The Role of Emotional Relational Behaviors on Interpersonal Consumer Service Loyalty

This study seeks to examine factors that enhance the development of interpersonal service relationships between consumers and service employees. It focuses on interpersonal service relationships that are extended in duration, affective or emotionally charged, and intimate in distance (EAI), or those which appear to be boundary open (Price and Arnould 1999 Price et al. 1995a, 1995b). It thus emphasizes relationships that are similar to personal acquaintances and friendships, rather than ones that are non-affective, and consist of little or no emotional content, such as professional relationships and casual acquaintances (Johnson and Selnes 2004 Coulter and Ligas 2004). Based on a review of the literature, five factors, namely, mutual understanding, personalization, authenticity, problem-solving behavior, and specialized treatment, are combined to form a parsimonious group of relational behaviors (RBs) that are expected to promote friendship-like relationships. A conceptual model is portrayed that shows interrelationships between the relational behaviors and relationship outcomes, including service quality, satisfaction, emotional trust, and loyalty (Sirdeshmukh et al. 2002). In order to collect data, this study utilizes a self-report survey and cross-sectional design, within the context of hair care service. Additionally, web-based survey and sampling are utilized. The sample consists of individuals who are members of a professional business organization, whose occupation requires a professional appearance. Thus, they are expected to patronize hair care services. The final study consists of 191 usable surveys primarily from African-American females (65.4 African-American, 80.6 female), who have unique hair care needs. The sample is thus homogeneous with respect to various salon behaviors and demographics. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and AMOS software, scales are assessed for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity. Results show, however, that this measurement model is not theoretically supp

The Role of Emotional Relational Behaviors on Interpersonal Consumer Service Loyalty

This study seeks to examine factors that enhance the development of interpersonal service relationships between consumers and service employees. It focuses on interpersonal service relationships that are extended in duration, affective or emotionally charged, and intimate in distance (EAI), or those which appear to be boundary open (Price and Arnould 1999 Price et al. 1995a, 1995b). It thus emphasizes relationships that are similar to personal acquaintances and friendships, rather than ones that are non-affective, and consist of little or no emotional content, such as professional relationships and casual acquaintances (Johnson and Selnes 2004 Coulter and Ligas 2004). Based on a review of the literature, five factors, namely, mutual understanding, personalization, authenticity, problem-solving behavior, and specialized treatment, are combined to form a parsimonious group of relational behaviors (RBs) that are expected to promote friendship-like relationships. A conceptual model is portrayed that shows interrelationships between the relational behaviors and relationship outcomes, including service quality, satisfaction, emotional trust, and loyalty (Sirdeshmukh et al. 2002). In order to collect data, this study utilizes a self-report survey and cross-sectional design, within the context of hair care service. Additionally, web-based survey and sampling are utilized. The sample consists of individuals who are members of a professional business organization, whose occupation requires a professional appearance. Thus, they are expected to patronize hair care services. The final study consists of 191 usable surveys primarily from African-American females (65.4 African-American, 80.6 female), who have unique hair care needs. The sample is thus homogeneous with respect to various salon behaviors and demographics. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and AMOS software, scales are assessed for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity. Results show, however, that this measurement model is not theoretically supp

Joint microwave and infrared studies for soil moisture determination

The feasibility of using a combined microwave-thermal infrared system to determine soil moisture content is addressed. Of particular concern are bare soils. The theoretical basis for microwave emission from soils and the transport of heat and moisture in soils is presented. Also, a description is given of the results of two field experiments held during vernal months in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Utilization of Ancillary Data Sets for SMAP Algorithm Development and Product Generation

Algorithms being developed for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission require a variety of both static and ancillary data. The selection of the most appropriate source for each ancillary data parameter is driven by a number of considerations, including accuracy, latency, availability, and consistency across all SMAP products and with SMOS (Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity). It is anticipated that initial selection of all ancillary datasets, which are needed for ongoing algorithm development activities on the SMAP algorithm testbed at JPL, will be completed within the year. These datasets will be updated as new or improved sources become available, and all selections and changes will be documented for the benefit of the user community. Wise choices in ancillary data will help to enable SMAP to provide new global measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw state at the targeted accuracy necessary to tackle hydrologically-relevant societal issues

Influence of Chrysophyllum albidum Seed Endosperm Extract on Hematologic, Hepatic, Nephrotic and Histologic Alterations in Monosodium Glutamate-Compromised Rats

To minimize its waste burden, underutilized Chrysophyllum albidum (C. albidum) seed could be exploited as a plant-based pharmafood together with widely used but potentially toxic food flavouring, monosodium glutamate (MSG). This study was designed to ascertain the influence of C. albidum seed endosperm extract (CASEE), on the hematologic, hepatic, nephrotic and histologic alterations in MSG-compromised rats. Adult male albino rats (120-160 g) were randomly allotted to six groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 rats received normal saline (1 ml), Group 2 received CASEE (200 mg/kg), Group 3 received MSG (8000 mg/kg), while groups 4, 5 and 6 rats in addition respectively received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of CASEE. Exposure was orally and daily for 14 days. Results revealed significant (P < 0.05) alterations in the hematologic, hepatic, nephrotic and histologic parameters in MSG-treated rats compared to others. CASEE (200 mg/kg)-fed rats had comparable effect as the control and caused significant (P < 0.05) but selective dose dependent reduction in MSG effect. This study demonstrated that CASEE (200 mg/kg) improved but MSG (800 mg/kg) compromised the rats’ hematologic, hepatic, nephrotic and histologic integrity. CASEE reduced the MSG effect in the rats via probable concerted mechanism leading to beneficial response on the rats’ hematology, liver and kidney functions and histology. The dietary and pharmacologic prospects of the results in rats warrant further studies to elucidate the structure of the responsible bioactive compound(s) and confirm the suggested probable mechanism (s) of action

Growth and yield response of sweetpotato varieties to date of vine cutting in the humid tropics of Umudike, Southeast Nigeria

Two field trials were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria to assess growth performance and yield responses of two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties (Umuspo 1, Umuspo 3) and one white-fleshed land-race (Ex-Igbariam), variety to date of initial cutting of vine (0, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting). The trial treatment combinations were laid out as a 3 x 4 factorial fitted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that vine cuttings, irrespective of date of initial cutting of vine, produced significantly higher number of branches/plant, leaf area index and vine multiplication ratio. Highest significant (P<0.05) reduction in weed growth and highest storage root weight per plant and root yield were obtained under no cutting of vine treatment in both years compared to the other varieties. Umuspo 1 had more branches, higher leaf area index, shoot biomass, multiplication ratio, number of storage roots and root yield as well as suppressed weeds more relative to the other varieties. However, Umuspo 3 produced the highest amount of carotene content in its storage root flesh while ExIgbariam had the lowest carotene content.Keywords: Orange-fleshed, root yield, shoot multiplication ratio, and variet

Anticipated Impacts of Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Mission Measurements on Hydrologic Applications

No abstract availabl

Development of SMAP Mission Cal/Val Activities

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission is a NASA directed mission to map global land surface soil moisture and freeze-thaw state. Instrument and mission details are shown. The key SMAP soil moisture product is provided at 10 km resolution with 0.04cubic cm/cubic cm accuracy. The freeze/thaw product is provided at 3 km resolution and 80% frozen-thawed classification accuracy. The full list of SMAP data products is shown