A research framework of crowdfunding platform usage

In this paper, we define the crowdfunding platform (CFP) a virtual place where project creators document their projects for gaining awareness or social support for making the project proceed. By doing so, project teams can voice the propositions they have worked on or they may also speak out on one party’s behalf for seeking advices. This paper proposes a research framework that targets the issue of CFP in investigating usage behavior in the project teams’ perspectives. It aims at filling the research gap as there is no clear link has been made in understanding how project teams keep up with the usage of CFP in terms of making progresses of proposed projects. In doing so, we believe the power of enormous crowds as project teams can be probably gathered and managed. Moreover, the administrations of CFP can be correctly directed for opening up opportunities for new start-ups

A second ortho­rhom­bic polymorph of 3,5-diphenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine

The present crystal structure is the second ortho­rhom­bic polymorph of the title compound, C14H12N4. Whereas the structure in Pnma with Z′ = 0.5 is already known [Ikemi et al. (2002 ▶). Heterocycl. Commun. 8, 439–442], the present structure crystallizes in the space group Pbca with Z′ = 1. The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 23.5 (4)° and the dihedral angles between central ring and the phenyl rings are 41.0 (3) and 26.3 (5)°. In the 4-amino-1,2,4-trizole fragment, the C=N distances are 1.321 (3) and 1.315 (3) Å, which are much shorter than the C—N distances of 1.367 (3) and 1.357 (3) Å. In the crystal, adjacent mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds

Mechanical Stretch Induces mTOR Recruitment and Activation at the Phosphatidic Acid-Enriched Macropinosome in Muscle Cell

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved kinase which assembles a signaling network that integrates diverse biochemical and mechanical cues to coordinate cell growth and proliferation. Mechanical load has been well-appreciated to induce mTOR activation that leads to skeletal muscle growth through phospholipase D (PLD) activity and phosphatidic acid (PA) production. While PA produced by PLD1 is critical for mTOR activation upon mitogenic stimulation at the lysosome, it is unclear where PA is produced upon mechanical stimulation in skeletal muscle. Here we report that membrane tension fluctuation induces the formation of PA-enriched macropinosome in mouse C2C12-derived myotube by either mechanical stretch or osmotic shock. The tension oscillation-induced PA is accumulated at the membrane of macropinosome, not the lysosome. Furthermore, mTOR is recruited to the PA-enriched macropinosome, and its downstream signaling is activated. Our findings reveal the underpinning of mechanical activation of mTOR signaling, and more importantly, the stretch-induced PA-macropinosome as a new platform for mTOR activation

What Factors Satisfy E-Book Platform Customers? Development of A Model to Evaluate E-Book User Behavior and Satisfaction

The use of e-book readers has become increasingly widespread; however, there are few studies to evaluate e-book user behavior and satisfaction on e-book platforms, and even fewer approaches the subject from the perspective of task-technology fit. In order to fill this gap, this study adopts task-technology fit theory to explore the factors that affect the behavior satisfaction of users on commercial e-book platforms. Our research model excludes utility and performance from task-technology fit theory to focus on individual user satisfaction measurement because general e-book platform users are not concerned about work performance issues in leisure activities. The results show that functional service, convenience, and searching task are important factors that influence users\u27 task-technology fit behavior. Moreover, task-technology fit may improve users\u27 satisfaction, flow and scanpath. Finally, satisfaction is affected by task-technology fit and flow factors. An analysis of the research explained 61 percent of the variance in users’ task-technology fit, and 59 percent of the variance in satisfaction to use e-book platform. These results provide a new perspective to e-book researchers and can help e-book platform managers and designers in making policies and designing platforms

Flemingia macrophylla Extract Ameliorates Experimental Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

Flemingia macrophylla (Leguminosae), a native plant of Taiwan, is used as folk medicine. An in vitro study showed that a 75% ethanolic extract of F. macrophylla (FME) inhibited osteoclast differentiation of cultured rat bone marrow cells, and the active component, lespedezaflavanone A (LDF-A), was isolated. It was found that oral administration of FME for 13 weeks suppressed bone loss in ovariectomized rats, an experimental model of osteoporosis. In addition, FME decreased urinary deoxypyridinoline concentrations but did not inhibit serum alkaline phosphatase activities, indicating that it ameliorated bone loss via inhibition of bone resorption. These results suggest that FME may represent a useful remedy for the treatment of bone resorption diseases, such as osteoporosis. In addition, LDF-A could be used as a marker compound to control the quality of FME

Cannot Live without Facebook? An Expectation Confirmation Model with the Moderating Effects of Narcissism

Facebook provides an ideal channel for people to admire their own performance. People tend to show off themselves to others and confirming their feedback on Facebook. With behavior on Facebook, narcissism is now highlighted by many researchers. Hence, based on the expectation confirmation theory (ECT), our study looks into continuance Facebook usage behaviors. It explores the relationship between perceived feedback, confirmation, satisfaction, and continuance intentions, and most important of all, it examines the moderating effects of narcissistic traits on these relationships. Data are collected from 420 valid respondents through self-administered questionnaires. Results revealed that: (1) Continuance Facebook behavior intention is jointly influenced by perceived feedback and satisfaction, which in turn is determined by confirmation. Then, confirmation is influenced by perceived feedback; (2) Narcissism has the moderating effect on the relationships between feedback and confirmation as well as confirmation and satisfaction. Finally, interpretations and implication of these findings are discussed