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.     

智能假肢膝关节的研发要点及其研究进展综述

目的 介绍国内外智能假肢膝关节研究的主要进展,为相关领域的研发提供可借鉴的思路.方法 基于机械结构、调控方式、驱动方式,对典型假肢膝关节进行了分类比较,并从假肢穿戴者的运动意图识别、驱动控制、人机协调控制等方面做了分析.此外,对假肢膝关节在智能化研究与安全性、个性化与通用性、人机共融技术、科学伦理、关键技术等方面需要注意的问题,提出了研发要点和技术思路.结论 智能假肢膝关节应注重安全性与稳定性,规避用户在使用过程中的潜在危险因素;实现假肢控制参数的自整定和灵活适配,在个性化与通用性上达到平衡;综合考虑人—机—环境因素,实现协调控制;坚持"以人为本",在技术方法和科学伦理两个方面开展医工结合的研究;突破关键技术限制,建立完善的社会医疗康复保障服务体系.     

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.     

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     

Novel Positive Allosteric Modulators of µ Opioid Receptor—Insight from In Silico and In Vivo Studies

Opioids are the drugs of choice in severe pain management. Unfortunately, their use involves serious, potentially lethal side effects. Therefore, efforts in opioid drug design turn toward safer and more effective mechanisms, including allosteric modulation. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations in silico and ‘writhing’ tests in vivo were used to characterize potential allosteric mechanism of two previously reported compounds. The results suggest that investigated compounds bind to μ opioid receptor in an allosteric site, augmenting action of morphine at subeffective doses, and exerting antinociceptive effect alone at higher doses. Detailed analysis of in silico calculations suggests that first of the compounds behaves more like allosteric agonist, while the second compound acts mainly as a positive allosteric modulator.     

Using color–odor correspondences for fragrance packaging design

Fragrance companies may use colors in packaging design to communicate the properties of their fragrances. Packages with matching colors may have an additional advantage: some studies suggest that consumers prefer offerings for which all sensory impressions are congruent. Hence, we investigated whether consumers are more likely to buy fragrances with a matching package.For five fragrances we created a package, based on a harmonious combination of three colors that obtained high odor–color goodness-of fit ratings in a previous study. Packages were identical in design, except for the colors used. The appropriateness ratings for the five packages were indeed found to be related to the ratings for its major colors.Subsequently, we assessed the degree to which participants were likely to buy different fragrance–package combinations. However, buying intentions were not affected by the degree of matching between fragrance and packaging. Instead, they were typically dependent on the degree of liking for the fragrance and, to a lesser extent, on the degree of liking for the package.     

Compensation paradox: the influence of monetary rewards on user behaviour

Many e-commerce companies collect users’ personal data for marketing purposes despite privacy concerns. Information-collecting companies often offer a monetary reward to users to alleviate privacy concerns and ease the collection of personal information. This study focused on the negative effects of monetary rewards on both information privacy concerns (IPC) and information disclosure. A survey approach was used to collect data and 370 final responses were analysed using a two-way analysis of variance and a binomial logistic regression model. The results show that monetary rewards increase IPC when an information-collecting company requires sensitive information. Additional results indicate that building trust is a more effective way of collecting personal data. This study identifies how organisations can best execute information-collection activities and contributes additional insights for academia and practitioners.     

智能网联汽车APP中控制模块的视觉设计与应用

目的研究智能网联汽车手机APP中控制模块的视觉设计与应用,强化视觉设计过程的合理性,为智能汽车HMI设计实践工作提供启示与借鉴。方法首先从用户体验的角度分析APP控制模块存在的视觉设计问题,主要是视觉结构单一、视觉层级混乱、视觉特征缺失,再从行为逻辑的角度思考视觉设计方法,"由面及点"地提出控制模块的视觉设计思路,并结合设计应用案例论证其可行性。结果从合理视觉布局、明确视觉层级和提炼视觉语言的角度提出APP控制模块的视觉设计思路。结论智能网联汽车APP控制模块的视觉设计应该重视行为逻辑的影响。从任务角度思考视觉布局、从行为逻辑的角度思考视觉层级、从行为特征的角度思考视觉语言,提高视觉设计工作的合理性,减少与交互设计工作脱节的现象,强化控制求助的高效性和安全性。     

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.