You Reap What You Sow: Customer Courtesy and Employees' Prosocial Service Behavior.

Smooth and effective interactions between customers and customer-contact employees are important for building seamless service delivery. The present study examined the influence of customer courtesy on customer-contact employees' prosocial service behavior. Additionally, the mediating role of organization-based self-esteem and the moderating role of focus of attention at work are investigated. Data were collected from 401 customer-contact employees from the South Korean hospitality industry. The results demonstrated that customer courtesy positively influenced prosocial service behavior, and organization-based self-esteem mediated this relationship. Furthermore, employees' focus of attention at work moderated the relationship between customer courtesy and organization-based self-esteem, such that the relationship was stronger for employees with a high focus of attention. Similarly, the focus of attention also moderated the relationship between organization-based self-esteem and prosocial service behavior. The findings have important theoretical and practical implications by demonstrating the role of external resources to promote prosocial service behavior.

Frontomaxillary facial angle measurements in euploid Korean fetuses at 11 weeks' to 13 weeks 6 days' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of fetal frontomaxillary facial angles in a euploid Korean population at 11 weeks' to 13 weeks 6 days' gestation. METHODS: Three-dimensional volumes of the fetal head were obtained from women with low-risk singleton pregnancies at 11 weeks' to 13 weeks 6 days' gestation who consented to this prospective study. Only fetuses with either a normal karyotype confirmed by amniocentesis or no abnormalities after delivery were considered eligible for analysis and were characterized as euploid for the purposes of this study. Women with multiple pregnancies and those who were lost to follow-up and fetuses with abnormal karyotypes or anomalies diagnosed in utero or postnatally were excluded. The frontomaxillary facial angle was measured twice offline by a single examiner. Cases were categorized by crown-rump length (CRL) in 10-mm intervals for analysis of the frontomaxillary facial angle. RESULTS: Among 375 enrolled cases, 158 were eligible for frontomaxillary facial angle analysis. The overall mean frontomaxillary facial angle ± SD was 88.6° ± 9.7°. The mean frontomaxillary facial angle for fetuses with a CRL of 40 to 49 mm (n = 35) was 93.7°; 50 to 59 mm (n = 53), 92.6°; 60 to 69 mm (n = 36), 85.3°; and 70 to 79 mm (n = 34), 81.0°, showing an inverse relationship between the mean frontomaxillary facial angle and CRL (r = -0.5334; P < .0001). The proportion of cases with frontomaxillary facial angles of 85° or greater was 60.8%, and that of cases with angles of 90° or greater was 37.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic differences in frontomaxillary facial angle measurements should be considered when incorporating the frontomaxillary facial angle in fetal aneuploidy screening in the Korean population.

Comparison of college students' behavior toward nutrition information communication between Korea and the US.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The expansion of menu labeling to restaurants has created a need to study customers' behavior toward nutrition information. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to compare college students' behavior toward nutrition information communication between Korea and the US. This study consisted of three objectives: 1) to compare the frequency of usage as well as degree of trust regarding smartphone-based communication channels in the acquisition of nutrition information among college students between Korea and the US, 2) to compare knowledge-sharing behavior related to nutrition information among college students between Korea and the US, and 3) to identify the role of country in the process of knowledge-sharing behavior. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A survey was distributed via the web to college students in Korea and the US. Data were collected in the 2nd week of March 2017. Completed responses were collected from 423 Koreans and 280 Americans. Differences between Koreans and Americans were evaluated for statistical significance using a t-test. In order to verify the effects of knowledge self-efficacy and transactive memory capability on knowledge-sharing behavior related to nutrition information, a regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the frequency of usage as well as degree of trust in communication channels related to nutrition information between Korean and American college students. While knowledge self-efficacy and tractive memory capability had positive effects on knowledge-sharing behavior related to nutrition information, country had a significant effect on the process. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to compare customer behavior toward nutrition information acquisition and sharing between Korea and the US. Comparative research on nutrition information revealed differences among the different countries. Therefore, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on the nutrition information research, in particular, by providing a comparison study between countries.

Customers' perception of the attributes of different formats of menu labeling: a comparison between Korea and the U.S.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study compared the perception of customers from Korea and the U.S. on the attributes of different formats of menu labeling The specific objectives were 1) to compare the customers' perceived usefulness, ease-of-understanding, clarity, and attractiveness of different formats of menu labeling between Korea and the U.S.; and 2) to compare the customers' use intention to different formats of menu labeling between Korea and the U.S. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A survey was conducted in Korea and the U.S. The participants were allocated randomly to view 1 of the 7 restaurant menus that varied according to the following types of menu labeling formats: (type 1) kcal format, (type 2) traffic-light format, (type 3) percent daily intake (%DI) format, (type 4) kcal + traffic-light format, (type 5) kcal + %DI format, (type 6) traffic-light + %DI format, and (type 7) kcal + traffic-light + %DI format. A total of 279 Koreans and 347 Americans were entered in the analysis. An independent t-test and 1-way analysis of variance were performed. RESULTS: Koreans rated type 4 format (kcal + traffic light) the highest for usefulness and attractiveness. In contrast, Americans rated type 7 (kcal + traffic light + %DI) the highest for usefulness, ease-of-understanding, attractiveness, and clarity. Significant differences were found in the customers' perceived attributes to menu labeling between Korea and the U.S. Americans perceived higher for all the 4 attributes of menu labeling than Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: The study is unique in identifying the differences in the attributes of different formats of menu labeling between Korea and the U.S. Americans rated the most complicated type of menu labeling as the highest perception for the attributes, and showed a higher use intention of menu labeling than Koreans. This study contributes to academia and industry for practicing menu labeling in different countries using different formats.

Self-Healing EPDM Rubbers with Highly Stable and Mechanically-Enhanced Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) Microcapsules Prepared by Multi-Step In Situ Polymerization.

The mechanically-enhanced urea-formaldehyde (UF) microcapsules are developed through a multi-step in situ polymerization method. Optical microscope (OM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) prove that the microcapsules, 147.4 µm in diameter with a shell thickness of 600 nm, are well-formed. From 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) analysis, we found that dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), a self-healing agent encapsulated by the microcapsules, occupies ca. 40.3 %(v/v) of the internal volume of a single capsule. These microcapsules are mixed with EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer) and Grubbs' catalyst via a solution mixing method, and universal testing machine (UTM) tests show that the composites with mechanically-enhanced microcapsules has ca. 47% higher toughness than the composites with conventionally prepared UF microcapsules, which is attributed to the improved mechanical stability of the microcapsule. When the EPDM/microcapsule rubber composites are notched, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy shows that DCPD leaks from the broken microcapsule to the damaged site and flows to fill the notched valley, and self-heals as it is cured by Grubbs' catalyst. The self-healing efficiency depends on the capsule concentration in the EPDM matrix. However, the self-healed EPDM/microcapsule rubber composite with over 15 wt% microcapsule shows an almost full recovery of the mechanical strength and 100% healing efficiency.

Relationships among behavioral beliefs, past behaviors, attitudes and behavioral intentions toward healthy menu selection.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a serious concern worldwide, for which the restaurant industry holds partial responsibility. This study was conducted to estimate restaurant consumers' intention to select healthy menu items and to examine the relationships among behavioral beliefs, past behaviors, attitudes and behavioral intentions, which are known to be major determinants of consumer behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online, self-administered survey was distributed for data collection. The study sample consisted of customers who reported having visited casual dining restaurants in the last three months at the time of the survey. Structural equation modeling was used to verify the fit of the proposed research model. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed that the proposed model supports the sequential, mediated (indirect) relationships among behavioral beliefs, past behaviors, attitudes and behavioral intentions toward healthy menu selection. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the available literature regarding obesity by adding past behaviors, one of the most influential variables involved in prediction of future behaviors of consumers, to the TPB model, enabling a better understanding of restaurant consumers' rational decision process regarding healthy menu choices. The results of this study provide practical implications for restaurant practitioners and government agencies regarding ways to promote healthy menus.

Effect of solids concentration on bacterial leaching of heavy metals from sewage sludge.

Microbial metal leaching from sewage sludge (2-9% w/v) was carried out with the iron-oxidizing bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Measurements of pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and concentration of Fe2+ indicated that T. ferrooxidans was effective in removing metals from an incubation bath containing less than 5% sludge solids concentration. Specifically, Cu leaching was completely suppressed at a high solids concentration of 9% (w/v). Results indicated that the deactivation of T. ferrooxidans at a high sludge content was mainly due to the presence of inhibiting materials such as organic matter. A mixed culture of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria was obtained by enrichment from anaerobically digested sewage sludge to enhance the efficiency of the microbial leaching process. These bacteria were much more effective in metal leaching than was iron-oxidizing T. ferrooxidans. At 9% (w/v) solids concentration, the leaching efficiencies of Zn and Cu were 78% (2.66 g/kg dry sludge) and 59% (1.36 g/kg dry sludge), respectively. Therefore, when removing heavy metals from the anaerobically digested sewage sludge, the indigenous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria isolated in the current study were more efficient than T. ferrooxidans, especially at high sludge solids concentrations.

A safe, blood-brain barrier permeable triphenylmethane dye inhibits amyloid-ß neurotoxicity by generating nontoxic aggregates.

Growing evidence suggests that on-pathway amyloid-ß (Aß) oligomers are primary neurotoxic species and have a direct correlation with the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). One promising therapeutic strategy to block AD progression is to reduce the levels of these neurotoxic Aß species using small molecules. While several compounds have been shown to modulate Aß aggregation, compounds with such activity combined with safety and high blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability have yet to be reported. Brilliant Blue G (BBG) is a close structural analogue of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved food dye and has recently garnered prominent attention as a potential drug to treat spinal cord injury due to its neuroprotective effects along with BBB permeability and high degree of safety. In this work, we demonstrate that BBG is an effective Aß aggregation modulator, which reduces Aß-associated cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner by promoting the formation of off-pathway, nontoxic aggregates. Comparative studies of BBG and three structural analogues, Brilliant Blue R (BBR), Brilliant Blue FCF (BBF), and Fast Green FCF (FGF), revealed that BBG is most effective, BBR is moderately effective, and BBF and FGF are least effective in modulating Aß aggregation and cytotoxicity. Therefore, the two additional methyl groups of BBG and other structural differences between the congeners are important in the interaction of BBG with Aß leading to formation of nontoxic Aß aggregates. Our findings support the hypothesis that generating nontoxic aggregates using small molecule modulators is an effective strategy for reducing Aß cytotoxicity. Furthermore, key structural features of BBG identified through structure-function studies can open new avenues into therapeutic design for combating AD.

Usefulness of cervical volume by three-dimensional ultrasound in identifying the risk for preterm birth.

This study was conducted to establish the relationship between three-dimensional (3-D) cervical volume and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. A total of 391 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies were prospectively evaluated two-dimensional cervical length and 3-D cervical volume at 20-24 weeks of gestation. We assessed the relationship between cervical factors and the risk for preterm birth before 36 weeks of gestation. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that not only cervical length (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.99, p = 0.002), but also cervical volume (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11-0.61, p = 0.045) was independent predictor of preterm birth. A combined approach in which a gravida was regarded as positive with a short cervical length (≤28 mm) or a small cervical volume (≤20 cm(3)) had a sensitivity of 57.1% for preterm birth. Screening combining cervical length and volume may provide a better prediction of preterm birth.

Evaluation of preterm delivery between 32-33 weeks of gestation.

Preterm labor after 34 weeks of gestation has shown no great difference from full-term labor in terms of neonatal morbidity and mortality when proper antepartum management (antibiotics or steroids treatment) is done. However, various studies have discussed different views on the risks and safety of preterm delivery at 32(+0)-33(+6) weeks of gestation. We evaluated the complications of different preterm groups that included the neonates born at 32(+0)-33(+6) weeks of gestation (142), stratified randomly selected neonates born at 34(+0)-36(+6) weeks of gestation (267) and neonates born after 37(+0) weeks of gestation (356) at our hospital between December 1999 and April 2006. As a result, it was found that neonates born at 34(+0)-36(+6) weeks of gestation showed no great difference from infants born at full term. However, neonates born at 32(+0)-33(+6) weeks were more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care unit or develop neonatal complications significantly than the neonates born at 34(+0)-36(+6) weeks and at full term. Therefore, it is suggested that neonates born at 32(+0)-33(+6) weeks have higher risk of neonatal complications following their preterm labor than those born at later than 34(+0) weeks. Thus, it would be difficult to accept the idea that preterm labor at 32(+0)-33(+6) weeks is safe.

Comparison of amniotic and intramembranous unidirectional permeabilities in late-gestation sheep.

OBJECTIVE: Amniotic fluid volume is regulated by the intrinsic modulation of intramembranous absorption. However, neither the mechanisms nor the rate-limiting barriers of this transport are known. We tested the hypothesis that the amnion is the rate-limiting barrier of intramembranous absorption by comparing unidirectional permeabilities of the amnion in vitro and the intramembranous pathway in vivo. STUDY DESIGN: Unidirectional permeabilities to 99m technetium pertechnate or [14 C]inulin of fresh ovine amnion were measured in vitro in a Ussing chamber; the permeability-surface area products were calculated by the multiplication of the permeabilities by gestational age-specific amniotic surface areas. Unidirectional permeabilities of the intramembranous pathway of the 2 tracers were calculated from solute fluxes between amniotic fluid and fetal blood in chronically catheterized late-gestation fetal sheep. Statistical comparisons included t -tests, least squares regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: In the isolated amnion in vitro, the ratio of permeabilities in the amniotic fluid to chorionic direction and the reverse direction was not significantly different from unity for 99m technetium pertechnate (1.03+/-0.10 [SE]; n=7) or [14 C]inulin (1.10+/-0.17; n=7). In contrast, in the in vivo preparation, the ratio of intramembranous permeabilities outward from the amniotic fluid and the reverse direction was greater than unity for 99m technetium pertechnate (2.10+/-0.34; n=8; P=.014) and [14 C]inulin (4.68+/-1.24; n=7; P=.025). The permeability-surface area product of 99m technetium pertechnate (2.18+/-0.79 mL/min) of the isolated amnion was similar to the in vivo intramembranous permeability (n=8) in the amniotic fluid to fetal blood direction (1.42+/-0.34 mL/min) and greater than that in the reverse direction (0.84+/-0.25 mL/min; P=.046). The permeability-surface area product of [14 C]inulin of the amnion (0.53+/-0.20 mL/min) was similar to intramembranous permeability (n=7) in the amniotic fluid to fetal blood (0.68+/-0.15 mL/min) direction and greater than that in the reverse direction (0.22+/-0.06 mL/min; P=.0097). CONCLUSION: Solute transport across the ovine amnion depends on solute size and appears to be limited only by the amnion's passive diffusional properties. In vivo intramembranous transport similarly depends on solute size but is not exclusively a passive diffusional process because it is primarily unidirectional outward from the amniotic fluid. Although it is a major barrier, the amnion is not the only barrier and does not appear to be responsible for the unidirectional nature of intramembranous absorption. Thus, unidirectionality appears to be imparted by nonpassive mechanisms in non-amnion tissues, which most likely includes vesicular transport within the endothelial cells of the intramembranous microvessels.