An Analysis of Consuming Behavior Model for Adopting Knowledge Intensive Technological Product: The Case of MDA

The objective of this research is to analyze the correlation between consumers’ adoption of MDA and some of its influential variables, namely innovativeness, procurement types, involvement, the degree of Internet used and the basic characteristics of consumers. This paper provides a new model to explain the influent effects between consumers’ adoption of MDA and its influential factors mentioned above. The conclusions of this study are: (1) the curves of consumers’ basic characteristics versus adoption of MDA are convex-type. (2) The consumers’ age, name-list size, innovation adoption, goal-oriented and Internet usage frequency attributes have direct and positive effects on PDA adoption. (3) The innovativeness of consumers may be used to explain the reason of Consumers’ procurement style. (4) The innovativeness of consumers may be used to exploit and design the product differentiation strategy. (5) The basic characteristics of consumers may be used to exploit and design the promotion and market segmentation strategies

Patellar Tendon Morphology in Trans-tibial Amputees Utilizing a Prosthesis with a Patellar-tendon- Bearing Feature

A patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) bar is a common design feature used in the socket of trans-tibial prostheses to place load on the pressure-tolerant tissue. As the patellar tendon in the residual limb is subjected to the perpendicular compressive force not commonly experienced in normal tendons, it is possible for tendon degeneration to occur over time. The purpose of this study was to compare patellar tendon morphology and neovascularity between the residual and intact limbs in trans-tibial amputees and healthy controls. Fifteen unilateral trans-tibial amputees who utilized a prosthesis with a PTB feature and 15 age- and sex- matched controls participated. Sonography was performed at the proximal, mid-, and distal portions of each patellar tendon. One-way ANOVAs were conducted to compare thickness and collagen fber organization and a chi-square analysis was used to compare the presence of neovascularity between the three tendon groups. Compared to healthy controls, both tendons in the amputees exhibited increased thickness at the mid- and distal portions and a higher degree of collagen fber disorganization. Furthermore, neovascularity was more common in the tendon of the residual limb. Our results suggest that the use of a prosthesis with a PTB feature contributes to morphological changes in bilateral patellar tendons

Enhancing Automatic Chinese Essay Scoring System from Figures-of-Speech

PACLIC 20 / Wuhan, China / 1-3 November, 200