scholarly journals Building a Persuasive Virtual Dietitian

Informatics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Luca Anselma ◽  
Alessandro Mazzei

This paper describes the Multimedia Application for Diet Management (MADiMan), a system that supports users in managing their diets while admitting diet transgressions. MADiMan consists of a numerical reasoner that takes into account users’ dietary constraints and automatically adapts the users’ diet, and of a natural language generation (NLG) system that automatically creates textual messages for explaining the results provided by the reasoner with the aim of persuading users to stick to a healthy diet. In the first part of the paper, we introduce the MADiMan system and, in particular, the basic mechanisms related to reasoning, data interpretation and content selection for a numeric data-to-text NLG system. We also discuss a number of factors influencing the design of the textual messages produced. In particular, we describe in detail the design of the sentence-aggregation procedure, which determines the compactness of the final message by applying two aggregation strategies. In the second part of the paper, we present the app that we developed, CheckYourMeal!, and the results of two human-based quantitative evaluations of the NLG module conducted using CheckYourMeal! in a simulation. The first evaluation, conducted with twenty users, ascertained both the perceived usefulness of graphics/text and the appeal, easiness and persuasiveness of the textual messages. The second evaluation, conducted with thirty-nine users, ascertained their persuasive power. The evaluations were based on the analysis of questionnaires and of logged data of users’ behaviour. Both evaluations showed significant results.

Author(s):  
Karunesh Makker ◽  
Prince Patel ◽  
Hrishikesh Roy ◽  
Sonali Borse

Stock market is a very volatile in-deterministic system with vast number of factors influencing the direction of trend on varying scales and multiple layers. Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) states that the market is unbeatable. This makes predicting the uptrend or downtrend a very challenging task. This research aims to combine multiple existing techniques into a much more robust prediction model which can handle various scenarios in which investment can be beneficial. Existing techniques like sentiment analysis or neural network techniques can be too narrow in their approach and can lead to erroneous outcomes for varying scenarios. By combing both techniques, this prediction model can provide more accurate and flexible recommendations. Embedding Technical indicators will guide the investor to minimize the risk and reap better returns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuang-Chao Yu ◽  
Pai-Hsing Wu ◽  
Kuen-Yi Lin ◽  
Szu-Chun Fan ◽  
Sy-Yi Tzeng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Teaching engineering at a high school level has been a subject of substantial concern during recent curriculum reforms. Many countries are increasingly including engineering-focused subjects in their technology curriculum guidelines. However, technology teachers face challenges regarding the optimal implementation of an engineering-focused curriculum. It is essential to understand technology teachers’ perceptions of and behavior in classroom practices when teaching an engineering-focused curriculum. To explore the factors influencing the effective implementation of the curriculum, this study aimed to explore the association between technology teachers’ perceptions regarding curriculum guidelines (i.e., perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and beliefs) and their behavioral intentions. In addition, this study explored how these perceptions change for teachers who participated in a professional development program (PDP) for teaching an engineering-focused curriculum compared with those who did not participate in the program (NoPDP). Results In this study, structural equation modeling was used to investigate factors potentially influencing teachers’ behavioral intentions, including subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. The results showed that technology teachers’ behavioral intentions were influenced by their perceptions of the curriculum's usefulness. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were also significant determinants of behavioral intentions. Moreover, the results differed between the two groups. Perceived usefulness had direct and indirect effects on the behavioral intentions of the PDP and NoPDP groups, respectively. Conclusions We constructed a model of technology teachers’ behavioral intentions to implement an engineering-focused curriculum and identified factors influencing technology teachers’ behavioral intentions to implement an engineering-focused curriculum. Our conclusions are as follows: (1) the model was adequate for determining the factors influencing technology teachers’ behavioral intentions; (2) in the PDP group, perceived usefulness, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were significantly associated with behavioral intentions; and (3) in the NoPDP group, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were associated with behavioral intentions and self-reported behavior only via the mediating factor of beliefs. The above influencing factors should be taken into account when planning professional development programs for pre- and in-service teachers, as these programs will have implications regarding the successful implementation of an engineering-focused curriculum.


Genome ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pellegrineschi ◽  
L M Noguera ◽  
B Skovmand ◽  
R M Brito ◽  
L Velazquez ◽  
...  

The efficiency of wheat biolistic transformation systems strongly depends on the bombardment parameters, the condition of the donor plant, and the plant genotype chosen for the transformation process. This paper analyzes the transformation efficiency of the 129 wheat sister lines generically called 'Bobwhite', originally obtained from the cross 'Aurora'//'Kalyan'/'Bluebird 3'/'Woodpecker'. A number of factors influencing the transformation were examined, such as the ability to produce embryogenic callus, regeneration in selection medium, and overall transformation performance. Of the 129 genotypes evaluated, eight demonstrated transformation efficiencies above 60% (60 independent transgenic events per 100 immature embryos bombarded). Among the eight genotypes identified, we studied agronomic characteristics such as earliness to identify the most adaptable line(s) for different lab conditions. 'Bobwhite' SH 98 26 was identified as a super-transformable wheat line.Key words: wheat transformation, 'Bobwhite', genotype effect.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1879
Author(s):  
Maurizio Canavari ◽  
Marco Medici ◽  
Rungsaran Wongprawmas ◽  
Vilma Xhakollari ◽  
Silvia Russo

Irrigated agriculture determines large blue water withdrawals, and it is considered a key intervention area to reach sustainable development objectives. Precision agriculture technologies have the potential to mitigate water resource depletion that often characterises conventional agricultural approaches. This study investigates the factors influencing farmers’ intentions to adopt variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology. The Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM-3) was employed as a theoretical framework to design a survey to identify the factors influencing farmers’ decision-making process when adopting VRI. Data were gathered through quantitative face-to-face interviews with a sample of 138 fruit and grapevine producers from the Northeast of Italy (Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia). Data were analysed using partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM). The results highlight that personal attitudes, such as perceived usefulness and subjective norm, positively influence the intention to adopt VRI. Additionally, the perceived ease of use positively affects intention, but it is moderated by subject experience.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1153-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Arpan Kumar Kar ◽  
Yogesh K. Dwivedi ◽  
Hatice Kizgin

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing the citizens of India to prevent cybercrimes in the proposed Smart Cities of India.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model has been developed for identifying factors preventing cybercrimes. The conceptual model was validated empirically with a sample size of 315 participants from India. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS and AMOS softwares.FindingsThe study reveals that the “awareness of cybercrimes” significantly influences the actual usage of technology to prevent cybercrimes in Smart Cities of India. The study reveals that government initiative (GI) and legal awareness are less influential in spreading of the awareness of cybercrimes (AOC) to the citizens of the proposed smart cities.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptual model utilizes two constructs from the technology adoption model, namely, perceived usefulness and ease of use. The study employs other factors such as social media, word of mouth, GIs, legal awareness and organizations constituting entities spreading awareness from different related literature works. Thereby, a comprehensive theoretical conceptual model has been proposed which helps to identify the factors that may help in preventing cybercrimes.Practical implicationsThis study provides an insight to the policy maker to understand several factors influencing the AOC of the citizens of the proposed Smart Cities of India for the prevention of cybercrimes.Originality/valueThere are few existing studies analyzing the effect of AOC to mitigate cybercrimes. Thus, this study offers a novel contribution.


Author(s):  
Michelle E. Saunders ◽  
Jennifer M. Collins

CapsuleThis study is a novel exploration of how Tampa Bay Area residents use radar and identifies several important factors that influence the perceived usefulness of radar displays.


Author(s):  
I. Bredikhina

The article states that in order to create a competitive educational institution, management needs to use team management technologies. The research considers the issue of creating systematic support for pedagogical teams, namely assessment and analysis of a number of factors influencing the successful work of the pedagogical team and the formation of systematic support for team development using retrospective techniques and team adjustments. According to the results of the research, which is based on the Michigan model of leadership, the existing difficulties in the functioning of college teams were analyzed. The survey identified that at this stage of development, not all members of the college staff teams have a clear understanding of the overall goal (86.9 %) and the impact of teamwork on the overall result (78.2 %). Their unequal contribution to achieving the goal was also noted (73.9 %). The survey indicates that not all teams have a combination of skills at the highest level, and team members who have certain skills are not always interested in helping colleagues (82.6 %). Teams are quite high spirited and motivated even in difficult periods (82.6 %), the teams hold constructive discussions about misunderstandings and problems, regularly find new opportunities to find information and solve complex problems, appreciate the achievements of colleagues (86.9 %). Thus, it turned out that team leaders motivate not all team members to successfully implement projects (78.2 %), but provide management and prompt feedback, consult with team members to remove obstacles and difficulties in the work and ensure team progress (86.9 %). Given the identified weak spots of the pedagogical teams of the college and the factors influencing their work, systematic support, which consists in the formation of psychological security, constant analysis of team development and retrospectives, swell as models of adjustment for team development to improve their efficiency were created.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 176-187
Author(s):  
S. Mupemhi ◽  
A. Muposhi

 Creating and sustaining competitive advantage through the adoption and implementation of innovative technologies is a strategic imperative for all learning organizations. Despite this, manufacturing companies in developing countries such as Zimbabwe are confronting challenges in implementing e-business practices. Against this background, the objective of this study was to understand organizational factors influencing e-business adoption in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector. The study was motivated by the need to appreciate factors that facilitate or inhibit the adoption of e-business in the context of developing countries such as Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 118 companies registered by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in 2015. Regression analysis was used to test the posited hypotheses. Results revealed that manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe differ significantly in their inclination to adopt and implement e-business strategies. Innovation orientation, financial resources, perceived usefulness and size of the firm were found to be positively associated with e-business adoption. The study also found that technological resources did not have a statistically significant relationship with e-business adoption. The study furthers current debate on e-business adoption by identifying the drivers of e-business adoption in the manufacturing sector in the context of a developing country. The importance of this study lies in its contribution to theory and practice. In terms of theory, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on organizational factors influencing e-business adoption and provides avenues for further studies. In practice, the findings of this study add to the insights of managers in the manufacturing sector in developing countries, which influence the adoption of e-business practices.  


Author(s):  
Md. Rizvi Khan ◽  
Sirion Chaipoopirutana

Objective – This paper aims to empirically examine the factors influencing the users’ behavioral intention to reuse mobile technology to facilitate their financial services in Bangladesh. Methodology/Technique – A self-administered online survey method was used and 400 responses were collected with Likert-type questions using Google Forms as a medium. A model was developed and proposed based on different technology acceptance models like TAM, UTAUT and similar studies on factors influencing users’ intention to adopt and reuse mobile financial services in Bangladesh. The proposed model was tested by performing simple and multiple linear regression using SPSS software. Findings – The results show that perceived ease of use influences perceived usefulness of mobile financial services but perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and security have no influence on trust in terms of behavioral intention to reuse mobile financial services in Bangladesh. However, with the exception of trust and perceived financial cost, the remaining variables such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, security, perceived risk, social influence and facilitating conditions significantly influence behavioral intentions to reuse mobile financial services in Bangladesh. Novelty - This study examines crucial factors spotted in literature in the context of Bangladesh. Earlier papers have primarily focused on traditional banking clients’ behavioral intention toward their bank’s mobile banking facilities in Bangladesh. This paper is comprehensively designed to identify influential factors of reusing non-traditional mobile financial services like bKash, Rocket, Nagad etc. at the growth level in the industry of Bangladesh. The researcher tried to identify factors influencing both bank and non-bank users to reuse mobile financial services for their digital transactions. Type of Paper: Empirical. JEL Classification: M31, M39. Keywords: bKash; Bangladesh; Mobile Banking; Behavioral Intentions; Reuse; Mobile Financial Services. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Khan, M.R; Chaipoopirutana, S. 2020. Factors Influencing Users’ Behavioral Intention to Reuse Mobile Financial Services in Bangladesh, J. Mgt. Mkt. Review 5(3) 155 – 169. https://doi.org/10.35609/jmmr.2020.5.3(4)


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