Search Results (430)

To enhance the performance of online food delivery (OFD) services, it is essential to strengthen consumers’ intentions to use OFD apps, which are the core interface of this business. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the cognitive mechanisms that shape consumers’ intentions to use OFD apps and explore strategies to encourage their adoption. To achieve this, the study develops a research model that incorporates segmented dimensions of service convenience as key motivational factors, along with variables from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A survey was conducted among OFD consumers in China, and the proposed research model was empirically tested using data from 478 valid responses. The analysis revealed that all six dimensions of service convenience serve as significant motivational drivers of OFD app usage. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that consumers’ coupon proneness and user-generated online reviews have significant moderating effects that reinforce the mechanism by which consumers adopt and use OFD apps. The findings and implications discussed in this study are expected to provide valuable insights and practical guidance for formulating effective strategies to promote more active consumer engagement with OFD apps in the future. Full article

Acaricide usage has led to the growing problem of resistance in ticks. A heavy tick burden and the presence of ticks on animals throughout the year, despite the monthly application of acaricides, in farms in the United Arab Emirates formed the motivation for this study. The objectives of this research were as follows: (a) to assess the acaricide resistance status of the most prevalent tick Hyalomma spp. to widely used acaricides Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin; (b) to identify the association of farm management practices and farm-level risk factors with the failure of tick treatment (acaracide resistance). A total of 1600 ticks were collected from 20 farms located in three different regions of Abu Dhabi Emirate including Al Ain (n = 10), Al Dhafra (n = 5), and Abu Dhabi (n = 5). The ticks were subjected to an in vitro bioassay adult immersion test (AIT) modified with a discriminating dose (AIT-DD) against commercial preparations of Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin. A questionnaire was designed to collect metadata and information on farm management and the farm-level risk factors associated with routine farm practices relating to the treatment and control of tick and blood parasite infections in camels and small ruminant populations. Hyalomma anatolicum and Hyalomma dromedarii were identified among the collected ticks, with H. anatolicum being the most prevalent tick species (70%) in the present study. The test results of the in vitro bioassay revealed varied emerging resistance to both of the acaricides in the majority of the three regions; fully susceptible tick isolates with zero resistance to Deltamethrin were recorded in one farm at Al Ain and two farms in the Abu Dhabi region. A questionnaire analysis showed that the failure of tick treatment in farms varied with the presence or absence of vegetation areas, types of animal breeds, and management practices. This study reports the emergence of resistance in ticks to Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin across the Abu Dhabi Emirate, indicating a strict warning for the cautious use of acaricides. There is also a need to improve awareness about sound tick management and control practices among farm owners through a multidisciplinary approach adopting integrated pest management strategies that engage farmers, veterinarians, and policy makers. Full article

The present study explores the use of Instagram as an innovative strategy in the teaching–learning process in the context of animal reproduction topics. In the current era, with digital technology and social media transforming how information is accessed and consumed, it is essential for teachers to adapt and harness the potential of these tools for educational purposes. This article delves into the need for teachers to stay updated with current trends and the importance of promoting digital competences among teachers. This research aims to provide insights into the benefits of integrating social media into the educational landscape. Students of Veterinary Science degrees, Master’s degrees in Equine Sport Medicine as well as vocational education and training (VET) were involved in this study. An Instagram account named “UCOREPRO” was created for educational use, and it was openly available to all users. Instagram usage metrics were consistently tracked. A voluntary survey comprising 35 questions was conducted to collect feedback regarding the educational use of smartphone technology, social media habits and the UCOREPRO Instagram account. The integration of Instagram as an educational tool was positively received by veterinary students. Survey data revealed that 92.3% of respondents found the content engaging, with 79.5% reporting improved understanding of the subject and 71.8% acquiring new knowledge. Students suggested improvements such as more frequent posting and inclusion of academic incentives. Concerns about privacy and digital distraction were present but did not outweigh the perceived benefits. The use of short videos and microlearning strategies proved particularly effective in capturing students’ attention. Overall, Instagram was found to be a promising platform to enhance motivation, engagement, and informal learning in veterinary education, provided that thoughtful integration and clear educational objectives are maintained. In general, students expressed positive opinions about the initiative, and suggested some ways in which it could be improved as an educational tool. Full article

Background: The increasing complexity of global supply chains and environmental expectations has highlighted the strategic importance of digital transformation in the transport, forwarding, and logistics (TFL) sector. Despite a growing portfolio of available tools, adoption rates—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central and Eastern Europe—remain low. This study investigates the barriers and motivations related to the implementation of digital planning tools supporting intermodal transport planning. Methods: A structured online survey was conducted among 80 Polish TFL enterprises, targeting decision-makers responsible for operational and digital strategies. The questionnaire included 17 closed and semi-open questions grouped into three thematic sections: tool usage, implementation barriers, and digital readiness. Results: The findings indicate that only 20% of respondents use dedicated route planning tools, and merely 10% report satisfaction with their performance. Key barriers include lack of awareness, organizational inertia, and the prioritization of other initiatives, with financial cost cited less frequently. While environmental sustainability is declared as a priority by most enterprises, digital support for emission tracking is limited. The results highlight the need for targeted education, integration support, and differentiated platform functionalities for SMEs and larger firms. Conclusions: This study offers evidence-based recommendations for developers, policymakers, and logistics managers aiming to accelerate digital adoption in the intermodal logistics landscape. Full article

Dating applications (DAs) are widely used to establish social and sexual connections among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly in urban areas. In this study, we aimed to examine the associations between DA use and mental health among Thai MSM. An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 442 MSM residing in Bangkok and urban municipalities across all regions of Thailand. Psychological distress (PD) and probable depression were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Of the participants, 62.7% were current users, with 33.2% experiencing PD and 33.9% having depression. A logistic regression analysis showed that PD was significantly associated with late-night use (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.08–3.78), matching failure (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12–3.38), rejection (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.18–3.62), and ghosting (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.02–3.11). Simultaneously, depression was significantly associated with using DAs with the motivation of hooking up (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.05–4.93), privacy violations (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.42–5.38), unsolicited sexual images (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.11–3.74), physical assault (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.57–5.61), harassment (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.37–4.70), scams (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.41–4.77), and extreme disappointment from DA use (AOR = 5.98, 95% CI: 1.84–19.41). These findings highlight how DA usage patterns and negative experiences may contribute to the poorer mental health among MSM in urban areas. Full article

With the rapid expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing applications, efficient video transmission under constrained bandwidth and limited computational resources has become increasingly critical. In such environments, perception-based video coding plays a vital role in maintaining acceptable visual quality while minimizing bit rate and processing overhead. Although newer video coding standards have emerged, H.264/AVC remains the dominant compression format in many deployed systems, particularly in commercial CCTV surveillance, due to its compatibility, stability, and widespread hardware support. Motivated by these practical demands, this paper proposes a perception-based video coding algorithm specifically tailored for low-bit-rate H.264/AVC applications. By targeting regions most relevant to the human visual system, the proposed method enhances perceptual quality while optimizing resource usage, making it particularly suitable for embedded systems and bandwidth-limited communication channels. In general, regions containing human faces and those exhibiting significant motion are of primary importance for human perception and should receive higher bit allocation to preserve visual quality. To this end, macroblocks (MBs) containing human faces are detected using the Viola–Jones algorithm, which leverages AdaBoost for feature selection and a cascade of classifiers for fast and accurate detection. This approach is favored over deep learning-based models due to its low computational complexity and real-time capability, making it ideal for latency- and resource-constrained IoT and edge environments. Motion-intensive macroblocks were identified by comparing their motion intensity against the average motion level of preceding reference frames. Based on these criteria, a dynamic quantization parameter (QP) adjustment strategy was applied to assign finer quantization to perceptually important regions of interest (ROIs) in low-bit-rate scenarios. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves superior subjective visual quality and objective Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) compared to the standard JM software and other state-of-the-art algorithms under the same bit rate constraints. Moreover, the approach introduces only a marginal increase in computational complexity, highlighting its efficiency. Overall, the proposed algorithm offers an effective balance between visual quality and computational performance, making it well suited for video transmission in bandwidth-constrained, resource-limited IoT and edge computing environments. Full article

This study aims to develop and validate a user experience scale to construct an Actual System Use model for online courses based on the Technology Acceptance Model, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the multidimensional factors affecting Learning Outcomes and Actual System Use in the context of online courses. The scale includes six core dimensions: Interactive Experience, Content Quality, Learning Outcomes, Teaching Quality, Technical Support, and Learning Motivation. Through a literature review, pre-survey, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis, the reliability and validity of the developed scale were verified. A second-order complex Structural Equation Model was used to measure users’ Actual System Use with respect to online courses. The results demonstrate that the Interactive Experience and Learning Motivation dimensions play crucial roles in enhancing learners’ engagement and learning satisfaction, while Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use significantly influence system usage behaviors. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and empirical data for the design of online courses, offering valuable insights for optimizing course design and enhancing user experiences. Full article

As smart voice assistants (SVAs) become increasingly integrated into digital commerce, understanding the psychological factors driving their adoption or resistance is essential. While prior research has addressed the impact of privacy concerns, few studies have explored the competing forces that shape user decisions. This study investigates the dual role of privacy cynicism as a context-specific belief influencing both trust (reason-for) and perceived creepiness (reason-against)—which in turn affect attitudes, behavioral intentions, and resistance toward SVA usage, based on the Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT). The study used a convenience sampling method, gathering data from 250 Turkish consumers aged 18–35 through an online survey technique. The research model was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings revealed that perceived creepiness increases resistance intention but does not significantly affect attitudes toward using SVAs. Perceived cynicism was found to positively influence perceived trust, and perceived trust, in turn, increased both behavioral intentions and attitudes toward using SVAs. Furthermore, attitudes toward SVA usage decreased resistance intention but increased behavioral intention. The results emphasize consumer trust and skepticism in AI-driven marketing. The study offers both theoretical contributions by extending BRT with a novel dual-path conceptualization of privacy cynicism, and practical implications for developers aiming to boost SVA adoption through trust-building and privacy assurance strategies. Full article

In the recent K-12 educational literature, arts-based data visualization has been positioned as a compelling means of rendering data science and statistical learning accessible, motivating, and empowering for youth, as data users and producers. However, the only research to attend carefully to youth’s data-based, artistic storytelling practices has been limited in scope to specific storytelling mechanisms, like youth’s metaphor usage. Engaging in design-based research, we sought to understand the art and design decisions that youth make and the data-based arguments and stories that youth tell through their arts-based data visualizations. We drew upon embodied theory to acknowledge the holistic, synergistic, and situated nature of student learning and making. Corresponding with emerging accounts of youth arts-based data visualization practices, we saw regular evidence of art, storytelling, and personal subjectivities intertwining. Contributing to this literature, we found that these intersections surfaced in a number of domains, including youth’s pictorial symbolism, visual encoding strategies, and data decisions like manifold pictorial symbols arranged to support complex, multilayered, ambiguous narratives; qualitative data melding community and personal lived experience; and singular statements making persuasive appeals. This integration of art, story, agency, and embodiment often manifested in ways that seemed to jostle against traditional notions of and norms surrounding data science. Full article

We investigated the configurational conditions influencing primary and secondary school teachers’ behavioral intentions (BIs) and usage behavior (UB) in adopting digital learning tools by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and Tobit analysis. Based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and by integrating TPK, configurations that drive or hinder teachers’ use of digital tools were identified. The results revealed that BI formation is driven by the core combination of facilitating conditions (FC) and hedonic motivation (HM); the synergy of FC, HM, and TPK; and the interplay of TPK and HM. UB was significantly promoted by the combinations of H with BI and TPK with BI. Conversely, the low levels of H and BI, or H and TPK lowered the levels of UB. By integrating fsQCA and Tobit analysis, the complex and asymmetric effects in digital tool adoption were understood, and recommendations were proposed to develop differentiated support strategies based on these configurational findings. Full article

Bus stops are an essential component of public transportation systems, significantly impacting human health, wellbeing, and overall user experience. As primary interaction points for passengers, they are integral to the urban landscape and, as such, their designs influence people’s experiences within the public realm. Despite their importance, the design of bus stops and bus shelters remains an under-researched area. This paper aims to review the existing peer-reviewed research on bus-stop design, identifying areas for future inquiry. Twenty-two peer-reviewed journal articles were selected and included in this study. The most common theme in the published research was the manner in which bus stops could address extreme weather and heat, along with other themes, including accessibility, sustainable energy, air pollution, and noise. Further empirical research is necessary to understand how bus-stop design affects the user experience, emphasizing qualitative methods to explore human experiences, perceptions, motivations, and challenges related to bus-stop usage and public transportation. Full article

Objective: Protein supplements (PSs) are widely consumed by professional and non-professional athletes, yet research on non-athletic PS users’ perceptions, motivations, and health risk awareness is limited. This study aimed to investigate non-professional athletes’ PS patterns of use, motivations, and safety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a constructed questionnaire reporting on PS usage trends, exercise habits, and demographic factors. Adult respondents were recruited from gyms, athletic organizations, amusement parks, and playing fields. Results: We received 1100 responses, and 327 were PS users. From the total of PS users, there was a prevalence of PS use in males [(203 (62%)]; adults in the age group of 25–34 [136 (42%)], p < 0.001; and participants with a normal BMI (189, 58%), p < 0.001. Following high-intensity fitness exercise sessions and engagement with more than two types of physical activity were associated with more than doubled odds of PS consumption (p < 0.001). The main reasons for PS intake were for muscle mass increase (35%) and recovery (18%), and protein powder was the most popular PS (279; 64%). The main channels of information for PS use were Web/social media (50, 40%) and coaches (54, 43.2%), while one out of two [35 (49%); p = 0.008] of those engaged in more than two types of physical exercise declared that PSs are good for health. Conclusion: The findings highlight demographic, behavioral, and informational factors shaping PS consumption in non-professional athletes. Despite the perceived benefits, reliance on non-expert sources and unregulated products raises concerns about consumer awareness and safety, while educational initiatives to promote evidence-based supplementation practices are deemed crucial. Full article

This paper explores the innovative integration of digitalization and gamification in urban design to address social sustainability challenges in rapidly evolving cities. Using Gensen, a metaverse platform launched in 2024, as a case study, the research investigates how the convergence of virtual environments and real urban spaces can foster new forms of social interaction, spatial usage, and community engagement. The motivation behind this study is to assess the potential of gamification in enhancing social sustainability within digitalized urban contexts. By introducing the opening event, “Treasure Hunting”, established by Gensen, the study examines how users engage with existing urban settings through a gamified approach. The research investigates how gameful design, facilitated by digitalization, can transform public spaces into more dynamic environments that encourage diverse participation while also addressing emerging risks such as spatial inequality resulting from varying levels of access to digital tools and literacy. The research questions focus on how gamification can bridge these gaps and contribute to creating more inclusive urban environments. In conclusion, the study argues that current gamified design approaches, based on digitalization, often overlook the playfulness inherent in physical environments and human interaction. However, a bottom-up approach that emphasizes individuals’ understanding of the inherent playfulness in existing urban spaces is still lacking. This aspect needs further exploration to inform and enhance gameful design strategies aimed at promoting social sustainability in urban development. Bridging this gap is essential for integrating digital interventions into everyday life, ultimately achieving a more effective gameful design in urban contexts. Full article

Whether it is asking Alexa to set a reminder or having Google Assistant place a call, AI-powered assistants are becoming an increasingly seamless part of our daily lives. This study aims to address what predicts the users’ satisfaction with Alexa by analyzing the using motives, cognitive involvement, and emotional involvement of its consumers. The variables include using motives, attention, elaboration, emotional involvement, and usage satisfaction. Alexa users (N = 299) completed a brief online survey, including Scales of Using Motives for Media, the Perceived Attention Scale, the Elaboration Scale, the Mood Adjective Check List Scale, and Television Viewing Satisfaction Scale. Participants who were at least eighteen years of age and owned and used Alexa were included in this study. An exploratory factor analysis revealed four distinct types of motivation for using Alexa: Companionship, Entertainment–Information, Work-Efficiency, and Pastime. The results from hierarchical regressions showed that Alexa usage satisfaction was predicted by Entertainment–Information and feeling positive emotions while using. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationships between individuals’ perceptions of leisure boredom, internet usage habits, and gambling motivations, focusing on analyzing the predictive effects by age category in adults. Methods: The study employs quantitative research methods, adopting a relational survey model. The sample group comprises 310 adult (94 female and 214 male) individuals aged 18 and over. Data were collected using the Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS), targeting two subscales: negative (Boredom) and positive (Satisfaction) attitudes toward leisure time, the Leisure Internet Use Scale (LIUS) targeting four forms of leisure, and the Gambling Motivation Scale (GMS) with the following subscales: socialization, entertainment/excitement, escapism, and money-making. In the analysis conducted with SPSS 25.0, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses were applied. Results: The findings indicate that leisure boredom significantly predicts internet usage and gambling motivations. Notably, individuals who spend their leisure time on passive activities were found to have higher rates of internet usage, habits, digital addiction, and gambling behavior. The positive relationship between internet usage habits, digital addictions, and risky behaviors such as gambling becomes particularly pronounced among young adults. Conclusions: Leisure time management is critical for individuals’ psychological well-being. Cognitive awareness programs, digital literacy education, and promoting participation in healthy leisure activities are recommended as key strategies to prevent risky behaviors. Full article