bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate and Timely Ship Design Proposal Development Using Product Lifecycle Development
Authors: Ulstein B A , Gillikin D
Published: February 2020

Commercial naval architecture firms and shipyards perform concept and solution development work (Pre-Contract work) at their own expense with no guarantee of success. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is the first of two vital overlapping components of an enterprise IT environment, the other being Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP). Companies not using PLM, including links to an ERP system, for their Pre-Contract work, miss the opportunity to link system requirements to standardized and prior developed solutions. The consequence is higher estimated project cost than necessary, because margins are included in cost, weight, and delivery efforts without taking into account the reuse effect. While planning and implementing a PLM system is a long and sometimes challenging process, Shipbuilders can benefit from using PLM. With PLM implemented, a shipbuilder can take the next step by linking PLM to their ERP to further enhance their entire operation. An overpriced bid ultimately leads to a lost contract or even worse, to an over-budget project and late delivery. To be successful today and in the future, shipbuilders and naval architecture firms must adopt PLM in their enterprises.
Simulation of Hull Panel Logistics Improvements in a Shipyard
Authors: Dev A K , Fung Z K
Published: February 2020

Supply chain system sets a foundation for production facilities to utilise hardware and software applications to optimise and improve productivity. In the current trend of the marine industry, shipyards were able to introduce automation and cyber-physical system to their hull panel lines and pipe fabrication facilities due to the presence of established logistical arrangements, factory-like manufacturing feature with fixed conditions of inputs, outputs, and flexibility of modifying production processes. Some of the supply chain systems that have been adopted by many include the lean production concept, Toyota Production System (TPS), just-in-time production (JIT), one piece flow and Kanban system which were proven effective by the automotive industry to eliminate waste and improve their manufacturing line. However, in the context of shipbuilding, there are three construction stages in chronological order, respectively; fabrication, assembly and block erection. Such logistical system does not extend beyond fabrication stage due to various circumstances; therefore the disproportion in logistical flow between the fabrication facilities and the assembly areas are often not optimised which is counterproductive and overshadows the improvement efforts contributed by the fabrication facilities. This paper presents a logistical process flow between panel fabrication and assembly stage through Flexsim software simulation. An actual case study of a TPS integrated panel line and the block assembly bay will be modelled and validated with the fabrication of a realistic offshore design vessel. Virtual performance of the flow will be investigated to understand the implication of different operating conditions. The outcome of the paper will provide a framework for actual panel line to analyse the feasibility of implementing TPS, and also identify the critical control point to mitigate the effects caused by the disproportion in the panel logistical flow.
A Suggestion of Digital Platform for Shipbuilding Industries
Authors: Park J H , Lee H M , Yoon S R , Ahn H S , Park J S , Park J G , Cho S J , Choi J U
Published: February 2020

Nowadays more and more attractive technologies have been introduced to the industries. And, major shipbuilding companies in South Korea have a strong will to rebound with these innovative technologies, as business conditions have not been good in recent years.

Many people have a deep interest in the 4th Industrial Revolution. But, even though automation is the core of the 3rd industrial revolution, shipbuilding industry is far less automated than electronics and automotive industries. The reason is that the sizes of the products are so huge that there are a lot of outdoor works and the blocks have various forms.

To make matters worse, the major shipyards in South Korea have been built for large ships and constantly optimized for those ships. However, as they begun to construct offshore projects, they experienced a lot of serious problems. The key to many serious problems was that shipyards did not fully recognize the importance of data continuity.

In terms of design for offshore projects, the response to change management was not ready enough, and there was no proper means of change management. In other words, they started to construct projects without understanding the differences between ships and offshore projects.

Fortunately, data continuity problems have been solved by 3D based DT technologies. This paper introduces various examples of how DT technologies have solved the problems faced in recent years. And, considering the future of the shipbuilding industry, this paper also suggests a digital platform, in order to ensure data continuity between companies including sub-contractors.
Controverses environnementales et arbitrages politiques : les logiques d’action du système Étang de Berre/Basse-Durance
Authors: Laurenceau Martin , Molle François
Published: February 2020

L’échéance de 2027 pour l’atteinte du bon état ou bon potentiel des masses d’eau, dans le cadre de la Directive cadre sur l’eau (DCE) de 2000, exacerbe les tensions sur certains territoires. En effet, l’atteinte du bon état repose sur la réalisation d’arbitrages entre des usages multiples qui mènent à de nouvelles répartitions sociale et spatiale des coûts et bénéfices. Nous avançons l’hypothèse que ces arbitrages ne peuvent être faits seulement à partir de critères d’efficacité écologique et de coûts économiques comme cela est proposé par la DCE, et doivent considérer (i) les interdépendances entre masses d’eau et usages associés ainsi que (ii) les logiques d’action sous-jacentes aux différents scénarios portés par les acteurs en présence. En nous appuyant sur l’évolution historique des masses d’eau de l’étang de Berre et de la Basse-Durance, nous montrons les connections hydrologiques, écologiques et socio-économiques qui existent entre ces territoires. Dans un deuxième temps, nous mettons en évidence les problématisations et les entreprises d’intéressement qui sous-tendent chaque scénario porté par les acteurs en présence, ainsi que leurs conséquences en termes de répartition des coûts et bénéfices pour les usagers. Enfin, nous discutons la capacité des différentes logiques d’action, en partie incompatibles, à s’imposer aux autres acteurs en présence et à influencer la décision future de la Commission européenne sur l’éventuelle révision à la baisse des objectifs écologiques du système Berre Basse-Durance.
A Technology-driven Overview on Blockchain-based Academic Certificate Handling
Authors: Rodrigues Bruno , Franco Muriel Figueredo , Scheid Eder , Kanhere Salil S. , Stiller Burkhard
Published: February 2020

Academic certificates have a significant influence on the job market, proving a particular competence or skill of a recipient. However, the ability to verify the authenticity of certificates does not follow its relevance in the labor market, causing several companies to exploit this inefficiency to falsify information or even to make fake certificates. In this context, several proposals based on blockchain appear as a technological alternative to increase the transparency and the ease of verification of these certificates. This chapter discusses the main proposals toward the handling of academic certificates from a technological point of view, discussing the technical aspects that may influence the relationship between confidentiality and transparency as well as application requirements such as performance and reliability in contrast to the blockchain characteristics. Finally, this chapter summarizes the key challenges and opportunities based on this discussion outlining future directions for academic certificate management.
Blockchaining Corporate Education
Authors: Moraes Renato Bulcao
Published: February 2020

Michel Foucault wrote about education as a control system of the population. Roger Deacon is an Honorary Lecturer in education and Honorary Research Lecturer in politics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is researching the relevance and implications of the work of Michel Foucault for education. All his remarks lead to concerns about the idea of blockchain for corporate education, as the life of an individual may be registered from the very beginning throughout the whole educational system. As choices, even computer-driven ones, are biased, chances of exclusion are higher than the opposite. Even the peer-to-peer system, designed to give people a chance to be fairly evaluated, with a blockchain system may be circumvented. In this scenario, how should one think about corporate education? Would it be an opportunity to reframe an individual with the right skills, or simply a way to build a uniform brigade? Maybe the multiple skills of collective games could indicate the need for multiple intelligences in order to keep a corporate performing well.
Psychological Distance and Culture
Authors: Roberts Michael Joseph Dominic
Published: February 2020

This chapter introduces psychological distance into cultural studies as an alternative way of conceptualizing individual differences. Unlike most cross-cultural frameworks that are at the group level, psychological distance provides an individual level conceptualization of distance. This conceptualization can complement the more group level and static frameworks that dominate management theory. The framework is rooted in knowledge theory. By developing the concepts of socially embedded tacit vs. explicit knowledge, the chapter demonstrates that explicit models of cultural difference, such as Hoftsede's Cultural Dimensions, do not capture the lived tacit experience of managers working in a cross-cultural setting. This chapter is conceptual, but the framework that is developed here emerged from fieldwork conducted by the author on returnee executives in Korea. Psychological distance consists of four dimensions: time, space, social relations, and probability. These dimensions relate to the level of mental construal between an individual and a foreign knowledge practice.
Nation Branding in the Context of State Administration Agenda
Authors: Dianová Markéta
Published: February 2020

The chapter focuses on relationships, structures, and processes that fundamentally influence the implementation of the nation branding strategy, the scope of activities carried out by institutional actors, and the extent of involvement of these actors in the process of nation branding. It studies the activities the official actors carry out in the nation branding scope and identifies what their priorities are in the integrated state presentation. It identifies the sources of double-track activities processes in the distribution of the roles and extent of involvement of public diplomacy actors, as well as institutions responsible for presentation of a country. Without attempting to initiate changes in legislation or hierarchy of the state actors involved in nation branding, it brings insight into informal layer of formal relationships and interactions and brings a proposal on how to formally simplify the process of implementation of the nation branding strategy in the Czech Republic.
Culture From a Value Systems Perspective
Authors: Cordeiro Cheryl Marie , Sogn-Grundvåg Geir
Published: February 2020

International interdisciplinary projects (IDR) are a microcosm of multicultural landscapes. Through a culture theories perspective, in particular, viewing culture as a system of explicitly and implicitly coded values, this chapter conveys the processes and results of a study that investigates and uncovers the management strategies of an IDR project, CATCH. The study of culture from a value systems approach enables a more subtle and nuanced approach to the analysis and framing of cultural heterogeneity in the context of an IDR project, beyond the often dichotomous, cultural dimensions construct. Due to the multiple actors in an IDR project, the example of CATCH illustrates a more nuanced view of cultural filters that arise from each academic discipline. Using the culture as value systems perspective, this chapter shows how multicultural landscapes and different resulting knowledges can be leveraged towards an integrated worldview when solving challenges in a globalized world with limited resources.
Academic Entrepreneurship, Bioeconomy, and Sustainable Development
Authors: Oguntuase Oluwaseun James
Published: February 2020

The potential of academic entrepreneurship towards achieving sustainable development has been established. Likewise, sustainability is an inherent characteristic of the bioeconomy. Academics are expected to play significant roles in the successful implementation of bioeconomy through scientific research and entrepreneurship. This chapter takes academic entrepreneurship as a process that creates value from research and technology commercialisation in a bioeconomy towards achieving sustainable development in the society. The chapter employs a systematic literature review approach to identify the opportunities at the intersection of academic entrepreneurship, bioeconomy, and sustainable development. The framework of technological innovation systems (TIS) will guide this study. The chapter will conclude that the future of sustainable development in our resources-constrained planet lies in plethora of academic entrepreneurial opportunities and embracing such in the implementation of bioeconomy, an economic system that is viable for the future.
Intrapreneurship Initiative Based on an Internal Ideation Contest in the Public Sector
Authors: Campos-Blázquez Juan Ramon , Morcillo Ortega Patricio , Rubio-Andrada Luis , Celemín-Pedroche María Soledad
Published: February 2020

There are few studies that provide empirical evidence of the use of crowdsourcing initiatives within public organizations as an element that favors an innovative culture where employees are able to acquire a sense of accomplishment and recognition by presenting new ideas and innovative possibilities and, consequently, help to improve public sector efficiency and deliver new and better-quality services. Through a single case study, the purpose of this chapter is to assess how an internal ideation contest initiative (internal crowdsourcing) in a local government institution—Madrid City Hall (Spain)—can promote intrapreneurship and be a lever for a culture of innovation in public organizations, for which the authors have used the innovation culture model of Rao and Weintraub as a theoretical framework. The results show that through that initiative, Madrid City Hall was able to enable employees' participation, leverage collective intelligence, and definitely stimulate an entrepreneurial spirit within their organization.
Lifestyle Entrepreneurs
Authors: Dantas José Guilherme Leitão , Valente Fernando
Published: February 2020

Motivations play a critical role in setting up new organizations. Traditionally, the reasons to start a new business are mainly economic in nature. More recently, some researchers argue that some people, designated lifestyle entrepreneurs, decide to create new businesses on the grounds of personal fulfilment. This chapter aims to identify the most important motivations of lifestyle entrepreneurs and their relation with the factors that this type of entrepreneurs use to measure the success of their businesses. In order to achieve these objectives a qualitative methodology was adopted, based on the case study approach. The analysis of the cases suggests that this type of entrepreneurs are, first of all, motivated by a desire to live in a certain way and they measure their success according to the achievement of their goal, without neglecting the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of their businesses.
Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ciccarino Irene Dobarrio Machado , Rodrigues Susana Cristina Serrano Fernandes
Published: February 2020

This chapter seeks to understand what motivates an investment in a social entrepreneurial initiative (SEI), in order to easy the fit between investors goals and the SEI proposals. It provides a benchmark for investors and a guide for entrepreneurs through the identification of the most valued investment criteria. Data were collected online between March and May 2019 from Schawb foundation, Skoll foundation, Ashoka and Yunus Social Business. It was analyzed by content analysis. The results obtained corroborate previous literature review as well as highlighted different perspectives, suggesting further research for a better understanding where theory can improve practice. This study contributes to a theoretical consolidation of social entrepreneurship research field by means of the identification of common points among the practice of global organizations and the theory. Exploring social entrepreneurship is important because it is a new way of doing business and delivering social value and maybe the better bet to achieving a more sustainable society.
Anything Goes in Cause Related Marketing?
Authors: Galan-Ladero M. Mercedes , Galera-Casquet Clementina
Published: February 2020

Cause-related marketing (CRM) is currently considered one of the main initiatives of corporate social responsibility (CSR). CRM programs offer numerous advantages for all the parties involved: companies, non-profit organizations, and consumers. Examples of CRM programs can be found in virtually every country in the world. Although most CRM campaigns succeeded, several of them were involved in some scandals. In Spain, an example of the controversy caused by CRM campaigns resurfaced with the installation of the so-called “solidarity traffic radar.” The aim of this chapter is to offer a case study about this campaign, where a private company managed this traffic radar. Half of the money that was raised in fines was given to the Town Council, which in turn decided to donate it to needy local families, that is, it was allocated to social aid. Thus, this case study discusses if anything goes in CRM, or there is sometimes a trivialization of solidarity.
Which Local Governments Provide Suitable Promotion of Entrepreneurship?
Authors: Gil Mª Teresa Nevado , Pache Durán María , Sousa Paiva Inna , Carvalho Luísa Cagica
Published: February 2020

The main objective of this final degree project is to analyze the information that the city councils of the 50 capitals of Spanish provinces offer to entrepreneurs through their institutional pages, using the content analysis technique. The results obtained corroborate the existence of an implication, although still modest, of the municipalities of the Spanish provincial capitals in relation to the promotion of entrepreneurship and business ecosystems. These results should help the municipalities to reflect on the important work they perform, and in the future these studies will serve to reflect the deficiencies observed in order to improve the information offered.
Systemizing Professional Development for Teaching Through English in Higher Education
Authors: Diaz Wendy
Published: February 2020

This chapter suggests that successful and sustainable implementation of EMI in higher education can benefit from a systems approach. Drawing on general system theory, this approach enables a systemic development process for having academic programmes taught through English so that the roles of all key components of a university as an ecosystem are harmonized. The established and emergent components of the process are identified through a key development indicator matrix. The matrix enables holistic coordination so as to maximize the potential for long-term quality impact of teaching through English. The matrix is described here with respect to a 2015-2019 higher education languages strategy implemented at a major public university in Mexico, which has led to development and launch processes for English-medium education.
From EMI to ICLHE
Authors: Escobar Urmeneta Cristina
Published: February 2020

Sensitive to the demands expressed by society concerning the need to boost foreign language competences in schools, The Faculty of Education of a university based in Catalonia, Spain, set up an English-Medium Teacher Education Bachelor's Degree (EMI-TED) based on the “Internationalisation at Home” model formulated by Nilsson. Basing itself on ethnographic and documentary data collected in the course of years 1 to 4 of the pilot project, this chapter reports on the process followed by the team of EMI instructors in their attempts to plan and deliver their subjects while remaining responsive to the unique challenges posed by the use of an additional language as the vehicle for learning. More specifically, it reports on their attempts to collaboratively design a planning tool that would help them to organise their teaching and cater for the simultaneous development of both the students' professional competences and their language and discourse competences in English. The chapter ends with a set of recommendations for L2-medium teachers and teacher educators.
Promoting Healthy Food Habits Through an mHealth Application
Authors: Carvalho Ines , Almeida Fernando
Published: February 2020

MHealth involves the provision of health products, services, and information through mobile and wireless technologies. Companies and institutions in the healthcare sector are progressively proposing innovative mhealth solutions that simultaneously reduce costs and improve the quality of life of citizens. In this chapter, a mobile app is proposed to promote healthy food habits through better management of the food each person has at home. This app intends to reduce food waste and promotes the development of good food practices based on the nutritional value of each recipe and the indication of potential allergies to ingredients. The development of the app was based on the best practices of Mobile UX, which is fundamental to offer intuitive interaction and rapid learning for the user. Furthermore, other factors also relevant in the context of mobile apps were considered in the development, namely usability, data backup, performance, security, scalability, and interoperability.
Mobile Apps for Human Nutrition
Authors: Ahmad Muzamil , Khan Muhammad Abbas , Bibi Mairaj , Ullah Zia , Shah Syed Tanveer
Published: February 2020

Lack of proper diet causes many diseases like night blindness, gum death, rickets, osteomalacia, etc. Similarly, undernutrition will cause a low intelligence quotient (IQ), osteoporosis, anemia, scurvy, pellagra, etc. Over-nutrition will result in obesity, Type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart diseases. Also, the unhygienic intake of food, intake of food on no fixed time, intake of fast food intake of other unhealthy stuff can lead to irregularities in the human body. Adopting healthy habits, physical activity, exercise, sports, and walking can lead to a healthy lifestyle of an individual. In addition, today's busy schedule and less time availability restricts individuals to visit the doctors or nutritionists. Many mobile applications were developed for monitoring and calculating an energy level as well as healthy nutrition. This review chapter has assessed the use and features of various mobile phone health applications, which helps individuals to overcome and monitor the above-mentioned health-related issues.
Insulin DNA Sequence Classification Using Levy Flight Bat With Back Propagation Algorithm
Authors: Khan Siyab , Khan Abdullah , Ullah Rehan , Ali Maria , Ullah Rahat
Published: February 2020

Various nature-inspired algorithms are used for optimization problems. Recently, one of the nature-inspired algorithms became famous because of its optimality. In order to solve the problem of low accuracy, famous computational methods like machine learning used levy flight Bat algorithm for the problematic classification of an insulin DNA sequence of a healthy human, one variant of the insulin DNA sequence is used. The DNA sequence is collected from NCBI. Preprocessing alignment is performed in order to obtain the finest optimal DNA sequence with a greater number of matches between base pairs of DNA sequences. Further, binaries of the DNA sequence are made for the aim of machine readability. Six hybrid algorithms are used for the classification to check the performance of these proposed hybrid models. The performance of the proposed models is compared with the other algorithms like BatANN, BatBP, BatGDANN, and BatGDBP in term of MSE and accuracy. From the simulations results it is shown that the proposed LFBatANN and LFBatBP algorithms perform better compared to other hybrid models.
Structure and Function of Cells
Authors: Ali Shazia , Kumar Sumit , Ali Asma , Irtiza Syed
Published: February 2020

Neurons are the elementary structures that process information in the CNS. They are electrically excitable cells that process and transmit information around the nervous system. Neurons communicate information either by electrical or by chemical signaling that occurs through synapses. Neurons are the main part of nervous system consisting of a number of specialised types. Neuronal structure is similar to other body cells, having common features: Neurons are enclosed in a cell membrane known as a plasma membrane. The nucleus of a neuron compromises of chromosomes and genetic information. Neurons comprise of cytoplasm, mitochondria, and other organelles. The cellular processes take place in a neuron. Ribosomes are used for production of proteins, and mitochondria are for metabolic action acting as powerhouse of cell. Neurons comprise a Golgi complex that has a system of vesicles that secretes hormones and other products. The difference in neurons or nerve cells from other body cells is that extensions originate from the central body of the neuron.
Neurobiology of Sensory Motor Systems and Internal Environment
Authors: Kallollimath Pradeep
Published: February 2020

Control of motor function—our activities like walking, lifting an object, writing, etc.—is accomplished through integrated and coordinated action of motor neurons. Motor neurons can be classified into two broad categories: upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons. Upper motor neurons have cell bodies in the motor cortex of brain and carry the impulses from cortex to spinal cord segment. Cell bodies of lower motor neurons are located in the anterior horn of spinal cord. Axons of lower motor neuron end in neuromuscular junction, and excitation of muscle fibres leads contraction of muscle. Different types of receptors carry different sensations like touch, pain, position, and vibration through sensory nerve fibres. Fibers mediating fine touch and proprioception ascend in the dorsal columns to the medulla, where they synapse in the gracile and cuneate nuclei. This chapter explores the neurobiology of sensory motor systems and the internal environment.
Foundations of Neuropsychology
Authors: Prasad Barre Vijaya , Kumar Sumit , Ali Shazia W
Published: February 2020

Neuropsychology is one of the branches in neuroscience (or sub-branch of psychology) that seeks to understand the brain structure and further relates it with specific human behavior and psychological processes. Neuropsychology's central aim is to understand how the brain produces behavior, mental processes, and cognition and then applies it for diagnosis and treatment of different behavioral and cognitive defects in various neurological disorders. Neuropsychology is a field that draws information and material from neurology, cognitive psychology, and psychiatry and also act as a junction point for investigators belonging to related disciplines. Its central aim is to understand how brain functioning influences behavior and cognition. Further, the chapter discusses the relationship between structure and function of the brain, the rise of neuropsychology as a distinct discipline, logic of cerebral organization, and localization and lateralization of functions. Finally, the authors had also explain the approaches and methodologies of clinical and cognitive neuropsychologists.
Temporal Lobe Syndromes
Authors: Parmar Arpit , Kaloiya G. S. , Kaur Harsimarpreet
Published: February 2020

Temporal lobes are one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex and perform a complex array of interrelated functions. They play an important role in various day-to-day functioning. The common pathologies leading to isolated temporal lobe dysfunction are infarction (of the middle cerebral artery), hemorrhage, seizures, tumors, encephalitis, and traumatic brain injury. Temporal lobe syndromes include a wide array of various neurological (Kluver-Bucy syndrome, Geschwind Gastaut syndrome, etc.), elementary (e.g., vertiginous syndromes, hallucinations, etc.), neuropsychiatric (e.g., anxiety, agitation, aggression, etc.), and cognitive (e.g., Korsakoff amnesia, cortical deafness, etc.) disorders. The presentation depends on a multitude of factors including involvement of dominant or non-dominant lobe. Left temporal lobe involvement usually leads to various forms of aphasia while right side involvement leads to more covert and varied syndromes. In this chapter, the authors discuss the anatomy of the temporal lobe, its functional aspects, and various syndromes of temporal lobe dysfunction.
Parietal and Occipital Lobe Syndromes
Authors: Malhotra Shahzadi
Published: February 2020

The human brain is the most important as well as the most complex organ in the human body. From previous chapters, we by now know that the cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that functions to make human beings unique. Distinctly human traits including higher thought, language, and human consciousness as well as the ability to think, reason, and imagine all originate in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the outermost portion that can be divided into the four lobes of the brain. Each bump on the surface of the brain is known as a gyrus, while each groove is known as a sulcus. In this chapter, the authors discuss the parietal and occipital lobes of the cortex. It then highlights their functional issues.
Functional Human Brain Mapping
Authors: Malhotra Shahzadi , Rajender Gaurav
Published: February 2020

Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in psychiatry and mental health as it can potentially be used to identify causal factors, biomarkers of a disorder, prognosis or treatment, elucidate biological pathways along with informing and monitoring newer therapies. Early and prophylactic interventions present an emerging future direction in clinical psychiatry, and neuroimaging has the potential to help in identification of individuals at risk and monitor the effects of intervention. In the chapter an attempt is made to elaborate the concept of brain mapping, and differences between structural and functional brain imaging are discussed. The chapter focusses on advent of neuroimaging in psychiatry along with discussing the major functional neuroimaging techniques.
What Is the Place of France in the Ukraine and Russia Crisis?
Authors: Belgacem Karim
Published: February 2020

The current world is not moving as all specialists predicted. Brexit, Trump, everyone was wrong. This chapter will have two targets: describing the French policy toward Russia, the past with USSR, and following its position in the Ukrainian conflict. It is good to remind that Hollande was involved in the Ukrainian affairs and had managed with Germany the Minsk I and II agreements. He had also suspended Mistral ships selling and approving sanctions against Russia. Despite these good intentions, which parts or positions would support France? The fears of Putin or the interest of France could drive the French policy in opposition of Charles De Gaulle independent policy.
The ‘Steinmeier Formula'
Authors: Everett Judas
Published: February 2020

The conflict in Eastern Ukraine has been ongoing for over five years, despite the best attempts of the international community to help resolve it. Rather than the EU, UN, or NATO, it is in fact the Normandy Format talks or the Normandy contact group, which is composed of Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and France, which has taken the lead. This chapter considers historical evidence and problems before continuing to analyse the aims of the actors in the conflict, the Normandy Format talks, the ‘Steinmeier Formula', and whether this represents a solution that can satisfy all the actors. The importance of the wider reforms as part of strengthening Ukraine's ability to fulfil its aims and direct its own policy path is noted as essential, as is uncertainty from all actors over longer term prospects for the fulfilment of their aims once a peace agreement has been enacted.
An Enhanced Healthcare Delivery System Model for the US
Authors: Selladurai Raj , Selladurai Roshini Isabell
Published: February 2020

This chapter focuses on developing an enhanced US healthcare delivery system model by learning from the “best” healthcare systems in the world and adapting some of their best working principles to the existing US healthcare system. These global systems include the Swiss healthcare system, which is considered one of the best in the world, and some of the other leading healthcare systems such as the German, the UK, French, Italian, and Singaporean. It would also explore, among a few alternatives, the state innovation-based approach to healthcare reform. Major concerns such as cost containment, affordability, flexibility, accessibility, feasibility, and implementation-related issues have been addressed.
The Economics of Health
Authors: Haas Sean Michael , Janumpally Sanjana , Kouns Brendan Lamar
Published: February 2020

The American healthcare system is vast and complex. An overview of the United States' healthcare system provides a view into the interrelated dynamics between three categories of factors: consumers, intermediaries, and providers. Consumers demand health inputs in order to produce health status that allows them to live productive lives. Intermediaries, such as insurance companies and government programs, reduce the direct cost of healthcare for consumers. Providers, such as hospitals and physicians, amongst others, have historically exhibited a degree of monopolistic power in the healthcare market. The modern trend towards managed care organizations, firms that vertically integrate multiple aspects of the healthcare market, aims to reduce costs imposed by such providers.
Shaping Properties of Self Compacting Concrete by Different Steel Fibre
Authors: Ponikiewski Tomasz , Katzer Jacek
Published: February 2020

The paper presents results of tests conducted on self-compacting mixes with the addition of engineered steel fibres. There were used four types of fibres. The fibres were added at 5 levels of the volume ratio. Firstly, fresh mixes were tested (slump flow, class of viscosity and rheological characteristics). Secondly, properties of hardened concretes were tested (compressive strength and flexural strength). Hardened concretes were also tested using non-destructive method, namely X-ray computed tomography. The tests confirmed the possibility of using steel fibres for reinforcing self-compacting concrete. The workability of mixes was maintaining and the assumed technological parameters for hardened concretes were kept. It was found that longer fibres are more likely to be oriented parallel to the direction of the mix flow. Thus, they can operate efficiently under flexural loading of the cast beam.
Numerical Modelling of Idealized Masonry Samples in 2D with Use of Tensor Scale
Authors: Brozovsky Jiri , Koktan Jiří
Published: February 2020

This paper discusses relations between structure of bi-material samples in 2D and their anisotropic indices and mechanical properties. The bi-material sample is designed to be close to masonry structure. Different ratios of elastic moduli of material are studied and computed material parameters are given.
Preparing students for the global workforce: Chinese and non-Chinese working professionals on key employability skills
Authors: Zhou Yi
Published: February 2020

In this study, 79 Chinese and non-Chinese working professionals responded to an employability-skills survey. They were asked to identify key language and intercultural proficiencies that would allow non-Chinese professionals to work more effectively with Chinese colleagues and clients. All participants work or worked in multilingual and multicultural settings from a limited set of business sectors and job positions in mainland China. Quantitative data suggest that the participants consider intercultural competence to be the most valuable skill in global work settings. Intercultural competence includes the ability to collaborate with colleagues and clients of different nationalities, the ability to adapt to Chinese problem-solving norms when conflicts arise, and the flexibility to apply Chinese cultural practices inside and outside the workplace. Notably, a significant mean difference exists between the Chinese and non-Chinese participants concerning adaptability to Chinese norms around conflict. Regarding language proficiency, the participants identified conversational competence as the most important skill for interpersonal communication at work and beyond, placing less emphasis on the ability to read formal documents and correspondence in Chinese. This analysis attempts to suggest pedagogical guidance for Chinese and other business language educators seeking to develop sustainable business language curricula that meet the demand for a globally competent workforce.
Table of Contents Vol 7, No 1 (2019)
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: February 2020

No abstract available.
Table of Contents Vol 13 (2019)
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: February 2020

No abstract available.
Table of Contents Vol 50, No 1 (2019)
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: February 2020

No abstract available.
Posterior cervical interbody fusion – Single-stage approach of anterior reconstruction and posterior stabilization: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Sonone Sandeep , Dahapute Aditya , Bhaladhare Shubhanshu , Marathe Nandan , Balasubramanian Sai , George Prakash
Published: February 2020

The success and popularity of the transforaminal approach in the lumbar spine have been made possible by the routine use of pedicle screws in the lumbar spine. Transforaminal approach in the cervical spine can give access to the disc and the vertebral body anteriorly and avoid an additional anterior approach in certain clinical situations. A case of cervical spine trauma was managed by this approach. Technical details and difficulties faced were analyzed in this article. Transforaminal approach in the lower cervical spine, though has a learning curve, seems to be a feasible technique along with the use of cervical pedicle screws. The safety and reproducibility of the approach need to be substantiated with a larger study. Further, this procedure can avoid additional anterior surgery in certain situations in the cervical spine.
Cervicomedullary ependymoma with hemorrhage: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Kutty Raja , Ohmori Kazumi , Yamada Yasuhiro , Kato Yoko
Published: February 2020

Ependymoma is a rare tumor central nervous system that arises from the ependymal lining of the ventricles or the central canal of the spinal cord. They are of neuroectodermal in origin and constitute about 30%–86% of tumors arising in the spinal cord. The occurrence of these tumors in the cervicomedullary region is very rare. Sudden symptomatic neurologic presentations due to hemorrhage in cervicomedullary ependymoma is very rare and so far have never been reported. Mostly presenting as neurologic deficits involving limbs, these tumors pose a technical challenge in their removal. We present a patient who presented with sudden-onset dysesthesia of the upper and lower limbs. On imaging, he was found to have a cystic medullary tumor extending to the cervical region with hemorrhage. We discuss the epidemiology, surgical challenges, and outcome along with review of literature of these rare tumors located in this precarious location.
Intramedullary metastasis to the cervical spinal cord from malignant pleural mesothelioma: Review of the literature and case reports
Authors: Kalfas Fotios , Scudieri Claudia
Published: February 2020

Context: Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor; median survival of patients following diagnosis is 12 months. Aims: Pleural malignant mesothelioma tends to spread along preexisting tissue planes and has the rare ability to spread along the nerve root into the spinal cord. In our case, there is an evidence of exceptional direct hematogenous spread to the spinal cord by the spinal branch of the intercostal arteries or the veins of Batson's plexus. Settings and Design: The authors report a case of intramedullary hematogenous metastasis to the cervical spinal cord from malignant mesothelioma, with a review of the literature. Materials and Methods: A 68-year-old male was admitted to our department because of a slowly progressive mild weakness of both low extremities, more pronounced on the left side. The patient has been treated for a malignant mesothelioma with left thoracotomy and subsequently underwent radiotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical-thoracic spine revealed a contrast-enhancing intramedullary expansive lesion of the left half of the spinal cord at the C6–C7 level. Results: The patient underwent surgical treatment through a C6–C7 laminectomy. Through a median posterior spinal cord incision, an intramedullary grayish lesion was completely removed. The paraparesis progressively improved and 20 days after surgery, the patient had regained normal lower extremity function. Conclusions: Malignant mesothelioma can spread to the spinal canal by the direct extension through the intervertebral foramina, by hematogenous spread to the spinal meninges, and by perineural growth along a single nerve root. The cleavage plane of the tissue may determine whether a successful gross total resection can be achieved with a good outcome for the patient.
Minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures: A single-center experience
Authors: Ansar Mohamed , Hashmi Syed , Colombo Francesca
Published: February 2020

Objective: Traumatic thoracolumbar fractures are common, and surgical fixation is a well-established treatment option, with the aim to achieve spinal stability and preserve neurological function. Pedicle screw fixation using a minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgical approach has emerged as an alternative approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. The aim of this study is to collect data regarding epidemiology, management, and outcomes of patients treated with MIS pedicle screw fixation for traumatic thoracolumbar fractures in our neurosurgical department. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent MIS fixation from March 2013 to March 2017. Results: A total of 125 patients were included, 61 males and 64 females; the mean age was 59 years. The majority of injuries were from falls. In 48 cases, the fracture involved a thoracic vertebra and in 77 cases a lumbar vertebra. More than 10% of the patients presented with a neurological deficit on admission and 75% of those showed postoperative improvement in their neurology. The average length of hospital stay was 14 days. MIS fixation achieved a satisfactory regional sagittal angle (RSA) postoperatively in all patients. The vast majority of patients had no or mild postoperative pain and achieved a good functional outcome. Conclusions: MIS fixation is a safe surgical option with comparable outcomes to open surgery and a potential reduction in perioperative morbidity. MIS surgery achieves a rapid and significant improvement in pain score, functional outcome, Frankel Grade, and RSA. We expect that MIS fixation will become the predominant technique in the management of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures.
Simultaneous presence of juxtafacet cyst and ligamentum flavum hematoma
Authors: Ak Hakan , Vural Sevilay
Published: February 2020

Juxtafacet cysts and ligamentum flavum hematoma have the potential to cause acute root or spinal cord compression despite their low incidences. Their simultaneous presence with acute nerve compression has not been reported. Herein, we present a case who reported with low back and leg pain to the emergency department.
Postoperative venous thromboembolism in extramedullary spinal tumors
Authors: Kaewborisutsakul Anukoon , Tunthanathip Thara , Yuwakosol Pakorn , Inkate Srirat , Pattharachayakul Sutthiporn
Published: February 2020

Context: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is the fatal complication following spine surgery and the appropriate perioperative prophylaxis is still debated. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of along with risk factors for postoperative VTE in surgically treated extramedullary spinal tumor patients. Setting and Designs: The study design involves single institute and retrospective cohort study. Subjects and Methods: The cohort database was reviewed between the periods of January 2014 and June 2019. Patients undergoing surgery for spine tumor, extradural tumor, and intradural extramedullary were consecutively collected. Statistical Analysis Used: The incidence of VTE and clinical factors reported to be associated with VTE were identified, and then analyzed with an appropriate Cox regression model. Results: The study identified 103 extramedullary spinal tumor patients. Three patients (2.9%) were diagnosed with a proximal leg DVT, while symptomatic PE did not identify. Risk factors associated with DVT occurrence were as follows: operative time ≥8 h (Hazard ratio [HR] 13.98,P= 0.03) and plasma transfusion (HR 16.38,P= 0.02), whereas plasma transfusion was the only significant factor, after multivariate analysis (HR 11.77,P= 0.05). Conclusions: Patients who underwent surgery for extramedullary spinal tumors showed a 2.9% incidence of DVT. The highest rate of DVT was found in patients who received plasma transfusion. More attention should be paid on perioperative associated factors for intensive prevention coupled with early screening in this group.
Surgical management of extraocular muscle cysticercosis causing optic foramen syndrome
Authors: Patidar Rajnish , Bhaskar Suryanarayanan , Gosal Jaskaran , Garg Mayank , Jha Deepak , Elhence Poonam
Published: February 2020

Extraocular muscle cysticercosis usually presents with proptosis and restriction of eyeball movements. However, it can cause vision loss by compression of the optic nerve at the optic foramen in infrequent circumstances. We report a rare case with an unusual manifestation of ptosis, proptosis, lateral rectus palsy, and acute vision loss in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of cysticercal cyst. Emergency optic nerve decompression with cyst excision was done. Treatment of choice for extraocular muscle cysticercosis presenting with restriction of eyeball movements is mainly medical, consisting of albendazole and steroids. However, as this lesion rarely causes vision loss, indications of surgical decompression of optic nerve are not well defined. We recommend that early surgical management should be done along with medical treatment in cases of vision loss caused by extraocular muscle cysticercosis.