The purpose of this study was to examine the validity, reliability and standardization of organizational learning capability scale (OLCS) among middle school teachers in Isfahan city. The research population in this study consisted of the whole middle school teachers in academic year 1388-1389.Using a simple randomized sampling commensurate with Cohen and others (2000) formula, 506 teachers were selected. The research instrument was a 14 item questionnaire for the assessment of organizational learning capability (Chiva, Alegre and Lapiedra, 2007). The reliability of the instrument was computed using Cronbach’s Alpha, Spearman-Brown and Guttman coefficients, and the validity of it was considered using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Results showed that Cronbach´s Alpha for OLCS and subscales (experimentation, Risk taking, interaction with the external environment, dialogue and participative decision making) were 0.22, 0.85, 0.66, 0.71, 0.84 and 0.50 respectively. The result of confirmatory factor analysis of organizational learning capability scale items showed five factors for OLCS with Goodness of fit statistics. The confirmed measurement scale for organizational learning capability could be implemented as an audit tool. Thus, principals could unveil which organizational learning issues are strong and which are weak. This would provide guidance for improvement across the norm tables.

Background: We evaluated continuous quality improvement (CQI) targeting antenatal HIV care quality in rural South Africa using a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial (Management and Optimisation of Nutrition, Antenatal, Reproductive, Child health, MONARCH) and an embedded process evaluation. Here, we present results of the process evaluation examining determinants of CQI practice and ‘ Normalisation. ’ Methods: A team of CQI mentors supported public-sector health workers in seven primary care clinics to (1) identify root causes of poor HIV viral load (VL) monitoring among pregnant women living with HIV and repeat HIV testing among pregnant women not living with HIV, and (2) design and iteratively test their own solutions. We used a mixed methods evaluation with field notes from CQI mentors (‘ dose’ and ‘ reach’ of CQI, causes of poor HIV care testing rates, implemented change ideas); patient medical records (HIV care testing by clinic and time step); and semi-structured interviews with available health workers. We analysed field notes and semi-structured interviews for determinants of CQI implementation and ‘ Normalisation’ using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) and Tailored Implementation of Chronic Diseases (TICD) frameworks. Results: All interviewed health workers found the CQI mentors and methodology helpful for quality improvement. Total administered ‘ dose’ was higher than planned but ‘ reach’ was limited by resource constraints, particularly staffing shortages. Simple workable improvements to identified root causes were implemented, such as a patient tracking notebook and results filing system. VL monitoring improved over time, but not repeat HIV testing. Besides resource constraints, gaps in knowledge of guidelines, lack of leadership, poor clinical documentation, and data quality gaps reduced CQI implementation fidelity and Normalisation. Conclusion: While CQI holds promise, we identified several health system challenges. Priorities for policy makers include improving staffing and strategies to improve clinical documentation. Additional support with implementing clinical guidelines and improving routine data quality are needed. Normalising CQI may be challenging without concurrent health system improvements.

The aim of this critical appraisal and hazards of surface electromyography (SEMG) is to enhance the data acquisition quality in voluntary but complex movements, sport and exercise in particular. The methodological and technical registration strategies deal with telemetry and online data acquisition, the placement of the detection electrodes and the choice of the most adequate Normalisation mode.Findings compared with the literature suggest detection quality differences between registration methods and between water and air data acquisition allowing for output differences up to 30% between registration methods and up to 25% decrease in water, considering identical measures in air and in water. Various hazards deal with erroneous choices of muscles or electrode placement and the continuous confusion created by static Normalisation for dynamic motion. Peak dynamic intensities range from 111% (in archery) to 283% (in giant slalom) of a static 100% reference. In addition, the linear relationship between integrated EMG (IEMG) as a reference for muscle intensity and muscle force is not likely to exist in dynamic conditions since it is muscle -joint angle - and fatigue dependent. Contrary to expectations, the literature shows 30% of non linear relations in isometric conditions also.SEMG in sport and exercise is highly variable and different from clinical (e.g. neurological) EMG. Choices of electrodes, registration methods, muscles, joint-angles and Normalisation techniques may create confusing and often erroneous or incomparable results.

Understanding the policymaking processes of the United States, as a global superpower, is of critical importance. Think tanks are among the most influential behind-the-scenes actors in this arena, having increasingly attracted the attention of researchers and U.S. foreign policy experts. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an old, powerful, and impactful think tank that has been active for over a century. This paper addresses the following question: What role has the Council on Foreign Relations played in shaping the foreign policy doctrines of the United States? To answer this question, the study analyses and evaluates two major U.S. Cold War strategies concerning their interactions with the two major powers, the Soviet Union and China. The research employs a library-based methodology for data collection. The findings indicate that the Council on Foreign Relations has played a prominent role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly during the Cold War. Its influence was exercised through several key mechanisms: forming study groups, publishing the journal Foreign Affairs, generating policy-influencing ideas, mobilising public opinion, educating future government officials, recruiting retired personnel, organising deliberative meetings, and mediating between different political factions, government officials, and the public.

In this study, the thermal characteristics of turbulent nanofluid flow in a helical tube in the tube heat exchanger (HTTHE) were assessed numerically through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The findings of both the turbulent models: realizable k-epsion (k-ε ) and re-Normalisation group (RNG) k-epsilon were compared. The temperature distribution contours show that realizable and RNG k-ε models, together with the swirl dominated flow are of more uniform temperature distributions. The proper prediction of two layer theory leads to having a uniform temperature distribution and proper dimensionless wall distance (Y+). The turbulent flow and heat transfer of two nanofluids (SiO2, Al2O3) and base fluid with respect to swirl dominated flow was simulated through the RNG model. The effects of the concentration of nanoparticles on heat transfer characteristics in HTTHE and two turbulent models were analyzed in a comprehensive manner. It is concluded that up to 1% concentration of SiO2 and 1% concentration of Al2O3, similar heat transfer characteristics are observed. Comparison between the CFD results with the predicted values for friction factor coefficient (f) and Nusselt number (Nu) calculated through experimental correlations indicate the maximum errors of 6. 56% and 0. 27%, respectively.

Iran’, s ‘, resistance economy’,is sometimes presented as defensive strategy. Despite Washington’, s ‘, New Middle East’,wars and the rapid evaporation of expected benefits from the long JCPOA (nuclear deal) process, a certain illusion remains that a general ‘, Normalisation’,with the outside powers might still bring economic benefits to the country. Nevertheless, it remains true that, while Iran is a large country, pure self-sufficiency would impose physical limits. Therefore, the question that one may ask is what are the better economic opportunities for the nation’, s economic growth? By engaging with the globalist and new regionalism debates, making parallels between Latin American and West Asian integration, and presenting examples from Iran’, s previous experiences, this paper argues that the answer to the above-mentioned question lies in a resistance economy, which builds an economically integrated regional bloc. The article begins by demonstrating the false promises of global economic liberalism, and then locates Iran’, s resistance economy principles in the context of the ‘, new regionalism’,debates. This forms the basis for discussing the economic potential of West Asian integration. This research is an interpretive study, testing the economic liberal project with evidence, and then comparing it with contemporary regional initiatives.

Hazardous elements in the marine environment potentially affect the safety of seafood production in the area. Some elements are considered as essential elements for humans in a low concentration, but some others are toxic and believed to induce cancer even though at a trace level. This paper has studied the source of hazardous elements contamination in Lampung Bay, Indonesia, whether anthropogenic or geogenic. Sampling was conducted at a one-mile distance from the shore. Some stations were also located in the river mouth to investigate how much inland pollution affects the bay. The mean enrichment factor (EF) for each hazardous element are 0.62, 3.09, 2.79, 4.18, 2.03, 6.10, and 2.05 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, As and Pb, respectively, showing that all elements influenced by anthropogenic source except Cr. This result is proven by the lower geo-accumulation index (Igeo) Normalisation, meaning the influence of geogenic sources is limited. Further statistical analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the river mouth sampling stations influenced the concentration of hazardous elements in the bay. Although the concentration of the elements is below the maximum level of the quality standard for marine sediment in almost all sampling stations, continuing monitoring of the environmental healthiness of the bay is encouraged to ensure the sustainability of fisheries production in this area.