The Role of Job Embeddedness and Organizational Continuance Commitment on Intention to Stay: Development of Research Framework and Hypotheses

The purpose of this paper is to develop a research framework and hypotheses based on a thorough review of the conceptual and empirical research in organizational behavior literature. Previous research has shown that there is an important relationship between on-the-job, off-the-job embeddedness, organizational continuance commitment, and employee’s intention to stay. Organizational continuance commitment is hypothesized to have a mediating effect on the relationship between on-the-job, off-the-job, and intention to stay. Implications for testing these hypotheses are articulated from research and practice perspectives. Research framework from this paper will be used at the preliminary stage of the research on ICT industry that can be expected to contribute to the development of ICT workers in Malaysia

Deep Learning Technique for Detecting and Analysing Ischemic Stroke Using MRI Images

The quantitative analysis of cerebral MRI images plays a pivotal role in stroke diagnosis and treatment. Deep learning, particularly CNNs, with their robust learning capabilities, offer an effective tool for lesion detection. To address the unique properties of stroke injuries and automate detection processes, we compiled a dataset of brain MRI images from various medical sources, representing patients affected by ischemic strokes. Different deep learning-based networks, including “Single Shot Multibox Detector (SSD)”, “Region-based CNN with ResNet101 (RCNN-ResNet101)”, “RCNN with VGG16 (RCNN- VGG16)”, and “YOLOV3”, were employed for automated lesion detection. The evaluation focused on achieving optimal precision in comparison to existing methods across Diffused Weight, Flair, and T1 modalities of MRI datasets. The developed technique involves extracting deep features during the encoding stage, followed by the minimization of features using fully connected layers. Significant handcrafted features, such as Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), were incorporated alongside deep features. The concatenation of these features was implemented to maximize the dimension of the feature vector. This concatenated vector was then used to train and test the performance of various classifiers. Binary classification was employed to categorize brain images into normal or stroke affected. Initially, SoftMax was used as the default classifier. The performance of each classifier was individually evaluated, and the best-performing classifier was selected to confirm the overall effectiveness of the proposed technique. This all-encompassing strategy not only leverages deep learning for automatic lesion detection but also integrates handcrafted features and diverse classifiers to improve the precision and dependability of stroke detection across various brain MRI image modalities

Consequences of job embeddedness and the mediating role of continuance commitment on intention to stay in Malaysian Information and Communication Technology Industry

Investigating employee’s intention to stay is particularly important within the Malaysian Information and Communication Technology sector, which is characterized by high turnover and the impact of the global shortage of skilled employee’s. The managers need to recognize the value of their employee’s by encouraging them to remain for their resource talent to be used, and also discourage them from looking elsewhere for better opportunities. Grounded in Job Embeddedness and Social Exchange theory, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between job embeddedness (on-the-job and off-the-job) and intention to stay with the mediating relationship of continuance commitment. Additionally, these relationships further enhance and evaluate the extent to which job embeddedness (on-the-job and off-the-job) influences employee’s intention to stay. A survey was conducted with total of 177 personally administrative structured questionnaires were obtained with the response rate of 70.8%. SPSS 20.0 & SmartPLS 3 for structural equation modeling was utilized in confirming the hypotheses developed for the study. The results of the structural equation modeling analysis indicated the model was substantial. The findings of the study also revealed that there was a significant positive relation between fit and links dimension of on-the-job; off-the job embeddedness and intention to stay. At the same time, continuance commitment partially mediates these relationships. Moreover, continuance commitment plays full mediation between sacrifice organization and intention to stay. The results not only supported previous outcomes that people who were more embedded in their jobs had more intent to stay, but also expanded the significance of off-the-job and non- affective reasons of staying job. This research adds to the body of knowledge concerning what contributes to why people stay their jobs. Reduced employee turnover can financially benefit to Malaysian Information and Communication Technology Industry organization and that in turn can have a positive social benefit on the community

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of different solvent extracts of Casuarina equisetifolia needles

The context and purpose of the study: Plants that have been used for traditional medicines are very good sources of phyotochemicals. There are many plants like Casuarina equisetifolia, which are still unexplored for their medicinal properties. In the present study, we have elucidated the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of different solvent extracts (both polar and non polar) of C. equisetifolia needles.Main findings: In vitro antioxidant activity of different solvent extracts of C. equisetifolia needles was studied by analyzing the total polyphenols, flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity. The polar solvent extracts showed significantly high amount total polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants and free radical scavenging activity compared to the non polar solvent extracts. The cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing activity of the different solvent extracts were analyzed on MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, DAPI staining and caspase-3 release. The polar solvent extracts did not show any growth inhibition in MCF-7 cancer cells. But the non polar solvent extracts are very good in inducing cell death by inducing apoptosis which involves DNA fragmentation and release of caspase 3. Using silica gel fractionation and RP-HPLC analysis the active component present in non-polar solvent extracts was identified as ascorbic acid.Brief summary and potential implications: Our results indicated that the needles of C. equisetifolia are rich sources of antioxidants and also contain potential anticancer agents. Detailed study on the mechanism of action of purified compound on inhibition of cancer cell growth may provide some potential anticancer molecule from natural source

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of different solvent extracts of Casuarina equisetifolia needles

The context and purpose of the study: Plants that have been used for traditional medicines are very good sources of phyotochemicals. There are many plants like Casuarina equisetifolia, which are still unexplored for their medicinal properties. In the present study, we have elucidated the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of different solvent extracts (both polar and non polar) of C. equisetifolia needles.Main findings: In vitro antioxidant activity of different solvent extracts of C. equisetifolia needles was studied by analyzing the total polyphenols, flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity. The polar solvent extracts showed significantly high amount total polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants and free radical scavenging activity compared to the non polar solvent extracts. The cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing activity of the different solvent extracts were analyzed on MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, DAPI staining and caspase-3 release. The polar solvent extracts did not show any growth inhibition in MCF-7 cancer cells. But the non polar solvent extracts are very good in inducing cell death by inducing apoptosis which involves DNA fragmentation and release of caspase 3. Using silica gel fractionation and RP-HPLC analysis the active component present in non-polar solvent extracts was identified as ascorbic acid.Brief summary and potential implications: Our results indicated that the needles of C. equisetifolia are rich sources of antioxidants and also contain potential anticancer agents. Detailed study on the mechanism of action of purified compound on inhibition of cancer cell growth may provide some potential anticancer molecule from natural source

Awareness of Dental Floss among Dental Students of First Year

Objective: To assess awareness of dental floss use among first year students of dental college.Study design and duration: This is a cross sectional study completed in duration of 4 months from January 2019 to May 2019.Setting: Study was conducted at CMH Lahore medical college and institute of dentistry.Patients and methods: There were total 130 students included in this study. Their age range was 18-26 years. A questioner was designed containing questions in English language like what is dental floss, what is its use and how it is beneficial etc. Each student was given one questioner to fill. Each question was having 2 or 3 options like “yes”, “No” or “don’t know”. Data collected was analyzed using Microsoft office and SPSS softwares and frequencies, percentages and P-value were calculated. Results were presented in tabular form. Proper permission was taken from ethical committee of the study institution before conducting study. Results: There were total 130 students including 60() male and 70() female students in this study. Their age was ranging from 18-26 years with mean age of 22.5 years. Out of 130 students, 107() students replied yeas and 23 replied no in answer to the question “ do you know what is dental floss?” In the reply of question “Does dental floss removes plaque in interdental areas?” 98() replied ‘yes’ and 32() ‘No.’ There were 98() students who were using dental floss and 32() were not using it. Overall 45() students were having poor, 60() having moderate, 12() high and 23 were having no knowledge about dental floss at all.   Conclusion: Proper awareness about dental floss use and its benefits is very necessary among dental students as they have to give awareness to others in the community

Carbohydrate fraction of Aloe vera ameliorates inflammation through suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in vitro and rats with Freund’s adjuvant induced paw edema

Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F (Asphodelaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant having multiple biological activities such as wound healing, anticancer and antidiabetic activity, etc. These properties have been attributed to the constituents present in Aloe vera. One of the major constituents is carbohydrate, which has not been explored much for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of carbohydrate fraction (CF) of Aloe vera extract using in vitro and in vivo model for its therapeutic application in the treatment of inflammation. CF extract was prepared using hot water extraction followed by ethanolic precipitation. The CF extract was tested for free radical scavenging assays, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and in vivo by Freund’s adjuvant induced rat paw edema model. The free radical scavenging activity of CF extract significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner with maximum inhibition observed at the concentration of 2 mg/mL. CF extract (20 and 60 µg/mL) showed their maximum cell viability in RAW264.7 cells by MTT assay. CF extract shows a considerable decrease of inflammatory mediators in both in vitro and as well as in vivo studies. The increase of superoxide dismutase and catalase levels in CF treated adjuvant induced rats decreases ROS/RNS levels and inflammatory mediators. It may be primarily activated by NF-κB and AP-1 indicating its potent antioxidant activity that promotes modulation in cellular redox state. The results suggest that carbohydrate fraction of Aloe vera could be useful for the management of oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases

Evaluation of endometrial thickness with transvaginal ultrasonography in perimenopausal women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and correlation with its histopathological findings

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common presenting menstrual complaint in women of perimenopausal age group. Most frequently used diagnostics tests to investigate the causes of abnormal bleeding are Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and endometrial biopsy. Uterine curettage is an invasive procedure and is performed with anaesthesia. TVS is a non-invasive method that has been used to evaluate the endometrium and uterine cavity. The objectives of this study were to measure and evaluate the role and accuracy of endometrial thickness by transvaginal ultrasonography study to detect endometrial pathology in perimenopausal women presenting with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. To correlate the transvaginal sonographic results with the Histopathological findings to discriminate normal from pathological endometrium.Methods: Prospective study including 150 perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial thickness was measured by TVS and then D and C was performed for all the patients.Results: Out of 150 women, 128 (85.3%) had normal and 22 (15%) had an abnormal endometrium. 43.3% were of 41-45 years and 65.3% patients presented with complaint of heavy menstrual bleeding. Majority of the patients in the study group were para 2 or more. Fibroid uterus (24%) was the commonest uterine pathology detected on TVS. 53.3% of patients had endometrial thickness in the range 10-14.9 mm. Most common finding on HPE was secretory endometrium (44.6%). Endometrial carcinoma was found in 3%. Endometrial thickness <14mm was associated with least abnormal endometrial pathology.Conclusions: Endometrial thickness of less than 14 mm need not be indicated for D and C in perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding. In perimenopausal women with AUB, TVS should be the investigation of choice due to its convenience, accuracy and non- invasiveness

Differences in Brain Waves and Blood Pressure by Listening to Quran-e-Kareem and Music

Background: Quranic recitation and music do not share any features in terms of content besides the use of melodies, but it is a common belief, that both have positive effect on reducing blood pressure and anxiety level of patients. This research investigates and compares the effects of listening to Quranic recitation and soft music on human brain waves especially Alpha and Beta waves by electroencephalogram (EEG) using Power-Lab.Material and Methods: A clinical trial was carried out in the Physiology Department of Islamabad Medical and Dental College. There were 22 participants, divided into two groups (A and B) with 11 participants in each group. Group A included students with ages 20-25 years and Group B comprised of teaching faculty between 40-60 years. All the study participants were Urdu-speaking, Pakistani Muslims having normal hearing. Sample selection was based on non-random convenient sampling. Paired T-test was used to compare means of Alpha and Beta waves amplitude, with p value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.Results: Listening to Quranic recitation results in greater amplitude of Alpha waves in both younger and older age groups (p=0.01). The cross comparisons of systolic blood pressure at rest and after music for Group A showed significant results (p=0.04) indicating that soft music increases systolic blood pressure in younger people. Diastolic blood pressure comparison proves that it decreases by Tilawat in older age-groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: EEG showed that Quran generates comparatively higher amplitudes of Alpha than Beta waves, which reflects the calmness and relaxation of the participants while listening to Quranic recitation. Furthermore, there was a mild reduction in diastolic blood pressure in older subjects after listening to Quranic recitation