Based on the differential transformation method, a semi-analytical solution is developed for free vibration and modal stress analyses of variable thickness two-directional functionally graded circular plates with restrained edges, resting on elastic foundations. Variations of the material and geometry parameters are monitored by five distinct exponential functions. The presented non-dimensional...

Though information technology (IT) has offered tremendous benefits to enterprises all over the world, its adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia remains relatively low. There are relatively few examples in the Asian SME segment where high end IT and electronic business (e-business) applications are being used for core business operations and transactions. This non-adoptio...

This study examined farmers’ perception and adoption of yam minisett technology. The study was carried out in Anambra State, Nigeria. A sample size of 120 yam farmers was used for the study. Data were collected using a structured and validated interview schedule. Data generated for the study were summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean scores while the Sig...

BACKGROUND Although evidence suggests electronic health records (EHRs) can improve quality and efficiency, provider adoption rates in the US ambulatory setting are relatively low. Prior studies have identified factors correlated with EHR use, but less is known about characteristics of physicians on the verge of adoption. OBJECTIVE To compare characteristics of physicians who are imminent adop...

Understanding information technologies and systems in the context of nonprofits is under-developed field of study. Hence, this chapter reviews current literature on this field. It maps four conventional views on ICT’s benefits for the sector. Then, using insights generated through an ethnographic study on a small voluntary organisation, the challenges and issues surrounding the process of adopt...

In order to better understand the association between broadband and jobs/income in non-metropolitan counties, this study conducts spatial and firstdifferenced regressions using recent data from the Federal Communications Commission and the National Broadband Map. The relationships between broadband adoption/availability and jobs/income in rural areas are analyzed after controlling for a host of...

abstractthe challenges of agroforestry systems’ adoption by farmers in the north central zone of nigeria, was carried out to address the following objectives; find out the perception of farmers on agroforestry technologies, identify the adoption level and ascertain why farmers discontinue agroforestry adoption.. data were collected from 722 agroforestry farmers out of 782 sets of questionnaire ...

Newly emerging electronic marketplaces have significant implications for the choice of governance mechanisms used by firms. This paper builds on transaction cost and routine based perspectives in analyzing buyers’ decision to use IT-enabled market mechanisms such as reverse auctions. The study argues that buyers are less likely to adopt reverse auctions for products with higher degrees of nonco...

Parental care of unrelated offspring is widespread but not well understood. We used 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate the relatedness of fry and parentally caring adults in a 118-nest colony of the socially and genetically monogamous cichlid fish Neolamprologus caudopunctatus in Lake Tanganyika. There was a high proportion of brood mixing, with 59% of 32 broods containing fry un...