Will mobile video become the killer application for 3G? - an empirical model for media convergence

Mobile carriers have continually rolled out 3G mobile video applications to increase their revenue and profits. The presumption is that video is superior to the already successful SMS, ringtones, and pictures, and can create greater value to users. However, recent market surveys revealed contradicting results. Motivated by this discrepancy, we propose in this paper a parsimonious model for user acceptance of mobile entertainment as digital convergence. Integrating research on Information Systems, Flow, and Media Psychology, we take a unique approach to user acceptance of digital convergence - platform migration. Our key proposition is that the interaction between media types and the platform-specific constraints is the key determinant of user evaluation. Particularly, users' involvement in the media is determined by both the entertaining time span on the original platform and the attentional constraint of the new platform. The mismatch between the two spans can result in lower level involvement, which in turn cause no or even negative user emotional responses. The model was tested with empirical data. We discuss the theoretical contributions, strategic and design implications, and future research directions derived from this theoretical framewor

Evaluation of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the Identification of Group B Streptococcus.

Objective Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Intrapartum antibiotics given to women carrying GBS are an effective means of reducing disease in the first week of life. Rapid and reliable tests are needed to accurately identify GBS from these women for timely intrapartum antibiotic administration to prevent neonatal disease. Many laboratories now use matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) by direct plating or cell lysis for the identification of GBS isolates. The cell lysis step increases time to results for clinical samples and is more complex to perform. Therefore, we seek to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the quicker and more rapid direct plating method in identifying GBS. Results We directly compared swab isolates analysed by both direct plating and cell lysis method and demonstrated that direct plating has a sensitivity and specificity of 0.97 and 1, respectively, compared to an additional cell lysis step. We demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS can be successfully used for batch processing by the direct plating method which saves time. These results are reassuring for laboratories worldwide who seek to identify GBS from swabs samples as quickly as possible

Aplikasi Evaluasi Pembelajaran Berbasis Multimedia Interaktif Menggunakan Php dan Mysql

This research discusses the evaluation or online exam using the computer interactively. This system is not using paper or print media, but only uses a set of computer and connected to the network, so the students can carry out the exam anytime and anywhere. The lecturers or admins do not need paper and correct test results for Quiz, Midterm Exam, and Final Exam. The Quiz, Midterm Exam and Final Exam are automatically corrected by the system, and then making it easier for lecturers to process values. This application was created using FLASH, PHP and MySQL as the database. This application was designed using Unified Modeling Language (UML), that are Use Case, Class, Activity, and Sequence Diagram

Community Pharmacists’ Perception of the Relevance of Drug Package Insert as Source of Drug Information in Southwestern Nigeria

Purpose: To evaluate the opinions of community pharmacists on the usefulness and reliability of drug package inserts (DPI) as drug information source, and necessary modifications needed to improve theircontents.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study using a pretested questionnaire was administered to sixty-one superintendent community pharmacists (CP) across two cities in southwestern Nigeria. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data and evaluate respondents’ opinion. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the rank variables with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results: A majority of CP believed that information from DPI was precise and may be helpful in achieving therapeutic success (n = 42; 72.8 %). CP believed there is need for the modification of DPI content with respect to patient-related information (n = 52; 92.8 %) and health provider-relatedinformation (n = 52; 94.5%), non-uniformity of information on the same generic medicines (n = 31; 50.8 %), and ambiguity of content (n = 29; 47.5 %). Years of experience in practice significantly influenced respondents’ perception of precision and satisfaction with DPI as source of information.Conclusions: Community pharmacists in southwestern Nigeria believed that a properly modified drug package insert could be a useful and reliable source of drug information in daily practice.Keywords: Community pharmacist, Drug information, Drug package inser

Verification of a localization criterion for several disordered media

We analytically compute a localization criterion in double scattering approximation for a set of dielectric spheres or perfectly conducting disks uniformly distributed in a spatial volume which can be either spherical or layered. For every disordered medium, we numerically investigate a localization criterion, and examine the influence of the system parameters on the wavelength localization domains.Comment: 30 pages, LateX, amstex, revtex styles, 20 figure