Variable Segments Research Articles

Exploring Gender-Based Differences in Banking Transactions: A Data-Driven Analysis Using Multiple Linear Models and Permutation Feature Importance

This study examines gender-based differences in financial behavior, focusing on various bank transactions and demographic factors using a large dataset from Kaggle, consisting of over one million entries. By applying multiple linear regression models and permutation feature importance rankings, the study explores how different variables, such as age, geographic location, and transactional timing, influence banking patterns across genders. The findings reveal that age is a significant predictor of transaction behavior for males, while it is less impactful for females. Geographic location, particularly “Location_West” and “Location_Other,” plays a crucial role for males but has minimal influence on females. For females, transactional timing, indicated by “TransactionHour,” shows more importance in predicting banking behaviors. In contrast, gender itself does not significantly affect transaction outcomes when controlling for other variables. Overall, the study highlights the importance of demographic and contextual factors, such as age and geography, over inherent genderbased differences. These insights provide valuable guidance for financial institutions aiming to tailor their services more effectively to meet the needs of diverse customer segments. The results emphasize the need for data-driven approaches to better understand gender-specific financial behavior and improve service offerings.

Optimizing Semantic Segmentation for Enhanced Football Analytics: A Pixel-level Approach

Semantic Segmentation, a pivotal technique in image analysis, is adeptly leveraged in this research to bolster sports analytics, with a concentrated focus on football. A comprehensive pipeline is unveiled for an in-depth analysis of a select portion of the IAUFD 100k dataset, encompassing 2030 manually annotated football images. The methodology entails a thorough evaluation and comparison of diverse semantic segmentation models, supplemented by the integration of advanced pre-processing strategies and optimal training techniques. Such a holistic approach culminates in a marked enhancement in model performance, as evidenced by a significant uptick in the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU). This research offers granular, object-oriented insights that substantially augment player tracking, action recognition, and event detection in football. The conclusive remarks of the study highlight prospective avenues for further research, emphasizing the potential incorporation of Explainable AI and advanced Metamorphic and Security Testing to fortify sports analytics.

Vaccine induction of CD4-mimicking HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in macaques

The CD4-binding site (CD4bs) is a conserved epitope on HIV-1 envelope (Env) that can be targeted by protective broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). HIV-1 vaccines have not elicited CD4bs bnAbs for many reasons, including the occlusion of CD4bs by glycans, expansion of appropriate naive B cells with immunogens, and selection of functional antibody mutations. Here, we demonstrate that immunization of macaques with a CD4bs-targeting immunogen elicits neutralizing bnAb precursors with structural and genetic features of CD4-mimicking bnAbs. Structures of the CD4bs nAb bound to HIV-1 Env demonstrated binding angles and heavy-chain interactions characteristic of all known human CD4-mimicking bnAbs. Macaque nAb were derived from variable and joining gene segments orthologous to the genes of human VH1-46-class bnAb. This vaccine study initiated in primates the B cells from which CD4bs bnAbs can derive, accomplishing the key first step in the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

Is Disaggregate Form of Information Value Relevant: Evidence from Indian Listed Companies

Despite its scarcity, capital is necessary for a country’s economic development. To channelise capital foreign investment, financial intermediaries such as development banks, commercial banks, investment and financial institutions, insurance and investment banks are required. The expansion of the capital market is required to encourage and steer capital formation. The capital market encourages investment while also bringing vigour and dynamism to the country’s business organisations. The availability of accounting information and financial reporting is crucial for the effectiveness of capital markets, efficient resource allocation, capital information and economic development. Prior researchers prove the relevance of accounting information as a predictor of changes in stock behaviour in particular and growth of stock market in general. To augment this aspect the relevance of segment wise information provided by companies becomes important to be studied. Hence, the present study examines the influence of segment reporting on value relevance. Stock price after 90 days from the end of the financial year has been taken as a dependent variable and various segment related dimensions as independent variable for the period 2016–2017 to 2021–2022. It employed Ohlson (1995) model and indicates that Segment reporting information has significant and positive influence on value relevance thus it clearly indicates that investor’s view segment information while making investment decisions.

Food Estate in Transmigrant Society, Central Borneo: Blessed or Curse?

The food estate program implemented in Central Borneo has elicited both positive and negative responses from diverse segments of society. The present scenario is closely intertwined with the pressing nature and consequential effects, particularly within the domains of environmental and ecosystem sciences, economics, and socio-cultural sciences. This research examines the implementation and effects of the food estate program on the transmigrant community in the Pandih Batu District, Pulang Pisau Regency, located in Central Borneo. It uses a qualitative research design. Data were gathered through observations, documentation, and interviews. The focus of this study pertains to the transmigrant community residing in the regions of Blanti, Siam, and Gadabung. Establishing a food estate in Pulang Pisau has yielded favorable outcomes within the community, including the provision of assistance and enhancements in infrastructure, particularly in terms of road accessibility for the distribution of crops. However, it also raises issues like ecosystem alterations and communal farming practices. Despite the need for the land to support the target’s achievement, people feel driven to boost the production of the agricultural products the government has set as a goal. The establishment of the food estate has resulted in a situation where farmers have become reliant on the government for the allocation of resources.

A study on the impact of regulatory challenges on the earnings of Indian street vendors : A case study of Puri district

Street vendors form a significant and diverse segment of the informal economy that operate without fixed business premises. Their contribution to the GDP cannot be ignored and they play a crucial role in the overall economic development. Despite the positive contributions, they are often subjected to different vulnerabilities and regulatory challenges being one of them. This paper is a descriptive study which aims to examine how different regulatory issues impacts the earnings of street vendors on daily basis. Statistical techniques like confirmatory factor analysis to identify the different indicators of regulatory challenges and ordinal logistic regression have been used to study its impact on earnings. Results showed that there is a strong negative relationship between regulatory issues and income which is consistent across different levels of income.

The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the United States.

The term "acupuncture" commonly refers to a non-pharmacologic therapy that is increasingly employed by diverse segments of the population for a wide variety of complaints including pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, frozen shoulder, and other issues. The term is also used as a short-hand for the wider medical system from which the placement of needles into the skin for therapeutic benefit and related techniques evolved. Thus "acupuncture" refers both to the therapeutic technique and the therapeutic system of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM). The other modalities included within AHM include a wide variety of physical and mechanical manipulations, herbal medicines, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle modifications. Clinically, acupuncture is increasingly offered in a variety of conventional medical settings such as hospitals, medical school clinics, veterans' healthcare centers, oncology facilities, and rehabilitation centers, and its safety profile is excellent overall. Barriers to further incorporation of acupuncture into biomedical sites include insurance coverage of acupuncture, education of conventional medical practitioners and other stakeholders about the utility, efficacy, and evidence base of acupuncture. Acupuncturists in the United States are skilled practitioners who are highly educated in the complex therapeutic system from which acupuncture arose and in the technical aspects of its utility as a treatment modality. The training, certification, licensure, and regulation of acupuncturists is similar to that of conventional providers such has physician's assistants, advanced practice nurses, and medical and osteopathic doctors. While clinical use and acceptance of acupuncture continues to grow, there is to date no definitive composite document explaining the utility of acupuncture in various healthcare settings, the current understanding of how acupuncture works, and the training, professional regulation, and certification of acupuncture practitioners. This article will address these topics and strive to create a reference for practitioners, administrators, legislators, insurance providers, patients and their families, and other stakeholders.

Perancangan Komik Digital sebagai Eksplorasi Visual Dampak dari Tawuran

Brawls in Indonesia, traditionally stemming from the student community, have evolved into a troubling phenomenon, raising concerns about the nation's future generations. To address this issue, the author undertakes a thorough analysis of the underlying causes that contribute to these brawls, aiming to formulate effective solutions as an alternative approach to handling the situation. This analytical process serves as a critical foundation for devising a comprehensive strategy. As part of the proposed solution, the author explores the potential of utilizing visual and persuasive elements, specifically through the creation of a comic medium. Comics are recognized as a powerful and accessible means of conveying messages that are not only engaging but also easily comprehensible across diverse segments of society. The objective is to develop a comic that serves not only as entertainment but also as an educational tool, providing a profound understanding of the consequences of conflicts. Through this approach, the intention is to impart valuable lessons and foster positive awareness, particularly among the younger generation, contributing to a more harmonious and informed society.

The influence of integrated marketing strategies on the adoption and success of IT products: A comparative study of B2B and B2C markets

This study explores the influence of integrated marketing strategies on the adoption and success of IT products, with a comparative analysis of Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) markets. Integrated marketing strategies, which combine various communication and promotional tools to create a cohesive and consistent message, have become increasingly critical in the competitive IT sector. The study examines how these strategies impact product adoption, market penetration, and overall success in both B2B and B2C contexts. In the B2B market, where decision-making processes are complex and involve multiple stakeholders, integrated marketing strategies are essential for building long-term relationships and demonstrating value. The study highlights how companies that effectively integrate content marketing, direct sales, and digital campaigns are more successful in gaining the trust and buy-in of corporate clients, leading to higher adoption rates of IT products. Conversely, in the B2C market, the emphasis on brand awareness, customer engagement, and personalization plays a crucial role. The study demonstrates that IT products marketed with a strong focus on social media, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising campaigns tend to achieve higher consumer interest and quicker market adoption. The comparative analysis reveals that while both markets benefit from integrated marketing strategies, the approach and emphasis differ significantly, reflecting the distinct needs and behaviors of B2B and B2C customers. This research contributes to the understanding of how integrated marketing strategies can be tailored to optimize the success of IT products in diverse market segments. It offers practical insights for marketers and business leaders on developing and implementing marketing strategies that resonate with their target audiences, thereby enhancing product adoption and sustaining competitive advantage. The findings suggest that a nuanced approach, sensitive to the specific dynamics of B2B and B2C markets, is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of integrated marketing efforts in the IT industry.. Keywords: B2B Markets, B2C Markets, IT Products, Influence, Integrated Marketing Strategies.

Consumer Acceptance Studies of Margarine to Guide Product Development in the Food Industry.

Margarine exhibits significant variations in composition, allowing it to cater to diverse consumer segments. This study aimed to characterize the physical and sensory attributes of margarine samples available in the Brazilian market. Twelve commercial samples from six different brands, encompassing 30% to 80% of lipid contents, were subjected to instrumental texture analysis and affective assessment. A total of 112 consumers participated in acceptance tests and Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) evaluations, while another group of 62 subjects performed Projective Mapping. Samples with lipid percentages exceeding 70% achieved the highest average acceptance scores for taste and overall impression. The brand with the lowest lipid content (30%) exhibited a stronger association with negative attributes, including rancid flavor and aroma, bitterness, and metallic flavor, resulting in lower average scores for aroma, flavor, texture, and overall impression. However, these scores were not statistically different from samples with 50% and 60% lipid content. Reducing lipid levels in fat-based products such as margarine poses a challenge to food manufacturers, as consumers generally perceive higher lipid percentages as indicative of superior flavor quality.

Generational Dynamics of Innovation Adoption in Chinese Consumer Markets: A Comprehensive Analysis

This extensive and comprehensive study delves into the intricate dynamics of generational responses to innovative marketing strategies within the dynamic landscape of the Chinese consumer market. Given China’s rapid economic growth and technological advancements, it has become imperative for businesses and marketers to grasp how different generations engage with marketing innovations. This study encompasses Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, each shaped by unique life experiences and societal contexts, resulting in distinct preferences and behaviors. Furthermore, the study offers a thorough analysis of how diverse generations in China interact with and respond to innovative marketing strategies, providing academic researchers and businesses operating in the rapidly evolving Chinese consumer marketing landscape with actionable insights. Understanding these generational dynamics is crucial for developing marketing strategies that resonate with diverse generational segments and harnessing the power of technology to connect with consumers across all age groups. The dynamic landscape is further enriched by the proliferation of digital technologies, social media platforms, and e-commerce ecosystems. This study scrutinizes how these generational cohorts interact with innovation in marketing, considering preferences, technological adoption patterns, cultural influences, and attitudes toward trust and privacy. Additionally, it examines generational disparities in marketing channel preferences, offering valuable insights for companies aiming to tailor their marketing strategies to effectively engage diverse generational segments in China. Importantly, this research underscores the strategic significance of understanding generational differences in marketing innovation adoption. It emphasizes that this knowledge is not solely an academic pursuit but rather a critical necessity for companies seeking to thrive in one of the most competitive consumer markets globally. By acknowledging and responding to the distinct preferences and behaviors of various generational cohorts, businesses can forge meaningful connections, optimize return on investment, and adeptly navigate the evolving consumer landscape.

A Comparative Study of Printed Fabric Product Lines and Design Concepts of Texstyle Ghana Limited

Purpose: This research investigates TexStyle Ghana Limited’s printed fabric design concepts over three decades, focusing on cultural heritage and consumer preferences, aiming to understand trends and patterns.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employs qualitative data analysis as the primary approach to investigate design concepts. The research method adopted for this study is a single-case method. The data is collected from TexStyle Ghana Limited (TSGL), a prominent textile printing company in Ghana, with a specific focus on their product lines and historical design trends. The data is analysed based on patterns, and themes within textual or visual data.
 Findings: TexStyle Ghana Limited (TSGL) offers four unique brands of printed fabrics catering to diverse consumer segments. Their design concepts reflect cultural motifs, traditional heritage, and bold African textile utilisation. TSGL's product lines, such as the Adepa Dumas and NuStyle collections, target specific demographics with distinctive design elements.
 Research Limitation/Implications: The study's limitation includes focusing on TSGL, although there are other printing companies in Ghana. However, the findings or implications could apply to other textile printing companies.
 Practical Implication: The research highlights the significance of considering customer preferences and cultural heritage in textile design for Ghanaian companies. These include traditional motifs, vibrant colours, and cultural symbolism that enhances competitiveness and customer satisfaction.
 Social Implication: Preserving Ghanaian cultural heritage through printed fabrics promotes representation, inclusivity, and global promotion of African art and fashion while catering to diverse consumer segments.
 Originality/Value: This industry-specific lens allows for targeted insights into the unique challenges and innovations in textile printing, contributing to a more granular understanding of Ghana's fashion landscape.

Exploring the Impact of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools on Green Product Purchase Intentions among Diverse Green Consumer Segments

In response to escalating environmental pressures and the growing global consensus on comprehensive green initiatives, marketers encounter the challenge of effectively communicating with diverse green consumer segments. The purpose of this study is to explore the preferences of different IMC tools among different types of green consumers and then attempt to propose effective communication tools for different types of green consumers to boost sustainable consumption. This study examined 13 widely used integrated marketing communication (IMC) tools and delved into their impact on the purchase intentions of different consumer segments toward green products. Meanwhile, departing from conventional approaches, we replaced consumer awareness with actual consumer behavior to more accurately segment green consumers. This distinction allowed us to categorize green consumers into three segments: light green (including colorless), medium green, and dark green consumers. By analyzing these IMC tools based on the dimensions of media richness theory—feedback, multiple cues, language variety, and personal focus—we found that (1) only three communication tools can effectively provide green consumers with different levels of green behavior with the green product information they need to enhance their green products purchase intention; (2) dark green consumers demonstrate a markedly stronger preference for these three types of IMC tools than the others; (3) there are significant differences in only two constructs, namely “feedback” and “language variety” among these three types of green consumers; and (4) both dark green and medium green consumers are more concerned about the level of personalization in messages than light green (including colorless) consumers. Ultimately, practical insights are provided to empower businesses and marketers in boosting consumer preference for green products.

Sectoral Comparison of Herding During Global Financial Crisis and Covid-19: Comparative Analysis of Shariah Compliant and Conventional Stocks

The worldwide financial environment has experienced substantial upheavals amid both the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaining insight into investor behavior, with a specific focus on herd behavior, during these periods is essential for a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics. The authors intend to compare and analyze investor herding behavior in the Pakistani Stock market, specifically focusing on shariah-compliant and conventional stocks during both the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic. The study explores how stock return dispersions behave in response to significant upward and downward movements in the market index. Additionally, the research distinguishes between the overall and sector-specific performance of Shariah-compliant and conventional stocks. To examine participant herding behavior, the authors applied the cross-sectional absolute deviation model (CSAD) to the daily data of the Karachi stock market. The results indicate that both Shariah-compliant and conventional stocks exhibited a weak form of herding during the GFC. Furthermore, different sectors displayed varying degrees of herding intensity during this crisis. Notably, a substantial increase in herding behavior was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings have crucial implications for portfolio diversification strategies during financial crises, emphasizing the identification of safe havens by constructing portfolios across diverse segments and sectors. This research contributes to the existing knowledge on herding behavior by examining two distinct hypotheses related to conventional and shariah-compliant stocks, and the empirical evidence supports these hypotheses.

Cinematic Patterns: Deciphering the Cultural Dynamics and Movie Preferences of the Filipino People

This research paper delves into the intricate tapestry of Filipinos' movie-watching behavior, exploring its cultural nuances and evolution over decades. From the golden age of Philippine cinema to the contemporary era of digital platforms, the study investigates the factors influencing film preferences, focusing on the pivotal role of local films, or "Pinoy" films, in the hearts of Filipino audiences. Examining the impact of digital technology on traditional movie-going habits, the research addresses a notable gap by quantifying the movie formula, emphasizing narrative structures, genre preferences, emotional engagement, and cultural resonances. The study identifies critical influencers through discrete choice modeling, highlighting the importance of directors and gender-specific preferences. The findings offer strategic recommendations for stakeholders in the Filipino film industry, emphasizing the need for tailored marketing, informed casting decisions, and flexible runtime considerations to engage diverse audience segments effectively.

Segmenting, Targeting, and Positioning of Yogurt Products From the Perspective of Islamic Marketing

This study aims to explore the concept of Islamic marketing strategy and its potential role in developing halal trade and contributing towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research method use qualitative method, a literature review is conducted to examine Islamic marketing from a marketing strategy perspective, building on the STP framework and outlining its implications. The findings suggest that Sharia-compliant marketing can serve as an effective strategy for businesses to attract customers using halal marketing tactics in their Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning approaches. This approach enables the business world to avoid being perceived as solely profit-driven and instead embrace social responsibility. The proposed framework can be utilized by businesses to segment the Muslim market given the cultural dissimilarities in interpreting Islam and halal. This way, companies can not only comprehend the diverse segments within Islamic interpretation, but also devise an appropriate marketing mix to cater to consumer requirements. The study's findings can be applied to Muslim marketers while using the Segmenting, Targeting, Positioning framework. Furthermore, it offers qualitative guidance for non-Muslim marketers and scholars, resolving various marketing-related concerns.

Medical assisted-segmentation system based on global feature and stepwise feature integration for feature loss problem

This paper presents an advanced methodology that combines Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Transformers to tackle the issue of feature loss and elevate segmentation accuracy. While Transformers excel at capturing global features, there is a potential risk of losing crucial global information when CNNs concentrate on local feature extraction. To counteract this, we introduce the FM module, which re-extracts local information from the Encoder’s output, reinforcing local feature expression and enhancing segmentation accuracy. Additionally, our approach places a significant emphasis on the judicious fusion of features in the Decoder. By incorporating a technology that aggregates both global and local features, we aim to prevent the loss of feature information. To augment the effective representation of data features and heighten accuracy across diverse segmentation tasks, we introduce the GS Feature Combination method, which adjusts the weights of different features during the aggregation process. Experimental results demonstrate noteworthy performance improvements, achieving an Intersection over Union (IOU) of 71.3%, surpassing existing methods. This innovative approach bears substantial importance in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction of osteosarcoma, affording doctors the opportunity to reduce workload and time while upholding diagnostic precision.

It’s not all black and white: A text analysis of racially diverse versus legacy superheroes in Marvel and DC Comics

Comic-book publishers have responded to growing racial diversity by strategically creating multicultural superheroes to diversify their publishing lines. While extant research has examined representation and broader-level themes surrounding diverse heroes, limited research has focused on the story text in diverse titles. This is the first study to explore and analyse the story text to uncover themes in diverse versus legacy superhero comics. Through a Leximancer text analysis of superhero comic books from Marvel and DC Comics, this study (1) identifies the prominent themes exuded in legacy titles versus diversity titles, (2) examines the cultural authenticity of the themes, and (3) compares the themes with those in past research. Identifying the different themes and their authenticity is critical for creators and marketers appealing to diverse segments, who now represent 19 per cent of consumer spending in the USA. Findings indicate varying themes across diverse and legacy superhero comics. Diverse comics focus on time struggles between superhero-ing and school, family and home. Legacy comics evoke themes of mastering time and space and then returning home. In contrasting Marvel and DC diverse superhero comics, Marvel themes focus more on the personal journey of the hero from doubt to confidence, while DC themes focus on the resilience of the heroes in their downtrodden neighbourhoods. In comparing these themes with themes identified in past content analyses, there is similarity and authenticity. The paper concludes with strategic implications pertinent to cultural marketing and media representation and inclusion. Marketers trying to reach diverse segments must continue to present diverse youth with authentic stories developed by credible creators. They may also move beyond common themes to those embodying greater empowerment.

The Utilization of Television Media by the Rural Community in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India: A Study

This study investigates the utilization of television media in the rural community of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, focusing on the preferences and behaviors of different demographic groups. The research entails an extensive literature review on television media within the region, followed by a targeted survey among housewives, youths, farmers, and professionals in rural areas, conducted in the Tamil language. The survey results indicate that more than 30.49% of housewives, 26.83% of youths, 23.17% of farmers, and 19.51% of professionals exceeded the surveyed thresholds, highlighting significant engagement with television in diverse demographic segments. The findings illuminate the substantial role of television media in the rural community, emphasizing the need to comprehend and address the specific needs and interests of various demographic groups. This study contributes valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between television viewership patterns and demographic characteristics in rural areas, laying a foundation for further research and initiatives aimed at optimizing the impact of television in rural development.

Traffic spills the beans: A robust video identification attack against YouTube

Traffic-based video identification attack is a side-channel attack that allows an attacker to identify transmitted online videos from encrypted network traffic. Existing attacks face two types of challenges: 1) YouTube's improved streaming technology renders them invalid or impacted; 2) real-world diverse traffic makes them underperform. In this paper, we provide the first study of YouTube's technical improvements and reveal its three key features: i) the mechanism that replaces the MPD file, ii) variable combined segments, and iii) various buffering processes. Based on the above analysis, we propose a Robust and easily scalable Video Identification Attack against YouTube called RoVIA. RoVIA extracts video fingerprints from video file headers and reference sequences from video traffic. RoVIA uses the reference sequence to generate candidate sequences in the pre-built video fingerprint library and achieves video identification by measuring sequence similarity. Experimental results show that RoVIA achieves open-world accuracy of 0.967, 0.924, and 0.863 in open-world, fixed-quality, and poor network experiments. Furthermore, RoVIA's scalability allows the target classes to be adjusted by updating the fingerprint library without collecting new samples and retraining parameters. This study aims to demonstrate the vulnerabilities of YouTube streaming technology and the potential consequences of its malicious use. We also propose two YouTube-friendly countermeasures to help developers build effective defenses.