The effect of trust, IT knowledge, and entrepreneur’s innovativeness to embrace or shun the internet of things

This study examines critical factors influencing Omani entrepreneurs’ adoption of the internet of things (IoT) by expanding the constructs at the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with entrepreneurs’ innovativeness, IT knowledge (ITK), and trust. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 158 entrepreneurs in Oman. Data were analyzed through the structural equation modeling technique using SmartPLS. The results indicated that performance expectancy, habit, social influence, trust (TR), ITK, and entrepreneurs’ innovativeness (PI) significantly affect Omani entrepreneurs’ intention to adopt IoT. Nonetheless, the results show that there is no significant relationship between hedonic motivation, effort expectancy, price value, and facilitating conditions to adopt IoT. This study contributes to previous literature by incorporating entrepreneurs’ innovativeness, ITK, and trust into UTAUT2. Furthermore, this study was conducted in a Middle Eastern country with solid support from the government for entrepreneurs; also, there is a gap in such studies in this area. This study helps practitioners in the field better understand how to influence entrepreneurs, push them toward using IoT applications further, and encourage non-users to start using them

Complications after Use of Iliac Bone Graft for Post Cleft Alveolar Bone Defect

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the iliac bone graft for secondary alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients and to monitor its complications as a donor site during the last five years, in maxillofacial unit, faculty of medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.Methods: Eighteen cleft patients with secondary alveolar bone grafts using iliac crest bone grafts were included in this study, 10 males and 8 females ranging in ages from 6–22 years. Full history taking, operative details, and follow up to one year postoperatively, early and late postoperative complications reported and analyzed.Results: the iliac bone was reliable as a donor site for bone grafting of the alveolar cleft, the success rate was 11/18, also 5/18 had success from the second interference, the overall complications were acceptable.Conclusions: the anterior iliac crest is one of the best sites for autogenous bone graft for treatment of secondary alveolar cleft; it gives a big volume of highly vascular cancellous bone, with accepted range of postoperative complications

Towards ICT diffusion and trade liberalisation on inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

While the debate over the nexus between trade liberalization and inclusive growth is progressively reaching some consensus in emerging and developing economies, the empirical findings are mixed for sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Some of the SSA countries experience rapid growth in information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion manifesting in increased green wealth via the invention of new ideas, access to wider markets like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting accountability, social inclusion, and e-governance among others. The present study critically assesses how ICT diffusion modulates trade liberalization on inclusive growth throughout the 2005–2020 periods for 48 SSA countries. This study contributes empirically and methodologically to literature, specifically on the construction of the ICT index, inclusive growth index, and adoption of a better befitting econometric model. The study explores the direct impacts of ICT diffusion and trade liberalization, and their indirect impacts using an interaction term on inclusive growth. Contrary to the prior expectations, trade liberalization does not lead to inclusive growth in the SSA region, but ICT diffusion has a positive and significant impact on inclusive growth. However, the interaction term of ICT and trade liberalization improves inclusive growth. Therefore, the study advocates for policies that would build a knowledge-based human capital, stimulate innovation in socio-economic systems, and develop ICT infrastructure and its penetration among others, with the expectation that as AfCFTA takes effect, ICT diffusion will facilitate intra-regional trade, enhancing inclusive growth in the African region among other sound policy suggestions

The Effects of Stress on Surgeons and Surgical Performance: An Analytical Study

This study aimed at exploring the effects of stress on surgeons and surgical performance, as the researchers adopted the methodology of descriptive analytical statistics by conducting a semi structured interviews on fourteen surgeons in Jordan. The aim of this study also was to investigate surgeons’ perceptions of surgical stress, highlight key stressors and their impact on performance, and identify coping strategies. Stress poses a serious risk for training surgeons since their performance and well‐being in reflected in patients' health. This study focuses on measuring the stress on surgeons and at the same time evaluates prospectively the results of practices that uses alternative techniques to combat the effects of stress. The study concluded that these interviews provided valuable insights into stressors, stress responses, and coping strategies used by surgeons and allowed us to categorize sources of stress. Although surgeons characteristically enjoy the stimulating features of their work, high levels of stress can affect performance adversely

Building a Resilient Health System: Lessons from Northern Nigeria

The overarching aim of this paper is to address the issue of building resilient health systems in the context of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa which has brought renewed attention to this challenge. The paper highlights insight gained from two decades work creating resilient health systems in Nigeria—in Northern Nigeria in particular. In highlighting how the “simple” basics of outbreak control tie into larger, complex adaptive systems, this paper summarises key learning from the Nigerian experience as a basis for suggesting both how such outbreaks can be averted in the future and how sustainable development goals around eliminating excess mortality and improving health equity can be realised in practice

Delamination-and electromigration-related failures in solar panels—a review

The reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules operating under various weather conditions attracts the manufacturer’s concern since several studies reveal a degradation rate higher than 0.8% per year for the silicon-based technology and reached up to 2.76% per year in a harsh climate. The lifetime of the PV modules is decreased because of numerous degradation modes. Electromigration and delamination are two failure modes that play a significant role in PV modules’ output power losses. The correlations of these two phenomena are not sufficiently explained and understood like other failures such as corrosion and potential-induced degradation. Therefore, in this review, we attempt to elaborate on the correlation and the influence of delamination and electromigration on PV module components such as metallization and organic materials to ensure the reliability of the PV modules. Moreover, the effects, causes, and the sites that tend to face these failures, particularly the silicon solar cells, are explained in detail. Elsewhere, the factors of aging vary as the temperature and humidity change from one country to another. Hence, accelerated tests and the standards used to perform the aging test for PV modules have been covered in this review

Elderly Attending General Practice Clinics in Poor Urban Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan

This study aimed at analyzing the level of awareness and satisfaction among elder patients attending general practice clinics in poor urban areas in Jordan. The researchers adopted the descriptive methodology by using a questionnaire as a study tool, consisting of two dimensions and ten paragraphs, and was applied to a sample of 726 elderly patients. The study reached a number of results, the most important of which was the high level of awareness among the elderly about the importance of the role of general practice clinics in poor urban areas in Jordan. The researchers recommended to educate elder patients about the importance of general practice clinics, as they provide health services and health care in poor areas of Jordan, and to encourage them to exploit the medical services provided by the general practice clinics in poor areas of Jordan in the correct manner. Keywords: Elder patients, general practice clinics, poor urban areas, Jorda