Does Perceived Organizational Support and Job Resourcefulness Lead to Innovation? Mediation Model of Psychological Empowerment

Nadeem AKHTAR(Nadeem AKHTAR ) 한국유통과학회 2023 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.10 No.2

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between POS, JR, and Innovation, and to explore the role of job psychological empowerment as a mediator in this relationship. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 25 companies in the petrochemical industry. PLS-SEM 4 was used to analyze the data of 100 valid responses. These findings suggest that employee empowerment (EMPOW) fully mediates the relationship between job resourcefulness (JR) and Innovation (INNOV). The total effect of JR on INNOV is also significant, with a beta coefficient of 0.234 and a t-value of 3.375. However, when the mediating influence of EMPOW is taken into account, the effect of JR on INNOV is no longer significant, with a beta coefficient of 0.100 and a t-value of 1.610. This suggests that EMPOW plays a key role in the relationship between JR and INNOV and that JR may not have a direct impact on Innovation. The study informs the development of interventions or strategies for promoting Innovation in organizations by identifying key factors that facilitate or inhibit the innovation process. The study further contributes to the development of new theories or models on the relationship between perceived organizational support, job resourcefulness, psychological empowerment, and Innovation.

Impact of Approval Goals and Motivation on Consumer Intention: A Retail Context

Muhammad Farooq AKHTAR(Muhammad Farooq AKHTAR ),Norazah Mohd SUKI(Norazah Mohd SUKI ) 한국유통과학회 2022 유통과학연구 Vol.20 No.12

Purpose: The objective of the study is to examine the role of approval goals, subjective norm, internal motivation, external motivation, attitude towards behavior, and perceived behavioral control on retail consumer’s intention to consume fortified food in Pakistan. Research design, data, and methodology: The study was quantitative in nature. That is why the data were collected from 384 respondents approaching retail stores of Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad using mall intercept survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. Results: The results show that approval goals significantly influence subjective norms. Secondly, subjective norms positively influence internal and external motivation. Thirdly, attitude towards behavior and internal motivation significantly impacted on intention. However, the findings of the study show, non-significant relationship of external motivation and perceived behavioral control with intention to consume fortified food. Conclusion: Theory of reasoned goal pursuit was used to investigate consumer intention to consume fortified food in Pakistan. This study is helpful for the marketers to create a word-of-mouth strategy to enhance positive word of mouth for the company, which ultimately beneficial to develop the distribution strategy of the firm. Fortified food is full of health enriched ingredients which is beneficial for society at large.

Formulation of Edible Coatings from Alfalfa Saponins to Enhance the Postharvest Quality of Tomatoes

Mahnoor Akhtar,Aqsa Akhtar,Wahab Nazir,Nauman Khalid 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.28 No.2

Tomatoes are a major crop for global exports and have significant nutritional benefits. However, their lifespan is limited due to various biotic and abiotic factors. This study aimed to formulate an edible coating using crude alfalfa saponins coupled with decaglycerol monolaurate (ML-750) and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), to enhance the postharvest quality and shelf life of tomatoes by preventing spoilage. The effectiveness of alfalfa saponins coatings, both alone, and with ML-750 and Tween 20, was evaluated by comparing their impact on color, texture, overall acceptability, and % weight loss at 4°C and 25°C for 7 days. Significant improvements were observed in the quality attributes of tomatoes, including firmness, aroma, color, texture, and overall acceptability. Crude alfalfa saponins in emulsified form with Tween 20 increased the shelf stability of tomatoes more effectively than uncoated and ML-750 combined coatings. The total soluble solids (TSS) and pH also play a crucial role in determining the quality of the fruits. The results indicated no significant changes in the TSS of tomatoes coated with encapsulated saponins. Subsequently, a gradual increase in the pH of the coated tomatoes was observed on days 5 and 7, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that alfalfa saponins coupled with synthetic emulsifiers may be a beneficial strategy for prolonging the shelf life and improving the postharvest quality of tomatoes.

전자선 조사를 통한 염료감응형 태양전지의 분해 연구

Akhtar, M.Shaheer,Lee, Hyun-Cheol,Min, Chun-Ji,Khan, M.A.,Kim, Ki-Ju,Yang, O-Bong 한국신재생에너지학회 2006 한국신재생에너지학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2006 No.06

The effect of electron beam irradiation on dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been studied to examine degradation of DSSC. The high-energy electron beam irradiation affects on the materials and performance of dye sensitized solar cells. We have checked the effects of electron beam irradiation of TiO₂ substrate with and without dye adsorption on the photovoltaic performances of resulting DSSCS and also studied the structural and electrical properties of polymers after irradiation. All solar cells materials were irradiated by electron beams with an energy source of 2MeV at different dose rates of 60 kGy, 120 kGy 240 kGy and 900 kGy and then their photoelectrical parameters were measured at 1 sun (100 mW/cm²). It was shown that the efficiency of DSSC was decreased as increasing the dose of e-beam irradiation due to lowering in TiO₂ crystallinity, decomposition of dye and oxidation of FTO glasses. On the other hand, the performance of solid-state DSSC with polyethylene oxide based electrolyte was improved after irradiation of e-beam due to enhancement of its conductivity and breakage of crosslinking.

Speech Feature Selection of Normal and Autistic children using Filter and Wrapper Approach

Akhtar, Muhammed Ali,Ali, Syed Abbas,Siddiqui, Maria Andleeb International Journal of Computer ScienceNetwork S 2021 International journal of computer science and netw Vol.21 No.5

Two feature selection approaches are analyzed in this study. First Approach used in this paper is Filter Approach which comprises of correlation technique. It provides two reduced feature sets using positive and negative correlation. Secondly Approach used in this paper is the wrapper approach which comprises of Sequential Forward Selection technique. The reduced feature set obtained by positive correlation results comprises of Rate of Acceleration, Intensity and Formant. The reduced feature set obtained by positive correlation results comprises of Rasta PLP, Log energy, Log power and Zero Crossing Rate. Pitch, Rate of Acceleration, Log Power, MFCC, LPCC is the reduced feature set yield as a result of Sequential Forwarding Selection.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Wind Farms Coupled With Energy Storage Systems

Akhtar Hussain(후세인 아크타르),Van-Hai Bui(부이 반하이),Hak-Man(김학만) 대한전기학회 2020 대한전기학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2020 No.7

Optimal Operation of Tri-Generation Microgrids Considering Demand Uncertainties

Akhtar Hussain,Van-Hai Bui,Hak-Man Kim,Yong-Hoon Im,Jae-Yong Lee 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.10 No.10

Tri-generation microgrids, also known as combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) microgrids, have the potential to suffice the collective thermal and electrical demands of the microgrid residents. However, the energy demand of microgrids cannot be accurately predicted. Therefore, in this paper, robust optimization-based modeling for optimal operation of tri-generation microgrids is proposed. Uncertainty in cooling, heat, and power demands and worst-case realizations of uncertainties are considered. Initially, a deterministic problem is formulated which is then transformed into a min-max robust counterpart. Finally, a tractable robust counterpart is formulated by using the dual of the inner sub-problem. The formulated model is capable of providing feasible solutions for all possible realizations of uncertainties in energy demands (within the uncertainty bounds). The final tractable robust counterpart is simulated in CPLEX and various uncertainty cases are simulated. Simulation results have proved the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed optimization strategy.

Preparation of graphene-coated anodic alumina substrates for selective molecular transport

Akhtar Sultan,Ali Sadaqat,Kafiah Feras M.,Ibrahim Ahmed,Matin Asif,Laoui Tahar 한국탄소학회 2020 Carbon Letters Vol.30 No.1

In this paper, we report graphene composite membranes prepared by transfer of a layer of chemical vapor deposition graphene onto porous anodic alumina (AA) substrates with nominal pore size 20 and 30 nm, referred as 20AA and 30AA. The coated and uncoated substrates were characterized using optical and electron microscopy techniques. The bare substrates exhibited a smooth surfaces with a well-organized array of hexagonal pores, displaying an average pore size of 17±3 (20AA) and 23±3 nm (30AA). The scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses confrmed the successful transfer of graphene layer onto the target substrates. The molecular transport study was performed by introducing 0.5 M potassium chloride (KCl) and deionized water in a Side-bi-Side Franz difusion cell. The graphene/20AA specimen blocked 66% ions transport, and graphene/30AA membrane about 64%. The ions blockage exceeded 90%, near the characteristics of defect�free graphene when the defects of the transferred graphene were sealed with Nylon 6,6. The results of this study suggest the potential use of graphene on AA substrates for water desalination and gas purifcation applications.

Quercetin induces cell death in cervical cancer by reducing O-GlcNAcylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase

Akhtar Ali,김민준,김민영,이한주,노구석,김현준,조경재,최완성 대한해부학회 2018 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.51 No.4

Hyper-O-GlcNAcylation is a general feature of cancer which contributes to various cancer phenotypes, including cell proliferation and cell growth. Quercetin, a naturally occurring dietary flavonoid, has been reported to reduce the proliferation and growth of cancer. Several reports of the anticancer effect of quercetin have been published, but there is no study regarding its effect on O-GlcNAcylation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of quercetin on HeLa cells and compare this with its effect on HaCaT cells. Cell viability and cell death were determined by MTT and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling assays. O-GlcNAcylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was examined by succinylated wheat germ agglutinin pulldown and immunoprecipitation. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the immunoreactivitiy of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1). Quercetin decreased cell proliferation and induced cell death, but its effect on HaCaT cells was lower than that on HeLa cells. O-GlcNAcylation level was higher in HeLa cells than in HaCaT cells. Quercetin decreased the expression of global O-GlcNAcylation and increased AMPK activation by reducing the O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK. AMPK activation due to reduced O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK was confirmed by treatment with 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Our results also demonstrated that quercetin regulated SREBP-1 and its transcriptional targets. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining showed that quercetin treatment decreased the immunoreactivities of OGT and SREBP-1 in HeLa cells. Our findings demonstrate that quercetin exhibited its anticancer effect by decreasing the O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK. Further studies are needed to explore how quercetin regulates O-GlcNAcylation in cancer.

Novel construction of diversely functionalized N-heteroaryl-2-pyridones via copper(II)-catalyzed [3+2+1] annulation

Akhtar, M.,Shim, J. J.,Kim, S.,Lee, Y. Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY Vol.41 No.21