Factors Affecting the Adoption of Web Services Technology

This study aims to finding the factors that affect the adoption of web services technology. The study proposes a web service technology adoption model in which three contexts from Tornatzky and Fleischer\u27s (1990) framework, namely, external environmental context, technological context and organizational context, and two constructs from the TAM (Davis, 1989) model, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, are studied to determine their influence on web services adoption. Exploratory factor analysis is used to explore the factors affecting the adoption of web services technology. Structural Equation modeling is used to validate and analyze the research model

An Examination of Internet Effectiveness for Non-work Activities

The Internet is frequently used for non-work activities. When used for these purposes, the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing these leisure activities becomes an important consideration. Research literature has remained relatively silent in regards to the examination of accomplishing non-work tasks through the Internet. This study uses Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a basis to predict different types of common user web activities—entertainment, communicating, and information searching. Using Structured Equation Modeling, this paper examines the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing non-work activities. In this study, the overall analysis of the survey data suggests that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness predict all three types of Internet activities. The findings of this study suggest a refinement for constructs in web usage studies and contribute to the expanding of TAM to predict perceived effectiveness of Internet usage

IS Success Model in E-Learning Context Based on Students\u27 Perceptions

This study utilized the Information Systems Success (ISS) model in examining e-learning systems success. The study was built on the premise that system quality (SQ) and information quality (IQ) influence system use and user satisfaction, which in turn impact system success. A structural equation model (SEM), using LISREL, was used to test the measurement and structural models using a convenience sample of 674 students at a Midwestern university. The results revealed that both system quality and information quality had significant positive impact on user satisfaction and system use. Additionally, the results showed that user satisfaction, compared to system use, had a stronger impact on system success. Implications for educators and researchers are reported

Relationship Between Foveal Cone Specialization and Pit Morphology in Albinism

Purpose.Albinism is associated with disrupted foveal development, though intersubject variability is becoming appreciated. We sought to quantify this variability, and examine the relationship between foveal cone specialization and pit morphology in patients with a clinical diagnosis of albinism. Methods. We recruited 32 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of albinism. DNA was obtained from 25 subjects, and known albinism genes were analyzed for mutations. Relative inner and outer segment (IS and OS) lengthening (fovea-to-perifovea ratio) was determined from manually segmented spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) B-scans. Foveal pit morphology was quantified for eight subjects from macular SD-OCT volumes. Ten subjects underwent imaging with adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), and cone density was measured. Results. We found mutations in 22 of 25 subjects, including five novel mutations. All subjects lacked complete excavation of inner retinal layers at the fovea, though four subjects had foveal pits with normal diameter and/or volume. Peak cone density and OS lengthening were variable and overlapped with that observed in normal controls. A fifth hyper-reflective band was observed in the outer retina on SD-OCT in the majority of the subjects with albinism. Conclusions. Foveal cone specialization and pit morphology vary greatly in albinism. Normal cone packing was observed in the absence of a foveal pit, suggesting a pit is not required for packing to occur. The degree to which retinal anatomy correlates with genotype or visual function remains unclear, and future examination of larger patient groups will provide important insight on this issue

Development of an orally administered nanoparticle vaccine to combat clostridioides difficile infections

Clostridioides difficile is a gram+, spore forming, toxin producing anaerobe that is found throughout the environment. C. difficile is the leading agent of hospital acquired infections. Symptoms of C. difficile infection can range from diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis and if left untreated can lead to death. C. difficile is currently only treated with 3 antibiotics Metronidazole, Vancomycin, and Fidaxomicin. All these antibiotics are non-specific to C. difficile and have the side effect of killing the normal microbiome of the gut. This microbiome helps to keep the body resistant to C. difficile infections, and its destruction can lead to relapses of disease. Ongoing work in our lab is looking at preventing C. difficile infections using a nanoparticle based oral vaccine. In a mouse model of C. difficile infections, we previously demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of a vaccine composed of the receptor-binding domain of C. difficile toxin B (TcdB) with chitosan and poly-g-glutamic acid were effective in inducing antigen-specific IgA and IgG antibodies. Continuing this research, we later demonstrated that rTcdB encapsulated in a polypeptide-based polymer and delivered orally produces a long lasting and robust antibody response. These robust antibody responses to the C. difficile toxin were enough to prevent disease within a mouse model, however, it was not able to reduce bacteria burden leaving the potential for asymptomatic spread and relapses of disease. In my project, I wish to continue this research in two ways. First, by continuing the optimization of the nanoparticle delivery system. To do this we propose using a nanoparticle polymer that specifically targets M-cells lining the intestine and be pH activated. We hypothesize that this will improve antigen immunogenicity and provide better protection against C. difficile infections. Second, evaluate several C. difficile surface proteins immunogenicity in a mouse model. We hypothesize that a two-target approach may decrease the bacterial load and lead to complete protection against C. difficile infections

Regulation of Lipid Biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Fumonisin B\u3csub\u3e1\u3c/sub\u3e

The regulation of lipid biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by fumonisin B1 was examined. Fumonisin B1 inhibited the growth of yeast cells. Cells supplemented with fumonisin B1 accumulated free sphinganine and phytosphingosine in a dose-dependent manner. The cellular concentration of ceramide was reduced in fumonisin B1-supplemented cells. Ceramide synthase activity was found in yeast cell membranes and was inhibited by fumonisin B1. Fumonisin B1 inhibited the synthesis of the inositol-containing sphingo-lipids inositol phosphorylceramide, mannosylinositol phosphorylceramide, and mannosyldiinositol phosphorylceramide. Fumonisin B1 also caused a decrease in the synthesis of the major phospholipids synthesized via the CDP-diacylglycerol-dependent pathway and the synthesis of neutral lipids. The effects of fumonisin B1 and sphingoid bases on the activities of enzymes in the pathways leading to the synthesis of sphingolipids, phospholipids, and neutral lipids were also examined. Other than ceramide synthase, fumonisin B1 did not affect the activities of any of the enzymes examined. However, sphinganine and phytosphingosine inhibited the activities of inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, phosphatidylserine synthase, and phosphatidate phosphatase. These are key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of lipids in yeast. The data reported here indicated that the biosynthesis of sphingolipids, phospholipids and neutral lipids was coordinately regulated by fumonisin B1 through the regulation of lipid biosynthetic enzymes by sphingoid bases

E-ful llment: the strategy and operational requirements

Abstract An e-ful llment system is designed to meet the high order volume and stringent customer service requirements of global business-to-consumer e-commerce. The system converts the traditional warehouse into a multi-channel e-ful llment center. In the e-commerce environment, some of the toughest decisions must be made on little or no hard information. In this study, the nature of e-business and the typical ful llment process are discussed. The authors further examine the strategy and operational requirements for e-ful llment. This article is concluded with the implication of a successful e-ful llment system, a suggested design of an e-ful llment center, and the future research focuses