Demographic Influences on Consumer Ethnocentrism: A Two-Study Analysis Demonstrating How Industry-Specific Personal Characteristics Impact the Occupation, Education, Marital Status, Sex and Race Dynamic

Two national surveys were conducted in the United States to test the influence of seven demographic variables on consumer ethnocentrism. Study 1 suggests a social class influence (education and occupation) on consumer ethnocentrism towards automobile brands in the United States, plus a significant relationship between marital status and consumer ethnocentrism. Study 2 tests the impact of U.S. automobile industry-specific knowledge, beliefs, and job-related behavior on ethnocentrism using similar demographic variables. Without considering industry-specific measures, occupation again significantly impacts consumer ethnocentricity among participants. However, when industry-specific measures are included, the underlying influence of gender and race on consumer ethnocentrism is revealed

How Regional Employment in the U.S. Automobile Industry Influences Consumer Ethnocentrism

The past three decades lay witness to major geographical evolution of the automobile industry in the United States. This study analyzes exactly how CETSCALE scores differ among a population that is currently either more or less economically impacted by automobile production and marketing. The analysis presented in this study illustrates a direct correlation between ethnocentric dispositions among consumers and employment opportunities in the automobile sector across U.S. Census Bureau geographical regions and divisions in each region. Comprehensive statistical details are provided that arguably demonstrate a change in what the phrase “Made in America” means, at least where automobile production is concerned

Di- and Trinuclear Mixed-Valence Copper Amidinate Complexes from Reduction of Iodine

Molecular examples of mixed-valence copper complexes through chemical oxidation are rare but invoked in the mechanism of substrate activation, especially oxygen, in copper-containing enzymes. To examine the cooperative chemistry between two metals in close proximity to each other we began studying the reactivity of a dinuclear Cu(I) amidinate complex. The reaction of [(2,6-Me2C6H3N)2C(H)]2Cu2, 1, with I2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF), CH3CN, and toluene affords three new mixed-valence copper complexes [(2,6-Me2C6H3N)2C(H)]2Cu2(μ2-I3)(THF)2, 2, [(2,6-Me2C6H3N)2C(H)]2Cu2(μ2-I) (NCMe)2, 3, and [(2,6-Me2C6H3N)2C(H)]3Cu3(μ3-I)2, 4, respectively. The first two compounds were characterized by UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, and their molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Both di- and trinuclear mixed-valence intermediates were characterized for the reaction of compound 1 to compound 4, and the molecular structure of 4 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The electronic structure of each of these complexes was also investigated using density functional theory

Image-guided liver surgery: intraoperative projection of computed tomography images utilizing tracked ultrasound

AbstractBackgroundUltrasound (US) is the most commonly used form of image guidance during liver surgery. However, the use of navigation systems that incorporate instrument tracking and three-dimensional visualization of preoperative tomography is increasing. This report describes an initial experience using an image-guidance system with navigated US.MethodsAn image-guidance system was used in a total of 50 open liver procedures to aid in localization and targeting of liver lesions. An optical tracking system was employed to localize surgical instruments. Customized hardware and calibration of the US transducer were required. The results of three procedures are highlighted in order to illustrate specific navigation techniques that proved useful in the broader patient cohort.ResultsOver a 7-month span, the navigation system assisted in completing 21 (42%) of the procedures, and tracked US alone provided additional information required to perform resection or ablation in six procedures (12%). Average registration time during the three illustrative procedures was <1min. Average set-up time was approximately 5min per procedure.ConclusionsThe Explorer™ Liver guidance system represents novel technology that continues to evolve. This initial experience indicates that image guidance is valuable in certain procedures, specifically in cases in which difficult anatomy or tumour location or echogenicity limit the usefulness of traditional guidance methods

Service-Learning Projects Are a Great Fit for Marketing Courses

A wide variety of marketing courses are particularly well suited for service-learning projects. Many of the topics commonly discussed in marketing classes (e.g., marketing research) relate to needs in the business and nonprofit communities. Small firms and nonprofit organizations may not have the skills and resources necessary to gather and analyze information about target markets or conduct marketing audits. The presenter first offers a framework for conducting service-learning projects in any class, then describes several service-learning projects previously used in his own marketing classes. The concluding example will overview one currently being implemented in the senior capstone Marketing Strategy course

Service-Learning Projects Are a Great Fit for Marketing Courses

A wide variety of marketing courses are particularly well suited for service-learning projects. Many of the topics commonly discussed in marketing classes (e.g., marketing research) relate to needs in the business and nonprofit communities. Small firms and nonprofit organizations may not have the skills and resources necessary to gather and analyze information about target markets or conduct marketing audits. The presenter first offers a framework for conducting service-learning projects in any class, then describes several service-learning projects previously used in his own marketing classes. The concluding example will overview one currently being implemented in the senior capstone Marketing Strategy course