Knowledge Sharing Practices, Intellectual Capital and Organizational Performance

Although knowledge sharing and intellectual capital are significant factors for long-term success of an organization, existing literature rarely examines the relationship between knowledge sharing practices intellectual capital (IC) as constitutive elements of a knowledge environment leading to enhanced operational performance. The main aim of this paper is to explore whether knowledge sharing practices (types, approaches, and process) and intellectual capital affect organizational operational performance. Findings suggest that knowledge sharing types and knowledge sharing process influence intellectual capital of an organization. Moreover, intellectual capital influences organizational operational performance. However, knowledge sharing approaches, i.e. codification and personalization strategies have no effect on intellectual capital

Performance of High-volume Fly Ash Self-compacting Concrete Exposed to External Sulfate Attack

The high-volume fly ash concrete, HVFAC, could be defined as any concrete mix having fly ash content larger than 50 percent of the total cementitious materials content. Due to the availability of fly ash in large quantities globally with low cost, HVFAC could be considered as a solution for the environmental impact of Portland cements. In this study the durability of two high-volume fly ash self-compacting concrete, HVFASCC, mixes exposed to the effects of two sulfate aggressive solutions was investigated. The fly ash, class F, contents for these mixes were 50 and 60 percent by weight of Portland cement. The external sulfate attack was simulated by submerging the concrete specimens in 5 percent sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions separately for 240 days. Six mixes were produced for this purpose, they were: 2 reference mixes cured in water, 2 mixes submerged in Na2SO4 solution and 2 mixes submerged in MgSO4 solution. The testing program includes: slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, weight change, XRD and the strength tests: compressive, splitting and flexural strengths. The fly ash content has a positive effect on the rheology (workability) of all tested mixtures. In other words, increasing the cement replacement level from 50 to 60 percent has enhanced the filling ability, passing ability, and segregation resistance of the investigated SCC mixes. The test results show that the magnesium solution has the higher harmful effect on all mixes than the sodium solution. The replacements of Portland cement by the assigned percentages of fly ash have significantly increased the resistance of SCC to the external sulfate attack due to lime consuming reaction

Outcome of Essential Tremors with Stereotactic Thalamotomy: Noble Art of Lesioning

Objective:  Objective of study is to identify the effects of Stereotactic thalamotomy of the nucleus ventral intermediate (VIM) for treatment of essential tremor. Material and Methods:  This is a descriptive study.It was performed at NCCI, Karachi, duration of study was 7 years, from 2-10-2012 to 7-10-2019. Those patients were included who were with tremors refractory to medication, their duration of disease was > 3 years, and with grade 4 tremors. The thalamotomy was performed in all cases, and follow-up was conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months respectively. The success of the surgery was measured in the form of a reduction in medication number and reduction in dose >50% and by calculating the Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (tetras). Results:  Total of 26 patients were included. All patients showed remarkable improvement post-procedure at 12 month follow-up. 20 (77%) patient required no medications. In 6 (23%) patients, the dose of medication was reduced to less than half post-treatment. The tetras score showed marked improvement in all a patient; 4 (15%) patients who had grade 4 tremor, showed the symptoms of minimal tremors graded 0.5 on last visit 3rd visit. Side effect post-procedure were mild transient numbness on the contralateral side was observed in 11 (42.3%) patient, 1 (3.8%) patient had dysarthria. Conclusion:  We concluded that stereostatic Ventral intermedius nucleus thalamotomy was effective in reducing tremor grades and improved all functionality with few mild side effects

Infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and antifungal studies of noval Cr(III), Fe(III) and Cu(II) 2-methyl-quinazolinone complexes

Some new solid complexes [CrCl3(L)3]×6H2O, [FeCl3(L)3]×6H2O and [Cu(CH3COO)2(L)3]×2H2O have been synthesized quantitatively by the interactions of 2-methyl-quinazolinone (L) with CrCl3.6H2O, FeCl3.6H2O and Cu(CH3COO)2.2H2O in a mixture of an ethanol-bidistilled water (1:1), at 60 °C. They were characterized by melting point, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, elemental analysis, infrared spectra and thermal analyses. The results supported the formation of the complexes and indicated that the ligand reacted as a monodentate ligand bound to the metal ion through the oxygen atom. The antifungal activity of the free ligand and their metal complexes were evaluated against several species, such as Fusarium solani, Rizoctonia solani, Sclortium rolfsii and Botryodiplodia and they showed a good antifungal activity to some selected fungal strain as compared with free ligand. KEY WORDS: Quinazolinone; Cr(III); Fe(III); Cu(II); Antifungal activity, Thermal analyses Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(1), 53-66.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i1.

Implicit LES Simulations of a Flexible Flapping Wing

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83588/1/AIAA-2010-2960-465.pd

The Extent of Using the Target Costing Technique by Jordanian Industrial Shareholding Companies

The current research aims at examining whether or not the Jordanian Industrial Public Corporations use the target costing technique. For this purpose the researchers distributed around 70 questionnaires, while just 52 questionnaires of them are examined. Each questionnaire encompasses 16 questions, whereas 8 of these questions are addressed to all companies; while the remaining questions are addressed to the companies those are used the target costing system. The results reveal that 35% of companies use the target costing system, whether partly 27% or totally 8% and 65% of companies don’t use this system. The study concludes that the major reasons behind not using the target costing system; are due to the lack of target costing knowledge and the management supporting is not enough in additional to the old habits in calculating value. The study recommends Jordanian companies to use the target costing, as it is deemed as an essential part of the management of total cost. Keywords: Target Costing Technique “TCT”, Shareholding Companies, Customer Satisfaction

Effects of copper reduction on angiogenesis-related factors in recurrent glioblastoma cases

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of copper reduction on angiogenesis-related factors in patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated by gamma knife radiosurgery. Materials and Methods: In the present block randomized, placebo-controlled trial, fifty eligible patients with a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme who were candidates for gamma knife radiosurgery were randomly assigned into two groups to receive daily either 1gr penicillamine and a low copper diet or placebo for three months. The intervention started on the same day as gamma knife radiosurgery. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and copper levels were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The serum copper level was used as the final index of compliance with the diet. In order to control probable side effects of intervention, laboratory tests were conducted at the beginning, middle and end of the study. Results: The patients had a mean age and Karnofsky Performance Scale of 43.7 years and 75 respectively. Mean serum copper levels were significantly reduced in intervention group. Mean survival time was 18.5 months in intervention group vs. 14.9 in placebo group. VEGF and IL-6 levels in the intervention group were also significantly reduced compared to the placebo group and TNF-α increased less. Conclusions: It seems that reducing the level of copper in the diet and dosing with penicillamine leads to decline of angiogenesis-related factors such as VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α. Approaches targeting angiogenesis may improve survival and can be used as a future therapeutic strategy