Search Results (6,262)

Research on users’ switching intentions in peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payment systems, particularly in developing markets, remains limited. This study examines how two satisfaction dimensions, transaction-based satisfaction and experience-based satisfaction, influence switching intentions through two layers of trust: institution-based trust and disposition to trust. Grounded in Expectancy-Disconfirmation Theory, data from 529 users of Haiti’s leading P2P mobile payment platform were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that while transaction-based satisfaction has minimal impact on switching intentions, experience-based satisfaction strengthens institution-based trust, which in turn significantly reduces switching intentions. These findings highlight the central role of institutional reliability in shaping post-adoption behavior in duopolistic and resource-constrained markets. The study extends satisfaction-trust theory to digital financial ecosystems and offers practical insights for improving user retention through sustained institutional credibility and long-term service reliability. Full article

This study aims to explain what drives consumers to adopt e-tipping in restaurants and determine whether interface-based manipulation reduces perceived autonomy, lowers satisfaction, and weakens brand favorability. Prior research indicates that when autonomy is undermined through manipulative design, satisfaction declines. This study integrates UTAUT2 and Self-Determination Theories to examine the determinants of consumers’ e-tipping intention, satisfaction, and brand favorability in Saudi restaurants. Four UTAUT2 motivators (performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, hedonic motivation) and service quality were modeled as antecedents, cultural attitude as mediator, and inferred manipulation as moderator. An online survey of restaurant consumers in Saudi Arabia who had previously engaged in e-tipping generated 607 valid responses, providing adequate sample power for PLS-SEM testing. Results show that performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and service quality significantly predict intention; cultural attitude mediates several effects; and manipulation weakens the intention–satisfaction relationship, negatively impacting brand favorability. This research offers a theoretical contribution by extending UTAUT2 to the e-tipping context through integrating service quality as an antecedent and positioning satisfaction and brand favorability as core outcomes. It advances theory by demonstrating how technology-driven manipulation within payment interfaces influences cultural attitudes, behavioral intentions, and post-experience evaluations in a high-context, non-tipping society. Managerial and policy implications for responsible e-tipping designs are discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: As precision medicine advances, attention to sex and gender determinants across epidemiological and clinical domains has intensified. However, in the audio-vestibular field, knowledge on sex- and gender-related aspects remains relatively limited. The main aim of this review has been to analyze the available gender medicine-based evidence in vestibular disorders. In particular, our investigation considered the following: (i) pathophysiology and clinical presentation, including differences in predominant signs and symptoms, diagnostic modalities and findings, underlying biological mechanisms associated with vestibular disorders across sex-specific groups; (ii) prognostic variables, including response to treatment, recovery rates, and long-term functional outcomes; (iii) the potential role of sex- and gender-specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the management of vestibular disorders. Methods: Our protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025641292). A literature search was conducted screening PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. After removal of duplicates and implementation of our inclusion/exclusion criteria, 67 included studies were identified and analyzed. Results: Several studies reported a higher incidence of vestibular dysfunctions among females, with proposed associations involving hormonal fluctuations, calcium metabolism and vitamin D. Estrogen receptors within the inner ear and their regulatory effects on calcium homeostasis have been proposed as potential mechanisms underlying these sex-specific differences. Furthermore, lifestyle factors, comorbidities and differential health-seeking behaviors between males and females may also modulate disease expression and clinical course. Conclusions: Gender-specific variables could not be independently analyzed because none of the included studies systematically reported gender-related data, representing a limitation of the available evidence. Current evidence suggests the presence of sex-related differences in the epidemiology and clinical expression of vestibular disorders, but substantial gaps remain regarding mechanisms, outcomes, and clinical implications. Future research should prioritize prospective, adequately powered studies specifically designed to assess sex and gender influences, integrating biological, psychosocial, and patient-reported outcomes, and adopting standardized sex- and gender-sensitive reporting frameworks. Full article

This study examines consumer opinions and behavior toward international food standards related to sustainability and environmental responsibility. For the data collection process, a structured questionnaire was distributed online and completed by 1064 participants. The study focuses on assessing consumer awareness of food standards, the extent to which these standards influence purchasing decisions, and the demographic factors affecting such choices. The findings reveal a growing interest in sustainable products, particularly among younger age groups. However, the study also identifies significant gaps in knowledge and understanding of international standards, which hinder the adoption of more responsible consumption practices. It concludes with recommendations to improve awareness, transparency, and food labeling, as well as to promote sustainable consumption through coordinated policies and educational initiatives. Full article

Advertising is often viewed as an effective strategy for platforms to boost the sales of their private-label (PL) products. Nevertheless, not all platforms adopt PL advertising strategies, and the drivers of these heterogeneous advertising practices across platforms, which differ in PL product quality and supply chain structures (agency (A) vs. reselling (R) modes), remain unclear. Our analysis shows that, without advertising, an increase in PL quality does not necessarily deter the manufacturer from competition under mode A. When advertising is introduced, however, increasing PL quality may sometimes amplify the negative effect of advertising on the manufacturer-branded products’ price under mode A. Moreover, contrary to common belief that advertising always benefits the platform, we identify conditions under which PL advertising leads to a lose–lose outcome for both the manufacturer and the platform, regardless of PL quality. Finally, we find that an appropriately designed advertising effort allows the platform to align the manufacturer’s channel preference with its own—toward either Mode A or Mode R structure. Overall, our findings uncover the strategic interplay between PL advertising, product quality, and supply chain structure, thereby explaining the diversity of platform advertising behaviors in practice, such as JD.com and Taobao. Full article

Modernizing public security risk governance demands a paradigm shift from reactive response to proactive, systems-oriented prevention. Prevailing governance models, with their focus on institutions and technology, often neglect the micro-foundational mechanisms of risk generation: the internal psychological processes of individuals. To address this gap, this study develops a novel theoretical model—the F(T, P, C, R) framework—which integrates self-organization theory with a psychological gaming perspective. We conceptualize an individual’s behavioral choice (F_behavior) as an emergent outcome of the dynamic interplay among four constitutive factors: the situational context of Time (T) and Place (P), and the cognitive assessments of perceived Risk Control power (C) and perceived Risk Destructive power (R). Employing automotive driving behavior—specifically decisions regarding safe distance maintenance and the adoption of autonomous driving technologies—as our primary analytical scenario, we derive a dynamic risk-decision matrix. This matrix categorizes behavioral outcomes into four distinct quadrants (Confirm, Tend-to-Confirm, Tend-to-Deny, Deny) based on the subjective calculus between C and R, thereby elucidating the internal logic of risk-related choices. The study’s main contribution is constituted by this novel micro-behavioral analytical framework that integrates cognitive science with systems-based governance principles. It offers theoretical insights for behavioral public policy and provides a structured toolkit for diagnosing and designing targeted interventions, ultimately aiming to enhance proactive risk management and systemic resilience. Full article

Worldwide the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is recognized as a key strategy for reducing transport-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a major contributor to global warming and climate change. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the key variables that might have influenced electric vehicle (EV) purchase decisions among current EV owners and how they are aligned or different for the prospective EV owners in North Carolina (NC). By adopting a web-based survey for data collection, the study specifically aims to identify economic, demographic, environmental, and commuting behaviors, along with existing government policies and incentives that might motivate consumer choices regarding EV adoption. Most existing EV owners who participated in the survey identified themselves as college-educated White men with USD 100 K or higher income, have more than two cars, commute more than 30 min, and live in single-family homes with EV charging. In contrast, among non-EV owners who plan to adopt an EV within the next three years, a significant proportion are non-White, women, and earn USD 50,000 or less annually. While home charging is important to both current EV owners and non-EV owners, EV incentive policies and proximity to public changing stations are found to be more important to non-EV owners’ decision to adopt EVs. A reasonable conclusion from this research is that expanding EV-friendly policies, incentives, and infrastructure will encourage first-time EV ownership in NC while providing deeper insights into the dynamics of sociodemographic among both EV owners and non-EV owners. Full article

The electrification of transport is vital to achieving global climate targets, with electric vehicles (EVs) positioned as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel–based mobility. However, the scalability of EV adoption hinges on the accessibility, reliability, and user experience of public charging infrastructure. As China leads the world in EV adoption, Shanghai represents a critical case for evaluating user satisfaction in a megacity context where infrastructure density, urban planning, and consumer behavior intersect. Despite significant investments in expanding charging facilities, limited empirical research has examined how users perceive and interact with Shanghai’s public EV charging network. This study addresses that gap through a quantitative, user-centered analysis of responses from 197 EV users using the QUESS-PAC framework (Quantitative User Experience Survey Strategy for Public EV Charging Analysis in Cities). A structured questionnaire assessed satisfaction across multiple dimensions: infrastructure layout, convenience, pricing, ease of use, safety, and lighting. Using SPSS (v28), descriptive analysis and multiple regression were conducted to identify key determinants of satisfaction. The findings indicate low overall user satisfaction, with critical weaknesses in location planning, cost transparency, and interface usability. Regression analysis highlights four significant predictors of satisfaction—layout, ease of use, pricing, and lighting—with charging price emerging as the most influential factor. This study’s unique contribution lies in the development and application of the QUESS-PAC framework, which integrates quantitative UX metrics with behavioral and spatial dimensions to provide a more systematic assessment than prior descriptive studies. It emphasizes the need for integrated planning that combines spatial equity, service design, and behavioral insights. Based on the analysis, policy recommendations are proposed to enhance satisfaction and encourage adoption. These findings offer transferable insights for global cities navigating the electrification of transport. Full article

This study presents a rigorous experimental investigation of in-cabin acoustic comfort across a heterogeneous set of road and special-purpose vehicles. Interior noise measurements were conducted on a total of 35 vehicles, comprising five vehicles from each of seven operational categories, grouped according to RNTR-2 regulations into three distinct vehicle classes: N1, N2, and N2G. The adopted research methodology ensures a unified, phenomenological, and experimental approach to the assessment of interior vehicle acoustics, enabling consistent data acquisition and comparative analysis across vehicle classes. Measurements were performed under both stationary and dynamic operating conditions using Class 1 precision instrumentation. The experimental results reveal systematic differences in acoustic performance between vehicle classes. While N1 and N2 vehicles generally comply with recommended comfort thresholds, N2G special-purpose vehicles exhibit significantly elevated interior noise levels, reaching up to 90 dBA during dynamic operation, together with increased variability at higher engine regimes. These findings highlight the influence of vehicle architecture, operational conditions, and mission-oriented design constraints on vibro-acoustic behavior. Passive noise control solutions based on advanced sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials were further evaluated, demonstrating interior noise reductions of up to 10 dBA. The scientific contribution of this work lies in the establishment of a unified, reproducible methodology that enables direct cross-category comparison of in-cabin acoustic comfort while explicitly integrating special-purpose vehicles into a comfort-oriented analytical paradigm. By moving beyond regulatory compliance toward a multidimensional interpretation of acoustic comfort, the study provides a robust foundation for vehicle design optimization and supports the future development of dedicated comfort assessment standards. Full article

Semi-autogenous (SAG) milling represents one of the most energy-intensive and variable stages of copper mineral processing. Traditional deterministic models often fail to capture the nonlinear dependencies and uncertainty inherent in industrial operations such as granulometry, solids percentage in the feeding or hardness. This work develops and validates a stochastic model based on Discrete Bayesian networks (BNs) to represent the causal relationships governing SAG Production and SAG Power under uncertainty or partial knowledge of explanatory variables. Discretization is adopted for methodological reasons as well as for operational relevance, since SAG plant decisions are typically made using threshold-based categories. Using operational data from a Chilean mining operation, the model fitted integrates expert-guided structure learning (Hill-Climbing with BDeu/BIC scores) and Bayesian parameter estimation with Dirichlet priors. Although validation indicators show high predictive performance (R² ≈ 0.85—0.90, RMSE < 0.5 bin, and micro-AUC ≈ 0.98), the primary purpose of the BN is not exact regression but explainable causal inference and probabilistic scenario evaluation. Sensitivity analysis identified water feed and solids percentage as key drivers of throughput (SAG Production), while rotational speed and pressure governed SAG Power behavior. The BN framework effectively balances accuracy and interpretability, offering an explainable probabilistic representation of SAG dynamics. These results demonstrate the potential of stochastic modeling to enhance process control and support uncertainty-aware decision making. Full article

Despite its global distribution, the impacts of wild pigs on the environment are poorly understood. However, wild boar (Sus scrofa) is recognized as a pest species, causes extensive damage to agriculture, biodiversity, and forests, and contributes to motor vehicle accidents. This study investigates the causes and mechanisms underlying the demographic explosion of wild boar in Italy. The analysis is based exclusively on official datasets from Italian governmental institutes, allowing quantitative correlations between population dynamics, culling rates, and economic impacts. By integrating historical data, population biology, reproductive physiology, and chemical communication, the study reveals that anthropogenic pressures, counterintuitively driven by wildlife management practices, have significantly contributed to population growth. A shift from a K-strategy to an r-strategy in reproductive behavior, induced by sustained control pressure, has led to increased birth rates and accelerated expansion. Disruptions in species homeostasis trigger harmful changes in ecosystem structure and functionality, delineating a model of environmental damage. These findings highlight the urgency of adopting an integrated wildlife management approach that combines conservation biology and physiological principles with targeted operational interventions to prevent further degradation affecting both the species and the ecosystem. Full article

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent a fundamental pillar of economic development in Eastern Europe. Yet, they frequently encounter significant obstacles in accessing financing, stemming from informational asymmetries, elevated risks, the absence of collateral, and adverse regulatory environments. This research examines the primary determinants of adopting blockchain-based supply chain financing platforms, an alternative financing solution that streamlines processes, reduces costs, and enhances transparency and security. The study develops and validates an innovative conceptual model grounded in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 200 respondents across seven Eastern European countries, and the model’s hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research findings demonstrate that supply chain partner readiness constitutes the most influential factor affecting behavioral intention to use blockchain-based supply chain financing platforms. Additionally, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and perceived trust were identified as significant positive determinants. Furthermore, the study highlights blockchain readiness as a crucial factor influencing actual usage behavior. These findings provide valuable insights and contribute to advancing knowledge through the utilization of an extended UTAUT framework and validation of obtained results through comparison with other relevant studies in the field. Full article

This study investigates consumer perceptions, behaviors, and the barriers to adopting superfoods. It explores familiarity with the term “superfoods”, factors influencing consumption, and obstacles to broader adoption. The originality of this research lies in highlighting the significance of superfoods not only for consumers but also for the scientific community and the food industry, in an era where consumers are increasingly focused on health and sustainability. Data was gathered from 227 participants using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Statistics 20. The findings indicate that most participants are familiar with the term “superfoods”, with health enhancement, well-being, and immune system improvement as the main motivations for consumption. However, high costs, limited availability, and knowledge gaps are the primary barriers. Social influences, especially among women, were also found to impact consumer behavior. Future research should address the role of awareness campaigns and consumer information sources, alongside socio-economic factors. Full article

This study aimed to develop and validate a self-report instrument—the Perceived Teacher Trust Behavior Scale (PTTBS)—to assess primary school students’ perceptions of trust-related behaviors exhibited by their teachers. Adopting a child-centered perspective within the school context, we first conducted in-depth interviews and applied a grounded theory approach to identify dimensions and generate initial items. A cluster sampling method was used to recruit 1400 students (Grades 3~5) from three schools in Guizhou Province, China, who completed the questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using SPSS 30.0 and Mplus8.10 software. The final version of the PTTBS consists of 13 items across four dimensions: Emotional Support, Competence Recognition, Academic Support, and Moral Recognition. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.90) and split-half reliability (Spearman–Brown coefficient = 0.847). Significant correlations with an established Student-Teacher Relationship Scale were observed, along with good convergent validity (0.502~0.629) and construct validity. The PTTBS exhibits robust psychometric properties and serves as a valid tool for measuring Chinese primary school students’ perceptions of teacher trust behaviors, suitable for both research and practical applications. Full article

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, has become one of the most damaging agricultural pests worldwide, yet the genetic basis of its extraordinary adaptability remains elusive. Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of newly evolved genes in adaptive evolution, and phylostratigraphy has emerged as a powerful conceptual framework to trace their origins. Here, we adopt this framework to investigate how new genes have contributed to the rapid adaptive evolution of S. frugiperda. Using high-quality genomic data, we inferred gene ages across evolutionary phylostrata and identified 277 newly evolved genes that originated after the divergence of Spodoptera. These new genes exhibit hallmark genomic signatures of recent origin, including shorter coding regions, simplified structures, and relaxed evolutionary constraints. Interestingly, transcriptomic analyses revealed strong tissue specificity, with pronounced enrichment in the antenna and brain, indicating possible involvement in chemosensory and neural functions essential for environmental and behavioral adaptation. Under diverse environmental challenges such as pesticide and parasitoid wasp exposure, and virus infection, we found many of the new genes acted as hubs in the regulatory networks associated with pesticide response. Together, our findings suggest that the emergence of new genes has played a critical role in shaping the rapid adaptive evolution of S. frugiperda and provide broader insights into how newly evolved genes contribute to species adaptation. Full article