A Multivariate Probit Analysis of Selected Factors Influencing Electronic Commerce Adoption in Organizations

This study investigates factors leading to the go/no go decision on organizational innovations, with particular reference to Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce). The goal is to explore important antecedents promoting the adoption of technological innovations and to extend the frontiers of knowledge in this area, by integrating two major research paradigms - basic and applied. Randomly selected organizations in the IT area participated in the study. Variables pertaining to organizations. Information Technology, and users of the technology were assessed and analyzed using an omnibus instrument and probit analysis respectively. This study provides a tentative elucidation of contemporary unresolved issues, and also broadens understanding in the assimilation of emerging technologies into organizations

Fourth optical inspection of integrated circuits using image processing and mathematical morphology: a report

"Submitted to the Graduate College of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesAs competition gets tighter in the industrial world, many manufacturers are switching from the classical labor intensive methods of production to more sophisticated techniques using automation. At the microprocessor division of Motorola Inc. this approach was taken in a systematic manner. An automation group was founded with the ultimate goal of automating the testing procedures of their product. This testing procedure consists of two major tasks. First an electrical test is performed on the microprocessors to insure that they meet the required electrical specifications. Second a visual inspection of the packages is undertaken to reject the parts with surface flows, such as bubbles, blisters, chips, cracks, and voids. The latter inspection will be of interest to us in this dissertation. The purpose of this work is to perform the visual inspection automatically. The method used is image processing. In particular mathematical morphology is viable because it is the study of shapes. As we will find in this report, defects are merely abnormal shapes of the packages

Usability and feasibility of consumer-facing technology to reduce unsafe medication use by older adults

Background Mobile health technology can improve medication safety for older adults, for instance, by educating patients about the risks associated with anticholinergic medication use. Objective This study's objective was to test the usability and feasibility of Brain Buddy, a consumer-facing mobile health technology designed to inform and empower older adults to consider the risks and benefits of anticholinergics. Methods Twenty-three primary care patients aged ≥60 years and using anticholinergic medications participated in summative, task-based usability testing of Brain Buddy. Self-report usability was assessed by the System Usability Scale and performance-based usability data were collected for each task through observation. A subset of 17 participants contributed data on feasibility, assessed by self-reported attitudes (feeling informed) and behaviors (speaking to a physician), with confirmation following a physician visit. Results Overall usability was acceptable or better, with 100% of participants completing each Brain Buddy task and a mean System Usability Scale score of 78.8, corresponding to “Good” to “Excellent” usability. Observed usability issues included higher rates of errors, hesitations, and need for assistance on three tasks, particularly those requiring data entry. Among participants contributing to feasibility data, 100% felt better informed after using Brain Buddy and 94% planned to speak to their physician about their anticholinergic related risk. On follow-up, 82% reported having spoken to their physician, a rate independently confirmed by physicians. Conclusion Consumer-facing technology can be a low-cost, scalable intervention to improve older adults’ medication safety, by informing and empowering patients. User-centered design and evaluation with demographically heterogeneous clinical samples uncovers correctable usability issues and confirms the value of interventions targeting consumers as agents in shared decision making and behavior change

Exploring Barriers to Medication Safety in an Ethiopian Hospital Emergency Department: A Human Factors Engineering Approach

Objective: To describe challenges associated with the medication use process and potential medication safety hazards in an Ethiopian hospital emergency department using a human factors approach. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study employing observations and semi-structured interviews guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model of work system as an analytical framework. The study was conducted in the emergency department of a teaching hospital in Ethiopia. Study participants included resident doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. We performed content analysis of the qualitative data using accepted procedures. Results: Organizational barriers included communication failures, limited supervision and support for junior staff contributing to role ambiguity and conflict. Compliance with documentation policy was minimal. Task related barriers included frequent interruptions and work-related stress resulting from job requirements to continuously prioritize the needs of large numbers of patients and family members. Person related barriers included limited training and work experience. Work-related fatigue due to long working hours interfered with staff’s ability to document and review medication orders. Equipment breakdowns were common as were non-calibrated or poorly maintained medical devices contributing to erroneous readings. Key environment related barriers included overcrowding and frequent interruption of staff’s work. Cluttering of the work space compounded the problem by impeding efforts to locate medications, medical supplies or medical charts. Conclusions: Applying a systems based approach allows a context specific understanding of medication safety hazards in EDs from low-income countries. When developing interventions to improve medication and overall patient safety, health leaders should consider the interactions of the different factors. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties". Treatment of Human Subjects: IRB review/approval required and obtained   Type: Original Researc

Development and use of a scale to assess gender differences in appraisal of mistreatment during childbirth among Ethiopian midwifery students

Mistreatment during childbirth occurs across the globe and endangers the well-being of pregnant women and their newborns. A gender-sensitive approach to mistreatment during childbirth seems relevant in Ethiopia, given previous research among Ethiopian midwives and patients suggesting that male midwives provide more respectful maternity care, which is possibly mediated by self-esteem and stress. This study aimed a) to develop a tool that assesses mistreatment appraisal from a provider's perspective and b) to assess gender differences in mistreatment appraisal among Ethiopian final-year midwifery students and to analyze possible mediating roles of self-esteem and stress. First, we developed a research tool (i.e. a quantitative scale) to assess mistreatment appraisal from a provider's perspective, on the basis of scientific literature and the review of seven experts regarding its relevance and comprehensiveness. Second, we utilized this scale, the so-called Mistreatment Appraisal Scale, among 390 Ethiopian final-year midwifery students to assess their mistreatment appraisal, self-esteem (using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale) and various background characteristics. The scale's internal consistency was acceptable (α = .75), corrected item-total correlations were acceptable (.24 - .56) and inter-item correlations were mostly acceptable (.07 - .63). Univariable (B = 3.084, 95% CI [-.005, 6.173]) and multivariable (B = 1.867, 95% CI [-1.472, 5.205]) regression analyses did not show significant gender differences regarding mistreatment appraisal. Mediation analyses showed that self-esteem (a1b1 = -.030, p = .677) and stress (a2b2 = -.443, p = .186) did not mediate the effect of gender on mistreatment appraisal. The scale to assess mistreatment appraisal appears to be feasible and reliable. No significant association between gender and mistreatment appraisal was observed and self-esteem and stress were not found to be mediators. Future research is needed to evaluate the scale's criterion validity and to assess determinants and consequences of mistreatment during childbirth from various perspectives

Risk Factors for Positive Appraisal of Mistreatment during Childbirth among Ethiopian Midwifery Students

The maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality rate remain high in Ethiopia, where few births are attended by qualified healthcare sta. This is partly due to care providers’ mistreatment of women during childbirth, which creates a culture of anxiety that decreases the use of healthcare services. This study employed a cross-sectional design to identify risk factors for positive appraisal of mistreatment during childbirth. We asked 391 Ethiopian final year midwifery students to complete a paper-and-pen questionnaire assessing background characteristics, prior observation of mistreatment during education, self-esteem, stress, and mistreatment appraisal. A multivariable linear regression analysis indicated age (p = 0.005), stress (p = 0.019), and previous observation of mistreatment during education (p 0.001) to be significantly associated with mistreatment appraisal. Younger students, stressed students, and students that had observed more mistreatment during their education reported more positive mistreatment appraisal. No significant association was observed for origin (p = 0.373) and self-esteem (p = 0.445). Findings can be utilized to develop educational interventions that counteract mistreatment during childbirth in the Ethiopian context

La Perte de Savoirs et de Pratiques Endogenes: Risques pour l’Envitonnement Naturel du Territoire Blouf en Basse Casamance (Senegal)

Au Sénégal, l’environnement naturel en général subit de nombreuses agressions (sécheresse, pollution, destruction des habitats et surexploitation) qui sont autant de causes de perte de la biodiversité. Pourtant, en dépit de ces multiples agressions, il existe encore des endroits en Basse Casamance où l’on peut trouver une biodiversité remarquable. Entre autres milieux, figurent les sites naturels sacrés qui jouissent d’une protection fondée sur des règles traditionnelles, lesquelles reposent sur des savoirs locaux transmis à travers les générations. Les savoirs locaux identifiés ainsi que de nombreuses pratiques locales contribuent à la conservation des ressources naturelles, malgré les pressions multiples. Ces ressources ont des valeurs culturelles, spirituelles et matérielles remarquables. Aujourd’hui, la prise de conscience par la communauté scientifique de l’intérêt de ces savoirs endogènes pour la conservation, pose le problème de leur maintien. Le présent article fait le point sur cette question à partir d’une recherche bibliographique et d’enquêtes essentiellement qualitatif menées à l’aide d’un guide d’entretien et des focus groupes qui ont permis de faire un état des lieux sur les savoirs et pratiques qui subsistent et qui sont bénéfiques pour la conservation.   In Senegal, the natural environment, in general, suffers from numerous aggressions (drought, pollution, destruction of habitats, and overexploitation) which are as many causes of loss of biodiversity. Yet, despite these multiple attacks on the environment, there are still places in Lower Casamance where we can find remarkable biodiversity. Among other environments are the sacred natural sites that enjoy protection based on traditional rules, which rely on local knowledge passed down through the generations. The knowledge identified in the biophysical and sociocultural environments as well as many local practices contribute to the conservation of marine and coastal natural resources, despite the multiple pressures. These resources have remarkable cultural, spiritual, and material values. Today, with the scientific community's awareness of the interest of this endogenous knowledge for conservation, its maintenance is necessary for the well-being of local communities whose survival depends directly on resources. This article reviews this question on the basis of a bibliographic search and essentially qualitative surveys using interview guides and focus groups that allowed us to take stock of the knowledge and practices that remain and are beneficial for conservation

La Perte des Savoirs et Pratiques Endogenes: Risques pour l’Environnement Naturel du Territoire Blouf en Basse Casamance (Senelgal)

Au Sénégal, l’environnement naturel en général subit de nombreuses agressions (sécheresse, pollution, destruction des habitats et surexploitation) qui sont autant de causes de perte de la biodiversité. Pourtant, en dépit de ces multiples agressions, il existe encore des endroits en Basse Casamance où l’on peut trouver une biodiversité remarquable. Entre autres milieux, figurent les sites naturels sacrés qui jouissent d’une protection fondée sur des règles traditionnelles, lesquelles reposent sur des savoirs locaux transmis à travers les générations. Les savoirs locaux identifiés ainsi que de nombreuses pratiques locales contribuent à la conservation des ressources naturelles, malgré les pressions multiples. Ces ressources ont des valeurs culturelles, spirituelles et matérielles remarquables. Aujourd’hui, la prise de conscience par la communauté scientifique de l’intérêt de ces savoirs endogènes pour la conservation, pose le problème de leur maintien. Le présent article fait le point sur cette question sur la base d’une recherche bibliographique et d’enquêtes essentiellement qualitatif menées à l’aide de questionnaires et des focus groupes qui ont permis de faire un état des lieux sur les savoirs et pratiques qui subsistent et qui sont bénéfiques pour la conservation. Les interviews sont réalisées auprès de 111 ménages de la contrée Blouf.   In Senegal, the natural environment in general suffers from numerous aggressions (drought, pollution, destruction of habitats and overexploitation) which are as many causes of loss of biodiversity. Yet, despite these multiple attacks on the environment, there are still places in Lower Casamance where we can find remarkable biodiversity. Among other environments are the sacred natural sites that enjoy protection based on traditional rules, which rely on local knowledge passed down through the generations. The knowledge identified in the biophysical and sociocultural environments as well as many local practices contribute to the conservation of marine and coastal natural resources, despite the multiple pressures. These resources have remarkable cultural, spiritual and material values. Today, with the scientific community's awareness of the interest of this endogenous knowledge for conservation, its maintenance is necessary for the well-being of local communities whose survival depends directly on resources. This article reviews this question on the basis of a bibliographic search and essentially qualitative surveys using questionnaires and focus groups that allowed us to take stock of the knowledge and practices remain and are beneficial for conservation. Interviews are conducted with 111 households in the Blouf region

La Perte des Savoirs et Pratiques Endogenes: Risques pour l’Environnement Naturel du Territoire Blouf en Basse Casamance (Senelgal)

Au Sénégal, l’environnement naturel en général subit de nombreuses agressions (sécheresse, pollution, destruction des habitats et surexploitation) qui sont autant de causes de perte de la biodiversité. Pourtant, en dépit de ces multiples agressions, il existe encore des endroits en Basse Casamance où l’on peut trouver une biodiversité remarquable. Entre autres milieux, figurent les sites naturels sacrés qui jouissent d’une protection fondée sur des règles traditionnelles, lesquelles reposent sur des savoirs locaux transmis à travers les générations. Les savoirs locaux identifiés ainsi que de nombreuses pratiques locales contribuent à la conservation des ressources naturelles, malgré les pressions multiples. Ces ressources ont des valeurs culturelles, spirituelles et matérielles remarquables. Aujourd’hui, la prise de conscience par la communauté scientifique de l’intérêt de ces savoirs endogènes pour la conservation, pose le problème de leur maintien. Le présent article fait le point sur cette question sur la base d’une recherche bibliographique et d’enquêtes essentiellement qualitatif menées à l’aide de questionnaires et des focus groupes qui ont permis de faire un état des lieux sur les savoirs et pratiques qui subsistent et qui sont bénéfiques pour la conservation. Les interviews sont réalisées auprès de 111 ménages de la contrée Blouf.   In Senegal, the natural environment in general suffers from numerous aggressions (drought, pollution, destruction of habitats and overexploitation) which are as many causes of loss of biodiversity. Yet, despite these multiple attacks on the environment, there are still places in Lower Casamance where we can find remarkable biodiversity. Among other environments are the sacred natural sites that enjoy protection based on traditional rules, which rely on local knowledge passed down through the generations. The knowledge identified in the biophysical and sociocultural environments as well as many local practices contribute to the conservation of marine and coastal natural resources, despite the multiple pressures. These resources have remarkable cultural, spiritual and material values. Today, with the scientific community's awareness of the interest of this endogenous knowledge for conservation, its maintenance is necessary for the well-being of local communities whose survival depends directly on resources. This article reviews this question on the basis of a bibliographic search and essentially qualitative surveys using questionnaires and focus groups that allowed us to take stock of the knowledge and practices remain and are beneficial for conservation. Interviews are conducted with 111 households in the Blouf region