345 research outputs found
The intention to share: professionals’ knowledge sharing behaviors in online communities
No full textSince the 1990s, the rise of some online communities as well as the decline of others has caught the attention of academia as well as of practice. One assumption for the decline of some online communities is the lack of the rich knowledge content that is believed to be the source of competitiveness and sustainability of any online community. Online communities are increasingly acknowledging the value of knowledge and the knowledge sharing processes required for online communities to build and sustain their identity in this competitive and constantly changing online environment. This research aims to provide an understanding of knowledge sharing behavior through the adaptation of two major theories imported from Social Psychology: the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB). Exploring knowledge sharing from a social psychological perspective provides an understanding of the process an individual goes through to make the decision to share his/her knowledge with others as well as the different psychological factors facilitating or hindering knowledge sharing behavior. Research findings are based on a web-survey of 158 group members, and an observation of interactions of eight active groups in one online community of professional educators. Proposing an extended theoretical model of knowledge sharing behavior in an online community, this research found that normative pressures, including subjective norms and descriptive norms, had a strong influence on the formation of the individual’s intention to share in the online community. Knowledge sharing self-efficacy also was found to significantly account for explaining the individual’s motivation to share his/her knowledge with other members. Attitude and controllability were not found to have significant impacts on the formation of intention. The qualitative analysis of the interactions of members of eight active groups revealed that there were other implicit factors that motivated individuals to engage in online activities. The observation of 24 online sessions had generated beliefs related to knowledge sharing behavior. Those beliefs were related to normative beliefs and the pressure created by the expectations of others, control beliefs and the confidence of the individual’s ability to behave, and finally, behavioral beliefs and individual outcome expectations.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Bibi M. Alajm
Isolation and characterization of mesophilic bacteria from rhizosphere of plant rice (Oryza sativa) from Lodhran, Pakistan
Get PDFThe present study demonstrated isolation and characterization of 48 bacterial strains
(ABOs01-ABOs48) from rhizosphere of rice plant (Oryza sativa) of Rind Jada (Kahror Pacca),
Punjab, Pakistan. Morphological studies including colony color, bacterial shape and gram
staining were performed and colonies were observed to be either orange yellow, light yellow,
pink, greenish yellow, white, or off-white in appearance. Gram staining showed that out of 48
isolates, 38 were gram positive and 10 were gram negative. Various Biochemical tests were
performed to identify these strains; the results were used to identify these strains at the species
levels. These strains belongs to the following species Erwinia stewartii (13), Klebsiella terrigena
(9), Klebsiella pneumonia susp. Ozaene (8), Serratia plymuthica (6), Yersinia (5), Escherichia
blattae (5), 1 Edwardsiella ictaluri (1), and Obesumbacterium proteus (1). Additionally,
amylase test showed that 39 strains were positive while 9 were negative. Conversely, all strains
were negative for cellulase production. Finally, Antibiotics resistance showed 23 isolates were
sensitive vs 25 resistant to ampicillin and 4 isolates were resistant vs 44 sensitive to penicillin.
These findings suggested a great microbial diversity in rice plant rhizosphere which demands
more investigations for agricultural and industrial purposes
اردو لغت (تاریخی اصول پر)‘‘ کے اندراجات کی معنوی وضاحت کا تجزیہ’’
No full textAnalysis of explanations of meanings in Urdu Lughat: Tareekhi Usool Par
By Ameena Bibi, Assistant Prof, Department of Urdu, International Islamic University, Islamabad
Urdu Dictionary Board (UDB) has compiled and published Urdu’s most comprehensive dictionary, titled Urdu Lughat: Tareekhi Usool Par (Urdu Dictionary: on historical principles). While appreciating the monumental work, the author of this paper has pointed out certain lacuna in the way many of the entries in Urdu Lughat published by UDB are explained. The author has also compared the explanatory wordings in UDB’s dictionary with some other dictionaries of Urdu and has explained what and which is correct and what errors have been committed by UDB editors. Although she is all-praise for the work, she has objectively evaluated some portions of UDB’s dictionary in the light of lexicographic rules
Funding strategies for business development: sustainability and growth
No full textThis study analyses incubator business development program held by HayRadiance Foundation through its viable activities. By engaged partnerships, unified technology, and focused on sustainability, the foundation is not only created economic opportunities but also contributed to the wider goal of global interconnectedness. Through this case study, the author discussed how targeted strategies can empower entrepreneurs and communities in a rapidly evolving global landscap
Exercise training among construction workers at the work site. A randomized controlled intervention study
No full textFormålet med denne ph.d. afhandling er at give en oversigt over rationalet for fysisk træning af ansatte med fysisk belastende arbejde samt undersøge effekten af et individuelt tilrettelagt træningsprogram på aerob kapacitet og muskelstyrke af de ansatte. Samtidig, at undersøge om denne form for intervention påvirker sygefravær, arbejdsevne, bevægeapparats besvær samt mængden af fysisk aktivitet generelt. Målgruppen er ansatte i bygge- og anlægs branchen idet de er udsat for fysisk belastende arbejdsopgaver såsom mange tunge løft, uhensigtsmæssige arbejdsstillinger og uventede tunge byrder.IntroduktionFysisk hårdt arbejde på arbejdspladser er for arbejdstagere forbundet med øget risiko for bevægeapparats-besvær, hjerteinfarkt samt (tidlig)død af alle årsager. Arbejdsmæssig fysisk belastning har derfor ikke de samme positive sundhedsmæssige konsekvenser som høj fysisk aktivitet i fritiden. Samtidig har ansatte i jobs med høje fysiske krav brug for god fysisk kapacitet for at imødekomme belastningerne og forhindre nedslidning. Der er således mange gode grunde til at fokusere på sundhedsfremmende initiativer for ansatte i jobs med fysisk høje krav og belastning.MetodeStudiet var et randomiseret, kontrolleret interventions studie over 12 uger. Alle deltagerne gennemgik ved start og afslutning af interventionen et sundhedstjek. Deltagerne blev randomiseret individuelt til enten træningsgruppe eller kontrolgruppe. I studiet blev inkluderet i alt 67 ansatte fra tre bygge- og anlægs virksomheder i Danmark. Sundhedstjekkene bestod af målinger af VO2max, isometrisk muskelstyrke, kropsvægt, fedtprocent, blodtryk og lipid profil. Derudover blev der målt mængden af fysisk aktivitet over ca. 1 uge ved hjælp af en påsat sensor, der måler hjertefrekvensen og fysiske accelerationer. Der blev gennemført observationer af arbejdsstillinger og – bevægelser på arbejdspladsen og samtlige deltagere udfyldte spørgeskemaer vedrørende arbejdsaktiviteter, fysisk aktivitet i forbindelse med fritid, transport og sport.Resultater fra test af sundhedstjekket blev anvendt til at individualisere træningsprogrammerne. Træningen, som var superviseret, foregik i arbejdstiden, 1 time om ugen (3x20 minutter hver gang) og varede i alt 12 uger.Vigtigste fundBygge- og anlægsarbejdere i dette studie havde signifikant højere fysisk aktivitet på deres arbejde end i fritiden. De ansatte tilbragte 81 % af arbejdstiden i opretstående stilling, og samlet set var de i bevægelse 21 % af arbejdstiden (ca.1.7t). En stor del af de ansatte angav, at de blev udsat for belastninger på > 10 kg i 25 % af arbejdstiden, når de skubbede, trak, løftede og bar. Desuden viste observationer belastende arbejdsstillinger i 19 % af arbejdstiden (ca. 1.4 t) med overkroppen foroverbøjet, meget foroverbøjet, vredet og samtidig vredet og bøjet. De ansatte vurderede deres arbejdsbelastning gennemsnitlig som værende 11±0.4 på en skala fra 6-20, og 45 % af de ansatte vurderede, at ≥25 % af arbejdstiden var arbejdet så belastende, at de kom til at trække vejret hurtigere end normalt. Denne gruppe af byggeanlægsarbejdere havde et kondital på 26.8±6.6 ml/min/kg, hvilket var signifikant lavere end konditallet hos et repræsentativt udsnit af danske arbejdstagere: differencen i z-score -1.13±0.1, P<0.001. BMI var 28.3±4.7 kg/m2 som var signifikant højere sammenlignet med et repræsentativt udsnit af danske arbejdstagere: differencen i z-score 1.1± 0.2, P<0.001. Tilsvarende var muskelstyrken signifikant højere i bugmuskulatur: differencen i z-score 0.8±0.2, P<0.001, skuldermuskulatur: differencen i z-score0.6±0.1, p<0.001 og armmuskulatur: differencen i z-score 0.2±0.1 p< 0.05. Med træningsinterventionen steg konditallet signifikant med en ændring på 3.9 ±2.7 ml/min/kg i træningsgruppen og ikke-signifikant med 0.3±4.5 ml/min/kg i kontrolgruppen (forskel mellem grupperne, P<0.001).KonklusionDette studie viser, at ansatte i bygge- og anlægs branchen i ringe grad dyrker fysisk aktivitet i fritiden, har lavt kondital og udsættes for høje fysiske belastninger i arbejdet. Dette studie viser, at det er muligt at forbedre de ansattes fysiske kondition tilstrækkeligt til at have sundhedsmæssige konsekvenser ved at integrere fysisk træning i arbejdstiden. The aim of this Ph.D. thesis study is to give an overview of the rationale behind physical training of workers with heavy workload, and in an intervention study to investigate the effect of individually tailored physical exercise training on aerobic capacity and muscle strength among employees with a physically heavy work. Furthermore, to investigate if such an intervention affects sick leave, work ability, musculoskeletal pain, and the general level of physical activity. As target group, employees in the construction industry are chosen, as they are exposed to physically heavy work such as frequent lifting, awkward positions, handling of heavy weights and unexpected physical loads.Introduction A high physical workload is associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, ischemic heart disease and all-cause mortality. Also, a heavy workload is associated with reduced work ability, increased risk of sick leave, and early retirement. This is in contrast to the health enhancing effect of leisure-time physical activity that includes exercise training of aerobic capacity and muscle strength. Additionally, employees with physically demanding work have a particular need for good physical capacity in order to tolerate a heavy workload and avoid deterioration of the body and early retirement. Therefore, there are several incentives to focus on health promoting activities among employees exposed to a high physical workload.MethodThe study was a randomized controlled trial with an exercise intervention and a health check before and after. Participants were individually randomized into an exercise or control group. In total 67 construction workers were included in the study and recruited from three workplaces and companies in Denmark. The health check included measures of VO2max, isometric muscle strength, body mass, fat %, blood pressure, and blood lipid profile. Furthermore, physical activity was estimated by using a combined movement and heart rate sensor, observations on movement and work postures, and by participants´ reply on questionnaires regarding work activities, leisure-time, transport- and sport related physical activities. The exercise program was individually tailored based on the health check and composed of aerobic and strength training. It was performed during work hours, lasted one hour per week (3 × 20 min per week) for 12 weeks and was supervised by skilled instructors. Main findingsThe study showed that construction workers had significantly higher occupational physical activity than leisure-time physical activity. The construction workers spent 81% of working time in an upright position, carrying their own weight and they were moving during 21% of working time (approx. 1.7 h). A large proportion of the employees reported handling loads of > 10 kg for approx. 25 % of the work time when pushing, pulling, lifting or carrying. Additionally, direct observation revealed strenuous work postures for 19% of the working time (approx.1.4h) with the trunk bent, bent-double, twisted or bent and twisted. On average, the employees rated their perceived workload as 11±0.4 on scale from 6-20, and as much as 45% of the employees reported increased respiratory rate ≥25 % of the work time. The study population had a relative VO2max of 26.8±6.6 ml/min/kg which was significantly lower compared to representative data on employees in Denmark (difference in z-score -1.13±0.1, P<0.001). Their BMI (28.3±4.7 kg/m2 )was likewise significantly higher compared to representative data on employees in Denmark (difference in z-score 1.10± 0.2, P<0.001).Their muscle strength was significantly higher in the abdomen (flexion) (difference in z-score 0.76±0.2, P<0.001), in shoulder elevation (difference in z-score 0.56, SE 0.1, P<0.001), and arm abduction (difference in z-score 0.29, SE 0.1, P<0.05). Training significantly increased relative VO2max in the intervention group. There was an increase of 3.9 ±2.7 ml/min/kg (p< 0.001) in the exercise group compared to 0.3±4.5 ml/min/kg (p=NS) in the control group (difference between groups, P<0.001). This is found in other studies to be a clinically relevant change in the long run regarding reduction in risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Regarding muscle strength, musculoskeletal disability, sick leave, and work ability, there were no statistically significant changes as a consequence of the intervention.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that work site intervention among construction workers is effective regarding significant increase in VO2max. Integrating health enhancing activities during work hours may be a strategy for a general health improvement in this occupational group with low aerobic capacity in combination with strenuous workloads. <br/
The Rights and Duties of Women According to Bibi Khanom Astarabadi and Taj al-Saltana: Two Examples of Feminist Social Critique in Iran at the Turn of the 20th Century
No full textThis paper aims to juxtapose two crucial texts for the early history of feminism in Iran: a satirical treatise entitled Maʼayeb al-rejal (The vices of men) from 1894 written by Bibi Khanom Astarabadi (1858/59–1921) and the memoirs of Taj al-Saltana
(1884–1936), a daughter of Naser al-Din Shah (r. 1848–1896), penned in 1914. In spite of the authors’ different backgrounds and the diversity of issues raised, both devoted plenty of attention to the desirable qualities of a ‘modern Iranian woman’—a new ideal championed by the Iranian reformist movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s. This progressive ideal of woman, however, remained rooted in a traditional paradigm
equating womanhood with wifehood and motherhood. Through a literary analysis of the works of Bibi Khanom and Taj al-Saltana, the author argues that the early Iranian feminists integrated their advocacy for dignity and ‘modernity’ of woman into the patriarchal outlook by reserving for their ‘sisters’ the functions of educators and carers
Elucidation of the structure and molecular mechanism of the tripartite multidrug efflux pumps in the Gram-negative pathogens: Vibrio cholerae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Get PDFIn bacteria, multidrug efflux systems have been identified as significant determinants of resistance recently. These resistance pumps are widely distributed in bacterial species and many pathogenic bacteria posses them, which play an important role in their intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistances. The RND and MATE family transporters have also been shown to be involved in the pathogenicity of bacteria. Knowledge of the structure and mechanism of these transporter proteins would be exceedingly useful in the design of inhibitors. In Gram-negative bacteria, multidrug resistance is conferred in part by the tripartite multidrug efflux pumps that are composed of an inner membrane transport protein, a membrane fusion protein and an outer membrane protein. One such tripartite pump, VceCAB of Vibrio cholerae, is composed of an inner membrane H(^+)-antiporter VceB, a membrane fusion protein VceA and an outer membrane channel VceC. To investigate the role of this pump in the multidrug resistance of Vibrio cholerae, we have characterized functionally and structurally the three components of the VceCAB pump and the regulator VceR. The crystal structure of VceC was determined at 1.8 Â resolutions. Despite the very low degree of sequence identity between them, VceC shares the same overall architecture as TolC, consisting of three domains: the ß-domain, the α-domain and the equatorial domain. The trimeric VceC packs in laminar sheets in the crystal that resemble membranes. Like TolC, the α-barrel of the VceC channel at the periplasmic end is closed through the packing interactions of coiled-coil helices, but the residues that maintain the closed state of the channels of VceC and TolC are different. The ß-barrel region of VceC is also closed, whereas the ß-barrel region of TolC is open to the extracellular medium. The channel interior of VceC is generally electronegative and contains two rings of clusters negative charge. The ring made by residues Glu(^397) and Glu(^303) is conserved in OprM, but is not in TolC. Mutagenesis assay of this negative charged ring indicated its functional role during transport. The optimal desolvation area (ODA) on the surface of VceC is different from that of TolC, suggesting distinct architectures of VceC-based and TolC-based tripartite pumps. Sub-cellular fractionation of cells expressing full length and truncated VceA suggested that VceA is anchored to the IM via a transmembrane helix. Analytical gel filtration chromatography experiments revealed that the periplasmic domain of VceA that was expressed in the periplasm of E.coil forais a trimer, which could represent its oligomeric state in the VceCAB pump. The three components of tripartite pumps are easy to dissociate in vitro, making it difficult to co-crystallize them. We overproduced the protein complex in which VceA (12-406) is in complex with the VceB-VceA fusion protein. This complex was stable during purification, which could provide an invaluable way for co-crystallization of these two components of the VceCAB pump. An analytical gel filtration and DLS experiments indicated that the basic functional unit of VceR is a dimer; the binding of substrate СССР to VceR has been determined to occur with a Hill coefficient of about four, and thus each VceR dimer binds four СССР molecules. This stoichiometry of drug/VceR-subunit is different from that of other transcriptional regulators in the TetR/CamR family. There are differences between MtrD and other RND family multidrug efflux pumps. The knowledge of difference will be important for understanding the mechanism of these family transporters. In this study, we successfully overexpressed, purified and crystallized MtrD. The resolution of MtrD crystals was optimised to 7-10 Å at present
A randomized controlled trial of nordic walking versus exercise on prescription to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes
No full text"Individualitet vil være et forældret begreb": Kvinnor, kloner och visioner i Genspejlet
No full textAn article about cloning and individuality issues in Danish author Svend Åge Madsen's novel Genspejlet (1999)
Quality of life among acutely admitted elderly with and without healthcare – A cross sectional study
No full textQuality of life among acutely admitted elderly with and without homecare – A cross sectional studyMette Elkjær1,2, Jette Primdahl2,3,, Christian Backer Mogensen1,2, Mikkel Brabrand2,4 and Bibi Gram2,5 1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark2 Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark3 Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark4 Department of Emergency Medicine, Hospital of South West Jutland, Esbjerg, Denmark5 Research Unit of Health Sciences, Hospital of South West Jutland, Esbjerg, Denmark Corresponding and presenting author: Mette Elkjær, [email protected] Main topic: Acutely admitted elderly Keywords: Quality of Life, elderly, homecare and acute admissions IntroductionIn Denmark (2017) out of 600.000 yearly hospital admissions of elderly ≥ 65 year, 77.5% were acute. Acute admitted elderly who are dependent on homecare may be especially challenged. Nuanced knowledge about their quality of life (QoL) is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the difference in ratings and definition of QoL between acutely admitted patients ≥ 65 years, with and without homecare. MethodsA cross sectional study is in progress at three Danish emergency departments (ED). Acutely admitted cognitively well-functioning patients ≥ 65 are invited from August 2018 and interviewed during their admission. The primary outcome is QoL measured by the questionnaire Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life – Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) (scale 0-100). In order to determine their QoL, the patients select and rate the five most important areas of their QoL. In addition, length of stay and hours of received homecare per week are collected from their medical records. Linear regression analyses will be used to test the associations between homecare (≥ 2 hours per week) and QoL. The most important areas selected and defined by the patients will be described qualitatively. The areas will be condensed into themes to find the participants overall definition of QoL. Difference in QoL between the groups will be tested by un-paired t-test. A sample size calculation for two-sample means test, level of significance 95%, power 80% and with 10 percent difference in QoL score between the two groups showed that 406 participants is required. Results At present, 297 participants are included in the study and 28% of them receive homecare. Mean age is 76 years (min 65 – max 96), 46% are male and 42% of the participants are living alone. Median length of stay is 41 hours (Interquartile range (IQR): 22 – 86) and 63% of the participants are discharged from the ED. Median QoL score is 81.9 (IQR: 70.0 - 90.3) and areas of importance for the patients QoL so far are; family, friends, neighbours, freedom, activities, and health. The time required to complete SEIQoL-DW is 30 min (IQR: 27-35). The inclusion is expected to be completed in June 2019 and analyses on the full data set will be ready in October.ConclusionThis study is ongoing. The authors expect that a patient perspective on QoL can provide nuanced knowledge on QoL among acutely admitted patients and to be able to detect association between QoL a
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