Search

Sandhu, R. K., Vasconcelos-Gomes, J., Thomas, M. A., & Oliveira, T. (2023). Unfolding the Popularity of Video Conferencing Apps: A Privacy Calculus Perspective. International Journal Of Information Management, 68(February), 1-17. [102569]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102569. Funding: This work was supported by national funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) under the project - UIDB/04152/2020 - Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC). Videoconferencing (VC) applications (apps) have surged in popularity as an alternative to face-to-face communications especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although VC apps offer myriad benefits, it has caught much media attention owing to concerns of privacy infringements. This study examines the key determinants of working professional’s intentions to use VC apps in the backdrop of this conflicting duality. A conceptual research model is proposed that is based on theoretical foundations of privacy calculus and extended with conceptualizations of mobile users’ information privacy concerns (MUIPC), trust, technicality, ubiquity, as well as theoretical underpinnings of social presence theory. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to empirically test the model using data collected from 487 working professionals. For researchers, the study offers insights on the extent to which social richness and technological capabilities afforded by the virtual environment serve as predictors of the continuance intentions of using VC apps. Researchers may also find the model applicable to other studies of surveillance-based technologies. For practitioners, key recommendations pivotal to the design and development mobile video-conferencing apps are presented to ensure higher acceptance and continued usage of VC apps in professional settings. preprint authorsversion published

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are being used as a cost-effective alternative light source during plant growth to regulate the overall quality of fruits and vegetables; however, they have been used infrequently at the post-harvest stage. Their capability of narrow bandwidth emission and controllable spectral distribution holds a potential to help food producers and distributors in reducing wastage incurred during the post-harvest activities. LEDs can potentially help in regulating senescence, ripening and nutritional attributes in fruits and vegetables. The objective of the thesis is to develop a LED post-harvest system for fresh fruits and vegetables and evaluate the effect of LED lights of different wavelengths and photon flux intensities on nutritional content and shelf life of fruits and vegetables at different temperatures and treatment times. Blueberries were measured for change in weight, diameter, colour, TSS and anthocyanin content to evaluate the effect of LED lights on ripening. Phenolic compounds were estimated and quantified using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and HPLC assays and Antioxidant activity was determined using scavenging activity on DPPH radicals and FRAP. The results suggest that under some conditions of illumination with LEDs, the nutritional content enhanced, and ripening was delayed. The results from this thesis will help researchers to identify optimal LED treatment parameters for post-harvest enhancement of the overall quality of fruits and vegetables. This will also help in determining the potential applications of LEDs in various post-harvest management operations of food to reduce losses and help in building the competence of the food supply system.

Carpenter, Daniel, Sherlock, Emma, Sandhu, Ramandeep, Eggleton, Paul (2013): Differences in nest structure influence the importance of Formica rufa group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) wood ant nests as refugia for earthworms. Journal of Natural History 47 (35-36): 2305-2309, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2012.763063, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2012.763063