Product Channels Research Articles

Factors influencing consumers’ continuous purchase intention on fresh food e-commerce platforms: An organic foods-centric empirical investigation

E-commerce has brought new opportunities to expand sales channels for fresh products. However, China’s fresh food e-commerce platforms currently have a low repurchase rate among consumers and face operating losses or bankruptcy. Therefore, from the perspective of perceived value, this research took organic foods as the research object and included gender differences, thereby establishing a theoretical model to explain the factors affecting consumers’ continuous purchase intention on fresh food e-commerce platforms. We surveyed consumers who bought organic foods online and collected 454 valid samples. First, the findings have shown that product characteristics (nutritional content, natural content, and ecological wealth) and platform characteristics (information quality, system quality, and service quality) significantly impact the perceived utilitarian value and perceived hedonic value of consumers. Second, perceived value plays a critical mediating role in influencing product characteristics and platform characteristics on consumers’ continuous purchase intention. Finally, the results suggest that enterprises should focus on product characteristics and platform characteristics to enhance consumers’ perceived value, thus increasing their continuous purchase intention.

The study of doubly charmed pentaquark c c {bar{q}}qq with the SU(3) symmetry

We study the masses and lifetimes of doubly charmed pentaquark P_{cc{bar{q}}qq}(q=u,d,s) primarily. The operation of masses carried out by the doubly heavy triquark-diquark model, whose results suggests the existence of stable states cc{bar{s}} ud with the parity J^P=frac{1}{2}^-. The roughly calculation about lifetimes show the short magnitudes, (4.65^{+0.71}_{-0.55})times 10^{-13}s for the parity J^P=frac{1}{2}^- and (0.93^{+0.14}_{-0.11})times 10^{-12} s for J^P=frac{3}{2}^-. Since the pentaquark cc{bar{s}} ud is interpreted as the stable bound states against strong decays, then we will focus on the production and possible decay channels of the pentaquark in the next step, the study would be fairly valuable supports for future experiments. For completeness, we systematically studied the production from Omega _{ccc} and the decay modes in the framework SU(3) flavor symmetry, including the processes of semi-leptonic and two body non-leptonic decays. Synthetically, we make a collection of the golden channels.

Developing agriculture value chain inclusive for small-scale vegetable farmers in the highland of Bedugul, Bali

As a major global tourist destination, the demand for a large variety of fresh produce in Bali has developed following the country of origins of tourists and their eating habits. The varieties of fresh produce demanded by hotels and restaurants have increased since the 1970s. More than 100 types of vegetables (leafy and fruity vegetables, tubers, roots, shoots, immature flowers) and herbs are produced in the highland of Bedugul, Bali. As the market competition increases, the small-scale vegetable farmers have to be more value-oriented, efficient, and effective in production and postharvest handling. How is the competitiveness of the evolving value chain to meet the dynamic needs of institutional consumers and retail modern markets? Therefore, the aims of the study were to assess the competitiveness of the vegetables value chains and develop a model design of value chain inclusive for small scale farmers for improvement. This study was carried out through surveys and focus group discussions (FGD) involving actors in production and distribution channels. It was found that there were five groups of distribution channels,and most of them are less value-oriented. However, the emerging integrated value chains are shown, mainly to which derive from the institutional consumers (hotels and restaurants) and modern markets. A designed alternative model of value chain system inclusive for small-scale farmers has been developed, especially with the end on institutional consumers and modern markets.

Determining reaction pathways at low temperatures by isotopic substitution: the case of BeD + + H2O

Trapped Be+ ions are a leading platform for quantum information science (Gaebler et al 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 117 060505), but reactions with background gas species, such as H2 and H2O, result in qubit loss. Our experiment reveals that the BeOH+ ion is the final trapped ion species when both H2 and H2O exist in a vacuum system with cold, trapped Be+. The BeH+ product in the Be+ + H2 reaction further reacts with H2O to form BeOH+. To understand the loss mechanism, low-temperature reactions between sympathetically cooled BeD+ ions and H2O molecules have been investigated using an integrated, laser-cooled Be+ ion trap and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Schneider et al 2014 Phys. Rev. Appl. 2 034013). Among all the possible products, BeH2O+, H2DO+, BeOD+, and BeOH+, only the BeOH+ molecular ion was observed experimentally, with the assumed co-product of HD. Theoretical analyses based on explicitly correlated restricted coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples (RCCSD(T)-F12) method with the augmented correlation-consistent polarized triple zeta (AVTZ) basis set reveal that two intuitive direct abstraction product channels, Be + H2DO+ and D + BeH2O+, are not energetically accessible at the present reaction temperature (∼150 K). Instead, a double displacement BeOH+ + HD product channel is accessible due to a large exothermicity of 1.885 eV through a submerged barrier in the reaction pathway. While the BeOD+ + H2 product channel has a similar exothermicity, the reaction pathway is dynamically unfavourable, as suggested by a sudden vector projection analysis. This work sheds light on the origin of the loss and contaminations of the laser-cooled Be+ ions in quantum-information experiments.

Improving third-generation leptoquark searches with combined signals and boosted top quarks

Search strategies for the third-generation leptoquarks (LQs) are distinct from other LQ searches, especially when they decay to a top quark and a $\tau$ lepton. We investigate the cases of all TeV-scale scalar and vector LQs that decay to either a top-tau pair (charge-$1/3$ and $5/3$ LQs) or a top-neutrino pair (charge-$2/3$ LQs). One can then use the boosted top (which can be tagged efficiently using jet-substructure techniques) and high-$p_{\rm T}$ $\tau$ leptons to search for these LQs. We consider two search channels with either one or two taus along with at least one hadronically decaying boosted top quark. We estimate the high luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) search prospects of these LQs by considering both symmetric and asymmetric pair and single production processes. Our selection criteria are optimised to retain events from both pair and single production processes. The combined signal has better prospects than the traditional searches. We include new three-body single production processes to enhance the single production contributions to the combined signal. We identify the interference effect that appears in the dominant single production channel of charge-$1/3$ scalar LQ ($S^{1/3}$). This interference is constructive if $S^{1/3}$ is weak-triplet and destructive, for a singlet one. As a result, their LHC prospects differ appreciably.

Progenitors of Long-Duration Gamma-ray Bursts

We review the current scenario of long-duration Gamma-ray burst (LGRB) progenitors, and in addition, present models of massive stars for a mass range of 10–150M⊙ with ΔM=10M⊙ and rotation rate v/vcrit=0 to 0.6 with a velocity resolution Δv/vcrit=0.1. We further discuss possible metallicity and rotation rate distribution from our models that might be preferable for the creation of successful LGRB candidates given the observed LGRB rates and their metallicity evolution. In the current understanding, LGRBs are associated with Type-Ic supernovae (SNe). To establish LGRB-SN correlation, we discuss three observational paths: (i) space-time coincidence, (ii) evidence from photometric light curves of LGRB afterglows and SN Type-Ic, (iii) spectroscopic study of both LGRB afterglow and SN. Superluminous SNe are also believed to have the same origin as LGRBs. Therefore, we discuss constraints on the progenitor parameters that can possibly dissociate these two events from a theoretical perspective. We further discuss the scenario of single star versus binary star as a more probable pathway to create LGRBs. Given the limited parameter space in the mass, mass ratio and separation between the two components in a binary, binary channel is less likely to create LGRBs to match the observed LGRB rate. Despite effectively-single massive stars are fewer in number compared to interacting binaries, their chemically homogeneous evolution (CHE) might be the major channel for LGRB production.

Video Games as Tools for Education

Computer and video games are a channel of evolution and productivity that is most consumed keeping the notice of scholars through a variety of disciplines. In general, computers and video games were ignored by educators. When educators considered the games, they noticed the social consequences of gambling, ignoring the remarkable educational potential of the game. This article looks at the history of educational research games and argues that the perceptive potential of games has been ignored by educators. Current developments in the game, including interactive stories, authoring tools, and digital world collaboration, suggest powerful new opportunities for educational media. Video games are an important part of improving education through its ability to force players to present realistic simulations of real-life situations. The beginning of the proper use of gaming technologies for education and training and there is no need for scientific and engineering methods to create games not only as a more realistic simulation of the physical world but to provide experience Effective learning. This document illustrates building up to date Integration of educational principles and game design into a dialogue between them and defining games that can be integrated based on design, entertainment, and educational features. The work follows a drawing tray that forms part of the framing definition and after selecting categories of design templates, before focusing on user interaction modes, from a pedagogical point of view, given its relevance to end users

Theoretical kinetics predictions for NH2 + HO2

Recent modeling studies of NH3 oxidation, which are motivated by the prospective role of ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel, have indicated significant discrepancies between existing literature mechanisms. In this study high level theoretical kinetics predictions have been obtained for the reaction of NH2 with HO2, which has previously been highlighted as an important reaction with high sensitivity and high uncertainty. The potential energy surface is explored with coupled cluster calculations including large basis sets and high-level corrections to yield high accuracy (∼0.2 kcal/mol) estimates of the stationary point energies. Variational transition state theory is used to predict the microcanonical rate constants, which are then incorporated in master equation treatments of the temperature and pressure dependent kinetics. For the radical-radical channels, the microcanonical rates are obtained from variable reaction coordinate transition state theory implementing directly evaluated multireference electronic energies. The analysis yields predictions for the total rate constant as well as the branching to the NH3 + O2, H2NO + OH, and HNO + H2O channels. Rate constants are also reported for the H2NO + OH reaction as they arise naturally from the analysis. The rate constant and branching fraction determined in this work for the NH2 + HO2 reaction deviate significantly from values used in most previous modeling studies. The fact that the main product channel is chain terminating, rather than propagating, has strong implications for modeling NH3 ignition and oxidation, in particular at intermediate temperatures and elevated pressure.

Global temperature, R&D expenditure, and growth

We shed new light on the macroeconomic and financial effects of rising temperatures. In the data, a shock to global temperature dampens research and development (R&D) expenditure growth. This novel empirical evidence is rationalized within a stochastic endogenous growth model. In the model, temperature shocks undermine economic growth via a drop in R&D expenditure. We examine three theoretical channels of the negative R&D expenditure effect of rising temperatures: the patent obsolescence channel, the labor productivity channel, and the capital quality channel. Temperature risk generates welfare costs of 93.14% of lifetime utility in this benchmark model. Moreover, the government can offset these welfare costs by subsidizing investment with 7.04% or R&D expenditure with 3.81% of total public spending, respectively. Alternatively, it can levy a lump-sum tax on households which finances 6.90% of total public spending, reduce corporate taxes by 3.62 percentage points, or increase labor taxes by 2.80 percentage points.

Electronic absorptions of C5 + detected in the visible through action spectroscopy in a cryogenic trap

The electronic spectrum of C in the gas-phase with origin band at is reported following experiments in a cryogenic ion trapping instrument. Buffer gas-cooled C ions, generated by laser vaporisation of graphite, were investigated using two action spectroscopy approaches. Laser-induced dissociation of weakly bound complexes synthesised in the trap reveal a linear dependence of the absorption energies on n allowing prediction of those of the bare ion C. These results are confirmed in two colour experiments on C, by monitoring fragmentation into the product channel. The data are supplemented with high-level electronic structure calculations which support the assignment of symmetry to the ground electronic state. These laboratory results provide the requisite data needed for spectroscopic detection of this structure in terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments.

Two-state reaction guaranteed high efficiency hydrogen production in Sn+H2O reaction: A preliminarily theoretical study based on single molecule model

The Sn + H2O reaction is important in both hydrogen production through solar thermochemical redox cycles and investigations like the treatment of nuclear reactors or flame inhibition. Based on single molecule model, this work systematically explores its possible reacting channels in different spin multiplicities at CCSD(T)//DFT level of theory to reveal the underlined mechanism for its reported efficient hydrogen production. It is found that the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces cross each other during the water attacking process, which makes the hydrogen production channel in the singlet state energetically favored. Quantitative calculations about the possibility of surface crossing and spin inversion with respect to minimum energy crossing point, spin-orbit coupling coefficient and intersystem crossing probability confirm that the optimal reacting pathway involves the two-state reaction scenario. This special reactive pattern makes hydrogen production not only possible but also efficient. Analysis of the equilibrium constant of reactive channels and their variation with temperature reveals the performance of two-state reaction channel agrees well with reported data range and nontrivial temperature dependence.

INFLUENCE OF COST LEADERSHIP STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The study sought to determine the influence of cost leadership strategy on performance of the insurance companies in Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing the influence of price of premiums, maturity period, market segment and nature of products.
 Methodology: The study adopted the descriptive research design method to ascertain and describe the characteristics of the variables. A sample size of 55 insurance companies was reached, and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software, from which appropriate findings were presented.
 Findings: The study findings showed that the cost leadership strategy was largely applied in the insurance companies in Kenya, and most of them have realized great performance. Nonetheless, the study found that most insurance companies’ distribution channels for products are moderately entrenched and hence firms may not have been perfectly efficient in reducing associated costs.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that insurance firms should devote more resources to execution of cost leadership programs, adoption of effective premium pricing, and enhanced use of proprietary technology in enhancing the products’ quality. The study as well recommends that insurance forms should come up with effective strategies that will help them to gain a large market segment in Kenya in order to enhance their performance, as this will effectively help them in overcoming competition in their industry.

The Reaction N(2D) + CH3CCH (Methylacetylene): A Combined Crossed Molecular Beams and Theoretical Investigation and Implications for the Atmosphere of Titan.

The reaction of excited nitrogen atoms N(2D) with CH3CCH (methylacetylene) was investigated under single-collision conditions by the crossed molecular beams (CMB) scattering method with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight analysis at the collision energy (Ec) of 31.0 kJ/mol. Synergistic electronic structure calculations of the doublet potential energy surface (PES) were performed to assist the interpretation of the experimental results and characterize the overall reaction micromechanism. Theoretically, the reaction is found to proceed via a barrierless addition of N(2D) to the carbon–carbon triple bond of CH3CCH and an insertion of N(2D) into the CH bond of the methyl group, followed by the formation of cyclic and linear intermediates that can undergo H, CH3, and C2H elimination or isomerize to other intermediates before unimolecularly decaying to a variety of products. Kinetic calculations for addition and insertion mechanisms and statistical (Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus) computations of product branching fractions (BFs) on the theoretical PES were performed at different values of total energy, including the one corresponding to the temperature (175 K) of Titan’s stratosphere and that of the CMB experiment. Up to 14 competing product channels were statistically predicted, with the main ones, at Ec = 31.0 kJ/mol, being the formation of CH2NH (methanimine) + C2H (ethylidyne) (BF = 0.41), c-C(N)CH + CH3 (BF = 0.32), CH2CHCN (acrylonitrile) + H (BF = 0.12), and c-CH2C(N)CH + H (BF = 0.04). Of the 14 possible channels, seven correspond to H displacement channels of different exothermicity, for a total H channel BF of ∼0.25 at Ec = 31.0 kJ/mol. Experimentally, dynamical information could only be obtained about the overall H channels. In particular, the experiment corroborates the formation of acrylonitrile + H, which is the most exothermic of all 14 reaction channels and is theoretically calculated to be the dominant H-forming channel (BF = 0.12). The products containing a novel C–N bond could be potential precursors to form other nitriles (C2N2, C3N) or more complex organic species containing N atoms in planetary atmospheres, such as those of Titan and Pluto. Overall, the results are expected to have a potentially significant impact on the understanding of the gas-phase chemistry of Titan’s atmosphere and the modeling of that atmosphere.

Photodissociation Dynamics of Vinoxy Radical via the B̃2A″ State: The H + CH2CO Product Channel.

Photodissociation dynamics of the jet-cooled vinoxy radical (CH2CHO) via the B̃2A″ state was studied in the near-ultraviolet (near-UV) region of 308-328 nm using high-n Rydberg H atom time-of-flight (HRTOF) and resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) techniques. The vinoxy radical beam was produced by 193 nm photolysis of ethyl vinyl ether followed by supersonic expansion. The H + CH2CO product channel was observed directly in the H atom TOF spectra. The H atom photofragment yield (PFY) spectra were obtained by integrating the H atom TOF spectra and measuring the H atom REMPI signals, and showed several vibronic bands of the B̃2A″ state. The translational energy distributions of the H + CH2CO products, P(ET)'s, were obtained at several vibronic transitions. The P(ET) distributions were broad, peaking at a low energy of ∼3500 cm-1. The product translational energy release was moderate; the average translational energy release in the maximum available energy, ⟨fT⟩, was in the range of 0.24-0.27. The product angular distributions in this wavelength region were slightly anisotropic, with the β parameter in the range of 0.10-0.24. The near-UV photodissociation mechanism of the H + CH2CO product channel of the vinoxy radical is consistent with unimolecular dissociation on the electronic ground state (X̃2A″) following internal conversion from the B̃2A″ state to the Ã2A' state and then to the X̃2A″ state (although unimolecular dissociation from the first excited Ã2A' may also contribute).

New discovery modes for a light charged Higgs boson at the LHC

At the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), both the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations have been searching for light charged Higgs bosons via top (anti)quark production and decays channels, like pp → t overline{t} with one top (anti)quark decaying into a charged Higgs boson and a b (anti)quark, when the decay is kinematically open (i.e., when {m}_{H^{pm }} ≲ mt). In this paper, we propose new searches at the LHC involving light charged Higgs bosons via their pair production channels like pp → H±h/A and pp → H+H− in the 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-I and -X scenarios. By focusing on the case where the heavy H state plays the role of the Standard Model (SM)-like Higgs boson with a mass near 125 GeV, we study the aforementioned Higgs boson pair production channels and investigate their bosonic decays, such as H± → W±h and/or H± → W±A. We demonstrate that for a light charged Higgs boson state, with {m}_{H^{pm }} ≲ mt, at the LHC, such di-Higgs production and decay channels can give rise to signatures with event rates much larger than those emerging from pp → t overline{t} → t overline{b} H− + c.c. We specifically study h/A → b overline{b} and τ+τ− decays. We, therefore, claim that the discussed combination of new production and decay modes can result in an alternative discovery channel for charged Higgs bosons lighter than the top (anti)quark at the LHC within the above two 2HDM Types. Finally, in order to motivate experimentalists in ATLAS and CMS to search for such signatures, we propose 16 Benchmark Points (BPs) which are compatible with both theoretical and experimental constraints.

Review Product Distribution Through Different Channels

This study aims to investigate the literature in product distribution and channel competition. In this study, past work related to the product distribution through different channels is extensively reviewed. Based on the channel differentiation, channel competition is also reviewed. Finally, the study proposes that the future research may focus on helping the producer make a decision whether to sell the product through its own direct channel (online) through a physical channel or both based on the difference between these two channels.

Sensitivity to triple Higgs couplings via di-Higgs production in the 2HDM at e^+e^- colliders

An important task at future colliders is the investigation of the Higgs-boson sector. Here the measurement of the triple Higgs coupling(s) plays a special role. Based on previous analyses, within the framework of Two Higgs Doublet Models (2HDM) type I and II, we define and analyze several two-dimensional benchmark planes, that are over large parts in agreement with all theoretical and experimental constraints. For these planes we evaluate di-Higgs production cross sections at future high-energy e^+e^- colliders, such as ILC or CLIC. We consider two different channels for the neutral di-Higgs pairs h_i h_j=hh,hH,HH,AA: e^+e^- rightarrow h_i h_j Z and e^+e^- rightarrow h_i h_j nu {{bar{nu }}}. In both channels the various triple Higgs-boson couplings contribute substantially. We find regions with a strong enhancement of the production channel of two SM-like light Higgs bosons and/or with very large production cross sections involving one light and one heavy or two heavy 2HDM Higgs bosons, offering interesting prospects for the ILC or CLIC. The mechanisms leading to these enhanced production cross sections are analyzed in detail. We propose the use of cross section distributions with the invariant mass of the two final Higgs bosons where the contributions from intermediate resonant and non-resonant BSM Higgs bosons play a crucial role. We outline which process at which center-of-mass energy would be best suited to probe the corresponding triple Higgs-boson couplings.

Searching for leptoquarks at future muon colliders

A high energy muon collider can provide new and complementary discovery potential to the LHC or future hadron colliders. Leptoquarks are a motivated class of exotic new physics models, with distinct production channels at hadron and lepton machines. We study a vector leptoquark model at a muon collider with sqrt{s} = 3, 14 TeV within a set of both UV and phenomenologically motivated flavor scenarios. We compute which production mechanism has the greatest reach for various values of the leptoquark mass and the coupling between leptoquark and Standard Model fermions. We find that we can probe leptoquark masses up to an order of magnitude beyond sqrt{s} with perturbative couplings. Additionally, we can also probe regions of parameter space unavailable to flavor experiments. In particular, all of the parameter space of interest to explain recent low-energy anomalies in B meson decays would be covered even by a sqrt{s} = 3 TeV collider.

Determinants of digitization in SMEs

The aim of the study is to present the conditions for introducing digitization in enterprises of the Polish SME sector, with particular emphasis on the changes brought about by the pandemic. The study analyses the degree of digitization which has taken place in the Polish economy in comparison with the EU average, with particular emphasis on SMEs, by making recourse to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI).This study presents the results of my own research on the determinants of digitization in enterprises. The subject of the research was a group of enterprises classified as SMEs in Poland. The survey was conducted in March 2021 using electronic tools in the form of an online survey. After substantive and logical verification, 120 questionnaires were selected for further analysis.The analysis of enterprises from the SME sector showed that over 44% of enterprises operate on the basis of action plans not exceeding one year. This type of planning was particularly common in micro-enterprises employing up to 10 people and running a service activity. Digitization acted as an important process in the activities of the analysed enterprises. Every fifth surveyed enterprise had plans to invest in software and digital solutions for enterprises;and wanted to implement these plans within the next year. The most common area of activity and implementation of digital solutions was sales and distribution. This was due to the need during the pandemic to build new distribution channels for products or services through the increasingly important e-commerce market. Research has shown that the Covid situation has led to significant changes taking place in the economy of enterprises. More than half of the analysed enterprises indicated a lack of financial resources as a barrier when introducing cloud solutions.

Second class currents, axial mass, and nuclear effects in hyperon production

We study the properties of the Cabibbo suppressed quasielastic production of $\Lambda$ and $\Sigma$ hyperons in antineutrino interactions with nuclei, including the effects of modified form factor axial mass, the second class current and SU(3) flavour violations. The hyperon and nucleon are subjected to the nuclear potential and the outgoing hyperon can undergo final state interactions. The hyperon potential has a significant effect on their production through absorption. We predict a significant enhancement of $\Lambda$ production compared with other hyperon production channels through $\Sigma \to \Lambda$ conversions. We produce predictions for several experiments by combining realistic neutrino energy distributions with suitable nuclear targets.