Profile information and business outcomes of providers in electronic service marketplaces : an empirical investigation

Electronic service marketplaces (ESMs) have become major exchange platforms for the online outsourcing of different services &ndash; especially software development &ndash; to providers. Provider profiles on ESMs encompass extensive information regarding the activities and transactions of providers and they are a main source of information for customers. Such profile information significantly facilitates the relationship development between customers and providers. The existing literature has focused on the impact of the ratings of providers, but so far has not investigated the impact of the other available profile information. Building on the integrated information response model, this study investigates how information presented by providers as well as information provided by the ESM influences the business outcomes of the providers. Based on data collected from one of the major ESMs, we found that profile information indeed has a significant impact on the business outcomes of providers.<br /

An evaluation of respondent conditioning procedures to decrease barking in an animal shelter

A common problem behavior in animal shelters is excessive noise from barking, which can regularly exceed 100dBs. Noise levels in animal shelters are correlated with increased stress in dogs, which may lead to increased problem behavior and a decrease in adoption. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the use of respondent conditioning procedures to reduce barking noise level in an animal shelter by pairing a door chime with edible items. Following a baseline and neutral stimulus phase, the door chime was paired with edible items over a period of three weeks. Following this pairing phase, the pairing was stopped to determine if the door chime would act as a conditioned stimulus and reduce barking. These procedures were replicated following an additional baseline phase. Overall, the procedure was effective in reducing the noise level of the kennel area as compared to baseline levels. Implications and future research areas are discussed

A novel approach to investigate the impact of the built environment on physical activity among young adults

Introduction It is now well established that the built environment can facilitate or hinder physical activity (PA), including walking and cycling for transport purposes. However, the greatest majority of the evidence relies on self-reported measures of PA. Questionnaires have a low level of accuracy compared to devices such as accelerometers and pedometers which serve to objectively measure PA. With rapid technological advancements including the widespread availability of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and GPS-equipped smartphones, the opportunities have widened for researchers and practitioners to investigate people’s PA. These technologies are especially useful to study PA in young people, as they are often less willing to participate in studies using conventional methods of data collection (e.g. surveys, accelerometers). This study introduces a custom-designed smartphone app to collect PA data during transport and, shows how the data collected by the app can provide us with insights about young people’s transport-related PA in relation to the built environment and trip characteristics. Methods We designed and implemented a smartphone app for both iOS and Android platforms which captures all movements of its users. The app includes post-processing algorithms that among other functions, detect the types of activities within a trip. For example, a trip from A to B may consist of multiple modal activities (e.g. walking, public transport, walking). In this study, we present an algorithm to extract/calculate the details of users’ single modal activities. Data from 170 university students in Brisbane, Australia was collected using the app for an average of three days per participant. The data includes 2353 single modal activities. We conducted descriptive analysis and developed a multiple regression model to reveal the impact of built environment attributes and trip characteristics on transport-related PA. Results Among other findings, the study results show that a high proportion of walking distance over the total distance of a trip was associated with a high access to public transport and having few trips per day. In addition, education trips involved more walking distances compared to other types of trips. Discussion This study proposes a new and effective approach to collect accurate and detailed data on young people’s PA using a smartphone app. This study provides empirical support on how smartphone apps can aid household travel surveys and collect detailed data on PA patterns at low cost. Understanding PA during travel is relevant to support investments and programs that support sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling. Support/Funding Source This research was partially funded by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), under the TAP agreement with the University of Queensland, Centre for Transport Strategy

Sorption behavior of radioiodine on organic rich soil, alumina and clay minerals

Ankara : epartment of Chemistry and Institute of Engineering and Sciences, bBilkent Univ., 1992.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 1992.Includes bibliographical references leaves 80-84Sorption behavior of radioiodine on organic rich soil, alumina, chlorite- illite clay mixture, kaolinite and bentonite have bc;en studied using the batch method. was used as tracer. Characterization of samples were done by FTIR, X-ray diffraction spectrometry and particle size distribution by Andreason pipette method. The grain size of the samples used were all below 38/xm and the experiments were performed at room temperature. The aqxreos phase used in all experiments were synthetic ground water with a composition similar to the underground waters of the regions where the samples were obtained. Stock solutions containing tracer, were prepared using synthetic ground- water. Initial concentration of inactive iodide ion in the solutions ranged from 10~®to 10“^ mmole/ml. The influence of contact time, solution/solid ratio, pH of synthetic ground- water, biomass of soil and I~ ion concentration on the sorption of radioiodine on the organic rich soil were investigated. The effect of I~ ion concentration and complexing agents on the sorption behavior of radioiodine on alumina and clay minerals were also studied. A rather slow kinetics was observed for tlie adsor])tion of radioiodine on the organic rich soil, tending saturation within 14 da.ys. It was observed that distribution ratio increased with increasing ratio of the volume of solution to the mass of soil(V/m ratio) and reached a platee.u after V/m=50. Distribution ratio did not change very much by changing the pH of the solution. Comparison of Eh-pH behavior of the solutions with the standard Eh-pH graph of iodine-water system indicated that in the whole pH rcinge, iodine is mostly preseirt in I~ form. To observe the effect of soil biomass soil samples were sterilized by heat and gamma-ray source and the results were found to be much lower than the control sample. Increasing the concentration of iodide ion in the .solution, caused a decrease in Rd. values. Desorption Wcvs ol)served only for low initial iodine concentrations < 1 X I0~^7nmol/ml), for organic rich soil which suggests that at least two sites and/or mechanisms are involved in the sorption. The sorption data were fitted to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The slope of Freundlich isotherm was found to be less than 1 which indicates the non-linearity of the isotherm. The mean free energy of adsorption was calculated from the slope of Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm and was found as about 11 k.J/mol. The distribution of sites on organic rich soil was calculated using the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich constants, considering Cl~ as the competing ion with I~ in the solution. The affinities of sites were found to be about three times higher for Cl~ than I~. Among the clay minerals, the highest Rd value was found for chlorite-illite cla}^ mixture but tlie Rd values found for alumina and the other sanrples were well below those found for the organic rich soil. The sorption data were fitted to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. All the Freundlich isotherms were non-linear (slope<l), except for alumina (slope=0.98), since the alumina sample used was 99% AI2O3. The mean energies of adsorjition calculated for these samples, were in the range of 9-11 kJ/ntol. The .site disiribulion curvois were also obtained for tl samples and the affinities of sites were found to be at least three times higher for Cl~ than I~. Clay samples were ])retreated with comjilexing agents EDTA (Ethelene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid) cuid TPAI (Trimethyl Phenyl Ammonium Iodide). Very low or zero Rii values were found for treated samples.Assemi, ShoelehM.S

Modified artificial diet for rearing of tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa armigera using the Taguchi method and Derringer’s desirability function

With the aim to improve the mass rearing feasibility of tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), design of experimental methodology using Taguchi orthogonal array was applied. To do so, the effect of 16 ingredients of an artificial diet including bean, wheat germ powder, Nipagin, ascorbic acid, formaldehyde, oil, agar, distilled water, ascorbate, yeast, chloramphenicol, benomyl, penicillin, temperature, humidity, and container size on some biological characteristics of H. armigera was evaluated. The selected 16 factors were considered at two levels (32 experiments) in the experimental design. Among the selected factors, penicillin, container size, formaldehyde, chloramphenicol, wheat germ powder, and agar showed significant effect on the mass rearing performance. Derringer's desirability function was used for simultaneous optimization of mass rearing of tobacco budworm, H. armigera, on a modified artificial diet. Derived optimum operating conditions obtained by Derringer's desirability function and Taguchi methodology decreased larval period from 19 to 15.5 days (18.42 % improvement), decreased the pupal period from 12.29 to 11 days (10.49 % improvement), increased the longevity of adults from 14.51 to 21 days (44.72 % improvement), increased the number of eggs/female from 211.21 to 260, and increased egg hatchability from 54.2% to 72% (32.84 % improvement). The proposed method facilitated a systematic mathematical approach with a few well-defined experimental sets

Search Engine Advertising Adoption and Utilization: An Empirical Investigation of Inflectional Factors

© Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Search engine advertising (SEA) is a prominent source of revenue for search engine companies, and also a solution for businesses to promote their visibility on the web. However, there is little academic research available about the factors and the extent to which they may influence businesses’ decision to adopt SEA. Building on Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology Acceptance Model, and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, this study develops a context-specific model for understanding the factors that influence the decision of businesses to use SEA. Using structural equation modeling and survey data collected from 142 businesses, this research finds that the intention of businesses to use SEA is directly influenced by four factors: (i) attitude toward SEA, (ii) subjective norms, (iii) perceived control over SEA, and (iv) perceived benefits of SEA in terms of increasing web traffic, increasing sales and creating awareness. Furthermore, the research we discover six additional factors that have an indirect influence: (i) trust in search engines, (ii) perceived risk of SEA, (iii) ability to manage keywords and bids, (iv) ability to analyze and monitor outcomes, (v) advertising expertise, and (vi) using external experts

Sorption of radioiodine on organic rich soil, clay minerals and alumina

Batch method was used to investigate the sorption behavior of radioiodine on organic rich soil, alumina, chlorite-illite clay mixture and bentonite.131I was used as tracer. The grain sizes of the samples used were all below 38 μm. A rather slow kinetics was observed for the adsorption of radioiodine on organic rich soil. The distribution ratio increased with increasing solution/solid (V/m) ratio, and the contact time. The pH of the synthetic groundwater did not change the distribution ratio appreciably. The soil biomass however, showed a striking effect on the adsorption of radioiodine. Among the clay minerals, the highest distribution ratio value was found for chlorite-illite clay mixture. All the values were however well below those of the organic rich soil. The sorption data were fitted to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich types isotherms. Means energies of adsorption, as well as the affinity ratios of the sorption sites to iodine and chlorine were calculated. © 1994 Akadémiai Kiadó

Who Gets the Job? Synthesis of Literature Findings on Provider Success in Crowdsourcing Marketplaces

Background: Over the past decade, crowdsourcing marketplaces — online exchange platforms which facilitate commercial outsourcing of services — have witnessed a dramatic growth in the number of participants (service providers and customers) and the value of outsourced services. Deciding about the most appropriate provider is a key challenge for customers in crowdsourcing marketplaces because available information about providers may be incomplete and sometimes irrelevant for customer decisions. Ineffective information impedes many service providers to develop long-term relationships with customers, obtain projects on a regular basis and survive on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Previous studies have investigated the impact of a range of factors on customers’ choice decisions and providers’ success, given the important role of customer–provider relationship development for long-term success on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Method: This paper reviews the literature of crowdsourcing marketplaces with the aim of developing a comprehensive list of factors that influence customers’ choice decisions and providers’ success. Results: We found 31 conceptually distinct profile information components/factors that determine customers’ choices and providers’ business outcomes on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Conclusion: We classified these 31 factors into five major categories: 1) prior relationship between a customer and a provider or a customer’s invitation, 2) providers’ bidding behavior, 3) crowdsourcing marketplace or auction characteristics, 4) providers’ profile information, and 5) customer characteristics. The main factors in each category, associated considerations, related literature gaps and avenues for future research are discussed in detail

The relationship between psychological stress and the Motivation Performance In a sample of Students at the Faculty of Education in Damascus University

This research aims to investigate the correlated relationship between psychological stress andmotivation PerformanceIn a sample of Students at the Faculty of Education, as well as to investigate the differences according to the gender and academic year.we have usedpsychological stress and motivation Performancescales. The sample was 123 of undergraduate students of the Psychologydepartment. The Concluded results:1-There is a statistically significant correlative relationship between the psychological stress and motivation Performance among the sample’s members.2-There are statistically significant differences among the average students’ performances according to the psychological stress scales, related to gender , in favor of the female members of the chosen sample.3-There are statistically significant differences among the average students’ performances according to the psychological stress scale,related to the academic year variable in favor of the 4th yearstudents.4-There are statistically significant differences among the average students’ performances according to the motivation Performance scales, related to gender, in favor of the female members of the chosen sample.5-There are statistically significant differences among the average students’ performances according to the motivation Performance scale, related to the academic year variable in favor of the 4th yearstudents

Mindfulness and Its Relationship with Resilience in a Sample of Psychological Counseling Students in the 2nd Education College of Damascus University in Sweidaa Governorate

•   This research aims to investigate the nature of the correlated relationship between mindfulness and resilience, as well as to investigate these differences according to the gender variable. The Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness (prepared by Baer, Gregory, and Allen, 2004) and Resilience Scale (prepared by Connor and Davidson, 2003), both translated into Arabic by Al-Assemi, have been used. The sample consisted of (40) 3th year undergraduate students of Counseling Department (2nd Faculty of Education in Damascus University). The concluded results are: • There is a statistically significant relationship between observing and resilience dimensions: hardiness, resourcefulness, and purpose, as well as the total score of resilience. Moreover, there is a statistically significant relationship between describing and purpose dimensions. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant relationship between the total score of resilience and the purpose dimension. • There are statistically significant differences in the average scores among the sample’s members on the resilience scale between high and low emotional regulation levels.‎ • There are no statistically significant differences in the average scores among the sample’s members on the mindfulness and resilience scales related to gender.‎ • There is a statistically significant effect between resilience and gender variables in mindfulness, in favor of high-scored resilience female members. However, there is a statistically significant effect of resilience alone or gender alone in mindfulness