8 research outputs found
Cloud computing based e-government in Iraq using partial least square algorithm
Get PDFThe electronic government (e-government) worldwide is slowly progressing. The e-government progress in developing countries, such as Iraq, is slower compared with those of regional countries. Prior research suggested deploying cloud based e-government (CBEG). However, most studies are either review or conceptual. This study aims to examine the CBEG in Iraq and identify the criteria that are required for utilizing this technology. A total of 279 academic staff working in the IT department in Iraqi universities have participated in this study. The findings using matrix and the algorithm of partial least square presented ten criteria. After using the average variance extracted technique, the criteria reduced to seven. Further analysis using smart partial least square was conducted, and this resulted in five important criteria namely, reliability of the service followed by availability, security, trust, and technological competence. Decision makers have to increase the competence of the staff and enhance the CBEG services
Nexus between Iraqi SMEs cloud computing adoption intention and firm performance: moderating role of risk factors
Get PDFCloud computing has been adopted in many developing nations, namely Iraq and Ghana, for its multiple benefits. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of studies on cloud computing adoption in developing nations. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing cloud computing adoption among Iraqi small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the implication of cloud computing on the SME firm performance. The diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory served as the foundation for the research model. Primary data from 396 SMEs were analysed using the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach through SmartPls 3.0 software for model testing. Resultantly, the use of cloud computing enhances firm performance. The technological factor also positively affects firm performance and cloud computing. The findings provide cloud service providers, managers, and government regulators with important recommendations to encourage the adoption and effective implementation of cloud computing in Iraq
Model to enhance knowledge sharing process in academia during COVID-19
Get PDFKnowledge sharing (KS) is considered one of the essential processes of knowledge management (KM). Recently, the emerging Web 2.0 technologies were used by academicians and students for KS during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that affect the knowledge-sharing process through Web 2.0 (KSWT 2.0) technologies and their impact on academic performance within higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Iraq. The technology-organizationenvironment (TOE) theory was used in this study to develop the conceptual framework. The population includes students and academicians at Basrah University in Iraq. Using stratified random sampling, a total of 415 academicians and students participated in this study. The results revealed that the most significant factors that positively affect KSWT 2.0 technologies were the technological factor such as relative advantage, compatibility. From the organisational factor academicians’ skills and knowledge, and from environmental factor, the peer pressure. In addition, the results proved that the KSWT 2.0 technologies positively maximised academic performance. The results presented in this study are valuable for Iraqi universities that implement or aim to use Web 2.0 technologies in the knowledge-sharing proces
Investigating the relationship between knowledge management practices and organizational learning practices in the universities’ environment
Get PDFThe concept of knowledge management (KM) and organizational learning (OL) has been embraced by organizations to complement each other. Higher education institutions have embraced KM and OL as a means to improve organizational efficiency. This research explores the link between KM and OL. The target population included all the 432 academicians and administrators from 35 public universities in Iraq. The sampling was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The correlation among the components of KM and OL was tested as well as the effect of KM components on OL. The findings were derived using smart partial least square. The findings showed that there is significant correlation between components of KM and components of OL. The regression analysis showed also that the effect of KM and its components; knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, knowledge storage, knowledge application and knowledge acquisition on OL are significant. These findings provide insights to universities management on strategies to implement KM practices that can align with OL practices to assure dynamic lifelong mechanisms for the basic daily activities such as teaching, learning, researching, and supervision
The effect of inflammatory cytokines on occurrence of retained placenta in cattle
Get PDFBackground: In simple terms, retained placenta is a common issue after parturition in cattle that can affect their reproductive ability. In pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR), the placenta has low anti-inflammatory cytokines and high pro-inflammatory cytokines. By looking at variations in cytokine levels in the blood, we can diagnose the condition. The focus of a recent study was to examine the role of some interleukins (Interleukins -10, Interleukins -6, Interleukins -1β), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, in retained placenta occurrence in cattle.Methods: The study involved 40 cows, aged 3-8 years in the Salah-Din province. Each animal suffered from retained placenta also eleven healthy cows served as the control group in a period of January to August 2022. The blood serum was analyzed using enzyme immunoassay techniques (ELIZA) to measure the levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α.Results: Serum levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α showed a significant increase in cows experiencing retained fetal membranes compared to healthy cows (2.31±0.11 vs 1.41 ±0.07) (10.48±0.24 vs 5.40±0.19), (13.6±2.1 vs 4±0.9), (0.9±0.02 vs 0.32±0.04) and (60.1 ± 12.79 vs 29.5 ± 16.58) respectively.Conclusion: from the present study we conclude that IL10, IL6, IL1β and TNFα play an essential component in retained placenta incidence, and the estimation levels of these parameters in serum may be considered good indicator for occurrence in cattle. RT-PCR revealed increased expression of SDHA genes in the maternal compartment of the placenta.Keywords: Retained placenta; Cytokines; C-reactive protein
Properties of Modified Warm-Mix Asphalt Mixtures Containing Different Percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
No full textThe Rapid reduction of energy resources and the escalated effects of global warming have created a strong motivation to find some new techniques in the field of paving construction. Adopting new technologies, such as warm-mix asphalt (WMA) or the recycling process of asphalt can be very helpful for the economy and have a significant impact on the environmental footprint. Thus, this research aimed to study the mechanical and durable characteristics of modified WMA mixtures using (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) Sasobit REDUX®, (0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) Aspha-Min®, and (0.07%, 0.1%, and 0.125) ZycoTherm® additives corresponding to three percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) (20%, 40%, and 60%). Three mixing temperatures have been conducted in this study to generate WMA mixtures at (135 °C, 125 °C, and 115 °C) corresponding to three compacting temperatures (125 °C, 115 °C, and 105 °C). The mechanical properties of the developed WMA mixtures have been evaluated using the Superpave volumetric properties (air voids, voids filled with asphalt, and voids in mineral aggregate), while the durable properties have been investigated using the resilient modulus test (MR) at 25 °C, resilient modulus ratio (RMR), and Hamburg wheel-track test in terms of permanent deformation, moisture susceptibility, and rutting resistance. To make the WMA mixtures accept high quantities of RAP (>25%), an insignificant increase in the amounts of WMA additives was needed to produce mixtures carrying sustainability labels. Results indicated that all the used additives had pushed the WMA mixtures to achieve considerable mechanical properties, whereas the best properties for the WMA mixtures containing 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of RAP have been achieved by mixing with (1.0% Sasobit REDUX® @ 125 °C), (1.0% Sasobit REDUX® or 0.3% Aspha-Min® @ 135 °C), (1.5% Sasobit REDUX® @ 125 °C), and (2.0% Sasobit REDUX® or 0.5% Aspha-Min® @ 135 °C), respectively. On another hand, the best durable properties have been achieved by mixing the mentioned WMA mixtures containing 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of RAP with 0.07%, 0.07%, 0.1%, and 0.125% of ZycoTherm® at 153 °C, respectively. Using such additives in the recycled WMA mixtures made it possible to activate waste recycling in the paving industry
Hinders of Cloud Computing Usage in Higher Education in Iraq: A Model Development
Get PDFCloud computing (CC) is a trendy technology that is being used in business and daily life. However, limited studies is found on higher education usage. The barriers and obstacles that confront the usage is not clear and in particular in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the barriers and obstacle that confront the usage CC services in Barash University in Iraq. Using the technology organization environment framework and the internal external factor (IE-TOE), the study proposed the conceptual framework. The data was collected from academic, non-academic staff and students using convivence sampling technique. The data was analyzed using Smart PLS. The findings showed that organizational obstacle followed by technological, internal and external factors, and environmental factors are the most severe obstacles that confront the university in using CC services. Decision makers can benefit from the developed model to ease the implementation of CC
Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study
Get PDFBackground: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030. Funding: Wellcome Trust
