from PEG-fibrinogen (PF). The BMfMSCs were cultivated in the PF for up to 2 weeks to study the influence of matrix modulus (i.e., cross-linking density of the PF) on BMfMSC survival, morphology and integrin expression. Both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions were employed to examine the BMfMSCs as single cells or as cell spheroids. The hydrogel modulus affected the rate of BMfMSC metabolic activity, the integrin expression levels and the cell morphology, both as single cells and as spheroids. The cell seeding density was also found to be an important parameter of the system in that high densities were favorable in facilitating more cell-to-cell contacts that favored higher metabolic activity. Our findings provide important insight about design of a hydrogel scaffold that can be used to optimize the biological response of BMfMSCs for various tissue engineering applications

The convergence of accounting and economics: A causal analysis of the relationship between exchange rates and the balance of payments of the Philippines and developed countries

With the rise of globalization, understanding international exchanges and transactions has become a necessity. Due to this, there came a need for a standard recording procedure for international transactions between economies which prompted governments to adopt basic accounting procedures to monitor international economic activities. With this, the research explores the applications of accounting standards in a countrys economic matters, and examines the relationship of exchange rates and the national balance sheet accounts. This study subjects previous studies’ claimed relationship between the said variables to weak and strong tests for causality to determine whether a causal relationship between the two may be established. The weak test is done by implementing the propensity score matching technique which allows the group to mimic experimental measures by constructing a counterfactual. Meanwhile, the strong test is done through the dose response technique which can measure the effects of an increase in changes in exchange rate to the changes in a country’s balance of payments position. For this study, the group utilizes a quarterly time-series data of the Philippines from 1999 to 2015 and a 2012 cross-section data of developed economies from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Bloomberg, respectively. The results show that there exists a significant causal relationship between exchange rate and the national balance sheet accounts, and that such relationship is non-linear it tapers off, strengthens or stays the same after a certain level of exchange rate fluctuation

Does Oxygenator Type Affect Postoperative Care Charges?

The impact of newer and more expensive technologies upon the cost of cardiac surgery is a growing concern. It has been suggested that membrane oxygenators of a variety of types have differenct characteristics which may affect patient outcome and the postoperative course and thus the cost of care. Three hundred and sixteen patients were prospectively randomized to one of three membrane oxygenators (MO) to examine the impact upon postoperative care charges. There were no differences between groups in a variety of preoperative variables. There was a trend (not statistically significant) toward lower ventilator time, respiratory care related charges and intensive care unit stay and thus total postoperative care charges associated with the sue of rolled silicone sheet MO compared with microporous polypropylene hollow fiber or microporous polypropylene folded sheet MO. Design-related advantages and disadvantages were noted by perfusionists depending upon the type of surgical procedure performed. Studies examining the impact of high cost technology upon patient care will be required as concerns about the overall cost of medical care grow