Active Users Research Articles

Using econometric methods to analyze and evaluate the relationship between digitalization indicators and the well-being of regions of the Russian Federation

Subject. The article considers the relationship between digitalization and the level of well-being of regions of the Russian Federation. Objectives. The aim is to identify factors of digitalization that have the greatest impact on the well-being of regions of Russia. Methods. The study employs analysis and synthesis of scientific literature on the research topic, classification, and econometric modeling. Results. We developed a regression model with a fixed effect. The endogenous variable is consumer spending, exogenous variables are the proportion of organizations that used the Internet; the number of subscribers of mobile broadband Internet access per 100 people; the proportion of the population who are active Internet users. We established a relationship between the indicators of digitalization and consumer spending per capita. However, there is no direct relationship between the volume of investments in fixed assets aimed at purchasing ICT equipment with consumer spending per capita. Conclusions. The availability of Internet access is the most obvious indicator of the region's population welfare. On the contrary, the availability of services provided via the Internet did not show a strong connection with consumer spending in the region. Practical application of the constructed model will make it possible to predict the level of well-being while improving digital technologies.

Study on Impact of Entertainment in the Context of Digital Capitalism on Youth Development

The development of electronic Internet technology has led to the construction of another world - a world constructed by data, or numbers of all kinds, where real-life individuals meet in another world in a “virtual body” state, and where the limits of time and space are completely broken. The limitations of time and space are completely broken. This has brought great convenience to the media industry and new business opportunities to capital. Major digital platforms have a huge number of Internet users, and after collecting their personal data and browsing information, they can accurately deliver content that may be of interest to them. In addition, the boom in the culture and entertainment industry has led to platforms putting icons in front of the public and making them objects of imitation and admiration. People are exposed to the data network constructed by mature technology, and the digitalisation and digital industrialisation of the industry have become a general trend. Stars, the money-making tools of capital, are being created in various ways, forming a complete industrial chain and controlling the vast number of Internet users. Teenagers, as active users of the Internet, are still at the stage of forming their values, so the various idol stars launched by the media industry have a huge impact on their development. The media industry, controlled by capital, pays more attention to economic benefits and sometimes even ignores social benefits in order to realise its value proliferation, seriously misleading young people whose values are not yet set and increasing the scope and intensity of capital exploitation, which urgently needs to be regulated and corrected by measures taken by the relevant authorities.

Risks of Using Digital Payment Method Using the Perceived Risk (PR) Theory Approach

Purpose: Most studies focus on the advantages of adopting innovations, such as Internet banking and mobile banking, assuming that new technology should be adopted because it is good enough. However, very few have specifically examined the risks perceived by customers when using DPM, especially mobile banking. Therefore, this study aims to determine the influence of privacy risk, security risk, access risk, personalization risk, and trust risk on the use of digital payments. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study is explanatory. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling where the sample is taken with certain considerations or conditions. The criteria are as follows: 1) the millennial generation aged 18 to 45 years and 2) the selected sample is an active user of DPM such as SMS, internet, and mobile banking. The distribution of questionnaires used purposive convenience sampling to select samples. Convenience sampling is based on the availability of elements and the ease of obtaining them. To test the hypothesis, the Partial Least Square (PLS) technique was used using the smart PLS 3.0 application. Findings: personalization risk and trust risk variables have a significant positive effect on the use of digital payments. At the same time the access risk, security risk, and privacy risk variables do not affect the use of digital payments. Implications/Originality/Value: This study can enrich the literature on Perceived Risk (PR) theory by providing insight into how the risk perceived by users affects the adoption and use of digital payment methods. This can help understand the psychological and emotional factors that influence consumer decisions and open up opportunities to integrate PR Theory with other theories, such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) or the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), to get a more comprehensive picture of technology adoption.

Analysis of User Satisfaction with the Netflix Application as an Entertaiment Medium Using the UX Method

This research was conducted to analyze user satisfaction with the Netflix application using the UX Honeycomb method. The UX Honeycomb method is used to evaluate various aspects of user experience, such as usability, aesthetic value, sustainability, accessibility, satisfaction, and diversity. This study involved data collection through online surveys and interviews with active Netflix users. Data analysis was conducted using statistical techniques and qualitative interpretation. The UX Honeycomb method was employed to understand the essential aspects of user experience within the application. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for other streaming service providers to enhance their service quality and create a better user experience. Additionally, the contribution of the UX Honeycomb methodology in assessing user satisfaction can serve as a foundation for further research in the context of digital entertainment applications.

Active support as good support in group homes? A longitudinal interview study with service users

ABSTRACT Background: Support from staff plays an important role in quality of life for people with intellectual disability. This study focuses on service users' views of Active Support as good support and whether Active Support increases the quality of everyday support in group homes. Method: Nine service users were interviewed at baseline and at follow-up one year after staff received Active Support training. Thematic analyses were used to develop themes. Results: Three main themes were created: (1) Home is more than just a place, it is a feeling; (2) Good care is caring with accessible communication; and (3) Time is precious. Participants were more satisfied with most of the support at follow-up, particularly choice-making, control in everyday life, relationships, and emotional support. Conclusions: Active Support corresponds well with service users’ perceptions of good support. In future studies of Active Support service users' voices should be a part of the follow-up.

Design of software system architecture for reading and publishing amateur literary works

The article discusses the functionality and key requirements for a web application for reading and publishing amateur literary works. Against the backdrop of current changes in the book industry caused by the development of technology and the emergence of self-publishing, the need to create platforms that provide authors with the opportunity to publish content independently is emphasized. One of the main problems that authors face when publishing is the loss of the original formatting of their works when transferring them to text editors on web platforms. This paper proposes a solution to this problem by developing a web application with the function of importing the content of text files while preserving their original formatting. The article also contains a comparative analysis of popular web-based platforms for publishing works, such as Archive of Our Own, Wattpad, and Arkush, which helped to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. In particular, the difficulties associated with storing and processing unstructured data, such as images and text files, were investigated. To solve the problem of storing such data, a comparative analysis of three approaches was conducted: storing data in relational databases, local file systems, and cloud storage. Taking into account the results of this analysis, the web application under development was chosen to integrate with the Amazon Web Services cloud provider and use Amazon S3 cloud storage, which provides scalability, reliability, and convenience in managing large amounts of unstructured data. It was also decided to use the Amazon CloudFront CDN service to improve the speed of data access and increase overall system performance. In addition, the article describes the choice of a technology stack for implementing the web application, which includes Java, Spring Framework, MySQL, ORM Hibernate for the server side and HTML, CSS, React.js for the client side. The article highlights important aspects of designing a web application architecture aimed at scalability and resilience to large amounts of data and an increase in the number of active users, and provides a basis for further system improvement.

Mapping cognitive activity from electrocorticography field potentials in humans performing NBack task

Objective. Advancements in data science and assistive technologies have made invasive brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) increasingly viable for enhancing the quality of life in physically disabled individuals. Intracortical microelectrode implants are a common choice for such a communication system due to their fine temporal and spatial resolution. The small size of these implants makes the implantation plan critical for the successful exfiltration of information, particularly when targeting representations of task goals that lack robust anatomical correlates. Approach. Working memory processes including encoding, retrieval, and maintenance are observed in many areas of the brain. Using human electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings during a working memory experiment, we provide proof that it is possible to localize cognitive activity associated with the task and to identify key locations involved with executive memory functions. Results. From the analysis, we could propose an optimal iBCI implant location with the desired features. The general approach is not limited to working memory but could also be used to map other goal-encoding factors such as movement intentions, decision-making, and visual-spatial attention. Significance. Deciphering the intended action of a BCI user is a complex challenge that involves the extraction and integration of cognitive factors such as movement planning, working memory, visual-spatial attention, and the decision state. Examining field potentials from ECoG electrodes while participants engaged in tailored cognitive tasks can pinpoint location with valuable information related to anticipated actions. This manuscript demonstrates the feasibility of identifying electrodes involved in cognitive activity related to working memory during user engagement in the NBack task. Devoting time in meticulous preparation to identify the optimal brain regions for BCI implant locations will increase the likelihood of rich signal outcomes, thereby improving the overall BCI user experience.

Exploring Students’ Perceptions of New Media Impact on Their Ideal Beliefs

The purpose of this article is to study the impact of the new media platform called TikTok impact on the formation of ideal beliefs. An online survey of 150 active TikTok users identifies their beliefs, opinions, and perspectives related to the content they watch on this platform. This study applies an experimental approach: it uses the questionnaire method to examine the influence of new media and the digital environment on the formation of ideal beliefs. The results of the study confirmed that TikTok and the digital environment significantly impact the formation of beliefs among users: 35% of participants noted a strong influence of viewed content on their beliefs, 25% admitted frequent influence, and 20% experienced a moderate influence. The practical significance of the article is that it emphasizes the need to understand how media and digital platforms impact the worldviews and beliefs of users.

Преодоление последствий глобализации на примере взаимодействия государства и Русской Православной Церкви в информационной сфере

Introduction. The article considers the problem of overcoming the consequences of globalization in the context of informatization of society using the example of interaction between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church in the information sphere. The following methods were used in the study: system analysis, philosophical analysis, interpretation, comparison and synthesis. Theoretical analysis. The State and the Church, as active users of the information resources and technologies available today, have a significant impact on their development. Many hierarchs and laypeople, adhering to “protective” views, represented by an established political course, continue to participate in the media sphere. The participation of the Church and the state makes it possible to maintain political stability in the country. It is pointed out that, on the one hand, the spiritual and moral crisis of modern society is caused by informatization as one of the conditions for its development, but on the other hand, informatization permeates all areas of life and activity, both of the Church and the state, to such extent that neglecting its resources is impossible today. Conclusion. The characteristic features of the Church and the state which, with the help of information resources and technologies, are trying to resist the negative consequences of globalization and Westernization, are highlighted and described. The ways of solving these problems are outlined. It is emphasized that the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church and the state authorities are interested in consolidating efforts aimed at resolving the numerous social contradictions that exist in the information space today.

Validity of a wrist-worn consumer-grade wearable for estimating energy expenditure, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Purpose To evaluate the validity of a consumer-grade wearable for estimating energy expenditure, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and methods Fifteen manual wheelchair users with SCI (C5-L1, four female) completed activities of daily living and wheelchair propulsion (2–8 km·h−1). Wrist-worn accelerometry data were collected using consumer-grade (z-Track) and research-grade (ActiGraph GT9X) devices. Energy expenditure was measured via indirect calorimetry. Linear regression was used to evaluate the prediction of criterion metabolic equivalent of task (MET) by each accelerometer’s vector magnitude (VM). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) evaluated the accuracy of VM for discriminating between physical activity intensities and for identifying accelerometer cut-points. Results Standardised β-coefficients for the association between z-Track and ActiGraph VM for criterion MET were 0.791 (p < 0.001) and 0.774 (p < 0.001), respectively. The z-Track had excellent accuracy for classifying time in sedentary behaviour (ROC-AUC = 0.95) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (ROC-AUC = 0.93); similar values to the ActiGraph (ROC-AUC = 0.96 and 0.88, respectively). Cut-points for the z-Track were ≤37 g·min−1 for sedentary behaviour and ≥222 g·min−1 for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Conclusions This study supports the validity of a consumer-grade wearable to measure sedentary time and physical activity in manual wheelchair users with SCI.

Development of the NIST X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Database, Version 5

It has been over 20 years since the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched the first web version of its X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) database (Lee et al., 2002; Wagner, 1991) which has approximately 1000 active users every day. This database was recently redesigned to meet NIST security requirements and to include new features and enhancements. The new application is built upon a relational database using a cross-platform and open-source framework (Henning et al., 2002). In addition to a modern design interface, the new features include custom-built components for displaying formatted molecular formulas and spectral lines, for sorting spectral lines, and for graphical display of chemical shifts of binding energies, Auger-electron kinetic energies, and Auger parameters for elements in different compounds.

Social Media Marketing, Brand Image, Brand Awareness, Perceived Quality And Purchase Intention In Skincare Product Users

This study aims to examine the influence of social media marketing on brand image, brand awareness, and perceived quality in skincare product users. Research methods using quantitative approach descriptive causality. The sample consisted of 105 respondents who are active skincare users on instagram. Data were collected through online questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that social media marketing has a significant and positive influence on brand image, brand awareness, and perceived quality, which can increase purchase intention. These findings indicate that an increase in social media marketing can increase consumer purchase intention. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that skincare companies are advised to continue to optimize social media marketing strategies to build a positive brand image, increase brand awareness, and strengthen perceived quality in order to create consumer desire to buy products.

Development of a method for refining recommendations using temporal knowledge in individual insurance tasks

The subject of the research is the process of constructing recommendations in individual insurance tasks. The aim is to develop an approach for building recommendations in personalized insurance projects using temporal knowledge to adapt proposed insurance plans according to client behavior on insurance company websites. Objectives: to structure temporal rules considering the peculiarities of the online insurance recommendation process; to develop a method for constructing recommendations for insurance product selection using temporal knowledge. Conclusions: temporal rules have been structured for the task of building recommendations in personalized insurance projects. These rules generalize behavior in relative time for multiple users, enabling the generalization of user action sequences. A method for constructing online recommendations using temporal knowledge has been developed. The method consists of two phases: temporal knowledge formation and recommendation construction. The first phase is performed offline and is designed to form a base of temporal rules that generalize knowledge about user behavior. The second phase is executed online and involves refining and further utilizing temporal rules to adapt recommendations according to current user behavior. The method enables prompt adaptation of recommendations considering the user's current actions, creating conditions for increasing user trust in the recommender system's proposals.

Virtual Reality as a support in psychotherapies for children with autism and/or social anxiety: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Purpose The growth of Virtual Reality (VR) applications for therapies has increased and diversified over time. Through VR, patients are encouraged to immerse themselves in virtual environments to interact and socialize. In this article we analyze the therapies that apply VR, as a strategy that addresses health needs, to improve the patient’s quality of life in mental disorders such as anxiety and autism spectrum. Furthermore, we compare the similarities and differences of the therapies, evaluating the efficacy of VR. Finally, we present a review of VR from a technological point of view. Methods The literature search was guided by PRISMA guidelines; study eligibility criteria: year of publication from 2014 to 2022, full-length and open access articles. Articles to improve social skills in children and adolescents with autism, as well as in addressing social anxiety in youth. Exclusion criteria: systematic reviews, meta-analyses, comorbidity, postoperative, and other disorders. Results We considered 14 eligible studies, with a low risk of bias. 78% of VR therapies were implemented immersively and 85% interactively, involving active user participation in virtual environments through voice, gaze, and body movements. VR therapies for children with ASD focus on the development of social skills, with facial expression recognition, emotion recognition, social cognitive development, and verbal and non-verbal communication. VR therapies for social anxiety are effectively treated with meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. Conclusion VR can simplify the lives of those patients who are unable to leave home, due to illness or disability, allowing them to comply with therapy sessions.

Participation of Energy Communities in Electricity Markets and Ancillary Services: An Overview of Successful Strategies

Energy communities are a transformative force in the electricity markets and ancillary services, reshaping the energy landscape through collective action. This paper explores the successful strategies adopted by these communities, highlighting real-world cases where they have participated directly in the market, or through aggregators, or sold their energy to retailers, which is of paramount importance because it serves as a foundation for those countries that wish to implement these entities as part of their decarbonization plan. It also serves as a model for the development of future citizen initiatives that aim to turn citizens into active users of the electricity system. The paper examines collaborative dynamics within the energy sector, highlighting how these communities optimize resource sharing and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The study emphasizes the potential of energy communities in driving innovation and fostering a participatory approach to energy management. The results show that some pilot projects are being developed and several electricity cooperatives, one of the most common forms of energy communities, are participating in energy trading with their members and other entities. More efforts are also needed for energy communities to participate more directly in the market and/or through aggregators.

Differences between Doctors of Dental Medicine and Doctors of Medicine Awareness of Their Online Image and Perception Concerns: a Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs), including doctors of dental medicine (DMDs) and doctors of medicine (MDs), use social networking sites (SNSs) for personal and professional purposes. This study aims to: (i) explore DMDs and MDs awareness of their online presence, (ii) examine how frequently and for what reasons DMDs and MDs monitor their online images, (iii) determine the prevalence of finding inaccurate, incomplete, or unprofessional information about themselves, examine that experience, and investigate actions performed regarding unprofessional or embarrassing posted material, (iv) assess concerns about their own SNSs usage and the content they post. A cross-sectional study was conducted among DMDs and MDs in Croatia using a questionnaire. Out of 1,013 participants, 753 were active SNS users. Facebook (91.6%) and Instagram (63.1%) were the predominant SNSs used. DMDs exhibited a significantly higher inclination to utilize SNSs for professional purposes than MDs. Both groups reported a high level of proficiency in using Facebook (M=3.2, SD=0.827) and Instagram (M=2.44, SD=1.162). Approximately 55.4% of the participants repored monitoring their online presence, typically once a year or less frequently. DMDs emphasized the completeness of posted information more than MDs (U=25,623.0, p=0.001). Their highest level of concern pertained to confidentiality breaches and inaccurate medical and dental information. There are similar results for MDs and DMDs for finding erroneous information posted on SNSs. This study offers insights into HCPs' online presence, and their concerns regarding SNS usage. It underscores the significance of e-professionalism, and provides recommendations for maintaining a positive online presence while mitigating potential risks.

Using social Cognitive theory to reengage dormant users in question and answer Communities: A case study of active StackOverflow participants

Online question-and-answer communities are seriously threatened by low user participation. There is currently a rare comprehensive study on the knowledge contribution pattern of consistently active participants and the moderating role of peer recognition, which can help improve low participation and reengage inactive users, despite researchers having examined the various facets of knowledge contribution and made helpful suggestions. As per the self-determination and social cognitive theory, the communal environment impacts peers and imitates role models or reliable sources in their involvement patterns. We have examined StackOverflow’s most reliable active users from 2010 to 2020 using the social cognition and self-determination theories to use the findings to reactivate dormant users. We have used a two-step dynamic system GMM model to get robust and reliable findings. The research discovered that peer repudiation, reputation, and online social interactions favorably affect the contributed knowledge. However, knowledge-seeking and earning virtual badges such as gold and bronze usually negatively impact it. Furthermore, it was revealed that the effect of virtual badges on contributed knowledge was positively moderated by peer recognition. However, peer recognition reduces the benefits of social interaction and reputation on the contributed knowledge. The study’s findings advance the body of knowledge and provide thorough management implications for raising low participation, reengaging inactive users, and cultivating a culture of innovative sharing of knowledge.

The role of financial inclusion in expanding the tax base

The research aims to demonstrate the impact of implementing financial inclusion of the tax base, by imposing a tax on users of digital activities represented by social media platforms (content owners) through an applied study to know the mechanism of operation of these platforms, the extent of their influence, the profit mechanism achieved from them, and analyzing the data using the Excel program. The applied results have concluded that the scope of tax registration for these activities contributes to increasing the state's tax base, as more taxes are collected from various sources and the coverage of taxable activities increases. This affects supplementing the state's general budget through its reliance on sources other than oil to support it. Budget, and this is what the government is heading towards at this stage.

Tracing the dynamics of motivational self-constructs across the lifespan: Tales from senior learners of English

In the context of an ageing and increasingly more independent learning population, a narrative inquiry into the life stories of motivated and still active senior language users remains a promising yet unexplored area. This case study forms part of a PhD research (Darnault, 2023) on the motivational dynamics of lifelong foreign language learning (FLL) individuals. We recorded the retrospective stories of 3 exceptionally motivated French senior learners of English, aged 65 to 80, from childhood to their current learning experience. Our triangulated and multimodal approach elicited written, oral and visual data. An inductive thematic analysis first highlighted the emergence of motivational peaks, subsequently followed by the examination of clusters of self-constructs within participants’ individual time frames in light of the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) framework. Results showed that upon retirement all three learners integrated language learning into their daily routine, incorporating it as an integral part of their identity and broader sense of self outside L2 domain-specific motivational constructs. A particularly unyielding hybrid L2 self emerged in later years, drawing from the combination of ought-to, ideal and anti-ought-to selves that prevailed with different degrees of intensity and interaction according to life periods.

Driving engagement in metaverse-mediated tourism environments: exploring the role of perceived realism

PurposeDespite the promising development and marketing potential of the metaverse, our understanding of how realistic metaverse environments impact user engagement and behaviours remains limited. This study investigates the role of perceived realism in influencing user engagement, thereby affecting external search behaviour and visit intentions.Design/methodology/approachWe surveyed 270 active metaverse users to test the research model. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results of our study show that three dimensions of realism – avatar involvement, perceptual pervasiveness and social realism – significantly enhance user engagement, which in turn influences external search behaviour and visit intention. In contrast, simulation realism and freedom of choice have minimal effects on absorption and dedication.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlights the role of perceived realism in enhancing user engagement with the metaverse and its impact on physical world behaviours. It contributes to metaverse literature by demonstrating that engagement within the metaverse significantly influences physical world behaviours, including visit intentions and external search behaviours.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical guidance for developers to enhance user engagement in metaverse environments. Specifically, our findings advocate for visual and audio quality enhancements, greater persuasiveness of virtual spaces, improved avatar representativeness and a closer alignment of metaverse activities with real-life events.Originality/valueThis study advances the theoretical understanding of perceived realism by examining how its dimensions – such as visual and audio quality, avatar representativeness and alignment with real-life events – impact user engagement in the metaverse. It also explores how this engagement influences offline behaviours, thus bridging the gap between virtual and real-world interactions.