1,405 research outputs found
Will mobile video become the killer application for 3G? - an empirical model for media convergence
Mobile carriers have continually rolled out 3G mobile video applications to increase their revenue and profits. The presumption is that video is superior to the already successful SMS, ringtones, and pictures, and can create greater value to users. However, recent market surveys revealed contradicting results. Motivated by this discrepancy, we propose in this paper a parsimonious model for user acceptance of mobile entertainment as digital convergence. Integrating research on Information Systems, Flow, and Media Psychology, we take a unique approach to user acceptance of digital convergence - platform migration. Our key proposition is that the interaction between media types and the platform-specific constraints is the key determinant of user evaluation. Particularly, users' involvement in the media is determined by both the entertaining time span on the original platform and the attentional constraint of the new platform. The mismatch between the two spans can result in lower level involvement, which in turn cause no or even negative user emotional responses. The model was tested with empirical data. We discuss the theoretical contributions, strategic and design implications, and future research directions derived from this theoretical framewor
Studies on electrostatic interactions of colloidal particles under two-dimensional confinement
We study the effective electrostatic interactions between a pair of charged
colloidal particles without salt ions while the system is confined in two
dimensions. In particular we use a simplified model to elucidate the effects of
rotational fluctuations in counterion distribution. The results exhibit
effective colloidal attractions under appropriate conditions. Meanwhile,
long-range repulsions persist over most of our studied cases. The repulsive
forces arise from the fact that in two dimensions the charged colloids cannot
be perfectly screened by counterions, as the residual quadrupole moments
contribute to the repulsions at longer range. And by applying multiple
expansions we find that the attractive forces observed at short range are
mainly contributed from electrostatic interactions among higher-order electric
moments. We argue that the scenario for attractive interactions discussed in
this work is applicable to systems of charged nanoparticles or colloidal
solutions with macroions.Comment: 23 pages, 11 figures, 1 tabl
Constrained flow around a magnetic obstacle
Many practical applications exploit an external local magnetic field --
magnetic obstacle -- as an essential part of their constructions. Recently, it
has been demonstrated that the flow of an electrically conducting fluid
influenced by an external field can show several kinds of recirculation. The
present paper reports a 3D numerical study whose some results are compared with
an experiment about such a flow in a rectangular duct.Comment: accepted to JFM, 26 pages, 14 figure
Structural Analysis using SHALiPE to Reveal RNA G-Quadruplex Formation in Human Precursor MicroRNA
RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) structures are of fundamental importance to biology. A novel approach is introduced to detect and structurally map rG4s at single-nucleotide resolution in RNAs. The approach, denoted SHALiPE, couples selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation with lithium ion-based primer extension, and identifies characteristic structural fingerprints for rG4 mapping. We apply SHALiPE to interrogate the human precursor microRNAâ
149, and reveal the formation of an rG4 structure in this non-coding RNA. Additional analyses support the SHALiPE results and uncover that this rG4 has a parallel topology, is thermally stable, and is conserved in mammals. An inâ
vitro Dicer assay shows that this rG4 inhibits Dicer processing, supporting the potential role of rG4 structures in microRNA maturation and post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs.This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201603562
THE VALIDITY OF USING VIRTUAL REALITY HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY FOR AGILITY TRAINING
Virtual reality (VR) provides a fully controlled environment with the potential of making sports training easier. However, to date very few studies concerned creating a locomotion training environment enabling multi-directional movements for mimicking realistic locomotion. This study aims to investigate the validity of using low-cost VR head-mounted display (HMD) for agility training in a virtual environment (VE) for âreal-walkingâ locomotion. Three male college participants (age: 24.00±1.00years, height: 1.68±0.09m, weight: 65.63±4.65kg) participated in this study. They were asked to complete two agility ladder training tasks: the forward and backward icky shuffle, in the real environment (RE) and VE. The correlations of the segment trajectories in the RE and VE were calculated, respectively. Moreover, the correlations of the segment trajectories between the two environments were also calculated. The z-test results show that no significant difference has been obtained in the consistency of the movements between the two environments. Also, high correlations in the segment trajectories were obtained between the virtual and real training environment. The results indicate that it is feasible to use VR HMD for agility training
Prognostic value of prehospital single measurement of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and troponin T after acute ischemic stroke
Survey of Pest Management Practices on Washington Dairy Farms
Washington state dairy producers were surveyed to determine pest and parasite prevalence and range of current pest management strategies. Nearly all respondents reported treating their cattle or premises for flies, while 62% reported treating their animals for external parasites. Use of pyrethroid and pyrethrins insecticides was common throughout the state. Results indicated that use of non-chemical options to control flies are commonly used by Washington dairy producers and may have become more widespread since the late 1990s. Extension professionals could improve outreach education to dairies by partnering with farm supply stores, veterinarians, and feed distributors
Precise B, B_s and B_c meson spectroscopy from full lattice QCD
We give the first accurate results for and meson masses from
lattice QCD including the effect of , and sea quarks, and we improve
an earlier value for the meson mass. By using the Highly Improved
Staggered Quark action for , and quarks and NRQCD for the
quarks, we are able to achieve an accuracy in the masses of around 10 MeV. Our
results are: = 5.291(18) GeV, = 5.363(11) GeV and =
6.280(10) GeV. Note that all QCD parameters here are tuned from other
calculations, so these are parameter free tests of QCD against experiment. We
also give scalar, , and axial vector, , meson masses. We find
these to be slightly below threshold for decay to and respectively.Comment: 22 pages, 19 figure
Characteristics and correlates of simultaneous sedative-alcohol use among alcohol and non-medical sedative users
Medical Specialists' Perspectives on the Influence of Electronic Medical Record Use on the Quality of Hospital Care:Semistructured Interview Study
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how, and by which aspects, the relationship between EMR use and the quality of care in hospitals is influenced according to medical specialists. Methods: To answer this question, a qualitative study was conducted in the period of August-October 2018. Semistructured interviews of around 90 min were conducted with 11 medical specialists from 11 different Dutch hospitals. For analysis of the answers, we used a previously published taxonomy of factors that can influence the use of EMRs. Results: The professional experience of the participating medical specialists varied between 5 and 27 years. Using the previously published taxonomy, these medical specialists considered technical barriers the most significant for EMR use. The suboptimal change processes surrounding implementation were also perceived as a major barrier. A final major problem is related to the categories âsocialâ (their relationships with the patients and fellow care providers), âpsychologicalâ (based on their personal issues, knowledge, and perceptions), and âtimeâ (the time required to select, implement, and learn how to use EMR systems and subsequently enter data into the system). However, the medical specialists also identified potential technical facilitators, particularly in the assured availability of information to all health care professionals involved in the care of a patient. They see promise in using EMRs for medical decision support to improve the quality of care but consider these possibilities currently lacking. Conclusions: The 11 medical specialists shared positive experiences with EMR use when comparing it to formerly used paper records. The fact that involved health care professionals can access patient data at any time they need is considered important. However, in practice, potential quality improvement lags as long as decision support cannot be applied because of the lack of a fully coded patient record
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