The influence of knowledge sharing behavior and transactive memory systems on innovative work behavior: A conceptual model

© 2017 IEEE. Although knowledge sharing (KS), the key to creativity and innovation, are increasingly common in organisations, research on the relationship between knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) and transactive memory system (TMS) and its effect on innovative work behaviour (IWB) is relatively rare. Prior studies have reported that KS influences IWB in organisations. However, the effect of KSB on IWB and the join influence between TMS on KS and IWB have not been adequately investigated in past research. Therefore, the goal of this research-in-progress is to propose a conceptual model comprising three construct domains including KSB, TMS quality and IWB to examine the impact of the KS practices of employees on their IWB in organisations. We advance to conduct a survey to examine our discussion of the proposed conceptual model. It is expected that this research will contribute to the deeper understanding of the effects of KSB and TMS on IBW within organisation. Implications and future research are also proposed

Occurrence of gastro-intestinal helminths of pigs slaughtered at the Jos Abattoir, Plateau state, Nigeria.

An investigation on the occurrence of gastro intestinal helminthes of pigs slaughtered at the Jos Abattoir was carried out between May and November 2007, to determined sex, age, and breed related rate of infection, and the possible risk factors to the spread of the epidemic, using direct smear and floatation techniques. Out of the total of 532 examined, 245 (46.10%) were positive for five species of helminthes parasites, namely Taenia solium 44(8.27%) Ascaris suum 52(9.77%), Trichuris suis 40(7.52%) Strongyloids ransomi 16(3.0%) Ascarops strongylina 28(5.26%). Of the 532 pigs sampled, 65(12.22%) were recorded with mixed infection. The parasites were more established in the female pigs 149(50%) than in the male pigs 96(41.02%) However, chi square analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence rate between female and male pigs (p>0.05). Apparently adult pigs haboured more of the helminthes parasites 240(57.14%) than the young pigs 41(36.61%) although the difference was not statistically significance. The large white breed was infected most, among the various breeds 239(48.28%). The infection rate for the large black was 2(26.67%) and for the mixed breed was 4(20.00%). There was no significant difference in the infection rate among the various breed of pigs (p>0.05). The study shows that breeds and sex are not the promoting factors to infection rate but age.Keywords: Endemicity, Gastro-intestinal, Helminths, Occurrence, Pigs

Profit Driven Decision Assist System to Select Efficient IaaS Providers

IaaS providers provide infrastructure to the end users with various pricing schemes and models. They provide different types of virtual machines (small, medium, large, etc.). Since each IaaS provider uses their own pricing schemes and models, price varies from one provider to the other for the same requirements. To select a best IaaS provider, the end users need to consider various parameters such as SLA, pricing models/schemes, VM heterogeneity, etc. Since many parameters are involved, selecting an efficient IaaS provider is a challenging job for an end user. To address this issue, in this work we have designed, implemented and tested a decision-assist system which assists the end users to select efficient IaaS provider(s). Our decision-assist system consists of an analytical model to calculate the cost and decision strategies to assist the end user in selecting the efficient IaaS provider(s). The decision assist system considers various relevant parameters such as VM configuration, price, availability, etc. to decide the efficient IaaS provider(s). Rigorous experiments have been conducted by emulating various IaaS providers, and we have observed that our DAS successfully suggests the efficient IaaS provider/ providers by considering the input parameters given by the user

Phaeochromocytoma in a 4-year old girl: case report

This is a report of a 4-year old female Nigerian patient with phaeochromocytoma, a rare surgically correctable cause of hypertension, highlighting the problems in diagnosis and management in our sub region with review of the literature

Pharmacogenetic GWAS meta-analysis of LDL cholesterol response to statins

Cardiolog

Therapeutic effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of nigella sativa (black seed) on some haematological parameters of Albino rats after lead exposure

Lead poisoning is a great public health concern in Africa and Nigeria, especially regions where illegal mining activities occurs such as widespread gold ore mining in Zamfara by artisan miners using rudimentary and unsafe processing techniques. Lead (Pb) which often have no biological function remain in the system causes havoc and distortion of normal physiologic functions. Currently, the toxic effects of lead poisoning are clinically treated using chelation therapy which have been associated with many side effects and setbacks. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used as a major source of treatment for numerous human diseases. Plants that possess hematinic and antioxidant properties in the plant kingdom are often used in such scenarios. One of such plants is Nigella sativa commonly known as black cumin. Objectives: In this study, therapeutic effects of hydroethanolic extracts of Nigella sativa was assessed on hematological parameters of lead- poisoned albino rats as a curative therapy for management of lead poisoning. Method: Thirty- five (35) adult albino wistar rats of both sexes were used for this study. Group I (Normal control) received 2ml/kg of distilled water, Group II (Negative control), Group III treated with 10 mg/kg of Meso-2,3 Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), IV treated with 200 mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract, V treated with 400 mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract, and VI treated with 800mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract for Group VII (Recovery) were allowed to recover without treatment. The study lasted for a duration of 21days. Blood samples were collected from the rats through cardiac puncture after anesthetizing the animals and analysed for haematological parameters which included RBC count, PCV, Hb concentration, platelet count, WBC profile and haematological indices using an automated digital blood analyser. Results: Nigella sativa seed extract significantly (P<0.05) reversed the adverse effect of Lead exposure on RBC count, PCV, Hb concentration, platelet count, WBC profile and haematological indices. Conclusion: Nigella sativa showed therapeutic effects on hematological parameters and indices of lead poisoned albino rats

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women in Maiduguri, North‑Eastern Nigeria

Objective: This study determined the prevalence and socio‑demographic characteristics of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge.Study Design: Descriptive cross‑sectional study.Setting: University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods: Vaginal swab samples and data on epidemiological risk factors were collected from 400 consecutive pregnant women with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Association between variables was compared by using the Chi‑square (χ2) and Fisher’s exact tests while P < 0.05 was considered significant at 95.0% confidence level.Result: The prevalence of BV among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge was 17.3%. Age 20‑24 years, multigravidity, lack of western education and unemployment were associated with increased prevalence of BV. Yellowish, watery vaginal discharge (P = 0.001) was associated with BV. Dysuria, dyspareunia and lower abdominal tenderness were associated with BV (P = 0.001). Fifty three (77%) of patients had BV during the second trimester compared to 6 (9%) who had it in the 1st trimester of pregnancy (P = 0.012).Conclusion: The high prevalence of BV in this study may necessitate adequate screening of pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge in order to give appropriate treatment and avoid complications associated with it.Key words: Bacterial vaginosis, pregnancy, vaginal discharg

Mineralogical sources of groundwater fluoride in Archaen bedrock/regolith aquifers: Mass balances from southern India and north-central Sri Lanka

STUDY REGION: The Maheshwaram and Waipally catchments of Andhra Pradesh, India, and the Plonnaruwa catchment of north-central Sri Lanka. STUDY FOCUS: The distribution of F across eight crystalline phases and between the bedrock and the regolith at eleven sites in three catchments is documented. Mineral contributions to F release during weathering and regolith development are quantified. NEW HYDROLOGICAL INSIGHTS FOR THE REGION: An estimate of weathering duration for the in situ regolith in Andhra Pradesh, 250-380 Ka, is close to a previous estimate for southern India. Partial or total destruction of the primary F-bearing bedrock minerals and consistent depletion of F in the remnant minerals result in a much reduced total F content in the regolith. Leaching experiments and field relationships, however, indicate a greater potential for F mobilisation to groundwater from the regolith than the bedrock. Schemes for managed aquifer recharge should beware the risk of mobilising additional F to groundwater

New mutations at the imprinted Gnas cluster show gene dosage effects of Gsα in postnatal growth and implicate XLαs in bone and fat metabolism, but not in suckling

The imprinted Gnas cluster is involved in obesity, energy metabolism, feeding behavior, and viability. Relative contribution of paternally expressed proteins XLαs, XLN1, and ALEX or a double dose of maternally expressed Gsα to phenotype has not been established. In this study, we have generated two new mutants (Ex1A-T-CON and Ex1A-T) at the Gnas cluster. Paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T-CON leads to loss of imprinting of Gsα, resulting in preweaning growth retardation followed by catch-up growth. Paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T leads to loss of imprinting of Gsα and loss of expression of XLαs and XLN1. These mice have severe preweaning growth retardation and incomplete catch-up growth. They are fully viable probably because suckling is unimpaired, unlike mutants in which the expression of all the known paternally expressed Gnasxl proteins (XLαs, XLN1 and ALEX) is compromised. We suggest that loss of ALEX is most likely responsible for the suckling defects previously observed. In adults, paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T results in an increased metabolic rate and reductions in fat mass, leptin, and bone mineral density attributable to loss of XLαs. This is, to our knowledge, the first report describing a role for XLαs in bone metabolism. We propose that XLαs is involved in the regulation of bone and adipocyte metabolism

Moving from evidence-based medicine to evidence-based health.

While evidence-based medicine (EBM) has advanced medical practice, the health care system has been inconsistent in translating EBM into improvements in health. Disparities in health and health care play out through patients' limited ability to incorporate the advances of EBM into their daily lives. Assisting patients to self-manage their chronic conditions and paying attention to unhealthy community factors could be added to EBM to create a broader paradigm of evidence-based health. A perspective of evidence-based health may encourage physicians to consider their role in upstream efforts to combat socially patterned chronic disease