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Consumer Mobile Shopping Acceptance Predictors and Linkages: A Systematic Review and Weight Analysis
No full textNoMobile phones have become an integral part of human lives with
majority of people using them to access product and services for their day-today needs. However, mobile shopping adoption across the globe is not wide or
fast as expected. In addition, the research is very scant in understanding various
predictors of consumer adoption towards mobile shopping. The objective of this
study is to identify most significant and non-significant predictors of consumer
mobile shopping acceptance. Systematic review and weight analysis on 34
mobile shopping studies revealed researchers mostly employed TAM and
UTAUT model as theoretical lens. This study found an interesting revelation
that extrinsic motivation variables such as social influence and perceived usefulness determine consumer mobile shopping behavioral intention during early
stages. However, in later stages intrinsic motivation variables such as satisfaction and trust play crucial role to emerge as best and promising predictor of
consumer continuous intention respectively
Steam consumption minimization using genetic algorithm optimization method: an industrial case study
Get PDFYesCondensate stabilization is a process where hydrocarbon condensate recovered from natural gas reservoirs is processed to meet the required storage, transportation, and export specifications. The process involves stabilizing of hydrocarbon liquid by separation of light hydrocarbon such as methane from the heavier hydrocarbon constituents such as propane. An industrial scale back-up condensate stabilization unit was simulated using Aspen HYSYS software and validated with the plant data. The separation process consumes significant amount of energy in form of steam. The objectives of the paper are to find the minimum steam consumption of the process and conduct sensitivity and exergy analyses on the process. The minimum steam consumption was found using genetic algorithm optimization method for both winter and summer conditions. The optimization was carried out using MATLAB software coupled with Aspen HYSYS software. The optimization involves six design variables and four constraints, such that realistic results are achieved. The results of the optimization show that savings in steam consumption is 34% as compared to the baseline process while maintaining the desired specifications. The effect of natural gas feed temperature has been investigated. The results show that steam consumption is reduced by 46% when the natural gas feed temperature changes from 17.7 to 32.7°C. Exergy analysis shows that exergy destruction of the optimized process is 37% less than the baseline process
How Easy is it to Read the Minds of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Get PDFyesHow well can neurotypical adults’ interpret mental states in people with ASD? ‘Targets’ (ASD and neurotypical) reactions to four events were video-recorded then shown to neurotypical participants whose task was to identify which event the target had experienced. In study 1 participants were more successful for neurotypical than ASD targets. In study 2, participants rated ASD targets equally expressive as neurotypical targets for three of the events, while in study 3 participants gave different verbal descriptions of the reactions of ASD and neurotypical targets. It thus seems people with ASD react differently but not less expressively to events. Because neurotypicals are ineffective in interpreting the behaviour of those with ASD, this could contribute to the social difficulties in ASD
An in vitro investigation into the protective and genotoxic effects of myricetin bulk and nano forms in lymphocytes of MGUS patients and healthy individuals
Get PDFYesThe present study investigated the genoprotective and genotoxic effects of myricetin bulk (10 μM) and nano forms (20 μM) in the lymphocytes from pre-cancerous, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) patients and healthy individuals using the Comet and micronucleus assays. The study also evaluated the effect of myricetin on P53 expression levels, using the Western blot technique. Results showed that throughout the in-vitro treatment, lymphocytes from the patients group had higher levels of baseline DNA damage compared to the healthy group. Myricetin in both forms induced significant DNA damage, only at higher concentrations (>40 μM). The micronucleus assay showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the frequency of micronuclei in mono-nucleated cells in the patient group treated with the nano form of myricetin at the non-toxic dose of 20 μM. There was a significant increase in both gene and protein P53 levels in lymphocytes isolated from healthy individuals and pre-cancerous patients. These results suggested a protective effect of myricetin and indicated its nutritional supplement potential for protection against cancer development among patients suffering from MGUS.This study was kindly funded by Mr Nasir Qayyum, Bradford, UK
Use of social media by b2b companies: systematic literature review and suggestions for future research
No full textNoSocial media plays an important role in the digital transformation of businesses. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of social media by b2b companies. The current study focuses on a number of aspects of social media such as: the effect of social media; social media tools; social media use; adoption of social media use and its barriers; social media strategies; and measuring the effectiveness of the use of social media. This research provides a valuable synthesis of the relevant literature on social media in the b2b context by analysing and discussing the key findings from existing research on social media. The findings of this study can be used as an informative framework on social media for both academics and practitioners
Association of anthropometric measures across the life-course with refractive error and ocular biometry at age 15 years
Get PDFYesBackground
A recent Genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAS) of refractive error reported shared genetics with anthropometric traits such as height, BMI and obesity. To explore a potential relationship with refractive error and ocular structure we performed a life-course analysis including both maternal and child characteristics using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.
Methods
Measures collected across the life-course were analysed to explore the association of height, weight, and BMI with refractive error and ocular biometric measures at age 15 years from 1613children. The outcome measures were the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of refractive error (dioptres), axial length (AXL; mm), and radius of corneal curvature (RCC; mm). Potential confounding variables; maternal age at conception, maternal education level, parental socio-economic status, gestational age, breast-feeding, and gender were adjusted for within each multi-variable model.
Results
Maternal height was positively associated with teenage AXL (0.010 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.017) and RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007), increased maternal weight was positively associated with AXL (0.004 mm; 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.008). Birth length was associated with an increase in teenage AXL (0.067 mm; 95% CI: 0.032, 0.10) and flatter RCC (0.023 mm; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.034) and increasing birth weight was associated with flatter RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.0003, 0.009). An increase in teenage height was associated with a lower MSE (− 0.007 D; 95% CI: − 0.013, − 0.001), an increase in AXL (0.021 mm; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and flatter RCC (0.008 mm; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.010). Weight at 15 years was associated with an increase in AXL (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.009).
Conclusions
At each life stage (pre-natal, birth, and teenage) height and weight, but not BMI, demonstrate an association with AXL and RCC measured at age 15 years. However, the negative association between refractive error and an increase in height was only present at the teenage life stage. Further research into the growth pattern of ocular structures and the development of refractive error over the life-course is required, particularly at the time of puberty
Ambiguity in high definition: Gaze determines physical interpretation of ambiguous rotation even in the absence of a visual context
Get PDFYesPhysical interactions between objects, or between an object and the ground, are amongst the most biologically relevant for live beings. Prior knowledge of Newtonian physics may play a role in disambiguating an object’s movement as well as foveation by increasing the spatial resolution of the visual input. Observers were shown a virtual 3D scene, representing an ambiguously rotating ball translating on the ground. The ball was perceived as rotating congruently with friction, but only when gaze was located at the point of contact. Inverting or even removing the visual context had little influence on congruent judgements compared with the effect of gaze. Counterintuitively, gaze at the point of contact determines the solution of perceptual ambiguity, but independently of visual context. We suggest this constitutes a frugal strategy, by which the brain infers dynamics locally when faced with a foveated input that is ambiguous.J.S. was funded by a College of Life Sciences studentship from the University of Leicester
A meta-analysis of existing research on citizen adoption of e-government
Get PDFYesThe purpose of this paper is to perform a weight-analysis and to undertake a meta-analysis of findings reported in published research on the adoption and diffusion of e-government. Usable data relating to e-government adoption research were collected from 103 empirical studies. Of those 103 articles, only 63 used a range of different constructs with appropriate correlation values required for performing a weight- and meta-analysis. Diagrammatic representation has been presented using significant as well as non-significant relationships from all 103 publications. A broader analysis of research on adoption and diffusion of e-government also reflects that although a large number of theories and theoretical constructs were borrowed from the reference disciplines, their utilization by e-government researchers appears to be largely random in approach. This paper also acknowledges the theoretical contribution, the limitations of this study, and suggests further research directions for the continued work
Consumer adoption of mobile banking in Jordan: Examining the role of usefulness, ease of use, perceived risk and self-efficacy
Get PDFYesThe purpose of this paper is to propose and examine a conceptual model that best explains the key factors influencing Jordanian customers' intention to adopt mobile banking (MB). Design/methodology/approach – The proposed conceptual model was based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This was extended by adding perceived risk and self-efficacy as an external factors. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to analyse the data collected from the field survey questionnaires administered to a convenience sample of Jordanian banking customers. Findings – The results showed that behavioural intention is significantly influenced by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived risk. Research limitations/implications – Practical and theoretical implications for both Jordanian banks and researchers in the MB context are also discussed in the concluding section. Originality/value – MB-related issues are yet to be examined empirically in the Jordanian context. This submission has attempted to fill this gap by empirically examining some of the important factors influencing the adoption of MB from the Jordanian customers’ perspective
Initial resistance to companion drugs should not be considered an exclusion criterion for the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis shorter treatment regimen
No full textYesWe investigated whether companion drug resistance was associated with adverse outcome of the shorter MDR-TB regimen in Bangladesh, after adjusting for fluoroquinolone resistance.
MDR/RR-TB patients registered for treatment with a standardized gatifloxacin-based shorter MDR-TB regimen were selected for the study. Drug resistance was determined using the proportion method, gatifloxacin and isoniazid minimum inhibitory concentration testing for selected isolates, and whole genome sequencing.
Low-level and high-level fluoroquinolone resistance were the most important predictors of adverse outcomes, with pyrazinamide resistance having a significant yet lower impact. In patients with fluoroquinolone-/second-line injectable-susceptible TB, non-eligibility to the shorter MDR-TB regimen (initial resistance to either pyrazinamide, ethionamide, or ethambutol) was not associated with adverse outcome (aOR 1.01; 95%CI 0.4-2.8). Kanamycin resistance was uncommon (1.3%). Increasing levels of resistance to isoniazid predicted treatment failure, also in a subgroup of patients with high-level fluoroquinolone-resistant TB.
Our results suggest that resistance to companion drugs of the shorter MDR-TB regimen, except kanamycin resistance, is of no clinical importance as long as fluoroquinolone susceptibility is preserved. Hence, contrary to current WHO guidelines, exclusions to the standard regimen are justified only in the case of fluoroquinolone, and possibly kanamycin resistance.Damien Foundation Belgium for its financial and logistic support to run the project including its research activities. European Research Council (Starting Grant INTERRUPTB 311725)