LOHASian’s Cryptocurrency Adoption: Technology Acceptance Model in the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

Economic growth is being fueled by the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrencies in numerous industries. LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) is a growing consumer group that is concerned with sustainability and well-being. They are early adopters who look for the most recent data and cutting-edge technologies. LOHAS consumers frequently embrace and test new products early than their relatives or friends. Despite the fact that LOHAS consumers tend to be tech-savvy, empirical studies that look at LOHASians\u27 adoption of technology have, as far as the author is aware, never been done. In light of this, this study investigates the psychological processes that underlie LOHAS consumers\u27 adoption of cryptocurrencies, drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the technological acceptance model. The results show that LOHASians are more likely to perceive cryptocurrency as easy to use and useful, and a positive perception of cryptocurrency leads to a positive attitude toward it. These attitudes positively influence the intention to use cryptocurrency. Subjective norm also positively explains cryptocurrency intention. This study provides theoretical and practical implications in the cryptocurrency market

An Exploration of How Having a Materialistic Value is Related to an Environmentally Sensitive Personality.

This study aims to examine how having materialistic value is related to an environmentally sensitive personality. The proposed model has been empirically tested using the survey data collected from 150 consumers in the United States. The results showed that different aspects of materialism have a different effect on pro-environmental belief and attitude, indicating the potentially complex implications of materialism on sustainable practices

What Drives Cryptocurrency Adoption? Exploring the Role of Psychological Traits and Environmental Orientation

Cryptocurrency is gaining worldwide recognition. This research examines the psychological determining factors of consumers’ cryptocurrency adoption behavior based on the theory of planned behavior. 452 samples are collected from U.S consumers and the data are analyzed by PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that consumer innovativeness has positive influences on the attitude and perceived behavioral control for cryptocurrency and in turn affects the intention to use cryptocurrency. Subjective norm is a significant predictor of cryptocurrency intention and the LOHAS lifestyle moderates the influence of attitude on the intention. This research offers theoretical and practical implications for the cryptocurrency market

How To Respond to Catastrophic Events in Supply Chain Management

In March of 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck into Japan. Soon after this event, Toyota in the UK announced that their production had to been halted caused by disruption on supply chain relationship with Japan. Like this, a catastrophic event disturbs not only domestic situation but also international business. Supply chain is one of the most affected areas and also capable to control on business at the same time when a disaster occurs. In this work, how to respond supply chain system in different catastrophic events is studied through real cases in past decades and analysis on the different responses of different situation on different company is attempted. By the analysis, it is found the ways to build frameworks for preparedness for catastrophic event in order to make the right decision and respond in the right direction without unnecessary losses but with being resilient, contingent. The framework developed from the literature and the conclusion of past cases included the following aspects-supply management, demand management, product management, information management and supply chain network design. By following this framework, business can be well prepared for unexpected catastrophic events and their effects on the supply chain

Investigating the role of individualism/collectivism as underlying motives and status consumption as a behavioral outcome of LOHAS: Focusing on the moderating effect of materialism

During the recovery from a global pandemic, people around the world remain committed to adopting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. LOHAS stands for lifestyle of health and sustainability. LOHAS, as a premium lifestyle, is well incorporated into the capitalistic market through exclusive consumption choices. This study uses the means-end-theory of lifestyle to focus on individualism and collectivism as underlying values of LOHAS and status consumption as its behavioral outcome and explores the moderating effect of materialism. To determine the internal motives and behaviors of the targeted population with a LOHAS lifestyle, 204 survey data from general U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 and 65 were collected. The data were analyzed by PLS-3.0. The results indicate the hybrid attribute of the LOHAS lifestyle such that both individualism and collectivism are positively related to LOHAS. This indicates that LOHAS consumers take a holistic approach to their lives by promoting harmony across different life aspects and recognizing an interconnectedness between personal health and well-being and environmental sustainability. LOHAS is positively associated with status consumption, indicating its upscale consumption selections. Finally, materialism positively moderates the relationship between LOHAS and status consumption

Fine-Dusty: Gamification of Particulate Matter Risk Communication

With the increasing severity of particulate matter problems, the current media have begun to deal with this issue. Yet awareness of the problem is still very low among many people. In this study, we applied gamification methods to risk information communication to overcome the limitations of information from the previous particulate matter media. Via a design science research methodology and design process of the gamification, user needs regarding risk communication were defined and gamification was identified as a promising design alternative. Attributes of information design extracted from user research were implemented to guide the game elements. Effectiveness of the gamified application was evaluated through presurvey and postsurvey using remote unmoderated user testing. Based on self-determination theory, the relationship between game elements and required information design aspects, the effect of game elements on user motivation was evaluated. As a result, the effect of using the particulate matter game application was verified to bring affordance and internal and external motivation to users. In the case of internal motivation, autonomy was affected but competence and relatedness were not. Furthermore, the gamification application influenced users’ reduction action, knowledge of the problem, and empowerment regarding particulate matter after using the prototype

Vitamin D and Exercise Are Major Determinants of Natural Killer Cell Activity, Which Is Age- and Gender-Specific

BackgroundThe coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic reminds us of the importance of immune function, even in immunologically normal individuals. Multiple lifestyle factors are known to influence the immune function.ObjectiveThe aim was to investigate the association between NK cell activity (NKA) and multiple factors including vitamin D, physical exercise, age, and gender.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional association study using health check-up and NKA data of 2,095 subjects collected from 2016 to 2018 in a health check-up center in the Republic of Korea. NKA was measured using the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulation method. The association of NKA with 25-(OH)-vitamin D (25(OH)D) and other factors was investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe average age of subjects was 48.8 ± 11.6 years (52.9% of subjects were female). Among 2,095 subjects, 1,427 had normal NKA (NKA ≥ 500 pg IFN-γ/mL), while 506 had low NKA (100 ≤ NKA < 500 pg/mL), and 162 subjects had very low NKA (NKA < 100 pg/mL). Compared to men with low 25(OH)D serum level (< 20 ng/mL), vitamin D replete men (30–39.9 ng/mL) had significantly lower risk of very low NKA (OR: 0.358; 95% CI: 0.138, 0.929; P = 0.035). In women, both low exercise (OR: 0.529; 95% CI: 0.299, 0.939; P = 0.030) and medium to high exercise (OR: 0.522; 95% CI: 0.277, 0.981; P = 0.043) decreased the risk compared to lack of physical exercise. Interestingly, in men and women older than 60 years, physical exercise significantly decreased the risk. Older-age was associated with increased risk of very low NKA in men, but not in women.ConclusionPhysical exercise and vitamin D were associated with NKA in a gender- and age-dependent manner. Age was a major risk factor of very low NKA in men but not in women

Translation-Dependent Mechanisms Lead to PML Upregulation and Mediate Oncogenic K-RAS-Induced Cellular Senescence

Expression of oncogenic K-RAS in primary cells elicits oncogene-induced cellular senescence (OIS), a form of growth arrest that potently opposes tumourigenesis. This effect has been largely attributed to transcriptional mechanisms that depend on the p53 tumour suppressor protein. The PML tumour suppressor was initially identified as a component of the $PML-RAR\alpha$ oncoprotein of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). PML, a critical OIS mediator, is upregulated by oncogenic K-RAS in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrate here that oncogenic K-RAS induces PML protein upregulation by activating the RAS/MEK1/mTOR/eIF4E pathway even in the absence of p53. Under these circumstances, PML mRNA is selectively associated to polysomes. Importantly, we find that the PML 5′ untranslated mRNA region plays a key role in mediating PML protein upregulation and that its presence is essential for an efficient OIS response. These findings demonstrate that upregulation of PML translation plays a central role in oncogenic K-RAS-induced OIS. Thus, selective translation initiation plays a critical role in tumour suppression with important therapeutic implications for the treatment of solid tumours and APL

AM1638, a GPR40-Full Agonist, Inhibited Palmitate-Induced ROS Production and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Enhancing HUVEC Viability in an NRF2-Dependent Manner

Background G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is a key molecule in diabetes and fatty liver, but its role in endothelial dysfunction remains unclear. Our objective in this study was to determine whether GPR40 agonists protect endothelial cells against palmitatemediated oxidative stress. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to investigate effects of various GPR40 agonists on vascular endothelium. Results In HUVECs, AM1638, a GPR40-full agonist, enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) translocation to the nucleus and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which blocked palmitate-induced superoxide production. Those antioxidant effects were not detected after treatment with LY2922470 or TAK875, GPR40-partial agonists, suggesting that GPR40 regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) removal in a ligand-dependent manner. We also found that palmitate-induced CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein expression; X-box binding protein-1 splicing, nuclear condensation, and fragmentation; and caspase-3 cleavage were all blocked in an NRF2-dependent manner after AM1638 treatment. Both LY2922470 and TAK875 also improved cell viability independent of the NRF2/ROS pathway by reducing palmitate-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and nuclear damage. GPR40 agonists thus have beneficial effects against palmitate in HUVECs. In particular, AM1638 reduced palmitate-induced superoxide production and cytotoxicity in an NRF2/HO-1 dependent manner. Conclusion GPR40 could be developed as a good therapeutic target to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis