An exploratory study of executive factors that lead to technology adoption in small businesses

The small business setting can be quite competitive, and companies that succeed tend to invest in technology to gain or maintain a competitive edge. Often, the adoption of technology is heavily dependent on the specific will and desires of the CEO or other top executives. This research aims to determine what executive factors affect the adoption of technology among small businesses. We employ the technology acceptance model to test the correlations between technology acceptance and the unique characteristics of small digital printing companies. The results suggest that the executive personality traits of entrepreneurship and technology readiness are indicators of a positive attitude toward technology and market orientation and show that this positive attitude correlates with technology adoption

Application Of Media Richness Theory To Data Collection

Researchers and practitioners are becoming more dependent on electronic means of data collection. This study utilizes media richness theory (MRT) as a means to better understand respondent performance in data collection among adults and adolescents. Examining the differences between paper and pencil, interview and electronic form methods of data collection, the results of this study indicate that matching task type to data collection method according to MRT principles produces improved levels of response distortion as expected; however, item omissions are not influenced in the manner anticipated from MRT concepts

SyntenyTracker: a tool for defining homologous synteny blocks using radiation hybrid maps and whole-genome sequence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recent availability of genomic sequences and BAC libraries for a large number of mammals provides an excellent opportunity for identifying comparatively-anchored markers that are useful for creating high-resolution radiation-hybrid (RH) and BAC-based comparative maps. To use these maps for multispecies genome comparison and evolutionary inference, robust bioinformatic tools are required for the identification of chromosomal regions shared between genomes and to localize the positions of evolutionary breakpoints that are the signatures of chromosomal rearrangements. Here we report an automated tool for the identification of homologous synteny blocks (HSBs) between genomes that tolerates errors common in RH comparative maps and can be used for automated whole-genome analysis of chromosome rearrangements that occur during evolution.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We developed an algorithm and software tool (SyntenyTracker) that can be used for automated definition of HSBs using pair-wise RH or gene-based comparative maps as input. To verify correct implementation of the underlying algorithm, SyntenyTracker was used to identify HSBs in the cattle and human genomes. Results demonstrated 96% agreement with HSBs defined manually using the same set of rules. A comparison of SyntenyTracker with the AutoGRAPH synteny tool was performed using identical datasets containing 14,380 genes with 1:1 orthology in human and mouse. Discrepancies between the results using the two tools and advantages of SyntenyTracker are reported.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SyntenyTracker was shown to be an efficient and accurate automated tool for defining HSBs using datasets that may contain minor errors resulting from limitations in map construction methodologies. The utility of SyntenyTracker will become more important for comparative genomics as the number of mapped and sequenced genomes increases.</p

Hysterolaparoscopy as a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic tool in modern art

Background: Infertility affects about 10-15% of reproductive age couple and is increasing globally. None of the laboratory findings alone are conclusive in diagnosing infertility. The ability to visualize and simultaneously treat the identified pathology makes hysterolaparoscopy an essential part of infertility management. Aim of the study was to evaluate hysterolaparoscopy as a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic tool in female infertility management. Objective of the study was to evaluate various etiological factors in infertility and the therapeutic interventions done during hysterolaparoscopy. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 250 cases over one year from October 2021 to September 2022 at a teritiary care hospital. Women with primary or secondary infertility aged between 20-40 years were included. Patients with contraindications for general anaesthesia and active pelvic infection were excluded. Results: Out of 250 patients, 195(78%) had primary infertility and 55(22%) had secondary infertility. In primary infertility group 69% and in secondary infertility group 87.7% had abnormal laparoscopy findings. The most common laparoscopic abnormality is tubal factor both in primary infertility (58%) and secondary infertility (58%) group and on hysteroscopy, endometritis is the commonest abnormality in both. Conclusions: In experienced hands, hysterolaparoscopy is a very safe operation. The abnormalities of pelvic and uterus can be diagnosed and also resolved in hysterolaparoscopy at the same time. Also, the future plan of management can be taken in time after the evaluation

Breakpoint regions and homologous synteny blocks in chromosomes have different evolutionary histories

The persistence of large blocks of homologous synteny and a high frequency of breakpoint reuse are distinctive features of mammalian chromosomes that are not well understood in evolutionary terms. To gain a better understanding of the evolutionary forces that affect genome architecture, synteny relationships among 10 amniotes (human, chimp, macaque, rat, mouse, pig, cattle, dog, opossum, and chicken) were compared at <1 human-Mbp resolution. Homologous synteny blocks (HSBs; N = 2233) and chromosome evolutionary breakpoint regions (EBRs; N = 1064) were identified from pairwise comparisons of all genomes. Analysis of the size distribution of HSBs shared in all 10 species' chromosomes (msHSBs) identified three (>20 Mbp) that are larger than expected by chance. Gene network analysis of msHSBs >3 human-Mbp and EBRs <1 Mbp demonstrated that msHSBs are significantly enriched for genes involved in development of the central nervous and other organ systems, whereas EBRs are enriched for genes associated with adaptive functions. In addition, we found EBRs are significantly enriched for structural variations (segmental duplications, copy number variants, and indels), retrotransposed and zinc finger genes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms. These results demonstrate that chromosome breakage in evolution is nonrandom and that HSBs and EBRs are evolving in distinctly different ways. We suggest that natural selection acts on the genome to maintain combinations of genes and their regulatory elements that are essential to fundamental processes of amniote development and biological organization. Furthermore, EBRs may be used extensively to generate new genetic variation and novel combinations of genes and regulatory elements that contribute to adaptive phenotypes

Value of special issues in the journal of business research: A bibliometric analysis

Journal of Business Research (JBR) is a leading peer-reviewed scientific outlet that publishes theories highly relevant to practical business applications. Our study aims to explicate the knowledge creation dynamics (structure and networks) of JBR special issues (SIs) and regular issues (RIs) between 1973 and 2020. Applying bibliometrics, we examine the knowledge structure of JBR SIs by identifying their highly cited publications, prolific authors, and affiliations. In addition, using co-authorship, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling analyses, we investigate the knowledge structures prevailing among the sources citing JBR, its contributing authors, and their affiliations. Our findings indicate that the most prolific authors have US affiliations and that JBR has stronger ties with other leading marketing and management journals, such as the Journal of Marketing, the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Marketing Research, Strategic Management Journal, and Industrial Marketing Management. Bibliographic coupling groups the JBR SI publications into seven clusters identified as consumer behavior of emerging technologies, organizational resources and networks, dynamics of consumer power in marketing, measurement issues, globalization of marketing, future-oriented strategies and tools, and market relationships. Finally, a comparison of JBR SIs with RIs highlights scholarship from more countries with a focus on evolving and current topics

Multidimensional Facets of Perceived Risk in Mobile Travel Booking

Despite the growing prevalence of smartphones in daily life and travel context, travellers still perceive an extent of risk associated with using their smartphone to book travel products. In order to alleviate or reduce perceived risk, it is important to better understand the dimensions of and the factors that contribute to perceived risk. This study analysed 411 responses from an online panel to examine perceived risk in mobile travel booking and identified the following facets: time risk, financial risk, performance risk, privacy/security risk, psychological risk, physical risk, and device risk. Several antecedents of perceived risk were identified. Perceived collection of personal information via smartphones contributes positively, while consumer innovativeness, trust, and visibility contribute negatively to perceived risk. Further, the predictive validity of perceived risk is confirmed as it significantly explains perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioural intention in mobile travel booking. Implications to manage perceived risk and its antecedents are provided