Identification, Extraction, Organization and Sharing of Personal Knowledge: Using Grounded Theory

This study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of identification, extraction, organization and sharing of personal knowledge of Kerman public librarians. This study was a qualitative one based on grounded theory. The research population consisted of all knowledge and information science experts in public libraries in Kerman and snowball sampling was used to select participants. In-depth interview was the data collection tool in this study. In order to ensure the validity and reliability of this research, Lincoln and Guba's evaluative criteria was adopted and data collected from the interview, were coded and analyzed. Personal knowledge is shared through group discussions, question and answer meetings with experts and elites or even sending an email to co-workers. Knowledge and information science experts in public libraries in Kerman have no definite tool to be always used by all for identifying of personal knowledge. The method of extraction of personal knowledge mostly depends upon the manner of organization of personal knowledge. Knowledge and information science experts’ success in personal knowledge management depends on letting out the knowledge available in their minds. In this regard, knowledge sharing which includes the dissemination or transfer of knowledge from one individual to a group or an organization is the fundamental factor for achieving goals and filling knowledge gaps in organizations. Therefore, it is the task of public libraries to promote the culture of personal knowledge sharing, create an encouraging and rewarding environment and establish trust among knowledge and information science experts at wor

Incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in North of Iran

Purpose: To report the incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm infants referred to Amiralmomenin Eye Hospital, Rasht, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study included all preterm infants with birth weight ≤2500 g and/or gestational age ≤36 weeks who had been referred to our facility for ROP screening over a five year period from September 2005 to September 2010. Possible risk factors and findings related to eye examinations were extracted and analyzed. Results: Among 310 infants, ROP was diagnosed in 64 (20.6%) of referred preterm infants (95% CI: 17.7%-23.5%); these included stage I in 48%, stage 2 in 29%, and stage 3 or higher disease in 23% of subjects. Mean gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) in the ROP–affected infants was 30.18 ± 2.28 weeks and 1,422.8 ± 420.8 g, respectively. Low BW, low GA, oxygen therapy, phototherapy, blood transfusion and apnea were risk factors for ROP. After logistic regression analysis, only low GA and low BW were independently associated with the condition. Conclusion: ROP is a relatively common finding in preterm infants of Guilan Province in the North of Iran. Low BW and low GA were significant risk factors for the disease