eService: An Integrated Framework and Technology Overview

For most companies, E-commerce is fueling the business transformation. Online sales are rising, and businesses are relying more and more on using the Internet to automate and redesign their supply chains. In this virtual commerce, both business-to-consumer and business-to-business, keeping customers happy and loyal through enhanced service is paramount. This paper presents a framework that gives an integrated view of the customer service channels: traditional as well as web/Internet based. An overview of various Internet-based service (eService) technologies and vendors is also discussed, followed by a discussion of implications and challenges in implementing this new framework

Discrete and Continuous Representations of Unobserved Heterogeneity in Choice Modeling

We attempt to provide insights into how heterogeneity has been and can be addressed in choice modeling. In doing so, we deal with three topics: Models of heterogeneity, Methods of estimation and Substantive issues. In describing models we focus on discrete versus continuous representations of heterogeneity. With respect to estimation we contrast Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and (simulated) likelihood methods. The substantive issues discussed deal with empirical tests of heterogeneity assumptions, the formation of empirical generalisations, the confounding of heterogeneity with state dependence and consideration sets, and normative segmentation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46977/1/11002_2004_Article_230988.pd

The influence of music genre on explosive power, repetitions to failure and mood responses during resistance exercise

Objectives: To investigate the influence of different music genres on the psychological, psychophysical and psychophysiological responses during power-based and strength-based resistance exercises. Design: Repeated-measures counterbalanced design. Method: Sixteen resistance-trained participants completed an explosive power test in the squat and bench exercises at 30% 1RM across no music, electronic dance music, metal and self-selected conditions. Peak and mean values were recorded for power and velocity. A progressive loading protocol assessed the impact of condition on repetitions to failure at 60, 70 and 80% 1RM in the squat and bench exercises. For all tests, recording of heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were completed after every set, blood lactate after protocol completion, and mood states before and after. Results: Using magnitude-based inferences, music either had no effect or a small detrimental effect on power and velocity, depending on the exercise. Repetitions to failure increased by a small to moderate amount for all music conditions compared to no music at low but not high intensities. Self-selected music provided additional small benefits in repetitions than other music conditions. Rating of perceived exertion was similar between self-selected, metal and no music conditions, whereas electronic dance music revealed higher responses. Vigour increased after all music conditions but remained unchanged in no music. Conclusions: Explosive power exercises either remain unchanged or are disadvantaged when completed to music. Various music genres could improve repetition to failure training at low to moderate intensities, although individuals might expect greatest improvements using self-selected music, without concomitant increases in perceived effort

Inferring Market Structure from Customer Response to Competing and Complementary Products

We consider customer influences on market structure, arguing that market structure should explain the extent to which any given set of market offerings are substitutes or complements. We describe recent additions to the market structure analysis literature and identify promising directions for new research in market structure analysis. Impressive advances in data collection, statistical methodology and information technology provide unique opportunities for researchers to build market structure tools that can assist “real-time” marketing decision-making.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46981/1/11002_2004_Article_5088105.pd

Nitrite in Organ Protection

In the last decade, the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway has emerged to therapeutical importance. Modulation of endogenous nitrate and nitrite levels with the subsequent S-nitros(yl)ation of the downstream signalling cascade open the way for novel cytoprotective strategies. In the following we summarize the actual literature and give a short overview on the potential of nitrite in organ protection

Monoaminergic and histaminergic strategies and treatments in brain diseases

The monoaminergic systems are the target of several drugs for the treatment of mood, motor and cognitive disorders as well as neurological conditions. In most cases, advances have occurred through serendipity, except for Parkinson's disease where the pathophysiology led almost immediately to the introduction of dopamine restoring agents. Extensive neuropharmacological studies first showed that the primary target of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytic drugs were specific components of the monoaminergic systems. Later, some dramatic side effects associated with older medicines were shown to disappear with new chemical compounds targeting the origin of the therapeutic benefit more specifically. The increased knowledge regarding the function and interaction of the monoaminergic systems in the brain resulting from in vivo neurochemical and neurophysiological studies indicated new monoaminergic targets that could achieve the efficacy of the older medicines with fewer side-effects. Yet, this accumulated knowledge regarding monoamines did not produce valuable strategies for diseases where no monoaminergic drug has been shown to be effective. Here, we emphasize the new therapeutic and monoaminergic-based strategies for the treatment of psychiatric diseases. We will consider three main groups of diseases, based on the evidence of monoamines involvement (schizophrenia, depression, obesity), the identification of monoamines in the diseases processes (Parkinson's disease, addiction) and the prospect of the involvement of monoaminergic mechanisms (epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, stroke). In most cases, the clinically available monoaminergic drugs induce widespread modifications of amine tone or excitability through neurobiological networks and exemplify the overlap between therapeutic approaches to psychiatric and neurological conditions. More recent developments that have resulted in improved drug specificity and responses will be discussed in this review.peer-reviewe

Choice Map: Inferring a Product-Market Map from Panel Data

This paper describes Choice Map, a model that infers a product-market map from panel data. Choice Map is a stochastic brand choice model, a random utility quantal choice model, and a multidimensional scaling procedure. Choice Map combines the parsimony of stochastic choice models, the rationale of random utility models, and the ability of multidimensional scaling procedures to simultaneously infer both brand positions and consumer preferences from preference (choice) data. Choice Map assumes that consumers have stationary purchase probabilities for the observational period, which makes the model best suited to frequently-bought mature product categories. Neither experimental nor survey data are required. Traditional mapping methods that scale such data may not yield the same structure for low-involvement products as will a procedure like Choice Map that scales behavioral data. Choice Map's descriptive and predictive validity exceeds that of an alternative stochastic brand choice model (the Dirichlet-multinomial) for a test data set.market structure analysis, multidimensional scaling, stochastic brand choice models, random utility models