Job motivation in high-tech knowledge work- the unintended detrimental role of management

Title: Job motivation in high-tech knowledge work- the unintended detrimental role of management Seminar Date: 4th June 2015 Course: FEKH49 Author: Chaitra Harish Bhat Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra Key Words: Knowledge Worker, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, Priority Task, Recognition. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to critically examine the role of intrinsic motivation in knowledge work. It intends to investigate the managerial attempt to motivate knowledge workers and examines the role of the management from the knowledge workers’ perspective. Methodology: This research has taken the interpretive viewpoint. It is a qualitative study with an abductive approach. Eight semi-structured interviews have been conducted and analyzed. Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical framework is focused mainly on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the context of knowledge work. The knowledge worker’s work ambiguity is presented. And the equity theory of motivation is and analyzed as to how it affects motivation in knowledge work. Empirical foundation: The empirical foundation of this research consists of eight semi-structured interviews conducted in a knowledge intensive firm, Motiv AB. Conclusion: This research shows that even though intrinsic motivation is important, the role of extrinsic motivation is also found to be vital in knowledge workers. In this context, the role of the management can also be detrimental at times (though unintentional) in affecting the knowledge worker motivation

Effect of screentime in college students during the COVID-19 online classes on their neck posture and postural control: an observational study

Background: Corona virus which is the source of severe acute pulmonary syndrome causes an airway tract contamination (COVID 19). Prolonged sitting for online classes in the college students leads to the enlarged postural deviation, increased low back pain. Prolonged static contraction of skeletal muscles of the cervical region, lower back leads to impaired flow of blood to the muscle groups together with edema and accumulation of waste metabolites will trigger the muscle spasm. Methods: Total 30 college students aged between 18-25 years who attended the online classes during COVID-19 were included in this study by using a questionnaire. The outcome measures used were the measurement of CV angle, SEBT and BBS. The postural control was estimated by using star excursion balance test and Berg balance scale. Results: Using Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient, a positive correlation was observed between CV angle and BBS (r = 0.82). Between BMI and CV angle there exists a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.564). Conclusions: This study proved that there exists a forward neck posture in the students who attended the online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic and that also affected their postural control

Experimental study on antiepileptic action of Kousheyashma Bhasma

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of disturbance in movement, sensation and consciousness. With increased incidence rate of epilepsy, numbers of treatment modalities as well as formulations are being developed in recent years. In Ayurveda also many formulations are available for treatment of epilepsy. However, there is a search of formulations which can show quick and longstanding efficacy on epilepsy. Kousheyashma is a mineral drug used in Ayurveda pharmaceutics. It is yellowish white and is identified as asbestos. Magnesium calcium and silicate are chief chemical entity of this drug. It is an easily and abundantly available mineral in India. The Bhasma is economic as the pharmaceutical processing of it is easy. In the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of this drug, it is mentioned that it has anti-epileptic activity. However there is no substantial evidence to prove the antiepileptic activity of Kousheyashma. Hence the present study is undertaken to experimentally evaluate the efficacy of Kousheyashma Bhasma in epilepsy. Antiepileptic activity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice by two methods namely Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced seizure method and kindling PTZ induced seizure method. Mice selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria were randomly allocated in to five groups. Mice were subjected for chemo convulsions by injecting PTZ intra peritoneal and observed for 35 minutes to analyze convulsion behaviors of mice kousheyashma Bhasma has shown statistically significant result in PTZ induced epileptic symptoms in Swiss albino mice

Experimental study on antiepileptic action of Kousheyashma Bhasma

364-369Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. It is characterised by recurrent episodes of disturbance in movement, sensation and consciousness. With the increased incidence rate of epilepsy, a number of treatment modalities as well as formulations are being developed in recent years. In Ayurveda also many formulations are available for the treatment of epilepsy. However, there is a search of formulations which can show quick and longstanding efficacy on epilepsy. Kousheyashma is a mineral drug used in Ayurveda pharmaceutics. It is yellowish white and is identified as asbestos. Magnesium, calcium and silicate are the chief chemical entity of this drug. It is an easily and abundantly available mineral in India. The Bhasma is economic as the pharmaceutical processing of it is easy. In the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of this drug, it is mentioned that it has anti-epileptic activity. However, there is no substantial evidence to prove the antiepileptic activity of Kousheyashma. Hence, the present study was undertaken to experimentally evaluate the efficacy of Kousheyashma Bhasma in epilepsy. Antiepileptic activity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice by two methods namely Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure method and kindling PTZ-induced seizure method. Mice selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into five groups. Mice were subjected to chemo convulsions by injecting PTZ intraperitoneally and observed for 35 min to analyse convulsion behaviours. Kousheyashma Bhasma has shown statistically significant results in PTZ-induced epileptic symptoms in Swiss albino mice

Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant Interactions in Erythrocytes

There is a continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in erythrocytes due to their microenvironment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species are well known as both harmful and beneficial species. They help in activating the antioxidant enzymes. However, overproduction of ROS can cause fatal damage to cell structures, including lipids and membranes, proteins and cause oxidative stress. Erythrocytes have effective antioxidant defenses to maintain their structure and functions. They protect these cells from damage and maintain their activities. Studies have reported that antioxidant interventions in various situations have proved beneficial to erythrocytes. Therefore, they can be employed as in vitro models for antioxidant and free radical interactions and also are ideal cell models for translational studies

Parasitic nematode fatty acid- and retinol-binding proteins compromise host immunity by interfering with host lipid signaling pathways

Parasitic nematodes cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Excretory/secretory products (ESPs) such as fatty acid- and retinol- binding proteins (FARs) are hypothesized to suppress host immunity during nematode infection, yet little is known about their interactions with host tissues. Leveraging the insect parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, we describe here the first in vivo study demonstrating that FARs modulate animal immunity, causing an increase in susceptibility to bacterial co-infection. Moreover, we show that FARs dampen key components of the fly immune response including the phenoloxidase cascade and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production. Our data also reveal that FARs deplete lipid signaling precursors in vivo as well as bind to these fatty acids in vitro, suggesting that FARs elicit their immunomodulatory effects by altering the availability of lipid signaling molecules necessary for an efficient immune response. Collectively, these data support a complex role for FARs in immunosuppression in animals and provide detailed mechanistic insight into parasitism in phylum Nematoda

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

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Urban agriculture, urban gardening or urban farming is the practice of cultivating, processing and marketing of food and food products in and around urban localities. Urban agriculture also involves animal husbandry, aquaculture, beekeeping and horticulture. There is also a cultivation practice in peri-urban areas (city outskirts or perimeter of the urban area) called peri-urban agriculture, which has entirely different characteristics. According to the reports of FAO, by 2030, 60 per cent of the people in developing countries will likely live in cities. This rapid growth of city population in the developing world is placing enormous demands on urban food supply systems leading to food shortages during the time of crisis. Urban agriculture is the only solution left to overcome this crisis. The minimal land available in heavily populated town or so called concrete jungles are utilized for cultivation of crops. The high value vegetables and perishable green leafy vegetables are mostly cultivated to meet the daily needs of a family or a small community and excess is sold out to local markets. The main idea behind practicing urban agriculture is to have easy access to locally grown food, understand the way of cultivation and gain basic knowledge of crop husbandry. The knowledge of how food grows, what grows regionally and seasonally, how it is treated after harvest and how it moves from one place to other in a food route before final consumption are all important lessons of urban agriculture. Urban agriculture also provides fresh food, generates employment, recycles urban wastes, creates greenbelts and strengthens cities resilience to climate change. Recently, urban farming is gaining importance as a hobby, whereas, few urban farms are built for education purpose, training the school children and young professionals or re-entry programmes. Many are built to improve access to healthy food in a specific community or to continue cultivation of traditional culinary. Some are built for earning economic benefits for those communities that are economically disadvantaged. The urban farming also has role in environmental justice along with improving health benefits of people. In this article we focus on history of urban agriculture, types of urban farming, major crops cultivated, and advantages of urban agriculture, success stories and future scope of urban agriculture in India.Urban agriculture is a key solution to rapid population growth, urbanization, food crisis and climate change. According to reports of FAO, by 2050, more than 6 billion populations will be dwelling in urban areas, which is almost double the current population of 3.5 billion. In case of India, the reports by UN state of the world population 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country’s population will reside in urban areas. Considering the above statistics, we can estimate the burden on rural production system to meet increasing demands of fruits and vegetables in urban markets. So, urban agriculture could be the saviour to avoid food crisis and inflation of market. The idea of urban agriculture is age old and started in the mid 19th century and has gained popularity in urban areas throughout the world. There are various types of urban agriculture, like, kitchen gardening, rooftop gardening, vertical farming, container gardening, urban beekeeping, aquaculture etc. Multiple auras of crops can be cultivated in the minimal available space, right from herbs, vegetables and fruits to aromatic and medicinal plants. There are large number of advantages of urban farming, like, providing employment and daily wages to poor farmers, educating children, strengthening the community, improving social and emotional wellbeing and environmental justice to tackle climate change. Many cities across the world are practicing urban farming and have achieved success in production, marketing and educating people. In India, urban farming is still in infant stage and has to be given much more importance by both Government and private agencies to popularize and harness the profitability of urban agriculture.Not Availabl