The Effects of Agile Methodology Use on Knowledge Management Outcomes

In this research, we examine how the use of different agile practices contributes tosuccessful knowledge management. We review the literature on agile methodologies andidentify agile practices that are particularly relevant to knowledge management--i.e., pairprogramming, collective ownership, and coding standards

An Integrated Framework of Individual Acceptance of Agile Methodologies

Although systems development methodologies (SDM) are believed to help improve the software development process, the deployment of SDMs often encounters developers’ resistance. Agile methodologies, the latest batch of SDMs that are better in dealing with volatile business requirements, are likely to face the same problems since they require developers to drastically change their work habits and acquire new skills. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that could potentially influence individual developer’s acceptance of agile methodologies. This paper reviews the literature on the acceptance of SDMs and agile methodologies, which serves to assess current understanding in the acceptance of SDMs and agile methodologies. From this review, we identify a set of potential factors and develop a framework to guide future research in individual acceptance of agile methodologies

The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters measured using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18– 60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18–60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0–12), adolescents (aged 12–18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age. This was a population- based cross-sectional observational study of healthy Chinese subjects aged 0.5–89 years in Hong Kong. USCOM scans were performed on all subjects, to produce measurements including stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. Data from previously published studies (children, adolescents, and the elderly) were included. Normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. A total of 2218 subjects were studied (mean age = 16.4, range = 0.5–89; 52% male). From previous studies, 1197 children (aged 0–12, 55% male), 590 adolescents (aged 12–18, 49% male), and 77 elderly (aged 60–89, 55% male) were included. New data were collected from 354 adults aged 18–60 (47% male). Normal ranges are presented according to age and weight. We present comprehensive normal ranges for hemodynamic parameters obtained with USCOM in healthy subjects of all ages from infancy to the elderly

Application of SCOPE-C to measure social inclusion among mental health services users in Hong Kong

This study describes the construction of the Chinese version of the Social and Communities Opportunities Profile (SCOPE), henceforth, the SCOPE-C, to measure social inclusion among mental health services users in Hong Kong. The SCOPE-C was developed based on concept-mapping and benchmarking of census questions. The questionnaire consisted of 56 items, went through a standardized linguistic validation process and was pilot tested with qualitative feedback from five users of mental health services. Altogether 168 Chinese service users were recruited through various NGO mental health services to have three times face-to-face interview between October 2013 and July 2014. Results indicated that items related to satisfaction with opportunities and perceived opportunities in various social domains had high consistency. Nearly all the Kappa statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients between the baseline and two rounds of re-test were significant. The SCOPE-C was considered a valid instrument for Hong Kong mental health user population

A patient with anaphylaxis to diphenhydramine without cross-reactivity to loratadine

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Modeling Citizen Satisfaction with Mandatory Adoption of an E-Government Technology

While technology adoption is a major stream of research in information systems, few studies have examined the antecedents and consequences of mandatory adoption of technologies. To address this gap, we develop and test a model of mandatory citizen adoption of an e-government technology. Based on a framework that outlines the key stages associated with the launch of technology products, we identify various external factors as antecedents of four key technology adoption variables from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), i.e., performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, which ultimately impact citizen satisfaction. The four stages of technology launch and the salient antecedents in each stage are: (1) market preparation stage awareness; (2) targeting stage compatibility and self-efficacy; (3) positioning stage flexibility and avoidance of personal interaction; and (4) execution stage trust, convenience, and assistance. We test our model in a two-stage survey of 1,179 Hong Kong citizens, before and after they were issued a mandatory smart card to access e-government services. We find that the various factors tied to the different stages in launching the technology predict key technology adoption variables that, in turn, predict citizen satisfaction with e-government technology. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications for governments implementing technologies whose use by citizens is mandated

Effect of farnesol on Candida dubliniensis morphogenesis

Cell–cell signalling in Candida albicans is a known phenomenon and farnesol was identified as a quorum sensing molecule determining the yeast morphology. The aim of this work was to verify if farnesol had a similar effect on Candida dubliniensis, highlighting the effect of farnesol on Candida spp. morphogenesis. Methods and Results: Two different strains of C. dubliniensis and one of C. albicans were grown both in RPMI 1640 and in serum in the presence of absence of farnesol. At 150 μmol l -1 farnesol the growth rate of both Candida species was not affected. On the contrary, farnesol inhibited hyphae and pseudohyphae formation in C. dubliniensis. Conclusion: Farnesol seems to mediate cell morphology in both Candida species. Significance and Impact of the Study: The effect of farnesol on C. dubliniensis morphology was not reported previously.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT