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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2008.02.005 Byline: David W. Stewart Abstract: This plenary address to the Society for Marketing Advances calls on the marketing discipline to be accountable, link its contributions to financial performance, and assert the value it contributes to the firm. The paper suggests a process for developing causal links among marketing activities, intermediate marketing outcomes, and financial performance metrics. Author Affiliation: A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, Anderson Hall 122, 900 University Avenue, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States Article History: Received 1 December 2007; Revised 1 January 2008; Accepted 1 February 2008 Article Note: (footnote) [star]This paper builds from the plenary address delivered to the Society for Marketing Advances on November 8, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas.

The nonverbal (musical) elements of television advertising were analyzed in terms of its recall and playback effect. Utilization of dual coding approach revealed that majority of responses elicited from nonverbal (musical) cue tend to be image and visual related. Such elements were also found to enhance the model predictive of consumer's consideration set of alternatives.

A 'market-back' process for designing coordinated, effective integrated marketing communications (IMC) programs and organizational structures can increase the probability of success of such programs. It is a four-pronged process which begins with viewing the customer and the value added by communications and puts emphasis on continuous feedback from the market as a guide to managing structures, systems, procedures and information flows. Four misconceptions about the development of integrated communications, which may diminish their effectiveness, are also identified.

To compare whole-breast radiation therapy dose distributions with and without the use of breast cups to reposition the breast itself. A fitted plastic breast cup repositions the breast on the anterior chest wall, reducing the lateral fall and ptosis of the breast. Eighteen patients requiring breast cups were identified on an initial simulation computed tomography scan (without breast cup); subsequently, a second scan with the breast cup fitted was performed. An optimal treatment plan was then created on both scans with the differences in radiation dose to underlying organs compared. In vivo measurements were performed to assess any possible bolusing effect on skin dose owing to the breast cup. Breast cups significantly reduce dose to both lung and heart for all left-sided cases. All lung dose metrics decreased for all right-sided cases. Right-sided heart dose metrics did not significantly decrease with the use of breast cups; however, heart mean dose for these cases was all under 100 cGy. A 16% increase in skin surface dose was observed in an anthropomorphic phantom when using a breast cup. Use of the breast cup in breast radiation therapy decreases dose to underlying organs at risk and is cost-effective. It can be easily integrated with deep inspiration breath hold, intensity modulated radiation therapy, and volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques. With use of the device, a supine patient position can be maintained, meaning nodal regions can be treated mono-isocentrically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was part of a larger research intervention that uses motivational interviewing (MI) as part of an in-school substance use intervention in local high schools in the greater Seattle area. Our aim was to test hypothesized relationships between marijuana use, other delinquent behavior, and neutralization techniques used by participants and determine their impact on the effectiveness of an MI-based substance use intervention. Of the 84 participants that completed Intake assessments, 60% were male and identified as an ethnic minority sample: Caucasian/White = 34%; African American/Black = 16%; Hispanic/Latin@ = 16%; Asian American/Asian = 8%; multiethnic = 8%. Forty-eight students completed Week 8 Follow Up assessments. Substance abuse was measured using the Customary Drinking and Drug Use Record (CDDR; Brown et al., 1998). Delinquency was measured using a revised version of the Late Adolescent Delinquency Scale (LADS; McCartan, 2007). Neutralization technique use was measured using a revised version of the Inventory of Neutralization Techniques (Ball, 1966; Ball, 1973; Mitchell & Dodder, 1983; Shields & Whitehall, 1994). Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that alcohol use at intake significantly predicted alcohol use at Week 8 Follow Up, F(1,47) = 8.503, p = .005 and accounted for approximately 16% of the model variance. Adding total neutralization to the model also yielded significant outcomes and accounted for 24% of the total variance, FΔ(2,46) = 4.835, p = .033. Data showed similar findings for marijuana, with Intake marijuana use predicting use at Week 8 Follow Up, F(1,47) = 9.542, p = .003, and accounting for approximately 18% of the model variance. Including total neutralization to this model also provided significant outcomes and accounted for 26% of the variance, FΔ(2,46) = 4.611, p = .037. Including delinquency did not significantly contribute to either regression model. Understanding these participants' cognitive strategies will be valuable in determining the most effective type of substance use treatment for each student. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Three iron-based alloys (Nitronic 60, Tristelle 5183 and RR2450) and a cobalt alloy (Stellite 6) are studied using bend-testing to induce progressive straining and both high resolution DIC and EBSD are utilized to provide quantitative characterization of the deformation mechanisms. The roles of austenite, ferrite and carbide/silicide phases are investigated, together with how each contributes to slip activation and localisation, GND development and hardening through to particle pull-out and fracture. The observed mechanisms are discussed in the context of galling performance. The results suggest that a distribution of fine precipitates, both intra-granular and at grain/phase boundaries, promote more homogeneous and distributed slip, and the development of distributed higher densities of GNDs. The latter promotes hardening which in turn also facilitates homogeneity of deformation and potentially better galling resistance. A uniform size of fine precipitates is also helpful; large silicides lead to particle fracture and pull-out, likely highly damaging under conditions of sliding contact and galling. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data describing population abundance, survival, and recruitment informs species conservation status and conservation actions. Acquiring these data remains challenging for rare and endangered species, especially freshwater fish, with ~ 37% threatened or extinct. The absence of data risks inaction, ineptness and ignorance that can contaminate conservation decisions to the species detriment. The solution is obvious: ensure credible data underpin species conservation. We focus on Yaqui catfish ( Ictalurus pricei ), an endangered, freshwater endemic to the Sonoran desert (Arizona, US and Sonora, Mexico). Our method incorporates mark-recapture data, coupled with hierarchical Bayesian state-space formulations of the Cormack-Jolly Seber models and Jolly-Seber models, to quantify species growth, survival probability, recruitment probability, abundance and trends for the US population. Yaqui catfish growth matched other Ictalurid species. Population recruitment is essentially zero (< 0.01%) and annual survival high (> 70–75%). Overall, the US Yaqui catfish population declined by 15% per year (λ = 0.85). Remaining catfish represent remnants of stocked progeny from the 1990s (age of 19–21 years), with US extinction predicted by 2018. A pulse of conservation activity followed by 20 years of unsuccessful management resulted in the US population collapsing while habitat degradation and introgression from non-native fish threaten most populations in Mexico. Now approaching global extinction, saving Yaqui catfish requires collaboration between Mexican and US biologists to establish species status in Mexico, hatchery cultivation, habitat protection, habitat restoration and appropriate monitoring. Work herein springboards recent conservation efforts to secure this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States is rapidly expanding production of renewable energy to meet increased energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind energy is at the forefront of this transition. A central challenge is understanding the nexus between wind energy development and its capacity for negative effects on wildlife causing population declines and habitat loss. Collaboration among conservationists and developers, early in the planning process, is crucial for minimizing wind-wildlife conflicts. Such collaborations require data showing where wind and wildlife impacts occur. To meet this challenge and inform decision-making, we provide natural resource agencies and stakeholders information regarding where future wind turbines may occur, and the potential affects on natural resource management, including the conservation of priority species and their habitats. We developed a machine learning model predicting suitability of wind turbine occurrence (hereafter, wind turbine suitability) across an eight-state region in the United States, representing some of the richest areas of wind potential. Our model incorporates predictor variables related to infrastructure, land ownership, meteorology, and topography. We additionally created a constraint layer indicating areas where wind would likely not be developed because of zoning, protected lands, and restricted federal agency proximity guidelines. We demonstrate how the predictive wind turbine suitability model informs conservation planning by incorporating animal movement models, relative abundance models coupled with spatial conservation planning software, and population density models for three exemplar, high priority species often affected by wind energy: whooping cranes (Grus americana), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), and lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). By merging the wind turbine and biological models, we identified conservation priority areas (i.e., places sharing high suitability for wind turbines and species use), and places where wind expansion could minimally affect these species. We use our "species-wind turbine occurrence relationships" to demonstrate applications, illustrating how forecasting areas of wind turbine suitability promotes wildlife conservation. These relationships inform wind energy siting to reduce negative ecological impacts while promoting environmental and economic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outcomes between laparoscopic (LAPR) and open abdominoperineal resections (OAPR) are poorly described.Methods: After IRB approval, 2005-2008 NSQIP data were used to identify patients undergoing LAPR and OAPR for rectal cancer. Logistic regression identified variables influencing the selection of LAPR vs. OAPR as well as the likelihood of postoperative events. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the incidence of 30-day postoperative events.Results: One thousand one hundred ninety-seven OAPRs and 143 LAPRs were identified. LAPRs were less likely to have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 (p = 0.04) and were associated with equivalent mean operative times (p = 0.36). LAPRs and OAPRs were found to have similar rates of surgical site infections (p = 0.13), transfusion requirements (p = 0.17), myocardial infarction (p = 0.48), and need for reoperation within 30 days (p = 0.20). Neoadjuvant radiotherapy did not directly increase complication rates in either group. Few factors predicted choice of LAPR but included BMI <25 (OR, 1.54; p = 0.02).Conclusion: Complication rates between LAPR and OAPR were similar despite the greater technical challenge of LAPR. Wound infection rates were equivalent, which may reflect similar rates of perineal wound infections. Few patients are offered LAPR, possibly due to surgeon preferance as opposed to patient factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous descriptions of Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) epidemics may overestimate cost and mortality of CDC.Methods: An analysis of the 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed. Patients with CDC (N = 41,207) were compared to a propensity score-matched cohort of patients without CDC.Results: Average length of stay was longer for CDC patients by 5 days (p < 0.001). Mortality was higher for the CDC cohort (9.4% vs. 8.6%; p < 0.001) though the absolute difference was small. Mean hospital costs were 56% higher for CDC patients (p < 0.001). Higher odds of death with CDC were associated with small hospitals and self-pay patients. Chronic renal failure and diabetes were associated with lower hospital costs and lower odds of death in the CDC cohort.Conclusions: CDC is not as deadly of a disease as it may be perceived to be at larger hospitals, and mortality was actually unaffected by certain serious comorbidities. CDC is expensive due to a longer hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the impact of a school-based Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention, Project READY, on reducing adolescent substance use. We randomly assigned students (N = 244) to receive the intervention immediately (READY First) or to be in a waitlist control group (WLC). Those in WLC received the intervention once those in READY First had completed the intervention. Our hypotheses were: (1) adolescents in READY First would make greater initial reductions in their alcohol and marijuana use compared to adolescents assigned to WLC, (2) adolescents in READY First would make greater initial reductions in their alcohol and marijuana-related consequences compared to adolescents assigned to WLC, and (3) upon completing treatment, adolescents assigned to WLC would yield substance-related outcomes comparable to their peers in the READY First group. We found that those in READY First made greater initial decreases in their marijuana use and substance-related consequences upon completing treatment than participants in WLC, during the first phase of the study. Once both groups had completed the active intervention, those in the WLC had comparable marijuana use to those in READY First. At enrollment, daily marijuana users were equally represented in both groups. Post-treatment, significantly fewer participants reported daily marijuana use in the READY First group, prior to treatment initiation for WLC. Comparable reductions were observed once WLC began treatment. Those in WLC were observed to make reductions in their alcohol use at the same rate as those in READY First, prior to treatment initiation. Participants were not observed to make differential reductions in alcohol use based on group assignment. The findings from this study support the effectiveness of school-based MI interventions for adolescent marijuana use and provide evidence that MI is a critical and effective component within such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of simulator-based teaching in cardiology has unfortunately lagged behind other procedural specialties. This study investigates the utility of a simulator-based training program for fellows in cardiovascular disease with no prior experience in diagnostic coronary angiography.Methods: First-year cardiology fellows at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) using AngioMentor™ simulators completed benchmark cases requiring basic coronary engagement. Subsequently, benchmark cases were completed one day later and at 9months following 2-3months of training in the cardiac catheterization lab. In addition, 1st year cardiology fellows were compared to 3rd year fellows. Objective measures assessed from benchmark cases were total procedural time, total contrast used, and total fluoroscopy time.Results: All 1st year fellows improved their total time to complete the benchmark case from initial to second attempt one day later (14:56 on Day 1, 8:30 on Day 2, P=0.03). Total contrast used (60mL on Day 1, 39mL on Day 2, P=0.11) and total fluoroscopic time (6:30 on Day 1 and 4:26 on Day 2, P=0.16) also both decreased. Overall procedure time and contrast use were similar among 1st and 3rd year fellows after simulation training. Decreases in procedure and fluoroscopy time were maintained in 1st year fellows after 2-3months of training.Conclusion: Fellows displayed technical and procedural improvement at diagnostic coronary angiography in a short period of time and in a safe, patient free environment. In this study, a computer-based simulator was successfully incorporated into a first year cardiovascular fellowship curriculum and represents a contemporary means to provide the fellow increased procedural training without added risk to the patient.Sentence Summary: The use of simulator-based teaching in cardiology has unfortunately lagged behind other procedural specialties. In this study, a computer-based simulator was successfully incorporated into a first year cardiovascular fellowship curriculum. A firm teaching curriculum is the next step towards implementing this modality in an organized fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) and Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) techniques are applied to a metal center ionic liquid undergoing oxidation and reduction in a three electrode spectroscopic cell. Determination of the extent of reduction under negative bias on the working electrode and the extent of oxidation are determined after pulse voltammetry to quiescence. While the ionic liquid undergoes full oxidation, it undergoes only partial reduction, likely due to transport issues on the timescale of the experiment. Nearest neighbor Fe-O distances in the fully oxidized state match well to expected values for similarly coordinated solids, but reduction does not result in an extension of the Fe-O bond length, as would be expected from comparisons to the solid phase. Instead, little change in bond length is observed. We suggest that this may be due to a more complex interaction between the monodentate ligands of the metal center anion and the surrounding charge cloud, rather than straightforward electrostatics between the metal center and the nearest neighbor grouping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined whether adolescents receiving Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention have different outcomes compared to those receiving Motivational Incentives (Motivational Interviewing combined with Contingency Management; MI+CM).Method: A total of 136 adolescents (from a parent study of 220 adolescents) with problematic substance use were recruited from 8 high schools in Washington State, where they completed either 8-weeks of MI or MI+CM. Frequency of marijuana use was assessed at baseline, at the end-of-treatment, and at 16-week follow-up.Results: A balanced and matched sample was created using propensity scores, then analyzed using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM). Multilevel regression analyses revealed that adolescents who received MI+CM exhibited a greater reduction in use across time (p<.05). Reductions at the end-of-treatment were greater for the MI+CM condition (Cohen's d=-.82) compared to MI alone (Cohen's d=-.33), but did not differ at 16-week follow-up. Adolescents receiving MI+CM showed significantly fewer negative consequences of marijuana use at the end-of-treatment (t1, 124=2.26, p<.05), higher use of coping strategies (t1, 124=3.01, p<.01), and increased likelihood to attend additional treatment for substance use (χ2 1, 124=4.12 p<.05), though hypothesized improvements in motivation and school attendance were not found. Use of coping strategies at the end-of-treatment had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between the intervention condition and marijuana use at the end-of-treatment (F3, 121=10.20, R2=.20, p<.01).Conclusion: These results suggest that the inclusion of contingencies into adolescent marijuana treatment decreases the end-of-treatment frequency of marijuana use and related consequences while increasing the use of coping strategies and the pursuit of additional treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinical studies have suggested that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at greater risk for developing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The purpose of this study was to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CDI among IBD patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study used our biobank to compare patients with IBD who developed CDI (IBD-CDI) with those who had never contracted CDI (IBD-nCDI). Patients were genotyped for 384 IBD-associated SNPs by microarray. Student t , chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used. Multivariate logistic regression with Bonferroni correction was used for genotype analysis. Results Twenty IBD-CDI (14 with Crohn disease; 6 with ulcerative colitis) and 152 IBD-nCDI (47 CD/105 UC) patients were identified. The interleukin-4−associated SNP rs2243250 was associated with the development of CDI (raw P = .00005/corrected P = .02), with 15 of 20 (75%) CDI-IBD patients harboring the at-risk “A” allele versus 52 of 152 (34%) of IBD-nCDI. When we compared Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis patients separately, rs2243250 initially was associated with CDI in both groups, although clinical relevance was lost after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion The interleukin-4 gene−associated SNP rs2243250 was strongly associated with CDI in our IBD population. This SNP may allow for the identification of IBD patients at greater risk for CDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Proton pump inhibitors seem to promote Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Although the current literature suggests that this association is mediated through gastric acid suppression, there has been little investigation into whether a direct effect on expression of colonocyte genes may also have a role. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omeprazole on genome-wide gene expression in a human colonic cell line. Methods T84 cell monolayers were treated with acid-activated omeprazole at 0, 1, 10, or 100 μmol/L for 48 hours. Cells were lysed and total RNA samples were reverse transcribed and used to generate biotinylated cRNA. Whole-genome transcript expression levels were then quantified using an Illumina HT-12 BeadChip microarray targeting 25,440 genes. Transcripts with a stringent minimum absolute fold change of 1.5 and an adjusted nominal P value <.05 (false discovery) were identified as being differentially expressed. Results Significant changes in expression were observed for 322 colonocyte transcripts, including genes with potential implications for susceptibility to CDI. These genes include roles in cell junctions, toxin susceptibility, and bile acid metabolism and transport. Conclusion Omeprazole treatment decreases the expression of genes that have important functions in colonocyte integrity. Such impairment in colonocyte function may promote CDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neoplasia complicating ulcerative colitis (UC-neoplasia) is a problem that is poorly addressed by present surveillance techniques. The association of greater than 300 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suggests the possibility that certain genetic polymorphisms might identify patients with UC destined for malignant degeneration. This present study tested the hypothesis that presently known IBD-associated SNPs may correlate with UC-neoplasia. Materials and methods A total of 41 patients with UC-neoplasia (mean age 56 ± 2.1 years) were identified from our divisional IBD Biobank (low-grade dysplasia n = 13, high-grade dysplasia n = 8, colorectal cancer [CRC] n = 20). These patients were individually age, sex, and disease duration matched with UC patients without neoplasia. Primary sclerosing cholangitis and family history of CRC were recorded. Patients were genotyped for 314 of the most commonly IBD-associated SNPs by a custom SNP microarray. Logistic regression and Fischer exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results After Bonferroni correction, none of the 314 IBD-associated SNPs correlated with UC-neoplasia when compared with matched UC controls. The incidence of primary sclerosing cholangitis was greater in the UC-neoplasia group (10/41, 24% vs 3/41, 7%; P = .03) compared with UC controls. The severity of neoplasia (low grade dysplasia versus high grade dysplasia versus CRC) correlated with disease duration (7.9 vs 13.4 vs 20.7 years, respectively). Conclusion The lack of correlation between well-known IBD-associated SNPs and UC-neoplasia demonstrated in this study suggests that the development of neoplasia in patients with UC is associated with genetic determinants other than those that predispose to inflammation or results from posttranslational modifications or epigenetic factors rather than germline polymorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]