bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetic and Mechanistic Observations on the Photoinduced Isomerization Reaction of Organometallic Chalcones: A Steady State and Flash Photolysis Study
Authors: Maldonado Tamara , Ferraudi Guillermo , Lappin A. Graham , Godoy Fernando 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe photoinduced isomerization (E to Z) processes of a new series of organometallic chalcones derived from cyrhetrene, ferrocene and cymantrene functionalized with a benzo or 4′‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 moiety were studied in acetonitrile. The influence of near‐UV steady‐state irradiation on the properties of the chalcones was followed by means of UV/Vis absorption and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Time‐resolved ultrafast transient absorption and nanosecond flash photolysis spectroscopic studies revealed that irradiation of E‐cyrhetrenyl chalcones (1 a, b) led to the formation of an intermediate excited state which evolves irreversibly into the Z isomer. A second excited state, formed in the picosecond timescale, is responsible for the luminescence of the cyrhetrenyl chalcone 1 b. The photoisomerization mechanism was found to be different for the ferrocenyl chalcones (2 a, b) compared to the E‐cyrhetrenyl chalcones (1 a, b). For the ferrocenyl chalcones, minimal concentrations of the Z isomer are formed and an excited state, assigned as a metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer excited state, leads to the formation of another product of reaction. The photoisomerization processes of the complexes, as seen through the values of the quantum yields and rate constants, are affected by the steric hindrance created by the macrocycle as well as the perturbation of the electronic system by metal ions, such as Ca2+, coordinated to the macrocycle.
Revealing the Chemistry between Band Gap and Binding Energy for Lead‐/Tin‐Based Trihalide Perovskite Solar Cell Semiconductors
Authors: Varadwaj Arpita , Varadwaj Pradeep R. , Yamashita Koichi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA relationship between reported experimental band gaps (solid) and DFT‐calculated binding energies (gas) is established, for the first time, for each of the four ten‐membered lead (or tin) trihalide perovskite solar cell semiconductor series examined in this study, including CH3NH3PbY3, CsPbY3, CH3NH3SnY3and CsSnY3(Y=I(3−x)Brx=1–3, I(3−x)Clx=1–3, Br(3−x)Clx=1–3, and IBrCl). The relationship unequivocally provides a new dimension for the fundamental understanding of the optoelectronic features of solid‐state solar cell thin films by using the 0 K gas‐phase energetics of the corresponding molecular building blocks.
SHANK1 is differentially expressed during development in CA1 hippocampal neurons and astrocytes
Authors: Collins Sean M. , Belagodu Amogh P. , Reed Samantha L. , Galvez Roberto 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTRecent studies have strongly suggested a role for the synaptic scaffolding protein SHANK1 in normal synaptic structure and signaling. Global SHANK1 knockout (SHANK1−/−) mice demonstrate reduced dendritic spine density, an immature dendritic spine phenotype and impairments in various cognitive tasks. SHANK1 overexpression is associated with increased dendritic spine size and impairments in fear conditioning. These studies suggest proper regulation of SHANK1 is crucial for appropriate synaptic structure and cognition. However, little is known regarding SHANK1's developmental expression in brain regions critical for learning. The current study quantified cell specific developmental expression of SHANK1 in the hippocampus, a brain region critically involved in various learning paradigms shown to be disrupted by SHANK1 dysregulation. Consistent with prior studies, SHANK1 was found to be strongly co‐expressed with dendritic markers, with significant increased co‐expression at postnatal day (P) 15, an age associated with increased synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. Interestingly, SHANK1 was also found to be expressed in astrocytes and microglia. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of glial SHANK1 localization; therefore, these findings were further examined via a glial purified primary cell culture fraction using magnetic cell sorting. This additional analysis further demonstrated that SHANK1 was expressed in glial cells, supporting our immunofluorescence co‐expression findings. Developmentally, astroglial SHANK1 co‐expression was found to be significantly elevated at P5 with a reduction into adulthood, while SHANK1 microglial co‐expression did not significantly change across development. These data collectively implicate a more global role for SHANK1 in mediating normal cellular signaling in the brain. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 363–373, 2018
Using a service design model to develop the “Passport to Safer Birth” in Nigeria and Uganda
Authors: Salgado Mariana , Wendland Melanie , Rodriguez Damaris , Bohren Meghan A. , Oladapo Olufemi T. , Ojelade Olubunmi A. , Olalere Adebimpe A. , Luwangula Ronald , Mugerwa Kidza , Fawole Bukola 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo demonstrate how a human‐centered service design approach can generate practical tools for good‐quality childbirth care in low‐resource settings.MethodsAs part of the WHO “Better Outcomes in Labour Difficulty” (BOLD) project, a service design approach was used in eight Ugandan and Nigerian health facilities and communities to develop the “Passport to Safer Birth.” There are three phases: Research for Design, Concept Design, and Detail Design. These generated design principles, design archetype personas, and Passport prototypes. Data collection methods included desk research, interviews, group discussions, and journey mapping to identify touchpoints where the woman interacts with the health system.ResultsA total of 90 interviews, 12 observation hours, and 15 group discussions were undertaken. The resulting design principles were: a shared and deeper understanding of pregnancy and childbirth among family and community; family readiness for decision‐making and action; and the woman's sense of being in control and being cared for. Four archetype personas of women emerged: Vulnerable; Passive; Empowered; Accepter. Subsequent development of the Passport to Safer Birth tools addressed three domains: Care Mediator; Expectation Manager; and Pregnancy Assistant.ConclusionThe service design approach can create innovative, human‐centered service solutions to improve maternity care experiences and outcomes in low‐resource settings.
Structure and function of yeast and fungal Na+/H+ antiporters
Authors: Dutta Debajyoti , Fliegel Larry 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSodium proton antiporters (or sodium proton exchangers [NHEs]) are a critical family of membrane proteins that exchange sodium for protons across cell membranes. In yeast and plants, their primary function is to keep the sodium concentration low inside the cytoplasm. One class of NHE constitutively expressed in yeast is the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, and another class is expressed on the endosomal/vacuolar membrane. At present, four bacterial plasma membrane antiporter structures are known and nuclear magnetic resonance structures are available for the membrane spanning transmembrane helices of mammalian and yeast NHEs. Additionally, a vast amount of mutational data are available on the role of individual amino acids and critical motifs involved in transport. We combine this information to obtain a more detailed picture of the yeast NHE plasma membrane protein and review mechanisms of transport, conserved motifs, unique residues important in function, and regulation of these proteins. The Na+/H+ antiporter of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, SpNHE1, is an interesting model protein in an easy to study system and is representative of fungal Na+/H+ antiporters. © IUBMB Life, 70(1):23–31, 2018
Gender Differences In Computer Literacy Level Among Undergraduate Students In Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Authors: Zin Nor Azan Mat , Zaman Halimah Badioze , Judi Hairulliza Mohd , Mukti Norhayati Abdul , Amin Hazilah Mohd , Sahran Shahnorbanun , Ahmad Kamsuriah , Ayob Masri , Abdullah Salwani , Abdullah Zuraidah 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study was conducted to assess gender differences in computer literacy levels of undergraduate students in UKM. Responses from 2,591 students were analyzed. Students were surveyed on software and application use, self‐perceived control and programming skills. There is a significant difference in computer literacy level between male and female students; overall mean score for male was 2.62 (N = 734, SD = 0.71) while female score was 2.34 (N = 1570, SD = 0.58). Male students had greater computer experience and use computer more frequently. They also reported a higher computer ability and slightly higher percentage of them own a computer. Males had greater self‐perceived control and higher programming skills and better ability in computer repair and maintenance than females. Other factors such as computer experience, and computer ownership also affect computer literacy level as was shown by the interaction effect existed among gender, computer experience, and computer ownership. Implication from this study indicates that increasing the computer experience and encouraging students to own a computer will give more opportunity to female students to achieve a higher level of computer literacy.
Are Usability Assessment Techniques Reliable in Non‐Western Cultures?
Authors: Yeo Alvin W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper describes an exploratory study conducted to examine the efficacy of the global‐software development lifecycle (global‐SDLC), a Western software development approach employed to derive software for the global market. In the study, the global‐SDLC was applied to adapt a US English spreadsheet for a non‐Western market; in particular, the spreadsheet was adapted to accommodate Bahasa Melayu (Malaysia's national language). Malaysians were recruited to evaluate the usability of the spreadsheet utilising three prevalent (Western originated) usability assessment techniques, namely, think aloud, questionnaire, and interview. The design and implementation phase of the global‐SDLC were found to be efficacious. However, the results of the usability evaluation‐the last phase of global‐SDLC‐were found to be inconsistent. These inconsistencies may be attributed to the computer experience as well as the cultural attributes of the participants in the study. Implications of the findings and further work were also discussed.
Decision Support Systems for Small Scale Agroindustrial Investment Promotion in Rural Areas
Authors: da Silva Carlos Arthur B. , Fernandes Aline R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA series of decision support systems (DSS's), developed as part of a government program to promote the implementation of small scale agroindustrial projects in rural areas, is described. The DSS's constitute an alternative to the use of printed agroindustrial profiles to disseminate information on technical and economic aspects of such projects. Users have access to information on the potential projects and can evaluate their feasibility considering their own data and relevant assumptions. Information is presented in hypertext and graphical formats, and in conventional data tables. The hypertext files provide descriptions concerning the technological processes, related legislation and potential markets, while graphical images present plant floor plans and 3‐D views of facilities and equipment lay‐out. Data is available on several items, including technical coefficients, equipment costs, raw material and other input costs, interest rates, other loan conditions, and product mixes and prices. They can be easily changed by the user, so as to better reflect specific conditions. Economic‐engineering models allow the computation of standard financial evaluation indicators. Sensitivity analysis is also performed. Results can be either displayed on screen, saved or printed. 15 systems have been developed, covering a wide array of agroindustrial projects. Usability tests were performed with a sample of potential users. Results were extremely favorable, confirming the initial hypothesis of the potential of the proposed approach as an effective means to promote agroindustrial investments.
Implementation of a Hospital Library Automation Project in Mexico: Learning from Experience
Authors: Macías‐Chapula César A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHealth library automation has been a well established field of academic work and practice among developed countries. In developing countries, this field is practically non‐existent. Health libraries in these countries however, are acquiring new information and communication technologies in an attempt to modernise their services. In many developing countries, information technologies are transferred without previous analyses of existing information processing procedures; less interest is placed on the social and cultural elements involved.The purpose of this work is to describe the lessons learned, challenges and opportunities that emerged at the implementation phase of the library automation project of Mexico's General Hospital (MGH). The paper first reviews the literature on health library automation; then, the size and structure of MGH is described, including its library automation project. Here, an analysis for the period 1993–1999 is presented.Lessons learned were related to actors’ changes of attitudes at the managerial and operational levels. Main challenges were the construction of a work team; the changes in some of the work practices; and the lack of trained health librarians. Opportunities to conduct research and to participate in the organisation's information development plan were identified. A discussion regarding the socio‐technical aspects of information systems is described at the end of the paper.
Ethical and Intellectual Property Concerns in a Multicultural Global Economy
Authors: Phukan Sanjeev , Dhillon Gurpreet 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEnormous and dramatically swift changes in Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS) have created a global economy on an unprecedented scale, one that is perhaps much more pervasive than many had previously anticipated. The speed of this change has caught many companies as well as IT professionals by surprise. Many companies have had to undergo rapid restructuring to face new challenges and to take advantage of new opportunities, while IT professionals have had to concern themselves with a wide variety of hitherto unfamiliar concerns and issues, including those involving culture, ethics, intellectual property, and computer crime.
Information Technology Education in Nepal: An Inner Perspective
Authors: Shakya Subarna , Rauniar Deepak 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Information Technology revolution is going on. It has been making significant impacts on our day lives and has changed the very landscape of human existence. The IT industry today stands as the maximum growth industry and demand for core IT professionals have been on the rise and is growing worldwide. The demand of these professionals has been so huge worldwide that at present the demand simply outnumbers the supply of these professionals. As a result of the same, rapid growth in highly skilled IT occupations, low unemployment rate, rising salaries etc. have become typical attributes of this profession. With regards to the opportunities available in the IT profession, of recent there has been an extraordinary demand for IT related courses from students worldwide. Nepal is no exception to the same and demand for IT related courses have been on the rise here as well. To cater to this demand, like their counterparts abroad, universities and colleges in Nepal have also come out extensively with IT related courses and programs. In this paper, an attempt has been made to critically investigate the prevailing IT education scenario in Nepal. The paper also provides key recommendations with regards to the steps that need to be taken to enhance the overall quality of IT education in Nepal.
The Effect of Information Technology on the Growth of the Banking Industry in Nigeria
Authors: Idowu P. A. , Alu A.O. , Adagunodo E.R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe advent of Information Technology (IT) is rapidly changing the banking industry. In this study, the impact of IT on the banking industry in Nigeria is described. A questionnaire was employed to collect data from customers at five major banks in Nigeria on the extent to which customers believe that IT exerts an impact on banking services. The results of the study clearly indicate that IT has contributed immensely to the growth of the banking industry in Nigeria.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Democracy Development in the South: Potential and Current Reality
Authors: Fleming Samantha 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been touted as bringing new options to democracy development. This paper explores some of the potential and current reality of using ICTs to strengthen democracy development in South Africa. Focus is on a project of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa that has sought to make use of ICTs in an applicable, appropriate and useful way in an African context. Some history of the project is given, including existing electronic products aimed at facilitating public participation and providing access to information. Also, some anecdotal evidence of impact is explored. The paper articulates lessons learned and difficulties encountered in the context of using ICTs for democracy development in the South. It concludes that there is a place for ICTs in democracy development, that access to information does play a crucial role in informing citizens about government activities, and thus encouraging people to engage with decision makers on issues of governance.
e‐Business and Technology Issues for Developing Economies: A Ukraine Case Study
Authors: Jennex Murray E. , Amoroso Donald L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe need to develop a strategy for e‐business applications is an important facet of doing business especially where organizations can provide value‐added services to the customer base. In this paper, we identify key value‐added e‐business applications and focus on success factors that clearly support small enterprise goals. Performance factors are presented that show the impact of e‐business applications on the organization's bottom‐line. The case study in this paper uses a methodology of direct observation, unstructured interviews and document review to gather data for identifying issues in starting a small business using the Internet. The case organization provides services around office and business support, energy consulting, and Web development. The formation of International Business Solutions has been difficult due to the banking system, work culture, and infrastructure of Ukraine. IT issues investigated include telecommunications, energy, hardware, software, and the availability of technical skill sets. e‐Business issues that were found to be important in this study include: (1) difficulty of the user interface, (2) a lack of a planning process for e‐business applications, (3) development and testing concerns, (4) finding the web site and a lack of branding, and (5) the lack of evidence to support a formal budgeting process. We conclude with recommendations for enabling IT success in the Ukraine and focus on the need for a well‐designed Web presence for the case organization.
E‐commerce in Developing Countries
Authors: Young Judy , Ridley Gail 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe aim of the following paper is to present a review of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report, E‐Commerce and Development Report 2002, which focuses on progress towards e‐commerce in developing countries. The Report presents valuable information and analysis within its nine chapters that will be of interest to many countries. However, it is argued that the Report would have been more useful if UNCTAD had considered how the chapters related to each other, and in particular, how the topics mapped against the entire scope of what is a complex issue. For illustrative purposes, a preliminary framework was developed from the literature and then used for comparison against the issues covered in the Report, revealing gaps. It is recommended that UNCTAD build on the leadership role it has taken in the area by developing a framework of the issues on e‐commerce in developing countries that could be used for future publications in the area.
The Status of E‐finance in Developing Countries
Authors: Hadidi Rassule 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this commentary is to identify some impediments that affect successful implementation of e‐finance initiatives in developing countries. These impediments are not adequately addressed in the UNCTAD 2002 report. We need to overcome these to be able to move forward with implementing e‐finance related initiatives in developing countries. It is hoped that by implementing e‐finance initiatives, we will be able to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goal.
E‐Publishing in Science and Healthcare: Alternative Models for Development
Authors: Séror Ann , Neuman Irina 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe focus of this critical commentary is the role of e‐commerce and the publishing industry in science and healthcare with emphasis on business models and initiatives originating in the developing as well as the developed countries. The commentary is illustrated with the following regional and national examples: (1) the Virtual Health Library created by the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Services Information (BIREME), (2) the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) led by Brazil, Chile and Cuba, and (3) the Cuban Medical Information Portal, INFOMED (Red Telemática de Salud en Cuba).
An Electronic Commerce Initiative in Regional Sri Lanka: The Vision for the Central Province Electronic Commerce Portal
Authors: Lane Michael S. , Van Der Vyver Glen , Delpachitra Sarath , Howard Srecko 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper presents the findings from the first stage of a preliminary study which assessed the potential for an electronic commerce portal in Sri Lanka's Central Province. Sri Lanka is an island state of contrasts in terms of its electronic commerce and overall ICT capability. In the Capital of Colombo, ICT and electronic commerce capability are relatively sophisticated while in regional Sri Lanka even the most basic ICT infrastructure is almost non‐existent and/or non‐reliable. The proposed electronic commerce portal in Central Province is well aligned with the key strategic objectives of the E‐Sri Lanka Initiative. The portal will be a resource enabler and facilitator for the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs and MEs. It is also envisaged that the portal will facilitate the development of regional ICT capability as well as providing significant benefits to general community. This paper concludes with an outline of the infrastructure and implementation plan for the proposed electronic commerce portal in Central Province.
A Framework for MIS Curriculum Interdisciplinarity: A Vietnamese University Case
Authors: Huy Vo V. , Chae Bongsug , Paradice David 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe traditional approach to Management Information Systems (MIS) curricula development is technology‐oriented, but MIS in nature is interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary programs can be rewarding for faculty as they can expand research and teaching capabilities into new areas. Students find that such programs also enrich the curriculum. However, the cost and the hurdles for developing interdisciplinary courses and curricula are substantial. A systems approach to building an interdisciplinary MIS curriculum is needed. We use Heinz Heckhousen's six‐level framework to understand MIS as an interdisciplinary field and propose implementation strategies for creating an interdisciplinary MIS curriculum. Finally, a case of MIS curriculum development using the proposed framework and implementation strategies at a Vietnamese university is analyzed.