Antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior towards project success

In the current globally competitive knowledge economy, all organizations need to manage a project effectively to ensure success. Studies have shown that many projects failed to achieve initial objectives and unable to respond to their stakeholders’ expectations. Researchers have recognized that knowledge is a key strategic resource for the project performance and effectiveness and that it is essential to encourage and assist project team members to share their know-how. Hence, the main aim of this research is to investigate the individual and organizational factors influencing project team members' knowledge sharing behavior that eventually contributes to the success of a project. This study develops a theoretical framework of underlying project knowledge sharing based on the “Theory of Planned Behavior” for identifying knowledge sharing behavior complemented by System Thinking Theory and Input-Process-Output Model. A questionnaire survey was used for data collection and analysis was made based on 423 responses from project team members of a large project based company. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 14 participants including managers and project management team members in the case company to gain a clearer and deeper understanding of knowledge sharing behaviors. The findings from the research survey and interview support the basic assumption that higher levels of individual factors including Perceived Reciprocity Benefits, Perceived Enjoyment in Helping Others, Perceived Project Commitment, Knowledge Selfefficacy; together with higher levels of organizational factors including Perceived Project Climate, Top Management Support, Rewards and Incentives, Information Technology; lead to higher levels of actual knowledge sharing. The findings also show that knowledge sharing behavior in project environment is a critical factor which can affect success of a project

Effect of storage time and temperature on serum analytes

Information on the measured concentration of serum analytes during storage of serum samples is often incomplete and sometimes contradictory. The 10 analytes have not studied in this area in healthy subjects. The aim of present study was designed to determine the effect of storage time and temperature on the laboratory results of 10 analytes in sera from apparently healthy adult males in city of Gorgan.We studied the effect of storage temperature and time on the measured roncentration of 10 serum analytes (2006). Serum was separated from the clot within 20 min of the collection. The sera were stored at 4±1°C and 23±1°C for 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h, then assayed. Glucose, Phosphorus and creatinine were the least stable and the serum should be determined within 48 h at 4±1°C and 24 h at 23±1°C for these analytes. The other analytes were stable for 72 h. Proper storage temperatures and times must be considered for these analytes (glucose, phosphorus and Creatinine) if measurement is not to take place immediately after specimen collection. Beyond this, it is even very useful to check the reliability of technical and instrumental resources that the laboratory will use during the study because molecular alterations of the analytes due to variable storage conditions can cause misleading results. © 2008 Science Publications

PENGEMBANGAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS KOMPUTER DENGAN APLIKASI MACROMEDIA FLASH PADA MATA PELAJARAN PERBAIKAN SISTEM STARTER DAN SISTEM PENGISIAN DI SMK TAMANSISWA YOGYAKARTA

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan media pembelajaran yang diharapkan mampu memberikan kontribusi positif terhadap pembelajaran teori pada mata pelajaran sistem perbaikan sistem starter dan perbaikan sistem pengisian serta untuk mengetahui tingkat kelayakan dari media pembelajaran sistem starter sebagai media pembelajaran di SMK Tamansiswa Yogyakarta Program Keahlian Teknik Kendaraan Ringan. Penelitian dilaksanakan di SMK Tamansiswa Yogyakarta. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan media pembelajaran sistem starter. Tahapan dalam penelitian ini terdiri dari; (1) analisis kebutuhan; (2) perencanaan; (3) pengembangan Produk; (4) uji validitas ahli; (5) revisi produk; (6) uji terbatas; (7) revisi produk; (8) uji kelompok kecil; (9) revisi produk; (10) uji kelompok besar; (11) produk akhir. Proses validasi dilakukan oleh 1 orang ahli materi dan 1 orang ahli media. Untuk pengujian lapangan dilakukan dengan uji terbatas yaitu 2 orang guru pengampu, uji kelompok kecil dengan 10 siswa dan untuk uji kelompok besar dilakukan dengan 30 siswa. Pengumpulan data evaluasi formatif dilakukaan dengan menggunakan lembar penilaian untuk aspek isi materi, aspek kemanfaatan, aspek desain layar dan aspek pengoperasian program. Secara umum hasil dari pengujian masuk dalam kriteria baik sekali dengan perincian; (a) untuk kualitas materi yang divalidasi oleh ahli materi termasuk dalam kategori baik sekali dengan rerata 3,88 ; (b) kualitas media yang divalidasi oleh ahli media termasuk kategori baik sekali dengan rerata 3,75 ; (c) untuk hasil uji coba terbatas masuk dalam kriteria baik sekali dengan rerata 3,48 ; (d) untuk hasil uji coba kelompok kecil masuk dalam kriteria baik sekali dengan rerata 3,57 (e) untuk hasil uji coba kelompok besar masuk dalam kriteria baik sekali dengan rerata 3,45 dengan perincian; (a) aspek isi materi menunjukkan rerata penilaian 3,44 ; (b) aspek kemanfaatan menunjukkan rerata penilaian 3,48 ; (c) aspek desain layar menunjukkan rerata penilaian 3,45 ; (d) pengoperasian program menunjukkan rerata penilaian 3,43. Dari hasil tersebut maka media pembelajaran yang telah di buat sangat layak digunakan untuk pembelajaran

Prostate cancer incidence in Golestan province, Iran (2004)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and therefore represents a major problem in public health.The aim of this study was to find and evaluate province-specific estimate of incidence in males by age groups for prostate cancer in Golestan province, Iran. The data used in this study were collected in a cancer registry program that was conducted by Health Deputy of Golestan province in IRAN for a period of 1 year (2004). Prostate cancer data was identified and collected in the population based cancer registries through the 18 Pathology Laboratories (where male populations referred to these centers) and using a structured questionnaire, trained personnel conducted in-person interviews to collect information on prostate cancer in Golestan province. Prostate cancer incidence among males in Golestan province was 5.17/100000 in gerenal. But the highest rate (ASR: 215.87/100,000) among males were showen to be in age 80-85. The incidence of prostate cancer in age 80-84 has risen sharply and it was the lowest in age 50-54 (ASR: 5.18/100,000). According to this information Golestan province harbor a rather incidence for prostate cancer (in age 80-84), comparable to the lower incidence rate reported in the world. For the present time it can be said that prostate cancer in males appear to be one of the most prevalent and serious type of cancer in Golestan province. © 2008 Science Publications

The effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in intoxicated-lead rat offsprings

Objective: Lead exposure or lead poisoning is known to cause a large spectrum of physiological, biochemical, and behavioural disorders in animals. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the glutathione reductase activities in intoxicated- lead rat offsprings. Methods: This study was performed on the pups from female Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups and the treatments were administered through drinking water. Group1 (control group) consumed distilled water. Group 2 (lead group) consumed a solution of lead acetate (300mg/L). Group3 (lead + vitamin C) consumed a solution of lead (300mg/L) which was supplemented with vitamin C (2g/L). Group4 (vitamin group) consumed a solution of vitamin C (2g/L). The enzyme activities were determined in all the 4 groups. Results: The administration of lead showed a decrease in the enzyme activities. The superoxide dismutase activity was increased after the administration of lead in combination with vitamin C. The lead treated rats showed significantly lower body weights at birth and at weaning. The vitamin C treatment showed a significant increase in the body weight. The haemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in the lead-treated rats. The addition of vitamin C to the lead treatment and vitamin C alone could elevate the haemoglobin levels significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lead alterates the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities. There was an increase in the superoxide dismutase activity following the treatment with vitamin C. This study suggests that the treatment with vitamin C during lactation has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of lead intoxication. The administration of vitamin C prevents haemoglobin reduction in the erythrocytes

Male skin cancer incidence in Golestan province, Iran

Objective: To evaluate province-specific estimates of incidence in males by age groups for skin cancer in the Golestan province, Iran. Methods: Data was collected from a cancer registry that was conducted by Health Deputy of Golestan province for a period of one year (2004). Age-specific rate and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) were determined. Age-specific rate and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of skin cancer was compared with Mazanderan province and Iran. The age distribution was collected according to the following age strata: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 above. Skin cancer data was identified and collected through 18 Pathology Laboratory centers, where the cases had been referred in the Golestan province. Results: A total of 409 primary cancer cases were captured. From these 64 cases were skin cancer. ASR skin cancer incidence among males in Golestan province was: 13.23/100000. But skin cancer with the highest ASR (ASR: 161.90/100,000) among males were in the age group 80-84 years. The lowest incidence was in age 30-34 years. (ASR: 1.88/100,000). Conclusion: The incidence of skin cancer in Golestan Province is rising especially in the age group 80-84 years. It is the highest incidence reported in the world

The Metabolic Syndrome among Postmenopausal Women in Gorgan

In this study, we aimed to assess levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in relation to metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in Gorgan. The study group included 100 postmenopausal women who were referred to the different Health Centers in Gorgan. Body mass index, waist circumference, Hip, waist to hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, but HDL-cholesterol was lower. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 31%. There were significant differences in 25-hydroxy vitamin D of postmenopausal women with and without vitamin D deficiency. Prevalence of the vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women was 30%. There were significant differences in 25-hydroxy vitamin D of postmenopausal women with and without vitamin D deficiency who had metabolic syndrome. Our results show that postmenopausal status might be a predictor of metabolic syndrome in this area. Our findings suggested that vitamin D levels have no association with metabolic syndrome. There were no significant differences in vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D deficiency is not associated with the metabolic syndrome

Incidence of thyroid cancer in Golestan province of Iran: Some initial observations

Objectives: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in several countries. The main aim of this study was to find and describe province-specific estimates of incidence in males and females by age groups for thyroid cancer. Methodology: The data used in this study were collected from a cancer registry that was established by Health Deputy of Golestan province for a period of one year (2004), in different age groups. Thyroid cancer data was identified and collected through the eighteen Pathology Laboratory centers (where males and female populations is referred) in Golestan province. Results: A total of 348 females and 409 males cases with cancer representing all sites were identified during the study period. It included seventeen females and five male thyroid cancer patients. In female's thyroid cancer, there were twelve papillary carcinoma (70.6%), two medullary carcinoma, one carcinoma anaplastic and one carcinoma (5.9%). In male's, there were two papillary carcinoma (40%) and one follicular carcinoma. The incidence of thyroid cancer in 70-79 age groups for females and males was the highest and lowest in age group 10-19 years' in females and 30-39 years in males. Conclusion: The incidence of thyroid cancer is higher in females when compared with males as per this one year study. However since this is just one year data, it needs to be studied further to confirm these findings

The metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic subjects in Gorgan, Iran

Objective: To assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in subjects diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Gorgan, Iran.Methods: Data were collected from 200 subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and they were categorized aswith or without the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III(ATP-III) guidelines.Results: The overall metabolic syndrome prevalence was 51.50%. The mean age of all the subjects was53.65±9.50 years. There were 122 females and 78 males of whom 65 females and 38 males had the metabolic syndrome. The mean uration of diabetes was 7.70±1.29 years. Mean triglycerides were 185.15±56.63 mg/dl,and fasting blood glucose 153 ±19.6 mg/dl. These levels were significantly higher in the subjects with type-2diabetes with metabolic syndrome, but the mean HDL-cholesterol was 37.96±5.09 mg/dl and this was lower (p<0.001). Female and male subjects with metabolic syndrome had significantly longer (except HDL-cholesterol)duration of diabetes, higher Triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Females were more affected than males