Attributes of nuclear imaging centers impacting physician referrals for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging tests

Aim: To evaluate nuclear imaging center attributes that cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) consider when referring patients for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) tests, and how these attributes impact physician referral decisions in the United States.

Methods: A targeted literature review and seven one-to-one interviews with physicians and imaging center directors were conducted to identify attributes that could impact physicians’ referral decisions. The impact of the identified attributes was assessed via an online discrete choice survey among eligible PCPs and cardiologists randomly selected from a nationally representative panel, and quantified with an odds ratio (OR) scale estimated with a multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Nine two-level attributes were identified: ease of the referral process, waiting time for tests, insurance preauthorization assistance, time to receive results, conclusive test reports, patient satisfaction, a protocol for rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test, patient communication, and assistance with parking/wheelchair access. A total of 410 physicians, including 208 (50.7%) cardiologists and 202 (49.3%) PCPs completed the survey. Among all physicians, a protocol that allows for a rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test (OR?=?2.9) and preauthorization assistance (OR?=?2.6) were the most impactful attributes. Additionally, cardiologists preferred imaging centers that provide an easy referral process (OR?=?2.7), while PCPs favored centers offering a conclusive test report (OR?=?2.4).

Limitations: Some center features that might impact physician referral decision were not evaluated in this study, if they were not easily changeable from an imaging center’s perspective.

Conclusions: The availability of a protocol for rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test and preauthorization assistance had the most significant impact on physician referral decisions for SPECT-MPI. Additionally, cardiologists preferred centers providing an easy referral process, while PCPs favored those offering a concluding statement and actionable steps in test reports.     

Integrating crop modelling and production economics to investigate multiple nutrient deficiencies and yield gaps

A method is described for integrating crop modelling and production economics to quantify optimum applications of multiple nutrients and yield gaps. The method is demonstrated for crop production in the high‐rainfall zone of southern Australia. Data from a biophysical crop model were used to overcome the persistent problem of inadequate experimental data. The Mitscherlich function was expanded to accommodate four variable inputs – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur – and the expansion path was used to determine the economic optimum application of all four nutrients. Modelling revealed the state‐contingent yield potential and the extent to which unrealised yield could be explained by profit‐maximising behaviour and risk‐aversion by growers. If growers and their advisors were guided by the methods described, they would be better equipped to assess crop nutrient demands and limitations, predict yield potential, additional profit and the risks associated with high input systems in a variable climate. If scientists were more aware of the extra profits and the risks involved (as well as the quantitative relationships between inputs and outputs) when thinking about what to produce and how to do so, they would be more circumspect about the net benefits to be obtained from closing yield gaps.     

Above the glass ceiling: When are women and racial/ethnic minorities promoted to CEO?

Using a dataset of all CEO transitions in Fortune 500 companies over a 15‐year period, we analyze mechanisms that shape the promotion probabilities and leadership tenure of women and racial/ethnic minority CEOs. Consistent with the theory of the glass cliff, we find that occupational minorities—defined as white women and men and women of color—are more likely than white men to be promoted CEO of weakly performing firms. Though we find no significant differences in tenure length between occupational minorities and white men, we find that when firm performance declines during the tenure of occupational minority CEOs, these leaders are likely to be replaced by white men. We term this phenomenon the “savior effect.” © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Customers' values,beliefs on sustainable corporate performance,and buying behavior

Sustainable corporate performance (SCP) requires balancing a corporation's economic, social, and environmental performance. This research explores values, beliefs about the importance of SCP, and buying behaviors of supermarket customers from within a stakeholder framework. Beliefs about the importance of SCP (both social and environmental, but not economic) were found to be related to values. Also, it was found that customers' environmentally responsible buying behaviors were related to their beliefs about the importance of environmental SCP. However their socially responsible buying was not related to their beliefs about the importance of social SCP. Responsible buying behavior may be facilitated by providing reliable information about environmental and social aspects of products. Marketing professionals have a central role to play in moving towards a greater level of corporate transparency and sustainability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

第八届光州双年展

"万人谱"(10,000 Lives)对摄影在当代文化中所扮演的角色做一审视,精采而引人入胜。我们对双年展的诘问那么多,看起来似乎没有任何策展人可以充分实现众人投诸其上的寄望。就在不久前,我从莫斯科和沙迦的展场上又一次失望而归,深感今天的双年展已经为其泛滥和过盛的野心所累而难以突破;形诸笔端的总是些批评文字,自己也难免有些沮丧和腻味。正因如此,若说本届由马西米利亚诺吉奥尼(Massimiliano Gioni)策划的光州双年展"万人谱"让我重拾对双年展的信心,恐怕丝毫不为过。吉奥尼以其机智简洁的策展手法,采用单元结构有效补充叙     

Teens' consumer interaction styles: the impact of assertive and aggressive behaviour on attitudes towards marketing practices

Over half‐billion global teens between the ages of 13 and 18 years represent a dynamic opportunity for marketers who wish to grow their businesses and build consumer loyalty. Consumer interaction styles are the consistent behaviour patterns that individuals employ in transactions or exchanges in the marketplace. Assertiveness and aggressiveness represent two distinct interaction styles that enable individuals to achieve a desired outcome. Because teen consumers are an important consumer segment and subscribe to the notion that their voices must be heard, understanding their interaction styles is necessary for businesses and marketers. The purpose of this study was to examine teens' consumer interaction styles according to specific demographic and lifestyle characteristics and investigate the impact of assertive and aggressive interaction styles on attitudes towards marketing practices (i.e. product, retailing, advertising, and pricing). Data were collected from a US teen sample (n = 467) at both rural and urban high schools. Independent t‐tests compared the propensity of teens' assertive and aggressive consumer interaction styles according to specific demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS 6.0 program was performed to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that an assertive interaction style was pervasive among US teen consumers, while the aggressive interaction style had disparities according to unique demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Assertive and aggressive interaction styles demonstrated negative influences on teen consumers' attitudes towards products and retailing practices. By interpreting the negative impact of teens' assertive and aggressive consumer interaction styles, marketers can develop effective strategies that appeal to this demanding consumer.     

MARKETING BOARDS AND PRICE FUNDS IN UGANDA, 1950–1960*

Economic development is inextricably linked with the economic institutions of today and yesterday. A study of the policies and practices of these institutions may provide some understanding to the problems of today and tomorrow. This paper investigates the economic eflects of the Lint (Cotton) and Coffee Marketing Boards and their Price Assistance Funds in Uganda between 1950 and 1960. These institutions stood at the very centre of economic life for the vast majority of Ugandan Afiicans and therefore may be expected to have exerted considerable influence over their perception of the economic world. Uganda, along with so many other nations, is just emerging into the world of money, prices, and marketing, just as it has but recently achieved political independence. Indeed, Uganda, though possessing certain historical idiosyncrasies of its own, could almost be an archetypal low income, primary producing country. Now seeking economic development under an African administration, its development eforts must be perceived as prefaced on the earlier institutions of Britain's tutelage.     

Influence of institutional DINESERV on customer satisfaction,return intention,and word-of-mouth

The objectives of the study were to investigate the relative importance of institutional DINESERV factors (i.e., food quality, atmosphere, service quality, convenience, and price and value) that affect customer satisfaction in the university dining facilities and to examine the influence of customer satisfaction on return intention and word-of-mouth endorsement. A web survey questionnaire was distributed to 4659 students at a public university in the Midwest from May 10–24 in 2005. Factor analysis, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that all Institutional DINESERV Dimensions had a significant positive effect on overall customer satisfaction and revisit intention. Improving customer satisfaction, which results in increased return intention and positive word-of-mouth endorsement in university foodservice establishments, will in turn not only strengthen customer loyalty, but also improve the dining facility's reputation and generate greater revenue.     

Sampling for Possibilities

This paper views empirical research as a search for illustrations of interesting possibilities which have occurred, and the exploration of the variety of such possibilities in a sample or universe. This leads to a definition of illustrative inference (in contrast to statistical inference), which, we argue, is of considerable importance in many fields of inquiry – ranging from market research and qualitative research in social science, to cosmology. Sometimes, it may be helpful to model illustrative inference quantitatively, so that the size of a sample can be linked to its power (for illustrating possibilities): we outline one model based on probability theory, and another based on a resampling technique.