bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Neuroimaging in Fall Prevention in Healthy Adults at Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Piersson Albert Dayor , Elshami Wiam , Adjei Alberta Naa Afia , Dzefi-Tettey Klenam , Gorleku Philip N.
Published: August 2021

Falls are an important clinical, socioeconomic, and public health problem in the older adult population. Advancing age is a major risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The preclinical phase of AD, which is regarded as an important window for early therapeutic intervention before the onset of MCI and subsequently AD, can serve as a critical period to reduce or prevent falls among elderly people at risk of AD. In this chapter, first, a discussion is provided on the degrees of fall-related injuries, pain, and severity of falls in elderly people at risk of AD. Secondly, a discussion is provided on the clinical, socioeconomic, and public health implications of falls. Studies that integrated neuroimaging techniques were also reviewed to identify brain biomarkers that can be targeted for the prevention of falls among the elderly. It is anticipated that the outcome of this chapter may have a critical role in the prevention of falls among elderly people at risk or suffering from AD.
Fall Prevention Activities and Resources in Norway
Authors: Babic Ankica
Published: August 2021

The relevant literature review was conducted to determine current knowledge and practices related to adult fall prevention in Norway. It included scientific publications on studies and tools. The review was extended to include the clinical studies and resources offered by the healthcare sector that was made publicly available on their websites. Results are presented in tables structured to show study objectives, approach, and results. The information offered to patients is presented per region and hospital. During the period of the last 20 years, there were numerous studies and useful information offered to the public. There is also one fall prevention program assessed in a dedicated study.
An Advanced Wireless Sensor Networks Design for Energy-Efficient Applications Using Condition-Based Access Protocol
Authors: D. Vijendra Babu , Nagi Reddy K. , Butchi Raju K. , Ratna Raju A.
Published: August 2021

A modern wireless sensor and its development majorly depend on distributed condition maintenance protocol. The medium access and its computing have been handled by multi hope sensor mechanism. In this investigation, WSN networks maintenance is balanced through condition-based access (CBA) protocol. The CBA is most useful for real-time 4G and 5G communication to handle internet assistance devices. The following CBA mechanism is energy efficient to increase the battery lifetime. Due to sleep mode and backup mode mechanism, this protocol maintains its energy efficiency as well as network throughput. Finally, 76% of the energy consumption and 42.8% of the speed of operation have been attained using CBI WSN protocol.
Credit Card Fraud Detection Using K-Means and Fuzzy C-Means
Authors: Jain Arti , Purwar Archana , Yadav Divakar
Published: August 2021

Machine learning (ML) proven to be an emerging technology from small-scale to large-scale industries. One of the important industries is banking, where ML is being adapted all over the world by employing online banking. The online banking is using ML techniques in detecting fraudulent transactions like credit card fraud detection, etc. Hence, in this chapter, a Credit card Fraud Detection (CFD) system is devised using Luhn's algorithm and k-means clustering. Moreover, CFD system is also developed using Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering instead of k-means clustering. Performance of CFD using both clustering techniques is compared using precision, recall and f-measure. The FCM gives better results in comparison to k-means clustering. Further, other evaluation metrics such as fraud catching rate, false alarm rate, balanced classification rate, and Mathews correlation coefficient are also calculated to show how well the CFD system works in the presence of skewed data.
Leveraging Big Data Analytics and Hadoop in Developing India's Healthcare Services
Authors: Rao Koppula Srinivas , S. Saravanan , Kumar Pattem Sampath , V. Rajesh , Raghu K.
Published: August 2021

The benefits of data analytics and Hadoop in application areas where vast volumes of data move in and out are examined and exposed in this report. Developing countries with large populations, such as India, face several challenges in the field of healthcare, including rising costs, addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged people, gaining access to hospitals, and conducting medical research, especially during epidemics. This chapter discusses the role of big data analytics and Hadoop, as well as their effect on providing healthcare services to all at the lowest possible cost.
K-Means Clustering Machine Learning Concept to Enable Social Distancing in Public Places
Authors: Alqahtani Abdullah Saleh
Published: August 2021

In endemic and pandemic situations, governments will implement social distancing to control the virus spread and control the affected and death rate of the country until the vaccine is introduced. For social distancing, people may forget in some public places for necessary needs. To avoid this situation, the authors develop the Android mobile application to notify the social distancing alert to people to avoid increased levels of the endemic and pandemic spread. This application works in both online and offline mode in the smart phones. This application helps the people to obey the government rule to overcome the endemic and pandemic situations. This application uses k-means clustering algorithms to cluster the data and form the more safety clusters for social distancing. It uses artificial intelligence to track the living location by the mobile camera without the internet facilities. It helps the user to follow social distancing even with no internet with user knowledge.
An Efficient Selfishness Control Mechanism for Mobile Ad hoc Networks
Authors: Rajalakshmi D. , K. Meena
Published: August 2021

A MANET (mobile ad hoc network) is a self-organized wireless network. This network is more vulnerable to security failure due to dynamic topology, infrastructure-less environment, and energy consumption. Based on this security issue, routing in MANET is very difficult in real time. In these kinds of networks, the mobility and resource constraints could lead to divide the networks and minimize the performance of the entire network. In real time it is not possible because some selfish nodes interacts with other nodes partially or may not share the data entirely. These kind of malicious or selfish nodes degrade the network performance. In this chapter, the authors proposed and implemented the effect of malicious activities in a MANETs using self-centered friendship tree routing. It's a novel replica model motivated by the social relationship. Using this technique, it detects the malicious nodes and prevents hacking issues in routing protocol in future routes.
Estimation of Secured Wireless Sensor Networks and Its Significant Observation for Improving Energy Efficiency Using Cross-Learning Algorithms
Authors: Rao Sirasani Srinivasa , Butchi Raju K. , Nalajala Sunanda , Vatambeti Ramesh
Published: August 2021

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have as of late been created as a stage for various significant observation and control applications. WSNs are continuously utilized in different applications, for example, therapeutic, military, and mechanical segments. Since the WSN is helpless against assaults, refined security administrations are required for verifying the information correspondence between hubs. Because of the asset limitations, the symmetric key foundation is considered as the ideal worldview for verifying the key trade in WSN. The sensor hubs in the WSN course gathered data to the base station. Despite the fact that the specially appointed system is adaptable with the variable foundation, they are exposed to different security dangers. Grouping is a successful way to deal with vitality productivity in the system. In bunching, information accumulation is utilized to diminish the measure of information that streams in the system.
Procedural Justice and the Power of the Judge in the Courtroom
Authors: Moore Allan T.
Published: August 2021

In this chapter, the author conducts a critical analysis and comparison of laws and practices that legitimise discretionary power in the courtroom from a selection of global north and south jurisdictions. The specific offence of contempt of court in facie curiae is the central focus, where the use of full judicial autonomy, summary, and arbitrary hearings have survived now well into the 21st century. The research conducted shows that there is a global problem with significant overreach of power by members of the judiciary in nearly all jurisdictions investigated. In some cases, this could be viewed as being extreme enough in its overreach to justify being described as abuse of power. Further evidence is presented showing little by way of accountability being held against those judges who misuse their discretionary powers in the courtroom. Recommendations are that there should be reform or development of practice through both judicial training and proportionate disciplinary action where overreach is proven to have occurred in order to minimise future overreaches of power.
Investigating School-Based Support Teams' Roles in Supporting Children With Cerebral Palsy During the National Lockdown
Authors: Thuketana Nkhensani Susan
Published: August 2021

The demand for mainstream South African schools to adopt inclusive education research recommendations is rising exponentially. The COVID-19 pandemic effects compound curriculum access difficulties for children with cerebral palsy. In addition, the COVID-19 virus emergence exposed longstanding home-schooling endangerments. As part of a larger study, this chapter is a sequel to a qualitative, descriptive multiple case study interviewing 15 teachers from three schools, three coordinators of the school-based support teams, and the district-based support team coordinators in Limpopo Province. The study drew from Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems, Piaget's cognitive development, and Vygotsky's sociocultural theories to investigate stakeholders' understanding of inclusive education. During the lockdown period, follow-up online interviews with the school-based support team (SBST) identified a continuous fragmentation of IE stakeholders' responsibilities. They recommended a community of practice (CoP) approach that advocated expediting the implementation of recommendations.
Reimagining the Role of School Management Teams in Curriculum Delivery in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mensah Joseph Frank , Boateng Sakyiwaa , Boateng Alex
Published: August 2021

This chapter explored the role of SMT in curriculum delivery in the midst of the pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on curriculum delivery, and support systems most useful during the coronavirus outbreak. The objectives were examined under the lens of the transformational leadership theory. The study was positioned in the interpretivist paradigm and informed by an exploratory case study design. Fifteen SMT members from six schools were conveniently sampled and interviewed to understand their experiences, perceptions, and expectations of curriculum delivery during the pandemic. The findings largely showed good practices in curriculum management during the pandemic, knowledge of curriculum delivery roles, and expanded support structures. On the other hand, challenges, such as increased absenteeism and weak student accountability resulting from recurring community transmissions, were noted. This chapter, therefore, calls for enhancing the role of SMTs in schools to make them better prepared for and responsive to interconnected global challenges such as this pandemic.
Role of School Management Teams in Planning of Curriculum Delivery During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mulovhedzi Shonisani Agnes , Luhalima Takalani Rhoda
Published: August 2021

School management teams (SMTs) plan school teaching and learning curriculum. Through the desktop research method, this chapter investigates the role of SMTs in planning the curriculum delivery during and after COVID-19. It focuses on the role of SMTs in planning the mode of curriculum delivery, reviewing learning materials, setting plans on the transition to online teaching and learning, controlling curriculum issues, and encouraging a predictable annual routine during and after COVID-19. The chapter also discusses challenges faced in the planning of curriculum delivery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, it provides suggestions on strategies that can assist teachers in improving the delivery of the curriculum. Finally, the chapter concludes by explaining the available different modes of delivering the curriculum. Thus, the chapter aims to investigate the planning of curriculum delivery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the roles of school management teams in education.
Transforming Assessment in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Dhurumraj T. , Ramaila Sam Mabune , Raban Ferhana
Published: August 2021

Assessment plays a critical role in teaching and learning. Continuous assessment advocates for a sustainable learner engagement in a cyclical manner that provides information on performance, feedback, as well as critical support that serves to engender mastery of skills. Continuous assessment encapsulates the use of both formative and summative assessment. COVID-19 compelled teachers as agents of educational change to fundamentally rethink the enactment of assessment within the context of remote teaching and learning. This chapter reflects the transformation of assessment practices adopted by purposively selected teachers at South African schools in response to formidable instructional challenges induced by COVID-19. The empirical inquiry is underpinned by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework. While teachers expressed fundamental appreciation of the key pedagogical affordances of technology integration in remote teaching and learning, they bemoaned the lack of professional capacity required for a meaningful enactment of technology-mediated assessment.
An Analysis and Levelling of Reading Texts Across Arabic Textbooks Based on the CEFR Proficiency Levels
Authors: Mohamed Salwa
Published: August 2021

This chapter analyses the reading content in four prominent Arabic textbook series that are widely used in the UK and USA to assess their reading proficiency progression. The reading texts in each series are analysed using the Dutch CEFR grid and assigned a level as per the CEFR proficiency scale. The findings reveal that there is a lack of consistency among the different textbook series with regards to how reading proficiency is construed at different levels, especially at the intermediate and higher levels. The chapter concludes by highlighting that Arabic material developers, textbook writers, and teachers would benefit from consulting a recognized and systematic reference of proficiency such as the CEFR in developing a comprehensive view of language proficiency in Arabic that includes defining common thematic areas, most needed and suitable functions, and relevant linguistic features for each language proficiency level.
Thriving in the New Normal
Authors: Li Li , Morris Gareth Richard
Published: August 2021

Language education in higher education has been significantly impacted by COVID-19, and this has placed significant pressure on practitioners around the world irrespective of their respective experience prior to the pandemic. Teachers are now expected to deliver classes utilising new mediums whilst learning how to use different technologies. This can place a significant strain on individuals, institutions, and education sectors as everyone is expected to become proficient in a new normal working environment. In light of this, this chapter considers the in-service professional development needs and experiences of 88 language teachers at a Sino foreign university in Mainland China. The aim is that the insights provided here will help education providers better understand the challenges that their staff may be facing and consider ways in which teacher learning can be addressed. This chapter should be of interest to educators, managers, leaders, and policymakers in a wide range of international settings.
The Role of Technologies in Relationship Management and Internal Marketing
Authors: Mendes Eduarda , Sousa Bruno Barbosa , Gonçalves Márcia
Published: August 2021

In health, as in any other industry, technology adoption, if used appropriately, is an important asset and a success factor for a company. Nowadays, it is no longer feasible to talk about health without addressing the role of technology. In this context, the present study aims to understand the impact and role of technologies in a hospital context (e.g., Hospital de Braga) and in the relationship management from an internal perspective (internal marketing). Based on a qualitative approach, the research also aims to analyze how internal communication is made between employees and between employees and managers in the Hospital of Braga. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five employees of the health institution, and a focus group with eight employees as well (four nurses, one computer technician, one administrative, one operational assistant, and a technical/administrative assistant). The results show that this technology is successful, but there are still some points to point out. The results also provide some discontent regarding internal marketing.
Impact, Reaction, and Learning From Overcoming the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Dhar Saptarshi , Farzana Tahira , Abedin Sabiha Saju Ibne
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created devastating consequences for all businesses globally, including the small businesses in Bangladesh. The small business sector in Bangladesh is a key driver of its economic growth and has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic due to its pre-existing vulnerabilities and lower resilience to crisis. This chapter investigates the impact of COVID-19 on small-scale businesses, their subsequent response measures, and learning experiences that have created a route to resilience. A qualitative investigation on six small-scale enterprises across manufacturing and service areas was included in the study. The cases covered fashion and clothing and organic food and beverage businesses. The findings of the study suggest that the impacts of the pandemic are primarily financial, operational and supply chain, and logistical in nature. The policymakers need to take urgent measures to ensure the sustainability of this sector amid the ongoing pandemic.
The Market of Fertilizers in Mexico During the Pandemic Crisis
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G.
Published: August 2021

This chapter aims to analyze the market of fertilizers in México during the pandemic crisis. This analysis of the fertilizer market in Mexico points out that the consumption of fertilizers has undergone a change in the structure in favor of consumers with the highest concentration and diversification. The method used is the analytical-descriptive and the critical reflexive based on the quantitative data obtained from secondary sources. This situation has contributed to a drop in the consumption of fertilizers because the farmer's real income has fallen during the pandemic crisis. To take advantage of the opportunities arising from the crisis, it analyzes the functioning of an integral model of entrepreneurship in green innovation business (GIB) that is currently emerging and in the process of internationalization. This chapter analyzes a particular company that specializes in ecological biomineral organic fertilizer, where no chemical product is used to produce the composition; everything that is marketed is made up of a base of organic minerals and other organic compounds.
The Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Dionisio Marcelo Amaral
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating and immediate effect on all economies, impacting in the lifestyles and livelihoods of people around the world. There are strong concerns about how the crisis will affect SMEs that represent over 90% of all firms worldwide. In emerging countries, SMEs already operate in challenging contexts characterized by institutional voids and scarce resource environments where entrepreneurs need to continuously develop strategies to survive. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of resources in a single case of a Brazilian SME and its strategies to survive the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The study applies the resource-based view (RBV) to understand how the type and nature of resources influence the activities pursued by this SME and relate the crisis with their usual challenges. Findings highlight the important role of different key resources in the survival, growth, and sustainability of SMEs, along with the need of institutional conditions to support and foster entrepreneurship.
A Study on the Use of Business Intelligence Tools for Strategic Financial Analysis
Authors: Kaur Guneet
Published: August 2021

The research work is focused on examining the role of business intelligence (BI) tools in strategic financial analysis. The effective utilization of data is essential in order to survive in today's competitive business environment. Traditionally, data analysis was performed manually by using a spreadsheet. However, due to big data proliferation at an unprecedented pace, it becomes difficult for the financial services industry to manage large datasets. Therefore, to address this issue, both academia and industry practitioners have come forward to meet the needs of a growing business with the help of BI tools. In this context, this chapter aims to assist the BI researchers and practitioners in the financial services industry to make fact-based decisions by using popular BI tools like Power BI, Tableau, and SAS analytics. Consequently, the chapter provides a detailed review of the applications of these BI tools in strategic financial analysis and to enhance overall corporate performance.
Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets Using a Closed Form Solution
Authors: Silva Joao Carlos , Souto Nuno , Pereira José
Published: August 2021

Deferred tax asset (DTA) is a tax/accounting concept that refers to an asset that may be used to reduce future tax liabilities of the holder. It usually refers to situations where a company has either overpaid taxes, paid taxes in advance, or has carry-over of losses (the latter being the most common situation). DTAs are thus contingent claims, whose underlying assets are the company's future profits. Consequently, the correct approach to value such rights implies the use of a contingent claim valuation framework. The purpose of this chapter is to propose a precise and conceptually sound mathematical approach to value DTAs, considering future projections of earnings and rates, alongside the DTA's legal time limit. The authors show that with the proposed evaluation techniques, the DTA's expected value will be much lower than the values normally used in today's practice, and the company's financial analysis will lead to much more sound and realistic results.
Simple Valuation of Compounded Deferred Tax Assets Using a Binomial Algorithm
Authors: Silva Joao Carlos , Souto Nuno , Pereira José
Published: August 2021

Deferred tax asset (DTA) is a tax/accounting concept that refers to an asset that may be used to reduce future tax liabilities of the holder. In a company's balance, it usually refers to situations where it has either overpaid taxes, paid taxes in advance, or has carry-over of losses (the latter being the most common situation). In fact, accounting and tax losses may be used to shield future profits from taxation, through tax loss carry-forwards. The purpose of this chapter is to propose a precise and conceptually sound approach to value DTAs. For that purpose, making use of an adapted binomial CRR (Cox, Ross, and Rubinstein) algorithm, the authors derive a precise way to value DTAs. This way, the DTAs are valued in a similar way of the binomial options pricing model, and the subjectivity of its evaluation is greatly reduced. The authors show that with the proposed evaluation techniques, the DTA's expected value will be much lower than the values normally used in today's practice, and the bank's financial analysis will lead to much more sound and realistic results.
The Integrated Value Model (IVM)
Authors: White Basil J. , Martin Beth Archibald , Wold Ryan J.
Published: August 2021

The integrated value model (IVM) empowers analysis of the interdependent aspects of policies, plans, performance measures, priorities, and programs (P5). As organizations are holistic systems of processes and performance, knowing how P5 adds value becomes critical to success and achievement of internal goals and responses to external demands. Modeling these artifacts and mapping them to policies and practices allows analysts to measure the alignment to initiatives. The IVM supports efforts in strategic communications, change management, strategic planning, and decision support. Elements of P5 have explicit hierarchical and relational connections, but modeling the connections and developing logical inferences is an uncommon strategic business practice. This chapter describes how to use those goals to create a logical model for a public sector organization and how to use this model to identify, describe, and align business value. Further, this chapter demonstrates the model's capabilities and suggests future applications.
Innovation-Based Lateral Thinking and Intrapreneurship Strategies for Handling Corporate Chaordism
Authors: Saiz-Alvarez Jose Manuel
Published: August 2021

The economic and social change generated by SARS-CoV-2 is leading to a new geopolitical system dominated by China and the need for higher levels of investment in R&D and innovation, especially in the health system. The world is very vulnerable to global pandemics. This chapter aims to set up several innovation-based and lateral thinking business strategies to make firms rooted in chaordism perform better in disruptive situations. In this chapter, the author will show some mixed managerial-marketing techniques to generate ideas. These pages have an eminently practical application in the firm, regardless of its size and the corporate culture applied in its daily operations.
Managing Human Resources as a Business Strategy in Times of Disruption
Authors: Ospina&Bermeo Javier
Published: August 2021

This chapter establishes a tripartite relationship of high impact and validity in the business world. The three concepts that are intertwined are the management of human talent, the concept of disruption, and business strategy as drivers in organizations that seek to fulfill the visionary unit that has been proposed in the existing conditions of a particular environment that presents new movements, questions, and events derived from factors such as public health, the fourth industrial revolution, caring for the environment, generational social interaction. Once the concepts described above have been understood, the authors proceed to establish the relationship that allows them to intertwine and find the points of convergence so that they can have the proposal to manage human talent in times of disruption as a business sustainability strategy.
Problem Solving and Risk Management Methodology
Authors: Hernández Esmeralda Andrade , Fernández-Lambert Gregorio , Alabazares David Lara , Moreno Yesica Mayett , Geneste Laurent
Published: August 2021

Intending to lead organizations to continuous improvement, this chapter proposes a methodology that involves three axes: risk management, problem- solving, and feedback experience. This methodology allows organizations to characterize the experiences they have already confronted, as well as new experiences (which can be risks or problems) with the use of taxonomies established by the organization. It also enables them to capitalize and exploit their knowledge base. This work proposes a best-use approach of the past experiences that are similar to a current event and facilitate their treatment and provide solutions. The authors take the feedback as a point of articulation between the two methodologies because it is a mechanism that offers knowledge where it can be found that the organizations must avoid and take advantage of.
Economic Crisis and Its Effects on International Trade
Authors: Parežanin Miloš , Kragulj Dragana , Jednak Sandra
Published: August 2021

The aim of this chapter is to analyse the effects of the economic crisis on the trade among the Southeastern European (SEE) countries. The countries were divided into two groups: the EU countries and non-EU countries. Macroeconomic performances and international trade indicators of the 11 observed countries were analysed for the period 2007-2019, and the effects of the economic crisis were present in all the observed countries, particularly the effects on the export performances. The crisis also affected the entire import of the non-EU countries. The EU countries recovered from the crisis faster than the non-EU countries. However, the non-EU countries achieved a more significant inflow of foreign direct investment in the post-crisis period, which significantly improved the position of the balance of payments in these countries. The observed countries had managed to stabilise their trade flows all until the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. The impact of the current crisis on these countries remains to be estimated in the future.
How the Global Financial Crisis and International Trade Affected Corporate Decisions?
Authors: Tekin Hasan
Published: August 2021

This chapter, first, draws an overview of the theoretical and conceptual framework of corporate decisions in the global financial crisis (GFC) context. Then, it shows the connectedness of corporate finance and international trade. Finally, employing a rich dataset, this chapter assesses the impact of international trade as well as the GFC on corporate financial decisions, particularly cash holdings, debt financing, and dividend payouts over the period 2002-2016. The findings show that international trade significantly affects corporate decisions. Firms with higher trade countries have higher debt level but lower cash and dividends across the globe. During the GFC, the positive impact of trade on debt shifts to negative. Also, trade has a positive effect on both cash and debt in the aftermath of the GFC. Taken together, international trade as an institutional setting influences corporate decisions and its role on cash, debt, and dividend differ during and after the GFC.
Efficiency of Indigenous and Intercultural Higher Education and Research Programs
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Guerra-García Ernesto
Published: August 2021

A study was carried out using data envelopment analysis, in which variables (inputs and outputs) of a group of 13 public HEIs from the northwest of the country were compared with data from the 2018-2019 cycle to characterize the UAIM. It was found that 1) when considering government financing and generated own resources, UAIM has an efficiency of 39%; 2) when considering ordinary financing and tuition, the institution is 100% efficient; 3) in relation to the total number of teachers and enrollment has an efficiency of 39%, it has the capacity to serve up to 14,325 students; 4) it has an efficiency of 26% in relation to the total and accredited educational programs; and 5) the total efficiency is 51% and represents an intermediate level with respect to the other HEIs, which on average is 56%.
Has the Composition of the Greek Banking Sector Investment Portfolio Contributed to the Greek Economy Financial Crisis?
Authors: Eriotis Nikolaos , Kollias Konstantinos , Kounadeas Theodoros
Published: August 2021

The banking sector in Greece met a large growth and provided the Greek economy with a vital push after the credit release. The galloping increase of private, business, and public loans reinforced business activity and offered high incomes for a few years. However, this push that the Greek economy experienced was based on consumption and not on the development of financial sectors that could constantly produce income for the economy and the state. The research examines the Greek banking investment portfolio from 2003 until 2017 based on the portfolio theory of Markowitz. Furthermore, it evaluates its differentiation and examines whether or not has contributed to the financial crisis that the domestic economy faced the previous decade. The findings point out that the negative portfolio returns during the span of seven out of 15 reviewed years and their covariances highlight that the portfolio diversification was not successful according to Markowitz's theory.
Hybrid Simulation-Based Optimization for Production Planning of a Dedicated Remanufacturing System
Authors: Chiadamrong Navee , Tangchaisuk Chayanan
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a comparative simulation study of a dedicated remanufacturing system. The production line of a dedicated remanufacturing system producing multiple products under uncertain environment is improved through the simulation-based optimization approach. Appropriate inventory capacity of buffers, a proper switching rule, and a suitable run size of each product should be optimally set to yield the highest system's profit. Then, hybrid simulation-based optimization algorithms with two hybrid optimization forms using a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) as complementary to each other in relation to their standard algorithms are proposed and compared. A case study is used to demonstrate and compare the performances among the algorithms to show the advantages of the proposed algorithms. This approach can assist in decision making for the planning and management of dedicated remanufacturing systems that are required to operate with various decision variables under uncertainties.
Optimizing Inventory Classification and Service Levels Under Budget and Warehouse Space Control
Authors: Ly Rathanaksambath , Raweewan Morrakot
Published: August 2021

There are several techniques of inventory classification and prioritization based on a single criteria, bi-criteria, or multiple criteria; however, managing inventory can fail when trying to fit inventory classes into the operating budget and available warehouse space. This research focuses on optimizing inventory classes and determining an optimal service level of each class while simultaneously satisfying operating budget and space constraints. The idea is to help decision makers to effectively rank and group SKUs and manage them within the constraints while satisfying customers. This proposed methodology is an optimality-based approach that uses mixed integer linear programing to solve the problem. Computational experiments are conducted to illustrate the proposed method. Results are compared with a classical ABC inventory analysis.
Rider Chaotic Biography Optimization-driven Deep Stacked Auto-encoder for Big Data Classification Using Spark Architecture
Authors: Brahmane Anilkumar V , Krishna Chaitanya B
Published: August 2021

The novelty in big data is rising day-by-day in such a way that the existing software tools face difficulty in supervision of big data. Furthermore, the rate of the imbalanced data in the huge datasets is a key constraint to the research industry. Thus, this paper proposes a novel technique for handling the big data using Spark framework. The proposed technique undergoes two steps for classifying the big data, which involves feature selection and classification, which is performed in the initial nodes of Spark architecture. The proposed optimization algorithm is named rider chaotic biography optimization (RCBO) algorithm, which is the integration of the rider optimization algorithm (ROA) and the standard chaotic biogeography-based optimisation (CBBO). The proposed RCBO deep-stacked auto-encoder using Spark framework effectively handles the big data for attaining effective big data classification. Here, the proposed RCBO is employed for selecting suitable features from the massive dataset.
THE ALESSANDRIA PUBLIC HOSPITAL AND THE VALORIZATION OF ITS CULTURAL HERITAGE. WHAT BENEFITS?
Authors: Dacquino Mariateresa , Viazzi Federica , Como Mariasilvia , Franco Elena , Maconi Antonio
Published: August 2021

Alessandria hospital is pursuing an extensive project to protect and to promote its cultural heritage. This historical heritage is consisting of architectures, paintings, statues, books, vases and much more, and it’s bearing witness to the long life of the hospital and the strong link with the city community.
Reforum: A brief but not unimportant chapter in the Dutch Reformed Church’s apartheid saga
Authors: Meiring P.G.J.
Published: August 2021

In 1985 when storm clouds were gathering over South Africa, and a state of emergency was declared, a group of members of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) Family, clergy as well as laity, founded an organisation, Reforum. The two-fold aim of Reforum was to provide a prophetic witness against apartheid, calling the DRC to take leave of its theology of apartheid, and, secondly, to work towards the reunification of the DRC Family. The article researches the original Reforum documents, minutes, reports, conference material and letters, that hitherto laid untouched in the DRC Archive, in Pretoria. The programme of Reforum, especially the national and regional conferences held by the organisation over the 7 years of its existence, is discussed. The initial negative reaction of the DRC officials and synods, as well as the critique from some in the Dutch Reformed Mission Church and the DRC in Africa that Reforum was not radical enough in its approach, are recorded. The summation, at the end, is that Reforum did play a significant role, albeit humble and short lived, in the annals of the DRC’s apartheid saga. Relevance: The DRC’s apartheid saga, the story of a church that had over many years lived with apartheid and even provided a theological argument for separate development, eventually came to the point where the DRC not only repented of its past, but declared apartheid and the theology of apartheid a sin and a heresy, continues to fascinate historians, including church historians. For South African Christians, clergy as well as laity, it helps explain their often troubled past, as well as present. The often neglected story of Reforum and the role and contribution of the organisation in this process needs to be recorded. Original research: the author provides original qualitative research, using material that had lain untouched in the DRC Archive for three decades. This may be considered to be a preliminary study. The archival material merits more and deeper attention. It may well provide material for post graduate research.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The research is of value for the study of South African general history, South African church history, ecumenical studies, and practical theology.
A comparison of posterior segment optical coherence tomography findings in full-term and preterm children without retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Martínez-Córdoba Claudia J , Quijano-Nieto Bernardo A , Echeverría-González Claudia L , Sierra-Bernal Rosa M
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

Structural differences have been described in the retina of prematurely born children, including increased macular thickness caused by failed migration of the inner retina during development and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning related to low birth weight. The present study aimed to evaluate the differences in macular and RNFL optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings between full-term and preterm children without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods:

Thirty-four premature (study group) and 43 full-term patients (control group)—aged 3 to 8 years—were studied. All children underwent a complete ophthalmological exam and OCT of the macula and optic nerve in both eyes to determine macular and RNFL thickness and morphology. Correlation analysis between central macular thickness, age, and visual acuity was also performed.

Results:

Central macular thickness was greater in the study group than in the control group; a difference of 14.2 μm was observed for the right eye (P = 0.002) and 12.16 μm for the left eye (P = 0.019). The thickness of the parafoveal and the perifoveal zones was consistently greater in the study group. 44.3% of eyes in the study group had mild forms of foveal hypoplasia (grades 1a and 1b) in qualitative description. No correlation between central macular thickness and visual acuity was found. There was no difference in RNFL thickness between both groups.

Conclusion:

Statistically significant structural differences were found in the macula of premature children, with a greater foveal thickness possibly reflecting retention of the inner retina during development, with no repercussion over visual acuity. RNFL thickness was similar in both groups.
Innovative technique of mini-simple limbal epithelial transplantation in pediatric patients
Authors: Pannu Anju , Sati Alok , Mishra Sanjay Kumar , Kumar Sonali , Dhar Sanjay
Published: August 2021

In this article, we introduce a modified technique of minor ipsilateral simple limbal epithelial transplantation (mini-SLET) in pediatric patients of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Two children with unilateral partial LSCD underwent the innovative technique of mini-SLET, where harvested limbal tissues were placed over the raw cornea and were covered with amniotic membrane. Both patients were followed till 9 months. Both cases showed favorable outcome and uneventful recovery. Results were comparable with the classical technique. This innovative modification of mini-SLET is safe, feasible, and an effective alternative with favorable visual outcome especially in pediatric population. It can be a breakthrough for LSCD management in developing countries with limited resources.
Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study (TOES). Report # 8. Childhood cataract surgery and determinants of visual outcome in tribal districts
Authors: Majhi Debasmita , Sachdeva Virender , Warkad Vivekanand Uttamrao , Kekunnaya Ramesh , Natarajan Divya , Karan Sanjib , Garg Bhawna
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to describe the demographic profile, clinical features, visual outcomes, and follow-up patterns after successful cataract surgery in children from the tribal community in Odisha, India.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed records of tribal children aged 4 months–16 years, who underwent public health financed cataract surgery at our institute from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. Collected data included demographic profile, clinical features, outcomes, and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate linear regression identified factors affecting the visual outcome at a 6-week follow-up.

Results:

During this period, a total of 352 children [536 eyes; mean age: 9.11 ± 4.4 years, 219 boys (62%)] underwent cataract surgery. The most common etiology and presenting complaints were idiopathic congenital cataract and decreased vision, respectively. In 304 children (86%), presenting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was <20/200 (1.0 LogMAR), 113 (32%) had associated strabismus, and 57 (16%) had associated nystagmus. The public health agency did not sponsor postoperative follow-up, and only 195 (56%) and 61 (17.3%) children completed a 6-week and a 3-month follow-up, respectively. Median BCVA at 6-week and 3-month review was 20/125 (0.8, interquartile range [IQR], 0.2–2 LogMAR) and 20/60 (0.5, IQR, 0.25–1.35 LogMAR), respectively.

Conclusion:

This study showed that children from the tribal community presented late with poor presenting VA and had suboptimal visual outcomes with inconsistent follow-ups. Greater advocacy, delivery of care closer to the place of residence, and financial support for follow-up care could improve early detection, regular evaluation, and outcomes.
Visual outcomes following cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in vitrectomized eyes among children
Authors: Agarkar Sumita , Mailankody Swathi , Settu Saranya , Srinivasan Ramyaa , Raman Rajiv
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

To assess the visual outcomes and associated factors in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods:

A total of 52 eyes of 52 children who underwent cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in previously vitrectomized eyes between January 2008 and December 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Descriptive and inferential statistical measurements (Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, odds ratio, multiple logistic regression) were done.

Results:

The mean age at PPV was 11.3 ± 2.9 years. The most common indication for PPV was retinal detachment in 43 eyes (82.69%) and vitreous hemorrhage in 6 eyes (11.53%). The mean preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.31 ± 0.48 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) units (20/400) and 0.69 ± 0.45 logMAR units (20/100), respectively; P < 0.001. The final visual outcome was good in 37 eyes (71.15%) and poor in 15 eyes (28.85%). In mean follow-up of 4 years, 42.3% developed posterior capsular opacification, 13.5% developed glaucoma, and 3.8% had retinal redetachment after cataract surgery. In the presence of macular pathology, the visual outcome was poor (aOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 4.26, P = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Cataract surgery with IOL implantation in vitrectomized eyes among children is a safe procedure and can improve visual acuity and quality of life. However, the extent of improvement is limited by macular pathology.
Comparison of central corneal thickness using non-contact tono-pachymeter (Tonopachy) with ultrasound pachymetry in normal children and in children with refractive error
Authors: Thiagarajan Kiruthikadevi , Srinivasan Kavitha , Gayam Keerthi , Rengaraj Venkatesh
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

To compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) measured by non-contact tono-pachymeter [Tonopachy (TP)] with the gold standard ultrasound pachymetry (UP) in normal children and in children with refractive error.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study involved 95 normal children (190 eyes) and 123 children with refractive error (246 eyes), a total of 218 children (436 eyes) aged 7-15 years. After refraction and complete ophthalmic evaluation, axial length was measured with IOLMaster 700, CCT was measured with TP followed by UP. The correlation between the CCT measurements obtained with the two methods was analysed by Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the limits of agreement were assessed with Bland-Altman analysis plot.

Results:

Mean CCT measured with TP was 537.46 ± 36.41 μm and by UP was 537.17 ± 39.80 μm in normal children (P = 0.79) and in refractive error group, the mean CCT was 533.50 ± 34.91 μm by TP and 531.60 ± 36.30 μm by UP (P = 0.04). The 95% limits of agreement between TP and UP ranged from -19.2 to + 21.6 μm (mean = 1.20) for total children, -20.8 to + 21.4 μm (mean = 0.29) for normal group and -18.0 to + 21.8 μm (mean = 1.90) for refractive error group. ICC for CCT measurement between TP and UP was 0.980 for total children and refractive error group and 0.981 for normal group.

Conclusion:

The CCT measurement obtained by TP showed an excellent agreement with UP. Hence non-contact TP can be used to assess CCT in children above seven years of age.