Knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises

Purpose: The main purpose of the research presented in the article was to diagnose the „knowledge management” process in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Lower Silesia Province. In order to achieve this goal, the first part of the article explains the meaning of the term „knowledge management" in the scientific literature on management, and then, on the basis of research, an attempt was made to answer the following questions: which factors determining the „knowledge management” process and the tasks fulfilled by the management systems „knowledge management”. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study presented was based on the analysis of literature on the subject of knowledge management and competence. The study also included secondary sources, which were communications from research of similar scope. Triangulation of research methods has enabled to obtain a broader context of the studied phenomenon and ensured a higher quality of the conducted studies. The diversity of methods was aimed at achieving a consistency of the empirical basis for the inference. A diagnostic survey has been adopted as the leading method. Findings: The „knowledge management” in the global economy is a resource of strategic importance that affects the organisation's market value and provides a competitive advantage. The formation of a significant intellectual capital for an organisation requires the use of appropriate methods and tools supporting management, regular measurements, continuous comparison with competitors, elimination of barriers to knowledge sharing. Practical Implications: The research results are very interesting and encourage research on a larger scale. They are a valuable source of information for managers responsible for creating the intellectual capital of the organization in terms of acquiring and sharing knowledge. On the other hand, for people responsible for recruiting employees, the results may be useful in terms of developing a candidate's profile, in particular in identifying the key competences of knowledge workers. The results also show the demand of the Polish market (in particular medium-sized companies) for IT infrastructure. Originality/value: On the basis of empirical research, the article proposes an original set of system solutions in the field of „knowledge management” to improve the functioning of the organizations.peer-reviewe

Trust as a leadership determinant

Purpose: The main scientific purpose of the article is to present the results and analysis of research relating to the issue of identifying trust as a determinant in leadership formation. The first section presents an analysis of the foundations of the theory of trust in the context of shaping leadership. The second part describes the research methodology and presents the results of the research representing the issues discussed. Next, the author presents conclusions from the research that emphasize the importance of trust in the development of contemporary leadership facing the challenge of constant change and uncertainty. Design/Methodology/Approach: The aim of the article was achieved by carrying out an argumentative review of the literature, which was the basis for designing methodological assumptions for further research. A diagnostic survey was chosen as the main research method. Such targeted research made it possible to learn about the respondents' position on the subject of the research problem and to compare them with the analysis of desk research. Thus, they made it possible to draw conclusions. Findings: Contemporary changes and uncertainty affecting society and organizations favor relationships based on distrust and upset the sense of security. The research analysis presented in this article will indicate trust as a key factor that underpins the relationship between the leader and his followers. At the same time, it is a basis for further empirical research. Practical Implications: Building the leadership of the future must be based on trust, which is open to new ways of thinking, facilitates the release of the team's energy, shortens decision-making time, thereby allowing for the quick action and thus change. Originality/value: The research perspective allows for a conclusion at the core of leadership is the ability to instill trust and the leader's credibility. Based on the elements identifying trust in leadership proposed in the article, it is proposed to change the perspective recognition of leadership. A leader who can build a high level of trust may count on gaining in his/her employees more energy to act and take up new challenges, which are the strength of the organization and push it forward. A high level of trust makes it easier to manage risk and change, makes structures and procedures no longer a brake on development, and decisions made based on trust bring the expected results faster.peer-reviewe

The role of a leader in contemporary organizations

Purpose: The main scientific goal of the article is to present the results of research on identifying the roles and characteristics of a leader in relation to his followers. The article presents the theoretical basis of the discussed problem and describes the research results. Design/Methodology/Approach: In order to achieve the main goal of the article, an argumentative literature review was selected, which was the basis for designing the methodological assumptions of the research. The second research method was a survey method. Such targeted research made it possible to get to know the respondents' position on the research problem and compare it with the desk research analysis. This method allowed for drawing conclusions, at the same time constituting the basis for further in-depth empirical research. Findings: The results of the presented research broaden the existing knowledge in terms of expectations regarding the role of a leader in an organization. The most important roles of a leader fit into the creations of a strategist and mentor. Experience is indicated as a key factor positively influencing the performance of the role. The most important features of the leader's behavior are consistency in action and the ability to set priorities, but also courage in taking risks and difficult decisions. In times of change and uncertainty, they seem to be invaluable. Practical Implications: The results indicate the directions of the leader's self-development. This is important as most people tend to prioritize their own interests. Identification of the expected roles, features and behaviors of the leader shows greater emphasis on creating a leader who can confidently and effectively inspire and lead his followers to achieve the organization's goals. Without losing the positive, caring relationship between him and his employees. Originality/value: The key elements of modern leadership focus on relationship management. Leaders inspire and motivate employees to work positively. The article proposes an original set of leadership roles resulting from the study of literature and based on own research. Thus, it fills the research gap. Taking into account the conclusions of the research is a component of the process of educating future leaders, which helps to increase the efficiency and satisfaction of employees in the organization.peer-reviewe

On the homology of the Harmonic Archipelago

We calculate the singular homology and \v{C}ech cohomology groups of the Harmonic archipelago. As a corollary, we prove that this space is not homotopy equivalent to the Griffiths space. This is interesting in view of Eda's proof that the first singular homology groups of these spaces are isomorphic

Quantification of Boron Compound Concentration for BNCT Using Positron Emission Tomography

Boron neutron capture therapy requires a 2 mM 10B concentration in the tumor. The well-known BNCT patient treatment method using boronophenylalanine (BPA) as a boron-carrying agent utilizes [18F]fluoroBPA ([18F]FBPA) as an agent to qualify for treatment. Precisely, [ 18F]FBPA must have at least a 3:1 tumor to background tissue ratio to qualify the patient for BNCT treatment. Normal, hyperplasia, and cancer thyroids capture iodine and several other large ions, including BF4 −, through a sodium-iodine symporter (NIS) expressed on the cell surface in normal conditions. In cancer, NIS is also expressed within the thyroid cell and is not functional. Methods: To visualize the thyroids and NIS, we have used a [18F]NaBF4 positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. It was injected into the tail veins of rats. The [18F]NaBF4 PET tracer was produced from NaBF4 by the isotopic exchange of natural 19F with radioactive 18F. Rats were subject to hyperplasia and tumor-inducing treatment. The NIS in thyroids was visualized by immunofluorescence staining. The boron concentration was calculated from Standard Uptake Values (SUV) in the PET/CT images and from the production data. Results: 41 MBq, 0.64 pmol of [18F]NaBF4 PET tracer that contained 0.351 mM, 53 nmol of NaBF4 was injected into the tail vein. After 17 min, the peak activity in the thyroid reached 2.3 MBq/mL (9 SUVmax). The natB concentration in the thyroid with hyperplasia reached 381 nM. Conclusions: Such an incorporation would require an additional 110 mg/kg dose of [ 10B]NaBF4 to reach the necessary 2 mM 10B concentration in the tumor. For future BNCT treatments of thyroid cancer, contrary to the 131I used now, there is no post-treatment radioactive decay, the patient can be immediately discharged from hospital, and there is no six-month moratorium for pregnancy. This method can be used for BNCT treatment compounds of the type R-BFn, where 1 <= n <= 3, labeled with 18F relatively easily, as in our example. A patient may undergo injection of a mixture of nonradioactive R-BFn to reach the necessary 10B concentration for BNCT treatment in the tumor together, with [18F]R-BFn for boron mapping.Spanish RTI2018-098117-B-C21 projec

Efficient ion blocking in gaseous detectors and its application to gas-avalanche photomultipliers sensitive in the visible-light range

A novel concept for ion blocking in gas-avalanche detectors was developed, comprising cascaded micro-hole electron multipliers with patterned electrodes for ion defocusing. This leads to ion blocking at the 10^{-4} level, in DC mode, in operation conditions adequate for TPCs and for gaseous photomultipliers. The concept was validated in a cascaded visible-sensitive gas avalanche photomultiplier operating at atmospheric pressure of Ar/CH_{4} (95/5) with a bi-alkali photocathode. While in previous works high gain, in excess of 10^{5}, was reached only in a pulse-gated cascaded-GEM gaseous photomultiplier, the present device yielded, for the first time, similar gain in DC mode. We describe shortly the physical processes involved in the charge transport within gaseous photomultipliers and the ion blocking method. We present results of ion backflow fraction and of electron multiplication in cascaded patterned-electrode gaseous photomultiplier with K-Cs-Sb, Na-K-Sb and Cs-Sb visible-sensitive photocathodes, operated in DC mode.Comment: Proceeding paper to 10-th International Conference On Instrumentation For Colliding Beam Physics, Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia, February 28 - March 5, 2008, Submitted to NIMA, 5 pages, 7 figure

Accurate,robust and harmonized implementation of morpho-functional imaging in treatment planning for personalized radiotherapy

In this work we present a methodology able to use harmonized PET/CT imaging in dose painting by number (DPBN) approach by means of a robust and accurate treatment planning system. Image processing and treatment planning were performed by using a Matlab-based platform, called CARMEN, in which a full Monte Carlo simulation is included. Linear programming formulation was developed for a voxel-by-voxel robust optimization and a specific direct aperture optimization was designed for an efficient adaptive radiotherapy implementation. DPBN approach with our methodology was tested to reduce the uncertainties associated with both, the absolute value and the relative value of the information in the functional image. For the same H&N case, a single robust treatment was planned for dose prescription maps corresponding to standardized uptake value distributions from two different image reconstruction protocols: One to fulfill EARL accreditation for harmonization of [18F]FDG PET/CT image, and the other one to use the highest available spatial resolution. Also, a robust treatment was planned to fulfill dose prescription maps corresponding to both approaches, the dose painting by contour based on volumes and our voxel-by-voxel DPBN. Adaptive planning was also carried out to check the suitability of our proposal. Different plans showed robustness to cover a range of scenarios for implementation of harmonizing strategies by using the highest available resolution. Also, robustness associated to discretization level of dose prescription according to the use of contours or numbers was achieved. All plans showed excellent quality index histogram and quality factors below 2%. Efficient solution for adaptive radiotherapy based directly on changes in functional image was obtained. We proved that by using voxel-by-voxel DPBN approach it is possible to overcome typical drawbacks linked to PET/CT images, providing to the clinical specialist confidence enough for routinely implementation of functional imaging for personalized radiotherapy.Junta de Andalucía (FISEVI, reference project CTS 2482)European Regional Development Fund (FEDER

Enhancing Luminescence and X-ray Absorption Capacity of Eu3+:LaF3 Nanoparticles by Bi3+ Codoping

Bi3+ codoping has been proposed in this work with a twofold objective, namely, enhancing the luminescence emission of Eu3+:LaF3 nanoparticles (NPs) and increasing their X-ray attenuation capacity, with the purpose of obtaining a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography. The synthesis method, reported here for the first time for LaF3 particles, allowed obtaining uniform, nonaggregated NPs using a homogeneous precipitation in polyol medium at room temperature in just 2 h. The simplicity of the synthesis method allows the large-scale production of NPs. LaF3 NPs with different Eu3+ contents were first synthesized to find the critical Eu3+ concentration, producing the highest emission intensity. This concentration was subsequently used to fabricate Bi3+-Eu3+-codoped LaF3 NPs using the same method. The emission intensity of the codoped NPs increased in more than one order of magnitude, thanks to the possibility of excitation through the Bi3+ ¿ Eu3+ energy-transfer band. The luminescence properties of the codoped NPs were analyzed in detail to find the mechanism responsible for the emission enhancement. Finally, it was demonstrated that the high atomic number of Bi3+, higher than that of lanthanides, was an added value of the material because it increased its X-ray attenuation capacity. In summary, the LaF3 NPs codoped with Eu3+ and Bi3+ presented in this work are promising candidates as a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography

Impact of the -174G/C interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphism on the risk of paediatric ischemic stroke, its symptoms and outcome

Ischemic stroke remains one of the top ten causes of death in children. There is evidence for the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and the -174G>C promoter polymorphism of the IL-6 gene, in the occurrence and outcome of stroke in adults. The aim of the present study was to determine a possible association between the -174G>C IL-6 polymorphism and occurrence of paediatric stroke, its symptoms and outcome. The study group consisted of 340 individuals: 80 stroke children, 122 parents of patients and 138 controls. The -174G/C polymorphism was genotyped using the RFLP method. For the analysis of the relationship between genotypes and stroke we used two alternative methods: the case-control model and the transmission test for linkage disequilibrium using data from families. We observed no differences in the transmission of alleles from parents to children. We also did not find any statistical differences in distribution of genotypes and alleles between patients and controls. However, the analysis showed that post-stroke epilepsy was genotype-dependent. All children with epilepsy were G allele carriers and none of them was a CC homozygote whereas about 25% of children without epilepsy had the CC genotype. Our study did not show any associations between the IL-6 -174 G>C polymorphism and the occurrence of stroke but we observed a relation between post-stroke epilepsy and the G allele carrier-state