Currently, it has been noticed a strong use of ICTs in several companies. The objective of this study was to analyze and measure the impact of the implementation of ICTs on the strategy and structure of management of ...Currently, it has been noticed a strong use of ICTs in several companies. The objective of this study was to analyze and measure the impact of the implementation of ICTs on the strategy and structure of management of core competence in SMEs in Bukavu, DRC. The scale used shows the good psychometric properties (χ<sup>2</sup> = 75.045;P = 0.16;χ<sup>2</sup>/ddl = 1.471;CFI = 0.92;IFI = 0.92;RMSEA = 0.049;NFI = 0.79;GFI = 0.94;AGFI = 0.91. This study analyzed primary data collected from 195 SMEs in the city of Bukavu. Data processing was achieved using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and flat sorting. The results indicate that the use of ICTs by SME managers in the city of Bukavu has a positive impact on all dimensions of core competence selected in this study. They also reveal that the views of these leaders on the importance attached to the adoption of ICTs were divided and the level of ICT use was above average.展开更多
本研究对美国的1441名英文教师进行网络问卷调查,了解了各地教师使用ICTs(information communication technologies)的类型和使用程度,得出美国英语教师对ICTs应用于英文教学(相当于中国的语文教学)的重要性的共识,以及所面临的困难和...本研究对美国的1441名英文教师进行网络问卷调查,了解了各地教师使用ICTs(information communication technologies)的类型和使用程度,得出美国英语教师对ICTs应用于英文教学(相当于中国的语文教学)的重要性的共识,以及所面临的困难和障碍。本调查结果为中国小学语文课堂应用互联网等现代技术的可行性提供依据。展开更多
Polymers constitute a series of materials that are essential for many processes such as: food transport, packaging and distribution, construction, etc. Hence, it is important to understand the variables that this proc...Polymers constitute a series of materials that are essential for many processes such as: food transport, packaging and distribution, construction, etc. Hence, it is important to understand the variables that this process depends on. Experimental design is a powerful tool that enables the identification of variables that significantly influence a process through a matrix of experiments that a software constructs. With the aim of implementing ICTs in the learning—teaching process of polymers in a university group, the polymerization process system of PPMA (polymethylmethacrylate) is studied. The variables that affect the size of the Pearl are: temperature, reaction time and volumen of the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous phase. These variables are optimized through a Box-Behnken experimental design with three factors in three levels, achieving the construction of the response surface to optimize the process, obtaining a tridimensional equation that enables the prediction of the Pearl size through the values of the independent variables. Finally, the student acquires the competency of manipulating the variables that affect the polymerization process to optimize the process. For this reason, Design Expert is a valuable ICT tool in the learning-teaching process of polymerization systems.展开更多
This study attempts to understand the role of ICTs on adoption of climate change adaption options among the Nepalese rice farmers, using data from 773 households from seven districts—3 from Terai region and 4 from hi...This study attempts to understand the role of ICTs on adoption of climate change adaption options among the Nepalese rice farmers, using data from 773 households from seven districts—3 from Terai region and 4 from hilly region. Individual Farmer’s Awareness Index was developed to categorize the respondent knowledge of climate change adaptation and Ordered Logit Model was used to examine the factors influencing their adaptation options in present of ICTs. The result revealed that 65% farmers perceived knowledge about temperature, rainfall and other relative information from various ICT devices that they pose. Farmers received such information mostly from Radio (71%), TV (69%) and mobile phone (62.5%) and argued these three devices are the most prominent, easy access and practical devices to receive such information. 86% farmers used such devices on the daily basis and 90% and more users opined that the information provided from such devices is in their own language and fully understandable. From ICT devices they pose, 71% of the farmers are receiving climate change information and 61% received agro-related information and the majority of them argued that such available information is very much informative and supportive of their resilience to climate change and use of available adaptation options. From the Farmers Awareness Index, this study found 19.8% farmers are high aware, 65.1% medium aware and 15.1% were less aware of the changing climate and its anomalies. Similarly, result from Ordered Logit Model shows that age (0.45***), gender (0.48**), market center (0.32*), bank access (0.54***), availability of subsidy (1.0***), agro-extension services (0.71**), access to TV (0.67***) and membership to a social network (3.20**) played a significant role in increasing farmers’ awareness of climate change which in turn lead to increased adoption of adaptation options available to the farmers. The findings suggest the need for further improvement on ICT devices and publicity of such ICT devices and proper investment to boost rice farmers’ adaptation to climate change, which will in turn help to improve their livelihoods and well-being.展开更多
ISTS(Intelligent Chinese Tutoring System)是一个智能汉语教学系统,它由许多子系统组成,例如书写(笔划、笔顺)教学子系统,语音教学子系统,语法教学子系统,课文教学子系统和汉语理解、推理子系统等。ECED(Electronic Chinese English D...ISTS(Intelligent Chinese Tutoring System)是一个智能汉语教学系统,它由许多子系统组成,例如书写(笔划、笔顺)教学子系统,语音教学子系统,语法教学子系统,课文教学子系统和汉语理解、推理子系统等。ECED(Electronic Chinese English Dictionary)是ICTS的一个基本支撑工具,不但为ICTS各子系统提供了良好的接口,还定义了一个交互界面使之既可作为ICTS的一个子系统运行,又可支撑词典维护与扩充。展开更多
The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs)has been argued to be critical in local economic development,while the application of new ICTs will affect the development of industrial clus...The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs)has been argued to be critical in local economic development,while the application of new ICTs will affect the development of industrial cluster,especially those small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs).This paper examines Yangxunqiao textile cluster located in Zhejiang Province as a case study to focus on the role of ICTs in the sustainable development.We argue ICTs application in firms boost flexible and customized production approach,improve e-commerce market channel and raise supply chain management.We also pay special attention to the spatial implication of ICTs adoption in industrial cluster,and suggest that application of ICTs tend to lead to further clustering of SMEs in the location with mature production chain.Our analysis shows that new ICTs are a facilitator in the sustainable development of the industrial cluster.展开更多
The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs) has been argued to be critical to business success of small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) ,especially to those in the developing countr...The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs) has been argued to be critical to business success of small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) ,especially to those in the developing countries.Drawing upon existing literature,this article will examine the determinants of ICTs application in SMEs in China based on data collected from interviews with top managers and/or owners of 70 SMEs.We identify 20 factors affecting ICTs application in SMEs in China and divide them into four broad categories,namely pressures,firm specific factors,technical factors and local milieu.We also pay special attention to the Chinese business environment affecting ICTs application.Our analysis shows that local ICT infrastructure,external pressures from competitors and ICT knowledge of employees are the determinants of Internet application by SMEs,while product characteristics and market target are important factors of e-commerce adoption.展开更多
The study investigated constraints of women farmers access to ICTs for agricultural information in Oyo State.A total of 120 respondents were sampled.Data were retrieved using interview schedule and were analysed using...The study investigated constraints of women farmers access to ICTs for agricultural information in Oyo State.A total of 120 respondents were sampled.Data were retrieved using interview schedule and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Statistics reveal respondents average age,average household size and average monthly income as x=45.8,x=10.6 and x=₦7,800.34 respectively,majority(86.7%)were married,58.3%representing respondents with primary education.Mobile phone(x=0.98)was the most available among the respondents while poor ICTs infrastructure(x=1.55)and difficulty in the utilization of ICTs gadgets(x=1.62)ranked highest as constraints access to ICTs for agricultural information.Significant relationship existed between respondents average monthly income(r=0.492,p=0.000),educational level(χ^(2)=4.726,p=0.021)and the constraints access to ICTs for agricultural information.Scaling up the ICTs infrastructure base around farming clusters and capacity building like training on ICTs to access agricultural information retrieval is advocated for women farmers.展开更多
Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and...Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and frequently lack financial conflict of interest disclosures. These factors could conspire to place consumers at risk, especially when published research cited in advertising cloaks products with the suggestion that their safety and effectiveness have been proven by science. Examples of current and former weight loss products backed by potentially con? icted or low quality research include Metabolife-356, Hydroxycut, Xenadrine and LeptiCore. Published research, especially in the field of weight loss supplements, needs better conflict of interest disclosure, and regulators should consider how research f indings are used in marketing claims.展开更多
There is a widespread belief that information and knowledge are vital for rural and agricultural development. Today, generation of new and various information and knowledge sources need new information and communicati...There is a widespread belief that information and knowledge are vital for rural and agricultural development. Today, generation of new and various information and knowledge sources need new information and communication channels. New information and communication technologies can decrease poverty by promotion rural people access to education, health, government and financial services; overall, they can improve livelihood. The purpose of this study was to identify potentials of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) in agricultural and rural sector. Documentary research and literature review were used as research method. Findings revealed that the most applications for these ICTs in rural and agricultural sector were: E-trade of inputs and outputs, extension and training activities for rural dwellers, advertisement of rural tourism products, knowledge transfer from urban to rural and vice versa, official procedures and geographic information system (GIS) for management of natural resources.展开更多
Electronic commerce which denotes the process of electronic transaction via internet has led to a very significant improvement in the level of growth, development, efficiency and productivity of global economies. In o...Electronic commerce which denotes the process of electronic transaction via internet has led to a very significant improvement in the level of growth, development, efficiency and productivity of global economies. In order to benefit from the economic opportunities offered by electronic commerce, Nigerian government and business organizations needs to effectively integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as the major component of e-commerce campaign initiatives. The discussion in the paper is centered on e-commerce and ICTs and their resultant effect on Nigeria’s economic growth and development. This paper has presented an in-depth discussion of the various types of e-commerce, the major contributions of e-commerce to the economic growth of Nigeria and finally the challenges that impede the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria were identified and the possible recommendations for solutions to those challenges were provided.展开更多
Based on panel data from the Rural Fixed Point Survey of the Ministry of Agriculture over the period 2004-2016 and supplementary survey data on information and communications technology(ICT)applications in the country...Based on panel data from the Rural Fixed Point Survey of the Ministry of Agriculture over the period 2004-2016 and supplementary survey data on information and communications technology(ICT)applications in the countryside,this paper employs the difference in differences(DID)method to analyze the effects of ICT applications on rural households’agricultural total factor productivity(TFP)with mobile phone signal,internet and 3G mobile network connections as indicators,and decomposes and evaluates the constituent factors.Our findings reveal a positive effect of ICTs on rural households’TFP,which primarily stemmed from rising agricultural technical efficiency.However,ICTs exerted no significant effect on agricultural technical progress during this paper’s data period due to limited rural human capital.These findings are consistent with robustness test results based on counterfactual and matching methods.展开更多
Widespread distribution of livestock in the natural habitats of large carnivores may negatively impact carnivore populations by reducing wild prey availability and increasing human–carnivore conflicts.In this study,we...Widespread distribution of livestock in the natural habitats of large carnivores may negatively impact carnivore populations by reducing wild prey availability and increasing human–carnivore conflicts.In this study,we used camera-trapping data collected in the temperate forests of the Taihang Mountains in North China during 2016–2019 to examine whether and how free-ranging cattle affected habitat use and Diel activity patterns of the endangered North Chinese leopard(Panthera pardus japonensis)and its 2 wild prey species,Siberian roe deer(Capreolus pygargus),and wild boar(Sus scrofa).Residents were also interviewed to record livestock depredation events by leopards during 2015–2019.We found that roe deer spatially avoided sites frequented by cattle,but wild boar did not.In the growing seasons,leopards shared habitats with cattle and tended to increase their diurnal activities where cattle were present.All 3 study species exhibitedfine-scale spatial-temporal segregation to cattle.Leopards selectively preyed on calves over adult cattle and livestock depredation frequency was positively correlated with the detection rates of cattle and wild prey,but not that of leopard.Thesefindings not only show that through behavioral adaption large carnivores and their ungulate prey may persist under livestock disturbance,but also highlight how important proper livestock management is for conserving North Chinese leopards in this region.To enhance livestock management and mitigate human–leopard conflicts,we recommend specific actions,such as better guarding of free-ranging cattle or adoption of a captive farming system.展开更多
文摘Currently, it has been noticed a strong use of ICTs in several companies. The objective of this study was to analyze and measure the impact of the implementation of ICTs on the strategy and structure of management of core competence in SMEs in Bukavu, DRC. The scale used shows the good psychometric properties (χ<sup>2</sup> = 75.045;P = 0.16;χ<sup>2</sup>/ddl = 1.471;CFI = 0.92;IFI = 0.92;RMSEA = 0.049;NFI = 0.79;GFI = 0.94;AGFI = 0.91. This study analyzed primary data collected from 195 SMEs in the city of Bukavu. Data processing was achieved using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and flat sorting. The results indicate that the use of ICTs by SME managers in the city of Bukavu has a positive impact on all dimensions of core competence selected in this study. They also reveal that the views of these leaders on the importance attached to the adoption of ICTs were divided and the level of ICT use was above average.
文摘本研究对美国的1441名英文教师进行网络问卷调查,了解了各地教师使用ICTs(information communication technologies)的类型和使用程度,得出美国英语教师对ICTs应用于英文教学(相当于中国的语文教学)的重要性的共识,以及所面临的困难和障碍。本调查结果为中国小学语文课堂应用互联网等现代技术的可行性提供依据。
文摘Polymers constitute a series of materials that are essential for many processes such as: food transport, packaging and distribution, construction, etc. Hence, it is important to understand the variables that this process depends on. Experimental design is a powerful tool that enables the identification of variables that significantly influence a process through a matrix of experiments that a software constructs. With the aim of implementing ICTs in the learning—teaching process of polymers in a university group, the polymerization process system of PPMA (polymethylmethacrylate) is studied. The variables that affect the size of the Pearl are: temperature, reaction time and volumen of the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous phase. These variables are optimized through a Box-Behnken experimental design with three factors in three levels, achieving the construction of the response surface to optimize the process, obtaining a tridimensional equation that enables the prediction of the Pearl size through the values of the independent variables. Finally, the student acquires the competency of manipulating the variables that affect the polymerization process to optimize the process. For this reason, Design Expert is a valuable ICT tool in the learning-teaching process of polymerization systems.
文摘This study attempts to understand the role of ICTs on adoption of climate change adaption options among the Nepalese rice farmers, using data from 773 households from seven districts—3 from Terai region and 4 from hilly region. Individual Farmer’s Awareness Index was developed to categorize the respondent knowledge of climate change adaptation and Ordered Logit Model was used to examine the factors influencing their adaptation options in present of ICTs. The result revealed that 65% farmers perceived knowledge about temperature, rainfall and other relative information from various ICT devices that they pose. Farmers received such information mostly from Radio (71%), TV (69%) and mobile phone (62.5%) and argued these three devices are the most prominent, easy access and practical devices to receive such information. 86% farmers used such devices on the daily basis and 90% and more users opined that the information provided from such devices is in their own language and fully understandable. From ICT devices they pose, 71% of the farmers are receiving climate change information and 61% received agro-related information and the majority of them argued that such available information is very much informative and supportive of their resilience to climate change and use of available adaptation options. From the Farmers Awareness Index, this study found 19.8% farmers are high aware, 65.1% medium aware and 15.1% were less aware of the changing climate and its anomalies. Similarly, result from Ordered Logit Model shows that age (0.45***), gender (0.48**), market center (0.32*), bank access (0.54***), availability of subsidy (1.0***), agro-extension services (0.71**), access to TV (0.67***) and membership to a social network (3.20**) played a significant role in increasing farmers’ awareness of climate change which in turn lead to increased adoption of adaptation options available to the farmers. The findings suggest the need for further improvement on ICT devices and publicity of such ICT devices and proper investment to boost rice farmers’ adaptation to climate change, which will in turn help to improve their livelihoods and well-being.
文摘ISTS(Intelligent Chinese Tutoring System)是一个智能汉语教学系统,它由许多子系统组成,例如书写(笔划、笔顺)教学子系统,语音教学子系统,语法教学子系统,课文教学子系统和汉语理解、推理子系统等。ECED(Electronic Chinese English Dictionary)是ICTS的一个基本支撑工具,不但为ICTS各子系统提供了良好的接口,还定义了一个交互界面使之既可作为ICTS的一个子系统运行,又可支撑词典维护与扩充。
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40571047)Beijing Municipal Science&Technology Commission(Grant No.ZZ0860)
文摘The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs)has been argued to be critical in local economic development,while the application of new ICTs will affect the development of industrial cluster,especially those small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs).This paper examines Yangxunqiao textile cluster located in Zhejiang Province as a case study to focus on the role of ICTs in the sustainable development.We argue ICTs application in firms boost flexible and customized production approach,improve e-commerce market channel and raise supply chain management.We also pay special attention to the spatial implication of ICTs adoption in industrial cluster,and suggest that application of ICTs tend to lead to further clustering of SMEs in the location with mature production chain.Our analysis shows that new ICTs are a facilitator in the sustainable development of the industrial cluster.
基金the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China for the research conducted (Grant no.40571047)
文摘The wide application of new information and communication technologies(ICTs) has been argued to be critical to business success of small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) ,especially to those in the developing countries.Drawing upon existing literature,this article will examine the determinants of ICTs application in SMEs in China based on data collected from interviews with top managers and/or owners of 70 SMEs.We identify 20 factors affecting ICTs application in SMEs in China and divide them into four broad categories,namely pressures,firm specific factors,technical factors and local milieu.We also pay special attention to the Chinese business environment affecting ICTs application.Our analysis shows that local ICT infrastructure,external pressures from competitors and ICT knowledge of employees are the determinants of Internet application by SMEs,while product characteristics and market target are important factors of e-commerce adoption.
文摘The study investigated constraints of women farmers access to ICTs for agricultural information in Oyo State.A total of 120 respondents were sampled.Data were retrieved using interview schedule and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Statistics reveal respondents average age,average household size and average monthly income as x=45.8,x=10.6 and x=₦7,800.34 respectively,majority(86.7%)were married,58.3%representing respondents with primary education.Mobile phone(x=0.98)was the most available among the respondents while poor ICTs infrastructure(x=1.55)and difficulty in the utilization of ICTs gadgets(x=1.62)ranked highest as constraints access to ICTs for agricultural information.Significant relationship existed between respondents average monthly income(r=0.492,p=0.000),educational level(χ^(2)=4.726,p=0.021)and the constraints access to ICTs for agricultural information.Scaling up the ICTs infrastructure base around farming clusters and capacity building like training on ICTs to access agricultural information retrieval is advocated for women farmers.
文摘Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and frequently lack financial conflict of interest disclosures. These factors could conspire to place consumers at risk, especially when published research cited in advertising cloaks products with the suggestion that their safety and effectiveness have been proven by science. Examples of current and former weight loss products backed by potentially con? icted or low quality research include Metabolife-356, Hydroxycut, Xenadrine and LeptiCore. Published research, especially in the field of weight loss supplements, needs better conflict of interest disclosure, and regulators should consider how research f indings are used in marketing claims.
文摘There is a widespread belief that information and knowledge are vital for rural and agricultural development. Today, generation of new and various information and knowledge sources need new information and communication channels. New information and communication technologies can decrease poverty by promotion rural people access to education, health, government and financial services; overall, they can improve livelihood. The purpose of this study was to identify potentials of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) in agricultural and rural sector. Documentary research and literature review were used as research method. Findings revealed that the most applications for these ICTs in rural and agricultural sector were: E-trade of inputs and outputs, extension and training activities for rural dwellers, advertisement of rural tourism products, knowledge transfer from urban to rural and vice versa, official procedures and geographic information system (GIS) for management of natural resources.
文摘Electronic commerce which denotes the process of electronic transaction via internet has led to a very significant improvement in the level of growth, development, efficiency and productivity of global economies. In order to benefit from the economic opportunities offered by electronic commerce, Nigerian government and business organizations needs to effectively integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as the major component of e-commerce campaign initiatives. The discussion in the paper is centered on e-commerce and ICTs and their resultant effect on Nigeria’s economic growth and development. This paper has presented an in-depth discussion of the various types of e-commerce, the major contributions of e-commerce to the economic growth of Nigeria and finally the challenges that impede the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria were identified and the possible recommendations for solutions to those challenges were provided.
基金the Beijing Food Safety Policy and Strategy Research Base at the China Agricultural University(CAU)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)under the“Study on the Effects of Spouse Migration and Health Awareness on Rural Migrant Workers’Food Consumption,Nutrition and Health”(Grant No.71673316)the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs under the soft science research program“Study on the Bottlenecks of E-Commerce Development for Agricultural Products and Countermeasures(Grant No.2018027).
文摘Based on panel data from the Rural Fixed Point Survey of the Ministry of Agriculture over the period 2004-2016 and supplementary survey data on information and communications technology(ICT)applications in the countryside,this paper employs the difference in differences(DID)method to analyze the effects of ICT applications on rural households’agricultural total factor productivity(TFP)with mobile phone signal,internet and 3G mobile network connections as indicators,and decomposes and evaluates the constituent factors.Our findings reveal a positive effect of ICTs on rural households’TFP,which primarily stemmed from rising agricultural technical efficiency.However,ICTs exerted no significant effect on agricultural technical progress during this paper’s data period due to limited rural human capital.These findings are consistent with robustness test results based on counterfactual and matching methods.
文摘Widespread distribution of livestock in the natural habitats of large carnivores may negatively impact carnivore populations by reducing wild prey availability and increasing human–carnivore conflicts.In this study,we used camera-trapping data collected in the temperate forests of the Taihang Mountains in North China during 2016–2019 to examine whether and how free-ranging cattle affected habitat use and Diel activity patterns of the endangered North Chinese leopard(Panthera pardus japonensis)and its 2 wild prey species,Siberian roe deer(Capreolus pygargus),and wild boar(Sus scrofa).Residents were also interviewed to record livestock depredation events by leopards during 2015–2019.We found that roe deer spatially avoided sites frequented by cattle,but wild boar did not.In the growing seasons,leopards shared habitats with cattle and tended to increase their diurnal activities where cattle were present.All 3 study species exhibitedfine-scale spatial-temporal segregation to cattle.Leopards selectively preyed on calves over adult cattle and livestock depredation frequency was positively correlated with the detection rates of cattle and wild prey,but not that of leopard.Thesefindings not only show that through behavioral adaption large carnivores and their ungulate prey may persist under livestock disturbance,but also highlight how important proper livestock management is for conserving North Chinese leopards in this region.To enhance livestock management and mitigate human–leopard conflicts,we recommend specific actions,such as better guarding of free-ranging cattle or adoption of a captive farming system.