The consumer intention to use e-commerce applications in the post-pandemic era: a predictive approach study using a CHAID tree-based algorithm

Purpose-This study proposes a hierarchic segmentation that develops a tree-based classification model and classifies the cases into groups. This allows for the definition of e-commerce user profiles for each of the groups. Additionally, it facilitates the development of actions to improve the adoption of the online channel that is in such high demand in the current pandemic COVID-19 context.Design/methodology/approach-Regarding the created segments, two extreme segments stand out due to their marked differences and high volume. Segment 3 with 23% of the sample is the group with the most predisposition to use the online channel and is characterised by a high level of trust, more habitual use in comparison with other groups and the belief that its use implies high performance, which indicates they believe it to be useful, quick and helpful for more an effective shopping experience. The other extreme is found in segment 7. This group makes up 17.7% of the total and is the most reluctant to use the online channel. These users are characterised by the complete opposite: they have a low level of trust in this channel. However, the effort expectancy is low, i.e. they consider that the adoption of the online channel does not involve many difficulties in its learning and use. Nevertheless, they use it less regularly than the others.Findings-Based on the conclusions reached in this study, in the current pandemic context in which consumer demand for online shopping channels for all types of products is on the rise, it is recommended that companies focus on the following aspects. It is essential to build trust with the user and show them the real benefits of e-commerce, how it would improve their life and why they should use it. Additionally, it is vital that the user perceives it as an easy procedure that does not require a significant learning curve. Other fundamental aspects would be to reduce any uncertainty the user might have about the online shopping process, to make it as easy as possible, and to design a simple, intuitive and user-friendly interface. It is also recommendable to manage data usage efficiently. To do so, the authors recommend asking the user for the least amount of information possible, offering a data protection policy and assuring them that their information will not be misused nor shared with third parties. All of this provides a series of facilities to modify the online shopping habits of users.Research limitations/implications-As in most of the research, this study presents a series of limitations that should be debated and that could open future lines of investigation. Firstly, regarding the sample used that was limited to two neighbouring countries with similar profiles a priori; it would be necessary to compare their possible cultural differences according to Hofstede's dimensions as well as increase the number of European countries being analysed to reach a more generalised conclusions. Secondly, the variables used are a combination of those derived from the UTAUT2 model and others suggested in the literature as decisive in technology adoption by users, in this sense other theories and variables could be incorporated to complete a more holistic model. Practical implications-This work contributes in a general way to (1) analysing the intention to use e-commerce platforms from a set of antecedents previously defined by their importance, after a period of economic and social restrictions derived from the pandemic; (2) determination of customer segments from the classification made by the CHAID analysis; (3) characterisation of the previously defined segments through the successive divisions that were proposed in the analysis carried out.Social implications-Other fundamental aspects would be to reduce any uncertainty the user might have about the online shopping process to make it as easy as possible, and to design a simple, intuitive, and user-friendly interface. It is also recommended to manage data usage efficiently. To do so, the authors recommend asking the user for the least amount of information possible, offering a data protection policy, and assuring them that their information will not be misused or shared with third parties.Originality/value-The results obtained have allowed us to establish predictive and explanatory models of the behaviour of the segments and profiles created, which will help companies to improve their relationships with online customers in the coming years

Predicting Big Data Adoption in Companies With an Explanatory and Predictive Model

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that affect the intention to use Big Data Applications in companies. Research into Big Data usage intention and adoption is scarce and much less from the perspective of the use of these techniques in companies. That is why this research focuses on analyzing the adoption of Big Data Applications by companies. Further to a review of the literature, it is proposed to use a UTAUT model as a starting model with the update and incorporation of other variables such as resistance to use and perceived risk, and then to perform a neural network to predict this adoption. With respect to this non-parametric technique, we found that the multilayer perceptron model (MLP) for the use of Big Data Applications in companies obtains higher AUC values, and a better confusion matrix. This paper is a pioneering study using this hybrid methodology on the intention to use Big Data Applications. The result of this research has important implications for the theory and practice of adopting Big Data Applications

Intelligent wristbands for the automatic detection of emotional states for the elderly

Over the last few years, research on computational intelligence is being conducted to detect emotional states of people. This paper proposes the use of intelligent wristbands for the automatic detection of emotional states to develop an application which allows to monitor older people in order to improve their quality of life. The paper describes the hardware design and the cognitive module that allows the recognition of the emotional states. The proposed wristband also integrates a camera that improves the emotion detection.- Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade(POCI-01-0145-). MINECO/FEDER TIN2015-65515-C4- 1-R and the FPI grant AP2013-01276 awarded to Jaime-Andres Rincon. This work is supported by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the projects UID/CEC/00319/2013 and Post-Doc scholarship SFRH/BPD/102696/201

Nuevas inscripciones de época romana procedentes de la Era del Moro (León)

Set of six Roman tombstones found in the wall of Leon in June-July 2020.Se dan a conocer un conjunto de seis lápidas romanas aparecidas en la Muralla de León en junio-julio de 2020

The renin-angiotensin system: new insight into old therapies.

Although the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is already an old acquaintance, there are often exciting discoveries that improve our knowledge of it and open new therapeutic possibilities. Moreover, well-established drugs, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), or beta-blockers, show that their mechanism of action may be the result of parallel pathways other than the ones initially established. A detailed analysis of the RAS can be carried out in part through the study of the enzymes, named angiotensinases, involved in its cascade, whose activity is a reflection of the functionality of their peptide substrates. The study of these enzymes offers the possibility of controlling the effects of angiotensins through various pharmacological manipulations. For example, angiotensinase inhibitors or activators are being used or have been proposed as antihypertensive agents. They have also been suggested as analgesic and antidepressant drugs or targets for drug development against different pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy or ischemia. On the other hand, the analysis of brain asymmetry has revealed surprising results about the laterality of central and peripheral components of the RAS. Such studies indicate that the neurovisceral integration, already proposed by Claude Bernard (1867) should also be analyzed from a bilateral perspective. In this review, the RAS and the role of various angiotensinases implicated in the cascade are revisited. Therapeutic strategies involving some components of the RAS with an unusual vision resulting from a bilateral perspective added to their study are discussed.SAF-2008 04685 C0

Overview of processing techniques for surface electromyography signals

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a technology to assess muscle activation, which is an important component in applications related to diagnosis, treatment, progression assessment, and rehabilitation of specific individuals' conditions. Recently, sEMG potential has been shown, since it can be used in a non-invasive manner; nevertheless, it requires careful signal analysis to support health professionals reliably. This paper briefly described the basic concepts involved in the sEMG, such as the physiology of the muscles, the data acquisition, the signal processing techniques, and classification methods that may be used to identify disorders or signs of abnormalities according to muscular patterns. Specifically, classification methods encompass digital signal processing techniques and machine learning with high potential in the field. We hope that this work serves as an introduction to researchers interested in this field.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Brain, Heart and Kidney Correlate for the Control of Blood Pressure and Water Balance: Role of Angiotensinases.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in the control of blood pressure (BP) and water balance by coordinating brain, heart and kidney functions, connected with each other by hormonal and neural mechanisms through the autonomic nervous system (ANS). RAS function may be monitored by the study of the enzymes (angiotensinases) involved in the metabolism of its active peptides. In order to study the relationship between the brain-heart-kidney axis and the control of BP and water balance, we analyzed the correlation of angiotensinase activities, assayed as arylamidase activities, between hypothalamus, left ventricle, renal cortex and renal medulla, collected from Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats, treated or not treated with L-NAME [N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester]. This compound not only inhibits the formation of nitric oxide but also disrupts the normal function of the ANS activating the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to increase BP. In addition, to assess the influence of the SNS, we studied the effect of its blockade by treatment of both strains with propranolol. The present results support the notion that RAS function of the brain-heart-kidney axis, as reflected by the activities of angiotensinases, is reciprocally connected by afferent and efferent mechanisms between these locations, presumably through the ANS. These results reveal new aspects of neuroendocrine regulation possibly involving the ANS.SAF 2008 04685 C02 0

Técnicas de electrónica de potencia para el electroaturdimiento y electrosacrificio, en el sector del atún rojo

Las técnicas de electropesca utilizadas en agua dulce han sido adaptadas a la explotación industrial de la pesca en agua salada de especies como el atún rojo. Por desgracia, como consecuencia de las descargas eléctricas aplicadas, a través de un arpón, se producen daños en la espina que disminuyen la calidad del producto. Se describe aquí un proyecto que aborda el desarrollo de un convertidor electrónico de potencia, versátil y que permite estudiar diferentes formas de onda y su efecto sobre la calidad del producto.Ginés Méndez España S.L

Preliminary trials on the development of electroslaughtering and electrostunning techniques for bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus (L., 1758) reared in floating cages

Preliminary results are presented from an ongoing study concerning the relationship between the type of electrical waves used to slaughter bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus (L., 1758) ongrown in floating cages, and damage to the dorsal column and fish meat, which reduces the fish's commercial value on the Japanese market. Our results indicate that varying the waves' characteristics can reduce those undesirable effects, making this technique the most suitable for bluefin tuna slaughtering, in order to obtain superior meat quality.Se presentan los resultados preliminares del estudio que se lleva a cabo sobre la relación existente entre el tipo de onda eléctrica utilizada para el electrosacrificio del atún rojo Thunnus thynnus (L., 1758), engordado en jaulas flotantes, y los daños producidos en la espina dorsal y la carne de los ejemplares de esta especie, que reducen su valor comercial en el mercado japonés. Se ha observado que se puede mitigar estos efectos indeseados variando las características de las ondas empleadas, haciendo de esta técnica la más apropiada en el sacrificio del atún para obtener una carne de calidad superior.Instituto Español de OceanografíaVersión del editor