The moderator role of Gender in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT): A study on users of Electronic Document Management Systems

Venkatesh et al. [1] tried to integrate predictability capabilities from the different existing models of technology acceptance. This produced the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). This comprehensive model resulted in the identification of common aspects. It proposed several constructs with a greater explanatory power and analyzed moderating drivers, such as age, Gender, experience and voluntariness of use. By doing so, UTAUT identifies three major drivers of behavioral intention: performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence. On the other hand, facilitating conditions and behavioral intention were identified as determinant factors of actual use [1]. In addition to previous considerations about UTAUT, empirical research has scarcely analyzed the moderating role of Gender [2]. This is why this paper particularly aims to fill this gap. Hofstede [3] describes strength, competitiveness and guidance for material success as social roles linked to male values, whilst modesty, tenderness, sensitivity and concern for the quality of life are values associated with women. With respect to UTAUT, existing studies have shown that performance expectancy positively influences behavioral intention more strongly for men (cf. [4], [5], [6] and [7]). Moreover, it has been observed that effort expectancy positively influences behavioral intention more strongly for women (cf. [4], [5] and [6]), while social influence positively affects behavioral intention more strongly for women (cf. [5], [7] and [8]). In our research, with the aim of testing the moderating effects of Gender, a sample of 2,175 users of Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) in Portuguese municipalities was used. Taking into account that Gender is a categorical variable, we have adopted a multi-group or multi-sample analysis [9] -dividing the sample into two groups (male = 748; female = 1,427) and estimating each group of observations separately. Before comparing the groups, an analysis of the measurement invariance was carried out to make sure that the construct measures were invariant between both groups [10]. Once the metric invariance had been assessed, we carried out a set of multi-group analyses –interpreting statistically-significant differences in path coefficients as moderating effects. On the one hand, the parametric approach considering both equal variances and different variances has been used [11, 12]. On the other hand, we have applied non-parametric approaches exemplified by the permutation test [13], and Henseler’s PLS multi-group analysis [10, 12, 14]. This study notes slight differences in the results of the aforementioned methods. As a result, the moderating effect of Gender on the relation between performance expectancy and behavioral intention showed that this relationship is stronger among men than women. Finally, a discussion on the implications of Gender as a moderator for the UTAUT model is included

Determinants of User Acceptance of a Local eGovernment Electronic Document Management System (EDMS)

On numerous occasions the significant value of the investments involved in the development of eGovernment and the expectations of governmental information systems use do not correspond to the rate of effective use. This scenario makes it difficult to justify the development of electronic government by governments and local authorities among its citizens. It is therefore important to understand the factors that influence the employees' intention of using governmental information systems. With the aim of understanding the determining factors of using an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) in the context of Portuguese municipalities, this study develops an empirical analysis using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, (Venkatesh et al., 2003). This model's application for information systems research in the governmental context has a weak expression and is unique in EDMS research. This empirical research follows a realist and positivist approach. Data was collected from a survey answered by 2,175 employees of Portuguese municipalities (EDMS users). Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used to test the model proposed. The results showed that Intention to Use is positively affected by Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence and Facilitating Conditions. With respect to the EDMS Use, the results showed that it is positively influenced by Intention to Use and Facilitating Conditions. The main result indicates that EDMS users believe that the use of this information system will help them to obtain performance benefits in their work. However, the increasing use of EDMS is not very influenced by the system's perceived ease of use. In short, this study provides a contribution to the Information Systems Acceptance and Adoption literature in local eGovernmental contexts. In addition, our contribution empirically tests the model for implementation in governmental organizations and provides a better understanding of the adoption and use of an EDM

Modeling and maps generation from the spatial behavior of Sporisorium reilianum ((Kühn) Langdon y Fullerton) in Mexico State, México

El presente estudio se realizó con la finalidad de modelizar la distribución espacial del carbón de la espiga del maíz causada por Sporisorium reilianum durante 2006 en el Estado de México y su visualización a través de la generación mapas de densidad. El muestreo se realizó en 100 parcelas georreferenciadas por cada localidad analizada. La incidencia de la enfermedad (porcentaje de plantas enfermas) se determinó al establecer cinco puntos parcela, en cada punto se contabilizaron 100 plantas. Se realizó el análisis geoestadístico para estimar el semivariograma experimental, una vez obtenido, se ajustó a un modelo teórico (esférico, exponencial o gaussiano) a través de los programas Variowin 2.2., su ajuste se validó a través de la validación cruzada. Posteriormente, se elaboraron mapas de agregación de la enfermedad con el método de interpolación geoestadística o krigeado. Los resultados indicaron que la enfermedad se presentó en 20 localidades de 19 municipios del Estado de México; todas las localidades presentaron un comportamiento espacial agregado de la enfermedad, 16 localidades se ajustaron al modelo esférico, dos al modelo exponencial y dos localidades se ajustaron al modelo gaussiano. En todos los modelos se lograron establecer mapas de agregación que permitirá adecuar las acciones de manejo en términos de puntos o sitios específicos.This study was done with the purpose of modeling the spatial distribution of the head smut in maize, caused by the Sporisorium reilianum in 2006 in the Mexico State, and its visualization through the elaboration of density maps. The sampling was made in 100 parcels, which were georeferenced by location. The incidence of the disease was by establishing five points in each plot of maize. In each point 100 plants were counted by row. The plants with symptoms of this disease were registered. A geoestatistic analysis was done to estimate the experimental semivariograms once done; it was adjusted to a theoretical model (Spherical, exponential o Gaussian) through the VarioWin 2.2 program. Its adjustment was proved through the crossed validation. Subsequently aggregation maps of the disease were done through the geostatistic interpolation method or kriging. The results show that the disease was presented in 20 locations in 19 counties in the State of Mexico. All the locations presented a cluster spatial behavior of this disease. Moreover 16 locations were adjusted to the spherical model, two the exponential model and another two to the Gaussian model. In all models it was achieved to establish aggregation mapswhich will allow to adequate the management actionin the required points.Fil: Ramírez, José Francisco. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Facultad de Ciencias AgrícolasFil: González, Andrés. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Facultad de Ciencias AgrícolasFil: Sánchez, Jesús Ricardo. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Facultad de Ciencias AgrícolasFil: León, Carlos de. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Facultad de Ciencias Agrícola

Effects of cardiorespiratory exercise on cognition in older women exposed to air pollution

The aim was to analyze the effects of cardiorespiratory exercise and air pollution on cognition and cardiovascular markers in four groups of older women: the active/clean air group (AC), the active/polluted air group (AP), the sedentary/clean air group (SC), and the sedentary/polluted air group (SP). Active groups performed a training task based on progressive walking. Prior to and after the experiment, the following parameters were assessed: cognition, by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), estimated by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6mWT); heart rate (HR); and oxygen saturation (SpO2). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the AC and the SP in all the MMSE dimensions except “Registration”, and in all the physiological variables (VO2max, SpO2, HR). Aerobic exercise may be a protective factor against the effects that pollution have on cognition and on the mechanisms of oxygen transport

Cross Ventilation CFD Modeling: Characterization and Study of Different Façade Openings Configurations at the Refurbishment of a Residential Building in Málaga (Spain)

The opening of new windows on the façade is proposed as a refurbishment strategy in an existing building in Málaga to facilitate cross ventilation of dwellings. The building is a residential block of 140 public housing units for rent for people with low income in Málaga (Spain), property of the City Council. By modeling with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), eleven configurations of openings are studied in two different areas of the main housing type of the building. The quantity of introduced/extracted air into/from the room and the generated airflow patterns are obtained. The modeling allows comparing the different openings configurations to determine the most appropriate ventilation option for every room

Identification of teosinte populations (Zea spp.) useful for grain yielding improvement in maize (Zea mays L.)

The great phenotypic and genotypic diversity of Genus Zea can be inherited within and between populations. Teosinte (Zea spp.) is the closest wild relative to maize, distributed in Mexico and Central America from Chihuahua to Costa Rica through several environmental conditions. The potential ability of exotic germplasm to incorporatetraits on maize (Zea mays L.) domesticated crops has been demonstrated. Among traits of economic interest that can be transferred from teosinte to maize, the following stand out: higher grain yield, resistance to pests and diseases, and product quality. 180 crosses between BC2F1 (maize-teosinte families) and LUG282 were evaluated to test introgressed teosinte germplasm potential on CIMMYT line CML311 background. The 180 F1 with teosinte introgressions were evaluated at three environments and compared to a reference control LUG282xCML311 and to some other experimental and some commercial hybrids as controls also. Main variables evaluated were days to anthesis and silking, plant and ear height, root and stalk lodging and grain yield. The results of the combined ANOVA by teosinte families showed that hybrids with introgressions of a teosinte population from La Lima, Tolimán, Jalisco, (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis landrace Balsas) averaged higher in grain yield, but they were notstatistically superior to the reference control LUG282xCML311 (α = 0.05); while in the combined ANOVA by treatments only the hybrid with teosinte T100 (T = treatment number) was statistically superior to reference control for grain yield (α = 0.05). Among other traits, hybrids with Zea diploperennis introgressions (San Andres Milpillas, Nayarit) appeared to be a reliable source for resistance to foliar diseases

Vision Development Differences between Slow and Fast Motor Development in Typical Developing Toddlers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Many studies have established a relationship between visual function and motor development in toddlers. This is the first report to study two-year-olds via an assessment of their visual and motor skills. The purpose of this study is to describe the possible changes that can occur between visual and motor systems in typical developing toddlers. A total of 116 toddlers were included in this observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. Their mean age was 29.57 +/- 3.45 months. Motor development variables studied were dominant hand/foot; stationary, locomotion, object manipulation, grasping, visual motor integration percentiles; gross motor, fine motor, and total motor percentiles; and gross motor, fine motor, and total motor quotients. Visual development variables were assessed including visual acuity, refractive error, ocular alignment, motor fusion and suppression, ocular motility, and stereopsis. Our findings demonstrated that typical developing toddlers with slow gross motor development had higher exophoria and further near point of convergence values compared to toddlers with fast gross motor development (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in visual acuity and stereopsis between slow and fast gross motor development toddlers

Aplicación de las tecnologías de la información geográfica en el diseño de itinerarios para la educación en paisaje en el ámbito de los Parques Nacionales

El proyecto pretende acercar los distintos tipos de paisajes a los estudiantes a partir de un itinerario y realizar una explicación a través de diversas actividades, que estarán disponibles online, de forma que se puedan trabajar los parques tanto de forma virtual como real. Los medios con los que contamos se basan en el trabajo realizado en el PIMCD anterior (PIMCD 224/2015 La potencialidad de la nube para el trabajo de campo en Geografía: El Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama), centrado sobre el PN Sierra de Guadarrama, cuya metodología y recursos pedagógicos empleados serán enriquecidos y reutilizados en este proyecto en el que se continuará empleando las tecnologías de la información geográfica para el diseño de itinerarios geográficos que pongan al alcance de los docentes los paisajes de los Parques Nacionales, en el primer centenario de la Ley que crea su figura (primera Ley de Parques Nacionales se promulga en 1916). Tomando como punto de partida el concepto de paisaje que acuerda el Convenio Europeo del Paisaje (CEP) y las premisas didácticas que el mismo expone relativas a la inscripción de los aprendizajes necesarios, somos conscientes de la multiplicidad de recursos de que hoy disponemos para contribuir positivamente a desarrollar la sensibilidad y el sentido ético de los estudiantes y el profesorado hacia los paisajes en general y los espacios naturales protegidos en particular. Multiplicidad que responde tanto a la creciente disponibilidad de recursos web e información geográfica que ofrece la nube, como a la accesibilidad a nuevos dispositivos como GPS, tabletas o smartphones, que han supuesto una generalización en el acceso a información georreferenciada. Partiendo de esta realidad, nuestro proyecto se vertebra en dos líneas preferentes. Por un lado, acercar esta diversidad de nuevas tecnologías y la información geográfica o geoinformación al profesorado y alumnado, ofreciendo recursos que sirvan para el aprendizaje de su manejo dentro y fuera del aula y, por otro, mejorar el conocimiento de los valores naturales y culturales de distintos espacios singulares y sus paisajes, fomentando una conciencia social conservacionista tal y como contempla entre sus objetivos principales la Red de Parques Nacionales de España