Acceptance of the virtual item auctioning system in online games: The role of intrinsic motivation,extrinsic motivation,and trust

The virtual item auctioning system (VIAS) has economic potential as millions of online players trade their virtual items in an auction‐based environment. However, little empirical research has been conducted about understanding the factors affecting the decision to use the VIAS in online games. To address this gap, the current study uses the technology acceptance model (TAM) to explore the effects of extrinsic motivation‐perceived usefulness, intrinsic motivation‐flow, and trust on the decision to use the VIAS in online games. Three hundred and twenty‐eight surveys were gathered from the users of VIAS in online games. The research model was tested with the structural equation modeling technique, using AMOS 20. The results showed that intrinsic motivation is more important than extrinsic motivation in explaining the use of the VIAS. Furthermore, trust is a strong predictor of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. We conclude the study with the discussion of the findings, managerial implications, and suggestions for future research. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Decentralized multi-product multi-stage systems with backorders

A multi-stage production/inventory system with decentralized two-card kanban control policies producing multiple product types is considered. The system involves one-at-a-time processing at each stage, finite target levels in the buffers and batch transfers between production stages. The demand process for each product is assumed to be Poisson and excess demand is backordered. Products have a priority structure and the processor at each stage is shared according to a switching rule. Our objective is to obtain steady-state performance measures such as the average inventory and service levels for each product type. We propose an approximation algorithm based on: (i) characterization of the delay by a product type before receiving the processor's attention at each stage; and (ii) creation of subsystems for all the storage activity and phase-type modeling of the remaining system's behavior. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy of the method and its potential use in system design.     

Sorption of heavy metal ions by glass beads-immobilized calix[4]arenes derivative

Glass beads (GB) immobilized, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-diethoxycarbonylmethoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (CA) are prepared and used as a new sorbent in sorption study of removal heavy metal ions. A calixarene derivative bonded to amino-functionalized glass beads sorbent was synthesized via a self assembly technique for sorbent of selected heavy metal ions in aqueous. In order to absorb selected heavy metal ions in aqueous, a calixarene derivative bonded to amino-functionalized glass beads sorbent was synthesized via a self assembly technique. The sorbent which is named GB-APTS-CA was characterized using infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis and thermal analysis (TGA/DTG). The influences of some experimental parameters including pH of the sample solution, weight of sorbent, concentration and temperature have been investigated. The sorption data were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm. The obtained maximum sorption capacity for Cu(II), and Pb(II) is 0.06 mmol g^?1 and 0.02 mmol g^?1, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as the standard free energy change (ΔG○), enthalpy change (ΔH○) and entropy change (ΔS○) were calculated to determine the nature of sorption process. Thus, GB-APTS-CA is favorable and useful for the removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) metal ions.     

Epindolidiones—Versatile and Stable Hydrogen‐Bonded Pigments for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors and Light‐Emitting Diodes

Hydrogen‐bonded pigments are remarkably stable high‐crystal lattice energy organic solids. Here a lesser‐known family of compounds, the epindolidiones, which demonstrates electronic transport with extraordinary stability, even in highly demanding aqueous environments, is reported. Hole mobilities in the range 0.05–1 cm² V^–1 s^–1 can be achieved, with lower electron mobilities of up to 0.1 cm² V^–1 s^–1. To help understand charge transport in epindolidiones, X‐ray diffraction is used to solve the crystal structure of 2,8‐difluoroepindolidione and 2,8‐dichloroepindolidione. Both derivatives crystallize with a linear‐chain H‐bonding lattice featuring two‐dimensional π–π stacking. Powder diffraction indicates that the unsubstituted epindolidione has very similar crystallinity. All types of epindolidiones measured here display strong low‐energy optical emission originating from excimeric states, which coexists with higher‐energy fluorescence. This can be exploited in light‐emitting diodes, which show the same hybrid singlet and low‐energy excimer electroluminescence. Low‐voltage FETs are fabricated with epindolidione, which operate reliably under repeated cyclic tests in different ionic solutions within the pH range 3–10 without degradation. Finally, in order to overcome the insolubility of epindolidiones in organic solvents, a chemical procedure is devised to allow solution‐processing via the introduction of suitable thermolabile solubilizing groups. This work shows the versatile potential of epindolidione pigments for electronics applications.     

Comparison of the Influence of Silica‐rich Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Cement Mortar Composites: Mechanical and Microstructural Assessment

Silicon - The silica-rich supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are the key components of mechanical and microstructural properties. The use of SCMs results in improving the mechanical and...     

A Review on the Fate of Legacy and Alternative Antimicrobials and Their Metabolites during Wastewater and Sludge Treatment

Antimicrobial compounds are used in a broad range of personal care, consumer and healthcare products and are frequently encountered in modern life. The use of these compounds is being reexamined as their safety, effectiveness and necessity are increasingly being questioned by regulators and consumers alike. Wastewater often contains significant amounts of these chemicals, much of which ends up being released into the environment as existing wastewater and sludge treatment processes are simply not designed to treat many of these contaminants. Furthermore, many biotic and abiotic processes during wastewater treatment can generate significant quantities of potentially toxic and persistent antimicrobial metabolites and byproducts, many of which may be even more concerning than their parent antimicrobials. This review article explores the occurrence and fate of two of the most common legacy antimicrobials, triclosan and triclocarban, their metabolites/byproducts during wastewater and sludge treatment and their potential impacts on the environment. This article also explores the fate and transformation of emerging alternative antimicrobials and addresses some of the growing concerns regarding these compounds. This is becoming increasingly important as consumers and regulators alike shift away from legacy antimicrobials to alternative chemicals which may have similar environmental and human health concerns.     

A Survey on the Some Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Civil Cheese,a Traditional Turkish Cheese

In this article, 15 randomly selected samples of Civil cheese, were purchased from different retail markets in the Erzurum province, Turkey and were investigated for some chemical and biochemical analyses. All cheese samples were analyzed for dry matter, fat, salt, ash, titrable acidity, total nitrogen, soluble nitrogen, ripening index, α_s-and β-casein degradation, γ-casein, and peptides. Dry matter, fat, fat in dry matter, salt, salt in dry matter, ash, and acidity values in samples analyzed were found to be as found between 31.33 and 40.12 g/100 g cheese; 1.00 and 7.00 g/100 g cheese; 2.49 and 18.98 g/100 g cheese; 0.11 and 0.34 g/100 g cheese; 0.27 and 1.04 g/100 g cheese; 1.42 and 5.14 g/100 g cheese and, 0.63 and 2.16%, respectively. TN, WSN/TN, TCA-SN/TN, and PTA-SN/ TN values, expressed as TN%, were found between 3.01 and 5.57 g/100 g cheese, 4.25 and 8.80 g/100 g cheese, 3.23 and 6.12 g/100 g cheese, 1.03, and 5.53 g/100 g cheese in Civil cheese samples analyzed, respectively. SDS-PAGE showed that both α_s-CN and β-CN ratios were not high compared with similar cheeses, and are not completely hydrolyzed in all Civil cheese samples. A broad range of values from chemical and biochemical analysis indicated that Civil cheeses collected from retail markets lacked standardization. Consequently, it was decided that Civil cheese samples do not undergo an excessive proteolysis.     

Selection of psychrotrophic Leuconostoc spp. from native fruits, and studies on their dextransucrases

Present study was aimed at selection of psychrotrophic Leuconostoc spp., having dextransucrase activity from native fruits and sauerkraut. Fifty-six colonies of lactic acid bacteria producing dextransucrase were isolated and characterized by physiological-biochemical methods. Seven isolates with high dextransucrase activities (0.68–1.63 IU/mL) were studied in detail including characterization by 16S rDNA sequence comparison. It was found that these isolates grow faster and produced dextransucrase earlier than Leuconostoc mesenteroides B512FMC-13Glc, a mutant form of the commercial strain. Molecular weights of the dextransucrases produced by 7 isolates were determined and acceptor reactions using maltose were studied. Dextranase hydrolysis products of dextrans produced by new enzymes were similar to those of commercially produced B-512 F dextran. The new dextransucrases could find industrial uses and the strains isolated (AN 39-1, Or2p-2, Mu3, and Mu10) could be used as prebiotic producing starters in food fermentations due to having high dextransucrase activity and their growth at 4°C.     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant, antibacterial,larvacidal against Culex pipiens,and cytotoxic activities of Hyacinthella lineata steudel extracts

This study reports the phenolic composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, larvacidal, and cytotoxic activity of methanol and acetone extracts of Hyacinthella lineata leaves and bulbs. The phenolic composition of H. lineata was determined by HPLC. The most abundant component was gallic acid (421.9µg/g). The β-carotene/DPPH/ABTS/FRAP decoloration method was used to estimate the total antioxidant activity. The total antioxidant activity was the highest for bulb-methanol fraction (65.41 ± 0.05%). The total phenolic content for leaves-methanol extract of the plant was determined as 6.56 ± 4.027mg/mL gallic acid equivalents. Analysis of the antibacterial activity showed that the methanolic-bulb extract are efficient against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The cytotoxic effect on Artemia salina was assessed by Brine shrimp assay. Brine shrimp lethality assay showed that LC₅₀ values of HBM were obtained as 4.105 ± 2.42μg/ml. The bulb extract of H. lineata showed the highest larvicidal activity against Cx pipiens with value LC₅₀ (64.3275μg/ml). This study suggested that H. lineata may be used as a potential source of antioxidant, and for their biological activity, cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties.