Being a product consumer during the COVID-19 pandemic: profile of the Polish consumer in the organic dairy market

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to determine the profile of dairy product consumers in the organic market.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on a survey questionnaire developed by the author and administered to a total of 1,108 respondents. The statistical analysis (including descriptive statistics, the analysis of the discriminative function and the Chi2 test was performed with the use of Statistica 13.1 PL. The respondents' gender was the factor behind the differences in how they behaved.FindingsThe consumers indicated the channels they rely upon to find information on organic dairy products;in addition to trusting the opinions of their family members and experts, they also use web platforms. Further, they specified their preferred locations for buying favorite products during the pandemic: specialized organic food shops, large distribution chains and online stores.Practical implicationsThese outcomes will help in identifying target consumer segments and information channels for specific information and advertising messages. They also form an important resource for developing some potential strategies which the supply chain stakeholders could implement to promote organic consumption of dairy products.Originality/valueThis study identifies consumers' preferred dairy products;motives for purchasing organic dairy products;barriers that consumers believe exist in the market;sources of knowledge about products purchased by consumers;and consumers' preferred channels for purchasing organic dairy products. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study of dairy product consumers in the organic market in Poland.

Rising Cybercrime on Social Media during Covid pandemic and its Impact on Digital Marketing

Covid pandemic brought a significant change in the way people learn, entertain, interact and conduct business. With people working and socializing remotely, social media usage skyrocketed and provided a fertile ground to cybercriminals to exploit the platforms and its users. This paper will explore the rising trend of cybercrime on social media, including specific types of cybercrime such as phishing scams, impersonation and misinformation. The paper will also discuss about the parties mostly affected by cybercrimes. Additionally, the paper will delve into the impact of increase in cybercrime on digital marketing, including the challenges faced by businesses. Overall the paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of cybercrime media during the covid pandemic and how it is impacting the overall society and digital markets all together.

Further evidence of contagion effect between the Chinese and the G20 stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic: A time-varying copula approach

This paper examines the presence of a contagion effect between Chinese and G20 stock markets as well as its intensity over a recent period from 1(st) January 2013 to 7 April 2022. The empirical study is conducted using the time-varying copula approach. The obtained results show strong evidence of a contagion effect between China and all countries except United States America, Argentina and Turkey during the COVID-19 period. In particular, the Chinese stock market exhibits the highest level of dependence with the Asian and European stock markets in addition to the greatest variability in dependence. These findings are interesting and have important implications for several financial applications.

Food commerce upshots with their former locus in the economy with respect to the pandemic 2020 - a drawback or an aid in South Kolkata, West Bengal

Background: The Food Commerce industry has flourished massively during the past decade in South Kolkata in West Bengal, with new outlets opening every now and then, so much so that this region is known as 'Food Street'. Regardless of their scale of operations, each of these outlets had well established themselves, catering to their respective target markets and earning decent amount of revenue over the years. However, this growth suffered a setback owing to the origin of novel Coronavirus SARS-n-CoV-2. The growth rate declined to a great extent over the span of two years, with recent studies showing an overall stunted growth rate. Even though online marketing of these outlets and selling the food through delivery apps have aided the entrepreneurs, the cost to revenue ratio is not at par with that of the times before the pandemic hit. Overall, the pandemic has impacted the eateries in more way than initially imagined. Objectives: (a) To reveal the various problems and scenarios of managing food business during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Kolkata region;(b) To compare the present scenario of the food industry with how things were before prior to the pandemic to understand the nature of change during this time frame;and, (c) To describe the challenges and methods implemented by the food retail business entrepreneurs and managers of the randomly selected establishments to hold a steady business flow during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology: The study follows a descriptive research design. Therefore, the research will describe the characteristics of the sample under study. The food outlets of South Kolkata have been chosen as the study location. 100 respondents were selected. The respondents are those who consume food from these outlets such that they represent the wider target market of the 'Food Street'. Both Primary Data and Secondary Data were used. Primary Data was collected through sample survey. Random Sampling technique was used to choose the respondents. The study used quantitative data, therefore, only Quantitative analysis was performed. Results: The Research was able to depict the comparison between the present scenario and the situation prior to the pandemic. The study was able to reveal the challenges and problems that the food outlets had to suffer from. Also, the methods or strategies taken up by the entrepreneurs of these outlets to overcome the pandemic were discovered. 46% of the respondents opted for "Mobile Food Delivery" as their strategy to revive from losses. Conclusion: With COVID-19 having altered - and still in the process of altering - the definition of "normal" across the world, most industries are still scrambling to adjust. The effect on the restaurant industry has been particularly dramatic. With restaurants and pubs closed for sit-down service, many establishments are struggling to keep their heads above water. The food outlets located in South Kolkata shares the same fate and the research is able to highlight this effectively.

CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE CROATIAN AND GERMAN LANGUAGE

Based on the contrastive analysis of digital communication channels, this paper investigates the lexis of Croatian and German versions in relation to their English original versions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased need for developing and improving new forms of communication which enable secure and easy understanding in real time, has led to frequent use of digital communication channels such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Webex. Thanks to the daily use of these communication channels, digital communication has gained in importance more than ever before and has brought with it numerous new expressions that are added to the lexicon. Since English has been impacting the development of the language in digital surroundings and related domains, linguistic challenges such as finding equivalents for new expressions have appeared in other languages. In this paper the language of selected digital communication channels on several linguistic levels is investigated. In order to collect the corpus, interface, and instruction manuals available in the abovementioned communication channels or on their web pages were used. The central part of the paper is based on the contrastive analysis of selected expressions and terms from the corpus with an emphasis on their morphological aspects (word building) and meaning adaptation on the semantic level in Croatian and German, in relation to their corresponding original English forms. The aim was to show the extent to which Croatian and German have adapted to the rapid development of digital communication and digital communication channels, as well as linguistic solutions which have been introduced. Since the relevance of language changes has led to a growing number of new words and expressions in various languages around the world, this paper serves as a basis for further research on language changes in the digital environment in Croatian and German. © 2022, University of Rijeka. All rights reserved.

A Computational Approach for the Characterization of Airborne Pathogen Transmission in Turbulent Molecular Communication Channels

Airborne pathogen transmission mechanisms play a key role in the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In this work, we propose a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach to model and statistically characterize airborne pathogen transmission via pathogen-laden particles in turbulent channels from a molecular communication viewpoint. To this end, turbulent flows induced by coughing and the turbulent dispersion of droplets and aerosols are modeled by using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the realizable k-model and the discrete random walk model, respectively. Via simulations realized by a CFD simulator, statistical data for the number of received particles are obtained. These data are post-processed to obtain the statistical characterization of the turbulent effect in the reception and to derive the probability of infection. Our results reveal that the turbulence has an irregular effect on the probability of infection, which shows itself by the multi-modal distribution as a weighted sum of normal and Weibull distributions. Furthermore, it is shown that the turbulent MC channel is characterized via multi-modal, i.e., sum of weighted normal distributions, or stable distributions, depending on the air velocity. Crown

J-wave in a patient with severe COVID-19

In the context of the current COVID-19 epidemic, numerous are the manifestations of the infected patients, including the alterations in the 12-lead electrocardiogram, where the presence ofa J-wave can be found, secondary to the generation ofa transmural voltage gradient, caused by the overexpression of the channels for transient outward potassium current (Ito), in the context of a severe infection with extensive myocardial injury. In this article is presented the case of an 83-year-old patient with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, who progressed to septic shock, with mixed addosis and mild hyperkalemia. The electrocardiogram showed the presence of a Jwave, probably secondary to the effect ofpro-inflammatory cytokines on potassium channels and extensive areas of myocardial injury.

The ECB's asset purchase programme: Theory, effects, and risks

In response to the Covid‐19 crisis, the European Central Bank (ECB) has relaunched a massive asset purchase programme within its combined‐arms monetary strategy. This paper surveys and discusses the theory and the evidence of the central bank's unconventional monetary tools for the euro area. It analyses the role of the asset purchase programmes in the ECB's toolkit and the associated risks, focusing specifically on the gradual unwinding of these unconventional initiatives. Finally, the paper offers some insight into the possible evolution of the ECB's monetary policy.

Contrastive Analysis of Digital Communication Channels in the Croatian and German Language

Based on the contrastive analysis of digital communication channels, this paper investigates the lexis of Croatian and German versions in relation to their English original versions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased need for developing and improving new forms of communication which enable secure and easy understanding in real time, has led to frequent use of digital communication channels such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Webex. Thanks to the daily use of these communication channels, digital communication has gained in importance more than ever before and has brought with it numerous new expressions that are added to the lexicon. Since English has been impacting the development of the language in digital surroundings and related domains, linguistic challenges such as finding equivalents for new expressions have appeared in other languages. In this paper the language of selected digital communication channels on several linguistic levels is investigated. In order to collect the corpus, interface, and instruction manuals available in the abovementioned communication channels or on their web pages were used. The central part of the paper is based on the contrastive analysis of selected expressions and terms from the corpus with an emphasis on their morphological aspects (word building) and meaning adaptation on the semantic level in Croatian and German, in relation to their corresponding original English forms. The aim was to show the extent to which Croatian and German have adapted to the rapid development of digital communication and digital communication channels, as well as linguistic solutions which have been introduced. Since the relevance of language changes has led to a growing number of new words and expressions in various languages around the world, this paper serves as a basis for further research on language changes in the digital environment in Croatian and German.

Distribution of Knowledge through Online Learning and its Impact on the Intellectual Potential of PhD Students

Purpose: the research aims to analyze the impact of the distribution of knowledge through online learning on the intellectual potential of PhD students and produce recommendations for policy to improve intellectual capacity. During the literature review, it was determined that a large number of studies examined the impact of online learning on the quality of education at different levels. Research design, data and methodology: the research methodology is based on subjective assessment and studying the students' opinions. The basis of the study was a comprehensive analysis of primary data obtained through a sociological survey of PhD students. 324 respondents from humanitarian, medical and natural faculties participated in the survey. Results: the study revealed that online learning helps increase students' intellectual potential. PhD students had a positive attitude towards the transition from traditional education to online learning. It should be noted that, according to the results, the most popular gadgets were laptops and smartphones, which were characterized by high mobility and ease of use. Based on the obtained results, recommendations were developed for the formation of online learning with a focus on increasing students' intellectual potential. Conclusions: based on the results of the assessment of educational and innovative potential, policy recommendations and further research in this area were proposed © Copyright: The Author(s)

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Digital Transformation in the Banking Sector in Portugal

Currently, digital transformation is a process that cuts across different sectors of activity, including banks. One of the examples is the availability of products and services on digital channels. This study aims to identify the changes implemented in the digital channels of banks in Portugal that were driven by the covid-19 pandemic, contributing to the acceleration of digital transformation. 30 Reports and Accounts from 10 banks were selected from 2019 to 2021 and analyzed using the Leximancer software to identify the main themes and concepts. The results allowed the identification of 4 themes and 40 most relevant concepts. It is concluded that banks have reinforced digital channels in terms of products and services with evident concerns associated with security. This study, at an academic level, aims to contribute with a conceptual map of the measures adopted. At the business level, it aims to enable managers to define other initiatives and enhance those already implemented. © 2022 Associacao Portuguesa de Sistemas de Informacao. All rights reserved.

Technology transfer in e-communication for small and medium enterprises as promoters of innovation and competitiveness

Globalization, technological innovations, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have promoted disruptive changes in buying and selling negotiation models through e-communication. As a result, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been forced to adapt to online channels. Considering market relevance, this article describes the survey results with 11 SMEs regarding their adherence to digital media. Moreover, a case study of a selected company demonstrated barriers and propulsions to digital adequacy. The aim was to promote SMEs' competitiveness through technology transfer, focusing on e-communication and strategic digital planning. The results show that the insertion of technology through digital media depends on the knowledge of the tools used in this medium. Therefore, despite being ready to use, SMEs have not yet fully leveraged digital media. Organizational barriers, such as lack of time for those responsible, lack of training and knowledge, and strategic planning, were observed. However, environmental factors such as competitive pressure and innovation-related policies are positive for insertion. Thus, there is room for companies to invest in digital strategic planning focused on improving sales, customer relations, and competitiveness. © 2022 IEEE.

Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alter the contractility of living porcine heart slices.

The cardiotoxicity risk of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been the subject of intensive research triggered by safety concerns in COVID-19 patients. HCQ and AZM have been associated with QT interval prolongation and drug-induced arrhythmias, however other cardiotoxicity mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our group has pioneered the living heart slice preparation, an ex-vivo platform that maintains native cardiac tissue architecture and physiological electrical and contractile properties. Here, we evaluated the cardiotoxic effect of HCQ and AZM applied alone or in combination on cardiac contractility by measuring contractile force and contraction kinetics in heart slices prepared from porcine hearts. Our results show that clinically relevant concentrations of HCQ monotherapy (1-10 µM) reduced contractile force and contraction kinetics in porcine slices in a dose-dependent manner. However, AZM monotherapy decreased contractile force and contraction kinetics only at higher concentrations (30 µM). Combination of HCQ and AZM induced a dose-dependent effect similar to HCQ alone. Furthermore, pre-treating porcine heart slices with the L-type calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 prevented the effect of both drugs, while administration of Bay K8644 after drugs interventions largely reversed the effects, suggesting a mechanism involving inhibition of L-type calcium channels. These findings indicate that HCQ and AZM alter cardiac function beyond QT prolongation with significant contractile dysfunction in intact cardiac tissue. Our porcine heart slices provide a powerful platform to investigate mechanisms of drug cardiotoxicity.

DISSERTATION NOTICES

The research methodology of the nature, purpose, and participants regarding criteria, ministry context, data collection, and analysis are considered. [...]the significant findings are discussed to ascertain the implication for ministry. The researcher used multiple linear regression analysis to address two research questions that examined whether the five dimensions of courageous followership behavior predict transformational and transactional leadership styles.

Preface

The 2nd Agrifood System International Conference (ASIC)Professor Jurnalis Kamil Convention Hall, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 8-9 November 2022"Research advancement and innovations in agroecology and smart agrifood systems.”The 2nd Agrifood System International Conference (ASIC 2022) was successfully held on 8-9 November 2022. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, this event was held virtually via the zoom platform, directly from Professor Jurnalis Kamil Convention Hall, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This event was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Indonesia, and became a part of the event to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the faculty. The theme of the ASIC 2022 was: "Research advancement and innovations in agroecology and smart agrifood systems.”There have been numerous revolutions in agriculture, which have improved competency and led to record-breaking yields and gains. The latest process is "smart farming,” contributing to humanity's survival and future prosperity. Smart farming presents numerous prospects for pervasive interconnection and database computer technology as part of Industry 4.0. Smart farming is the idea of agricultural practice in a creative manner while utilizing cutting-edge technology to improve the quantity and quality of agricultural goods. New methods to assure global food safety are part of the future of the food manufacturing industry. It enables farmers to boost yields more effectively and efficiently. Fertilizers, labor, seeds, and water are just a few resources that can be saved. Smart farming has supporting applications, including land management, selection of varieties, minimizing synthetic fertilizers and pesticide inputs, and replacing them with environmentally friendly inputs. Research and related technological innovations have been carried out but have yet to be adopted and properly integrated.The main objective of this conference was to provide a venue for exchanging knowledge, scientific advancement, and innovative ideas among researchers, academicians, governments, and organizations. The scope includes plant breeding and crop production, soil management, plant protection and food safety, the socio-economic of agriculture and natural resources, and all topics related to agriculture. The committee received more than two hundred paper s coming from 46 institutions, national and international. We encourage student presenters from undergraduate to doctoral programs to present their papers;hence, around 25% of s come from them.The conference program was divided into two main segments: plenary and parallel. The plenary session invited 13 speakers from within and outside the country and was attended by 610 participants during the two days' activities. On behalf of the committee, we greatly appreciate the seven speakers contributing and sharing their knowledge at this event: Dr. Silvain R Perret, Scientific Director of CIRAD, France;Mr. Pierre Ferrand from FAO, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific;Prof. Norman Uphoff, SRI Scientist from Cornell University, USA;Dr. Jauhar Ali, Rice hybrid breeder from IRRI, Philippines;Dr. Trevor A. Jackson, Plant protection scientist from IAPPS/ Coordinator Region XII;Prof. Shamshuddin Jusop, Soil Science Scientist from UPM, Malaysia;and Dr. Wahono: Drone creator from UMM, Indonesia. We also introduced five invited speakers from the Faculty of Agriculture: Dr. Irawati Chaniago - Crop Production;Dr. Dini Hervani - Plant Breeding;Dr. Eka Candra Lina - Plant Protection;Dr. Yuerlita - Socio-economics of Agriculture;Dr. Hery Bachrizal Tanjung - Agricultural Extension. In addition, we have provided an online workshop conducted as a side event on successfully publishing an article in IOP-EES Proceeding.Finally, let me express my sincere gratitude to all presenters, participants, and committee members who contributed significantly to this event's success. Special thanks go to the Rector of Universitas Andalas and the head of the research institute and community service of Universi as Andalas for all the support during the event. We hope to deliver the 3rd ASIC in 2024.Warmest regards,Dr. My SyahrawatiChairperson of the Organizing CommitteeList of Documentations, Conference Committee, Conference Schedule, Parallel Schedule, List of Presenters are available in this Pdf.

Monetary policy as market stabilizer in the COVID-19 pandemic.

We categorize expansionary monetary policies based on interest rates, monetary easing, and liquidity decisions. We find that the stock market reacts positively to liquidity policy announcements by a more significant margin during and after the COVID-19 at market and industry levels compared with reactions to interest rate or monetary easing policy announcements. The economic consequences are large and persistent. Using firm characteristics as proxies for monetary policy transmission channels, we find that at firm level, the positive responses to liquidity policy announcements during the crisis are more pronounced for small and medium-sized businesses and non-state-owned enterprises relative to other enterprises.

The Influence of Characteristics of Mobile Live Commerce on Purchase Intention

Mobile live commerce is emerging as a new distribution channel as connectivity and information sharing become easier due to the increase in the use of SNS and mobile phones. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research in this field, and it is meaningful to look at how this new technology-based commerce leads to purchase intention in terms of the value of shopping perceived by consumers. This study aims to (1) analyze the characteristic factors of mobile live commerce, which is rapidly emerging due to brisk changes in the distribution industry in the non-contact era;and (2) verify the relationship between shopping value and purchase intention. We analyzed 283 surveys using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SM) with statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) and R-programming. We inferred that convenience, ubiquity, social presence, attractiveness, and vividness were the characteristics of mobile live commerce that had a positive effect on the pleasure value, and that social presence, attractiveness, vividness, professionalism, information quality, and compatibility had positive effects on the perceived value. The hedonic value also had a positive effect on the perceived value, and both pleasure and perceived values had strong positive effects on the purchase intention. However, the professionalism of the sources did not affect the hedonic value, and the convenience and ubiquity did not affect the perceived value.

The Language of Smell: Code Failure

In today's world filled with complex signs and symbols, visual and auditory channels are the most intensive in semiotic terms. The language of smell, associated with the most ancient reactions, is usually considered as secondary and supplementary, and its possibilities for conveying meanings are limited to simple recognition. However, experts have been using the alphabet of smells to convey emotional messages from ancient times to date. The assessment of the role of odors in the modern world became possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic which often involved the loss, change or intensification of the sense of smell. In the course of the study 250 cases were considered, representing the stories associated with the disease and deviations in the perception of odors. The loss of the perception of unpleasant odors makes it impossible to learn about the dangers which cannot be perceived visually like in ancient times (spoiled food, poisoned air, etc.). Phantom interpretation of odors is often unpleasant: people can identify the smells of burning, ammonia, acetone, decomposition, feces, and others, and sometimes the excessiveness of an ordinary smell is unpleasant as well. The change of sign recognition can cause serious consequences for people. Phantom unpleasant odors can result in changes in eating habits and cause problems in communication. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The role of online channel in influencing perceived firm size and brand authenticity in international marketing

PurposeThis research investigates the role of marketing channel selection in influencing brand authenticity and purchase likelihood in the international marketing domain. Further, perceived firm size is identified as a mediator in this regard. The moderating role of consumer skepticism is also considered.Design/methodology/approachThree experimental studies were carried out across three different markets (India, the US and the UK) in the context of South Korean brands.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that firms utilizing (only) online channels are perceived to be smaller than those that utilize hybrid channels (i.e. both online and physical stores) or offline channels (i.e. physical stores). When consumers perceive firms to be smaller, they also report higher levels of brand authenticity, which in turn increases their purchase likelihood. Further, this effect is weaker among consumers with high levels of skepticism.Originality/valueThe findings of the present research contribute to the international marketing literature by demonstrating how consumers perceive online marketing channels, the role of marketing channel selection in driving brand authenticity, as well as providing managerial implications on how to promote products in the international market.

Efficacy of Corona Pandemic Lockdown related various activities on youth and the role of Mass Media in Uttar Pradesh, in

The media plays a constructive role in today's society from increasing public awareness to collecting view and opinions of people in various issues. Along with the central purpose, researcher also analyzed the role of media during lockdown. This paper aims to point out the effectiveness of lockdown related various activities on youngsters and role of mass media in it. The objective of this study is set up the preference given by the young generation for which type of television programs during lockdown. Survey research methodology has been used to achieve the objectives of the research using manual statistical tools. Through this research paper it is accomplished that the lockdown was found to the very effective which was imposed on people of India at time when infection was at peak. Lockdown in pandemic worked as a blessing in disguise. Government reschedules DD National programs like Ramayana and Mahabharata. To make their lockdown bit interesting mass media helps to generate information about various activities initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's such as 'Tali Bajao Thali Bajao. By this paper it is recommended to media organization to know the impact of lockdown related various activities on different age group people because it will definitely help media agencies in showing various perspective of pandemic.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.