Merchants Competing on E-Commerce Platforms

The importance of marketplaces in e-commerce has increased. More and more merchants are trying to use e-commerce platforms as a distribution channel. With the increasing competition, merchants are faced with the challenge of continuing to sell their products to consumers through marketplaces at a profit. This is especially true if the consumer has already chosen a certain product and now only decides from which merchant to buy the product. This chapter therefore examines for different customer segments which merchant-related factors — also and in particular apart from the price — influence the purchase decision. After reviewing relevant literature, various factors are identified through structured interviews. An online survey is then used to simulate a total of 3,485 purchase decisions with different factor characteristics. In addition to the price, the ratings of a merchant and the delivery time are identified as central factors influencing the purchase decision.

Factors influencing gas well productivity in fractured tight sandstone reservoir

There are many factors which influence the absolute open flow potential (AOFP) of gas well. One of them is the angle between maximum principal stress direction and natural fracture strike in gas reservoir. In order to find out how the angle influences the AOFP of gas well. A lot of data related to gas well productivity of 14 wells located in gas reservoir T were collected and collated. Influential intensity of each factor on the AOFP before and after reservoir modification was investigated through grey relation analysis method. Results indicated that the AOFP of gas well before and after reservoir modification was governed by 10 factors. The five central factors influencing the initial AOFP are natural fracture density, porosity, permeability, elevation of geological top surface, and gas saturation, respectively. The five central factors influencing the AOFP of hydraulically fractured gas well are porosity, gas saturation, elevation of geological top surface, minimum principal stress, and permeability, respectively. Angle between maximum principal stress direction and natural fracture strike was not the central factor influencing gas well productivity. Reservoir modification can greatly improve gas well productivity in fractured tight sandstone reservoir. Natural fracture density was the strongest influencing factor of the initial AOFP. Minimum principal stress was one of the central factors influencing the AOFP of hydraulically fractured gas well. Research results can be used to guide well deployment and gas productivity investment projects of fractured tight sandstone reservoir.

Exploring implementation of a nationwide requirement to increase physical activity in the curriculum in Danish public schools: a mixed methods study

Background In 2014, the Danish Government introduced a wide-ranging school reform that applied to all public schools in Denmark. A distinctive feature of the reform was that it became mandatory to implement an average of 45 min of daily physical activity within the curriculum. Using the RE-AIM framework as an evaluation tool, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of mandatory physical activity within the curriculum at ten Danish schools. Methods A complementary mixed-methods approach using accelerometers, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews was conducted. A total of 10 schools were invited to participate, including 846 students, 76 teachers, and 10 school managers on various levels. Students were invited to wear an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Teachers were invited to participate in a questionnaire, and school managers were encouraged to take part in a semi-structured interview. Results Results showed that, on average, 45.2% of the students were active at least 45 min daily within the curriculum. Teacher and school management interest in physical activity, competencies development, and shared decision-making were identified as central factors for adoption of the requirement. Scheduling physical activity within scheduels and collaborations with external parties were found to influence implementation. Finally, internal coordination, motivated school staff, and school management priority were identified as central factors for maintenance. Conclusions This study provides an evaluation on a nationwide physical activity requirement in Danish public schools. When introducing a wide-ranging nation-wide requirement on physical activity within the curriculum, school managers need to prioritize and support the implementation process. Teachers need to be involved in the decision processes in order to ensure motivation and local ownership. The study also highlights the benefits of an internal coordinator as well as development of a shared strategy among schools, municipalities, and other stakeholders in order to succeed with the implementation.

POLARISASI BERITA BOHONG COVID-19 : VIKTIMISASI KOLEKTIF

COVID-19 has changed the structural behavior of the world community, including the increasing spread of hoax. The massive spread of hoaxes and the abundance of available information has confused the community in indicating which information is correct or hoax. This paper uses a qualitative method with an analytical-descriptive approach. The author emphasizes the aspect of in-depth understanding of a problem by reviewing and analyzing scientific works and various scientific literature. The central factors of this research are facts related to the COVID-19 fake news and the identification of the impact of the spread of the false news. The study found that the huge number of hoaxes related to COVID-19 caused collective victimization, namely the community. Unclear information results in civil resilience. This resilience raised the community resistance regarding government policies in minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on public health in general.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON DIET AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Aim:The COVID-19 pandemic has had major consequences on our habits and style of living. For this study, an online questionnaire was conducted online, with a total of 103 participants. This survey aimed to determine the pandemic's implications on nutrition and behavior patterns. Results: During quarantine, the feelings of hunger and satiety did suffer changes: 17% of the cases reported a decrease, compared to the vast majority (55%), who experienced high levels of hunger. Three-quarters of participants reported either an enhanced or at least a similar intake of main meals and snacks between meals. Boredom and stress proved to be the central factors determining these results. When the participants were asked about the level of physical activity, a small number answered that the frequency of training grew. Meanwhile, the subjects who moved occasionally had more time to do it at home. Most of the participants (75%) stated that the length of leisure time was "more than sufficient". Conclusion: As the pandemic is still ongoing, more research should be made on a larger population, to obtain more accurate results.

Decision Drivers for Search Engine Usage – The Mediating and Moderating Role of Lock-in Effects

This study analyzes the central factors influencing the satisfaction and future use of search engines. It examines the influence of technological lock-in effects (e. g. operating systems / browsers providing pre-settings), as well as basic product- and brand-related factors (e. g. search results, user experience, brand image). Data was collected via a quantitative online survey in Germany, which resulted in 236 respondents providing statements about their most recently used search engine. The data shows that all independent variables have a strong impact on the satisfaction with a search engine as well as future usage and explain a lot of the variance of the dependent variables. The satisfaction with the core product has the strongest impact, followed by brand-related aspects and user experience. The results also show an impact of a search engine preset in the browser effects that influences the role of brand and the evaluation of different product characteristics.

Thermal Pain Thresholds Are Significantly Associated with Plasma Proteins of the Immune System in Chronic Widespread Pain—An Exploratory Pilot Study Using Multivariate and Network Analyses

Chronic widespread pain (CWP), including fibromyalgia (FM), is characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain. An important clinical feature is widespread increased pain sensitivity such as lowered pain thresholds for different stimuli such as heat (HPT) and cold (CPT). There is a growing interest in investigating the activated neurobiological mechanisms in CWP. This explorative proteomic study investigates the multivariate correlation pattern between plasma and muscle proteins and thermal pain thresholds in CWP and in healthy controls (CON). In addition, we analysed whether the important proteins and their networks for CPT and HPT differed between CWP and CON. We used a proteomic approach and analysed plasma and muscle proteins from women with CWP (n = 15) and CON (n = 23). The associations between the proteins and CPT/HPT were analysed using orthogonal partial least square (OPLS). The protein–protein association networks for the important proteins for the two thermal pain thresholds were analysed using STRING database. CWP had lowered pain thresholds for thermal stimulus. These levels were generally not related to the included clinical variables except in CWP for HPT. Highly interacting proteins mainly from plasma showed strong significant associations with CPT and HPT both in CWP and in CON. Marked differences in the important proteins for the two thermal pain thresholds were noted between CWP and CON; more complex patterns emerged in CWP. The important proteins were part of the immune system (acute phase proteins, complement factors, and immunoglobulin factors) or known to interact with the immune system. As expected, CWP had lowered pain thresholds for thermal stimulus. Although different proteins were important in the two groups, there were similarities. For example, proteins related to the host defence/immunity such as acute phase proteins, complement factors, immunoglobulin factors, and cytokines/chemokines (although not in CON for CPT) were important habitual/tonic factors for thermal pain thresholds. The fact that peripheral proteins contribute to thermal pain thresholds does not exclude that central factors also contribute and that complex interactions between peripheral and central factors determine the registered pain thresholds in CWP.

MAPPING COMPETENCY ACQUISITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND ITS INFLUENCES: A META-STUDY

In the 10-year research program "Modelling and Measuring Competencies in Higher Education (KoKoHs)" that ran from 2011 until 2020, more than 100 theoretically sound models and corresponding tests were developed to analyze the level and development of students’ competencies. Using these newly developed assessments, generic and domain-specific competencies of more than 75,000 students at more than 350 German universities in numerous disciplines (e.g., economics, teacher education) were measured in 39 interdisciplinary collaborative KoKoHs projects. Method: In these measurements, a nationally and internationally unique database was created that contains information on the level, acquisition, and development of competencies, as well as corresponding personal and contextual influences, among students at different stages throughout their studies. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the students’ competencies as well as of the central factors influencing the acquisition of competencies in higher education had not been conducted so far. The existing KoKoHs data had only been analyzed in isolation within the individual KoKoHs projects until then. Accordingly, the obtained results related only to the individual project level. To address this research deficit, the meta-study presented in this paper conducted a research synthesis, i.e., a systematic and structured meta-analysis of the KoKoHs database. Results: The meta-study describes the acquisition of competencies in higher education across domains and provides empirical evidence on generalizable versus specific influencing factors and, thus, evidence-based practical knowledge for higher education practice and policy.

Foreword

This foreword, an addition to this second edition, serves in part as a preface that was not included in the original. In addition to providing brief descriptions of the material to be covered in each of the chapters, it makes reference to important scholarly contributions made in related areas of concern that developed following the publication of The Panoptic Sort in 1993. Among these contributions, those made by Karl Marx, Jacques Ellul, Anthony Giddens, and Michel Foucault were featured quite extensively. Among my colleagues and contemporaries, particular attention was also paid to the contributions made by James Beniger, Klaus Krippendorff, David Lyon, Vincent Mosco, Helen Nissenbaum, Priscilla Regan, and Alan Westin. Although the book was focused primarily on the collection and use of personal and transaction generated information, critical changes in communication and information technology, including the internet and algorithmic data processing were noted as central factors in the further development of the panoptic sort.

Usage of Artificial Intelligence and Remote Sensing as Efficient Devices to Increase Agricultural System Yields

Artificial Intelligence is an emerging technology in the field of agriculture. Artificial Intelligence-based tools and equipment have actually taken the agriculture sector to a different level. This new technology has improved crop production and enhanced instantaneous monitoring, processing, and collection. The most recent computerized structures using remote sensing and drones have made a significant contribution to the agro-based domain. Moreover, remote sensing has the capability to support the development of farming applications with the aim of facing this main defy, via giving cyclic records on yield status during studied periods at diverse degrees and for diverse parameters. Various hi-tech, computer-supported structures are created to determine different central factors such as plant detection, yield recognition, crop quality, and several other methods. This paper includes the techniques employed for the analysis of collected information in order to enhance the productivity, forecast eventual threats, and reduce the task load on cultivators.