Applications of social networking technology in IT-based knowledge management systems

This research enquires into how social networking technologies can help knowledge creation and sharing in IT-based knowledge management systems. Social networking technologies have changed the way people connect and collaborate allowing users to seek and find knowledge and expertise from both friends and strangers alike. Despite technology having been used in a variety of ways to support knowledge management systems, the use of social networking technology has been little explored. The famous SECI model highlights socialisation as an important aspect in transferring knowledge, yet IT-based knowledge management systems seem to miss out on this element. This research argues that combining knowledge management systems with social networking technology bridges this gap. Social software is becoming part of a commonplace set of tools available for organisations that may help IT-based knowledge management systems. Evidence is presented from a case study conducted in practice at an organisation. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect the data and evaluate the effects of social networking technology within IT-based knowledge management systems. The research contributes towards the fields of knowledge management and knowledge management systems. The research inquiry found that the inclusion of social networking technology had positive effects on the IT-based knowledge management system and in turn the knowledge management initiative. The introduction of the IT-based knowledge management system, supported by social networking technology, resulted in a drastic improvement of 40.8% in the ease of finding knowledge and information, an increase by 30.4% in ease of sharing with other teams, and an improvement of 39.3% was also reported by employees feeling that the company tools support organisational growth. Data indicates an increase in other measurements of knowledge sharing and system metrics also show an increase in the usage, participation and contributions made in the IT-based knowledge management system supported by social networking technology. Building on the SECI model knowledge management theory is extended through the proposal of the social networking for knowledge management model (SN4KM) to support knowledge management systems designers

L-lactate reduces ischemic white matter injury and modulates HCA1 oligodendrocyte expression in an in vivo mouse model of focal ischemia

L-lactate is a metabolite that is oxidized preferentially to glucose under conditions of high metabolic stress. The discovery and localization of the lactate receptor HCA1 in various brain regions suggests that lactate is additionally an important signaling molecule in the brain. Lactate is neuroprotective in various ischemia paradigms, reduces axonal injury in vitro and is avidly utilized by oligodendrocytes (OLs). The protective potential of L-lactate to reduce white matter (WM) injury in a mouse stroke model was investigated.N/

Extended depth-of-field imaging and ranging in a snapshot

Traditional approaches to imaging require that an increase in depth of field is associated with a reduction in numerical aperture, and hence with a reduction in resolution and optical throughput. In their seminal work, Dowski and Cathey reported how the asymmetric point-spread function generated by a cubic-phase aberration encodes the detected image such that digital recovery can yield images with an extended depth of field without sacrificing resolution [Appl. Opt. 34, 1859 (1995)]. Unfortunately recovered images are generally visibly degraded by artifacts arising from subtle variations in point-spread functions with defocus. We report a technique that involves determination of the spatially variant translation of image components that accompanies defocus to enable determination of spatially variant defocus. This in turn enables recovery of artifact-free, extended depth-of-field images together with a two-dimensional defocus and range map of the imaged scene. We demonstrate the technique for high-quality macroscopic and microscopic imaging of scenes presenting an extended defocus of up to two waves, and for generation of defocus maps with an uncertainty of 0.036 waves

Al-bahr - il-bahar : Arab-Maltese shared awareness of the chaotic primeval element

This paper presents an overview of the role played by the sea in the variolls cosmogonies and cosmographies of the ancient Semitic peoples. It also takes into consideration the function of the Sea from the standpoint of the Semitic holy books. This is followed by a discussion of a number of Maltese and Arabic (classical alld dialectal) proverbs from a number of Mediterranean countries with a view to assessing the various connotations associated with the sea, and to what extent these reflect the Semitic mythological and monotheistic heritage.peer-reviewe

Computational localization microscopy with extended axial range

A new single-aperture 3D particle-localization and tracking technique is presented that demonstrates an increase in depth range by more than an order of magnitude without compromising optical resolution and throughput. We exploit the extended depth range and depth-dependent translation of an Airy-beam PSF for 3D localization over an extended volume in a single snapshot. The technique is applicable to all bright-field and fluorescence modalities for particle localization and tracking, ranging from super-resolution microscopy through to the tracking of fluorescent beads and endogenous particles within cells. We demonstrate and validate its application to real-time 3D velocity imaging of fluid flow in capillaries using fluorescent tracer beads. An axial localization precision of 50 nm was obtained over a depth range of 120μm using a 0.4NA, 20× microscope objective. We believe this to be the highest ratio of axial range-to-precision reported to date

Development of a knowledge sharing framework for improving the testing processes in global product development

As identified by Griffin (1997) and Kahn (2012), manufacturing organisations typically improve their market position by accelerating their Product Development (PD) cycles. One method for achieving this is to reduce the time taken to design, test and validate new products, so that they can reach the end customer before competition. This paper adds to existing research on PD testing procedures by reporting on an exploratory investigation carried out in a UK-based manufacturing plant. Exploring the organisational and managerial factors that contribute to the time spent on testing of new products during development. The investigation consisted of three sections, viz. observations and process modelling, utilisation metrics and a questionnaire-based investigation, from which a proposed framework to improve and reduce the PD time cycle is presented. This project’s main focus is the improvement of the utilisation of product testing facilities and the links to its main internal stakeholders - PD engineers

The Arabs in Malta : 870-1150

Οἱ παῖδες Ἄγαρ ἀθέου is the phrase used by the mid-12th-century anonymous poet exiled on Melitogaudos to describe his neighbours on the island. As the publication of the long lament by this poet did not give much attention to his unneighbourly neighbours, it is the object of this communication to take a closer look at this community, addressing the related questions of who, when and under what conditions were they there, in the light of what was happening at the time in Sicily, and to the South, in North Africa. We conclude with a hypothetical reconstruction of developments in Malta during the Arab period.peer-reviewe

Video-rate 3D Particle Tracking with Extended Depth-of-field in Thick Biological Samples

We present a single-aperture 3D particle localisation and tracking technique with a vastly increased depth-of-field without compromising optical resolution and throughput. Flow measurements in a FEP capillary and a zebrafish blood vessel are demonstrated experimentally

Airborne laser systems for atmospheric sounding in the near infrared

This paper presents new techniques for atmospheric sounding using Near Infrared (NIR) laser sources, direct detection electro-optics and passive infrared imaging systems. These techniques allow a direct determination of atmospheric extinction and, through the adoption of suitable inversion algorithms, the indirect measurement of some important natural and man-made atmospheric constituents, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The proposed techniques are suitable for remote sensing missions performed by using aircraft, satellites, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), parachute/gliding vehicles, Roving Surface Vehicles (RSV), or Permanent Surface Installations (PSI). The various techniques proposed offer relative advantages in different scenarios. All are based on measurements of the laser energy/power incident on target surfaces of known geometric and reflective characteristics, by means of infrared detectors and/or infrared cameras calibrated for radiance. (cont.

Mindfulness related changes in grey matter: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

International audienceAbstract Knowing target regions undergoing strfuncti changes caused by behavioural interventions is paramount in evaluating the effectiveness of such practices. Here, using a systematic review approach, we identified 25 peer-reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrating grey matter changes related to mindfulness meditation. An activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis (n = 16) revealed the right anterior ventral insula as the only significant region with consistent effect across studies, whilst an additional functional connectivity analysis indicates that both left and right insulae, and the anterior cingulate gyrus with adjacent paracingulate gyri should also be considered in future studies. Statistical meta-analyses suggest medium to strong effect sizes from Cohen’s d ~ 0.8 in the right insula to ~ 1 using maxima across the whole brain. The systematic review revealed design issues with selection, information, attrition and confirmation biases, in addition to weak statistical power. In conclusion, our analyses show that mindfulness meditation practice does induce grey matter changes but also that improvements in methodology are needed to establish mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention