The effect of information and communication technologies, workplace re-organization and trade on the demand for employees\u27 skills: A comparative analysis of Greek and Swiss enterprises

The aim of this research is to determine and evaluate whether differences in national culture impact on the buyer behaviour of Thai and British consumers when purchasing a mobile phone. Furthermore, the research was conducted in order to identify and compare key cultural attributes that influence mobile phone purchasing between Thai and British consumers. An empirical study was based on the concept of Hofstede’s dimension of Individualism /Collectivism and Power Distance and Schwartz’s values dimension of Power, Achievement, Hedonism and Self-Direction. The data was collected from 140 questionnaires using students at the University of Surrey. The findings indicated that there is a significant difference between Thai and British consumers in terms of mobile phone purchasing behaviour as far as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Schwartz’s cultural values are concerned. The findings also recommend that managers in mobile phone organizations should be concerned with the cultural dynamics of consumers as part of their going re-segmentation, communication and promotion strategies within their overall marketing strategie. Additionally, the cultural factors will assist managers to guide the specifications required for the development of online customer decision support system

MassARRAY: a high-throughput solution for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens in real-world settings

IntroductionBacterial foodborne pathogens pose a substantial global public health concern, prompting government agencies and public health organizations to establish food safety guidelines and regulations aimed at mitigating the risk of foodborne illness. The advent of DNA-based amplification coupled with mass spectrometry, known as MassARRAY analysis, has proven to be a highly precise, sensitive, high-throughput, and cost-effective method for bacterial detection. This study aimed to develop, validate, and evaluate a MassARRAY-based assay for the detection and identification of significant enteropathogenic bacteria.MethodsThe MassARRAY-based assay was developed for the detection of 10 crucial bacterial foodborne pathogens, including Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The assay was optimized using the reference gDNA (n = 19), followed by validation using gDNA (n = 85) of reference and laboratory isolates. Additionally, the evaluation of the assay’s reaction using a mixture of gDNA from all nine targeted species was performed. The limit of detection of the developed MassARRAY-based assay was determined using bacterial cells. Moreover, the validation method for field samples was evaluated by comparing it with standard microbiological testing methods routinely analyzed.ResultsThe developed MassARRAY-based assay demonstrated 100% concordance with known bacterial pure cultures. The assay’s reaction using a mixture of gDNA from all nine targeted species revealed the MassARRAY’s capability to detect all targeted species in a single assay with the lowest concentration of 1 ng/μL of gDNA. The limits of detection of the assay range from 357 ± 101 to 282,000 ± 79,196 cells. Moreover, the validation of the assay in field samples revealed a 100% correlation between the data obtained from the standard microbiological method and the MassARRAY-based assay.DiscussionThese findings suggested that the developed MassARRAY-based assay exhibited the excellence in high-throughput detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens with high accuracy, reliability, and potential applicability within real-world field samples

“Nine Dimensions”: A multidisciplinary approach for community engagement in a complex postwar border region as part of the targeted malaria elimination in Karen/Kayin State, Myanmar [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

Background: In light of growing antimalarial drug resistance in Southeast Asia, control programmes have become increasingly focused on malaria elimination, composed of mass drug administration coupled with prompt diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic cases. The key to a successful elimination programme centres on high participation rates in targeted communities, often enhanced by community engagement (CE) efforts. Social science research was conducted to develop a conceptual framework used for CE activities in the Targeted Malaria Elimination programme, as a cross-border operation in Karen/Kayin State, Myanmar. Methods: Data was collected from three main sources: (1) participant observation and semi-structured interviews of CE team members; (2) participant observation and semi-structured interviews with villagers; and (3) records of CE workshops with CE workers conducted as part of the TME programme. Results: Interviews were conducted with 17 CE team members, with 10 participant observations and interviews conducted with villagers and a total of 3 workshops conducted over the course of this pilot programme in 4 villages (November 2013 to October 2014). Thematic analysis was used to construct the nine dimensions for CE in this complex, post-war region: i) history of the people; ii) space; iii) work; iv) knowledge about the world; v) intriguing obstacle (rumour); vi) relationship with the health care system; vii) migration; viii) logic of capitalism influencing openness; and ix) power relations. Conclusions: Conducting CE for the Targeted Malaria Elimination programme was immensely complicated in Karen/Kayin State because of three key realities: heterogeneous terrains, a post-war atmosphere and cross-border operations. These three key realities constituted the nine dimensions, which proved integral to health worker success in conducting CE. Summary of this approach can aid in infectious disease control programmes, such as those using mass drug administration, to engender high rates of community participation

“Nine Dimensions”: A multidisciplinary approach for community engagement in a complex postwar border region as part of the targeted malaria elimination in Karen/Kayin State, Myanmar [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background: In light of growing antimalarial drug resistance in Southeast Asia, control programmes have become increasingly focused on malaria elimination, composed of mass drug administration coupled with prompt diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic cases. The key to a successful elimination programme centres on high participation rates in targeted communities, often enhanced by community engagement (CE) efforts. Social science research was conducted to develop a conceptual framework used for CE activities in the Targeted Malaria Elimination programme, as a cross-border operation in Karen/Kayin State, Myanmar. Methods: Data was collected from three main sources: (1) participant observation and semi-structured interviews of CE team members; (2) participant observation and semi-structured interviews with villagers; and (3) records of CE workshops with CE workers conducted as part of the TME programme. Results: Interviews were conducted with 17 CE team members, with 10 participant observations and interviews conducted with villagers and a total of 3 workshops conducted over the course of this pilot programme in 4 villages (November 2013 to October 2014). Thematic analysis was used to construct the nine dimensions for CE in this complex, post-war region: i) history of the people; ii) space; iii) work; iv) knowledge about the world; v) intriguing obstacle (rumour); vi) relationship with the health care system; vii) migration; viii) logic of capitalism influencing openness; and ix) power relations. Conclusions: Conducting CE for the Targeted Malaria Elimination programme was immensely complicated in Karen/Kayin State because of three key realities: heterogeneous terrains, a post-war atmosphere and cross-border operations. These three key realities constituted the nine dimensions, which proved integral to health worker success in conducting CE. Summary of this approach can aid in infectious disease control programmes, such as those using mass drug administration, to engender high rates of community participation

Increasing Production of Rainfed Lowland Rice in Drought Prone Environments

Drought is a major production constraint of rainfed lowland rice grown in Thailand and Laos. Adverse soil conditions also reduce yield. In an attempt to increase rainfed lowland rice production in these countries, a major collaborative international project was conducted during a 6-year period in the region. The objectives of the project were to quantify production constraints, determine genotypic variation in yield, and identify an effective breeding strategy. A rice simulation model was developed also and used to investigate the potential impact of strategies for genetic improvement and agronomic management. Four major physical or biological constraints to higher production levels of rainfed lowland rice were identified, (1) the lack of standing water at the appropriate time of transplanting, (2) severe water stress that often develops at the end of the growing season, (3) low yield potential of the present cultivars, particularly in Thailand, and (4) adverse soil conditions including low pH and low soil fertility. The results of the field experiments and simulation modelling exercises showed that the influence of these constraints can be reduced and yield increased by several methods : in particular, choice of appropriate cultivars and time of sowing to match crop phenology with water availability, application of appropriate fertilizer, adoption of high yielding cultivars, adoption of direct seeding in place of the traditional transplanting system, and reduction of percolation water loss from the paddies. A technology package currendy being investigated for the rainfed lowland rice is direct seeding early in the season, using cultivars that flower by the end of the rainy season, with application of organic or chemical fertilizer. The appropriate cultivars are early flowering and short-intermediate statured, possess high yield potential and ability to maintain favourable plant water status at flowering, and have the ability to establish well and compete against weed under direct seeding

An Analysis of Optimal Attributes of Organic Shampoo

This survey research interviewed 400 consumers in Bangkok who ever used or are using organic shampoo. The study objectives were 1) Study the general characteristics of consumers 2) Study consumer behavior in organic shampoo purchase and 3) Analyze the appropriate attributes of organic shampoo products that consumers are satisfied. Cluster Analysis divided the consumers into 2 groups and then Kano Model identified attributes of the products each group prefer. The result indicated that the first group is a group of college students and those who just start the first job. People around them have an influence on the purchase. This group prefers the product of various varieties and formulas, get reviewed on online media. The second group is a group of consumers in the working age always shop for health, The product features are of various varieties and formulas, get reviewed on online media, portable size available at convenience store and online channel distribution

The impact of culture on mobile phone purchasing: A comparison between Thai and British consumers

The aim of this research is to determine and evaluate whether differences in national culture impact on the buyer behaviour of Thai and British consumers when purchasing a mobile phone. Furthermore, the research was conducted in order to identify and compare key cultural attributes that influence mobile phone purchasing between Thai and British consumers. An empirical study was based on the concept of Hofstede’s dimension of Individualism /Collectivism and Power Distance and Schwartz’s values dimension of Power, Achievement, Hedonism and Self-Direction. The data was collected from 140 questionnaires using students at the University of Surrey. The findings indicated that there is a significant difference between Thai and British consumers in terms of mobile phone purchasing behaviour as far as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Schwartz’s cultural values are concerned. The findings also recommend that managers in mobile phone organizations should be concerned with the cultural dynamics of consumers as part of their going re-segmentation, communication and promotion strategies within their overall marketing strategie. Additionally, the cultural factors will assist managers to guide the specifications required for the development of online customer decision support system