User participation and user satisfaction in information systems development

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 26/06/2001.Information Systems (IS) are being developed and used in organizations to achieve their business goals and to enhance organizational effectiveness. The rate of systems success is questionable. One of the causes of IS failures might be user dissatisfaction with the systems. The success of an Information System is difficult to measure directly, so user satisfaction and system usage are frequently used as surrogate measures of system success. User participation in IS development has been advocated to achieve user satisfaction with the system and consequently system success. Past research findings about the effect of user participation on user satisfaction leading to system success are mixed and inconclusive. Past research has not been successful in showing whether user participation in IS development is necessary or not. So further research in this respect is justifiable. This thesis investigated the effect of user participation/involvement on user satisfaction. The effect of user expectations, and user-developer effective communications on user satisfaction has also been explored. A research model was proposed to proceed with this research. Meta-Analysis was carried out to investigate the relationship between user participation, user expectations and user-developer effective communication each with user satisfaction respectively. This thesis found some relationship of these factors with user satisfaction. The strength of the relationship (i. e. correlation 'r') was found to be 'medium' but not large'. The results also show that user involvement has a larger correlation with user satisfaction as opposed to user participation. The findings not only lead to the conclusions that user participation/involvement, user expectations, and user-developer effective communication have positive relationship with user satisfaction, but also contribute to the existing alternative views among IS researchers. The relationship between system usage and user satisfaction was found to be positive and of 'medium' strength and contrasts with the prevailing view that no correlation exists between them. So research findings are not only useful to resolve controversies that exists in past research but also lead to conclusions that user participation may contribute towards successful IS development and consequently user satisfaction with IS. Further, the causes of the emergence of unrealistic user expectations are explored and suggestions for future research are made.Government of Pakista

Nutritional Improvement of Whole Wheat Flour Chapatti by Supplementation of Tartarty Buckwheat Flour

Four treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4) of supplemented flours along with control (T0) were prepared by supplementing tartary buckwheat flour in whole wheal flour @ 5, 10, 15 and 20% to improve the nutritional quality of chapattis. Supplemented flours and chapattis prepared from them were analyzed for chemical composition such as moisture content, ash content, crude fiber, crude protein, crude fat, phytic acid content, minerals (Fe, Zn, P and K) and nitrogen free extract. Supplementation significantly increased the all parameters except NFE and Zn content. Sensory evaluation of chapatti samples showed that chapattis prepared from 5 and 10% supplemented flours were accepted by the judges. Keywords: Wheat flour, Chapatti, Supplementation, Tartary buckwhea

Effect of cellulose acetate phthalate and polyethylene glycol on physical properties and release of theophylline from microcapsules

O presente estudo descreve o desenvolvimento de microcápsulas de teofilina pelo método sem adição de solvente e o efeito da adição de plastificante na microencapsulação. A liberação foi estudada em água destilada e os dados foram analisados por vários modelos matemáticos para determinação do mecanismo de liberação. As microcápsulas preparadas mostraram-se esféricas, livres de corrente e com mais de 80% de fármaco encapsulado. O polímero - ftalato de acetato de celulose e o plastificante - polietileno glicol - afetaram as propriedades das microcápsulas, incluindo a liberação do fármaco (tempo para liberação de 50% do fármaco, T50). A formulação com a maior proporção de polímero e sem plastificante (F3) se mostrou como a de liberação mais lenta, com T50 = 4,3 h, enquanto as formulações com menor proporção de polímero e 20% de plastificante (m/m) (F13 &14) apresentaram a liberação mais rápida do fármaco, com T50 de 1,2 h e 1,3 h, respectivamente. A liberação do fármaco para a maioria das formulações seguiu o modelo de Higuchi. Concluiu-se, dos resultados do presente estudo, que o ftalato do acetato de celulose afeta significativamente a liberação controlada do fármaco em água, enquanto que a adição de polietileno glicol aumenta ligeiramente a liberação do fármaco.The present study describes the development of theophylline microcapsules by a non-solvent addition method and the effect of plasticizer addition on microencapsulation. The release was studied in distilled water and the data were analysed by various mathematical models for determining the mechanism of release. Prepared microcapsules were found to be spherical, free flowing and having more than 80% entrapped drug. The polymer - cellulose acetate phthalate and plasticizer - polyethylene glycol was considered to be affecting the properties of microcapsules including drug release (time for 50% drug release, T50). The formulation with the highest proportion of polymer and without plasticizer (F3) showed the slowest release with T50 = 4.3 h, while the formulation with lower proportion of polymer and 20% (w/w) plasticizer (F13 &14) showed the fastest release of drug with T50 values of 1.2 h and 1.3 h, respectively. The drug release from most of the formulations was found to be following Higuchi model. It is concluded from the results of the present study that cellulose acetate phthalate significantly affects the sustained release of the drug in water, whereas the addition of polyethylene glycol slightly enhances the drug release

Molecular Profiling of Pakistani Selected Advance Lines of Rice for Amylose Content

Background: Pakistani rice is well-known for its quality. Its consumption increases with the increase in population. The gel consistency (GC) amylose content (AC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) are the most important rice characters, which are associated directly to eating and cooking attributes. But for its good taste and eating quality depends on its endosperm starch quality and quantity. Amylose, a chief determinant of rice attribute, is principally synthesized and controlled by a major gene (Waxy gene) encoding an enzyme called granule bound starch synthase (GBBS).Methods: Current investigation was carried out to characterize advance lines of rice by both conventional and molecular approaches. In present study Waxy gene was identified in advance lines of rice.Results: Show that out of 17 advanced lines, 9 lines were waxy or low amylose, and 1 line was non waxy or high amylose rice because of the presence of 425 bp fragment and 225 bp fragment of Wx gene respectively. For morphological data 14 morphological quantitative traits were studied.Conclusion: Advance lines of rice analyzed during the present investigation showed better grain quality. A number of advance lines contain extra-long and medium slender grains which have intermediate to high gelatinization temperatures. Thus these advance lines are appropriate for the improvement of saline rice. Except one advance line 19 that showed Hard gel consistency and the majority of advance lines fall in the category of soft gel consistency and thus are of excellent quality.Keywords: Rice; Amylose;  Gelatinization; Wx genes      

Teacher in Promoting Quality Education: Head Teachers Perception

This research was carried out to study the head teachers’ perception in terms of teacher in the promotion of quality education and about those characteristics which make them different from other facilities that bring quality in education. Quality of education is the major concern of any country and preparing quality teachers is the prime importance in many countries. In this connection quality of teacher cannot be ignored. This study explores the quality characteristics of teachers through literature review that influence the quality of education. In response to the need of quality teacher, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa review and developed Teacher Education Strategy (TES 2013-2018) to improve the quality of teacher in the province. In this regard two districts were taken to know the perception of head teachers of primary public schools in the province.  A five point likert scale questionnaire was developed to know the perception of 108 head teachers in two districts Swat and Tank of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

A Comprehensive Review on Zeolite Chemistry for Catalytic Conversion of Biomass/Waste into Green Fuels

Numerous attempts have been made to produce new materials and technology for renewable energy and environmental improvements in response to global sustainable solutions stemming from fast industrial expansion and population growth. Zeolites are a group of crystalline materials having molecularly ordered micropore arrangements. Over the past few years, progress in zeolites has been observed in transforming biomass and waste into fuels. To ensure effective transition of fossil energy carriers into chemicals and fuels, zeolite catalysts play a key role; however, their function in biomass usage is more obscure. Herein, the effectiveness of zeolites has been discussed in the context of biomass transformation into valuable products. Established zeolites emphasise conversion of lignocellulosic materials into green fuels. Lewis acidic zeolites employ transition of carbohydrates into significant chemical production. Zeolites utilise several procedures, such as catalytic pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydro-pyrolysis, to convert biomass and lignocelluloses. Zeolites exhibit distinctive features and encounter significant obstacles, such as mesoporosity, pore interconnectivity, and stability of zeolites in the liquid phase. In order to complete these transformations successfully, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the chemistry of zeolites. Hence, further examination of the technical difficulties associated with catalytic transformation in zeolites will be required. This review article highlights the reaction pathways for biomass conversion using zeolites, their challenges, and their potential utilisation. Future recommendations for zeolite-based biomass conversion are also presented

Survey-based Evaluation of Resident and Attending Financial Literacy

Introduction: Physician finances are linked to wellness and burnout. However, few physicians receive financial management education. We sought to determine the financial literacy and educational need of attending and resident physician at an academic emergency medicine (EM) residency.  Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, survey study at an academic EM residency. We devised a 49-question survey with four major domains: demographics (16 questions); Likert-scale questions evaluating value placed on personal finances (3 questions); Likert-scale questions evaluating perceived financial literacy (11 questions); and a financial literacy test based on previously developed and widely used financial literacy questions (19 questions). We administered the survey to EM attendings and residents. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and compared attending and resident test question responses.  Results: A total of 44 residents and 24 attendings responded to the survey. Few (9.0% of residents, 12.5% of attendings) reported prior formal financial education. However, most respondents (70.5% of residents and 79.2% of attendings) participated in financial self-learning. On a five-point Likert scale (not at all important: very important), respondents felt that financial independence (4.7 ± 0.8) and their finances (4.7±0.8) were important for their well-being. Additionally, they valued being prepared for retirement (4.7±0.9). Regarding perceived financial literacy (very uncomfortable: very comfortable), respondents had the lowest comfort level with investing in the stock market (2.7±1.5), applying for a mortgage (2.8±1.6), and managing their retirement (3.0±1.4). Residents scored significantly lower than attendings on the financial literacy test (70.8% vs 79.6%, P<0.01), and residents scored lower on questions pertaining to investment (78.8% v 88.9%, P<0.01) and insurance and taxes (47.0% v 70.8%, P<0.01). Overall, respondents scored lower on questions about retirement (58.8%, P<0.01) and insurance and taxes (54.7%, P<0.01). Conclusion: Emergency physicians’ value of financial literacy exceeded confidence in financial literacy, and residents reported poorer confidence than attendings. We identified deficiencies in emergency physicians’ financial literacy for retirement, insurance, and taxes