The Role of Marketing in Economic Development in Africa-Tanzania

At the beginning of the 21st century the task of re-examining the role of the state in economic development is becoming increasingly important for African policymakers because most countries have undergone some form of either externally imposed or self-imposed Structural Adjustment. The Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) have, however, had different outcomes in the different countries but none has succeeded in alleviating poverty and stimulating sustained development. In general however, SAPs have discouraged the state from playing a developmental role, because of a misconception that government should not have any role in the economy other than the regulation of economic activities and the enforcement of law and order. Therefore, in the light of the widespread poverty, and the high levels of unemployment and income inequality in most African countries, it is clear that the state must have a significant role in economic development. Keywords: Marketing, Marketing System, Economic Development, and Significance

Principles and Principals: Does Self-Concept Compete or Complement Brand Experience When Shaping Consumer Brand Relationship, Brand Preference and Customer Satisfaction?

This study aims to investigate the direct and indirect effect of brand experience on consumer brand relationship, brand preference and customer satisfaction through self-concept. Non probability sampling technique was applied. The primary data were collected from 297 (n = 297) Pakistani customers. The proposed theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling in PLS Smart. Results showed that brand experience has strongest direct effect on consumer brand relationship, followed by brand preference, and then customer satisfaction. The results of indirect effect revealed that the self-concept emerged as a stronger driver for brand experience and consumer brand relationship, then for brand preference and customer satisfaction. Additionally, the implications for academicians and practitioners are discussed. Keywords: Brand experience, consumer brand relationship, brand preference, customer satisfaction, self-concept

Interlayer ferroelectric polarization modulated anomalous Hall effects in four-layer MnBi2Te4 antiferromagnets

Van der Waals (vdW) assembly could efficiently modulate the symmetry of two-dimensional (2D) materials that ultimately governs their physical properties. Of particular interest is the ferroelectric polarization being introduced by proper vdW assembly that enables the realization of novel electronic, magnetic and transport properties of 2D materials. Four-layer antiferromagnetic MnBi2Te4 (F-MBT) offers an excellent platform to explore ferroelectric polarization effects on magnetic order and topological transport properties of nanomaterials. Here, by applying symmetry analyses and density-functional-theory calculations, the ferroelectric interface effects on magnetic order, anomalous Hall effect (AHE) or even quantum AHE (QAHE) on the F-MBT are analyzed. Interlayer ferroelectric polarization in F-MBT efficiently violates the PT symmetry (the combination symmetry of central inversion (P) and time reverse (T) of the F-MBT by conferring magnetoelectric couplings, and stabilizes a specific antiferromagnetic order encompassing a ferromagnetic interface in the F-MBT. We predict that engineering an interlayer polarization in the top or bottom interface of F-MBT allows converting F-MBT from a trivial insulator to a Chern insulator. The switching of ferroelectric polarization at the middle interfaces results in a direction reversal of the quantum anomalous Hall current. Additionally, the interlayer polarization of the top and bottom interfaces can be aligned in the same direction, and the switching of polarization direction also reverses the direction of anomalous Hall currents. Overall, our work highlights the occurrence of quantum-transport phenomena in 2D vdW four-layer antiferromagnets through vdW assembly. These phenomena are absent in the bulk or thin-film in bulk-like stacking forms of MnBi2Te4

A de novo Genome of a Chinese Radish Cultivar

AbstractHere, we report a high-quality draft genome of a Chinese radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivar. This draft contains 387.73Mb of assembled scaffolds, 83.93% of the scaffolds were anchored onto nine pseudochromosomes and 95.09% of 43 240 protein-coding genes were functionally annotated. 184.75Mb (47.65%) of repeat sequences was identified in the assembled genome. By comparative analyses of the radish genome against 10 other plant genomes, 2 275 genes in 780 gene families were found unique to R. sativus. This genome is a good reference for genomic study and of great value for genetic improvement of radish

PgtE Enzyme of Salmonella enterica Shares the Similar Biological Roles to Plasminogen Activator (Pla) in Interacting With DEC-205 (CD205), and Enhancing Host Dissemination and Infectivity by Yersinia pestis

Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, is a newly evolved Gram-negative bacterium. Through the acquisition of the plasminogen activator (Pla), Y. pestis gained the means to rapidly disseminate throughout its mammalian hosts. It was suggested that Y. pestis utilizes Pla to interact with the DEC-205 (CD205) receptor on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to initiate host dissemination and infection. However, the evolutionary origin of Pla has not been fully elucidated. The PgtE enzyme of Salmonella enterica, involved in host dissemination, shows sequence similarity with the Y. pestis Pla. In this study, we demonstrated that both Escherichia coli K-12 and Y. pestis bacteria expressing the PgtE-protein were able to interact with primary alveolar macrophages and DEC-205-transfected CHO cells. The interaction between PgtE-expressing bacteria and DEC-205-expressing transfectants could be inhibited by the application of an anti-DEC-205 antibody. Moreover, PgtE-expressing Y. pestis partially re-gained the ability to promote host dissemination and infection. In conclusion, the DEC-205-PgtE interaction plays a role in promoting the dissemination and infection of Y. pestis, suggesting that Pla and the PgtE of S. enterica might share a common evolutionary origin.Peer reviewe

The Impact of Awe Induced by COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Consumption Behavior in China

The association between changes in public sentiment induced by COVID-19 and green consumption behavior has not been studied deeply. This study proposes that the awe induced by the COVID-19 pandemic can have both negative and positive aspects, aiming to psychologically reveal why the pandemic is affecting green consumer behavior and explore potential pathways for differentiation. Research data were derived from Wuhan, China, and analyzed using experimental method. This study finds that awe of COVID-19 positively affects green consumption behavior. Specifically, due to fear, anxiety, and powerlessness, individuals with negative awe of COVID-19 instinctively need to respond to risk and pay more attention to their own safety and interests, so as to promote green consumption. However, positive awe of COVID-19 involves higher levels of cognition, such as admiration, inspiration, and optimism. It inspires a commitment to prioritize nature and social groups, and promotes green consumption behavior. As conclusions, different types of awe can be induced from public health emergencies like COVID-19 and have their own specific paths to effect green consumption behavior. These findings could help governments and marketers build future policies and strategies to reasonably guide public sentiment in order to better promote green consumption in this epidemic

Estimation of NO

As the largest consumer of fossil fuel, China NOx emission from energy consumption has become a hotspot for studies. In this study, emission inventory was used to analysis the historical variation of NOx emission in china for the period 1980 to 2012. Results indicate that NOx mission of China has increased from 446.45 × 104t to 2499.72 × 104t during 1980-2012, electricity, industry and transportation was the main contributor and NOx emission has increased from 145.04 × 104t, 206.75 × 104t, 39.44 × 104t to 1311.6 × 104t, 479.46 × 104t, 576.31 × 104t respectively; from the spatial pattern, high total NOx emission with mainly concentrated in the north of China and the high emission intensity mainly concentrate in eastern China

Estimation of NOx Emission from Fossil Fuel Consumption in China for the Period 1980-2012

As the largest consumer of fossil fuel, China NOx emission from energy consumption has become a hotspot for studies. In this study, emission inventory was used to analysis the historical variation of NOx emission in china for the period 1980 to 2012. Results indicate that NOx mission of China has increased from 446.45 × 104t to 2499.72 × 104t during 1980-2012, electricity, industry and transportation was the main contributor and NOx emission has increased from 145.04 × 104t, 206.75 × 104t, 39.44 × 104t to 1311.6 × 104t, 479.46 × 104t, 576.31 × 104t respectively; from the spatial pattern, high total NOx emission with mainly concentrated in the north of China and the high emission intensity mainly concentrate in eastern China

The Role of Skepticism and Transparency in Shaping Green Brand Authenticity and Green Brand Evangelism

Green brand evangelism builds an important psychological and behavioral basis on promoting the positive interaction between green brands and consumers, as well as on realizing the co-creation of green brand value. This study selects brand authenticity issues as the entry point and investigates brand authenticity on green brand evangelism. In particular, this study tests the effects of green transparency and green skepticism on brand authenticity, as well as the role of self-brand connection and the need for cognition on the relationship between brand authenticity and green brand evangelism. With a sample of 641 Chinese respondents of green building materials, the dimension and scale of green brand evangelism were acquired by utilizing the grounded theory, and the hypothesized relationships were tested by employing structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that green transparency and green skepticism yield an influence on brand authenticity, and brand authenticity exerts a great influence on green brand authenticity. Moreover, brand authenticity positively affects self-brand connection, which in turn positively influences green brand authenticity, and the relationship between brand authenticity and green brand evangelism is regulated by the need for cognition

The Role of Skepticism and Transparency in Shaping Green Brand Authenticity and Green Brand Evangelism

Green brand evangelism builds an important psychological and behavioral basis on promoting the positive interaction between green brands and consumers, as well as on realizing the co-creation of green brand value. This study selects brand authenticity issues as the entry point and investigates brand authenticity on green brand evangelism. In particular, this study tests the effects of green transparency and green skepticism on brand authenticity, as well as the role of self-brand connection and the need for cognition on the relationship between brand authenticity and green brand evangelism. With a sample of 641 Chinese respondents of green building materials, the dimension and scale of green brand evangelism were acquired by utilizing the grounded theory, and the hypothesized relationships were tested by employing structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that green transparency and green skepticism yield an influence on brand authenticity, and brand authenticity exerts a great influence on green brand authenticity. Moreover, brand authenticity positively affects self-brand connection, which in turn positively influences green brand authenticity, and the relationship between brand authenticity and green brand evangelism is regulated by the need for cognition