83 research outputs found
Scientific Paradigms and Urban Development: Alternative Models
Urban sprawl's negative impacts have been amply demonstrated, starting as long as 30 years ago, and most North American urban plans have, somewhere, reference to sprawl as bad policy (or, perhaps, absence of policy). Yet North Americans continue to tolerate the construction of more and more suburban subdivisions. This paper suggests an answer to this paradox. We argue that sprawl's attractiveness – if one can call it that – is buried deep in North American cultural predispositions, which we trace to quite specific interpretations of the mechanistic worldview that emerged from 17th and 18th century revolutions in natural philosophy. North American culture is a scientific culture as well as a suburban one. If mechanistic science and its peculiar view of nature is so pervasive and if suburban sprawl is both pervasive and dysfunctional, then this particular form of science and its cultural roots need to be carefully examined. We do this from the perspective of the 21st century, when quantum physics and new discoveries in the ecological and biological sciences are suggesting that many commonly accepted assumptions about physical reality inherited from 17th and 18th century science are flawed
Using Rheo-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering to Understand How Functionalised Dipeptides Form Gels
We explore the use of rheo-small-angle neutron scattering as a method to collect structural information from neutron scattering simultaneously with rheology to understand how low-molecular-weight hydrogels form and behave under shear. We examine three different gelling hydrogel systems to assess what structures are formed and how these influence the rheology. Furthermore, we probe what is happening to the network during syneresis and why the gels do not recover after an applied strain. All this information is vital when considering gels for applications such as 3D-printing and injection
Encoded archival description (EAD): Adoption and implementation
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) provides archival researchers with more in-depth content-related and contextual information than was previously available anywhere but in the physical repository. This has led to its use throughout the United States and in many other countries to increase access to archival and manuscript collections. Furthermore, EAD is one means of managing metadata that describe digital objects linked to archival finding aids. In spite of these potential benefits, the archival community in the United States has embraced EAD slowly. This paper examined EAD adoption in the U.S. and reports on a survey of 399 archives and manuscript repositories that participated in EAD educational workshops from 1993–2002. Among the factors found to be related to EAD adoption were prior adoption of the MARC format for the description of archival or manuscript materials and professional staff size. Implementation issues affecting adoption included the different technologies and skills required for encoding and display of finding aids and the lack of a consensus on either encoding software or display options.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34562/1/1450410149_ftp.pd
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Factors associated with quality of life and mood in adults with strabismus
Background/Aims To explore the factors associated with the mood and quality of life (QoL) of patients with strabismus due to undergo realignment surgery. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken with adult patients. Along with demographic, clinical and psychosocial process variables, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and AS-20 QoL measures were administered. Regression models were used to identify the factors associated with QoL and mood. Results Of the 220 participants, 11% were experiencing clinical levels of depression, and 24% clinical anxiety. This is in line with other forms of facial disfigurement but higher than other chronic diseases. Although mood and QoL were associated with age and diplopia, it was beliefs and cognitions which were more consistently associated with well-being. This included feelings of social anxiety and avoidance, a belief that strabismus has negative consequences, poor understanding of strabismus, social support, fear of negative evaluation and the perceived visibility of their condition. Conclusions Psychosocial rather than clinical characteristics were identified as determinants of wellbeing in this population. It is important for clinicians planning surgery to be aware of these factors which could influence outcomes. Longitudinal studies need to be conducted to explore the direction of causality before interventions to improve well-being are developed and evaluated
Mobile health technology adoption across generations: Narrowing the digital divide
Mobile health (m-health) technologies offer many benefits to
individuals, organizations, and health professionals alike. Indeed, the utilization
of m-health by older adults can foster the development of proactive patients,
while also reducing financial burden and resource pressures on health systems.
However, the potentially transformative influence of m-health is limited as
many older adults resist adoption leading to the emergence of an age-based
digital divide. This study leverages protection motivation theory and social
cognitive theory to explore the factors driving resistance among older adults.
This mixed methods study integrates survey findings with insights from
qualitative interviews to highlight that the m-health digital divide is deepening
due to older adults’ perceived inability to adopt, and their unwillingness to adopt
stemming from mistrust, high risk perceptions, and strong desire for privacy.
The paper contributes to the privacy and social inclusion literature by
demonstrating that while many older adults have access to m-health, they are
currently excluded, and require careful consideration by technology
organizations and researchers. The study provides recommendations for
narrowing the m-health digital divide through inclusive design and educational
efforts to improve self-efficacy, develop privacy literacy, and build trust,
thereby ensuring older citizens are both capable, and willing to adop
An integarted surgical suite management information system
The operational aspects, application areas, and results achieved from an integrated surgical suite management information system are described. The system, which has been operating within Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, for 4 years, captures comprehensive data for each surgical episode, performs extensive edits on these data to assure data base integrity, and utilizes this data base in multiple applications. These applications include fixed-format reporting for medical staff and management; ad hoc retrieval capabilities to support research, education, and decision making; and linkage to other hospital systems to reduce both data redundancy and paper flow.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45000/1/10916_2005_Article_BF02222176.pd
Adoption and diffusion of Encoded Archival Description
In this article, findings from a study on the diffusion and adoption of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) within the U.S. archival community are reported. Using E. M. Rogers' (1995) theory of the diffusion of innovations as a theoretical framework, the authors surveyed 399 archives and manuscript repositories that sent participants to EAD workshops from 1993–2002. Their findings indicated that EAD diffusion and adoption are complex phenomena. While the diffusion pattern mirrored that of MAchine-Readable Cataloging (MARC), overall adoption was slow. Only 42% of the survey respondents utilized EAD in their descriptive programs. Critical factors inhibiting adoption include the small staff size of many repositories, the lack of standardization in archival descriptive practices, a multiplicity of existing archival access tools, insufficient institutional infrastructure, and difficulty in maintaining expertise.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48777/1/20236_ftp.pd
An exploration of the determinants for decision to migrate existing resources to cloud computing using an integrated TOE-DOI model
Migrating existing resources to cloud computing is a strategic organisational decision that can be difficult. It requires the consideration and evaluation of a wide range of technical and organisational aspects. Although a significant amount of attention has been paid by many industrialists and academics to aid migration decisions, the procedure remains difficult. This is mainly due to underestimation of the range of factors and characteristics affecting the decision for cloud migration. Further research is needed to investigate the level of effect these factors have on migration decisions and the overall complexity. This paper aims to explore the level of complexity of the decision to migrate the cloud. A research model based on the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework was developed. The model was tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The quantitative analysis shows the level of impact of the identified variables on the decision to migrate. Seven determinants that contribute to the complexity of the decisions are identified. They need to be taken into account to ensure successful migration. This result has expanded the collective knowledge about the complexity of the issues that have to be considered when making decisions to migrate to the cloud. It contributes to the literature that addresses the complex and multidimensional nature of migrating to the cloud
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