Information Technology, Diffusion, and the Human Services Industry

There has been substantial research in the diffusion of innovation as applied to information systems. For nearly twenty years, this research has relied mostly on IS-process models and IS-factor models. IS-process models consider the typical stages of incorporation of information technologies (IT) into the organization (Gibson and Nolan, 1974; McKenney and McFarlan, 1982). IS-factor models examine the various technological, organizational, and external environmental characteristics that relate to IS-diffusion within an enterprise. Kwon & Zmud (1987) and Fichman (1992) provide extensive reviews of earlier factors research, and outline several factor areas that need further exploration. Current literature includes a third modelthe consequencemodel for IT diffusion. In this model, the extent of IT diffusion serves as an intervening variable, with organizational consequences serving as the dependent variable (Ferns & Palley, 1995). The literature on IT diffusion provides little information about IT diffusion innonbusiness sectors. There have been some IT diffusion studies that include public administration areas (Bretschneider & Wittmer, 1993), education (Trachtman, Spirek, Sparks & Stohl, 1991) and healthcare systems (Palley, 1991). Nonetheless, there has beenlittle investigation of IT diffusion on other nonprofit sectors. This research addresses problems in applying existing theory on IT diffusion to the Human Services sector, and in Direct Service Providers (DSPs), as defined below, in particular. One, thereare few studies in the literature that even describe the extent of IT diffusion in DSPs. Second, most factorsmodel studies operationalize the factor constructs in the context of business organizations. The metrics used in these studies may not be appropriate for DSPs. Finally, studies of the consequences of IT diffusion are rare, and this is particularly true of IT diffusion in DSPs. The lack of data on these consequences creates a vacuum in which potential innovators may have only subjective information on which to base implementation decisions. In such cases, potential innovators may either inappropriately implement or resist IT innovations. This research considers DSPs in terms of standing ITdiffusion research, and indicates probable reasons that have contributed to low levels of diffusion. We examine DSP structural characteristics, contrast the information needs of this sector to business sectors, and project what IT diffusion theory indicates within this industry. This research also will weigh the opportunity costs associated with the lack of IT/DSP diffusion research and will suggest significant areas where more knowledge of IT diffusion would have the greatest potential utilit

Presentation and prognosis of excessive asymptomatic atrial ectopy in children and adolescents with structurally and functionally normal hearts

Excessive premature atrial complexes (PACs) in pediatric patients with a structurally normal heart are presumed to be benign and self-resolving, but no studies have confirmed this. Adults with excessive PACs, however, are at increased risk for future sustained atrial arrhythmias and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the clinical course of frequent PACs in asymptomatic children. Patients \u3c 21 years old with numerous asymptomatic PACs (\u3e50/24 hours) were retrospectively selected over a 10-year period. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and results of cardiovascular testing were tabulated. Two groups were defined: those with a significant (\u3e20%) reduction in burden of atrial ectopy versus those with an insignificant (\u3c20%) reduction or increase. Of 6,902 patients, 343 patients (5%) met criteria. Initial median age was 8.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 4.1 to 14) years with comparable male:female ratio. Follow-up Holters were performed on 188 patients (54.8%) at a median interval of 2.2 (IQR 1.3 to 3.6) years. Overall, there was a significant decrease in atrial ectopy burden from 4.2% (IQR 1.9 to 6.5) down to 0.5% (IQR 0.01 to 2.3), with 166 patients (88.3%), demonstrating a decrease of over 20%. Five percent had a small increase, and 6% had an insignificant decrease. None developed cardiac symptoms or sustained supraventricular tachydysrhythmia. Male gender, athletic participation, and discontinuation of stimulant medications were the chief predictors for a reduction of PAC burden on follow-up. Atrial triplets at presentation were associated with a 5.4% increase. In conclusion, this study confirms that excessive asymptomatic childhood PACs with structurally normal hearts are rare and short-term to medium-term prognosis is benign

Climate Change, Business and Society:Building Relevance in Time and Space

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and has become an area of growing focus in Business & Society. Looking back and reviewing climate change discussion within this journal highlights the importance of time and space in addressing the climate crisis. Looking forward, we extend existing research by theorizing and politicizing the co-implication of time and space through the concept of “space-time.” To illustrate this, we employ the logical structure of “the trace” to advance business and society scholarship on climate change by shifting the focus to a place-bound emphasis on climate impacts and directing scholarship toward climate change’s temporal markers and material effects. By operationalizing “the trace,” we contribute to Business & Society debates in three ways: (a) reimagining complex stakeholder relations, (b) advancing a performative understanding of climate risk, and (c) foregrounding planetary systems and the physical environment

Un-LINQed: Spontaneous extrusion of newer generation implantable loop recorders

BACKGROUND: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are often used for long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. The Medtronic\u27s LINQ Reveal ™ is a new generation wireless, automated, and patient responsive subcutaneous ECG monitoring device. Despite several advantages to its small size we have noted an unusually high incidence of extrusion at our center. METHODS: & Results: We conducted a retrospective case analysis to review Reveal LINQs implanted at our center. All devices were inserted using the provided insertion tools. Patients with extruded devices were identified and details regarding the site and technique of insertion, incision closure, use of peri-operative antibiotics, and follow-up details were collected. 81 patients underwent 85 Reveal LINQ implants at a tertiary care University Hospital referral center. The most common reason for implant was suspected arrhythmia with or without structural heart disease or unexplained syncope. There were 4 spontaneous extrusions occurring within 7-24 days after insertion with an incidence rate of 4.7%. One extruded device was anchored to subcutaneous tissue, and no pocket/device infections or hematomas were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Device migration and erosion through skin are important potential adverse events for the Reveal LINQ implantable loop recorder. This study reports an unexpectedly high rate of extrusion without infection. The authors suggest that the depth of the incision is the main factor impacting extrusions. Larger studies are recommended, however, and a proposed measure to avoid spontaneous extrusion is the design of a longer manufacturer\u27s blade in order to increase the depth of the incision and insertion

Columbia River Rhyolites: Age-Distribution Patterns and Their Implications for Arrival, Location, and Dispersion of Continental Flood Basalt Magmas in the Crust

Columbia River province magmatism is now known to include abundant and widespread rhyolite centers even though the view that the earliest rhyolites erupted from the McDermitt Caldera and other nearby volcanic fields along the Oregon–Nevada state border has persisted. Our study covers little-studied or unknown rhyolite occurrences in eastern Oregon that show a much wider distribution of older centers. With our new data on distribution of rhyolite centers and ages along with literature data, we consider rhyolites spanning from 17.5 to 14.5 Ma of eastern Oregon, northern Nevada, and western Idaho to be a direct response to flood basalts of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) and collectively categorize them as Columbia River Rhyolites. The age distribution patterns of Columbia River Rhyolites have implications for the arrival, location, and dispersion of flood basalt magmas in the crust. We consider the period from 17.5 to 16.4 Ma to be the waxing phase of rhyolite activity and the period from 15.3 to 14.5 Ma to be the waning phase. The largest number of centers was active between 16.3–15.4 Ma. The existence of crustal CRBG magma reservoirs beneath rhyolites seems inevitable, and hence, rhyolites suggest the following. The locations of centers of the waxing phase imply the arrival of CRBG magmas across the distribution area of rhyolites and are thought to correspond to the thermal pulses of arriving Picture Gorge Basalt and Picture-Gorge-Basalt-like magmas of the Imnaha Basalt in the north and to those of Steens Basalt magmas in the south. The earlier main rhyolite activity phase corresponds with Grande Ronde Basalt and evolved Picture Gorge Basalt and Steens Basalt. The later main phase rhyolite activity slightly postdated these basalts but is contemporaneous with icelanditic magmas that evolved from flood basalts. Similarly, centers of the waning phase span the area distribution of earlier phases and are similarly contemporaneous with icelanditic magmas and with other local basalts. These data have a number of implications for long-held notions about flood basalt migration through time and the age-progressive Snake River Plain Yellowstone rhyolite trend. There is no age progression in rhyolite activity from south-to-north, and this places doubt on the postulated south-to-north progression in basalt activity, at least for main-phase CRBG lavas. Furthermore, we suggest that age-progressive rhyolite activity of the Snake River Plain–Yellowstone trend starts at ~12 Ma with activity at the Bruneau Jarbidge center, and early centers along the Oregon–Nevada border, such as McDermitt, belong to the early to main phase rhyolites identified here

Intensive Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): The benefits and challenges of condensed and compressed WIL experiences

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a well-established educational strategy with acknowledged benefits for student learning and employability. This paper explores and documents Intensive WIL, where students undertake short or condensed WIL experiences, ranging from 35 to 400 hours. Four case studies from different universities, designed for different purposes, using either placement or project approaches, and with different student cohorts, showcase the flexibility and adaptability of this model of WIL. Drawing on existing quality frameworks developed for WIL, a new, dedicated set of quality indicators was developed to evaluate examples of intensive WIL, as demonstrated in the case studies. This new framework places greater emphasis on the WIL experience itself, which has had little previous attention. The study confirms that given the right conditions, and used for the right purposes, Intensive WIL delivers quality experiences for students. Unique challenges of Intensive WIL include: sourcing projects with appropriate scope and complexity that are achievable and from which students will learn; ensuring students have command of previous theoretical concepts, as there may be little time to get them up to speed during Intensive WIL; ensuring all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities for smooth operation; and effective communication between workplace and university staff, as there is less time to recover from any difficult situations that may arise

Aligning assessment with the needs of work-integrated learning: the challenges of authentic assessment in a complex context

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a feature of university courses, both in professional areas, where it is commonplace, but also across many different disciplines. Assessment of WIL can be complex as it involves parties and settings external to the university, and it can be problematic because of difficulties in aligning learning activities during placements with what is or can be assessed by the university. This paper explores the relationship between students’ placement experiences and accompanying assessments in contexts where activities are tightly coupled with the curriculum, and in those where it is not. It draws on a qualitative analysis of student interviews and drawings by the interviewees of their WIL experiences, supplemented with analysis of unit guides. Our findings highlight that students’ perceptions of authenticity of assessment were undermined by misalignments between the student, university and industry. Assessment authenticity was perceived by students as based on alignment between their current and future selves in the assessment process, involvement of industry supervisors and relevance of placement activities to assessment activities. The paper discusses the complexity of coordination of educational activities with external partners, especially when one party drives assessment. It then suggests a reframing of WIL assessment to promote alignment and authenticity

Investigation of Combustion and Emission Performance of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Diesel

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel fuels have the potential to provide a reduced carbon footprint for diesel engines and reduce exhaust emissions. Therefore, it is a strong candidate for transport and diesel powered machines including electricity generators and other off-road machines. In this research, a waste cooking oil derived HVO diesel was investigated for its combustion and emission performance including ignition delays, size segregated particulate number emissions and gaseous emissions. The results were compared to the standard petroleum diesel. A EURO5 emission compliant three litre, direct injection, intercooled IVECO diesel engine equipped with EGR was used which has a maximum power output of 96kW. The engine was equipped with an integrated DOC and DPF aftertreatment system. Both the upstream and downstream of the aftertreatment emissions were measured. The tests were conducted at different RPM and loads at steady state conditions. A DMS500 particle size measurement instrument was used for measuring particles between 5 nm and 1000nm. The engine was instrumented with a number of thermocouples so that the engine conditions were closely monitored. Gaseous emissions were measured using a HORIBA 7100 series gas analyzer. The results showed that HVO reduced particulate numbers significantly at the upstream of the aftertreatment system. The particle number emissions were not much different between HVO and standard diesel at the downstream of the aftertreatment system due to the low particle number concentrations

Distribution-based bisimulation for labelled Markov processes

In this paper we propose a (sub)distribution-based bisimulation for labelled Markov processes and compare it with earlier definitions of state and event bisimulation, which both only compare states. In contrast to those state-based bisimulations, our distribution bisimulation is weaker, but corresponds more closely to linear properties. We construct a logic and a metric to describe our distribution bisimulation and discuss linearity, continuity and compositional properties.Comment: Accepted by FORMATS 201