Being satisfied and serving communities as outcomes of servant leadership in the academic context: policies based on a multi-level structural equation model

Ghasemy, Majid,Akbarzadeh Mahdi,Gaskin, James Eric 서울대학교 교육연구소 2022 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.23 No.1

There is a great emphasis on the importance of serving communities and the need to study servant leadership in recent higher education literature. Yet, academics’ community citizenship behavior has not been examined through applied research. To address these issues, our study aims at investigating the effects of two dimensions of servant leadership (behaving ethically and helping subordinates grow and succeed) on job satisfaction and community citizenship behavior. The context of our multi-level study is the Malaysian higher education. To estimate our theoretical model, we employed the EQS 6.4 statistical package and analyzed the data collected from 1876 lecturers from 120 departments using a multi-level structural equation modeling (MSEM) methodology. Our results revealed two completely different model structures at both lecturer and department levels. More specifically, while both the predictors were useful for explaining the outcome variables at the lecturer level, we observed that only behaving ethically was a significant predictor of community citizenship behavior at the department level. We discuss the findings in detail and elaborate on the implications of the findings with respect to policy and practice, theory, and methodology. We also address limitations and make recommendations for future research.

Academic leadership capability framework: a comparison of its compatibility and applicability in Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia

Majid Ghasemy,Sufean Hussin,Megat Ahmad Kamaluddin Megat Daud 서울대학교 교육연구소 2016 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.17 No.2

Previous studies have shown that leadership capabilities and managerial competencies are related to leadership performance effectiveness, i.e., higher capabilities and competencies are associated with higher performance effectiveness, and vice versa. Among the studies focusing on these qualities in academic settings, two recent studies in Australia and New Zealand in 2008 and 2012 may be stated which were guided by a conceptual framework known as the Academic Leadership Capability Framework. This framework became the basis for the construction of a survey instrument in order to assess five vital components of university leadership. The framework and the survey instrument were employed for a similar study in Malaysian public and private universities. In performing descriptive analysis, the results of the three studies were compared. This analysis revealed interesting similarities and differences among academic leaders within the three countries which can be used as a base for further policy making, and characterizing effective leadership in higher education. In addition, inferential statistics techniques were employed to detect the impact of the University Type and Previous Experience outside higher education on capabilities, competencies, and performance of the Malaysian academic leaders.

Pivotal qualities for effective university leadership on the basis of a modified Australian model: the application of FIMIX-PLS and IPMA in the Malaysian academic context

Majid Ghasemy,Sufean Bin Hussin,Megat Ahmad Kamaluddin Bin Megat Daud,Ahmad Zabidi Bin Abdul Razak,Mohd Jamil Bin Maah 서울대학교 교육연구소 2017 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.18 No.4

This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which leadership capabilities and managerial competencies explain leadership performance in Malaysian Higher Education context. Data were collected from academic leaders in 25 public and private universities and colleges using a few previously developed scales in Malaysian context. Next, the collected data through 368 surveys were screened thoroughly prior to the main analysis. A variance-based structural equation modeling approach was adopted and SmartPLS 3 was used to analyze the data, followed by running finite mixture segmentation and importance-performance map analysis. The results did disclose unobserved heterogeneity within the data. Through the study, two models namely low-current-tenure leaders and high-current-tenure leaders models were developed. Moreover, role-specific competency and change-oriented capability were identified as the major areas of improvement to be addressed by managerial activities based on low-current-tenure leaders and high-current-tenure leaders models, respectively.

A comparison of the magnetic and microwave absorption properties of MneSneTi substituted strontium ferrite with and without multiwalled carbon nanotube

Majid Jamalian,Ali Ghasemi,Ebrahim Paimozd 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.7

In this work, a comparison of magnetic and microwave properties between MneSneTi substituted SrM ferrite and nanocomposite of MneSneTi substituted SrM ferritee20% volume multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) has been done. Phase characterization and crystal structure of the synthesized nanoparticles were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analysis approved that the SrFe12 x(MnSn0.5Ti0.5)x/2O19 nanoparticles were attached on the external surfaces of the MWCNTs. Mӧssbauer spectroscopy (MS) showed the occupancy by non-magnetic Mn2þ eSn4þ eTi4þ cations into the hexagonal lattice structure. Magnetic properties were evaluated by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results also indicated that saturation magnetization and coercivity were decreased with an increase in x content and also MWCNTs addition. Microwave absorption properties were investigated by a vector network analyzer (VNA). It was found that with an addition of 20 volume percentage of MWCNTs, the saturation magnetization coupled with coercivity decrease, but reflection loss (RL) increase broadly. Also it proved that with an increase in the thickness of absorption the frequency band shifts from Ku (12 e18 GHz) to X (8e12 GHz) band.

Microbial fuel cell for oilfield produced water treatment and reuse: Modelling and process optimization

Majid Mohammadi,Mehdi Sedighi,Rajamohan Natarajan,Sedky Hassan Aly Hassan,Mostafa Ghasemi 한국화학공학회 2021 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.38 No.1

Oilfield produced water is one of the vast amounts of wastewater that pollute the environment and cause serious problems. In this study, the produced water was treated in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), and response surface methodology and central composite design (RSM/CCD) were used as powerful tools to optimize the process. The results of two separate parameters of sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) as well as nanocomposite composition (CNT/Pt) on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and power generation were discussed. The nanocomposite was analyzed using XRD, SEM, and TEM. Moreover, the degree of sulfonation (DS) was measured by NMR. A quadratic model was utilized to forecast the removal of COD and power generation under distinct circumstances. To obtain the maximum COD removal along with maximum power generation, favorable conditions were achieved by statistical and mathematical techniques. The findings proved that MFC could remove 92% of COD and generate 545mW/m2 of power density at optimum conditions of DS=80; and CNT/Pt of 14 wt% CNT- 86 wt% Pt.

Effect of Al on Structural and Magnetic Characteristics of CoCrFeNiMnAlx High Entropy Alloys

Majid Tavoosi,Ali Ghasemi,Gholam Reza Gordani,Mohammad Reza Loghman-Estarki 한국재료학회 2023 한국재료학회지 Vol.33 No.3

This research examines the effect of adding aluminum on the structural, phasic, and magnetic properties of CoCrFe NiMnAlx high-entropy alloys. To this aim, the arc-melt process was used under an argon atmosphere for preparing cast samples. The phasic, structural, and magnetic properties of the samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrational magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Based on the results, the addition of aluminum to the compound caused changes in the crystalline structure, from FCC solid solution in the CoCrFeNiMn sample to CoCrFeNiMnAl BBC solid solution. It was associated with changes in the magnetic property of CoCrFeNiMnAlx high-entropy alloys, from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic. The maximum saturation magnetization for the CoCrFeNiMnAl casting sample was estimated to be around 79 emu/g. Despite the phase stability of the FCC solid solution with temperature, the solid solution phase formed in the CrCrFeNiMnAl high-entropy compound was not stable, and changed into FCC solid solution with temperature elevation, causing a reduction in saturation magnetization to about 7 emu/g.

Upregulation of the RNF8 gene can predict the presence of sperm in azoospermic individuals

Nazari, Majid,Babakhanzadeh, Emad,Zarch, Mohsen Aghaei,Talebi, Mehrdad,Narimani, Nima,Dargahi, Mandana,Sabbaghian, Marjan,Ghasemi, Nasrin The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2020 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.47 No.1

Objective: In this study, specimens from testicular biopsies of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) were used to investigate whether RNF8 gene could serve as a biomarker to predict the presence of sperm in these patients. Methods: Testicular biopsy specimens from 47 patients were classified according to the presence of sperm (positive vs. negative groups) and investigated for the expression of RNF8. The level of RNF8 gene expression in the testes was compared between these groups using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The expression level of RNF8 was significantly higher in testicular samples from the positive group than in those from the negative group. Moreover, the area under the curve of RNF8 expression for the entire study population was 0.84, showing the discriminatory power of RNF8 expression in differentiating between the positive and negative groups of men with NOA. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that RNF8 expression had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 84%, with a cutoff level of 1.76. Conclusion: This study points out a significant association between the expression of RNF8 and the presence of sperm in NOA patients, which suggests that quantified RNF8 expression in testicular biopsy samples may be a valuable biomarker for predicting the presence of spermatozoa in biopsy samples.

Evaluation of solvent dearomatization effect in heavy feedstock thermal cracking to light olefin: An optimization study

Mostafa Ghasemi,Mohsen Nouri,Mehdi Sedighi,Majid Mohammadi 한국화학공학회 2013 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.30 No.9

Response surface method was used to study the effect of aromatic extraction of heavy feedstock in thermal cracking. N-methylpyrrolidone as the solvent performing dearomatization of feedstock was at different temperature and molar solvent to oil ratios. Temperature, flow rate and steam-to-hydrocarbon ratio were in the range of 1,053-1,143K, 1-2 g/g, and 0.75-1.2 g/min, respectively. From the CCD studies, the effects of flow rate and coil outlet temperature were the key factors influencing the yield of light olefins. Ethylene and propylene yields increased more than 10%by dearomatization. C5+ decreased by 13% on average. Finally, we obtained the single maximum yield of ethylene,propylene, and simultaneous maximum yields for untreated and raffinate.

The effects of sesame oil and different doses of estradiol on testicular structure, sperm parameters, and chromatin integrity in old mice

Mohammadzadeh Masoomeh,Pourentezari Majid,Zare-Zardini Hadi,Nabi Ali,Esmailabad Saeed Ghasemi,Khodadadian Ali,Talebi Ali Reza 대한생식의학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.48 No.1

Objective: Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice.Methods: Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30–35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 μL/kg/ day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed.Results: Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 μL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 μL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure.Conclusion: Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of nanoliposomes containing melphalan after intravitreal injection in albino rabbits

Masood Naseripour,Bizhan Malaekeh-Nikouei,Majid Abrishami,Ahad Sedaghat,Mojtaba Abrishami,Mozhgan Rezaei Kanavi,Navid Mosallaei,Khalil Ghasemi Falavarjani,Rama Pourmatin,Omid Safarian 한국약제학회 2016 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.46 No.6

The aim of present study was to evaluate the stability and toxicity of different doses of liposomal melphalan in rabbit eyes and to investigate the pathological and electrophysiological changes after administration of different doses of free form of melphalan. Liposomes containing melphalan were prepared by solvent evaporation method and mean size of these liposomes and encapsulation efficacy of nanoliposomes were determined. In albino rabbits, intravitreal injections of 10, 20, and 40 lg doses of liposomal melphalan and Alkeran as the commercial product was performed. The rabbits were euthanized at days 2, 7, 14, and 28, and the eyes were enucleated. Vitreous and aqueous samples and electrophysiological recordings were obtained before euthanization. Histological examination was performed after enucleation. Particle size of prepared liposomes was 143.6 ± 3.2 nm. Liposomes have protected melphalan completely from any undesirable release or hydrolysis for 48 h. In a histopathological study, signs of retinal toxicity were found in all doses in the liposomal group at least at one time point during the study. In melphalan injected eyes, histopathological toxicity was found in the 40 lg dose. Extensive variability was found in electrophysiological recordings, and significant waveform changes were found in all injected eyes at least on one occasion during the study. Intraocular administration of liposomal melphalan cannot prolong the drug clearance time of this drug in the vitreous humor. In the 40 lg injected eyes, significant retinal atrophic changes were detected in all eyes throughout the study, and electrophysiological results were consistent with histopathological findings.