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Determinants of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance adoption - A configurational exploration
No full textOver the past three decades, scholars have studied technology adoption and its determinants in many contexts. Nevertheless, this literature has remained silent in understanding the complex interdependency among these determinants and how such interdependency determines technology adoption. In this paper, we build on previous research to focus on the technological, social, economic, cultural, and political determinants of technology adoption. Using the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) with samples of 101 and 43 countries, we perform a configurational analysis to explore the interdependency among these five categories of factors and their causal effect on the adoption of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). We obtain various causal combinations of the technological, social, economic, cultural, and political factors that are associated with a high level of cryptocurrency and DeFi adoption. In addition, our analysis highlights the key role of the social, economic, and cultural factors in influencing both crypto and DeFi adoption. Technological and political factors, nevertheless, play a less important role in driving blockchain adoption. We also find intriguing differences between cryptocurrency and DeFi adoption. Our results both support and challenge existing findings in the technology adoption literature and offer theoretical implications for future research
Heuristics in sport: A scoping review
No full textJudgement and decision-making under uncertainty often rely on simplistic” rules of thumb”, known as “heuristics”. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the extant literature focussed on heuristics and sport. This study employed a five-stage scoping review methodology. The databases searched were Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and PsycInfo. The search terms were sport*, heuristic* (and its synonyms: cognitive shortcut, shortcut, rule of thumb, mental rule, cognitive rule) plus cognitive bias. The search identified 2019 studies, of which 38 were included in the analysis. Studies based in USA and Germany were most common. The use of heuristics by players were most common, while football (soccer) and basketball were the most frequently researched sport contexts. Both males and females were commonly included in most studies, but there were no studies with an explicit focus on females. The research was contextualized within several academic disciplines (e.g., psychology, forecasting, JDM, organization behavior, sports marketing and sponsorship, coaching science, risk analysis and sociology). Approximately 80 % of the studies were quantitative. Sixteen studies examined the fast and frugal heuristics approach (i.e., take-the-first heuristic (n = 8), recognition heuristic (n = 7), or gut instinct (n = 1), whereas eleven articles embraced the heuristics and biases approach. Future research should pursue a greater variety of heuristics, investigate the use of heuristics by selectors and boards of directors, and how best to design, implement, and evaluate heuristic education programs
Selling and monetizing data in B2B markets: Four data-driven value propositions
No full textData has become a powerful source of competitive advantage in contemporary business-to-business (B2B) markets, enabling vendors to create enhanced and completely new value propositions. However, while many firms can generate a lot of data from their businesses, they struggle to translate it into sellable offerings. To address this issue, this study examines how firms can sell and monetize data in B2B markets. Based on an extensive multiple case study, this study identifies four archetypical data-driven value propositions (data as a product, data-enhanced products, data-driven services, and data-enabled performance outcomes) and illuminates the key data-related capabilities and challenges related to each value proposition. The findings contribute to the digital servitization and data monetization literatures by illustrating how industrial firms can harness, package, and monetize data in B2B markets. For managers, this study offers important insights into the various strategies and capabilities needed to sell and monetize data in B2B markets
Using telehealth to deliver Qi Gong and Tai Chi programs: A mixed-methods systematic review on feasibility, acceptability and participant engagement factors
No full textIntroduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digitally delivered exercise classes to promote physical activity has become widespread amongst various populations as an alternative to in-person activities. Objectives: To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and participant engagement variables to delivering Qi Gong and Tai Chi programs through telehealth interventions. Methods: Ten databases (Seven English databases; three Chinese databases) were searched between October and November 2021. Studies published in English or Chinese, or having translations in English or Chinese, were included. Titles and abstracts of identified articles were screened, relevant studies were then retrieved for full-text screening. Study selection, assessment of methodological quality, data extraction, data transformation, and data synthesis were completed following a convergent integrated approach to mixed method systematic reviews. Results: Seven articles were included in review. Digital literacy of both participants and providers was found to be a significant hurdle towards digital program implementation. There were no notable issues pertaining to access to an internet connection, participant safety, program costs, or connectivity. A major theme for sustaining program engagement was found to be individual perceived relevance for intervention involvement. Online social involvement was noted to be both a facilitator for participant acceptability and engagement. Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with the use of telehealth, while providers expressed acceptability concerns regarding quality of care. Conclusion: It is recommended that planned measures be taken prior to program commencement to decrease digital literacy requirements while also including a participatory approach to encourage uptake. During the program, provision of technical support alongside appropriate social-environmental engagement facilitators would promote sustained adherence
Calcium-gated potassium channel blockade via membrane-facing fenestrations
No full textQuaternary ammonium blockers were previously shown to bind in the pore to block both open and closed conformations of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK and MthK) channels. Because blocker entry was assumed through the intracellular entryway (bundle crossing), closed-pore access suggested that the gate was not at the bundle crossing. Structures of closed MthK, a Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum homolog of BK channels, revealed a tightly constricted intracellular gate, leading us to investigate the membrane-facing fenestrations as alternative pathways for blocker access directly from the membrane. Atomistic free energy simulations showed that intracellular blockers indeed access the pore through the fenestrations, and a mutant channel with narrower fenestrations displayed no closed-state TPeA block at concentrations that blocked the wild-type channel. Apo BK channels display similar fenestrations, suggesting that blockers may use them as access paths into closed channels. Thus, membrane fenestrations represent a non-canonical pathway for selective targeting of specific channel conformations, opening novel ways to selectively drug BK channels. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Experimental and numerical investigation on the charging and discharging process of a cold energy storage for space cooling of buildings
No full textTo address the current issue of the difficulty to use the hot outdoor environment during summer nights to provide coolness for phase change materials (PCM) and thus reduce building energy consumption in hot summer areas, a novel cold energy storage unit has been proposed. It replaces the hot outdoor environment with other free or cheap cold sources. An experimental setup is built to investigate the cold storage and release performance of the PCM storage unit. Later, the well-validated numerical model is conducted to further explore thermal performance of the PCM storage unit. The numerical result indicates that the cold storage process can be completed from 64.33 min to 96.56 min when the water inlet temperature varies from 10 °C to 16 °C. Further, during the cold release process, the PCM storage unit can reduce the temperature of the hot air by a maximum of about 8–12 °C when the air inlet temperature ranges from 32 °C to 38 °C. The cold release efficiency is varied between 81.65 % and 96.44 %. In conclusion, the findings provide a promising way for cold storage and space cooling of buildings in hot summer areas through the cold energy storage unit
Ballistic impact induced wave propagation and dislocation of three-dimensional graphene origami/copper nanocomposites
No full textGraphene (Gr)-reinforced nanocomposites have great potential as impact protection materials due to their exceptional mechanical properties. However, the intrinsic brittleness of Gr originating from its two-dimensional (2D) geometry considerably hinders its application. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) graphene origami (GOri) reinforced copper (Cu) nanocomposite is designed and its wave propagation characteristics under a high-velocity ballistic impact are studied using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. It is found that the intrinsic brittleness of Gr can be alleviated by transforming its original 2D shape into 3D origami shape and embedding GOri in Cu matrix can lead to effectively increased out-of-plane wave propagation speed thereby boost the dissipation of impact energy by promoting rapid dislocation propagation within the Cu matrix during the initial stage of impact
Interactive effects of cyanobacterial metabolites aeruginosin-98B, anabaenopeptin-B and cylindrospermopsin on physiological parameters and novel in vivo fluorescent indicators in Chironomus aprilinus larvae
No full textWe aimed to determine the effects of single cyanobacterial metabolites aeruginosin-B (AER-B), anabaenopeptin-B (ANA-B), cylindrospermopsin (CYL), their binary and ternary mixtures on biomarkers of Chironomus aprilinus larvae: oxygen consumption, fat body structure and two novel fluorescent indicators: imaging of nuclei in cells of body integument, and the catecholamine level. The obtained results showed that oxygen consumption was inhibited by single tested cyanobacterial metabolites except for ANA-B at the lowest concentration (250 μg/L). Although the mixtures of the metabolites inhibited oxygen consumption with antagonistic interactions between the components stimulation was noted in the group exposed to the lowest concentrations of AER-B + CYL (125 μg/L + 125 μg/L, respectively) and the ternary mixture of AER-B + ANA-B + CYL (83.3 μg/L + 83.3 μg/L + 83.3 μg/L, respectively). In vivo fluorescent staining with Hoechst 34580 showed that single AER-B had lower cytotoxic potential on body integument cells than ANA-B and CYL and most binary mixtures except for AER-B + CYL induced synergistic toxicity. Catecholamine level was decreased in animals exposed to single metabolites, their binary and ternary mixtures; however, the interactions between the components in the ternary mixture were antagonistic. Fat body was found to be disrupted in the larvae exposed to single metabolites and their combinations. Antagonistic toxic interactions between the oligopeptide components were found in most binary and the ternary mixtures; however, synergistic effect was noted in the binary mixture of AER-B + CYL. The results suggest that in natural conditions Chironomus larvae and possibly other benthic invertebrates may be affected by cyanobacterial metabolites, however various components and in mixtures and their concentrations may determine varied physiological effects and diverse interactions
Peer-to-peer energy trading for demand response of residential smart electric storage water heaters
No full textEnvironmental concerns and emission reduction targets are driving a transition from fossil fuel to renewable-based electricity generation. However, intermittent and distributed renewable generation brings challenges for the grid operation, as the low voltage distribution grid increasingly becomes constrained during high residential solar PV generation. The electrification of water heating presents a large opportunity to address this challenge by intelligently responding to electrical network conditions. Smart water heaters with thermal storage can soak up excess PV as a thermal battery, which facilitates maximum renewable generation and solves local grid problems. However, the centralized operation of electricity markets tends to impede the benefits of the localized distributed energy resources (DER). In such a scenario, peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading allows neighbouring prosumers to trade energy between themselves with minimum interference from electricity grid operators. This research develops a P2P energy trading framework, using advanced, multi-zone electric storage water heaters with autonomous and aggregated control. The financial benefits identified in this research are forthcoming due to new participation in the electricity market ancillary services, demand management and P2P energy trading. Simulated results have identified that up to 92% of household water heating energy can originate from their own rooftop PV. At the electricity grid level, P2P energy trading demonstrates an increase in the aggregated PV self-consumption from 39% to 83%, importantly allowing the remaining 17% to target grid support in periods of supply shortfall. Average retail consumer energy savings of AUD$369/annum are identified, which include 17% of savings that are attributed to P2P energy transactions, delivering a capital payback of <3 years
Ultrafine red phosphorus confined in reasonably designed pitch-based carbon matrix built of well-interconnected carbon nanosheets for high-performance lithium and potassium storage
No full textRed phosphorus has been well-recognized as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to its extremely high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, the huge volume change and poor electric conductivity severely limit its further practical application. Herein, the nanoscale ultrafine red phosphorus has been successfully confined in a three-dimensional pitch-based porous carbon skeleton composed of well-interconnected carbon nanosheets through the vaporization-condensation method. Except for the traditional requirement of high electric conductivity and stable mechanical stability, the micropores and small mesopores in the porous carbon matrix centered at 1 to 3 nm and the abundant amount of oxygen-containing functional groups are also beneficial for the high loading and dispersion of red phosphorus. As anode for LIBs, the composite exhibits high reversible discharge capacities of 968 mAh g−1, excellent rate capabilities of 593 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, and long cycle performance of 557 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1. More impressively, as the anode for PIBs, the composite presents a high reversible capacity of 661 mAh g−1 and a stable capacity of 312 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 for 500 cycles with a capacity retention up to 84.3%. This work not only sheds light on the structure design of carbon hosts with specific pore structure but also open an avenue for high value-added utilization of coal tar pitch