bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron‐Catalyzed C(sp2)–C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling of Alkyl Grignard Reagents with Polyaromatic Tosylates
Authors: Piontek Aleksandra , Szostak Michal
Published: December 2017

The iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of polyaromatic tosylates with alkyl Grignard reagents controlled by O‐coordinating ligand is reported. The reaction operates under very mild, operationally practical conditions to furnish alkylated polyaromatics that are a common motif in a wide range of electronic‐material, pharmaceutical and high‐performance fluid applications. The challenging C(sp2)–C(sp3) cross‐coupling products are obtained in good to excellent yields obviating the problems associated with β‐hydride elimination. For the first time the coupling of polyaromatic tosylates can be achieved in the presence of sensitive carboxylic acid derived functional groups. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction selectivity can be correlated with the reduction potential of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The method represents a rare example of sustainable C–O bond alkylation of polyarenes at room temperature.
Quantification of modelling uncertainty in existing Italian RC frames
Authors: O'Reilly Gerard J. , Sullivan Timothy J.
Published: December 2017

Assessment of the seismic performance of existing structures requires due consideration of both aleatory and epistemic sources of uncertainty; the former being typically associated with the randomness in ground motion records and the latter with the uncertainty in numerical modelling. Using a numerical modelling approach calibrated to available experimental test data collected from the literature, the uncertainty associated with different modelling parameters for existing reinforced concrete frames in Italy was quantified via an extensive numerical study. This was done to quantify the propagation of modelling parameter type uncertainty to the overall dispersion of the demand parameters typically used in seismic assessment, namely peak storey drift and peak floor accelerations. In addition, the impact of such modelling uncertainty on the median intensity and dispersion of the collapse fragility function was also examined. From the results of this study, empirical values of modelling parameter uncertainty were quantified with a view to being used in the assessment of existing reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill designed prior to the introduction of seismic design provisions in Italy during the 1970s. Comparing these empirical values to those available in the literature, it is seen how the fundamental behaviour of the frames differs from more modern frames with ductile detailing to the extent that values available in guidelines such as FEMA P58 cannot be reasonably adopted for these structural typologies.
Naturalistic Outcome of Family‐Based Inpatient Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Halvorsen Inger , Reas Deborah Lynn , Nilsen Jan‐Vegard , Rø Øyvind
Published: December 2017

Background

Outpatient family‐based treatment (FBT) is the best‐documented treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN), but research is scarce on FBT adapted to inpatient settings.

Aim

The naturalistic outcome of inpatient FBT for adolescent AN was investigated.

Methods

Thirty‐seven (65%) of 57 patients who received inpatient FBT at a tertiary adolescent eating disorders (ED) unit participated in a follow‐up interview (mean 4.5 ± 1.8, range 1–7 years) that assessed ED symptoms and general psychological functioning.

Results

A majority (65%) had achieved a normal body weight (body mass index ≥18.5). Thirty‐six per cent (n = 12) were classified as fully recovered, as defined by body mass index ≥18.5, ED Examination Questionnaire global ≤2.5, and no binge eating/purging over past 3 months. Sixteen (43%) participants met criteria for one or more additional comorbid disorders.

Conclusion

Inpatient family‐based therapy for AN may be a promising therapeutic approach for adolescents that fail to respond to outpatient treatment and should be investigated further. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
On quasi‐optimum iterative DF detection for large‐scale MU‐MIMO systems
Authors: Torres Paulo , Gusmao Antonio
Published: December 2017

This paper deals with single‐carrier/frequency‐domain equalization for uplink transmission within a broadband multiuser multi‐input–multi‐output system, where a large number of base station antennas (NR) can be adopted, possibly much larger than the number of transmitter antennas (NT) jointly using the same time‐frequency resource at mobile terminals. In this context, we propose low‐complexity iterative decision‐feedback (DF) detection techniques, which can be an interesting alternative to the usually recommended linear detection techniques. Our performance results for a range of quadrature amplitude modulation schemes are discussed with the help of selected performance bounds, with a special attention being devoted to the convergence of the iterative process and to the impact of an imperfect channel estimation. They confirm that simple linear detection techniques, designed to avoid the need of complex matrix inversions, can lead to unacceptably high error floor levels unless NR≫NT. However, it is shown that the combined use of such simple linear detectors and suitable interference cancellation procedures within the proposed class of iterative DF detection techniques can offer a nonnegligible performance advantage over the somewhat more complex (due to the required matrix inversions) linear minimum mean‐squared error detection technique. Moreover, we can achieve close approximations to the appropriate performance bounds, which are able to take into account channel estimation imperfections, even for
, provided that
is also high enough to ensure iterative DF convergence.
Modeling of fire exposure in facade fire testing
Authors: Anderson J. , Boström L. , Jansson McNamee R. , Milovanović B.
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a comparative simulation study on 3 large‐scale facade testing methods, namely, the SP Fire 105, BS 8414‐1, and the ISO 13785‐2 methods, is presented. Generally good correspondence between simulations and experimental data has been found, provided that thermal properties of the facade material and heat release rates are known; however, the correspondence deviates in close proximity of the fire source. Furthermore, a statistical ensemble for evaluating the effects stemming from uncertainty in input data is used. Here, it was found using this statistical ensemble that the variability was smaller in the ISO 13785‐2 compared to the BS 8414‐1 method. The heat release rates (HRR) used in the simulations were adopted from measurements except for the ISO method where the information in the standard was used to approximate the HRR. A quantitative similarity between the HRR in the ISO method and the British method was found.
RNA‐sequencing identifies novel GREB1‐NCOA2 fusion gene in a uterine sarcoma with the chromosomal translocation t(2;8)(p25;q13)
Authors: Brunetti Marta , Panagopoulos Ioannis , Gorunova Ludmila , Davidson Ben , Heim Sverre , Micci Francesca
Published: December 2017

Sarcomas account for 3% of all uterine malignancies and many of them are characterized by acquired, specific fusion genes whose detection has increased pathogenetic knowledge and diagnostic precision. We describe a novel fusion gene, GREB1‐NCOA2, detected by transcriptome sequencing and validated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing in an undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. The chimeric transcript was an in‐frame fusion between exon 3 of GREB1 and exon 15 of NCOA2. The fusion is reported here for the first time, but it involves the GREB1 gene, an important promoter of tumor growth and progression, and NCOA2 which is known to be involved in transcriptional regulation. The alteration and recombination of these genes played a role in the tumorigenesis and/or progression of this sarcoma.
Spectral and chemical characterization of gypsum‐phyllosilicate association in Tiruchirapalli, South India, and its implications
Authors: Singh Mahima , Rajesh V.J. , Kannan Bharathi , Bhattacharya Satadru
Published: December 2017

Here, we present the detailed chemical and spectral characteristics of gypsum‐phyllosilicate association of Karai Shale Formation in Tiruchirapalli region of the Cauvery Basin in South India. The Karai Shale Formation comprises Odiyam sandy clay and gypsiferous clay, well exposed in Karai village of Tiruchirapalli area, Tamil Nadu in South India. Gypsum is fibrous to crystalline and translucent/transparent type with fluid inclusions preserved in it. Along some cleavage planes, alteration features have been observed. Visible and near infrared (VNIR), Raman, and Fourier transform infrared techniques were used to obtain the excitation/vibration bands of mineral phases. VNIR spectroscopic analysis of the gypsum samples has shown absorption features at 560, 650, 900, 1,000, 1,200, 1,445, 1,750, 1,900, 2,200, and 2,280 nm in the electrical and vibrational range of electromagnetic radiation. VNIR results of phyllosilicate samples have shown absorption features at 1,400, 1,900, and 2,200 nm. Further, we have identified the prominent Raman bands at 417.11, 496.06, 619.85, 673.46, 1,006.75, 1,009.75, ∼1,137.44, ∼3,403, and 3,494.38 cm−1for gypsum due to sulphate and hydroxyl ion vibrations. We propose that gypsum veins in Karai may have precipitated in the fractures formed due to pressure/forces generated by crystal growth. The combined results of chemical and spectral studies have shown that these techniques have significant potential to identify the pure/mineral associates/similar chemical compositions elsewhere. Our results definitely provide the database from a range of spectroscopic techniques to better identify similar minerals and/or mineral‐associations in an extraterrestrial scenario. This study has significant implications in understanding various geological processes such as fluid‐rock interactions and alteration processes involving water on the planets such as Mars.
Spatial and temporal change of fractional vegetation cover in North‐western China from 2000 to 2010
Authors: Wei Xindong , Wang Shaini , Wang Youke
Published: December 2017

Northwestern China is located at the core area of The Belt and The Road at present and it once has been an essential transportation hub of the ancient Silk Road. However, the north‐western part belongs to arid and semi‐arid region where water resource and vegetation cover are scarce, leading to soil erosion, desertification, and environmental degradation. So it is meaningful to study fractional vegetation cover in North‐western China. Vegetation MODIS data of northwestern China from 2000 to 2010 were collected, and then, the pixel dichotomy model and simple linear regression model were applied in this research. The results were as follows. First, the fractional vegetation cover was decreasing from the margin to the middle and western part and the higher value shown in the north‐east part of Inner Mongolia, the south part of Shaanxi, the north‐west part of Ningxia, the south‐east part of Gansu, and the north‐west part of Xinjiang. Second, the overall trend of fractional vegetation cover was rising during 2000 to 2010, which is clearly shown in northern Shaanxi, south‐eastern Qinghai and Gansu, and also south‐western Inner Mongolia. Third, fractional vegetation cover varied differently with season changes. To be more specific, the index in spring and winter was considerably low; in contrast, the index in summer and autumn was improved dramatically.
Potentials of low permeability gas in intracratonic basin: Insights from sedimentary facies of the Shan1 Member in the Su6‐Zhao42 Block of the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin
Authors: Wang Yifei , Liu Huaishan , Li Sanzhong , Zhang Ke , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: December 2017

The Sulige gas field is a typical low permeability gas field with multi‐thin layer of pay zones. The upper member of the Shanxi Formation (Shan1) is the primary productive layer of the Su6‐Zhao42 area, located in the north‐west of the Shanbei Slope of the Sulige gas field. The Shan1 Member could be divided into 3 tiny sequences by coring and well logging data. On the basis of sedimentary sequence analysis, the sedimentary environment and facies are studied combined with lithological information, logging data, and sampling. This paper summarizes the characteristics and distribution of the sedimentary facies of the Shan1 Member in the Su6‐Zhao42 area. During the deposition of the Shan1 Member, this area developed a meandering river sedimentary facies, which can be subdivided into meandering riverbed, river floodplain, and abandoned channel subfacies. The sedimentary facies of meandering river in the Shan1 Member are characterized by point bars, crevasse splays, floodplains, flood swamps, and abandoned channels. The sedimentary facies bands extend roughly east‐west parallel to the meandering river. It is indicated that the sand bodies deposited in river channel have better physical conditions and larger thickness for gas accumulation based on the analysis of physical characteristics and seismic attributes. The effective reservoir, being controlled by the sedimentary facies belt, distributes along a NE–SW trending belt where is the favourable area for the gas reservoir.
Bioenergetic regulation of microglia
Authors: Ghosh Soumitra , Castillo Erika , Frias Elma S. , Swanson Raymond A.
Published: December 2017

Microglia have diverse actions, ranging from synapse pruning in development to cytotoxic effects in disease. Brain energy metabolism and substrate availability vary under normal and disease states, but how these variations influence microglial function is relatively unknown. Microglia, like most other cell types, express the full complement of gene products required for both glycolytic and oxidative metabolism. Evidence suggests that microglia increase aerobic glycolysis and decrease respiration when activated by various stimuli. Mitochondrial function, glucose availability, and glycolytic rate influence pro‐inflammatory gene expression at both transcriptional and post‐translational levels. These effects are mediated through CtBP, an NADH—sensitive transcriptional co‐repressor; through effects on NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and caspase‐1 activation; through formation of advanced glycation end‐products; and by less well‐defined mechanisms. In addition to these transcriptional effects, microglial glucose metabolism is also required for superoxide production by NADPH oxidase, as glucose is the obligate substrate for regenerating NADPH in the hexose monophosphate shunt. Microglia also metabolize acetoacetate and β‐hydroxybutyrate, which are generated during fasting or ketogenic diet, and respond to these ketones as metabolic signals. β‐Hydroxybutyrate inhibits histone de‐acetylases and activates microglial GRP109A receptors. These actions suppress microglia activation after brain injury and promote neuroprotective microglia phenotypes. As our understanding of microglial activation matures, additional links between energy metabolism and microglial function are likely to be identified.
The impact of family ownership on establishment and ownership modes in foreign direct investment: The moderating role of corruption in host countries
Authors: Yamanoi Junichi , Asaba Shigeru
Published: December 2017

Research Summary: In this study, we adopt a socioemotional wealth perspective to examine the influence of family ownership on foreign direct investment. When establishing foreign subsidiaries, firms with greater degrees of family ownership are more likely to engage in greenfield investment and full equity ownership in order to maintain family owners’ socioemotional wealth. Additionally, these relationships are more pronounced in countries with higher levels of corruption. In corrupt countries, greater control over foreign subsidiaries is necessary to restrict their corrupt behaviors, which can seriously damage the firm’s socioemotional wealth and destroy the reputation of the family owners. By using a dataset of foreign market entries by Japanese listed firms in the electronic machinery industry, we find general support for our hypotheses.

Managerial Summary: We find evidence that Japanese listed electronic machinery manufacturers with larger family ownership are more likely to choose greenfield investment and full ownership when entering foreign countries. This result suggests that family owners prefer to maintain strong control on local subsidiaries, possibly for preserving their socioemotional wealth. Additionally, this tendency of family firms’ regarding the choice of greenfield investment is stronger when they enter countries with higher levels of corruption. Managers and investors of family firms might need to pay attention to family owners’ entry mode choices, which could be incentivized excessively for the preservation of socioemotional wealth, possibly at the expense of economic wealth.
Intraclass correlation: Improved modeling approaches and applications for neuroimaging
Authors: Chen Gang , Taylor Paul A. , Haller Simone P. , Kircanski Katharina , Stoddard Joel , Pine Daniel S. , Leibenluft Ellen , Brotman Melissa A. , Cox Robert W.
Published: December 2017

Intraclass correlation (ICC) is a reliability metric that gauges similarity when, for example, entities are measured under similar, or even the same, well‐controlled conditions, which in MRI applications include runs/sessions, twins, parent/child, scanners, sites, and so on. The popular definitions and interpretations of ICC are usually framed statistically under the conventional ANOVA platform. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of ICC analysis in its prior usage in neuroimaging, and we show that the standard ANOVA framework is often limited, rigid, and inflexible in modeling capabilities. These intrinsic limitations motivate several improvements. Specifically, we start with the conventional ICC model under the ANOVA platform, and extend it along two dimensions: first, fixing the failure in ICC estimation when negative values occur under degenerative circumstance, and second, incorporating precision information of effect estimates into the ICC model. These endeavors lead to four modeling strategies: linear mixed‐effects (LME), regularized mixed‐effects (RME), multilevel mixed‐effects (MME), and regularized multilevel mixed‐effects (RMME). Compared to ANOVA, each of these four models directly provides estimates for fixed effects and their statistical significances, in addition to the ICC estimate. These new modeling approaches can also accommodate missing data and fixed effects for confounding variables. More importantly, we show that the MME and RMME approaches offer more accurate characterization and decomposition among the variance components, leading to more robust ICC computation. Based on these theoretical considerations and model performance comparisons with a real experimental dataset, we offer the following general‐purpose recommendations. First, ICC estimation through MME or RMME is preferable when precision information (i.e., weights that more accurately allocate the variances in the data) is available for the effect estimate; when precision information is unavailable, ICC estimation through LME or the RME is the preferred option. Second, even though the absolute agreement version, ICC(2,1), is presently more popular in the field, the consistency version, ICC(3,1), is a practical and informative choice for whole‐brain ICC analysis that achieves a well‐balanced compromise when all potential fixed effects are accounted for. Third, approaches for clear, meaningful, and useful result reporting in ICC analysis are discussed. All models, ICC formulations, and related statistical testing methods have been implemented in an open source program 3dICC, which is publicly available as part of the AFNI suite. Even though our work here focuses on the whole‐brain level, the modeling strategy and recommendations can be equivalently applied to other situations such as voxel, region, and network levels.
Neuronal responses to the scratching and caressing of one's own skin in patients with skin‐picking disorder
Authors: Schienle Anne , Übel Sonja , Wabnegger Albert
Published: December 2017

Skin‐picking disorder (SPD) is a common mental disorder. The predominant symptom involves the repeated scratching and picking of one's own skin. This behavior causes severe tissue damage (sores, scars, and infections), often leading to disfigurement. Besides physical injury, SPD is associated with clinically significant distress and impairment in important areas of functioning. The neurobiological mechanisms of SPD are still poorly understood. In this study, 30 SPD patients and 31 control participants (35 women, 26 men) with a mean age of 34 years were instructed to either scratch or gently stroke a small skin area on their arms during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Gender‐specific effects were revealed. In the female sample, SPD patients showed less activation in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and primary/secondary somatosensory cortices during caressing relative to scratching than controls. In addition, contrasting caressing with a rest condition revealed reduced activation in the somatosensory cortex (concerned with the decoding and integration of tactile information) and the MFG (attention/cognitive monitoring) in female patients. No differential brain activation was found in the male sample. This symptom provocation study hints at a reduced sensitivity of pleasant touch in women with SPD.
Prospective systemic risk analysis of the dispensing process in German community pharmacies
Authors: Stojković Tatjana , Rose Olaf , Woltersdorf Ronja , Marinković Valentina , Manser Tanja , Jaehde Ulrich
Published: December 2017

Background

Medicine dispensing represents an error‐prone activity, carrying a considerable risk for patients.

Objective

To prospectively identify and prioritize potential failure modes in the medicine dispensing process as well as to develop corrective actions for patient safety improvement in German community pharmacies.

Method

Failure mode and effects analysis was performed in 2 community pharmacies in North Rhine‐Westphalia, Germany, in October 2016. A 9‐member team was assembled, comprising of a leader and process experts who prospectively assessed the medicine dispensing process by brainstorming, quantified the attributed risks, proposed corrective actions, and reassessed the risks.

Results

The analysis identified 39 failure modes, out of which the highest criticality scores were assigned to inadequate assessment of therapy appropriateness (Risk Priority Number 45), reluctance to deviate from rebate contracts (36), and dispensing the wrong medicine (30). The corrective actions proposed demonstrated a considerable potential for risk reduction in most failure modes, the most effective of which were introducing obligatory continuous education for pharmacists, organizing communication training, and implementing electronic prescribing.

Conclusion

This analysis not only detected various potential safety issues concerning the dispensing in Germany but also strongly indicated that application of failure mode and effects analysis could be highly effective in prospective risk reduction in community pharmacies.
Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the immune microenvironment in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: Prognostic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Khairallah Aya S. , Genestie Catherine , Auguste Aurélie , Leary Alexandra
Published: December 2017

Over the last decade, increasing evidence highlights the role of the host immune system in the control of tumor growth and the prognostic implications of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in ovarian cancer. Most data support a better prognosis with accumulation of CD3+ and CD8 + TILs and a poor outcome associated with increased regulatory T cells. However, only a small number of studies have focused on the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the tumor immune microenvironment. This review will provide an update on the prognostic value of TIL subpopulations at diagnosis and a comprehensive overview of the recent studies evaluating the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on TILs and their relationship to clinical outcome in advanced ovarian cancer. This information could help in future investigations of immunotherapy as maintenance following primary treatment.
Long‐term risk of cervical cancer following conization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3—A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Sand Freja Lærke , Frederiksen Kirsten , Munk Christian , Jensen Signe Marie , Kjær Susanne K.
Published: December 2017

Using nationwide Danish registries we examined the long‐term risk of cervical cancer in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) (including adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)) on the cone compared to women with a normal cytology test. Initially, we identified women born 1918–1990, who were recorded as living in Denmark between January 1, 1978 and December 31, 2012. From the Pathology Data Bank information on CIN3 on the cone, margins status, histological type of CIN3 and cervical cytology results was extracted. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the relative risk of subsequent cervical cancer. We included 59,464 women with CIN3 on the cone and 1,918,508 women with a normal cytology test. Overall, women diagnosed with CIN3 had a higher risk of subsequent cervical cancer compared to women with normal cytology (HR = 2.06; 95%CI: 1.81–2.35). Analyses according to time since conization showed elevated risks in all time periods, and 25 years or more after conization the relative risk was significantly increased (HR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.37–4.77). Twenty years or more after conization, also women with negative margins had an increased relative risk (HR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.12–5.57). In addition, the long‐term relative risk of cervical cancer varied with the different histological types of CIN3 and was highest for AIS (HR = 7.50; 95%CI: 1.87–30.01, 10–14 years after conization). In conclusion, women diagnosed with CIN3 on the cone have a long‐lasting increased risk of cervical cancer even when the margins on the cone are negative.
The communication and emotional support needs to improve women's experience of childbirth care in health facilities in Southwest Nigeria: A qualitative study
Authors: Ojelade Olubunmi A. , Titiloye Musibau A. , Bohren Meghan A. , Olutayo Akinpelu O. , Olalere Adebimpe A. , Akintan Adesina , Oladapo Olufemi T. , Fawole Bukola
Published: December 2017

Objective

To improve women's childbirth experiences in health facilities, their psychosocial and communication needs have to be met. However, what constitutes these specific needs is poorly understood, particularly in Sub‐Saharan Africa. This paper explores women's needs for communication and emotional support during facility‐based childbirth.

Methods

Qualitative research was conducted in a large referral maternity hospital and its catchment communities in Akure, Nigeria. In‐depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among women of reproductive age, midwives, doctors, and facility administrators. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize findings, and then interpreted within the context of this study and existing quality of care framework.

Results

Forty‐two IDIs and 10 FGDs are included in this analysis. Participants reported such needs as communication in simple words in local language by healthcare staff, having their husbands as birth companions, spiritual support, and prayers from family members and healthcare providers.

Conclusion

To increase, improve, and sustain facility‐based childbirth in Nigeria, health systems should appreciate the uniqueness and importance of each woman's needs during childbirth. Practical and sustainable actions should be taken to meet these needs, within the confines of the acceptable sociocultural norms.
Configuring blockchain architectures for transaction information in blockchain consortiums: The case of accounting and supply chain systems
Authors: O'Leary Daniel E.
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates alternative configurations of different blockchain architectures that can be used for gathering and processing transactions in a range of different settings, including accounting, auditing, supply chain and other types of transaction information. Although there has been substantial focus on the peer‐to‐peer and public versions of blockchain, this paper focuses primarily on cloud‐based and private configuration versions of blockchains and investigates use configurations, advantages and limitations as firms bring blockchain‐based market mechanisms into their organizations. In addition, this paper investigates some emerging issues associated with blockchain use in consortium settings. Finally, this paper relates some proposed uses of blockchain for transaction processing to other technologies, such as data warehouses and databases.
Bridging the Gap: The Role of Spatial Information Technologies in the Integration of Traditional Environmental Knowledge and Western Science
Authors: Brodnig Gernot , Mayer‐Schönberger Viktor
Published: December 2017

Agenda 21 dedicates a whole chapter to the role and importance of information for sustainable development. Among the provisions on harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) one paragraph addresses the need for a strengthening of the capacity for traditional information. Local communities and resource users should benefit from mechanisms that provide them with the know‐how they need to manage their environment and resources sustainably, applying traditional and indigenous knowledge and approaches.

This paper will examine how this objective is being implemented through the use of spatial information systems (including GPS and Remote Sensing), which collect, manipulate and distribute data on a variety of environmental factors, in order to inform and encourage sustainable resource management practices. Some initiatives have adopted grassroots and participatory approaches, whereby local communities map their territories and resources with the help of information technologies. This paper will review a sample of these projects and analyze how they can generate synergies between traditional knowledge and modern science.
Social Implications of Information and Communication Technology in Developing Countries: Lessons from Asian Success Stories
Authors: Bhatnagar Subhash
Published: December 2017

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and the World Bank had organised a workshop titled: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Rural Development to bring together case studies of various applications of ICT that have been demonstrated to make a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural areas. The cases presented illustrate both the opportunities and challenges in the diffusion of ICT within India and for other developing countries. ICT applications can be classified as those that provided decision support to public administrators for improving planning and monitoring of developmental programs, those that improved services to citizens and brought in transparency, and those that empowered citizens through access to information and knowledge. This paper presents successful examples of each type of application of and discusses one application in detail to draws lessons for what needs to be done to promote ICT for rural development.
Cultivating Technological Innovation for Development
Authors: Corea Stephen
Published: December 2017

This paper essays the viewpoint that the development or innovation in society of technologies, such as information and communication technologies, should be self‐cultivated rather than imported. Ideas are drawn from multiple research disciplines to inform the elaboration of this perspective. A behavioral notion of development, based on the notion of structural conditioning of behaviors of social units, is discussed and adopted. Concepts of change from cybernetic theory are then delineated, to be used analogously later on for illustrating behavioral aspects of technology adoption and societal development. Subsequently, current theoretical formulations in the economic literature on technological change are reviewed, to muster key insights for furthering an understanding of the behavioral notion of development. The paper then recruits principles and ideas from current developments in sociotechnical systems (STS) theory. The applicability of these ideas for promoting understanding of macro‐phenomena in national development systems is discussed. Finally, the paper integrates these various strands of theoretical formulations into the assertion that it is more important to invest in the cultivation of the patterns of behavior that underpin the various technological innovations of modernization than it is to invest in the pervasive uptake of information and communication technologies.
An Empirical Investigation of Use of Information Technology among Small and Medium Business Organizations: A Bruneian Scenario
Authors: Seyal Afzaal H. , Rahim Md. Mahbubur , Rahman Mohd. Noah A.
Published: December 2017

In the last two decades issues regarding management of Information Technology (IT) within organizations have gained due consideration. The heavy reliance on IT has caused difficulties for chief executives’ officers (CEOs) to optimize their computing resources. A survey of fifty‐four small and medium sized organizations was conducted to investigate the degree of IT usage in Brunei Darussalam. The study attempts to assess the depth and breadth of IT usage in business. The parameters such as organizational (size, sale or profitability and type of business) and chief executives (educational level and computer literacy, ownership of PC and computer experience) are studied. The study highlights how sales figures of the organizations; type of business and CEO computer literacy contributes toward the use of IT. None of the other variables were found to be significant.
Comparing Urban and Rural Telecenters Costs
Authors: Shakeel Hani , Best Michael , Miller Bruno , Weber Sam
Published: December 2017

If deployed in both urban and rural areas, telecenters can decrease the gap in social services and economic opportunities that often exist between the two. However, establishing and operating rural telecenters is perceived to be more costly than urban ones. This paper presents a cost comparison of establishing urban and rural telecenter in Costa Rica. It shows that telecenter operations in rural areas disconnected from the power and telecommunication grids may not be significantly more expensive than those of an urban telecenter. Utilization of stand‐alone communication and power systems, combined with low‐power equipment can bring rural operating costs within range of those of a typical urban telecenter. The analysis is based on the Little Intelligent Communities (LINCOS) telecenter project, an initiative of the Foundation for Sustainable Development of Costa Rica.
A Study of the Actual and Potential Usage of Information and Communication Technology at District and Provincial Levels in Mozambique with a Focus on the Health Sector
Authors: Braa Jørn , Macome Esselina , Mavimbe João Carlos , Nhampossa José Leopoldo , da Costa João Leopoldo , José Bonifacio , Manave Aurélia , Sitói António
Published: December 2017

This article presents results from a study on the use and appropriation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Mozambique with a focus on the health sector. The three provinces of Gaza, Inhambane and Niassa were surveyed and two questionnaires addressing 1) computer users and their ability to manage ICT, and 2) health workers and their handling of health information, were used. Based on this study appropriate strategies for developing an ICT‐infrastructure with the needs of the health sector as points of departure are discussed. The study is born out of a program to strengthen and further develop the health information and management systems at district and provincial levels as part of a process to support decentralisation of the health system in Mozambique. The study shows that computers and Internet are rapidly being spread to the provincial capitals and major districts in Mozambique. A main problem identified is the lack of ICT‐skills and education and poorly developed infrastructure and networks of support. There are very few formal ICT companies providing hardware, and even less, software support. Maintenance and learning about ICT are to a large extent going on within informal networks of computer users in the provinces.

A main finding in this study is that development of ICT capacity and information systems at district and provincial levels in Mozambique needs to be an integrated effort across sectors. A district health information system cannot be developed in a void.

A general recommendation is to develop educational programmes ranging from training of ICT entrepreneurs and health workers and managers, to Masters and PhD programmes in ICT and health information systems. A specific recommendation related to health information systems development is to focus on the district level and to develop a strategy which encompasses and integrates all districts, both the advanced districts with computers and the majority of the districts where there are no computers.
Risky but Effective Improvisations in Managing Information Systems
Authors: Silva Leiser O.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a set of guidelines for the outsourcing of information systems services in health organizations. The paper shows that the outsourcing of the development of information systems is an option for hospitals in developing countries. It is emphasized that managers and information systems professionals working for these public organizations should bear in mind that what is important is to define the content, extent and length of the outsourced services. This paper offers a new angle, since it is often the case that hospital information systems in developing countries are either bought overseas or developed in house.

The guidelines presented in this paper are derived from a case study conducted in the Ministry of Health of Guatemala. The guidelines originated from discussions among national authorities and national experts on how to manage the introduction of information technology and information systems to support the management of the hospitals. The paper concerns how the authorities and managers of the two major hospitals in the country decided to outsource key components of the information infrastructure and information systems of their hospitals. The paper also highlights the role of international agencies in funding the initiatives.

The guidelines suggest that in outsourcing information services in a context similar to that of the case study, it is crucial to keep a balance between what type of expertise and knowledge the hospitals are willing to outsource and which areas of expertise should be kept in house. The challenge here is to match the ideal with what is feasible; this is the case particularly when the information technology comes from loans provided by international agencies. This means that when the period of the loan finishes, hospitals will need to take financial responsibility over the information systems. Hence the relevance for the hospitals to incorporate, along with outsourcing initiatives, sound financial and human resources strategies. The paper discusses how the hospitals under study tackled this issue. Other findings point out the need of including users and authorities of the hospitals in the design and identification of information requirements. The design of the new systems should not entail a radical change in the way people perform their jobs. Our analysis of the case study hints that the closer the design of the information system is to the current work practices the higher the likelihood that the users will accept the system. Changes in work practices may be gradually introduced after the system has been implemented.
Information Technology in Nepal: What Role for the Government?
Authors: Pradhan Junelee
Published: December 2017

The author believes that developing countries (DC), in particular Nepal, need to urgently develop a culturally appropriate national strategy if they wish information technology (IT) to have a positive impact on their overall socio‐economic development. While countries like Singapore claim to have very successful national strategies, the long‐term impact on the country's social development may have been over looked. Left unchecked the technological marketplace will impose a hard‐to‐reverse negative role on small countries like Nepal. This will make it increasingly difficult for Nepal to decide its is own long‐term preferences for social and economic development. Put bluntly, these countries need to decide what they want from the global technology marketplace and then work out how they are going to achieve it. It is believed that hard technological determinism can only be countered by very real and well thought out national strategies. The paper argues that the national IT strategy will need to address the issues of resistance to change due to cultural, personal and infrastructure factors, be very culturally sensitive and, given the rate change of the technology, will need to be constructed as an evolving, and learning system. The first stage in the development of such a system is to design an appropriate forum for discussion, and a well‐constituted and ongoing decision‐making protocol. It seems appropriate that in countries with a less than thriving technology marketplace, it is incumbent on their Government to provide a lead in this complex undertaking.
Predictors of Growth of Teledensity in Developing Countries: A Focus on Middle and Low‐Income Countries.
Authors: Mbarika Victor W. , Kah Muhammadou M.O. , Musa Philip F. , Meso Peter , Warren John
Published: December 2017

Investments in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have been a major issue of concern in academia and industry. How much a country should invest in its telecommunications infrastructure so as to improve their levels of teledensity is a major challenge. This research examines investments in the telecommunications sector of low and middle‐income developing countries. The findings suggest that increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure without the involvement of other socio‐economic factors may not improve growth of teledensity in developing countries. The study, however, suggests a positive relationship between teledensity and other variables such as GDP per capita, telecommunications staff and length of wait times to acquire and maintain telephones. Some strategies are suggested as steps to take in order to improve the teledensity levels of the countries used in this study.
An Empirical Study on Electronic Commerce Diffusion in the Malaysian Shipping Industry
Authors: Ang Chooi‐Leng , Tahar Razman Mat , Murat Rusdi
Published: December 2017

Electronic commerce (E‐commerce) refers to business transactions conducted over computer networks, both public and private; it is about electronic interactions among businesses, governments and consumers for the purpose of information retrieval, trading, procurement, purchasing and delivery of digitalized goods and services [1]. At industry level, the development of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has become central to the concept of E‐commerce. It is an important foundation block for the implementation of E‐business. To harness the capability of EDI, Port Klang was facilitated with the national EDI by Dagang Net under the government's trade facilitation programme. The government hopes that EDI applications will bring about greater efficiency and productivity and also be able to respond to the needs and changing requirements of trade if a port is to become a major port of call for shipping lines the world over. A decade has passed since the introduction of EDI to the shipping industry in the Port Klang area. An understanding of the current EDI status is essential for the success of any E‐commerce initiatives in Malaysia. Thus this study seeks to provide such an empirical base. This study found that in the Malaysian shipping industry, EDI was primarily used in transactions with the Customs Department for duty payments and import/export declaration. The results indicated that EDI usage at Port Klang might be high in terms of volume. However, its use was still very low and limited in terms of diversity, breadth and depth. There was hardly any transaction between other business partners except the Customs Department. Investigation on the feasibility factors revealed that initial investments, requirements of trading partners and software related issues were the major problems faced by these companies.
The Effect of Online Community on Offline Community in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al‐Saggaf Yeslam
Published: December 2017

There is a radical transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are poised on the edge of a significant new social landscape. Called the Internet, this new frontier includes not only the creation of new forms of private communication, like electronic mail and chat, but also online public discussion areas, which for the first time enable communication between males and females in this gender‐segregated society. This paper has been written as a result of a study conducted in Saudi Arabia during 2001 – 2002. The purpose of the study was to understand how online communities in Saudi Arabia are affecting offline communities. The results of the study indicate that participants, in addition to gaining self‐confidence, became open‐minded in their thinking, more aware of the personal characteristics of individuals within their society and less inhibited about the opposite gender. On the negative side, participants neglected their family commitments, became less shy and some became confused about some aspects of their culture and religion. After a brief introduction about the Internet in Saudi Arabia and its culture, the paper examines online communities in the literature. It then discusses the conceptual and methodological aspects of the study. This includes how data were collected and analysed. A discussion of the results of the study follows. Next, an examination of the findings in relation to the literature is provided. Finally, the conclusions drawn from this study are presented.
Prospects and Challenges of E‐Banking In Malaysia
Authors: Sulaiman AININ , C.H LIM , WEE Alice
Published: December 2017

The advent of the Internet has revolutionized the way banking is done. Realizing the importance of what is popularly known as e‐banking, in June 2000, the Central Bank of Malaysia allowed banks to conduct banking activities via the Internet. Four years later, almost all major local banks are providing e‐banking services. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of e‐banking adoption in Malaysia. It begins by analyzing the local bank websites using a model introduced by Chung and Payter (2002). The study then examines the different types of e‐banking products used by adopters before finally describing the characteristics of e‐banking adopters. Five hundred and forty two usable questionnaire responses were received to a survey, of which fifty four percent were from e‐banking adopters. Most of the adopters took advantage of the service to carry out basic activities like viewing balance inquiries, obtaining summary reports of their transactions and using savings and current account facilities. A large number of the adopters used the e‐banking services when necessary, i.e. once a month to pay utility bills and accessed the facilities either from home or the office. Many were encouraged by friends and family members to use e‐banking. The study also illustrates that there were more adopters among the younger age groups, among those with higher salaries and those holding higher positions.