PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating role of knowledge management (KM) strategies in developing the effect of intellectual capital (IC) on innovation for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, the current study explores how different interactions between IC and KM strategies lead to more powerful innovation in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes survey responses from 170 owners/managers of SMEs in Iran. The study uses partial least square structural equation modeling methods within Smart PLS software.FindingsThis study reveals that first IC has an excellent level of engagement with both incremental and radical types of innovation, but its engagement level with radical innovation is higher than that for incremental innovation. Second, the human capital component of IC has a direct positive impact on radical innovation although it has no significant impact on incremental innovation. Third, the personalization strategy of KM positively moderates the impact of human capital on both incremental and radical innovation.Originality/valueThis paper is an empirical attempt in SMEs to combine IC and KM strategies to strengthen innovation. It presents research community for SMEs of a developing country that has been investigated in a limited way compared to large firms of developed nations and provides valuable insights into further research.

Achieving self-assembly of conjugated polymers is necessary to harness their charge transport properties in various applications, including field-effect transistors, sensors, and conductive gels for biomedical applications. Although many processes have been investigated, there are still opportunities for developing new strategies that can lead to materials with improved performances. Particularly, large-scale fabrication of three-dimensional conductive networks formed by the self-assembly of conjugated polymers and low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs), but with conjugated polymers at much lower quantity, would be advantageous. LMWGs can be selected from an extensive library of available systems and can be directed to self-assemble in various conditions. However, the simultaneous self-assembly of LWMGs and conjugated polymers is not fully understood. Here, we report a simple pathway for the self-assembly of poly­(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a conjugated polymer, in chloroform in the presence of di-Fmoc-l-lysine, an LMWG. Di-Fmoc-l-lysine was selected as the LMWG because it does not have significant interactions with P3HT. P3HT and di-Fmoc-l-lysine in chloroform form gels with decreasing temperature. UV–vis spectroscopy provides an insight into the photophysical response of the gelation process, revealing the self-assembly of P3HT in the gel network. The scattering experiments further capture the self-assembly of the P3HT network. The nanofibrillar microstructure has been captured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the gels without and with P3HT, where both P3HT and di-Fmoc-l-lysine form nanofibers independently. Both these nanofibers coexist and intermingle, displaying conductive domains in the dried films captured by conductive AFM. The conductive nanofibers form a percolated network in the dried samples, leading to bulk electrical conductivity similar to that of pristine P3HT films. This is achieved with only 20% P3HT content and the balance insulating di-Fmoc-l-lysine molecules. Our results provide a fundamental understanding of the self-assembly of P3HT in the presence of an LMWG, resulting in a conductive nanofibrillar network. Such knowledge can readily be implemented in other conjugated polymeric systems. The approach presented here has potential applications towards fabricating conductive gels for biomedical and sensor applications and large-scale processing of thin films for optoelectronic applications.

Thin film composites (TFCs) as forward osmosis (FO) membranes for seawater desalination application were prepared. For this purpose, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a moderately hydrophilic polymer was used to fabricate support membranes via nonsolvent-induced phase inversion. A selective thin polyamide (PA) film was then formed on the top of PAN membranes via interfacial polymerization reaction of m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The effects of PAN solution concentration, solvent mixture, and coagulation bath temperature on the morphology, water permeability, and FO performance of the membranes and composites were studied. Support membranes based on low PAN concentrations (7 wt %), NMP as solvent and low coagulation bath temperature (0 8C) demonstrated lower thickness, thinner skin layer, more porosity, and higher water permeability. Meanwhile, decreasing the PAN solution concentration lead to higher water permeance and flux and lower reverse salt flux, structural parameter, and tortuosity for the final TFCs. Composites made in N,N-dimethylformamide presented lower permeance and flux for water and salt and higher salt rejection, structural parameter, and tortuosity. FO assay of the composites showed lower water permeance values in saline medium comparing to pure water.

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The present study was designed to elucidate the outcome of subchronic co-administration of black tea and nicotine on cardiovascular performance and whether these substances could modulate the isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury. Animal groups were control, black tea, nicotine and black tea plus nicotine. Test groups received nicotine (2 mg/kg s.c.) and black tea brewed (p.o.) each alone and in combination for 4 weeks. On the 28th day, myocardial damage was induced by isoproterenol (50 mg/kg i.p.), and blood samples were taken. On day 29, after hemodynamic parameters recording, hearts were removed for histopathological evaluation. Tea or nicotine consumption had no significant effects on hemodynamic indices of animals without heart damage. When the cardiac injury was induced, tea consumption maintained the maximum dp/dt, and nicotine significantly decreased the pressure-rate product. Moreover, severity of heart lesions was lower in the presence of nicotine or black tea. Concomitant use of these materials did not show extra effects on mentioned parameters more than the effect of each of them alone. The results suggest that subchronic administration of black tea or nicotine for a period of 4 weeks may have a mild cardioprotective effect, while concomitant use of these materials cannot intensify this beneficial effect.

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Many medical schools around the world have included professionalism training in their formal curriculum. However, these efforts may not be adequate; given the exposure of students to unprofessional behaviors in the clinical settings. In the present study, we aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a longitudinal program to improve professionalism among medical students upon their transition to clinical settings. A total of 75 medical students were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to two groups. The control group did not receive any training, while for the intervention group; a 10-hour program through 16 weeks was organized based on the Holmes' reflection approach. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by measuring three outcomes in both groups. Data analysis was performed using paired t-test and Multiple Linear Regression. Scores of judgment of professionalism increased in the intervention group (from 7.56 to 10.17; P< 0.001), while there was no significant improvement in the control group’s scores. Students' attitudes towards professionalism and their professional behaviors did not change significantly. Based on our findings, the Holmes reflection approach helps students improve their cognitive base of professionalism. Long-term follow-up and further qualitative studies will help us better understand the effects of this approach on other desirable outcomes.

The paper aims to investigate the effects of financial distress risk (FDR) and related party transactions (RPT) on financial reporting quality (FRQ) in an emerging market called Iran. In this study, the ordinary least squares regression (OLS) method is employed to test the hypotheses; moreover, Jones’ discretionary accruals model is used to assess the financial reporting quality (FRQ). The results show financially distressed companies have a lower financial reporting quality because they try to mislead other stakeholders about the corporate actual performance to attract more investors and lenders. Consistent with the “tunneling” or “conflict of interests transaction” assumption, our findings confirm there is a positive association between related party transactions through loan and accrual-based profit management. In other words, Iranian managers participate in loan-related party transactions to expropriate their firm’s resources and then manipulate financial statements to mask such expropriation. Finally, additional analysis indicates that financial reporting quality is seen well among firms having higher sale growth and more institutional owners, whereas the variables of ROA and financial leverage negatively affect financial information quality.