The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Its Effect on Organizational Support Factors and Technological Innovation

The purpose of this research is to examine the relations between organizational support factors and absorptive capacity and their combined effects on technological innovation. Through a comprehensive literature review constructs were developed. Multiple regression analysis used to test research hypotheses based on a sample of 52 engineers within the Directorate of Electricity in Sulaimani city in Kurdistan region north of Iraq. Based on empirical research, the results showed that organizational support factors had a significant effect on technological innovation and absorptive capacity. It was also indicated that absorptive capacity plays a full mediation rule between organizational support factors and technological innovation. This appears to be the first research to test the relationships between organizational support factors and absorptive capacity and their consequences in the particular context of technological innovation including product innovation and process innovation

Using fuzzy logic for estimating monthly pan evaporation from meteorological data in Emara/ South of Iraq

Evaporation is one of the major components of the hydrological cycle in the nature, thus its accurate estimation is so important in the planning and management of the irrigation practices and to assess water availability and requirements. The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of fuzzy inference system for estimating monthly pan evaporation form meteorological data. The study has been carried out depending on 261 monthly measurements of each of temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (W) which have been available in Emara meteorological station, southern Iraq. Three different fuzzy models comprising various combinations of monthly climatic variables (temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) were developed to evaluate effect of each of these variables on estimation process. Two error statistics namely root mean squared error and coefficient of determination were used to measure the performance of the developed models. The results indicated that the model, whose input variables are T, W, and RH, perform the best for estimating evaporation values. In addition, the model which is dominated by (T) is significantly and distinctly helps to prove the predictive ability of fuzzy inference system. Furthermore, agreements of the results with the observed measurements indicate that fuzzy logic is adequate intelligent approach for modeling the dynamic of evaporation process

Alat Pengusang Cepat IPB 77-1 MM Untuk Penapisan Vigor Daya Simpan Benih Kedelai

Accelerated Aging Machine “IPB 77-1 MM” could be used for soybean seed screening based on the seed storability vigor. The aim of the research was to identify simple, fast and accurate accelerated aging method using accelerated aging machine IPB 77-1 MM. Two methods of accelerated aging test (physical and chemical treatment) were applied to seeds of Anjasmoro soybean variety. The best accelerated aging method was then used to screen seed storability vigor of 23 soybean varieties. Seed storability vigor of 23 soybean varieties were detected using accelerated aging machine IPB 77-1 MM and each was compared with the seed storability vigor of those stored 10 weeks in controlled storage. Results of the experiment showed that using chemical or physical treatment on accelerated aging process were able to decrease seed vigor, but chemical treatment decreased seed vigor faster, more simple and more practical. Accelerated aging machine IPB 77-1 MM could also be used for screening varietal seed storability vigor of soybean using electrical conductivity test

Harvesting Criteria and Drying Methods to Improve the Quality of Foxtail Millet Seeds (Setaria italica L. Beauv.)

Foxtail millet is annual grasses with grains that are smaller than those of sorghum, rice, and wheat, and is considered one of the minor economic crops but with nutritional values similar to other major food crops. The development of millet as major cereal crop is considered challenging due to the low quality of its seeds, and studies have been conducted to improve millet’s seed quality. We conducted this study to determine the harvesting criteria of foxtail millet seeds based on the change in color of the panicles. We also wanted to determine the drying treatment, and evaluate the relationship between the position of the seed on the panicles and the seed viability and vigor. The first experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design with panicle color as the first factor (green, yellow 75%, and brown) and drying time as the second factor (0 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours). The second experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with seed position as the main factor (base, middle, tip). The study was conducted on two genotypes of millet, i.e. “BOTOK 4” and “BOTOK 10”. The highest seed quality of “BOTOK 4” and “BOTOK 10” genotypes were obtained when the panicles were brown and dried for 72 hours; the seed chlorophyll content was the lowest and water content was 8.88%, with the highest viability and vigor, i.e., germination rate of 88.3%-90%, maximum growth potential of 92%-95.3%, normal sprout dry weight 596-620 mg, vigor index of 33.6% - 21.6%, and growth rate of 18.2%-17.1% etmal-1. The highest seed viability and vigor in “BOTOK 4” genotypes were obtained from the base position, i.e., 78.7% germination rate, maximum growth potential of 83.7%, vigor index of 56.5%, growth speed of 19.6 etmal-1, normal sprout dry weight of 48 mg, radicle length of 3.3 cm) and “BOTOK 10” genotypes from the middle position with 91.5% germination, maximum growth potential of 97.2%, vigor index  of 21.7%, growth speed of 17.0% etmal-1, and normal sprout dry weight 61 mg

Testing Methods of Moisture Content, Critical Moisture Content, and Germination of Jamblang (Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels) Seed

Jamblang (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) researches are still focused to identify the plant benefits, but that leads to efforts to obtain good seed quality hasn't been done. This study aims to determine the moisture content testing method, the critical moisture content, and germination testing method (sowing media and first and final count of seed germination). Improving procedure for moisture content testing and identified the best media for germination testing was arranged in a Completely Random Design. Determining jamblang seeds critical moisture content was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The experiments were repeated four times. Moisture content with slicing method obtained 49.57%. Jamblang seeds critical water content is 41.61% with 50% germination. The best method of germination was sand medium with fresh seeds (90%). The first count of jamblang seed germination occurs on 32 days after sowing and final count on 83 days after sowing

Pola Penurunan Viabilitas dan Pengembangan Metode Pendugaan Vigor Daya Simpan Benih Pepaya (Carica Papaya L.)

ABSTRACTInformation of seed quality during storage can be determined through the actual storage and storability vigor estimation. This study aimed at comparing effective accelerated aging methodbetween physical and chemical, and studying the seed deterioration during storage in ambient (T =28-30 0C, RH=75-78%) and AC (T =18-20 0C, RH =51-60%) condition with three levels of initial moisture content (8-10%, 10-12%, and 12-14%) for 20 weeks. The final objective of this researchwas to develop model for storability vigor of papaya seed. Two experiments, accelerated aging and seed storage were conducted at Seed Laboratory, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Bogor Agricultural University from October 2015 to May 2016. A completely randomized design with nested factors and four replications was applied to both experiments. The results showed that physical accelerated aging using IPB 77-1 MMM machine was more effective than chemical accelerated aging using IPB 77-1 MM machine for papaya seed. The viability of seed stored in AC condition remained high until the end of the storage period, whereas it declined at 16 week storage period in the ambient condition. The viability of seed with initial moisture content of 12-14% declined faster than that of initial moisture content of 8-10% after 18 week storage periode. The model used to estimate the storability vigor of papaya seed accurately was the equation y = a + b expcx where y : storability vigor estimation, x : aging time and a,b,c : constant value. Simulation of storability vigor estimation with constant value of a, b, c and input of aging time can estimate storability seed vigor in actual storage.Keywords: accelerated aging, IPB 77-1 MM machine, IPB 77-1 MMM machine, seed storage, simulationABSTRAKInformasi mutu benih selama penyimpanan dapat diketahui melalui penyimpanan secara aktual dan pendugaan vigor daya simpan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan metodepengusangan cepat yang efektif antara fisik dengan kimia serta mempelajari pola penurunan viabilitas benih selama penyimpanan aktual pada kondisi simpan kamar (suhu =28-30 0C, RH =75-78%) dan AC (suhu =18-20 0C, RH =51-60%) dengan tiga tingkat kadar air awal (8-10%, 10-12%, dan 12-14%) selama 20 minggu. Tujuan akhirnya adalah membangun model vigor daya simpan benih pepaya. Penelitian pengusangan cepat dan penyimpanan dilakukan pada bulan Oktober 2015 sampai Mei 2016 di Laboratorium Benih, Departemen Agronomi dan Hortikultura, Institut PertanianBogor. Kedua penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap tersarang dengan empat ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengusangan cepat secara fisik dengan alat IPB 77-1 MMM lebih efektif daripada pengusangan kimia dengan alat IPB 77-1 MM untuk benih pepaya. Viabilitas benih yang disimpan pada kondisi AC tetap tinggi hingga akhir periode simpan, sedangkan pada kondisi kamar penurunan viabilitas dimulai pada periode simpan 16 minggu. Benih yang disimpan dengan tingkat KA awal sebesar 12-14% lebih cepat mengalami penurunan viabilitas mulai periode simpan 18 minggu dibandingkan dengan benih dengan KA awal 8-10%. Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan terdapat korelasi yang erat antara pola kemunduran benih pada pengusangan cepat dan penyimpanan aktual, sehingga model pendugaan vigor daya simpan (y) berdasarkan waktu pengusangan (x) dapat disusun dengan persamaan y = a + b expcx. Simulasi pendugaan vigor daya simpan dengan nilai konstanta a, b, dan c serta input waktu pengusangan dapat menduga vigor daya simpan benih selama penyimpanan aktual.Kata kunci: alat IPB 77-1 MM, alat IPB 77-1 MMM, pengusangan cepat, penyimpanan benih,simulas

Salivary Leptin, pH and Flow Rate Among a Group of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis In Iraq

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystemic disease which can lead to significant deformities and functional disability.Objectives:is to estimate level of salivary Leptin, flow rate and pH of saliva among group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to treatment.Patients and methods: Study design ;a case control study included Fifty women patients with rheumatoid arthritis; twenty-five on Methotrexate treatment and twenty-five on combination treatment of Methotrexate and Etanercept selected as study groups with an age range (30-40) years old and twenty-five gender, age and Body Mass Index matched healthy looking persons were selected as control. Collection of unstimulated salivary samples was carried out under standard conditions then salivary flow rate, pH in addition salivary Leptin was estimatedResults after adjustment for age, gender and body mass index; mean salivary flow rate was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) =0.4±0.202 ml/min and least significant difference test between groups was statistically significant (p< 0.05). The mean salivary pH was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) =7.1±0.29; however the differences between groups failed to reach the level of statistical significance. The median of salivary Leptin was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on Methotrexate =0.65ng/ml without statistically significant difference between groups, furthermore the salivary levels of Leptin in this study reveals weak correlation with disease activity score 28 r=0.127/p=0.42 among rheumatoid arthritis patients.  Conclusions:the whole unstimulated salivary flow rate was higher among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) revealing improvements in salivary gland functions, the study also concluded that salivary Leptin level is of low importance to assess disease activity to rheumatoid arthritis patients . Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, salivary flow rate, salivary Lepti

Современное состояние проблемы хирургического лечения неопухолевых заболеваний толстой кишки и факторы, влияющие на его результаты. Часть 1.

Современное состояние проблемы хирургического лечения неопухолевых заболеваний толстой кишки и факторы, влияющие на его результаты. Часть 1