Crafting consumption through community: an exploration of the Etsy experience

In a global market dominated by the mass production and consumption of branded goods, an interest in craft products has become a growing trend among consumers Walker, 2007). Consumer demand for craft products includes a wide array of items, from those that are perishable, such as micro brews, to those that are nonperishable, such as jewelry (Clay, 2013). There are many reasons why consumers are embracing craft products, as they are often unique, one-of-a-kind, of higher quality, and provide a connection to the creator. Ultimately, craft goods provide a unique consumption experience within a marketplace dominated by carbon-copied products and consumption experiences (Walker, 2007). While some retailers are trying to integrate the craft trend into their merchandise assortments, others have sought to build a business around craft products. Etsy is one such company that, through the craft community, has built a successful online business. Etsy, in turn, has helped promote the popularity of craft products. The convergence of craft products with community has turned Etsy into an innovative kind of online market. Since its introduction, Etsy has experienced tremendous growth. For instance, from 2005 to 2012 Etsy expanded into close to 200 international markets, attracted over 800,000 sellers, and sold roughly $80 million in products (Mitroff, 2013). Etsy owes its quick success to the avid community of craft Sellers and Buyers. Yet despite the uniqueness of Etsy’s growth and unique approach to retailing craft goods, no academic research exists on the topic. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to understand how Etsy functions as both a community and an online, craft-oriented market. Three objectives guided this dissertation: (1) to explore what it means to be a member of the Etsy community, (2) to investigate the extent to which this community shapes Etsy’s practices and functions as a market, and (3) to examine the implications of Etsy as a community-driven market for online retailing. The purpose and objectives were framed by a sociological perspective and understood within the context of consumer behavior research. Three overarching concepts —culture, community, and market— were used to weave together a conceptual framework for the study. Ethnography and netnography serve as the interpretive approaches to explore Etsy’s community and market. Three methods of data collection were employed, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and visual documentation. Participant observation and pure observation occurred over a three-month time period resulting in a total of 312 hours of observation. Nine Buyers, eight Sellers and three Etsy Administrators were interviewed. Last, visual documentation was used to capture online and offline observations. Spiggle’s (1994) suggestions of qualitative data analysis were employed to identify patterns in the data, which resulted in the development of three thematic areas: (1) Uncovering Etsy’s Culture, (2) Etsy as a Community, and (3) Etsy as a Market. The thematic interpretation revealed that Etsy’s platform relies on an interdependent community/market relationship, as such, the community influences the market and the market influences the community. In turn, it was found that members’ roles, (e.g., Buyers, Sellers, and Etsy Administrators), were integral to fostering this relationship and ultimately shaping Etsy’s platform. Findings of this dissertation reveal the ways that Etsy has taken a unique approach to online retailing, as it diverges from the traditional online retailing model by seamlessly integrating community into its market. In so doing, this dissertation reveals how Etsy brings a new format to online retailing, the community-based electronic market. This particular retail format is unique in that it is dependent on market consumption communities to not only purchase goods and services, but to provide the merchandise to be sold within the market. Another distinct characteristic of Etsy is the market prosumer, a member that buys, sells, and works for Etsy. This market player is unique to the community-based electronic market, and like the concept of the community-based electronic market, it is new to the literature. Although future research on the topic is needed, findings from this dissertation point to the beginning of a new era in online retailing, as well as new avenues for consumer behavior research

Evaluation of nitrogen fertilizer and inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria on the biochemical behavior of the maize cultivar nitroflint

The evaluation of nitrogen fertilizer and inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria on the genetic and biochemical behavior of the maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar Nitroflint were performed in two experiments, one in the field and the other in greenhouse. The experimental set up consisted of a randomized blocks design with three replications and two evaluation factors, inoculation (or not) with diazotrophic bacteria and nitrogen fertilizer levels (100 kg/ha of N and 10 kg/ha of N). In the field experiment the following parameters were measured: grain production, total plant nitrogen (above ground), grain nitrogen and activities of the enzymes nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase. In the second experiment (greenhouse), fresh weight of the plant, glutamine synthetase (transferase and synthetase) and nitrate reductase activities were determined for both leaf and root tissue. A bacterial count was made in three media, denominated LGI (semi-selective for Azospirillum amazonense), JNFb (Herbaspirillum spp.) and NFb (Azospirillum spp.) for the shoot and the root. Results of the field experiment showed an effect of N fertilizer on total N and grain production. The second experiment (greenhouse) showed an effect of N fertilizer on all parameters measured and inoculation was effective on glutamine synthetase activity of the root by transferase reaction. A correlation was obtained between root glutamine synthetase activity and bacterial growth in LGI.33696197

Critical evaluation of proteomic protocols for passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) leaves, a crop with juice market benefits

Passion fruit grows practically all over Brazilian territory; its production is largely destined to juice industry and expanding to overseas markets. The suitability of four protein extraction protocols for plant proteome was  investigated to determine the best choice for studies concerning passion fruit leaf proteins. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone extraction; isoelectric  focusing (IEF) buffer extraction; phenol (Phe) extraction and Phe-SDS extraction were tested. The Phe method produced the best results, showing higher reproducibility of resolved protein spots and clearer 2D gel  background staining. In comparison, the Phe-SDS method presented fewer spots and lower reproducibility. The TCA/acetone method produced the fewest identifiable spots and the IEF buffer produced the poorest results,displaying fewer reproducibly detected spots, more vertical streaks and darker 2D staining. Selected spots, obtained with Phe method, were identified by spectrometric analysis (MALDI-TOF-TOF) to exemplify the viability to perform more comprehensive proteomic studies with passion fruit leaves and, therefore increase information about stress-related and developmental responses in this fruit crop.Key words: Passion fruit, proteomic, protein extraction, juice industry

Maturação Cervical com Sonda de Foley: Experiência de um Centro Terciário

Overview and Aims: In the presence of an unfavorable cervix, pre-induction cervical ripening is an important part of the labour induction process. Both mechanical and pharmacological methods are available for this purpose, with Foley catheter being the most commonly used mechanical method. We intend to describe the efficacy of Foley catheter for cervical ripening and to describe maternal and neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, we analyze the same results in high risk subgroups. Study Design: Retrospective observational study Population: 44 women with a singleton pregnancy, live fetus, cephalic presentation, intact membranes, with medical indication for labour induction and Bishop score ≤6. Methods: Medical records were reviewed and analyzed. Foley catheter was introduced until expulsion or for a maximum of 24 hours. Cervical ripening was considered effective when Bishop score after catheter was ≥8. Maternal outcomes considered were tachysystole, chorioamnionitis, post-partum bleeding and uterine rupture. Neonatal outcomes assessed were Apgar score, need for hospitalization in neonatal care unit and days of hospitalization. In the subgroup analysis, we divided the risk population in two subgroups: Group 1- Fetal growth restriction and/or oligohydramnios; Group 2- Previous caesarean section. Results: 72.7% of the labour inductions were indicated by maternal or fetal disease. The efficacy of cervical ripening was 65.9% and vaginal delivery rate was 63.6%. Regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes, there were only two cases (4.5%) of clinical chorioamnionitis. In subgroup analysis, the efficacy of cervical ripening and vaginal delivery rates were, respectively, 60.9% and 69.6% in Group 1 and 72.2% and 50% in Group 2.There was one case of chorioamnionitis in each subgroup. Conclusions: Foley catheter is an effective and safe method for cervical ripening. Due to its low association with adverse outcomes, it appears to be a good alternative for high-risk populations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Influence of Resistance Exercise Training on the Levels of Anxiety in Ischemic Stroke

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of a strength training program on indicators of trait and state anxiety in patients with ischemic stroke. The subjects were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 subjects aged years and a control group (CG) with 13 subjects aged years. EG underwent 12 weeks of strength training, with a frequency of three times a week. For data collection, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. Significant differences were found between pre- and posttest in EG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest) with no differences in CG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest). In the evaluation between the groups, significant differences were found for all indicators of trait anxiety ( EG; CG) and state anxiety ( EG; CG). This pilot study indicates that strength training may provide an improvement in trait and state anxiety more than one year after stroke

Protein interactions in Xenopus germ plasm RNP particles

Hermes is an RNA-binding protein that we have previously reported to be found in the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of Xenopus germ plasm, where it is associated with various RNAs, including that encoding the germ line determinant Nanos1. To further define the composition of these RNPs, we performed a screen for Hermes-binding partners using the yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified and validated four proteins that interact with Hermes in germ plasm: two isoforms of Xvelo1 (a homologue of zebrafish Bucky ball) and Rbm24b and Rbm42b, both RNA-binding proteins containing the RRM motif. GFP-Xvelo fusion proteins and their endogenous counterparts, identified with antisera, were found to localize with Hermes in the germ plasm particles of large oocytes and eggs. Only the larger Xvelo isoform was naturally found in the Balbiani body of previtellogenic oocytes. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments confirmed that Hermes and the Xvelo variants interact in germ plasm, as do Rbm24b and 42b. Depletion of the shorter Xvelo variant with antisense oligonucleotides caused a decrease in the size of germ plasm aggregates and loosening of associated mitochondria from these structures. This suggests that the short Xvelo variant, or less likely its RNA, has a role in organizing and maintaining the integrity of germ plasm in Xenopus oocytes. While GFP fusion proteins for Rbm24b and 42b did not localize into germ plasm as specifically as Hermes or Xvelo, BiFC analysis indicated that both interact with Hermes in germ plasm RNPs. They are very stable in the face of RNA depletion, but additive effects of combinations of antisense oligos suggest they may have a role in germ plasm structure and may influence the ability of Hermes protein to effectively enter RNP particles

Testing the cognitive-behavioural maintenance models across DSM-5 bulimic-type eating disorder diagnostic groups: A multi-centre study

The original cognitive-behavioural (CB) model of bulimia nervosa, which provided the basis for the widely used CB therapy, proposed that specific dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours maintain the disorder. However, amongst treatment completers, only 40–50 % have a full and lasting response. The enhanced CB model (CB-E), upon which the enhanced version of the CB treatment was based, extended the original approach by including four additional maintenance factors. This study evaluated and compared both CB models in a large clinical treatment seeking sample (N = 679), applying both DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria for bulimic-type eating disorders. Application of the DSM-5 criteria reduced the number of cases of DSM-IV bulimic-type eating disorders not otherwise specified to 29.6 %. Structural equation modelling analysis indicated that (a) although both models provided a good fit to the data, the CB-E model accounted for a greater proportion of variance in eating-disordered behaviours than the original one, (b) interpersonal problems, clinical perfectionism and low self-esteem were indirectly associated with dietary restraint through over-evaluation of shape and weight, (c) interpersonal problems and mood intolerance were directly linked to binge eating, whereas restraint only indirectly affected binge eating through mood intolerance, suggesting that factors other than restraint may play a more critical role in the maintenance of binge eating. In terms of strength of the associations, differences across DSM-5 bulimic-type eating disorder diagnostic groups were not observed. The results are discussed with reference to theory and research, including neurobiological findings and recent hypotheses

Deciphering the contribution of biofilm to the pathogenesis of peritoneal dialysis infections: characterization and microbial behaviour on dialysis fluids

Infections are major complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD) with a multifactorial etiology that comprises patient, microbial and dialytic factors. This study aimed at investigating the contribution of microbial biofilms on PD catheters to recalcitrant infections and their interplay with PD related-factors. A prospective observational study was performed on 47 patients attending Centro Hospitalar of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho to whom the catheter was removed due to infectious (n = 16) and non-infectious causes (n = 31). Microbial density on the catheter was assessed by culture methods and the isolated microorganisms identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight intact cell mass spectrometry. The effect of conventional and three biocompatible PD solutions on 16 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) and 10 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains planktonic growth and biofilm formation was evaluated. Cultures were positive in 87.5% of the catheters removed due infectious and 90.3% removed due to non-infectious causes. However, microbial yields were higher on the cuffs of catheters removed due to infection vs. non-infection. Staphylococci (CNS and Staphylococcus aureus) and P. aeruginosa were the predominant species: 32% and 20% in the infection and 43.3% and 22.7% in the non-infection group, respectively. In general, PD solutions had a detrimental effect on planktonic CNS and P. aeruginosa strains growth. All strains formed biofilms in the presence of PD solutions. The solutions had a more detrimental effect on P. aeruginosa than CNS strains. No major differences were observed between conventional and biocompatible solutions, although in icodextrin solution biofilm biomass was lower than in bicarbonate/lactate solution. Overall, we show that microbial biofilm is universal in PD catheters with the subclinical menace of Staphylococci and P. aeruginosa. Cuffs colonization may significantly contribute to infection. PD solutions differentially impact microbial species. This knowledge is important for the development of infection diagnosis, treatment and preventive strategies.This work received support from a Sociedade Portuguesa de Nefrologia (http://www.spnefro.pt) research grant to AR and a Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (http://www.fct.pt) post doc grant (SFRH/BPD/73663/2010) to MM. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript