Preliminary frameworks and models for telework maturity within organisations

This paper is a preliminary step to assess the feasibility of telework for any given organisation. We posit two qualitative frames of telework to define the additional, digital referential platforms that exist with regard to work today: abstraction and conceptualisation. To communicate research within this field we utilise a language taxonomy derived out of a review of the relevant literature. Furthermore, we propose a transformer model to serve as a means to i) interpret quantitative aspects of telework such as metrics and KPIs and ii) inform stakeholder decisions with regard to appropriate telework configurations for their respective company

Preliminary frameworks and models for telework maturity within organisations

This paper is a preliminary step to assess the feasibility of telework for any given organisation. We posit two qualitative frames of telework to define the additional, digital referential platforms that exist with regard to work today: abstraction and conceptualisation. To communicate research within this field we utilise a language taxonomy derived out of a review of the relevant literature. Furthermore, we propose a transformer model to serve as a means to i) interpret quantitative aspects of telework such as metrics and KPIs and ii) inform stakeholder decisions with regard to appropriate telework configurations for their respective company

Targeted therapies to improve CFTR function in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetically determined, life-limiting disorder in populations of European ancestry. The genetic basis of cystic fibrosis is well established to be mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that codes for an apical membrane chloride channel principally expressed by epithelial cells. Conventional approaches to cystic fibrosis care involve a heavy daily burden of supportive treatments to combat lung infection, help clear airway secretions and maintain nutritional status. In 2012, a new era of precision medicine in cystic fibrosis therapeutics began with the licensing of a small molecule, ivacaftor, which successfully targets the underlying defect and improves CFTR function in a subgroup of patients in a genotype-specific manner. Here, we review the three main targeted approaches that have been adopted to improve CFTR function: potentiators, which recover the function of CFTR at the apical surface of epithelial cells that is disrupted in class III and IV genetic mutations; correctors, which improve intracellular processing of CFTR, increasing surface expression, in class II mutations; and production correctors or read-through agents, which promote transcription of CFTR in class I mutations. The further development of such approaches offers great promise for future therapeutic strategies in cystic fibrosis

On the one-loop correction of "phi^4" theory in higher dimensions

We have considered phi^4 theory in higher dimensions. Using functional diagrammatic approach, we computed the one-loop correction to effective potential of the scalar field in five dimensions. It is shown that phi^4 theory can be regularised in five dimensions. Temperature dependent one-loop correction and critical temperature T_c are computed and T_c depends on the fundamental scale M of the theory. A brief discussion of symmetry restoration is also presented. The nature of phase transitions is examined and is of second orderComment: 8 pages, 5 figures. To appear in IJMP

Crop diversification strategies for minor irrigation schemes: Proceedings of the workshop organized by the Irrigation Research Management Unit, Irrigation Department and the Sri Lanka National Program, International Irrigation Management Institute, held at the Irrigation Department, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 20 February 1996

Irrigation programs / Irrigation management / Small scale systems / Crops / Diversification / Rice / Cropping systems / Constraints / Social aspects / Economic aspects / Field crops / Crop production / Labor / Farmers' attitudes / Water management / Groundwater / Sri Lanka

The relationship between Islamic banking theory and practice

This thesis is designed to investigate the practice of Islamic banks within different economic, financial, social, legal and religious environments, with a view to determining whether or not the Islamic banking theory is reflected in practice. It covers three Islamic banks working in different environments: in London where Al-Baralca International Bank Limited works as an Islamic bank in a non-Islamic country; in Jordan where Jordan Islamic Bank works as an Islamic bank in an Islamic country and in Turkey where Al-Baraka Turkish Finance House works as an Islamic bank in a secular country with a predominantly Muslim population. The major findings are: 1 The study shows that while P.L.S. is central to the theory of Islamic banking, in practice it is peripheral. None of the banks studied looked at P.L.S. contracts as a contract which should dominate their transactions because it was perceived to be too risky to be adopted and it had too many loopholes from a commercial point of view. Morabaha was the main type of transaction adopted by all three banks. 2 Islamic values do shape strategic goals and determine the priorities of the Islamic banks. Islamic banks do not violate Islamic law, even for guaranteed profitable deals. The three criteria by which Islamic banks assess a possible financial project are: (i) that it does not violate Islamic law; (ii) that it should maximize the bank's profit; (iii) minimize perceived risk. 3 Whether the Islamic banks are operating in an Islamic banking system is not a decisive factor in their success or survival, what is decisive is that the peculiar nature of Islamic banks is to be secured by specific legislation. 4 One of the major problems facing Islamic banks is to find long, medium and short-term investments which are at once commercially effective and Islamically acceptable. In particular, Islamic banks will, at least in the foreseeable future need to focus on a complementary role, providing an avenue for Muslims to save and invest in an Islamically acceptable way

Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati Cosmology in Bianchi I brane

The dynamics of Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati Cosmology (DGP) braneworld with an anisotropic brane is studied. The Friedmann equations and their solutions are obtained for two branches of anisotropic DGP model. The late time behavior in DGP cosmology is examined in the presence of anisotropy which shows that universe enters a self-accelerating phase much later compared to the isotropic case. The acceleration conditions and slow-roll conditions for inflation are obtained

Bulk scalar field in DGP braneworld cosmology

We investigated the effects of bulk scalar field in the braneworld cosmological scenario. The Friedmann equations and acceleration condition in presence of the bulk scalar field for a zero tension brane and cosmological constant are studied. In DGP model the effective Einstein equation on the brane is obtained with bulk scalar field. The rescaled bulk scalar field on the brane in the DGP model behaves as an effective four dimensional field, thus standard type cosmology is recovered. In present study of the DGP model, the late-time accelerating phase of the universe can be explained .Comment: 10 pages, to appear in JCA

Water-pipe smoking and albuminuria: new dog with old tricks

Water-pipe (WP) smoking is on rise worldwide for the past few years, particularly among younger individuals. Growing evidence indicates that WP smoking is as harmful as cigarette smoking. To date, most of the research has focused on acute health effects of WP smoking, and evidence remains limited when it comes to chronic health effects in relation to long-term WP smoking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between WP smoking and albuminuria in apparently healthy individuals. This analysis was conducted on data of a population-based cross-sectional study—the Urban Rural Chronic Diseases Study (URCDS). The study sample was recruited from three sites in Pakistan. Trained nurses carried out individual interviews and obtained the information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and past and current medical history. Measurements of complete blood count, lipid profile, fasting glucose level, and 24-hour albuminuria were also made by using blood and urine samples. Albumin excretion was classified into three categories using standard cut-offs: normal excretion, high-normal excretion and microalbuminuria. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between WP smoking and albuminuria. The final analysis included data from 1,626 health individuals, of which 829 (51.0%) were males and 797 (49.0%) females. Of 1,626 individuals, 267 (16.4%) were current WP smokers and 1,359 (83.6%) were non-WP smokers. WP smoking was significantly associated with high-normal albuminuria (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.68-3.22, p-value <0.001) and microalbuminuria (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.18-2.58, p-value 0.005) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, social class, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. WP smoking was significantly associated with high-normal albuminuria and microalbuminuria when analysis was stratified on hypertension and diabetes mellitus categories. WP smoking has a strong association with albuminuria in apparently healthy individuals. More research is warranted to evaluate the temporality of this association between WP smoking and albuminuria