Understanding and predicting online purchase intention: Development of a model for cognitive-affective shopper responses

This paper aims to develop a model for online purchase intention in a B2C environment, integrating cognitive and affective responses based on the theory of reasoned action. Seven hypotheses were developedand tested on a dataset of 532 observations collected via a questionnaire survey. The results of this study indicate that both cognitive and affective judgements are important for online transactions.A contribution of this study is that it extends our understanding of how online purchase intention is formed through a cognitive-affective process

Context driven data mining to classify students of higher educational institutions

Literature shows that knowledge about contextual factors associated with student time to degree and CGPA could play an important role in enabling HEIs to make more accurate and informed decisions that enhance student learning. It is also seen that such knowledge could be discovered using data mining process hidden in past data of students and used for prediction of student performance as part of the decision making process. In line with this argument in this study time to degree (total number of semesters taken to graduate) and CGPA of students were studied taking into account course difficulty and semester as contextual factors. CRISPDM process was employed to mine student data. Results showed that classification could be used as the model for understanding about student course taking pattern, CGPA, course difficulty and semester and optimize the student time to degree in terms of the course taking pattern, course difficulty and semester to achieve best CGPA. The student data pertaining to a single programme of a single university were mined. Possible decisions in terms of student categorization based on course taking pattern, course categorization based on course difficulty, student advising and provision of learning support could be taken by using the outcomes of this research

Active inference, eye movements and oculomotor delays.

This paper considers the problem of sensorimotor delays in the optimal control of (smooth) eye movements under uncertainty. Specifically, we consider delays in the visuo-oculomotor loop and their implications for active inference. Active inference uses a generalisation of Kalman filtering to provide Bayes optimal estimates of hidden states and action in generalised coordinates of motion. Representing hidden states in generalised coordinates provides a simple way of compensating for both sensory and oculomotor delays. The efficacy of this scheme is illustrated using neuronal simulations of pursuit initiation responses, with and without compensation. We then consider an extension of the generative model to simulate smooth pursuit eye movements-in which the visuo-oculomotor system believes both the target and its centre of gaze are attracted to a (hidden) point moving in the visual field. Finally, the generative model is equipped with a hierarchical structure, so that it can recognise and remember unseen (occluded) trajectories and emit anticipatory responses. These simulations speak to a straightforward and neurobiologically plausible solution to the generic problem of integrating information from different sources with different temporal delays and the particular difficulties encountered when a system-like the oculomotor system-tries to control its environment with delayed signals

The impact of online customer reviews (OCRs) on customers' purchase decisions: An exploration of the main dimensions of OCRs

Online customer reviews (OCRs) have become a primary source of product information and an important influence on customers’ purchase decision. This has resulted in a significant impact on consumer purchase decision making. The effects of OCRs on consumer behaviour have recently gained significant academic attention. Therefore, there is a need to provide a review on such effects. This paper, thus, examines the latest understandings in the links and relationships between OCRs and customers’ purchase intention. It reviews the main dimensions of the OCRs and how they affect customers’ purchase intention. It also addresses the issues of credibilities, roles, antecedents, helpfulness, measures and consequences of OCRs. In addition, a case study has been provided in which OCRs are analysed for a better understanding of the relationship between OCRs and consumer’s purchase intention

Detecting Communities with Different Sizes for Social Network Analysis

National Natural Science Foundation of China; Yunnan Educational Department Foundation; Program for Young and Middle-aged Skeleton Teachers, Yunnan Universit

Phase diagram and spin-glass phenomena in electron-doped La1-xHfxMnO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) manganite oxides

The effects of tetravalent hafnium doping on the structural, transport, and magnetic properties of polycrystalline La1−xHfxMnO3 (LHMO) (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) were investigated systematically. LHMO exhibited a typical colossal magnetoresistance effect via the double-exchange between Mn2+ and Mn3+ ions, instead of that between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions in hole-doped manganites. A phase diagram was obtained for the first time through magnetization and resistance measurements in a broad temperature range. As the Hf concentration varied from x = 0.05 to 0.3, the Curie point and metal-to-insulator transition temperature increased significantly, whereas the magnetization and resistivity decreased remarkably. An abnormal enhancement of the magnetization was observed at about 42 K. It was further confirmed that a second magnetic phase MnO2 in LHMO gives rise to such a phenomenon. The possible causes are discussed in detail. The dynamic magnetic properties of LHMO, including relaxation and aging processes, were studied, demonstrating a spin-glass state at low temperature accompanied by a ferromagnetic phase.published_or_final_versio

Macrophage TNF-α mediates parathion-induced airway hyperreactivity in guinea pigs.

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are implicated in human asthma. We previously demonstrated that, at concentrations that do not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, the OP parathion causes airway hyperreactivity in guinea pigs as a result of functional loss of inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic nerves. Because macrophages are associated with asthma, we investigated whether macrophages mediate parathion-induced M2 receptor dysfunction and airway hyperreactivity. Airway physiology was measured in guinea pigs 24 h after a subcutaneous injection of parathion. Pretreatment with liposome-encapsulated clodronate induced alveolar macrophage apoptosis and prevented parathion-induced airway hyperreactivity in response to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves. As determined by qPCR, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels were increased in alveolar macrophages isolated from parathion-treated guinea pigs. Parathion treatment of alveolar macrophages ex vivo did not significantly increase IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA but did significantly increase TNF-α protein release. Consistent with these data, pretreatment with the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept but not the IL-1β receptor inhibitor anakinra prevented parathion-induced airway hyperreactivity and protected M2 receptor function. These data suggest a novel mechanism of OP-induced airway hyperreactivity in which low-level parathion activates macrophages to release TNF-α-causing M2 receptor dysfunction and airway hyperreactivity. These observations have important implications regarding therapeutic approaches for treating respiratory disease associated with OP exposures

Suppression of photoconductivity by magnetic field in epitaxial manganite thin films

The erasure of photoinduced resistance (PR) by the magnetic field was investigated in manganite films. The PR was significantly suppressed when a magnetic field was introduced at low temperature. The decrease (or increase) of PR with increment of magnetic field was observed in ferromagnetic (or paramagnetic) phases of films, respectively. Our results are suggested to be the coaction of two effects under magnetic fields: (i) the reorientation of domains and spin directions of photoexcited carriers and (ii) electrons trapped around oxygen vacancies released and recombined with majority carriers in films. The interplay of the external fields is a good demonstration of the strong coupling between spins and charges in colossal magnetoresistance materials. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio