Research Management (Norway)

Abstract The dissemination of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has altered how society functions, creating the denominated information society. Consequently, digital technologies are significantly reducing information asymmetries between customers and providers. The evolving of internet-based applications improves marketing efforts by enabling organisations to implement innovative forms of communication besides moving for ‘co-creating’ content with customers. Digital marketing strategies offer marketers new ways to cultivate customer relationships, which can lead to increased customer loyalty. This is important because the effects of customer loyalty on health and wellness profitability are known to be significant. Therefore, this study discusses the digital marketing strategies that health and wellness tourism organisations must master to ‘conquer’ and retain customers. Considering that, a semi-systematic secondary research method was used based on the existing literature. This method explores digital marketing and how it can be adapted to the sector of health and wellness tourism. Essentially, this first stage consists of a reflexive work that uses different approaches and meanings to define conceptual analytical dimensions. The second stage consisted of an overview on Southern Europe real-world examples analyses; considering its possible contribution to consolidating our results and questioning, our option was taken. This chapter formulates a series of recommendations for the sector that may help improve decision-making in the digital marketing implementation and practice of digital marketing. The study also contributes to address the existing lack of literature. We conclude the chapter by identifying, providing and discussing possible avenues for future research.

Want to know more before purchasing a product? Experience a product demo, which marketers use to convey product features and benefits, connect with the consumer and drive purchase intentions. Most customers value product demonstrations, but are all product demonstrations equally effective? Recent research by Christine Ringler, Nancy J. Sirianni, Joann Peck & Anders Gustafsson suggests that a process demonstration (showcasing a step-by-step approach) can significantly increase a customer's purchase intentions, compared to an outcome demonstration (focusing on the end benefits).1 These insights are crucial for marketing and sales managers and retailers across product and service categories in both offline and online contexts. A better understanding of effective product demonstrations would lead to positive customer experiences and greater purchase intentions2

Default options are widely used to influence customer decisions, whether it’s email subscriptions, menu selections, or delivery modes in food and grocery apps. Managers often assume defaults work simply because they reduce the effort consumers make. But recent research by Nicolette J. Sullivan and a team of collaborators shows this view is incomplete: Defaults don’t just make life easier – They can actually change how customers value options.1 If managers overlook how defaults truly work, they risk missing key opportunities to meaningfully guide customer decisions. Poorly designed defaults can lead to lost chances for premium upgrades, product bundles, or valuable add-ons, which could benefit both the customer and the business. Worse, defaults that feel manipulative or self-serving can damage trust, provoke customer backlash, and invite regulatory scrutiny. Treating defaults as simple shortcuts, when they actually shape how customers evaluate and choose, could lead to wasted design effort and missed revenue. To capitalize on the new insights, managers must treat defaults as value-shaping tools, not just effort-saving conveniences. Defaults work best when they align with customer goals, are placed in moments of ambiguity, and are not perceived as self-serving. Such a nuanced understanding of defaults is particularly relevant to product managers, designers of user experience, and marketers aiming to build trust and drive better outcomes.

Solar water pumping systems are a crucial application of renewable energy, especially in rural areas where traditional electricity infrastructure may be limited or nonexistent. These systems utilize solar energy to drive water pumps, offering a sustai

Introduction Point-of-care testing (POCT) entails conducting a test near a patient, delivering rapid results outside the traditional laboratory setting. Even though point-of-care testing offers the advantage of rapid test results and enables quicker medical decisions, it also introduces unique risks of errors, raising concerns regarding the quality and reliability of these results. This study focuses on a comprehensive risk assessment of POCT devices in a tertiary care setting to evaluate performance, identify potential errors, categorize risks, and implement strategies to enhance their safety and effectiveness. Method The study was conducted as a prospective, observational, nonrandomized study in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 53 devices were selected purposively which were used across various departments of the hospital, including emergency, intensive care unit (ICU), critical care unit (CCU), operation theatre (OT), maternity, and obstetrics. The assessment covered a range of POCT devices: blood gas analyzers, cardiac biomarkers, coagulation analyzers, and glucometers. In POCT devices, risk assessment identifies potential hazards that may arise throughout the entire testing process, encompassing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases. Performance of the devices was evaluated using comparison with standard guidelines and errors were identified using direct observations and incident reports. The Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) template served as a tool for on-site risk assessment, facilitating the systematic identification and evaluation of potential failure modes and their corresponding effects. A comparison of the scored risk priority number (RPN) before and after interventions was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the implemented suggestions or action plans for mitigating the identified risks. Results Inaccurate patient identification, clotted samples due to improper mixing, patient injury, and delays in sample transportation were the key risks identified during the pre-analytical phase. Delays in sample processing, improper handling of internal quality control materials, improper handling of external quality assessment scheme samples, failure to adhere to original equipment manufacturer instrument maintenance protocols, mishandling of patient samples, and inadequate quality checks were a few observations during the analytical phase. Reporting errors, delayed turnaround times (TAT), and delays in reporting panic values were observed during the post-analytical phase. Implementing quality control measures, real-time monitoring, automation, comprehensive staff training, and risk mitigation strategies served to enhance the reliability and efficiency of POCT devices. Conclusion In point-of-care testing devices, risk assessment identifies potential hazards that may arise throughout the entire testing process, encompassing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases. Continuous monitoring and improvement efforts are essential for adapting to evolving risks in POCT devices.

In general, the resonance frequencies of ultrasonic emitters that use bolt-clamped Langevin transducers differ slightly. However, when using these emitters in an arrayed device, the resonance frequencies of each emitter must be matched. In this paper, the arbitrary reduction of the resonance frequency by adding a small amount of mass after fabrication is examined. The resonance frequency was lowered by adding more mass, demonstrating the utility of this method.

Elevated levels of 5-HT have been correlated with coronary artery disease and cardiac events, suggesting 5-HT is a potential novel factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms of the 5-HT system in atherosclerosis remain unclear. The 5-HT2B receptor (5-HT2BR), which establishes a positive feedback loop with 5-HT, has been identified as a contributor to pathophysiological processes in various vascular disorders. In this study, we investigated the immunological impact of 5-HT2BR in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Plasma levels of 5-HT were measured in mice using an ELISA kit. Atherosclerotic plaque formation, macrophage infiltration and inflammatory signalling were assessed in ApoE-/- mice by employing both pharmacological inhibition and genetic deficiency of 5-HT2BR. Inflammasome activation was elucidated using peritoneal macrophages isolated from 5-HT2BR-deficient mice. An upregulation of 5-HT2BR expression was observed in the aortas of ApoE-/- mice, exhibiting a strong correlation with the presence of macrophages in plaques. Atherosclerosis was attenuated in mice through pharmacological inhibition and genetic deficiency of 5-HT2BR. Additionally, a significant reduction in atherosclerotic plaque size was achieved through bone marrow reconstitution with 5-HT2BR-deficient cells. 5-HT2BR-deficient macrophages showed attenuated interferon (IFN) signalling, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and interleukin-1β release. Moreover, macrophages primed with 5-HT2BR deficiency displayed an anti-inflammatory phenotype. These findings support the hypothesis that 5-HT2BR in macrophages plays a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis, revealing a novel perspective for potential therapeutic strategies in atherosclerosis-related diseases. This article is part of a themed issue Drugs and Drug Targets in Metabolic and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v182.20/issuetoc.

Abstract: The integration of data science and machine learning is revolutionizing the assessment of pesticide impact in organic vegetable farming. This review explores methodologies, applications, and research examples showcasing the transformative potential of data-driven approaches. Remote sensing, including satellite imagery and drones, is essential for monitoring crop health and detecting pesticide impacts on vegetable crops like tomatoes, lettuce, and red peppers. By synthesizing research and trends, the review underscores technology's significance in informed decision-making for sustainable vegetable organic farming practices. Spectral analysis and vegetation indices quantify changes in crop health, informing pesticide efficacy and environmental impact. Sensor networks and IoT devices allow real-time monitoring of environmental conditions and pesticide dynamics, optimizing application practices to minimize contamination while maximizing yield. Machine learning, particularly decision tree-based models like random forests, predicts and mitigates pesticide impacts by analyzing complex datasets. Incorporating variables such as soil type and climate, these models accurately forecast pesticide fate, aiding in targeted mitigation strategies. Deep learning, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), identifies pesticide stress symptoms from digital images of vegetable leaves, facilitating rapid intervention. Challenges like data integration and model interpretability persist, yet ongoing research addresses these through data fusion and explainable AI. This review emphasizes the progress in leveraging data science and machine learning for pesticide impact evaluation in organic vegetable farming. By synthesizing research and trends, it offers insights for future sustainable agriculture applications.

Abstract The structures are generally constructed on level ground; however, due to scarcity of level grounds the construction activities have been started on sloping grounds. There are two types of configuration of building on sloping ground, the one is step back and the other is step back setback. In this study, G+ 8 storeys RCC building and the ground slope varying from 150, 300, 450, 600 have been considered for the analysis. A comparison has been made with the building with and without infill wall. The modelling and analysis of the building has been done by using structure analysis tool SAP2000, to study the effect of varying height of the column in bottom storey and the effect of infill wall during the earthquake. The results have been compared with the results of the building with and without infill wall. The seismic analysis was done by linear static analysis and the response spectrum analyses have been carried out as per IS:1893 (part 1): 2002. The results were obtained in the form of top storey displacement, drift, base shear and time period. It is observed that short column is affected more during the earthquake. The analyses showed that for construction of the building on slopy ground the step back setback building configuration is suitable, along with infill and without infill wall.