Determinants of the intention to use non-medical insertable digital devices: The case of Chile and Colombia

In the past, thinking of carrying electronic devices inside our bodies was only posed by non-real scenarios. The emergence of insertable devices has changed this. Since this technology is still in its initial development stages, few studies have investigated factors that influence its acceptance. This paper analyzes the predictors of the intention to use non-medical insertable devices in two Latin American contexts. We used partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine whether six constructs predicted intention to use insertable devices. A questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students located in Colombia and Chile (n = 672). We also examined whether these predictors influenced intention differently for both of them. Four common constructs significantly and positively influenced both Chilean and Colombian respondents to use insertable devices (hedonic motivation, habit, performance expectancy, and social influence). Also, the habit has a complementary mediating effect on the relationship between social influence and behavioral intention. By contrast, effort expectations were a positive and significant predictor, but only among Chilean respondents. Findings suggest that when technologies are emerging, well-known predictors of intention (e.g., performance and effort expectations) are less influential than predictors related to self-efficacy (e.g., habit and hedonic motivation). The use of insertable devices has a significant impact on society. Thus, a better understanding of what motivates their use has implications for both academia and industry.     

高职院校学生创业意向影响因素研究

采取简单随机方法,从菏泽家政职业学院各个系随机选取6个班,以笔者自拟的调查问卷对该6个班的全体学生进行问卷调查,并采用二元logistic回归分析对问卷调查的结果进行多因素分析,最后得出结论,性别、所学专业、专业知识和技能、家人态度、创业资金来源、他人影响对高职院校学生创业意向的影响不显著,而内控制源、创业能效感、风险忍耐度、政府支持对高职院校学生创业意向有显著影响。     

一种下肢运动意图识别算法性能实时测评系统* .txt

摘要：对腿部运动意图识别算法的实时性能进行综合可靠的评价是实现下肢假肢灵活稳定控制的前提。提出一种逐层分级的基于下肢运动意图识别算法的实时测评方法，对算法的可靠性、稳定性以及运动意图识别速度进行综合评价。利用开发的运动意图识别算法评测系统，对基于肌电信号源和机械信号源的两种运动意图识别算法进行了实时性能测试，发现肌电信号源的算法识别时间大于机械信号源算法，但是其算法稳定性优于机械信号源算法。进一步地，还利用该评测系统有效地区分出正常识别策略与异常识别策略，发现正常策略的动作识别稳定系数比异常策略高25%左右。因此，所提的基于下肢运动意图识别算法的实时测评方法，能够对不同信号源算法以及不同识别策略的实时性能进行有效评价，为智能下肢假肢控制系统开发提供可供参考的测试平台。 .txt     

What drives smartwatch purchase intention? Perspectives from hardware,software, design,and value

Although wearable devices are popular in recent years, the market share of smartwatches is relatively low. The main goal of this research is to investigate the antecedents of the intention to purchase a smartwatch. This research develops a conceptual model and hypotheses based on the theory of reasoned action and perceived values from the perspectives of software, hardware, and aesthetic design. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed on popular websites to collect data, and 260 usable responses are collected from the potential users of the Apple Watch in Taiwan. The thirteen hypotheses were validated by using partial least squares (PLS) techniques. Among the antecedents of purchase intention in the model, the attitude towards using smartwatches was found to have the strongest direct effect. Among the factors of the attitude, design aesthetics have the most significant effect. The results also show that all of the factors about smartwatch attributes directly affected the related perceived values. However, social value and performance/quality value did not affect the intention. The model demonstrated relatively good explanatory power for purchase intention in the context of smartwatches. The proposed model can provide insights to smartwatch vendors to develop their new products and marketing strategies.     

Purchase intention for hydrogen automobile among Chinese citizens: The influence of environmental concern and perceived social value

Although hydrogen automobile has attracted increasing attention in recent years, previous studies did not extensively investigate customers' purchase intention for hydrogen automobile, as well as the factors that might affect their purchase intention. The present study therefore investigated whether customers' environmental concern and perceived social value of green buying would affect their purchase intention for hydrogen automobile. Customers' green buying behavior was included as a mediator, and their monthly income and gender were included as moderators. Data from 300 adults in China were collected. Results from structural equation modeling showed that customers’ green buying behavior fully mediated the positive association between perceived social value and purchase intention for hydrogen automobile. Further multi-group analysis found that monthly income and gender had moderating effects on the associations between some of the study variables. Based on these findings, possible explanation and practical implications were discussed.     

Understanding the psychological benefits in organic consumerism: An empirical exploration

This research builds on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by proposing two additional constructs: warm glow and self-expressive benefits which could further drive consumer attitude and purchase intentions in the context of organic food consumption. We employed structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with Smart PLS 3.0 (Partial Least Squares) for the analysis of the hypothesised relationships between these psychological factors and the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The theoretical model was tested with samples from India (n = 471) and the USA (n = 440) collected using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (M Turk). Results confirmed the importance of warm glow and self-expressive benefits in organic consumerism in both markets. The study makes an important contribution in adding these two constructs to the TPB and then suggests practical tips to policy makers.     

Mathematical modelling and simulation of the thermo-catalytic decomposition of methane for economically improved hydrogen production

The demand for low-emission hydrogen is set to grow as the world transitions to a future hydrogen economy. Unlike current methods of hydrogen production, which largely derive from fossil fuels with unabated emissions, the thermo-catalytic methane decomposition (TCMD) process is a promising intermediate solution that generates no direct carbon dioxide emissions and can bridge the transition to green hydrogen whilst utilising existing gas infrastructure. This process is yet to see widespread adoption, however, due to the high catalyst turnover costs resulting from the inevitable deactivation of the catalyst, which plays a decisive role in the feasibility of the process. In this study, a feasible TCMD process was identified and a simplified mathematical model was developed, which provides a dynamic estimation for the hydrogen production rate and catalyst turnover costs over various process conditions. The work consisted of a parametric study as well as an investigation into the different process modes. Based on the numerous simulation results it was possible to find the optimal process parameters that maximise the hydrogen production rate and minimise the catalyst turnover costs, therefore increasing the economic potential of the process and hence its commercial viability.     

Metabolism of Storage Lipids and the Role of Lipid Droplets in the Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Storage lipids, triacylglycerols (TAG), and steryl esters (SE), are predominant constituents of lipid droplets (LD) in fungi. In several yeast species, metabolism of TAG and SE is linked to various cellular processes, including cell division, sporulation, apoptosis, response to stress, and lipotoxicity. In addition, TAG are an important source for the generation of value-added lipids for industrial and biomedical applications. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a widely used unicellular eukaryotic model organism. It is a powerful tractable system used to study various aspects of eukaryotic cellular and molecular biology. However, the knowledge of S. pombe neutral lipids metabolism is quite limited. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge of the homeostasis of storage lipids and of the role of LD in the fission yeast S. pombe with the aim to stimulate research of lipid metabolism and its connection with other essential cellular processes. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fission yeast in lipid biotechnology and recent achievements in the use of S. pombe in the biotechnological production of valuable lipid compounds.     

炼铁-炼钢界面布局紧凑模式

论述了炼铁-炼钢界面的紧凑衔接技术,涉及多维物质流的衔接、传递、匹配及缓冲等过程。从各角度综合分析得出,该界面衔接布置紧凑,占地面积小,实施MES系统的“在线铁水罐跟踪系统”使炼铁-炼钢界面减少了铁水罐周转个数,相对传统方式的铁水包输运方式,保温剂使用量平均减少了0.483 kg/t(铁),铁水入炉温度提高约60 ℃。同时,确保了100%的“一罐到底”命中率,大幅节省了耐材费用,具有显著的经济效益和社会效益。     

The effect of the nutri-score label on consumer’s attitudes,taste perception and purchase intention: An experimental pilot study

A large number of studies has emerged on the environmental impacts of diets, with most studies concluding that a diet rich in plant-based foods, that are low in salt, sugar, and fat, and score high in nutritional values, confers both improved health and environmental benefits. Currently, new interventions are being implemented to improve people’s eating behavior, because most people overconsume unhealthy snacks, containing high proportions of salt, sugar and fat. The purpose of the current pilot study was to investigate the effects of the Nutri-Score label on three different snack bars on consumers’ attitudes, taste perception, and purchase intention towards these food products. An experimental study was conducted with a between subject design (food packaging with Nutri-Score label versus without) among 192 participants (M_age 31.7 years, SD 14.3 years; 63% female). Results showed that there were no effects found for the effect of the Nutri- Score label on consumers’ attitudes, taste perception and purchase intention. Bayesian analyses support the conclusion that the null hypothesis is accepted. These findings show that integrating the Nutri-Score label on food packages did not modify cognitive responses of consumers towards these food products. Changing consumption behaviors is challenging and more empirical and theoretical understanding is needed.