Measuring Knowledge Acquisition and Knowledge Creation: A Review of the Literature

This paper presented a review of the literature related to knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation. The paper discussed the nature and types of knowledge, knowledge acquisition, theories and models of knowledge acquisition, in addition to the review of empirical studies measuring knowledge acquisition. For knowledge creation, the paper discussed the definition of knowledge creation, theories and models of knowledge creation, and review of empirical studies measuring knowledge creation. Findings of the review revealed how researchers and scholars have used a variety of variables in investigating and measuring knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation among managers, engineers, and faculty members

High coverage of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in rural and non-rural settings in the Western Area, Sierra Leone

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphatic filariasis elimination programs are based upon preventative chemotherapy annually in populations with prevalence more than or equal to 1%. The goal is to treat 80% of the eligible, at risk population yearly, for at least 5 years, in order to interrupt transmission and prevent children from becoming infected. This level of coverage has been a challenge in urban settings. Assessing the coverage in a rapidly growing urban/non-rural setting with inadequate population data is also problematic. In Sierra Leone, a 5-day preventative chemotherapy campaign was carried out in the Western Area including the capital: Freetown. An intensive, social mobilization strategy combined traditional and modern communication channels. To aid dissemination of appropriate information Frequently Asked Questions were developed and widely circulated. The population of the Western Area has grown faster than projected by the 2004 National Census due to the post-war settlement of internally displaced persons. As a reliable denominator was not available, independent monitoring was adapted and performed "in process" to aid program performance and "end process" to assess final coverage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 5 days 1,104,407 eligible persons were treated. Using the projected population from the 2004 census this figure represented coverage of 116% in the Urban Western Area and 129% in the Rural Western Area. Independent monitors interviewed a total of 9,253 persons during the 2 End Process days representing 1% of the projected population. Of these, 85.8% recalled taking both ivermectin and albendazole (Urban: 85.2%, Rural: 87.1%). No serious adverse drug reactions were reported.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The paper presents the key elements of success of the social mobilization and implementation strategy and describes the independent monitoring used to estimate final coverage in this urban/non-rural setting where the current population size is uncertain. This implementation strategy and Independent Monitoring tool could be useful in similar, rapidly growing cities implementing lymphatic filariasis elimination programs.</p

Cultural Heritage Awareness among students of Pondicherry University: a Study

This paper aims to study the awareness of cultural heritage using their demographic variables.For this study data was collected through an online questionnaire. A total of 201 students from Pondicherry University participated in this study.The study used SPSS version 20 to analyze the collected data. Independent Samples t-test and one-way ANOVA tests are used to test the stated hypotheses.Based on these tests results, this study accepted three hypotheses i.e. H2d, H3c and H3d. The findings shows that there is statistically significant difference on region in acquiring cultural heritage knowledge, region in promoting cultural heritage awareness and statistically significant on subject background in promoting cultural heritage awareness (H2d, H3c and H3d) and also found that the influence of region and subject backgrounds have impact on cultural heritage awareness

Reading habits and subjects predilection by mobile readers: A Study

Abstract Purpose - The purpose of this study is to inspect the mobile reading behaviors and readers’ content predilection in Hyderabad city, India and to find out the interrelated problems. Design/methodology/approach - This study used a survey method and questionnaire tool for collecting data. Simple random sampling technique is employed to determine the sample population. SPSS software is used for analyzing data, independent t-test and One-Way ANOVA tests are conducted to test the stated hypotheses. Findings - The findings from t-test results discloses that there is a significant difference concerning males and females in term of reading e-books (t-value = -2.570, p-value = 0.011), particularly stories/novels (t-value = -4.021, p-value = 0.001), and time spent for emails (t-value = -3.394, p-value = 0.001). Also there is a significant difference concerning occupation and in terms of reading online magazines (t-value = -2.181, p-value = 0.033), e-books (t-value = -2.357, p-value = 0.019), stories/novels (t-value = -3.423, p-value = 0.001), and time spent on emails (t-value = -2.151, p-value = 0.032). The ANOVA test results shows that online news has significant difference (F-value = 2.727, p-value = 0.030) in term of age groups and used of e-books (F-value = 4.149, p-value = 0.007), using emails (F-value = 2.807, p-value = .040), movie reviews (F-value = 5.738, p-value = 0.001) and comic strips or jokes (F-value = 5.896, p-value = 0.001) have significant difference in term of their educational qualification(s). Originality/value - This paper help to comprehend the choice of reading a different type of contents based on demographic dissimilarities. Keywords – Reading, Reading habits, Mobile reading habits, Type of contents, Purpose of mobile reading. Paper type – Research pape

An essential GT motif in the lamin A promoter mediates activation by CREB-binding protein

Lamin A is an important component of nuclear architecture in mammalian cells. Mutations in the human lamin A gene lead to highly degenerative disorders that affect specific tissues. In studies directed towards understanding the mode of regulation of the lamin A promoter, we have identified an essential GT motif at -55 position by reporter gene assays and mutational analysis. Binding of this sequence to Sp transcription factors has been observed in electrophoretic mobility shift assays and by chromatin immunoprecipitation studies. Further functional analysis by co-expression of recombinant proteins and ChIP assays has shown an important regulatory role for CREB-binding protein in promoter activation, which is mediated by the GT motif

Fishery potential of the Gulf of Kachchh

Fishery potential of the interior Gulf of Kachchh and adjacent creek regions was reported for the first time as baseline data for future ecological assessment. The experimental trawling and gill netting indicated that the inner Gulf (av. 7.8 kg/h) was three times more productive than the creek (av. 2.3 kg/h). The number of species found in the Gulf and creek were respectively 34 and 20 suggesting good biodiversity of the living resources of the area

Comparative observational study between Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin based on HbA1c levels of patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure

Background: Our study aims to compare HbA1c levels in hospitalized acute coronary syndrome and heart failure patients treated with atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin Methods: This is a retrospective, prospective  observational study in which the study population includes ACS and HF Hospitalized patients, the study subjects are divided based on patients prescribed  with Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin based on the medication chart, and those patients' previous history of statin use is collected from history chart, patient case notes, doctors notes, laboratory data is collected and documented in data collection form, lab data includes HbA1c, finally compared Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin using excel and JASP descriptive analysis. Results: Overall, we collected data for 132 cases, of which 55% are males and 45% females, 59.10% are above 61 years of age, 39.39% are diagnosed with ACS and 23.48% are diagnosed with HF, among 67 patients who are using Atorvastatin, there was a significant mean decrease in HbA1c% from 8.359% to 7.901%, and among 65 Rosuvastatin users there was an increase in mean HbA1c% from 8.386%  to 8.389%. Additionally for non-diabetic individuals, there was an increase in Hba1c% from 6.339% to 6.387%. Conclusions: We concluded that Atorvastatin is a more effective statin than Rosuvastatin which will reduce the risk of new-onset Diabetes Mellitus in non- diabetic individuals and reduce the risk of increasing complications of diabetes mellitus in patients who are Diabetic

A prospective study on evaluation of antibiotics usage in patients with sepsis at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Most developing countries are adopting antibiotic usage in sepsis. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibiotic usage in patients and to study medical adherence in high-risk patients. The study in particular aims to evaluate antibiotic usage in sepsis patients along with their related ADR’s. The study also aims to optimize the usage of antibiotics in high-risk patients at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Study was prospective and observational review of patients record in the hospital. Clinical notes, medication chart and electronic data management system at the hospital were used to analyse usage of antibiotics. Culture and sensitivity reports were obtained from relevant departments. Observations were then compiled and documented. Results: Out of 40 cases collected 22 (55%) patients were male and 18 (45%) were female. Majority of the study population belongs to 71 years and above with 15 (37.5%) followed by age group of 41-60 years with 14 (35%). Most frequently prescribed antibiotics were found to be meropenem 16 (21.33%) and piperacillin tazobactam 14 (18.67%). The most resistant antibiotic was found to be cotrimazole in 35 (87.5%). ADRs were found in 35% of all cases. Conclusions: Prescribing patterns for antibiotics need to be optimized. Adherence to and update of the policy is also recommended. It was found that the adherence to hospital antibiotic policy is low

A study on drug utilization pattern of anticoagulants in post-cardiac surgeries at a tertiary care hospital

Background: The study is being carried out mainly to understand the prevention of coagulation of blood after a patient undergoing various types of cardiac surgeries, using different anticoagulation therapies suitable to particular types of cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to know the types of anticoagulants prescribed to patients who have undergone different types of cardiac surgeries along with the prescribed anticoagulants. Methods: The study method used was a retrospective and prospective observational study carried out on 50 patients who underwent cardiac surgeries in the department of cardiology and medicine. Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled for this study who satisfied the inclusion criteria, out of which 64% of patients were males, and 36% were females. The highest number of patients were found to be in between the age group of 61-70 yrs (34%), whereas age group between 51-60 yrs (28%), age group 71 and above (18%), 41-50 (14%), 21-30 yrs (4%) and 18-20 yrs (2%) respectively. Most of the patients had undergone Coronary Artery bypass grafting. It was seen that the highest Anticoagulant being prescribed was Heparin in most of the post-cardiac surgeries. Whereas drugs like dalteparin, acenocoumarol, and warfarin were prescribed the majority in valvular heart surgeries. Conclusions: Various cardiac surgeries were taken into consideration for the study. The most common anticoagulants prescribed were heparin, dalteparin, acenocoumarol, and warfarin in coronary artery bypass surgery and valvular heart surgeries respectively