Indifferent Response Research Articles

An empirical investigation of electronic word-of-mouth: product recall and crisis response strategy in social media

ABSTRACT Product recall crises can damage reputation, result in financial losses, and generate negative word-of-mouth from customers. Appropriate response strategies on social media platforms can help companies minimise losses and save electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). This study analysed 32,697 customer comments from Facebook to explore customer perceptions and examine the performance of different response strategies. Findings showed that the accommodative response strategy improves overall eWOM compared to the indifferent response strategy. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of social media crisis response strategies on eWOM and offers evidential managerial insights for better customer perceptions.

Treatment Approaches for Atypical CIDP.

The variants of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) differ not just in their clinical, pathological and electrophysiological characteristics, but often in their indifferent response to conventional immunosuppressive agents which are effective in typical CIDP. High quality evidence is lacking as far as the management of these atypical variants is concerned. In this review, we summarize the treatment approaches to each of these CIDP variants based on existing data. Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric polyneuropathy (DADS) has the phenotype of a symmetric, demyelinating sensory, length-dependent polyneuropathy and is frequently associated with paraproteinemia and anti myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies. While the management of idiopathic DADS (DADS-I) is the same as CIDP, DADS-M responds suboptimally and has a favorable response to rituximab. Multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM) manifests as a chronic progressive demyelinating mononeuropathy multiplex which can evolve to a confluent pattern indistinguishable from CIDP. Evidence favors treating MADSAM with conventional immunomodulatory therapy (IMT), but this disorder responds less favorably than CIDP. Some patients present with purely sensory symptoms, known as pure sensory CIDP or chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculoneuropathy (CISP), the latter localizing to a pre-ganglionic pathology. Both respond well to first line IMT, particularly to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), but patients relapse without maintenance therapy. Pure motor CIDP resembles multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block (MMNCB), but the previously reported worsening status after steroid treatment was not reproduced in recent studies, and IVIG remains the first-line therapy. Some focal forms of CIDP defy exact classification, but respond well to first-line IMT including IVIG. Overall, atypical CIDP responds to treatment with first-line IMT, but has a suboptimal response compared to CIDP. There is evidence for effectiveness with agents such as rituximab, especially in DADS-M, and this medication can also be used in cases refractory to conventional IMTs. Rituximab is also effective in CIDP with IgG4 antibodies which has distinct clinical features and is mostly refractory to first-line IMT.

Binaural Acoustic Beats in the Psychological Rehabilitation of Patients with Impaired Motor Functions

The course of diseases associated with movement disorders violates the possibility of independent existence of the individual and is accompanied by the formation of symptoms of increased anxiety, depression and catastrophizing. Over the last years, in addition to psychopharmacological drugs, non-drug methods have been actively included in the complex of treatment and rehabilitation for this patients’ group allowing them to influence the patient’s psyche by neuro-biological activation of sanogenesis links. Aim. To study the possibility of using resonance-acoustic vibration (PRAV) programs in the “relaxation” mode when organizing psychological support for patients with movement disorders in the course of medical rehabilitation. Materials and methods. The study included 93 patients with movement disorders of two nosological groups: movement disorders against the stroke (n=57) and motor disorders against the degenerative-dystrophic diseases of large joints and spine of large joints and spine (n=36), undergoing a standard inpatient course of medical rehabilitation. Results. The dynamics of the emotional state, the intensity of the pain syndrome, characteristics of the cognitive sphere (memory, attention) as a result of psychological correction using PRAV were analyzed. The positive effect of the inclusion of the binaural beats complex in the psychological correction of the patients with impaired motor functions state of health as well as an indifferent response to the attempt to correct memory and attention were determined. Conclusion. It testifies that the application of the method is appropriate in correcting the emotional state, general well-being, overcoming fear of movement and is not effective for pain and recovery of cognitive functions.

Pandemic and 'The Other Class': The Indifferent Response When Caught Off-Guard

Pandemic and 'The Other Class': The Indifferent Response When Caught Off-Guard

Transcript Abundance Patterns of 9- and 13-Lipoxygenase Subfamily Gene Members in Response to Abiotic Stresses (Heat, Cold, Drought or Salt) in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Highlights Member-Specific Dynamics Relevant to Each Stress.

Lipoxygenases (LOXs; EC 1.13.11.12) catalyze the oxygenation of fatty acids to produce oxylipins including the jasmonate family of plant hormones. The involvement of jasmonates in plant growth and development and during abiotic stress has been documented, however, the response and regulation of each member of the LOX gene family under various abiotic stresses is yet to be fully deciphered. Previously, we identified fourteen members of the tomato LOX gene family, which were divisible into nine genes representing the 9-LOX family members and five others representing the 13-LOX family members based on the carbon oxidation position specificity of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we have determined the transcript abundance patterns of all the 14 LOX genes in response to four independent abiotic stresses, namely, heat, cold, drought and salt. Our results show that each of these stresses leads to a time-dependent, variable or indifferent response of specific and different set(s) of LOX gene members of both subfamilies, differentiating functional relevance of the 14 LOX genes analyzed. Out of the 14 gene members, three LOX genes were expressed constitutively or were non-responsive to either heat (SlLOX9), cold (SlLOX9) or salt (SlLOX4) stress. An in-silico LOX gene promoter search for stress-responsive elements revealed that only some but not all of the LOX genes indeed are decorated with specific and known stress responsive cis-acting elements. Thus, these data implicate some other, yet to be discovered, cis-acting elements present in the LOX gene family members, which seemingly regulate tomato responses to defined abiotic stresses presented here.

Renal nerve stimulation identifies aorticorenal innervation and prevents inadvertent ablation of vagal nerves during renal denervation

Purpose: Recently we reported the use of renal nerve stimulation (RNS) during renal denervation (RDN) procedures. RNS induced changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate are not fully delineated yet. We hypothesized that electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve tissue in the renal artery would lead to an increase in BP and vagal stimulation would cause a decrease in BP. We report the different patterns of BP and heart rate responses elicited by RNS prior to RDN.Methods: 35 patients with drug-resistant hypertension were included. RNS was performed under general anesthesia at four sites in the right and left renal arteries, both before and immediately after RDN. RNS-induced BP and heart rate changes were monitored.Results: A total of 289 RNS sites in 35 patients were analyzed. An increase in systolic BP of >10 mmHg was regarded as a positive BP response to RNS. This pattern of response was observed in 180 sites (62%). 86 RNS sites (30%) showed an indifferent response with BP changes ≤10 mmHg. At 13 sites (4.5%) RNS elicited a decrease in BP up to −8 mmHg. However, 10 RNS sites (3.5%) showed a pronounced vagal response with hypotension and sinus cycle lengths ranging between 4224–10272 milliseconds. These sites were distributed among two patients.Conclusion: RNS identified sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve tissue in the renal arteries. RNS can be potentially used to map nerve bundles and guide selective ablation of sympathetic nerve fibers and prevent inadvertent ablation of parasympathetic nerve tissue during RDN.

Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin versus 5-Fluorouracil in the Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Carcinoma: A Comparative Study

Aim of work: This study aimed to evaluate the resectability rate, rate of conservative surgery, toxicity, local control, and disease free survival for oxaliplatin and capecitabine based chemoradiation compared to standard 5-FU based chemoradiation in locally advanced cancer rectum. Patients and methods: 65 patients were eligible; 33 patients received oxaliplatin and capecitabine based chemoradiation (arm I) and 32 patients received 5-FU based chemoradiation (arm II). Results: The overall response rate in arms I and II were 78.7% and 87.5% respectively. Conservative surgery was done in 81.81% and 53.13% of patients with arms I and II, pathologic complete response (pCR) rate was significantly better in arm I than arm II (30.3% vs. 21.9%, P ; the median disease free survival (DFS) were 30 months and 15 months in arms I and II respectively. Grade III anemia, grade IV diarrhea and severe proctitis were developed in a significantly large number of patients with arm I; in addition deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was developed in 15.15% of patients with arm I but none in arm II. Conclusion: The addition of oxaliplatin to the preoperative chemo radiation increased the response rate mainly pCR rate which was considered a target goal in the neoadjuvant treatment, but it was not recommended because of higher toxicity and no significant effect on DFS in different response groups of arm I when compared to arm II, but longer follow up may be needed to evaluate the overall survival.

BP.06.05] RENAL NERVE STIMULATION IDENTIFIES AORTICORENAL INNERVATION AND PREVENTS INADVERTENT ABLATION OF PARASYMPATHETIC NERVES DURING RENAL SYMPATHETIC DENERVATION

Objective: Recently we reported the use of renal nerve stimulation (RNS) during renal denervation (RDN) procedures. We hypothesized that electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve tissue in the renal artery would lead to an increase in BP and vagal stimulation would cause a decrease in BP. The objective of the current study is to report the different patterns of BP and heart rate responses elicited by RNS prior to RDN. Design and method: Thirty-five patients with drug-resistant hypertension were included. RNS was performed under general anesthesia at four sites in the right and left renal arteries, both before and immediately after RDN. RNS-induced BP and heart rate changes were monitored. Results: A total of 289 RNS sites in 35 patients were analyzed. An increase in systolic BP of >10 mmHg was regarded as a positive BP response to RNS. This pattern of response was observed in 180 sites (62%). 86 RNS sites (30%) showed an indifferent response with BP changes >10 mmHg. At 13 sites (4.5%) RNS elicited a decrease in BP up to -8 mmHg. However, 10 RNS sites (3.5%) showed a pronounced vagal response with hypotension and sinus arrests ranging between 4224–10272 milliseconds. These sites were distributed among two patients. Conclusions: RNS identified sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve tissue in the renal arteries. RNS can be potentially used to map nerve bundles and guide selective ablation of sympathetic nerve fibers and prevent inadvertent ablation of parasympathetic nerve tissue during RDN.

Confidence building through peer observation of teaching and peer coaching in university departments

PurposeThe “Colleague Review of Teaching” programme (CRT) aimed to enhance reviewees’ confidence to teach. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachCase studies using mixed-method, interview and questionnaire, repeated measures intervention were employed whereby academics in an Australian university science faculty volunteered to participate in a multi-faceted teaching review programme. Underpinned by confidence and self-determination theory, the CRT included peer coach training, reviewee choice, and a strengths-based approach to peer reviewing and coaching colleagues.FindingsThe reviewees declared an enhanced confidence to teach, teaching skills and unit design knowledge in an environment that was supportive of psychological needs. The peer coaches reported the CRT to be a positive experience that should continue. The strengths-based approach to peer observation of teaching and peer coaching facilitated department collegiality and was positively received by all participants who completed the programme.Research limitations/implicationsThe indifferent response to the CRT protocol completion reconfirms that peer review is a complex science and needs careful negotiation.Practical implicationsReview, peer coach and mentor training, review practice, choice protocols and the multi-faceted approach (pre-observation meeting, observations, written report and post-observation meeting) were positively received.Originality/valueThis paper provides rich insight into the experiences of a teaching review process.

Reaction of greengram (Vigna radiata) toCercospora canescens(ell.) and mart

Cercospora canescens was inoculated onto different aged (20–70 days old) plants of greengram (Cv. Shalimar Mung-1). The genotype was found invariably susceptible at all its growth stages with incubation period of 6–7 days and leaf spot diameter of 7.1–7.4mm as recorded after 15 days of inoculation. Total sugar content showed an increasing trend and ranged from 124 to 129 and 133 to 135mg/g dry weight during pre-and post-flowering periods, respectively. The total phenol content also increased with plant age and was maximum (26.5 mg/g dry weigh) in 60 days old plants following which an insignificant decrease (26.5 mg/g dry weight) was recorded. Twenty five genotypes of greengram were screened for resistance against the pathogen under field conditions. The genotypes showed an indifferent response to invasion by C. canescens and none showed absolute resistance. However, five genotypes viz., ML-935, PDM-54, Pusa Vishal, SM-710 and SM-366 were moderately susceptible and manifested lower leaf spot intensity (27.5–30.4%) and pod infection(34–35.4%).

Air Pollution as a Constitutional Question: The Case for Broadening the Executive's Economic Prerogative in the Not so Fragrant Harbour

The Hong Kong executive government’s indifferent response to air pollution constrains its development as a post-colonial polity progressing along the road to a democratic system as it need have an executive which recognises economic policy to be two-sided; it is both to promote commercial development and to protect the revenues of the constituent community from avoidable losses as these are both part of the implicit social contract. This article asks whether the executive’s failure to act effectively on SARS and air pollution has a historical basis in colonial Hong Kong. The article finds that, although the British colonial failure to deal with malaria has a general similarity with the Chinese post-1997 failure to deal with air pollution (as both governments pretended there wasn’t a serious problem) it is in a comparison of government responses to the 1894 Plague outbreak and the 2002 SARS outbreak that is the most telling. When compared, it can be demonstrated that the foibles and features of authoritarian rule are exactly the same pre- and post-1997. The devastating economic effect of each outbreak challenged the authority of each to rule, large scale reform occurred as a result and, with it, a strengthened authoritarian mandate emerged. Particulate pollution and anopheles mosquitos have tend to be viewed as an irritation to be endured or as part-and-parcel of being in business in Hong Kong even though they have caused many more deaths than the Plague and SARS put together. Thus, only sudden and severe public health convulsions, forcing large numbers of people to flee Hong Kong with their money, leads the executive to recognise the general will momentarily through sustained sanitation as a precondition to retaining authoritarian rule. This article occasions a question as to the possibility of a government observing the general will in post-colonial society and the extent to which it can ever be representative. Has being a member of the British Empire constitutionally hobbled modern Hong Kong or can it draw on its history to solve its modern problems such as air pollution? The answer to this lays in Article 118 of the Basic Law which enjoins the government of Hong Kong to develop Hong Kong commercially but to do so within an environmental constraint. Only through serious policy formulation on this basis can the current Hong Kong government plot a course which puts paid to the enduring influence of the old colonial ghost (i.e. the use of a particular type of public health crisis to reinforce authoritarian mandate).

An In Vitro Investigation of Synergy or Antagonism between Antimicrobial Combinations against Isolates from Bacterial Keratitis

To investigate antimicrobial combinations for synergy or antagonism against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Isolates were collected from cases of microbial keratitis from six centers in the United Kingdom. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by using E-test strips for 16 antimicrobials, including both current and potentially available agents. E-test strips were used to test selected antimicrobials in combination against a representative set of 10 S. aureus and 10 P. aeruginosa isolates. E-tests of the two antimicrobials were placed on sensitivity agar at right angles intersecting at their respective MICs. Antimicrobial combinations were classified as synergistic, additive, indifferent, or antagonistic, according to their fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The combinations meropenem and ciprofloxacin, meropenem and teicoplanin, moxifloxacin and teicoplanin, and ciprofloxacin and teicoplanin, gave the lowest mean FICs for S. aureus, with synergy or additivity being seen in 60% to 80% of isolates. The meropenem/ciprofloxacin combination gave the lowest mean FIC for P. aeruginosa isolates, with 90% showing an additive or synergistic effect. The other combinations elicited a predominantly indifferent response. No consistent antagonistic effect was observed with the combinations used. The combination of meropenem and ciprofloxacin was predominantly additive or synergistic for both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Teicoplanin combined with meropenem, ciprofloxacin, or moxifloxacin was also predominantly additive or synergistic against S. aureus.

Tigecycline in combination with other antimicrobials: a review of in vitro, animal and case report studies

Tigecycline has been investigated in combination with other antibacterials against a wide range of susceptible and multiresistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Combinations have been analysed in vitro, in animal models and in human case reports. In vitro, tigecycline combined with other antimicrobials produces primarily an indifferent response (neither synergy nor antagonism). Nevertheless, synergy occurred when tigecycline was combined with rifampicin against 64–100% of Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. and Brucella melitensis isolates. Combinations of tigecycline with amikacin also showed synergy for 40–100% of Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates. Moreover, bactericidal synergisms occurred with tigecycline plus amikacin against problematic Acinetobacter baumannii and Proteus vulgaris, and with colistin against K. pneumoniae. Data from animal experiments and case reports, although limited, displayed consistent beneficial activity of tigecycline in combination with other antibacterials against multiresistant organisms, including vancomycin against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae in experimental meningitis, gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in experimental pneumonia, daptomycin against Enterococcus faecium endocarditis, and colistin against K. pneumoniae bacteraemia and P. aeruginosa osteomyelitis. Antagonism was extremely rare in vitro and was not reported in vivo. Thus, tigecycline may be combined with a second antimicrobial as part of a combination regimen.

The German EPP-D

In this study we evaluated a German version (EPP-D) of the Eysenck Personality Profiler (EPP). The EPP measures 21 traits, seven for each of Eysenck’s superfactors Extraversion, Emotionality (Neuroticism), and Adventure/Caution (Psychoticism). Each of these scales consists of 20 items with a trichotomous response scale (yes/can’t decide/no in the English original and yes/no/don’t know in the German translation). The 420-item questionnaire was completed by a sample including employees, university students, and high-school students (N = 2,006; mean age 31 years). The study applied three strategies: 1) abandoning the indifferent response category “don’t know,” 2) excluding missing values from the data analysis, which were coded equal to the indifferent response category, and 3) considering the results of item analyses including information on construct validity gained through confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Findings from the EPP-D indicate that 155 items are sufficient to gain satisfactory psychometric properties of 15 primary scales (five traits each assigned to the superfactors). The EPP-D 155-item version has advantages in quality of data and administration time compared to the original EPP 420-item version.

Effects of N fertilization on yield for low‐input production in Spanish wheat landraces (Triticum turgidum L. and Triticum monococcum L.)

AbstractA core subset of Spanish durum wheat landraces was evaluated at two nitrogen levels (80 and 220 kg/ha) to identify landrace genotypes adapted to low N production. Yield differences were statistically significant between N levels and among genotypes at both levels. Fifty‐one per cent of the landraces yielded significantly more at low than at high N (low‐N varieties) while 26% had a positive (high‐N varieties) and 23% an indifferent (indifferent‐N varieties) response to N fertilizer. No significant agromorphological differences were found among low and high‐N varieties at low N level that conferred some advantage to low‐N varieties. In contrast, high‐N varieties possessed longer grain‐filling period under high N level. Phenological characters showed an important influence on yield and on the performance of the varieties within each subgroup. The traits affecting grain yield most positively, mainly the low‐N varieties, were long filling period and earliness. Five entries were selected for prebreeding to low N adaptation.

In vitro activities of tigecycline combined with other antimicrobials against multiresistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens

To test the activity of tigecycline combined with 16 antimicrobials in vitro against 22 gram-positive and 55 gram-negative clinical isolates. Antibiotic interactions were determined by chequerboard and time-kill methods. By chequerboard, of 891 organism-drug interactions tested, 97 (11%) were synergistic, 793 (89%) were indifferent and 1 (0.1%) was antagonistic. Among gram-positive pathogens, most synergisms occurred against Enterococcus spp. (7/11 isolates) with the tigecycline/rifampicin combination. No antagonism was detected. Among gram-negative organisms, synergism was observed mainly with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole against Serratia marcescens (5/5 isolates), Proteus spp. (2/5) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (2/5), with aztreonam against S. maltophilia (3/5), with cefepime and imipenem against Enterobacter cloacae (3/5), with ceftazidime against Morganella morganii (3/5), and with ceftriaxone against Klebsiella pneumoniae (3/5). The only case of antagonism occurred against one S. marcescens with the tigecycline/imipenem combination. Selected time-kill assays confirmed the bacteriostatic interactions observed by the chequerboard method. Moreover, they revealed a bactericidal synergism of tigecycline with piperacillin/tazobactam against one penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and with amikacin against Proteus vulgaris. Combinations of tigecycline with other antimicrobials produce primarily an indifferent response. Specific synergisms, especially against enterococci and problematic gram-negative isolates, might be worth investigating in in vitro models and/or in animal models simulating the human environment.

Resilience and Rationality

In this article, I consider the relationship between rationality and resilience. First, I outline six responses to life’s adversities: (a) a true disturbed response; (b) a feigned disturbed response; (c) a feigned indifferent response; (d) a true healthy response; (e) a feigned healthy response; and (f) a mixed response. These responses underpin two rational resilience credos, which will be then outlined: an ideal rational resilience credo and a realistic rational resilience credo. The implications of these credos for coaching will be explored.

In vitro activities of linezolid combined with other antimicrobial agents against Staphylococci, Enterococci, Pneumococci, and selected gram-negative organisms.

The activities of linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibacterial agent active against gram-positive organisms, alone and in combination with 35 antimicrobial agents were tested in vitro against methicillin-sensitive (n = 1 to 2 strains) and methicillin-resistant (n = 8 to 10) Staphylococcus aureus strains; vancomycin-sensitive (n = 6) and vancomycin-resistant (n = 6 to 8) Enterococcus faecalis strains; vancomycin-sensitive (n = 5) and vancomycin-resistant (n = 6) Enterococcus faecium strains; penicillin-sensitive (n = 2 to 5), penicillin-intermediate (n = 5 to 6), and penicillin-resistant (n = 5 to 6) Streptococcus pneumoniae strains; Escherichia coli (n = 6); and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 6). The fractional inhibitory concentration indices of linezolid in combination with other antimicrobial agents for the organisms tested were generated on checkerboard broth microdilution plates prepared by a semiautomated method. Of 1,380 organism-drug combinations, 1,369 (99.2%) combinations of linezolid with 28 antimicrobial drugs were indifferent, 9 combinations (0.65%) of linezolid with 6 drugs (amoxicillin, erythromycin, imipenem, sparfloxacin, teicoplanin, and tetracycline) were synergistic, and 2 combinations (0.15%) of linezolid with 2 drugs (ofloxacin and sparfloxacin) were antagonistic. Overall, the in vitro data demonstrated that linezolid combined with other antimicrobial agents primarily produces an indifferent response, with infrequent occurrences of synergism and antagonism.

Landscapes of Indifference: Robert Smithson and John Lloyd Stephens in Yucatán

This essay positions Robert Smithson's 1969 Artforum article “Incidents of Mirror-Travel in the Yucatan” within the American travel narrative tradition. Smithson intended his trip to be an “anti-expedition” to John Lloyd Stephens's antebelleum travels to Yucatán, and his project performs sophisticated, multilayered inversions of Stephen's nineteenth-century ethnocentrism. But Smithson, informed partly by 1960s-style primitivism, indirectly perpetuated many of Stephens's attitudes. The essay will focus on Smithson's transformation of a stereotypical Latin American “indifference” into a template for his own methods of “dedifferentiation” and for his own scrupulously indifferent response to the political upheavals of the late 1960s.

Landscapes of Indifference: Robert Smithson and John Lloyd Stephens in Yucatan

This essay positions Robert Smithson's 1969 Artforum article “Incidents of Mirror-Travel in the Yucatan” within the American travel narrative tradition. Smithson intended his trip to be an “anti-expedition” to John Lloyd Stephens's antebelleum travels to Yucatan, and his project performs sophisticated, multilayered inversions of Stephen's nineteenth-century ethnocentrism. But Smithson, informed partly by 1960s-style primitivism, indirectly perpetuated many of Stephens's attitudes. The essay will focus on Smithson's transformation of a stereotypical Latin American “indifference” into a template for his own methods of “dedifferentiation” and for his own scrupulously indifferent response to the political upheavals of the late 1960s.