Investigating the Influence of Learner Diversity on the E-learning Acceptance

University students’ demographics have been changing in the past two decades. Students diversity becomes an important factor in evaluating e-learning acceptance. Using a previously validated e-learning acceptance model, the paper investigated the construct means differences among various academic departments and between nontraditional continuing education and traditional higher education students, and tested the differences in model relationships between nontraditional and traditional student groups. Inferential statistics ( t tests, ANOVA) and multiple-group Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using LISREL were performed for the data analysis. The results revealed that different needs of various learner groups for e-learning, rather than academic discipline or gender, seem to drive the differences in intention to use IT for distance education and for supplementary learning. In addition, two relationships in the path model varied between nontraditional and traditional students groups. System functionality predicted intention to use e-learning as a supplementary learning tool for traditional students, but not for nontraditional students. Perceived usefulness predicted intention to use e-learning as a supplementary learning tool more strongly for nontraditional students than for traditional students. The implications for management and practices are discussed

Moderators in the Adoption of E-Learning: An Investigation of the Role of Gender

Past research has hypothesized and empirically supported a model for learners’ acceptance of e-learning. To further investigate the influence of gender on e-learning acceptance, data were collected from a sample of 259 Taiwanese undergraduates that were relatively balanced between genders. Comparisons of means and multiple-group Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with LISREL were used to analyze the data. Examining t-test results indicated that differences in construct means between males and females occurred only for some of the model predictors. Specifically, men have more confidence in using the technology, more Internet experience, a higher perception of system interactivity, and higher beliefs of usefulness and ease of use than women. However there is no significant difference in their intentions to use the e-learning system. In addition, multiple-group SEMs revealed that gender moderated some of the relationships between the hypothesized determinants and intentions to use the e-learning system. In particular, women’s adoption intention for distance education purposes is more strongly influenced by system interactivity. Women’s perception of e-learning usefulness is negatively influenced by self-efficacy. Some implications for practical purposes are addressed

UNDERSTANDING CONSUMERS O2O BUSINESS MODEL ADOPTION

O2O, an acronym of online-to-offline or vice versa, is a new business model blending online retailing with offline retailing. This new model improves an existing method of shopping by either integrating the online components for traditional shoppers or the traditional shopping for Internet or mobile shoppers. Few studies have examined consumers’ acceptance of new O2O business model. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate consumer acceptance of O2O business model from the status quo bias and habit perspectives that have been used to examine new system acceptance by past research. Using a sample data collected from 230 respondents, this study applies a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the relationships of the proposed research model. The results reveal that behavioural-based inertia positively impacts perceived ease of use and cognitive-based inertia positively impacts relative advantage, and consequently impacts consumers’ intention to use O2O shopping. In addition, subjective norm positively impacts perceived ease of use and relative advantage, and self-efficacy positively impacts perceived ease of use. Because O2O shopping is a consumer’s adoption of a new business model which involves information technologies and retailing services, this study thus provides in depth insights into enhancing the acceptance of both new information technologies and new business model. Particularly, inertia can facilitate consumers O2O shopping acceptance as opposed to inhibit new system acceptance found in past research. Perceived ease of use and relative advantage fully mediate the relationships between external variables (such as inertia, subjective norm, and self-efficacy) and O2O shopping intention. Implications are drawn for electronic commerce, mobile commerce, and retailing

Impact of government policy and environment quality on visitor loyalty to Taiwan music festivals: Moderating effects of revisit reason and occupation type

h i g h l i g h t s Model the effects of government policy and environment quality on visitor loyalty. Government policy affects environment quality, visitor satisfaction, and loyalty. Revisit reason moderates the relationship between policy and visitor loyalty. Revisit reason moderates the relationship between policy and environment. Occupation type moderates the relationship between policy and environment. t r a c t Tourists' repeat patronage is a prerequisite for sustainable festivals. Past studies have examined tourist cognition, affection, and conation to festivals. Government involvement in festivals has increased during the past decade; however, few studies have examined how government policy and environment quality influence visitor loyalty to festivals. Using sample data collected from 931 visitors during spring music festivals held in Southern Taiwan, this study used a structural equation model (SEM) with latent variables to examine these influences. The results suggest that government policy positively influences perceived environment quality, visitor satisfaction, and loyalty to festivals. Furthermore, the results from a multigroup SEM approach reveal that tourists' revisit reason (revisit festival versus other) and occupation type (student versus nonstudent) moderate the relationships between government policy and festival loyalty. Implications on festival planning and government policymaking are discussed

Price competition between shrink-wrap software and cloud service firms under a stochastic model

The authors establish a stochastic model of the price competition between shrink-wrap software and cloud service firms. They show that cloud service firms earn higher profits, but face higher risks compared to shrink-wrap software firms. In order to attract customers and earn higher profits, the authors obtain the result that shrink-wrap software firms need to focus on pricing strategies, by contrast, cloud service firms need to focus on quantity strategie

Extensor-tendons reconstruction using autogenous palmaris longus tendon grafting for rheumatoid arthritis patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of the study is to retrospectively review the clinical outcome of our study population of middle-aged RA patients who had suffered extensor-tendon rupture. We reported the outcome of autogenous palmaris tendon grafting of multiple extensor tendons at wrist level in 14 middle-aged rheumatoid patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between Feb. 2000 to Feb. 2004, thirty-six ruptured wrist level extensor tendons were reconstructed in fourteen rheumatoid patients (11 women and three men) using autogenous palmaris longus tendon as a free interposition graft. In each case, the evaluation was based on both subjective and objective criteria, including the range of MCP joint flexion after surgery, the extension lag at the metacarpophalangeal joint before and after surgery, and the ability of the patient to work.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>The average of follow-up was 54.1 months (range, 40 to 72 months). The average range of MCP joint flexion after reconstruction was 66°. The extension lag at the metacarpophalangeal joint significantly improved from a preoperative mean of 38° (range, 25°–60°) to a postoperative mean of 16° (range, 0°–30°). Subjectively all patients were satisfied with the clinical results, and achieved a return to their level of ability before tendon rupture. We found good functional results in our series of interposition grafting using palmaris longus to reconstruct extensor tendon defects in the rheumatoid patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reconstruction for multiple tendon ruptures is a salvage procedure that is often associated with extensor lag and impairment of overall function. Early aggressive treatment of extensor tendon reconstruction using autogenous palmaris longus tendon as a free interposition graft in the rheumatoid wrist is another viable option to achieve good clinical functional result.</p

GPR139 and Dopamine D2 Receptor Co-express in the Same Cells of the Brain and May Functionally Interact

GPR139, a Gq-coupled receptor that is activated by the essential amino acids L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine, is predominantly expressed in the brain and pituitary. The physiological function of GPR139 remains elusive despite the availability of pharmacological tool agonist compounds and knock-out mice. Whole tissue RNA sequencing data from human, mouse and rat tissues revealed that GPR139 and the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) exhibited some similarities in their distribution patterns in the brain and pituitary gland. To determine if there was true co-expression of these two receptors, we applied double in situ hybridization in mouse tissues using the RNAscope® technique. GPR139 and DRD2 mRNA co-expressed in a majority of same cells within part of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathways (ventral tegmental area and olfactory tubercle), the nigrostriatal pathway (compact part of substantia nigra and caudate putamen), and also the tuberoinfundibular pathway (arcuate hypothalamic nucleus and anterior lobe of pituitary). Both receptors mRNA also co-express in the same cells of the brain regions involved in responses to negative stimulus and stress, such as lateral habenula, lateral septum, interpeduncular nucleus, and medial raphe nuclei. GPR139 mRNA expression was detected in the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus as well as the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. The functional interaction between GPR139 and DRD2 was studied in vitro using a calcium mobilization assay in cells co-transfected with both receptors from several species (human, rat, and mouse). The dopamine DRD2 agonist did not stimulate calcium response in cells expressing DRD2 alone consistent with the Gi signaling transduction pathway of this receptor. In cells co-transfected with DRD2 and GPR139 the DRD2 agonist was able to stimulate calcium response and its effect was blocked by either a DRD2 or a GPR139 antagonist supporting an in vitro interaction between GPR139 and DRD2. Taken together, these data showed that GPR139 and DRD2 are in position to functionally interact in native tissue

GPR139, an Orphan Receptor Highly Enriched in the Habenula and Septum, Is Activated by the Essential Amino Acids L-Tryptophan and L-Phenylalanine s

ABSTRACT GPR139 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor expressed in the central nervous system. To identify its physiologic ligand, we measured GPR139 receptor activity from recombinant cells after treatment with amino acids, orphan ligands, serum, and tissue extracts. GPR139 activity was measured using guanosine 59-O-(3-[ Sequence alignment revealed that GPR139 is highly conserved across species, and RNA sequencing studies of rat and human tissues indicated its exclusive expression in the brain and pituitary gland. Immunohistochemical analysis showed specific expression of the receptor in circumventricular regions of the habenula and septum in mice. Together, these findings suggest that L-Trp and L-Phe are candidate physiologic ligands for GPR139, and we hypothesize that this receptor may act as a sensor to detect dynamic changes of L-Trp and L-Phe in the brain