HR practices, knowledge sharing and protection activities, and performance - a moderation model

Innovation and HRM practices are connected, but the nature of these linkages may not be completely understood. Practical examples where knowledge securing practices limit efficiency of creative work, and where rewarding established ways of work prevent new approaches from being tried, suggest that there are challenges. In this study, we examine the relationships between different forms of HRM practices, knowledge sharing and protection (i.e., knowledge activities), and performance outcomes. Our findings from empirical analysis among 150 firms suggest that HRM practices are positively related to subjective overall performance and innovation performance, and that knowledge sharing likewise has such a relationship with performance outcomes. Furthermore, when knowledge sharing is accompanied with HR practices targeted to securing knowledge, innovation performance can be improved. Knowledge securing also comes in play when it is combined with HR practices of personnel compensation and appraisal; in this case subjective performance is diminished. This leads us to suggest that companies might benefit from smart HRM systemsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Short and Extended Provocation Tests Have Similar Negative Predictive Value in Non-Immediate Hypersensitivity to Beta-Lactams in Children

Drug provocation tests (DPTs) are the gold-standard method to diagnose non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions (NIHSR) to beta-lactam antibiotics (BL) in children. Our aim was to compare the negative predictive value (NPV) of one-day (short) DPT versus 3-7 days (extended) DPT for the diagnosis of NIHSR to BL in paediatric age. A secondary aim was to compare confidence on drug re-exposure after short and extended negative DPTs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rapid Molecular Assays for Specific Detection and Quantitation of Loa loa Microfilaremia

Loa loa is a filarial nematode that infects over 10 million people in Africa. Most infections cause no symptoms, but individuals with large numbers of blood-stage microfilariae are at risk for fatal reactions to ivermectin, an antiparasitic agent used to treat and prevent infections with Onchocerca volvulus, a related filarial parasite that may occur alongside L. loa. To address the urgent need for a point-of-care L. loa diagnostic assay, we screened a Loa microfilaria gene expression library and identified 18 Loa-specific DNA targets. From two targets, we developed a novel, rapid quantitative PCR assay for estimating L. loa microfilaria burden. The assay is highly sensitive (detects a single microfilaria in 20 µL of blood) and correlates well with microfilaria counts obtained with conventional microscopic techniques. The assay is species-specific for L. loa compared with related filarial parasites (including O. volvulus) and can be used in its current form in resource-rich areas as a diagnostic tool for L. loa infection. Although modifications will be required to make point-of-care use feasible, our assay provides a proof of concept for a potentially valuable tool to identify individuals at risk for adverse reactions to ivermectin and to facilitate the implementation of filarial control programs

DTM ASSESMENT IN SLOPE INSTABILITY MODELING

Uma parte dos métodos de previsão de escorregamentos na paisagem tem como base principal a topografia, que pode ser gerada sob diferentes formas e ferramentas. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de dois Modelos Digitais de Terreno (MDT’s) baseados nos pontos LiDAR e em curvas de nível em um mapeamento de áreas suscetíveis a escorregamentos rasos. Para avaliar os MDT’s, fez-se uso do modelo em base física SHALSTAB. Os testes foram realizados em uma bacia hidrográfica afetada por escorregamentos rasos deflagrados após intensa precipitação, em março de 2011, na área urbana do município de Antonina (PR), na parte Sul da Serra do Mar. Os dados das propriedades físicas do solo necessários foram obtidos no interior de uma das cicatrizes de escorregamento de 2011. No intuito de avaliar o mapa de suscetibilidade, foram comparados os padrões espaciais das classes de instabilidade previstas pelo SHALSTAB com o mapa de cicatrizes. Dentre os resultados foi verificado que um dos índices de validação apresentou melhor performance do MDT derivado do LiDAR, enquanto que no segundo foi constatado uma reduzida diferença entre os MDT’s, sendo que ambos demostraram uma similar distribuição na frequência de classes.Part of the landslide prediction methods in the landscape is mainly based on the topography, which can be generated in different forms and tools. Thus, tis paper aimed to assess the efficiency of two sets of Digital Terrain Model (DTM), based on LiDAR data, and on traditional contour lines in a mapping of areas susceptible to shallow landslides. To evaluate the DTMs, we used the physically based model, SHALSTAB. The tests were carried out in a watershed affected by shallow landslides caused by intensive rainfall during March 2011, in the urban area of Antonina municipality (Parana State), the southern part of the Serra do Mar mountain range. The physical soil properties data needed for the model consisted of two sets of values (literature) measured from 2011 landslide scars. In order to validate the landslide susceptibility maps, we compared the spatial pattern of instability classes predicted by SHALSTAB with the mapped landslide scars. To evaluate the susceptibility map, we compared the spatial patterns of instability classes provided by SHALSTAB with the maps of scars. Among the results, it was verified that in one of the validation indexes presented a better performance of LiDAR-derived DTM, whereas, the second index was identified a small difference between DTMs, also both demonstrated a similar distribution of class frequency

Professional learning needs in using video calls identified through workshops

BACKGROUND: Most people want to die at home but only half do. Supporting patients in rural locations is challenging. Video calls such as Skype, might help but are not routinely used; we should consider learning needs to increase uptake and ensure effective use. We aimed to identify learning needs of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in using video calls to support patients (and their carers) to die at home. METHODS: Face-to-face workshops were held in five Southwest England locations. Participants discussed advantages, disadvantages, scenarios for use, and the learning needs of video call users. Ideas were documented on flipcharts and discussions audio-recorded. The 116 participants included nurses, allied HCPs, doctors and previously bereaved volunteers. Lists of advantages, disadvantages, scenarios and learning needs were compiled and circulated to participants. In a subsequent online workshop, 21 participants ranked seven groups of learning needs in priority order. RESULTS: Most participants thought video calls could be used to advantage in many end-of-life scenarios, especially in rural areas. Seven themes, covering 59 learning needs for HCPs, were identified (in priority order): (i) confidence and technical ability in using video calls; (ii) being aware of how video calls fit into clinical practice; (iii) managing video calls; (iv) communication skills on ‘camera’; (v) understanding how patients and families may be affected by video call use; (vi) presenting video calls as an option to patients and families to assess their readiness; (vii) normal professional skills that become essential for effective video calls. CONCLUSIONS: Although almost ubiquitous, video call software is not routinely and effectively used in British clinical practice. Supporting patients and families at end-of-life is one example where it could be used to advantage, but clinicians need to plan and practise before using it in real situations. Learning needs were identified that could be developed into learning modules and/or courses. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0657-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments.

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}

Perceptions of primary healthcare professionals towards their role in type 2 diabetes mellitus patient education in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the current study was to analyze the perceptions, knowledge, and practices of primary healthcare professionals in providing patient education to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 23 health professionals working in primary healthcare units in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, participated in a focus group in order to discuss their patient education practices and the challenges for effective patient education in diabetes self-management.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results were categorized as follows: 1) lack of preparation and technical knowledge among the health professionals on some aspects of diabetes mellitus and the health professionals' patient education practices; 2) work conditions and organization; 3) issues related or attributed to the clientele themselves; and 4) diabetes care model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study highlights the importance of reorienting the patient education practices, health professionals' skills and work goals, and evaluation of the educational interventions, in order to establish strategies for health promotion and prevention and control of the disease.</p> <p>Descriptors</p> <p>Health Education; Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus; Primary Healthcare</p