Offering Free Version Sofaware Products in the Presence of Network Externalities in E-Commerce

Network externalities are commonly observed in many markets in e-commerce, especially in the software market. Many software firms provide free-version products to attract consumers. In this paper, we build a discrete-time dynamical system to investigate why software providers choose to offer commercial versions of products as well as free versions when network externalities are present. We first propose a monopoly model, and then build a duopoly model with two competitors, and one of whom doesn’t adopt free-version strategy. Simulation results verify that the presence of network externalities induces firms to provide free-version products

The Application of Fluoride in Dental Caries

The most efficient way to prevent caries is by using fluoridated dental products. Fluoride can reduce enamel demineralization and promote enamel remineralization. In terms of prevention, the topical application of fluoride is accessible, which includes fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish, fluoride gel, and mouth rinse. Besides, the application of fluoride is systematical. In some countries, fluoride is added into water, salt, or milk. Fluoride is also used for the medical treatment of early dental caries. However, fluoride is a double-edged sword. Excessive fluoride intake will cause toxic reactions, and dental fluorosis is caused by a high intake of fluorides during tooth development

Optimal Retailing mode for Content Platforms\u27 E-commerce

In recent years, content platforms have expanded their operations into e-commerce by leveraging short videos or live-streaming and collecting commissions. This paper examines the optimal operational modes that content platforms should adopt when launching e-commerce businesses. Specifically, we analyze the content platforms’ choices between building a joint channel with e-commerce platforms (joint mode), building a self-operated channel independently (self-operated mode), or operating both channels simultaneously (dual-channel mode). Using a game-theoretic model, we find that the content platform tends to choose the self-operated mode (or joint mode) when all sellers have high (or low) conversion ability, and the dual-channel mode when sellers have differentiated conversion abilities. Additionally, our analysis shows that the content platform\u27s mode selection switches from joint mode to dual-channel mode and to self-operated mode with a decrease in e-commerce platform\u27s commission rate or a weaker spillover effect from the content platform to the e-commerce platform

Outsourcing Information Security: The Role of Information Leakage in Outsourcing Decisions

Emerging research regarding the economics of outsourcing information security recommends that firms utilize full outsourcing due to its cost advantages but ignore the risk of information leakage. In our model, we take the information leakage into account, and show that it is necessary for firm to assess the risk before outsourcing. Next, we divide a firm’s business operations into core business and non-core business operations and introduce a partial outsourcing strategy. We find that the security quality of partial outsourcing is always lower. Subsequently, we demonstrate the conditions for selecting from among three security strategies, i.e., in-house development, partial outsourcing and full outsourcing. Based on our results, in high-risk information leakage environments, we do not recommend outsourcing. We further demonstrate that outsourcing security of non-core business is an alternative strategy when the risk of information leakage is not high. A firm should shift from outsourcing to developing security protection in-house as the percentage of information assets utilized for core business increases. In addition, our results show that outsourcing information security of only core business is a strictly dominated strategy

Baicalin Ameliorates Experimental Liver Cholestasis in Mice by Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and NRF2 Transcription Factor

Experimental cholestatic liver fibrosis was performed by bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice, and significant liver injury was observed in 15 days. Administration of baicalin in mice significantly ameliorates liver fibrosis. Experimental cholestatic liver fibrosis was associated with induced gene expression of fibrotic markers such as collagen I, fibronectin, alpha smooth muscle actin (SMA), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF); increased inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MIP1α, IL1β, and MIP2); increased oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) inducing enzymes (NOX2 and iNOS); dysfunctional mitochondrial electron chain complexes; and apoptotic/necrotic cell death markers (DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activity, and PARP activity). Baicalin administration on alternate day reduced fibrosis along with profibrotic gene expression, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and cell death whereas improving the function of mitochondrial electron transport chain. We observed baicalin enhanced NRF2 activation by nuclear translocation and induced its target genes HO-1 and GCLM, thus enhancing antioxidant defense. Interplay of oxidative stress/inflammation and NRF2 were key players for baicalin-mediated protection. Stellate cell activation is crucial for initiation of fibrosis. Baicalin alleviated stellate cell activation and modulated TIMP1, SMA, collagen 1, and fibronectin in vitro. This study indicates that baicalin might be beneficial for reducing inflammation and fibrosis in liver injury models

Global Value Chain Embeddedness, Digital Economy and Green Innovation- Evidence From Provincial-Level Regions of China

With globalization and digitalization, participating in Global Value Chain (GVC) and developing digital economy have had a profound impact, which transforms China’s economy into a green and innovative one. This paper studies the intrinsic influential mechanism of GVC embeddedness and digital economy on green innovation and proposes some research hypotheses. Based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2016, we constructed some core indicators such as GVC embeddedness, digital economy and green innovation. The ordinary panel model and spatial panel model are used to empirically test the impact of GVC embeddedness and digital economy on China’s green innovation at the provincial level. The research findings are: First, GVC embeddedness and digital economy have significant promotion effects on green innovation. Second, the development of digital economy will not only directly promote green innovation, but also indirectly promote green innovation by effectively promoting the integration of provincial economy into GVC. The results of mediating effect test show that GVC embeddedness has a partial mediating effect in the influential mechanism of digital economy to promote green innovation. Third, GVC embeddedness and green innovation have significant spatial spillover effects. It indicates that Chinese provinces (cities¹) have significantly promoted green innovation in neighboring provinces through many possible channels and mechanisms in the process of participating in GVC, and the robustness test shows the stability of the spatial spillover mechanism. The findings provide useful policy implications for China’s deeply participating in GVC, vigorously developing digital economy and promoting green innovation