Human Resource Practices in SME Sector: An Exploratory Case Study of Pakistan

The role of human resource practices (HRP) at its significance in small and medium enterprises (SME) become an emerging topic, especially in developing countries. This study aims to gauge the level of HR practice being exercise in SME. Quantitative approach has been followed and data was collected from 195 SMEs, operating in Karachi, through a structure questionnaire. Findings suggested that SME are performing moderate level of HR practices and owner/managers are aware with the importance of HR practices in their organizations. Moreover, compensation is the most significant factor of HR practices followed by employee performance, recruitment and selection and training and development. HR function has been substantially implemented and HR practices are being carried out in number of SME and is contributes at all phases of organization’s functions. The globalization and dynamic milieu is forcing the SME sector to switch informal functions to formal manner. However more coherent approach is required to replace the traditional way of practicing HR functions. This study validates the implementation of HR practices in SME as documented in the literature. It further provides a reference for academicians and practitioner to build upon a contention for future research

Prediction of biopore- and matrix-dominated flow from X-ray CT-derived macropore network characteristics

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Classical Mitchell's osteotomy in the management of symptomatic hallux vulgus

Background: Hallux vulgus is common deformity of fore foot frequently resulting in pain at first metatarso phalyngeal joint and cosmetic problems. Hallux vulgus is particularly more common in shoe wearing populations. Ours being a sub Himalayan region with harsh and prolonged winters where shoe wearing is a must this condition is very common. Various surgical procedures have been described for its management. These range from soft tissue procedures to arthodesis of first metatarso phalyngeal joint. Distal first metatarsal osteotomy (Mitchell’s osteotomy) is a time tested procedure in its management.Methods: Forty adult patients (56 feet) with symptomatic hallux vulgus, who did not respond to conservative treatment, were managed with Mitchell’s osteotomy.Results: Results were assessed as per American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society grading. More than ninety percent of our patients were fully satisfied with their pain relief and foot cosmetics while others were satisfied with some reservations. There was no major complication or non-union at osteotomy site. Conclusions: Management of hallux vulgus is conservative to begin with, measures like life style modifications, broad toed shoes, toe spacers and physical therapy are tried first. Surgical intervention is indicated if conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms. More than 130 surgical procedures have been described for hallux vulgus ranging from soft tissue procedures like MacBride’s to arthodesis of first metatarso phalyngeal joint. Distal metatarsal osteotomy was first described by Hawkins in 1945 but was named after Mitchell who published his work in 1958. From our study we conclude that this is a time tested procedure for symptomatic cases of Hallux Vulgus not responding to conservative measures

Organizational Factors, Teachers’ Professional Development and Teaching Practices: Findings from Female Elementary School Teachers

Development of teaching competencies has always considered the most prolific dimension in teaching education. It assists teachers in teaching and in preparing to adopt more functional orientation practices beneficial towards teaching practice. This study aimed to investigate the antecedents of teachers’ teaching practices. Primary data through survey was collected from 377 female elementary school teachers from private sector schools based in Karachi. Smart PLS was used for data analysis. Findings of this study revealed a significant relationship among organizational factors, teachers’ professional development and teachers’ teaching practices. This paper contributes to existing knowledge by reporting new empirical evidences from female elementary school teachers. Hence, this research provides practitioners and policy makers with better insights into some practices that could improve teaching practices.

Deformation and Flexibility Equations for Idealized ARIS Umbilicals, Under Planar End-Loading Conditions

The International Space Station (ISS) relies on the Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) as the central component of an integrated, station-wide strategy to isolate microgravity space-science experiments. ARIS uses electromechanical actuators to isolate an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) from disturbances due to the motion of the ISS. Disturbances to microgravity experiments on ARIS-isolated racks are primarily transmitted via the ARIS power and vacuum umbilicals. Recent experimental tests indicate that these umbilicals resonate at frequencies outside the ARIS controller's bandwidth. at levels of potential concern for certain microgravity experiments. Reduction in the umbilical resonant frequencies could help to address this issue. This paper develops equations for the in-plane deflections and flexibilities of an idealized umbilical (thin, flexible, cantilever beam) under end-point, in-plane loading (inclined-force and moment). The effect of gravity is neglected due to the on:orbit application. The analysis assumes an initially straight. cantilevered umbilical with uniform cross-section. which undergoes large deflections with no plastic deformation, such that the umbilical terminus remains in a single quadrant and the umbilical slope changes monotonically. The analysis is applicable to the ARIS power and vacuum umbilicals. under the indicated assumptions

IMPACT OF E-RECRUITMENT AND JOB-SEEKERS PERCEPTION ON INTENTION TO PURSUE THE JOBS

The study highlighted the significance of e-recruitment in the firms. In current epoch technology integrated the information in a sophisticated manner and has influenced on every setting of daily affaires. Hence job seekers are also get benefited with the internet era and start searching the jobs on internet. This study examined the relationship between the recruitment sources, job seekers’ perception and intention to pursue the job. Data was collected from 257 respondents and analysed in relation with the research objectives. The findings of the study showed that internet is the most preferred source to search the job among other recruitment sources. Furthermore, it is also suggested that the effectiveness of e-recruitment depends upon the placement of advertisement and salary is the most influential motivator to find interest in the job applied. Lastly, statistics of the study found that the recruitment sources and applicant’s perceptions of job significantly influence the intention to pursue the position applied by the job seeker

Screen time is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance in children

Higher screen time is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in adults, but the association with T2D risk markers in children is unclear. We examined associations between self-reported screen time and T2D risk markers in children. Survey of 4495 children aged 9-10 years who had fasting cardiometabolic risk marker assessments, anthropometry measurements and reported daily screen time; objective physical activity was measured in a subset of 2031 children. Compared with an hour or less screen time daily, those reporting screen time over 3 hours had higher ponderal index (1.9%, 95% CI 0.5% to 3.4%), skinfold thickness (4.5%, 0.2% to 8.8%), fat mass index (3.3%, 0.0% to 6.7%), leptin (9.2%, 1.1% to 18.0%) and insulin resistance (10.5%, 4.9% to 16.4%); associations with glucose, HbA1c, physical activity and cardiovascular risk markers were weak or absent. Associations with insulin resistance remained after adjustment for adiposity, socioeconomic markers and physical activity. Strong graded associations between screen time, adiposity and insulin resistance suggest that reducing screen time could facilitate early T2D prevention. While these observations are of considerable public health interest, evidence from randomised controlled trials is needed to suggest causality. [Abstract copyright: Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Basic skin surgery interactive simulation: system description and randomised educational trial

Background: Learning the skills required for open surgery is essential for trainee progression towards more advanced technical procedures. Simulation supports skill enhancement at a time when exposure to actual surgical procedures and traditional apprentice-based teaching has declined. The proliferation of smartphone and tablet devices with rich, touch sensitive displays and increasing processing power makes a compelling argument for expanding accessibility further by development of mobile virtual simulations for training on demand in any setting, at any time.We present a tablet-based mobile simulation App for educating surgical trainees in the planning and surgical procedures involved in facial lesion resection and local skin flap surgery. Methods: Novel algorithms were developed and modules included in a mobile simulation App to teach concepts required for three defect reconstruction techniques: elliptical closure, bilateral advancement (H flap) and the semi-circular rotation flap, with additional resources such as videos and formal guidelines made available at relevant points in the simulation. A randomised educational trial was conducted using the mobile simulation App with 18 medical students that were divided equally into two groups: the intervention group learning using the new mobile simulation App, and a control group, undergoing traditional text-based self-study. The students were then assessed on knowledge and skills' acquisition through an MCQ and a task analysis score. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the scores of students in the intervention group and the students in the non-intervention group in both forms of assessment, with an average multiple-choice assessment score of 62.95% points versus 56.73%, respectively (p = 0.0285), and an average task analysis score of 3.53 versus 2.58, respectively (p = 0.0139). Conclusions: Touch-based simulation provided an efficient and superior method of learning three different local flap techniques for facial soft tissue reconstruction, and helped recalling steps involved in the surgery in a fluid manner that also improved task performance

FunSpec: a web-based cluster interpreter for yeast

BACKGROUND: For effective exposition of biological information, especially with regard to analysis of large-scale data types, researchers need immediate access to multiple categorical knowledge bases and need summary information presented to them on collections of genes, as opposed to the typical one gene at a time. RESULTS: We present here a web-based tool (FunSpec) for statistical evaluation of groups of genes and proteins (e.g. co-regulated genes, protein complexes, genetic interactors) with respect to existing annotations (e.g. functional roles, biochemical properties, localization). FunSpec is available online at http://funspec.med.utoronto.ca CONCLUSION: FunSpec is helpful for interpretation of any data type that generates groups of related genes and proteins, such as gene expression clustering and protein complexes, and is useful for predictive methods employing "guilt-by-association.

Source Localization Using Virtual Antenna Arrays

Using antenna arrays for direction of arrival (DoA) estimation and source localization is a well-researched topic. In this paper, we analyze virtual antenna arrays for DoA estimation where the antenna array geometry is acquired using data from a low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU). Performance evaluation of an unaided inertial navigation system with respect to individual IMU sensor noise parameters is provided using a state space based extended Kalman filter. Secondly, using Monte Carlo simulations, DoA estimation performance of random 3-D antenna arrays is evaluated by computing Cramér-Rao lower bound values for a single plane wave source located in the far field of the array. Results in the paper suggest that larger antenna arrays can provide significant gain in DoA estimation accuracy, but, noise in the rate gyroscope measurements proves to be a limiting factor when making virtual antenna arrays for DoA estimation and source localization using single antenna devices