9 research outputs found
Determining the relationship between components of knowledge management and organizational citizenship behavior in experts’ Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between components of knowledge management and organizational citizenship behavior in experts’ Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University. The study population was selected using the table Morgan 130 stratified random sampling method. In order to collect data, Newman knowledge management in terms of knowledge creation, preserve and maintain knowledge, knowledge transfer and sharing, and application of knowledge, consisting of 21 questions, as well as organizational citizenship behavior and Organ dimensions of altruism, conscientiousness, Chivalry, civic behavior, currency were used. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between knowledge management and organizational citizenship behavior in the population. There are also components of the transfer of knowledge, application of knowledge, creation of knowledge to the highest and most variable correlation with organizational citizenship behavior in the population and there was no relationship between the variable component and maintenance of organizational citizenship behavior in the population
Experimental Optimization of Using Natural Pozzolan in Chloride Ion Exposed Concrete via Taguchi Method
Concrete durability is one of the most important concerns in the field of construction. The environmentally friendly materials that can provide the durability are of great value in the construction of concrete structures. The use of natural pozzolans is one of the cheapest and most efficient methods in this field, which offers a good performance from environmental and economic point of view and satisfies required engineering parameters. In this study, the effect of using natural pozzolan in the manufacture of concrete exposed to sulfate and chloride ion of Oman sea water was investigated. The Taguchi optimization method was used to reduce the number of samples prepared, reduce the cost of experiments and achieve an optimal mix design. The four parameters, namely water to cement ratio, different percentages of natural pozzolan, super-plasticizer and cement grade with different ratios, were considered as problem variables. The Taguchi optimization method proposed 8 mix designs based on the defined levels for the variables. By constructing 96 samples, two parameters of permeability and water absorption from Oman Sea and drinking water were investigated in the samples. By introducing the results of the experiments into the Taguchi method, the final optimal design was presented by this method, and by constructing 12 additional samples and conducting permeability and water absorption experiments, the behavior of this optimal mix design was verified. The appropriate performance of the Taguchi method was demonstrated by obtaining the optimal mix designs from the Taguchi method, constructing this mix design and comparing the results with the regulation limitations. The results showed that it is acceptable to use natural pozzolan under moderate to severe chloride and sulfate ion attacks, but it is not recommended in the extreme environmental conditions
The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance/hesitancy rate and its determinants among healthcare workers of 91 Countries: A multicenter cross-sectional study.
The aim of this study was to investigate the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate and its determinants among healthcare workers in a multicenter study. This was a cross-sectional multi-center survey conducted from February 5 to April 29, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items in 6 subscales. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into seven languages and distributed through Google Forms using snowball sampling; a colleague in each country was responsible for the forward and backward translation, and also the distribution of the questionnaire. A forward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to explore the variables and questionnaire factors tied to the intention to COVID-19 vaccination. 4630 participants from 91 countries completed the questionnaire. According to the United Nations Development Program 2020, 43.6 % of participants were from low Human Development Index (HDI) regions, 48.3 % high and very high, and 8.1 % from medium. The overall vaccination hesitancy rate was 37 %. Three out of six factors of the questionnaire were significantly related to intention to the vaccination. While 'Perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination' (OR: 3.82, p-value<0.001) and 'Prosocial norms' (OR: 5.18, p-value<0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance, 'The vaccine safety/cost concerns' with OR: 3.52, p-value<0.001 was tied to vaccination hesitancy. Medical doctors and pharmacists were more willing to take the vaccine in comparison to others. Importantly, HDI with OR: 12.28, 95 % CI: 6.10-24.72 was a strong positive determinant of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. This study highlighted the vaccination hesitancy rate of 37 % in our sample among HCWs. Increasing awareness regarding vaccination benefits, confronting the misinformation, and strengthening the prosocial norms would be the primary domains for maximizing the vaccination coverage. The study also showed that the HDI is strongly associated with the vaccination acceptance/hesitancy, in a way that those living in low HDI contexts are more hesitant to receive the vaccine
Presentation of Knowledge Management Model in Farhangian University (Infrastructures, Processes and Improvement of Business Processes)
Background and Purpose:Â The present research was conducted with the aim of presenting a model of knowledge management in Farhangian University. Methods: This research has benefited from the exploratory mixed method and is practical in terms of its purpose and has been implemented in two qualitative and quantitative parts. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part included 10 experts from Farhangian University in the field of knowledge management, and in the quantitative part, 266 people were selected as a sample based on Cochran's formula. In this research, research items were extracted by relying on metacomposite technique followed by Delphi technique. Investigations showed that the knowledge management model has 3 dimensions of knowledge management processes, knowledge management infrastructure and business process improvement. In this regard, 72 items were placed in 13 components of knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, knowledge application, culture, knowledge enhancers, environment, knowledge management perspective, employees, information technology, management and leadership, accountability and flexibility, development of science and innovation, and economic prosperity. Then, the model was fitted using confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The studies showed that the research model has a good fit. Also, knowledge management infrastructures have a positive and significant effect on knowledge management processes and knowledge management processes have a positive and significant effect on improving work processes. Conclusion: The results showed that among the dimensions of the research, the improvement of business processes was given the first priority. Also, among the subjects, application of knowledge, economic prosperity, and development of science and innovation were ranked first to third, respectivel
Fault ride through constrained protection scheme for distribution networks with DFIG-based wind parks
The main protection of distribution networks is based on overcurrent relays (OCRs). Due to the slow operation of these relays, some distributed generations (DGs), e.g. wind parks, may be unable to meet the fault ride through (FRT) requirements, which leads to unnecessary generation loss during faults. This paper proposes a new protection scheme for distribution networks that considers the FRT requirements of DFIG-Based wind parks. This is achieved by considering both the protection coordination constraints and FRT requirements in a single protection scheme. Considering the FRT requirements, the new method determines whether each overcurrent relay operates fast enough. If not, the proposed scheme determines a suitable solution for each relay to facilitate a faster operation. The proposed method is tested on the IEEE 33 bus test network and compared with conventional methods. Its superior impact on improving the FRT requirements and hence preventing unnecessary disconnection of DFIG-Based wind parks during short circuit faults is demonstrated through simulation results, proving by this its applicability and efficacy
A combination of mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolds promotes motor functional recovery in spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE: There is controversy about the role of scaffolds as an adjunctive therapy to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in spinal cord injury (SCI). Thus, the authors aimed to design a meta-analysis on preclinical evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy of scaffold + MSC transplantation in comparison with scaffolds alone and MSCs alone in improving motor dysfunction in SCI.
METHODS: Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception until the end of August 2018. Two independent reviewers screened related experimental studies. Animal studies that evaluated the effectiveness of scaffolds and/or MSCs on motor function recovery following experimental SCI were included. The findings were reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS: A total of 34 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Analyses show that combination therapy in comparison with the scaffold group alone (SMD 2.00, 95% CI 1.53-2.46, p \u3c 0.0001), the MSCs alone (SMD 1.58, 95% CI 0.84-2.31, p \u3c 0.0001), and the nontreated group (SMD 3.52, 95% CI 2.84-4.20, p \u3c 0.0001) significantly improved motor function recovery. Co-administration of MSCs + scaffolds only in the acute phase of injury (during the first 3 days after injury) leads to a significant recovery compared to scaffold alone (SMD 2.18, p \u3c 0.0001). In addition, the cotransplantation of scaffolds with bone marrow-derived MSCs (SMD 1.99, p \u3c 0.0001) and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (SMD 1.50, p = 0.001) also improved motor function following SCI.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that scaffolds + MSCs is more effective than scaffolds and MSCs alone in improving motor function following SCI in animal models, when used in the acute phase of injury
HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Young People in Iran: Findings of a National Population-Based Survey in 2013
INTRODUCTION:The evidence is mixed on the HIV knowledge, attitude, and practices of youth in Iran. The aim of the current study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Iranian youth towards HIV through a national survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Through a cross-sectional study with multistage cluster sampling, we administered a pilot-tested standard questionnaire to assess the levels of HIV knowledge, attitudes and practices of individuals aged 15-29 years old. Participants were recruited from 13 provinces in Iran and consisted of 2456 men and 2412 women. RESULTS:Only 37.3% of the participants had a high knowledge score. Most participants knew the main routes of HIV transmission; however, misconceptions existed about the transmission of HIV through mosquito bites across all age groups (31.7% correct response). Positive levels of attitude wereobserved among 20.7% of the participants. Most participants believed that people living with HIV (PLHIV) should be supported (88.3%) while only 46.3% were ready to share a table with them. Among those aged 19-29 years old, the main source of HIV information was mass media (69.1%), only 13.1% had ever tested for HIV, around 20.8% had ever had extramarital sex (31.7% male vs. 9.6% female),1.8% ever injected drugs (2.9% male vs. and 0.7% female). Among sexually active subjects in this age group, only 21.8% (26.1% male vs. 7.1% female) were consistent condom users. CONCLUSIONS:The findings showed that Iranian youth and young adults have relatively insufficient overall knowledge and negative attitudes about HIV and PLHIV. Novel strategies involving schools and youth's networks could be employed to deliver a culturally sensitive sexual health program