THE CONTINGENT ADOPTION OF ICT INNOVATIONS: THE CASE OF AN INDONESIAN UNIVERSITY

Using the context of a university in a developing country, this research is employing a single case study with embedded design to examine the perspective of academics as secondary adopters of managerial ICT innovations. By exploring the influence of mediating factors towards the adoption and implementation of the innovations, this research will contribute to and extend the hybrid innovation diffusion framework advocated by Gallivan (2001) in a university setting in Indonesia. Gallivan (2001) suggests that innovation diffusion studies should accommodate the contingent adoption scenario where the innovation is first adopted at an organisational level, leaving organisation members as secondary adopters. Universities frequently utilise this scenario as university executives initially adopt innovations before mandating them to academics. The framework is therefore a suitable tool to be used to assess ICT innovation diffusion in universities. The research has reviewed the available literature, identified the research gap and developed a preliminary conceptual framework upon which to analyse the case study. After the data is analysed, a refinement of the framework will be undertaken

Inclusive Education in the United States

School reform issues addressing inclusive education were investigated in this nationwide (United States) study. A total of 714 randomly selected middle school principals and teachers responded to concerns about inclusion, "degree of change needed in" and "importance of" collaborative strategies of teaching, perceived barriers to inclusion, and supportive activities and concepts for inclusive education. There was disagreement among teachers and principals regarding some aspects of inclusive education and collaborative strategies. For example, principals and special education teachers were more positive about inclusive education than regular education teachers. Collaboration as an instructional strategy for "included" students was viewed as a high priority item. Responders who had taken two or more courses in school law rated the identified barriers to inclusive education higher than those with less formal training in the subject

Inclusive Education in the United States

School reform issues addressing inclusive education were investigated in this nationwide (United States) study. A total of 714 randomly selected middle school principals and teachers responded to concerns about inclusion, "degree of change needed in" and "importance of" collaborative strategies of teaching, perceived barriers to inclusion, and supportive activities and concepts for inclusive education. There was disagreement among teachers and principals regarding some aspects of inclusive education and collaborative strategies. For example, principals and special education teachers were more positive about inclusive education than regular education teachers. Collaboration as an instructional strategy for "included" students was viewed as a high priority item. Responders who had taken two or more courses in school law rated the identified barriers to inclusive education higher than those with less formal training in the subject

HIV/AIDS Clinical Manifestations and their Implication for Patient Clinical Staging in Resource Limited Settings in Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Tanzania HIV/AIDS management follows WHO clinical staging which requires CD4 counts as complement. Lacking CD4 counts facilities in rural health facilities remains a challenge. Simplified and sensitive clinical staging based on local clinical patterns is useful to ensure effective care without CD4 counts. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether local HIV clinical manifestations can be used to guide HIV management in settings with limited access to CD4 counts in Tanzania. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study conducted at Tumbi and Chalinze health facilities documented clinical manifestations and CD4 counts in 360 HIV/AIDS patients. Simplified management groups comprised of severe and moderate disease were formed based on clinical manifestations and CD4 counts results. Symptoms with high frequency were used to predict severe disease. RESULTS: A Weight loss (48.3%) and chronic cough (40.8 %) were the most reported manifestations in the study population. More than 50% of patients presented with CD4>/=200. Most symptoms were found to be highly sensitive (71% to 93%) in predicting severe immunosuppression using CD4>200 cut-off point as a 'Gold standard'. Chronic diarrhoea presented in 10.6%, and predicted well severe immunosuppression either alone (OR 1.95, 95%CI, 0.95-4.22) or in combination (OR 4.21, 95%CI 0.92-19.33) with other symptoms. Basing strictly on WHO clinical staging 30.8% of patients were detected to be severely immunosuppressed (Stage 4). While using our proposed management categories of severe and moderate immunosuppression 70% of patients were put into the severe immunosuppression group, consistent with CD4 cut-off count of>/=350. CONCLUSIONS: HIV/AIDS clinics managing large cohorts should develop validated site specific guidelines based on local experiences. Simplified guidelines are useful for resource constrained settings without CD4 counting facilitie

A Model for Collaborative Evaluation and Selection of Electronic Resources

A presentation at the Medical Library Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, May 17, 1999Purpose: This presentation will report on the establishment of an electronic resources committee including problems and issues requiring resolution, the steps to formation, configuration of personnel and the accomplishments of the committee since formation. An assessment of the strengths of the model will be discussed. Setting/Participants/Resources: Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, The George Washington University Medical Center is a medium-sized academic health sciences library in an urban setting. Brief Description: Through a strategic planning initiative begun in September 1997, it was determined that the library needed to become more efficient in providing its patrons with access to electronic resources. The process for evaluation and selection of electronic resources needed revision. Lack of formal communication between collection development staff and other pertinent areas of the library and Medical Center, including systems and public services, hampered these efforts. In spring 1998, an electronic resources committee was formed to improve and direct the process of evaluation, selection, and implementation of electronic resources. Members of the committee include staff from technical services, systems, and reference. An Electronic Resources Coordinator position was developed to spearhead this activity. Since formation, the committee has developed a web links criteria policy, an electronic collection development policy, and a form to track electronic resources and licensing information. Electronic product selection moved from one or two individuals to a collaborative process. The committee has been allocated specific funds from the library collections budget to make purchases. The committee supports management in their negotiations with departments regarding selection and acquisition of electronic resources. Results/Outcome: Better, more informed selection decisions are being made: duplicative content and incompatible technologies are identified prior to expenditure of funds. This model (the committee) has yielded better exchange of information within the library and more effective responses to patron suggestions. The library has made strides toward greater integration of services and resources and increased access to health science information. The formation of the committee is a vital step toward this goal. Evaluation Method: Anecdotal patron comments regarding new resources and new availability of resources have been extremely favorable. A survey or needs assessment of library staff and patrons is planned

Is retention of the acetabular component at revision surgery a long-term solution?

BACKGROUND: Acetabular retention in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be advantageous, yet long-term survival data is limited. Thus, we investigated long-term survivorship of retained acetabular components in revision THA with analysis of rerevision rate, instability risk, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed 98 hips with polyethylene wear and/or osteolysis that were revised with retained acetabular components. Acetabular inclination and anteversion were measured from prerevision radiographs. A retrospective chart review was performed, collecting outcomes of interest including Harris hip score, instability events, and rerevision surgery. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the risk of revision over time. Predictors of survival including acetabular component position were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 13 years (range, 5-24). Survivorship rates at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 89.7%, 81.6%, 70.8%, and 63.8%, respectively. There was improvement in average Harris hip score (61 to 76, CONCLUSIONS: Retention of a well-fixed acetabular component in revision THA provides acceptable long-term outcomes with a 15-year survivorship of 71%. Instability and aseptic loosening were the most common reasons for rerevision. Surgeons may consider retaining the acetabular component at revision surgery if the implant is well-fixed and well-positioned

Jove i participatiu : requisits del nou model de transmissió cultural

La imitació com a mètode d'aprenentatge humà mai ha estat un procés simple. L'evolució cultural de l'espècie humana que d'ella es deriva segueix arrelada a una actitud selectiva -els models escollits es caracteritzen per ser individus amb prestigi-, però sembla ser que aquesta reputació ja no recau en els mateixos de sempre. Mitjançant un estudi de camp amb els Tsimane' -un grup ètnic bolivià-, s'ha vist que el lideratge ha passat a mans dels més joves, tenint aquests un alt nivell educatiu i una forta vinculació amb el treball comunitari.La imitación como método de aprendizaje humano nunca ha sido un proceso simple. La evolución cultural de la especie humana que de ella se deriva sigue arraigada a una actitud selectiva -los modelos escogidos se caracterizan por ser individuos con prestigio-, pero parece ser que esa reputación ya no recae en los mismos de siempre. Mediante un estudio de campo con los Tsimane -un grupo étnico boliviano-, se ha visto que el liderazgo ha pasado a manos de los más jóvenes, teniendo éstos un alto nivel educativo y una fuerte vinculación con el trabajo comunitario.Imitation as a method of human learning has never been a simple process. The cultural evolution of the human species based on this method continues to be established in a selective attitude - the selected models are characterized for being prestigious individuals. However, it seems to be that this prestige is no longer conferred to the same models as before. A field study with the Tsimane' - an ethnic group in Bolivia-, has demonstrated that the leadership has moved to the hands of the youngest, who have a high educational level and strong links with community work

Cervical dystonia incidence and diagnostic delay in a multiethnic population.

BackgroundCurrent cervical dystonia (CD) incidence estimates are based on small numbers in relatively ethnically homogenous populations. The frequency and consequences of delayed CD diagnosis is poorly characterized.ObjectivesTo determine CD incidence and characterize CD diagnostic delay within a large, multiethnic integrated health maintenance organization.MethodsWe identified incident CD cases using electronic medical records and multistage screening of more than 3 million Kaiser Permanente Northern California members from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2007. A final diagnosis was made by movement disorders specialist consensus. Diagnostic delay was measured by questionnaire and health utilization data. Incidence rates were estimated assuming a Poisson distribution of cases and directly standardized to the 2000 U.S. census. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to assess diagnoses and behaviors preceding CD compared with matched controls, adjusting for age, sex, and membership duration.ResultsCD incidence was 1.18/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-2.0; women, 1.81; men, 0.52) based on 200 cases over 15.4 million person-years. Incidence increased with age. Half of the CD patients interviewed reported diagnostic delay. Diagnoses more common in CD patients before the index date included essential tremor (odds ratio [OR] 68.1; 95% CI, 28.2-164.5), cervical disc disease (OR 3.83; 95% CI, 2.8-5.2), neck sprain/strain (OR 2.77; 95% CI, 1.99-3.62), anxiety (OR 2.24; 95% CI, 1.63-3.11) and depression (OR 1.94; 95% CI, 1.4-2.68).ConclusionsCD incidence is greater in women and increases with age. Diagnostic delay is common and associated with adverse effects. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society