A Study on Community Perceptions of Common Cancers, Determinants of Community Behaviour and Program Implementation in New Delhi, India

Seth, Tulika,Kotwal, Atul,Thakur, Rakesh Kumar,Ganguly, K.K. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Assessment of perceptions of the community, the determinants and development of their behavior regarding common malignancies, helps in establishing evidence-based activities for prevention and early diagnosis of cancer. However information on this important aspect is lacking in our country. Qualitative methods were here used to obtain information through in depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with all categories of identified stakeholders. Most were unaware of the activities of the cancer control program. Even the providers were not fully conversant. All respondents mentioned lack of diagnostic and treatment facilities in government, primary and secondary level facilities. Perceptions of different categories of stakeholders regarding why many community members did not attend screening camps and other services reflect the determinants of community behavior, acting independently as well as in combination. The cancer control program was thought to be restricted only to some private facilities and overcrowded government tertiary care facilities where the visits were time consuming. Almost all the facilities were considered curative oriented. Issues of supervision, monitoring and feedback were inadequately addressed by providers who were inadequately trained in many program activities. The program lacked effective planning, coordination and appropriate implementation at the grass roots level in Delhi. Social mobilization was grossly inadequate, as most of the community members were unaware of the existence of the program. Misconceptions about the risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment were common amongst community members as well as many of the providers. Thus the national cancer control program in our country needs further community participation and social mobilization. Accessibility, availability, acceptability and affordability of various preventive, curative and rehabilitative activities, as well as intersectoral coordination, training, supervision and monitoring of program activities, all need to be addressed to ensure the success of this important public health program.

Solving the Mystery of Consistent Negative/Low Net Promoter Score (NPS) in Cross-Cultural Marketing Research

Seth, Sanjay,Scott, Don,Svihel, Chad,Murphy-Shigematsu, Stephen Korean Marketing Association 2016 ASIA MARKETING JOURNAL Vol.17 No.4

This paper has identified some theoretical reasons and empirical evidence for negative scores that occur in Japan and Korea or unstable NPS scores that can be experienced. A psychological analysis of NPS results sheds light on the validity of the negative NPS scores that are often found in Japan and Korea. Usually customer experience surveys utilize a "single stimulus" such as the "company" or the "company's products / services." However, in the case of the "recommendation to friend" question of the NPS system there are two stimuli namely the "company product/service" and the influence of "friends." Hence, the survey outcomes from this question can be very different when compared with other single stimulus questions such as "overall satisfaction" or "repurchase." Japanese and Korean people may have a positive attitude towards the company but they will provide low NPS scores because they are reflecting that they would not run the risk of ruining their relationships with their friends by making a recommendation. As a result, in the NPS system these people will be labeled as "detractors" when in fact they are "ambivalent customers." Using several Japanese and Korean based marketing research industry examples and case studies, different strategies are proposed to address the issue of negative scores in the NPS system in Japan and Korea. The Customers Psyche appears to be the key determinant factors for both types of behavioural items (items with a single stimulus as well as items with two stimuli).

중국의 그림자금융과 주식시장에의 파급효과 분석

( Seth H. Huang ),최문섭 ( Moon Sub Choi ) 아시아.유럽미래학회 2015 유라시아연구 Vol.12 No.3

2014년 기춘 최근 관측치에 따르면 중국내 그림자금융의 시장규모는 국내총생산(GDP) 대비 80% 수준에 이르는 것으로 드러났다.(Elliott et al., 2015) 문헌에서 그림자금융에 관하여 논할 경우 무담보 은행외 대출이 경제에 끼치는 악영향으로 인한 신용위기 및 중국 시민 대상 대출시의 과세수익 미보고 실태가 다루어 진 바 있다.(Smits et al., 2015). 하지만 반대의 의견 또한 개진되고 있다. 중국의 경우 개인대출을 위한 신용평가제도가 정착되지 않았으며 신용평가기관이 대규모의 국영기업에만 초점을 맞추어왔기 때문에 그림자금융이 중국내 중소기업들의 자본시장으로서의 중요한 역할을 맡아왔다. 본 연구는 사회적 대출로서의 그림자금융에 관한 관점을 기존 문헌의 각도와 다른 방향에서 접근한다. 기존 문헌의 연구에서 불완전하고 훼손되었거나 일관되지 않은 변수 정의 등을 제공하는 데이터베이스와 판이한 중국인민은행의 데이터베이스 자료를 사용한 본 연구가 이끌어내는 실증분석 결과는 높은 신뢰도를 가져다줄 수 있다. 일례로 기존 문헌의 연구에서 인용한 그림자금융의 시장규모의 범위가 워낙 넓어서 사실상 유용한 정책적 함의를 이끌어내기 힘들었던 점을 들 수가 있다. 본 연구는 중국의 그림자금융과 주식시장에의 파급효과를 분석한다. 중국 주식 투자자의 80% 이상이 개인 투자자임은 잘 알려진 사실이며, 이로 인해 중국의 주식시장은 급속하게 버블 수준으로 치닫게 됐다. 주요인으로 추정되는 바는 개인 투자자들이 적극적인 은행대출로써 주식에 투자한다는 것이다.(Bolvin et al., 2015). 본 연구에서는 다른관점에서의 해석을 제시한다. 중국 정부가 집계한 자료에 의하면 그림자금융 이 중국내 주시식장의 동향에 영향을 끼치지 못한 것으로 드러났다. 특히 부유한 개인 및 우대 기업고객에게적용되는 위탁대출과 같은 장부외 대출상품의 경우 주식 거래물량에 음(-)의 영향을 준 것으로 나타났다. 이는 대출금이 주식시장에 재투자되지 않았음을 의미한다. 또한 대게 알려진 바와 달리 개인 및 기업을 대상으로 한 중국 위안화 대출은 중국 자본시장의 움직임에 기여하지 않을 뿐만 아니라 경제 내의 생산 및 소비활동에 활용되지 않는 것으로 실증분석 결과를 얻었다. 여러 요인을 통제한 후에도 여전히 중국의 그림자금융이 주식시장에 미친 파급효과의 증거는 찾을 수 없었다. Based on recent estimates, as of 2014, the Chinese shadow banking market size was as much as the 80% of the GDP (Elliott, Kroeber, Qiao). Usually, when the shadow banking market is discussed, in academia the focus has been on the detrimental effects on the economy as off-bank lending often requires no collateral, may result in the credit crisis and, in the case of citizen lending, unreported tax revenue (Smits and etc.). The opposite has also been argued. As China does not have an established credit score system for individuals, and the credit rating agencies have long focused on large, state-owned enterprises, shadow banking serves as an important function for capital markets for SMEs. This paper takes a different approach in examining the total social lending and its effects on the stock market. We exclusively use data from People``s Bank of China (PBOC) as many data sources provide data that may be incomplete, corrupted or have various different definitions for similar items. By using the PBOC data, we can ascertain the integrity of the consistency. Specifically, there have been a variety of estimates on the size of shadow banking, with a range so drastic as to render insightful context impossible. In this paper, we study the relationship between the Chinese shadow banking activities and the stock market movements. It has been well documented that over 80% of stock market investors are retail investors, and as a result, the Chinese stock market had rapidly reached a bubble level. A main speculation is retail investors actively take out bank loans to invest inthe stock market (Bolvin et al., 2015). Here, we provide a different perspective. We show that shadow banking as recorded by Chinese government, had not contributed to the Chinese stock market movements. Specifically, off-balance-sheet loans such as entrusted loans, which banks lend to wealthy individuals and preferred companies, had negative effects on the stock market trading volume, indicating that these loans are not taken out to be reinvested in the stock markets. Additionally, contrary to prevalent opinion, pure bank RMB loans to individuals and companies do not contribute much to the capital market movements, suggesting that these loans do enter the economy in the forms of productions and consumptions. After controlling for a variety of factors, we demonstrate there is no evidence supporting that the shadow banking contributed to the Chinese stock market bubble.

Sport Video Gaming Verses Direct Instruction: Examining Sport Knowledge and Future Sport Intention

Seth E. Jenny,Jinwook J. Chung,Jennifer M. Krause 한국체육학회 2022 International journal of human movement science Vol.16 No.2

While video gaming has pervaded society, dearth research exists investigating the ramifications of incorporating sport video gaming into sport-based physical activity courses. The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) Determine whether direct instruction or video gaming (or a combination of both) is more effective in learning about a new sport; and 2) Examine to what extent does physically playing or playing a sport video game (or a combination of both) impact one’s intention to want to watch or physically play the sport in the future. This study employed a mixed methods pre/mid/post intervention design with two quasi-experimental groups. Participants included two classes of American university students with little prior knowledge of cricket enrolled in a “Global Games” course. Data was collected across two semesters with students enrolled in this course. During the first semester of data collection, participants first took a demographics questionnaire and cricket pre-test. This “Video Gaming First” (VGF; n = 17) group then played two 50-minute sessions of the video game Don Bradman Cricket, and then took a cricket mid-test. Next, participants partook in two 50-minute direct instruction physical activity lessons on cricket and then took the cricket post-test. Finally, the group participated in a 50-minute focus group session. The subsequent semester, to account for the order effect, all methods were replicated with the second class, except the two video gaming sessions were preceded by the two direction instruction sessions for this “Direct Instruction First” (DIF; n = 17) group. Results indicated that cricket knowledge significantly increased for the VGF from mid-test to post-test (p < .05, η2 = 0.71), while the pre-test to mid-test did not significantly differ. For the DIF group, there was a significant increase in cricket knowledge from pre-test to mid-test (p < .05, η2 = 0.77), while the mid-test to post-test did not significantly differ. No significant results were found regarding future intention to play or watch cricket. Overall, findings indicated that both groups significantly increased cricket knowledge from direct instruction but not from the cricket video gaming. However, while not statistically significant, the video game sessions did further increase cricket knowledge. Higher education physical activity course instructors may consider using a combination of video games and traditional instruction to teach sports to beginners, but the amount of video gaming equipment available and student training on how to use it should be considered.

Nanomaterials for enhanced immunity as an innovative paradigm in nanomedicine.

Seth, Anushree,Oh, Doo-Byoung,Lim, Yong Taik Future Medicine Ltd 2015 Nanomedicine Vol.10 No.6

<P>Since the advent of nanoparticle technology, novel and versatile properties of nanomaterials have been introduced, which has constantly expanded their applications in therapeutics. Introduction of nanomaterials for immunomodulation has opened up new avenues with tremendous potential. Interesting properties of nanoparticles, such as adjuvanticity, capability to enhance cross-presentation, polyvalent presentation, siRNA delivery for silencing of immunesuppressive gene, targeting and imaging of immune cells have been known to have immense utility in vaccination and immunotherapy. A thorough understanding of the merits associated with nanomaterials is crucial for designing of modular and versatile nanovaccines, for improved immune response. With the emerging prerequisites of vaccination, nanomaterial-based immune stimulation, seems to be capable of taking the field of immunization to a next higher level.</P>

Solving the Mystery of Consistent Negative/Low Net Promoter Score (NPS) in Cross-Cultural Marketing Research

Seth, Sanjay,Scott, Don,Svihel, Chad,Murphy-Shigematsu, Stephen Korean Marketing Association 2016 ASIA MARKETING JOURNAL Vol.17 No.4

This paper has identified some theoretical reasons and empirical evidence for negative scores that occur in Japan and Korea or unstable NPS scores that can be experienced. A psychological analysis of NPS results sheds light on the validity of the negative NPS scores that are often found in Japan and Korea. Usually customer experience surveys utilize a "single stimulus" such as the "company" or the "company's products / services." However, in the case of the "recommendation to friend" question of the NPS system there are two stimuli namely the "company product/service" and the influence of "friends." Hence, the survey outcomes from this question can be very different when compared with other single stimulus questions such as "overall satisfaction" or "repurchase." Japanese and Korean people may have a positive attitude towards the company but they will provide low NPS scores because they are reflecting that they would not run the risk of ruining their relationships with their friends by making a recommendation. As a result, in the NPS system these people will be labeled as "detractors" when in fact they are "ambivalent customers." Using several Japanese and Korean based marketing research industry examples and case studies, different strategies are proposed to address the issue of negative scores in the NPS system in Japan and Korea. The Customers Psyche appears to be the key determinant factors for both types of behavioural items (items with a single stimulus as well as items with two stimuli).

Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis Within 24 Hours of Surgery for Spinal Cord Injury: Is It Safe and Effective?

Seth Ahlquist,Howard Y. Park,Benjamin Kelley,Langston Holly,Ayra N. Shamie,Don Y. Park 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Current guidelines recommend initiation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis within 72 hours of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the safety and efficacy of chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours of surgery for SCI. Methods: A retrospective review of 97 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for acute traumatic SCI at a single level 1 trauma center from 2013–2018 was performed. VTE/ postoperative bleeding rates during hospitalization, demographics, medical/surgical complications, drain output, length of stay, and disposition were obtained. Chi–square with odds ratios (ORs), 1-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression were performed to establish significant differences between groups. Results: Seventy–nine patients were included, 49 received chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours and 20 within 24–72 hours. Cohort characteristics included an average age of 51.8 years, 77.2% male, 62.0% cervical, and 35.4% thoracic SCIs. Using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), 39.2% were AIS-A injuries, 19.0% AIS-B, 25.3% AIS-C, and 16.5% AIS-D. Unfractionated heparin was administered in 88.6% of patients and 11.4% received low molecular weight heparin. Chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours of surgery was associated with a lower rate of VTE (6.1% vs. 35.0%; OR, 0.121; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.027–0.535) and deep vein thrombosis (4.1% vs. 30.0%; OR, 0.099; 95% CI, 0.018–0.548) versus 24–72 hours. Pulmonary embolism rates were not significantly different (6.1% vs. 5.0%, p = 1.0). There were no postoperative bleeding complications and no significant difference in drain output between cohorts. Conclusion: Early VTE chemoprophylaxis is effective with lower VTE rates when initiated within 24 hours of surgery for SCI and is safe with no observed postoperative bleeding complications.

In Vitro Activity of Extract and Fractions of Natural Cocoa Powder on Plasmodium falciparum

Seth K. Amponsah,Kwasi A. Bugyei,Dorcas Osei-Safo,F. Kwaku Addai,George Asare,Emmanuel Aheto Tsegah,Joseph Baah,Michael Ofori,Ben A. Gyan 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.5

Several flavonoids isolated from certain plants have demonstrated antiplasmodial activity, after their initial indigenous use in malaria treatment. Cocoa has been found to be a rich food source of flavonoids in comparison with many common foods and beverages. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro activity of natural cocoa powder on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum. Prepared crude methanol extract was partitioned successively with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate,chloroform, and butanol. Total flavonoid concentration in the crude methanol extract and fractions was measured by the AlCl3colorimetric assay. Direct inhibitory activity of the natural cocoa powder was assessed by culturing extract and fractions with P. falciparum in vitro. Greater antiplasmodial activity was observed in nonpolar solvent fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) compared with polar solvents. The chloroform fraction was most active, with mean – SEM 50% and 90%inhibition concentrations of 48.3 – 0.9 and 417 – 7.8 lg/mL, respectively. The study showed a weak association between total flavonoid concentration and antiplasmodial activity. Early trophozoite (ring-stage) synchronized cultures treated with the chloroform fraction of natural cocoa powder showed a decline in growth. Further reduction in parasitemia was also observed for other erythrocytic stages. These results suggest that natural cocoa powder has measurable direct in vitro inhibitory effect on P. falciparum and support the anecdotal reports of its ability to prevent malaria as a result of regular intake as a beverage.

Japan Won the War: The Politics of Memory in Revisionist Histories, Allohistorical Fiction, and Imperial Nostalgia

Seth JACOBOWITZ 연세대학교 영어영문학과 BK21 Plus 사업단 2023 Situations: Cultural Studies in the Asian Context Vol.16 No.2

This article offers some broad-ranging investigations into forms of subversive knowledge production that continue to shape the global politics of memory surrounding the end of World War II and the collapse of the Empire of Japan. It pursues an inquiry into the conspiracy theories, alternative histories, and revisionist histories that have emerged in response to Japan’s defeat, as well as representative works of science fiction and imperial nostalgia on social media that revisit, and sometimes lament, the demise of the Japanese Empire. It seeks to diagnose how imperial revanchism complements, or has been appropriated, by global far-right movements, which have of late achieved an unprecedented resurgence from the periphery of collective memory and ideological acceptability.

A $q$-queens problem V. some of our favorite pieces: queens, bishops, rooks, and nightriders

Seth Chaiken,Christopher R. H. Hanusa,Thomas Zaslavsky 대한수학회 2020 대한수학회지 Vol.57 No.6

Parts~I--IV showed that the number of ways to place $q$ nonattacking queens or similar chess pieces on an $n\times n$ chessboard is a quasipolynomial function of $n$ whose coefficients are essentially polynomials in $q$. For partial queens, which have a subset of the queen's moves, we proved complete formulas for these counting quasipolynomials for small numbers of pieces and other formulas for high-order coefficients of the general counting quasipolynomials. We found some upper and lower bounds for the periods of those quasipolynomials by calculating explicit denominators of vertices of the inside-out polytope. Here we discover more about the counting quasipolynomials for partial queens, both familiar and strange, and the nightrider and its subpieces, and we compare our results to the empirical formulas found by \Kot. We prove some of \Kot's formulas and conjectures about the quasipolynomials and their high-order coefficients, and in some instances go beyond them.