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Electronic-commerce has become an important channel for conducting business. Researchers as well as market executives are trying to better understand online consumer behavior. One model used by researchers to understand behavior in the information systems field in general is the technology acceptance model (TAM). The TAM variables are perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intentions. In this study, we suggest the extension of the TAM for its application in the E-commerce field. The original TAM will be extended, by adding four predictor variables. The four predictor variables are process satisfaction, outcome satisfaction, expectations, and E-commerce use. In addition, the TAM will be extended by measuring actual behavior as opposed to measuring intentions as a substitute for actual behavior in previous TAM application studies. We suggest measuring actual use variable in terms of four criterion variables, namely, purchase, access number, access total time, and access average time. The extended TAM is expected to better explain actual behavior in E-commerce environments than the original TAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with limited resources, nurse educators are challenged with transforming nursing education while preparing enough qualified nurses to meet future demand; therefore, innovative approaches to teaching are needed. In this article, we describe the development of an innovative teaching activity. Baby Boy Jones is a Web-delivered, case-based learning activity focused on neonatal infection. It was created using e-learning authoring software and delivered through a learning management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the practice of companies to create roadmaps to manage vast amount of data. Topics discussed include electronic commerce firm Amazon creating value from mega data by creating customer loyalty, the importance of enhancing customer experience in Mega Data with reference to the practice of Amazon to track customer history to know customer preference, and the need of tackling data access issues while outsourcing mega data.

The author discusses the importance of big data for businesses. He cites an article which suggests that companies using data and business analytics to guide decision making are more productive and experience higher equity returns compared with companies that do not. He also notes the common pitfalls of big data initiatives.

Antiangiogenic compounds are gaining more and more interest as a new approach in the prevention and treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the antiangiogenic effect of a red clover extract (RCE) used in food supplements for menopausal complaints as well as of its main isoflavones in an in vivo system, the chorioallantoic membrane assay of fertilized hen's eggs. At a dosage of 250 microg/pellet the red clover extract showed excellent inhibition of angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic activity of the non-methylated isoflavones daidzein and genistein was higher than that of the methylated compounds formononentin and biochanin A. The results demonstrate that RCE is not only suitable for menopausal complaints, but might also be a powerful chemopreventive agent against chronic diseases e.g. which have a high incidence especially in elderly female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Antiangiogenic compounds are gaining more and more interest as a new approach in the prevention and treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the antiangiogenic effect of a red clover extract (RCE) used in food supplements for menopausal complaints as well as of its main isoflavones in an in vivo system, the chorioallantoic membrane assay of fertilized hen''s eggs. At a dosage of 250μg/pellet the red clover extract showed excellent inhibition of angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic activity of the non-methylated isoflavones daidzein and genistein was higher than that of the methylated compounds formononentin and biochanin A. The results demonstrate that RCE is not only suitable for menopausal complaints, but might also be a powerful chemopreventive agent against chronic diseases e.g. which have a high incidence especially in elderly female. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of the Healthy Workplace Index (HWPI), a 37-item scale measuring essential components of healthy workplace (HWP) environments. The HWPI was based on Parsons' Healthy Workplace Intervention framework and is rooted in staff empowerment, shared leadership, and participatory change management. Participants were staff nurses (n = 160) at a large university teaching hospital in the southwestern United States. Preliminary analyses supported the existence of 4 factors on the HWPI, with reliability coefficients for internal consistency ranging from 0.88 to 0.93. Factor scores from the HWPI were correlated to 5 subscale scores of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) to determine their degree of shared relationships. Relationships between subscales of PES-NWI and the HWPI factors were strong and positive, suggesting that researchers may be able to substitute the HWPI for the PES-NWI to measure HWP characteristics. Potential advantages for HWPI substitution include the ability to measure different aspects of HWPs and the use of a tool that nurses and staff can complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss an approach for turning the myth of success in customer relationship management (CRM) into dual-creation of value for a company and customer through the use of technology, data and customer knowledge. They note that firms spend billions of dollars annually on CRM systems aimed at improving customer-company relationships. Also tackled are the underlying myths that impede CRM success, including the myths of CRM as the domain of marketing. They explain areas that need to be addressed to dispel such myths.

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes and behaviors associated with parenthood and pregnancy among adolescents in the juvenile justice system. Method: A cross-sectional survey of attitudes and behaviors about parenthood was conducted with 300 adolescents residing in three juvenile detention centers. Results: Data revealed high rates of risky behaviors that resulted in parenthood/pregnancy and generally positive attitudes about being an adolescent parent. Positive attitudes about parenthood (P = .000) and lower self-efficacy to not have sex (P = .021) were significantly correlated with having been pregnant or having fathered a child. Logistic regression showed positive attitudes about parenthood and the combination of drinking and driving together were significant predictors of pregnancy (P ≤ .05). Discussion: Pediatric nurse practitioners working with adolescents in the juvenile justice system who routinely provide prevention counseling and implement health promotion programs must take into account the reality that many adolescents in this population are or will become parents and do not consider pregnancy as an outcome to be necessarily avoided. Moving beyond primary and secondary prevention strategies to implement programs to prevent second pregnancies and enhance parenting skills will provide needed health benefits to these adolescent parents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The authors reflect on change management research. They introduce the two major schools of thought surrounding change management research and its coverage in the management information system (MIS) literature. They discuss the lack of direction inherent in change management research and the most likely reasons for it. They also present what they believe to be a viable solution to the paucity of change research literature currently published in the MIS field.

A preface for the "Journal of Information Technology Case & Application Research," vol. 9, no. 1, 2007 issue, is presented.

The article presents a preface to the issue, highlighting the central topic of electronic commerce.

This article investigates the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and perceptions of the importance of information technology (IT) for information management in the health care industry. This issue is important because effective information management is recognized as a necessary condition for quality management. The unit of analysis of the article is the health care functional department. Data from 34 health care departments were collected and used for the analysis. Four specific hypotheses were proposed and tested. Our results suggest that end-user perceptions of the importance of IT for information management depends on formalization of QA, perceived importance of QA, time since QA was embraced, and number of people in the QA function. Copyright © 2000 by Aspen Publishers, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and perceptions of the importance of information technology (IT) for information management in the health care industry. Perceptions of IT for information management; Description of the organizational status of QA; Methodology employed in the study.

Organizations are responding to global competition by changing the way they work. Many have adopted transformation approaches such as business process reengineering (BPR) in an attempt to transform inefficient work processes. However, many BPR projects have delivered less than stellar results. The purpose of this research is to explore reasons why transformation might succeed or fail by looking at one organization's experiences with an enterprise-wide transformation effort. The organization is the Honeywell Industrial Automation and Control (IAC) unit located in Phoenix, AZ. The case research study provides an in-depth look at how IAC is dealing with enterprise transformation. Based on the transformation literature and the case, a framework is developed to guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical alarm systems safety is a national concern, specifically in intensive care units (ICUs) where alarm rates are known to be the highest. Interventional projects that examined the effect of changing default alarm settings on overall alarm rate and on clinicians' attitudes and practices toward clinical alarms and alarm fatigue are scarce. Objective: To examine if (1) a change in default alarm settings of the cardiac monitors and (2) in-service nursing education on cardiac monitor use in an ICU would result in reducing alarm rate and in improving nurses' attitudes and practices toward clinical alarms. Methods: This quality improvement project took place in a 20-bed transplant/cardiac ICU with a total of 39 nurses. We implemented a unit-wide change of default alarm settings involving 17 parameters of the cardiac monitors. All nurses received an in-service education on monitor use. Alarm data were collected from the audit log of the cardiac monitors 10 weeks before and 10 weeks after the change in monitors' parameters. Nurses' attitudes and practices toward clinical alarms were measured using the Healthcare Technology Foundation National Clinical Alarms Survey, pre- and postintervention. Results: Alarm rate was 87.86 alarms/patient day (a total of 64,500 alarms) at the preintervention period compared to 59.18 alarms/patient day (49,319 alarms) postintervention (P=.01). At baseline, Arterial Blood Pressure (ABP), Pair Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs), and Peripheral Capillary Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) alarms were the highest. ABP and SpO2 alarms remained among the top three at the postproject period. Out of the 39 ICU nurses, 24 (62%) provided complete pre- and postproject survey questionnaires. Compared to the preintervention survey, no remarkable changes in the postproject period were reported in nurses' attitudes. Themes in the narrative data were related to poor usability of cardiac monitors and the frequent alarms. The data showed great variation among nurses in terms of changing alarm parameters and frequency of replacing patients' electrodes. Despite the in-service, 50% (12/24) of the nurses specified their need for more training on cardiac monitors in the postproject period. Conclusions: Changing default alarm settings and standard in-service education on cardiac monitor use are insufficient to improve alarm systems safety. Alarm management in ICUs is very complex, involving alarm management practices by clinicians, availability of unit policies and procedures, unit layout, complexity and usability of monitoring devices, and adequacy of training on system use. The complexity of the newer monitoring systems requires urgent usability testing and multidimensional interventions to improve alarm systems safety and to attain the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal on alarm systems safety in critical care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Answers questions on the process of grooving suction rolls in the paper industry. Reasons for grooving suction rolls; Effect of grooving on cover Pusey & Jones index, a measure of hardness; Effects of grooving; Use of suction rolls in papermaking machines to aid in water removal and to control the wet paper web during the paper making process.