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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers' sustainable consumption behaviors at a university campus by examining various antecedent and moderating influencers of their sustainable consumption behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research methodology is used in this study. A structured questionnaire was administered (n = 279) to young college students (Gen Z consumers in the context of this study) enrolled at a large state university in the USA. The structural equation model was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the conceptualized model. Findings: Study findings show that social responsibility (feelings, engagement and expectations) and external incentives (material and social) positively influence Gen Z consumers' sustainability interests, which in turn influences their sustainable consumption behaviors (actions). Collectivist cultural values did not appear to have any statistically significant effect on Gen Z consumers' sustainable consumption interests. Moreover, learned helplessness, perceived barriers and the awareness of the consequences of sustainability consumption actions did not have any significant moderating effect on Gen Z consumers' sustainable consumption behavior. Research limitations/implications: The questionnaire was only sent to students majoring in business degrees, which may limit the generalizability of this study to broader Gen Z consumer populations. Expanding this study to include non-business students may be valuable as a next step. Replicating this study in different cultural environments of international countries could enhance the relationships identified in this study. Practical implications: Consumer social responsibility education along with material and social incentives will encourage Gen Z consumers' participation in sustainable behaviors at college campuses. Originality/value: This research provides valuable insights into understanding the importance of consumer social responsibility and external incentives in influencing Gen Z consumers' sustainable consumption intentions and behaviors. Accordingly, consumer social responsibility education and incentive programs need to be developed to encourage the participation of Gen Z consumers in sustainable consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The thermal stability of nanocrystalline Al-5083 alloy powders stabilized by diamantane molecular diamonds was compared with that of the nanocrystalline Al-5083 alloy powders with no diamantane. Both materials were produced by mechanical milling in a liquid nitrogen medium. The results revealed that Al-5083 with diamantane exhibited greater thermal stability than the alloy without diamantane in the temperature range of 473 °K to 773 °K (0.56 to 0.91T m) for various annealing times from 0.5 h to 48 h. In this regard, calculations showed that while the grain size was still in the nanoscale range (< 100 nm) in the presence of diamantane, it was in the ultrafine range (> 150 nm) in the absence of diamantane. The above finding can be qualitatively explained in terms of Zener's particle pinning concept. The stability of nanocrystalline Al-5083 powder by adding diamantane is discussed in terms of retaining the nanostructure and maintaining hardness and strength over long periods of time when the powder is used in surface coating via cold spray [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many theories have guided research Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), we are yet to construct a clear and coherent narrative that would help us answer the question of how ICT fosters development in underdeveloped communities. In this paper, we argue that one of the main reasons for this is that our holistic understanding of ICT4D is seldom grounded in theories to understand the core areas that define the field, namely, ICT, Development, and, '4' which are the transformative processes that link the two. Through a brief literature review, we list theories that have informed ICT4D research in each of these areas. We present examples of theories, namely, Capability Approach, Affordances, and Actor-Network Theory together with Social Capital and illustrate how we have used them in our research. Building on this holistic perspective on theoretical foundation, we propose five agendas for ICT4D research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of data and information quality (DQ/IQ) is a longstanding issue of interest in both academia and practice in the construction engineering field. Poor DQ/IQ has led to poor engineering drawings that, in turn, have led to delays and, eventually, cost overruns. In this paper, a study is reported that took an action design research (ADR) approach to develop and evaluate a DQ/IQ assessment tool, which is called the information quality system (IQS), in a large global engineering and construction company. The evaluation was performed by comparing the level of DQ/IQ in a project that used IQS with two projects that did not use the tool. The result is encouraging: The DQ/IQ in the project using IQS was significantly higher overall than in the two other projects. The implication is that a tool based on the design principles on which IQS was built is likely to help improve DQ/IQ in engineering systems and, hence, in engineering drawings. Consequently, it will decrease project delays and cost overruns. More generally, this paper adds to the discourse in the literature on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the construction context. This paper illustrates another successful application of action-oriented research that can solve practical problems while generating academic knowledge. In taking a design approach, the literature on the use of action research in construction engineering and management is augmented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal stability of nanoscale grains in cryomilled aluminum powders containing 1% diamantane was investigated. Diamantane is a diamondoid molecule consisting of 14 carbon atoms in a diamond cubic structure that is terminated by hydrogen atoms. The nanostructures of the resulting cryomilled powders were characterized using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The average grain size was found to be on the order of 22 nm, a value similar to that obtained for cryomilled Al without diamantane. To determine thermal stability, the powders were heated in an inert gas atmosphere at constant temperatures between 423 and 773 K (0.51 T to 0.83 T) for exposure times of up to 10 h. The average grain size for all powders containing diamantane was observed to remain in the nanocrystalline range (1-100 nm) for all exposures and was generally less than half of that for cryomilled pure Al heated under the same conditions. The thermal stability data were found to be consistent with a grain growth model based on drag forces exerted by dispersed particles against grain boundary migration. The present findings indicate that the presence of diamantane results in a substantial increase in the thermal stability of nanoscale grains in Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design research (DR) positions information technology artifacts at the core of the Information Systems discipline. However, dominant DR thinking takes a technological view of the IT artifact, paying scant attention to its shaping by the organizational context. Consequently, existing DR methods focus on building the artifact and relegate evaluation to a subsequent and separate phase. They value technological rigor at the cost of organizational relevance, and fail to recognize that the artifact emerges from interaction with the organizational context even when its initial design is guided by the researchers’ intent. We propose action design research (ADR) as a new DR method to address this problem. ADR reflects the premise that IT artifacts are ensembles shaped by the organizational context during development and use. The method conceptualizes the research process as containing the inseparable and inherently interwoven activities of building the IT artifact, intervening in the organization, and evaluating it concurrently. The essay describes the stages of ADR and associated principles that encapsulate its underlying beliefs and values. We illustrate ADR through a case of competence management at Volvo IT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multifunction integration of solar cells in load-bearing structures can enhance overall system performance by reducing parasitic components and material redundancy. The article describes a manufacturing strategy, named the co-curing scheme, to integrate thin-film silicon solar cells on carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites and eliminate parasitic packaging layers. In this scheme, an assembly of a solar cell and a prepreg is cured to form a multifunctional composite in one processing step. The photovoltaic performance of the manufactured structures is then characterized under controlled cyclic mechanical loading. The study finds that the solar cell performance does not degrade under 0.3%-strain cyclic tension loading up to 100 cycles. Significant degradation, however, is observed when the magnitude of cyclic loading is increased to 1% strain. The present study provides an initial set of data to guide and motivate further studies of multifunctional energy harvesting structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the influence of visual ability and learning mode on the mental model formation process of novice users of an electronic mail filing system. Effectiveness of analogical and abstract models; Performance of high-visual subjects.

In the absence of a healthcare budget enabling the import of ready-made aural grommets, Myanmar ENT surgeons have devised an ingenious ‘home-grown’ solution. We describe how grommets are made from raw materials bought from the local market. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Academic research in applied disciplines such as construction engineering and management (CEM) has the dual mission of simultaneously contributing to the solution of practical problems and creating theoretical and conceptual knowledge. To do so, appropriate research approaches are needed. However, extant literature in the field has paid little attention to this issue and research methods used have been almost entirely either quantitative surveys or case studies. In this paper, action research (AR) is proposed as an answer to this knowledge gap. AR aims at building and testing theory within the context of solving an immediate practical problem in a real setting. The paper describes the underlying philosophy and application procedure of AR and highlights its strengths and weaknesses. Then, the applicability of the method to CEM is illustrated through a case study of improving access to information to support planning and decision making in a construction owner organization through designing and implementing a data warehouse. The findings indicate that AR is a reliable, structured, and rigorous research approach that is very useful for conducting applied research in construction and enabling academia to influence and improve construction industry practices. It can also effectively help to improve collaboration between academic researchers and industry practitioners in research and development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of effective training in ensuring the success of end-user computing (EUC) has been emphasized by several researchers in information systems. A vast amount of evidence from research in related areas such as educational psychology suggests that individual differences such as reaming style may affect users learning about a new EUC software package. This article reports the findings of a series of studies that examine the influence of a novice's learning style in reaming typical EUC tools such as spreadsheets and electronic mail. A consistent pattern of findings emerges that indicates that learning modes is an important predictor of learning performance, both by itself and in interaction with training methods. The findings suggest that in the design of training, it is essential to match training methods to individual difference variables. Based on these findings, guidelines are recommended for IS professionals involved in EUC training and further research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Struma ovarii is a rare, monodermal, ovarian teratoma. The common presentation is abdominal, with pelvic mass and pain, traditionally managed by gynaecologists. The malignant form is extremely rare and consists of differentiated thyroid cancer. It is rare for struma ovarii to present with features of hyperthyroidism. We present two unusual cases of struma ovarii and discuss the role of the thyroid surgeon in their management.Methods and results:The first case involved a 40-year-old woman with a two-month history of swelling in the lower abdomen. Investigations revealed a mass arising from the left ovary. Surgery revealed a follicular carcinoma arising in a struma ovarii. She underwent a total thyroidectomy prior to radio-iodine therapy. The second case involved a 60-year-old woman who underwent thyroidectomy for thyrotoxicosis. Three months post-operatively, she remained thyrotoxic despite stopping thyroxine. A whole body radio-iodine scan revealed high uptake in the left ovary. Histological analysis of the resected ovary showed benign struma ovarii.Conclusion:These two cases highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic role of thyroid surgeons in the management of benign and malignant forms of struma ovarii. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Unlabelled: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Qualitative changes in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) are thought to be important for evaluating the risk for CAD. In the present study, we evaluated LDL particle size (LDL-size) by 2%-16% gradient gel electrophoresis, along with conventional lipids and apolipoproteins, in 23 children with IDDM (10 males and 13 females) and 27 nondiabetic controls (12 males and 15 females). The fractional and molar esterification rates (FER and MER) of cholesterol in plasma and HDL were also determined. Plasma levels of triglyceride were significantly lower in diabetic children than in controls. Plasma apoA-I and apoA-II levels in female diabetic children were significantly higher and lower than those in controls respectively. Plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of apoA-I to apoA-II were significantly higher in diabetic children than in controls. Other lipid and apolipoprotein parameters in diabetic children were similar to those in controls. LDL-size in diabetic children was significantly greater than that in controls. FERHDL, which reflects the particle size distribution of HDL, was significantly lower in diabetic children than in controls, which suggests that diabetic children had larger HDL particles.Conclusion: The qualitative and quantitative changes in LDL and HDL in diabetic children are similar to those associated with a reduced risk for CAD. Intensive insulin therapy in children may help preventing coronary heart disease in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]