ADOPTION OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES AMONG KNOWLEDGE WORKERS: A THEORETICAL INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND SEEKING FACTORS

Web 2.0 applications have attracted considerable attention among knowledge workers as a means via which they can connect to peers for knowledge sharing. Web 2.0 use has potential to facilitate knowledge transfer in a much more improved way compared to previous communication tools. Despite of its benefits, there is limited research on adoption behaviour of these technologies. We propose a model linking knowledge sharing and seeking factors to web 2.0 acceptance among knowledge workers. Proposed research model is based on the extended attitude-behaviour framework. The model shows that attitudes towards sharing and seeking, determined by their salient belief sets, could have an impact on web 2.0 use. This study will make important contribution to IS area as it attempts to investigate the influnce of drivers from two motivational domain i.e. knowledge sharing and seeking on technology acceptance based on an integrated theoretical framework

Examining Technology Resistance: A Cognitive Load Perspective

Technology adoption has been studied through two perspectives – of acceptance and of resistance. While acceptance has been sufficiently researched, resistance is understudied resulting in a less comprehensive understanding of technology adoption. This study examines technology resistance within the framework of task-technology interaction. Task-technology interaction has been defined based on the level of task-technology integration which has led to the identification of two types of interaction: intrinsic and extrinsic tasks to the technology. Within this framework, the study adopts cognitive load perspective to argue that introduction of a technology generates cognitive load by challenging the status quo of required working memory to perform the task which results in the technology resistance. The study further argues that level and influence of cognitive load on resistance are higher in extrinsic tasks compared to intrinsic tasks to the technology. Keywords Technology resistance, technology adoption, intrinsic and extrinsic task, cognitive loa

A Qualitative Study on Project Failure in Agile Teams Using Socio- technical Systems Theory

Companies are adopting agile methodology in response to fulfill a growing demand for agility. Specifically, the scrum method gained popularity, despite having no guarantee of success. This study employs socio-technical systems interaction as a framework to study the reasons for agile project failure. It reflects on misalignments as an outcome of socio- technical systems interaction. In this study, we identify the events that are most commonly responsible for imbalance by using socio-technical systems theory as a diagnostic tool. We conducted a qualitative interpretive study interviewing twenty-seven individuals in agile information systems delivery (ISD) team settings. Our findings reveal how an individual's lack of belief about being agile, doing agile, and both result in events of failure in IT projects. This study provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and reasons for failure in agile teams

Physical Learning Environment Challenges in the Digital Divide: How to Design Effective Instruction during COVID-19?

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way we work, learn, and interact with others in society. Academic institutions have responded to the pandemic by shifting face-to-face teaching to online instruction. However, whether online instruction succeeds also depends on students’ social and physical learning environment, particularly in developing countries. In this paper, we discuss how learning space challenges exacerbate the digital divide. We argue that weak digital infrastructure, combined with family and social dynamics, create learning space inequality that negatively influence learning outcomes. We provide recommendations on how academic institutions can reimagine content delivery, evaluation, and student support to mitigate learning space inequalities

Using Safety Margins for a German Seismic PRA

The German regulatory guide demands the performance of a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) including external events. In 2005, a new methodology guideline (Methodenband) based on the current state of science and technology was released to provide the analyst with a set of suitable tools and methodologies for the analysis of all PRA events. In the case of earthquake, a multilevel verification procedure is suggested. The verification procedure which has to be used depends on the seismic risk at the site of the plant. For sites in areas with low seismic activity no analysis or only a reduced analysis is proposed. This paper describes the evaluation of safety margins of buildings, structures, components and systems for plants at sites with high seismic risk, corresponding to the German methodology guideline. The seismic PRA results in an estimation of core damage frequencies caused by earthquakes. Additionally, the described approach can also be adapted for the usage in a reduced analysis for sites with lower earthquake risks. Westinghouse has wide experience in performing seismic PRA for both BWR as well as PWR plants. Westinghouse uses the documented set of seismic design analyses dating from construction phase and from later updates, if done, as a basis for a seismic PRA, which means that usually no costly new structural mechanics calculations have to be performed

Machine Learning and Grounded Theory: New Opportunities for Mixed-Design Research

In this emerging research forum paper, we propose a novel framework for mixed-design research by integrating machine learning (ML) with grounded theory (GT). Contrary to existing belief that ML can only be used for prediction and not for explaining a phenomenon, in this paper, we illustrate that ML and GT complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can be integrated through mixed design research for theory building. We also propose a framework and guidelines to integrate ML in GT, with an example from an ongoing research project. This paper not only attempts to addresses the call for methodologies to employ ML techniques in social sciences research but also provides clear guidelines for executing such empirical researc

Investigation of the Effect of Microwaves on Mustard Seeds Fertility

Abstract: With the growth of technology and increase in demand of cellular services day by day; mostly operated at 945 MHz, the presence of microwaves in environment is also increasing. Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimetre, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. Microwaves may have both positive and negative effects on crops. This paper proposes a technique to enhance the growth rate of crops; particularly mustard plants or sarsu (Brassica seeds). The investigations were carried out with mustard seeds exposed to microwaves for different durations and power levels. The growth of the plants was studied for ten days. The other control variables such as temperature, humidity, sun light and level of gases (CO 2 , N 2 , and O 2 ) were maintained almost constant for all the observations. The analysis of the results shows that seeds exposed for proper duration and power level show better growth rate in comparison to the natural growth procedure

EFFECT OF DYNAMIC TIME WARPING ON ALIGNMENT OF PHRASES AND PHONEMES

ABSTRAC

Marker-assisted selection for transfer of QTLs to a promising line for drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat crop is subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which affect crop productivity and yield. Among various abiotic stresses, drought stress is a major problem considering the current global climate change scenario. A high-yielding wheat variety, HD3086, has been released for commercial cultivation under timely sown irrigated conditions for the North Western Plain Zone (NWPZ) and North Eastern Plain Zone NEPZ of India. Presently, HD3086 is one of the highest breeder seed indented wheat varieties and has a stable yield over the years. However, under moisture deficit conditions, its potential yield cannot be achieved. The present study was undertaken to transfer drought-tolerant QTLs in the background of the variety HD3086 using marker-assisted backcross breeding. QTLs governing Biomass (BIO), Canopy Temperature (CT), Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Yield (YLD) were transferred to improve performance under moisture deficit conditions. In BC1F1, BC2F1, and BC2F2 generations, the foreground selection was carried out to identify the plants with positive QTLs conferring drought tolerance and linked to traits NDVI, CT, TKW, and yield. The positive homozygous lines for targeted QTLs were advanced from BC2F2 to BC2F4via the pedigree-based phenotypic selection method. Background analysis was carried out in BC2F5 and obtained 78-91% recovery of the recurrent parent genome in the improved lines. Furthermore, the advanced lines were evaluated for 2 years under drought stress to assess improvement in MABB-derived lines. Increased GWPS, TKW, and NDVI and reduced CT was observed in improved lines. Seven improved lines were identified with significantly higher yields in comparison to HD3086 under stress conditions

Genome-wide association study identifies loci and candidate genes for grain micronutrients and quality traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Malnutrition due to micronutrients and protein deficiency is recognized among the major global health issues. Genetic biofortification of wheat is a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to mitigate the global micronutrient and protein malnutrition. Genomic regions governing grain zinc concentration (GZnC), grain iron concentration (GFeC), grain protein content (GPC), test weight (TW), and thousand kernel weight (TKW) were investigated in a set of 184 diverse bread wheat genotypes through genome-wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS panel was genotyped using Breeders' 35 K Axiom Array and phenotyped in three different environments during 2019–2020. A total of 55 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified representing all three sub-genomes of wheat. The highest number of MTAs were identified for GPC (23), followed by TKW (15), TW (11), GFeC (4), and GZnC (2). Further, a stable SNP was identified for TKW, and also pleiotropic regions were identified for GPC and TKW. In silico analysis revealed important putative candidate genes underlying the identified genomic regions such as F-box-like domain superfamily, Zinc finger CCCH-type proteins, Serine-threonine/tyrosine-protein kinase, Histone deacetylase domain superfamily, and SANT/Myb domain superfamily proteins, etc. The identified novel MTAs will be validated to estimate their effects in different genetic backgrounds for subsequent use in marker-assisted selection