5,286 research outputs found

    Evaluating Task-Technology Fit and User Performance for an Electronic Health Record System

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    Assessing user satisfaction, acceptance and performance impacts of information systems have long traditions in information systems research. With an increasing focus on broader adoption and implementation of electronic health records (EHR’s), research examining user evaluation and performance impacts will play an essential role in the successful design, implementation, and efficient use of these systems. In this study, we analyze user evaluations of an EHR system and assess the impact on individual performance of such systems using the Task-technology Fit (TTF) theory. TTF postulates that individual performance is more likely to be positively impacted if there is a “fit” between the requirements of the task and the features of the technology. Overall, user evaluations for the eight dimensions of TTF considered in this study are positive. Moreover, the model exhibits a good fit with the data and provides a satisfactory explanatory power for individual performance impact with data quality and ease of use/training being significant determinants of performance impact

    Liberal outcomes through undemocratic means: the reform of the Code de statut personnel in Morocco

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    The 2004 reform of the family code in Morocco has been held as one of the most significant liberal reforms undertaken in the country, and has led scholars and policy makers to argue that this demonstrates the democratic progress Morocco and the King are making. At the same time, the role of the women's movement in getting the reform approved has seemingly confirmed that associational life is crucial in promoting democratisation. This paper, building on theoretical work questioning the linkage between a strong civil society and democratic outcomes, argues that civil society activism does not necessarily lead to democratisation, and may reinforce authoritarian practices. Far from demonstrating the centrality of civil society, the process through which the new family code was passed highlights the crucial institutional role of the monarch, whose individual decision-making power has driven the whole process. Authoritarianism finds itself strengthened in Morocco despite the liberal nature and outcome of the reform

    Norms, Mobilization and Conflict: The Merowe Dam as a Case Study

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    This article investigates dynamics of mobilization over environmental and human rights norms in the context of undemocratic governments. We test the suggestion in norm diffusion theories that success of domestic struggles in this context depends on the level of internalization of norms brought forth by international pressure. We find that the internalization (or lack thereof) of global norms by the Government of Sudan does not explain its recognition of environmental justice claims in this case. Furthermore, the various litigation efforts pursued by affected people outside of Sudan did not influence their campaign. However, a combination of the political climate in the country and a unique political interplay between the government and a distinct group of the affected people may have led to the singular success of their campaign. We use a combination of discourse analysis, legal analysis, norms-mapping and semi-structured interviews to reach conclusions

    Lung Cancer in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Tales of Epithelial Cell Plasticity

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    Lung epithelial cells exhibit a high degree of plasticity. Alterations to lung epithelial cell function are critically involved in several chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by repetitive injury and subsequent impaired repair of epithelial cells, which leads to aberrant growth factor activation and fibroblast accumulation. Increased proliferation and hyper- and metaplasia of epithelial cells upon injury have also been observed in pulmonary fibrosis; this epithelial cell activation might represent the basis for lung cancer development. Indeed, several studies have provided histopathological evidence of an increased incidence of lung cancer in pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanisms involved in the development of cancer in pulmonary fibrosis, however, remain poorly understood. This review highlights recently uncovered molecular mechanisms shared between lung cancer and fibrosis, which extend the current evidence of a common trait of cancer and fibrosis, as provided by histopathological observations. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

    Neither participation nor revolution: the strategy of the Moroccan Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan

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    Scholars and students of Islamist movements are divided over the issue of Islamists' commitment to democracy and a number of studies have attempted to discover the true nature of Islamist parties. This paper rejects this approach and argues that the behaviour of Islamist parties can be better understood through an analysis of the constraints and opportunities that their surrounding environment provides. Specifically, the paper aims at explaining the choice of the Moroccan Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan neither to participate in institutional politics nor to undertake violent actions to transform the regime. This is done through an examination of its relations with the other political actors. The paper argues that Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan's behaviour is as much the product of rational thinking as it is of ideology and provides evidence to support this claim. Such findings are important not only in the Moroccan context, but contribute to a growing literature claiming that Islamist movements should be treated as rational political actors operating under 'environmental' constraints and opportunities

    Fetus in fetu: a case report

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    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

    Dynamic Carboniferous tropical forests: new views of plant function and potential for physiological forcing of climate

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    Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138385/1/nph14700_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138385/2/nph14700.pd
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