The Role of Social Power, Procedural Justice, Organizational Commitment, and Job Satisfaction to Engender Organizational Citizenship Behavior

A conceptual framework is proposed to investigate the effects of employees' perception of managers' social power on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) mediated by procedural justice, employees' organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. To test the frame-work, structural equation modeling techniques are applied to data collected from 195 top and middle level employees of a private commercial bank in Bangladesh. Primarily this study aims to test the theoretical models to measure the causality whether Social Power, Procedural Justice, Organizational Commitment, and Job Satisfaction can foster Organizational Citizenship Behavior. The results of the study indicate that procedural justice is significantly and positively related to job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The findings indicated that organizational commitment has a positive relationship with OCB but the relationship is found to be insignificant. In addition the results also show that employees' with high job satisfaction will have higher OCB, suggesting that bank management needs to value employees' job satisfaction to increase employees' OCB. Implications for practicing managers and for future research are discussed

Role of maternal serum homocysteine level on fetal birth weight

Objective: The present study has been conducted to investigate the role of plasma homocysteine on neonatal birth weight.Methods: This prospective cross sectional analytical study was conducted in the inpatient department of obstetrics & gynecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital on 120 term, singleton pregnant women. Pregnant women with plasma total bomocysteine >15 µmol/L were termed as having hyperhomocysteinemia (case, n = 25), while women with plasma total homocysteine ?15 µmol/L were considered as notmal (control, n = 95). Neonatal birth weight was the main outcome variable which was compared between case and control groups. Result: The entire women in the case group were in their 3rd decades, while 80% of the control group were in this age range and 10% was below 20 and 10% above 30 years old. The cases were older than the controls (25.6 ± 2.0 vs. 23.7 ± 4.7 years, p = 0.051 ). Over three-quarters (76%) of the cases were SSC level educated, while majority (84.2%) of the controls was primary level educated. Eighty percent of the neonates born of mothers with hyperhomocysteinemia were of low birth weight as opposed to only 9.5% in the control group. The mothers of case-group carry nearly 40(95% of CI= 11.5 - 126.4) times higher risk of having low birth weight babies than the mothers with nonnal homocysteine level. The mean birth weight of neonates of case group was observed to be significantly higher (2.8 ± 0.4 kg) than that of control group (2.2 ± 0.4 kg). Correlation between the two variables shows that as plasma homocysteine level of women increases the birth weight of neonates decreases bearing an inverse relationship between these two variables (r = - 0.326, p < 0.001 ). Conclusion: Pregnant women with elevated plasma total homocysteine carry much higher risk of giving low birth weight babies than the women with normal or low level of total homocysteine. Thus, measuring total homcysteine during pregnancy is of much clinical importance as corrective measure could be taken to avert the adverse pregnancy outcome

Comparative Analysis of Hormonal and Basic Parameters between Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Non-PCOS) Individuals

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to non-PCOS women across different age groups. The data was collected from a sample of women, and their distribution among age groups revealed that the majority of PCOS women (39.6%) were in the 36-45 years age range, followed by 30.6% in the 26-35 years group, and 29.6% in the 15-25 years group. Subsequently, various parameters were compared between PCOS and non-PCOS women. The analysis of Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated that there was a marginal difference, with PCOS women having a mean BMI of 20.93±2.37 kg/m2, and non-PCOS women having a slightly higher mean BMI of 21.51±2.37 kg/m2. Furthermore, hormonal analysis revealed that PCOS women had significantly higher levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) with a mean of 13.32±2.25 compared to non-PCOS women with a mean of 7.23±2.14. Similarly, PCOS women showed elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with a mean of 6.43±4.34, while non-PCOS women had a mean of 4.43±2.53. Moreover, insulin levels were considerably higher in PCOS women with a mean of 19.52±2.06, in contrast to non-PCOS women with a mean of 6.43±3.53. These findings suggest that PCOS is associated with distinct hormonal and metabolic profiles, contributing to the understanding of this complex syndrome and emphasizing the importance of considering age and hormonal factors in its diagnosis and managemen

Hierarchical graphene oxide-Ni3S2 quantum dots nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical detection of dopamine and tyrosine

A facile synthetic strategy is demonstrated to generate nickel sulfide quantum dots (Ni3S2). The thus formed Ni3S2 quantum dots are assembled onto exfoliated graphene oxide sheets hydrothermally to form nickel sulfide-graphene oxide nanocomposite material (GO-Ni3S2). The microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of the GO-Ni3S2 nanocomposites revealed the shape, size, crystalline phases, and oxidation states (of elements) of the hybrid material. The GO-Ni3S2 nanocomposites are then coated onto the glassy carbon electrode by drop casting to form GO-Ni3S2@GCE. The modified electrode is then used to detect dopamine and tyrosine simultaneously. The effect of scan rate, analyte concentrations, pH, and interfering agents on the peak current are studied to establish a plausible mechanism for oxidizing dopamine and tyrosine at GO-Ni3S2@GCE. The GO-Ni3S2@GCE is stable for 3 weeks and ten cycles of washing with minimal loss in the peak current in each cycle. Dopamine with a concentration as low as 12 nM can be detected using the GO-Ni3S2@GCE system

Potencies of Justicia adhatoda L. for its possible phytotoxic activity

The phytotoxic effects of Justicia adhatoda L. were investigated on cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, foxtail millet and barnyard grass. The experiments were carried out under laboratory and in pot experiments. Six different aqueous methanol extract concentrations (control, 0.001, 0.003, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.1 g DW equivalent mL-1 extract) were tested in the laboratory and six aqueous extract concentrations (control, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g DW mL-1 extract equivalent) were evaluated in the pot experiment. Results showed a reduction in germination and growth (shoot length, root length and biomass weight) at higher extract concentration compared to control. The leaf extracts from J. adhatoda showed that the foxtail millet and barnyard grass are germinating below 50 % both in the laboratory condition and in the pot experiment at their maximum concentration. When maximum extracts have been applied, we have found less than 0.5 cm of shoot and root of foxtail millet and barnyard grass. Maximum dry weight reduction was observed in foxtail millet and barnyard grass at the same concentration. The findings show that J. adhatoda may have phytotoxic potential and thus contains phytotoxins. Therefore, J. adhatoda can be used in sustainable crop production as a mulch or soil additive to suppress weeds

Carbon−Phosphorus Bond Activation of Tri(2-thienyl)phosphine at Dirhenium and Dimanganese Centers

Reaction of [Re2(CO)9(NCMe)] with tri(2-thienyl)phosphine (PTh3) in refluxing cyclohexane affords three substituted dirhenium complexes: [Re2(CO)9(PTh3)] (1), [Re2(CO)8(NCMe)(PTh3)] (2), and [Re2(CO)8(PTh3)2] (3). Complex 2 was also obtained from the room-temperature reaction of [Re2(CO)8(NCMe)2] with PTh3 and is an unusual example in which the acetonitrile and phosphine ligands are coordinated to the same rhenium atom. Thermolysis of 1 and 3 in refluxing xylene affords [Re2(CO)8(μ-PTh2)(μ-η1:κ1-C4H3S)] (4) and [Re2(CO)7(PTh3)(μ-PTh2)(μ-H)] (5), respectively, both resulting from carbon−phosphorus bond cleavage of a coordinated PTh3 ligand. Reaction of [Re2(CO)10] and PTh3 in refluxing xylene gives a complex mixture of products. These products include 3−5, two further binuclear products, [Re2(CO)7(PTh3)(μ-PTh2)(μ-η1:κ1-C4H3S)] (6) and [Re2(CO)7(μ-κ1:κ2-Th2PC4H2SPTh)(μ-η1:κ1-C4H3S)] (7), and the mononuclear hydrides [ReH(CO)4(PTh3)] (8) and trans-[ReH(CO)3(PTh3)2] (9). Binuclear 6 is structurally similar to 4 and can be obtained from reaction of the latter with 1 equiv of PTh3. Formation of 7 involves a series of rearrangements resulting in the formation of a unique new diphosphine ligand, Th2PC4H2SPTh. Reaction of [Mn2(CO)10] with PTh3 in refluxing toluene affords the phosphine-substituted product [Mn2(CO)9(PTh3)] (10) and two carbon−phosphorus bond cleavage products, [Mn2(CO)6(μ-PTh2)(μ-η1:η5-C4H3S)] (11) and [Mn2(CO)5(PTh3)(μ-PTh2)(μ-η1:η5-C4H3S)] (12). Both 11 and 12 contain a bridging thienyl ligand that is bonded to one manganese atom in a η5-fashion. The molecular structures of eight of these new complexes were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, allowing a detailed analysis of the disposition of the coordinated ligands

Reactivity of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine towards Group 7 Metal Carbonyls: Carbon–phosphorus Bond Activation

Addition of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine (PPhTh2) to [Re2(CO)10−n(NCMe)n] (n = 1, 2) affords the substitution products [Re2(CO)10−n(PhPTh2)n] (1, 2) together with small amounts of fac-[ClRe(CO)3(PPhTh2)2] (3) (n = 2). Reaction of [Re2(CO)10] with PPhTh2in refluxing xylene affords a mixture which includes 2, [Re2(CO)7(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-H)] (4), [Re2(CO)7(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,κ1(S)-C4H3S)] (5) and mer-[HRe(CO)3(PPhTh2)2] (6). Phosphido-bridged 4 and 5 are formed by the carbon–phosphorus bond cleavage of the coordinated PPhTh2 ligand, the cleaved thienyl group being retained in the latter. Reaction of [Mn2(CO)10] with PPhTh2 in refluxing toluene affords [Mn2(CO)9(PPhTh2)] (7) and the carbon–phosphorus bond cleavage products [Mn2(CO)6(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,η5-C4H3S)] (8) and [Mn2(CO)5(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,η5-C4H3S)] (9). Both 8 and 9 contain a bridging thienyl ligand which is bonded to one manganese atom in a η5-fashion

Promoting effect of MgO addition to Pt/Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 in the steam gasification of biomass

Pt/Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst showed the high performance in the steam gasification of cedar wood at the initial stage, however, the catalyst was deactivated within 2 h. According to the catalyst characterization by means of XRD and Ni K-edge EXAFS, it is found that aggregation of Ni metal particles causes the deactivation. In contrast, the Pt/Ni/CeO2/MgO/Al2O3 showed the high catalytic activity and stability. The addition of MgO to Pt/Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 decreased the reduction degree of Ni, but increased the dispersion of the Ni metal particles. As a result, the activity of Pt/Ni/CeO2/MgO/Al2O3 was comparable to that of Pt/Ni/CeO2/Al2O3. The Pt/Ni/CeO2/MgO/Al2O3 had high resistance to the aggregation, which can be related to high stability. Another important point is that the aggregated Ni particles on the Pt/Ni/CeO2/MgO/Al2O3 became re-dispersed by the catalyst regeneration (oxidation and reduction). The re-dispersion can proceed via the formation of the NiO–MgO solid solution by oxidation and the reduction of the NiO–MgO from the results of XRD and Ni K-edge EXAFS

Role of maternal serum homocysteine level on fetal birth weight

Objective: The present study has been conducted to investigate the role of plasma homocysteine on neonatal birth weight. Methods: This prospective cross sectional analytical study was conducted in the inpatient department of obstetrics & gynecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital on 120 term, singleton pregnant women. Pregnant women with plasma total bomocysteine >15 µmol/L were termed as having hyperhomocysteinemia (case, n = 25), while women with plasma total homocysteine ?15 µmol/L were considered as notmal (control, n = 95). Neonatal birth weight was the main outcome variable which was compared between case and control groups. Result: The entire women in the case group were in their 3rd decades, while 80% of the control group were in this age range and 10% was below 20 and 10% above 30 years old. The cases were older than the controls (25.6 ± 2.0 vs. 23.7 ± 4.7 years, p = 0.051 ). Over three-quarters (76%) of the cases were SSC level educated, while majority (84.2%) of the controls was primary level educated. Eighty percent of the neonates born of mothers with hyperhomocysteinemia were of low birth weight as opposed to only 9.5% in the control group. The mothers of case-group carry nearly 40(95% of CI= 11.5 - 126.4) times higher risk of having low birth weight babies than the mothers with nonnal homocysteine level. The mean birth weight of neonates of case group was observed to be significantly higher (2.8 ± 0.4 kg) than that of control group (2.2 ± 0.4 kg). Correlation between the two variables shows that as plasma homocysteine level of women increases the birth weight of neonates decreases bearing an inverse relationship between these two variables (r = - 0.326, p < 0.001 ). Conclusion: Pregnant women with elevated plasma total homocysteine carry much higher risk of giving low birth weight babies than the women with normal or low level of total homocysteine. Thus, measuring total homcysteine during pregnancy is of much clinical importance as corrective measure could be taken to avert the adverse pregnancy outcome

Sharing stories: complex intervention for diabetes education in minority ethnic groups who do not speak English

Objective To develop and refine a complex intervention for diabetes support and education in minority ethnic groups, delivered through bilingual health advocates. Design Action research framework—a variety of methods used in an emergent and developmental manner, in partnership with clinicians, managers, and service users, drawing especially but not exclusively on narrative methods. Setting Deprived inner London district. Interventions Development and evaluation of three components of the complex intervention: a group based learning set for bilingual health advocates, in which stories about clients with diabetes formed the basis for action learning; advocate led support and education groups for people with diabetes, which used personal stories as the raw material for learning and action; organisational support to help to develop these new models and embed them within existing services. Results Both advocate groups and user groups were popular and well evaluated. Through storytelling, advocates identified and met their own educational needs in relation to diabetes and the unmet needs of service users. In the advocate led user groups, story fragments were exchanged in a seemingly chaotic way that the research team initially found difficult to facilitate or follow. Stories were not so much told as enacted and were often centred on discussion of “what to do.” Whereas some organisations welcomed, successfully implemented, and sustained the advocate led groups, others failed to do so. A key component of the complex intervention was organisational support. Conclusions An action research approach allowed engagement with an underserved group of health service staff and with hard to reach service users. The study produced subjective benefits to these groups locally as well as a worked-up complex intervention that will now be formally tested in a randomised controlled trial