bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Government ICT Policy Document from a Communicative Action Perspective: A Case of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Zahid 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe literature on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy studies have revealed multiple limitations concerning design and implementation of policies adopted by many governments of developing countries, which include contextual limitations in design, a mix of incomprehensive projects and strategies, as well as gaps between addressed goals and actual outcomes. However, nothing is said about the policy document itself with regard to the communication of ideas, issues, themes, and perspectives of the policy. This article extends to do a discourse analysis of Bangladesh's ICT policy document to evaluate communicative aspects, using the framework of Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action (TCA). The findings uncover multiple limitations to the policy document in terms of four TCA validity claims: truth, legitimacy, sincerity, and clarity. The truth claim shows a lack in defining and describing multiple terms and issues, explaining varied ideological stances and accounting for benefits and challenges, along with interpretation of some facts. Similarly, the legitimacy claim reveals that matters that appeal to emotion, such as constitutional obligation, social equity, disabled people, minorities, and women and community issues, lie as foundation to justify that claim. The uses of connotative words and metaphors in addition to uses of jargon and unexplained terms are also found under the claim for sincerity and clarity, all of which ultimately are not compatible with the values of the validity claims.
Offshore Business Process Outsourcing for Developing Countries: A South African Perspective
Authors: Alkali Abubakar Mohammed , Abbott Pamela , Dasuki Salihu Ibrahim , Quaye Ago K.M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOffshoring of IT‐enabled services to developing countries will continue to dominate the offshoring sector. Companies are constantly on the lookout for locations where they can provide services at a low cost. This has made developing countries to take advantage of this opportunity to create value propositions for companies in developed countries leading to economic development. This paper describes the South Africa's BPO industry in order to explore the current opportunities and potential challenges the industry offers. The role of government support, quality infrastructure, prevalence of HIV/AIDS and inflexibility in labor laws are found to feature significantly within the South African context. The paper contributes to literature on outsourcing in developing countries which has elaborated how African Countries can serve as attractive location for offshoring BPO. This study concludes by providing implications for policy and practice.
Notions of Home and Sense of Belonging in the Context of Migration in a Journey through Participatory Photography
Authors: Gomez Ricardo , Vannini Sara 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe question of where is home is especially difficult for migrants, who live in a place different than their place of origin, and particularly for undocumented migrants, who don't have any legal recognition or rights and constantly risk being detained and deported. Through participatory photography and interviews, a process we called Fotohistorias, we explored human experiences in relation to migration in the US (the North), at the US‐Mexico border (the border), and in Colombia (the South). Along with a reflection on the methodology on both researchers’ work and participants’ empowerment, this paper reports on outcomes related to the notions of home and sense of belonging that emerged in the experiences shared by migrants in those three settings. They evidence different notions of “what is home” as well as “where do I belong,” reflecting the different degrees of transience and impermanence in the everyday experiences of migrants.
Public Perceptions of the Role of IT in Resolving Governance Challenges in a Transition State: THe Case of Tanzania
Authors: Mimbi Lucas , Kyobe Michael 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInternational bodies and donors demand that countries demonstrate how they use IT to ensure effective governance. However, measuring the role of IT in governance remains problematic, particularly in transition economies characterised by poor IT capabilities. This paper measured public perceptions of the role of IT in addressing governance challenges in transition Tanzania. The paper identifies (i) usage of IT for governance and democratic purposes, (ii) governance processes and (iii) external pressures as key interplaying factors influencing effective governance. Adopting the Gestalts (configurational) approach, we argue that IT contributes to effective governance when it is coherent with (ii) and (iii). One hundred and sixty six members of the public were surveyed and cluster analysis was used to determine the degree of coherence. None of the three clusters of (i), (ii) and (iii) that emerged revealed a strong coherent relationship, indicating that IT was not playing a major role in addressing governance challenges in transition Tanzania.
Collaborative Development of Global Information Systems: Toward Community Based Generification
Authors: Fruijtier Elisabeth , Pinard Matthieu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper examines generification in open source software development of information systems for low resource environments. The challenge addressed is that of designing generification processes in which key aspects of generification – information flow, selection and prioritisation – involve a distributed community. The objective of this study is to understand how this challenge is dealt with in practice, with the aim of expanding the current analytical scope available to researchers to study generification processes as well as the guidance available to practitioners to address its practical challenges. Doing so, we build on the work of Gizaw et al (forthcoming) who broach a debate on more ‘open’ generification. We propose a reconceptualization of open generification by being more specific on its conditions and process aspects. Open, we argue, is about closed generification circuits that enable a ‘community based’ generification process.
Comparing Downloads, Mendeley Readership and Google Scholar Citations as Indicators of Article Performance
Authors: Naudé Filistéa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis single journal article level indicator study investigated the relationship between download usage statistics, Mendeley readership scores and Google Scholar citation counts. The 378 articles published in the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC) in the 14‐year period 2000 to 2013 were examined. Results showed that all 378 articles were downloaded and had Mendeley readers. Of the 378 articles, 359 (94.97%) articles received Google Scholar citations and 19 (5.03%) articles received no citations. For the 359 cited articles, the average Google Scholar citations per article were 28.82. The average EJISDC downloads were 7440.69, the average Mendeley readership was 19.30 and Google Scholar citations were 27.36. The most influential articles in the EJISDC were identified by ranking and by comparing the top 20 articles by downloads, Mendeley readership and Google Scholar citations. The leading authors were identified using the top 20 ranking and comparing it to the most productive authors. For this journal, the results seem to indicate that the highest correlations (Spearman correlation coefficient) were between Google Scholar citations and downloads, a slightly lower correlation between Google Scholar citations and Mendeley readership, and the lowest correlation was between downloads and Mendeley readership.
Open Source Adoption in Health Sector: Understanding the Stakeholder Relationships in a Resource Constrained Setting
Authors: Hewapathirana Roshan , Sahay Sundeep 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFree and Open Source Software (FOSS) is increasingly being the choice to strengthen health information systems (HIS) in Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC) contexts. FOSS is becoming a commercially viable option in today's software industry. In LMIC context, bridging the gap between generic open source design and specific local contexts calls for the participation of multi‐sector stakeholders to realise FOSS implementations. This multi‐sector stakeholder network, together with the FOSS platform can be theorised to form a software ecosystem (SE) around FOSS implementations in a resource constrained setting.In this new paradigm, governing the open source acquisition and implementation process becomes a central challenge, which is distinct from the governance of open source developer communities. This paper attempts to identify the essential stakeholder categories involved in FOSS HIS implementations in a LMIC context and; to understand the stakeholder interactions in this SE at different stages. The analysis is based on a longitudinal case study of two open source HIS implementations and an attempt to establish a FOSS governance body in the State health sector of Sri Lanka during the period 2011–2014. The paper contributes by suggesting a model to understand the essential stakeholder categories and their interactions in FOSS implementation SE in resource constrained settings.
Toxicity trial of canine posterior cricoarytenoid intramuscular vincristine injections
Authors: Paniello Randal C. , Bhatt Neel K. , Chernock Rebecca 
Published: December 2017

Objectives/HypothesisIn animal studies, intramuscular vincristine injections have been shown to block reinnervation of the denervated target muscle. This application could be used selectively to influence recovery patterns following injury of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs). However, vincristine is currently Food and Drug Administration approved only for intravenous use. A formal toxicity trial of intramuscular injections was performed.Study DesignAnimal study.MethodsSixteen female canines underwent direct laryngoscopy with injection of moderate‐ (0.4 mg, n = 8) or high‐dose (0.6 mg, n = 8) vincristine into the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. Plasma samples were collected at various time points postinjection and vincristine levels determined. At 24 hours (n = 7) or 14 days (n = 9) postinjection, animals were anesthetized and videolaryngoscopy documented vocal fold mobility and mucosal appearance. Adductor function was measured during stimulation of the RLN. Larynges were processed for histology.ResultsFifteen minutes after injection, plasma vincristine levels averaged 10.2% ± 6.7% of the intravenous maximum, suggesting about 90% of the vincristine remained within the PCA muscle. Plasma levels were usually below detectable limits within 24 hours. At the end points, all animals had grossly normal‐appearing mucosa and full range of motion. Laryngeal adductor strength was normal in all cases. Histology showed moderate to severe acute inflammation in the submucosa only in the high‐dose group at 24 hours. There was no necrosis of muscle or mucosa.ConclusionsIntramuscular vincristine injections into the canine PCA muscles resulted in no significant local toxicity, even at the maximum dose. It would be reasonable to evaluate this treatment strategy in a phase I human trial.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 128:E247–E250, 2018
Modeling of creep and stress relaxation of the nickel‐base alloy NiCr20TiAl at isothermal and non‐isothermal loading conditions
Authors: Hahn P. , Schwienheer M. , Kontermann C. , Oechsner M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe design and dimensioning of new as well as the assessment of operating high‐temperature components in service require a precise prediction of creep and stress relaxation. The increasing share of renewable energies forces fossil‐fired power plants for increasing numbers of start‐ups and shut‐downs. Consequently, transient loading conditions need to be taken into account. In order to meet this demand, non‐isothermal creep equations are necessary, which enables a consistent prediction of creep strain and stress relaxation in a wide range of temperatures and stresses. In this paper, an approach for the visco‐plastic modeling of creep and stress relaxation for non‐isothermal loading conditions is presented. The strain portions creep, “negative creep” and initial plasticity, occurring at elevated temperatures are described by temperature‐dependent phenomenological equations. Within this paper, the adjustment of the parameters is based on a wide database of hot tensile tests, creep and annealing experiments. The nickel‐base alloy NiCr20TiAl has been examined in a temperature range from 450 °C to 650 °C. The developed material models have been successfully validated with isothermal and non‐isothermal relaxation experiments. Further, the recalculation of a staged relaxation test demonstrates the capability of the defined material laws in a wide stress range under isothermal and non‐isothermal loading conditions.
Determination of the fracture envelope of an adhesive joint as a function of moisture
Authors: Rodrigues Tânia A. F. , Chaves Filipe J. P. , Silva Lucas F. M. da , Costa Marcelo , Barbosa Ana Q. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAdhesive joints in the transportation industry may be exposed to aggressive environments such as humidity during their service life, which may influence their reliability. This research aims to determine the fracture toughness of aluminium bonded joints under pure mode I, pure mode II and mixed mode I and II loadings in dry and wet condition, with the main purpose to predict the influence of humidity in the toughness properties of an adhesive. It was found that water does influence the fracture mechanics properties, increasing mode I fracture toughness and decreasing mode II fracture toughness.
The feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity intervention for older people with chronic musculoskeletal pain: The iPOPP pilot trial protocol
Authors: Healey E.L. , Jinks C. , Foster N.E. , Chew‐Graham C.A. , Pincus T. , Hartshorne L. , Cooke K. , Nicholls E. , Proctor J. , Lewis M. , Dent S. , Wathall S. , Hay E.M. , McBeth J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionThis pilot trial will inform the design and methods of a future full‐scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) and examine the feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of the Increasing Physical activity in Older People with chronic Pain (iPOPP) intervention, a healthcare assistant (HCA)‐supported intervention to promote walking in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain in a primary care setting.Methods and analysisThe iPOPP study is an individually randomized, multicentre, three‐parallel‐arm pilot RCT. A total of 150 participants aged ≥65 years with chronic pain in one or more index sites will be recruited and randomized using random permuted blocks, stratified by general practice, to: (i) usual care plus written information; (ii) pedometer plus usual care and written information; or (iii) the iPOPP intervention. A theoretically informed mixed‐methods approach will be employed using semi‐structured interviews, audio recordings of the HCA consultations, self‐reported questionnaires, case report forms and objective physical activity data collection (accelerometry). Follow‐up will be conducted 12 weeks post‐randomization. Collection of the quantitative data and statistical analysis will be performed blinded to treatment allocation, and analysis will be exploratory to inform the design and methods of a future RCT. Analysis of the HCA consultation recordings will focus on the use of a checklist to determine the fidelity of the iPOPP intervention delivery, and the interview data will be analysed using a constant comparison approach in order to generate conceptual themes focused around the acceptability and feasibility of the trial, and then mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework to understand barriers and facilitators to behaviour change. A triangulation protocol will be used to integrate quantitative and qualitative data and findings.
Evaluating insulin pump functionality during ionising radiation exposure
Authors: Whicher Clare Alexandra , Humayun Malik , Jenkins Emma , Brooks Michael , Benbow Matthew , Critoph Chris , Partridge Helen 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConcerns exist about the safety of ionising radiation on the components of insulin pumps and whether these will induce electronic failure or dysfunction. We therefore subjected six insulin pumps to two radiation exposure protocols; firstly in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory and subsequently computerised tomography scanning.The pumps were downloaded and functionality was monitored for four weeks after exposure. All pumps continued to work appropriately with no demonstrated loss of functionality, loss of bolus or basal delivery and no evidence of pump failure. Due to the nature of the method of this study we were unable to assess the accuracy of insulin dosing.From our experience the probability of pump dysfunction being caused by radiation exposure seems unlikely but we would recommend close monitoring of blood glucose measurements before and after scanning. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Few‐Layered Black Phosphorus: From Fabrication and Customization to Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wang Huaiyu , Yu Xue‐Feng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAs a new kind of 2D material, black phosphorus has gained increased attention in the past three years. Although few‐layered black phosphorus nanosheets (BPs) degrade quickly under ambient conditions to phosphate anions, which greatly hampers their optical and electronic applications, this property also makes BPs highly biocompatible and biodegradable, and is regarded as an advantage for various biomedical applications. This Concept summarizes the state‐of‐art progresses of BPs, from fabrication and surface modification to biomedical applications. It is expected that BPs with such fascinating properties will encourage more scientists to engage in expanding its biomedical applications by tackling the scientific challenges involved in their development.
Die Fachstelle Brückenmessung der DB Netz AG
Authors: Friebe Regina 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIm Streckennetz der DB Netz AG befinden sich über 25 000 Eisenbahnbrücken. Zur Gewährleistung der Sicherheit beim Befahren der Brücken sind neben regelmäßigen Kontrollen durch entsprechend geschultes Fachpersonal Nachrechnungen in Bezug auf Tragsicherheit und Restnutzungsdauer erforderlich. Bereits im Jahre 1923 wurde nach Gründung der Deutschen Reichsbahn eine Abteilung Brückenmesswesen beim Zentralamt in Berlin geschaffen, um wirksam die Lösung der vielschichtigen brückentechnischen Fragen zu unterstützen. Messungen direkt am Bauwerk geben Aufschluss über das Systemverhalten unter den realen Bedingungen und ermöglichen damit eine objektive Beurteilung der Trag‐ und Ermüdungsreserven.
Phänomen der wirbelerregten Querschwingungen bei Netzwerkbogenbrücken im Eisenbahnverkehr
Authors: Fettke Manuela 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNetzwerkbogenbrücken erleben seit einigen Jahren eine Renaissance. Durch die Vielzahl an konstruktiven Details und Parametern, welche es insbesondere in der Planungsphase zu berücksichtigen gilt, ergibt sich ein komplexes Brückengebilde. Unbestritten ist die verbesserte Tragwirkung durch die netzwerkartige Anordnung der Hänger. Realität sind aber auch die aufgetretenen wirbelerregten Querschwingungen an ungedämpften Netzwerken. Aufgrund der erforderlichen Querschnitte, bedingt durch die hohen Eisenbahnverkehrslasten, können nur Flachstahlhänger bei der Deutschen Bahn AG zur Anwendung kommen. Die unterschiedlichen Neigungen der Hänger erforderten einen neuartigen Hängeranschluss am Bogen und Versteifungsträger, welcher speziell für diesen Konstruktionstyp entwickelt wurde und derzeitig noch nicht genormt ist. Der Einfluss und die Größe der unerwartet eingetragenen Schwingungen in Bezug auf die avisierte Lebensdauer galt es zu untersuchen. Als wirksame und notwendige Dämpfungsmaßnahme erweisen sich Querkopplungen in den Kreuzungspunkten der Hänger und teils zusätzliche Seillängsverspannungen, welche zwingend vor Inbetriebnahme einzubauen und deren Wirksamkeit nachzuweisen sind. Weitere Untersuchungen befassten sich mit der Thematik, ob es möglich ist, ein schwingungsunanfälliges Netzwerk zu kreieren. Auswertungen und Analysen der bis dato ausgeführten Eisenbahn‐Netzwerkbogenbrücken neueren Typs brachten Ergebnisse, welche zusammengefasst und optimiert im Planungsleitfaden Eingang fanden. Dieser Leitfaden soll 2018 veröffentlicht werden und für zukünftige Netzwerkbogenbrücken Anwendung finden.
Dose-responses for mortality from cerebrovascular and heart diseases in atomic bomb survivors: 1950–2003
Authors: Schöllnberger Helmut , Eidemüller Markus , Cullings Harry M. , Simonetto Cristoforo , Neff Frauke , Kaiser Jan Christian 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The scientific community faces important discussions on the validity of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation-associated cardiovascular diseases at low and moderate doses. In the present study, mortalities from cerebrovascular diseases (CeVD) and heart diseases from the latest data on atomic bomb survivors were analyzed. The analysis was performed with several radio-biologically motivated linear and nonlinear dose–response models. For each detrimental health outcome one set of models was identified that all fitted the data about equally well. This set was used for multi-model inference (MMI), a statistical method of superposing different models to allow risk estimates to be based on several plausible dose–response models rather than just relying on a single model of choice. MMI provides a more accurate determination of the dose response and a more comprehensive characterization of uncertainties. It was found that for CeVD, the dose–response curve from MMI is located below the linear no-threshold model at low and medium doses (0–1.4 Gy). At higher doses MMI predicts a higher risk compared to the LNT model. A sublinear dose–response was also found for heart diseases (0–3 Gy). The analyses provide no conclusive answer to the question whether there is a radiation risk below 0.75 Gy for CeVD and 2.6 Gy for heart diseases. MMI suggests that the dose–response curves for CeVD and heart diseases in the Lifespan Study are sublinear at low and moderate doses. This has relevance for radiotherapy treatment planning and for international radiation protection practices in general.
Parameterized Extended Finite Element Method for high thermal gradients
Authors: Zeller Christian , Surendran Binu , Zaeh Micheal F. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The Finite Element Method results in inaccuracies for temperature changes at the boundary if the mesh is too coarse in comparison with the applied time step. Oscillations occur as the adjacent elements balance the excessive energy of the boundary element. An Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) with extrinsic enrichment of the boundary element by a parameterized problem-specific ansatz function is presented. The method is able to represent high thermal gradients at the boundary with a coarse mesh as the enrichment function compensates for the excessive energy at the element affected by the temperature change. The parameterization covers the temporal change of the gradient and avoids the enrichment by further ansatz functions. The introduced parameterization variable is handed over to the system of equations as an additional degree of freedom. Analytical integration is used for the evaluation of the integrals in the weak formulation as the ansatz function depends non-linearly on the parameterization variable.
Highlights Parameterized problem-specific ansatz functions. Avoidance of a fine mesh in the area of high gradients. Representation of high gradients with one additional DOF.