bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of the lexicon of school books in school achievement
Authors:   University of Szeged, Hungary, Juhász Valéria
Published: September 2019

A key constituent of reading comprehension and learning ability is vocabulary. Mapping the children’s vocabulary will help consciously planned developing work. In this study research on vocabulary development will be presented, and then the importance of the role of vocabulary in understanding the lexicon of texts will be introduced. The research (Nagy 2004, Nation et al. 1997) shows that knowing the 5-6000 most frequent words is sufficient to understand everyday texts, because they cover almost 95 per cent of texts. The 2008 research of the ‘Vocabulary net’ department shows that the schoolbook families of various publishing houses contain 40 thousand words from 3rd to 8th grades. According to the 2004 examination by Nagy (2004), children in the 4th grade can recognise 4000 words on average by reading, which rises only to 4500 by the 10th grade. It can be seen from this data that an average child can hardly keep pace with the new terminologies/lexicon of the schoolbooks. Finally, a series of books will be presented whose lexicon is in line with the children’s hypothetical vocabulary, and its aim is to teach the repetitive words of the texts by using the sight word technique (but not as the method for teaching reading but as a level of reading ability, see Juhász 2019)./ Keywords: vocabulary, lexicon of school books, reading comprehension, learning abilities
Parent Reading Belief Inventory: adaptation and psychometric properties with a sample of Greek parents
Authors:   University of Patras, Greece, Tsirmpa Chrysoula , Stellakis Nektarios , Lavidas Konstantinos
Published: September 2019

In recent years, the importance of parents' beliefs in their children’s literacy has increasingly been recognized. The main purpose of this article is to investigate: a) the internal consistency of the 7 subscales of the PRBI, b) the factor structure and c) the concurrent validity in a sample of Greek parents. In this survey 168 parents of preschool children attending the 13 public kindergartens in the city of Pyrgos, during the school year 2017-2018 participated. Six of the seven subscales of PRBI demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Principal component and parallel analyses revealed a four-factor structure and preliminary evidence of concurrent validity was also revealed. On the basis of the results, PRBI is considered an appropriate tool for investigating the beliefs of parents in Greece as well. The evidence shows the continuation of the research to a wider sample for the definition of the factor structure tool on Greek specimen. / Keywords: parents’ beliefs, home literacy practices, PRBI, psychometric properties
Convergence of ESP with other disciplines – a book review
Authors:   Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia, Božić Lenard Dragana
Published: September 2019

The book entitled Convergence of ESP with other disciplines edited by Nadežda Stojković, PhD, Gabriela Chmelíková, PhD and Ľudmila Hurajová, PhD is a collection of 11 research papers submitted by 17 scholars who conduct research and teach at different worldwide universities. The publication covers diverse topics in the field of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) ranging from material development and competences improvement to the application of different pedagogy directions and assessment methods. Being a branch of English as a Foreign Language, ESP courses are focused on developing English language skills in a particular discipline such as engineering, law, medicine, agriculture, humanities and social sciences. Two most important features of ESP are a conversational function (ways in which language is used in real communication) and educational pedagogy and psychology (learner’s interests and needs affecting one’s learning motivation). One of the most widespread misconceptions is that ESP is all about content knowledge when in fact pedagogical content knowledge is what a skillful ESP teacher has – understanding of social, developmental and cognitive learning processes. Paying close attention to students’ multidimensional needs, ESP is a highly student-centered approach which focuses on both students’ linguistics and psychological needs thus establishing a humanistic context where language plays multilevel educational roles.
Educational role of language – past, present and future visions?
Authors:   Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia, Kováčiková Elena
Published: September 2019

Languages do not serve as communication means only anymore as above its fundamental function they open the doors and reveal a lot aboutthe world of linguistics, culture, sociology, psychology, neuroscience, literature, mother tongue acquisition and interconnections of different existing and non-existing languages at various layers and through different aspects.The conference under the title ´Educational Role of Language´ is held in Craiova, Romania on 17-18 June 2019. It is the fourth time when the people-experts working, studying, exploring or investigating the language in the fields of schooling institutions or research centres focusing onforeign or native language acquisition, teaching and learning and literary research, gather in order to discuss their academic success, issues and challenges. The previous three meetings encompassed the language as a common denominator of all the discussions, plenary talks, and group sessions with the promising potential for international cooperation in further research. An idea that sparkled on the meetings was developed into the ERL association as a proof of the thoughtful and meticulous work of the organizers and initiators. This paper recalls the previous work and achievements of the ERL conferences held in the university premises as well as the present state and future directions of the successful series, ending with the definitions of ERL association.
EFFICIENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND QOS ENHANCEMENTS OF IOT WITH FOG NETWORK
Authors: T. Senthil Kumar
Published: September 2019

The fog network that is the complementary for the cloud services, bring down the services of the cloud to its edge device with the easy and the early access of the information’s for the task that are time sensitive for the internet of things. The enormous big data flow through the internet of things from various tasks in the variety of application has paved way to seek the efficient ways of resource allocation of the tasks in the fog network. So efficient way of resources allocation entailed to enhances the quality of service for the internet of things and improve the network performance, is proposed in the paper. The efficient resource allocation with reduced energy consumption and maximum resources utilization in the fog network is performed for the information’s gained over the internet of things. The performance of the proposed method is validated using the network simulator to gain knowledge on the proficiency of the proposed method of resource allocation in the fog.
BIG DATA ANALYTICS FOR DEVELOPING SECURE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING
Authors: K. Karthiban , S. Raj Jennifer
Published: September 2019

Storage and processing of information is the major application of big data analytics. Internet of Everything (IoE) is the smart connection between people, data, things and processes. This paper studies the available frameworks used for developing secure Internet of Everything with big data analytics. Big data is a collection of data generated from the sensors embedded in the surrounding physical objects. This information can be used for analysis of the surroundings and development based on the inference. Internet of Everything uses this data for automation of the electronic equipment in the surrounding environment. However, with the increasing level of automation, the vulnerability to attack also increases. This paper presents a detailed analysis of big data analytics that is used for developing a secure internet of everything.
Synthesis of a dihalogenated pyridinyl silicon rhodamine for mitochondrial imaging by a halogen dance rearrangement
Authors: Matthias Jessica , Kanagasundaram Thines , Kopka Klaus , Kramer Carsten S
Published: October 2019

Background: Since their first synthesis, silicon xanthenes and the subsequently developed silicon rhodamines (SiR) gained a lot of attention as attractive fluorescence dyes offering a broad field of application. We aimed for the synthesis of a fluorinable pyridinyl silicon rhodamine for the use in multimodal (PET/OI) medical imaging of mitochondria in cancerous cells.

Results: A dihalogenated fluorinatable pyridinyl rhodamine could be successfully synthesized with the high yield of 85% by application of a halogen dance (HD) rearrangement. The near-infrared dye shows a quantum yield of 0.34, comparable to other organelle targeting SiR derivatives and absorbs at 665 nm (εmax = 34 000 M−1cm−1) and emits at 681 nm (τ = 1.9 ns). Using colocalization experiments with MitoTracker® Green FM, we could prove the intrinsic targeting ability to mitochondria in two human cell lines (Pearson coefficient >0.8). The dye is suitable for live cell STED nanoscopy imaging and shows a nontoxic profile which makes it an appropriate candidate for medical imaging.

Conclusions: We present a biocompatible, nontoxic, small molecule near-infrared dye with the option of subsequent radiolabelling and excellent optical properties for medical and bioimaging. As a compound with intrinsic mitochondria targeting ability, the radiolabelled analogue can be applied in multimodal (PET/OI) imaging of mitochondria for diagnostic and therapeutic use in, e.g., cancer patients.
PUBLIC FINANCE INDICATORS AND THE VALUE OF INVESTMENT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GCC COUNTRIES
Authors: Alshubiri Faris Nasif
Published: October 2019

This study aims to identify public financial indicators involved in the investment projects of GCC countries. The data was collected from the IMF and the MEED from 2011-2017. The study measured the impact of public finance based on eight variables and two proxies (national and trade accounts) on the investment project development proxy, which is measured by the total value of projects planned or currently underway and the value of the ten largest projects currently underway. The results showed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE rank high in both proxies of investment project development. The simple regression results also illustrated that real GDP, the real non-oil GDP variables of national account proxy, and the value of the exported goods and services variable of the trade accounts proxy have a significant impact on the total value of projects planned or currently underway. Meanwhile, only three factors of national accounts, gross national savings, CPI inflation, and current account balance, have a significant impact on the value of the ten largest projects currently underway. The overall conclusion of the study is that GCC countries have established high-value development projects in different cities that require a proper public policy to efficiently manage capital expenditure within the public sector.
Vector Resonant Relaxation of Stars around a Massive Black Hole
Authors: Fouvry Jean-Baptiste , Bar-Or Ben , Chavanis Pierre-Henri
Published: October 2019

In the vicinity of a massive black hole, stars move on precessing Keplerian orbits. The mutual stochastic gravitational torques between the stellar orbits drive a rapid reorientation of their orbital planes, through a process called vector resonant relaxation. We derive, from first principles, the correlation of the potential fluctuations in such a system, and the statistical properties of random walks undergone by the stellar orbital orientations. We compare this new analytical approach with numerical simulations. We also provide a simple scheme to generate the random walk of a test star’s orbital orientation using a stochastic equation of motion. We finally present quantitative estimations of this process for a nuclear stellar cluster such as that of the Milky Way.
Fast Recursive Reconnection and the Hall Effect: Hall-MHD Simulations
Authors: Shi 时 Chen 辰 , Tenerani Anna , Velli Marco , Lu San
Published: October 2019

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory and simulations have shown that reconnection is triggered via a fast “ideal” tearing instability in current sheets whose inverse aspect ratio decreases to

, with S as the Lundquist number defined by the half-length L of the current sheet (of a thickness of 2a). Ideal tearing, in 2D sheets, triggers a hierarchical collapse via stretching of X-points and recursive instability. At each step, the local Lundquist number decreases, until the subsequent sheet thickness either approaches kinetic scales or the Lundquist number becomes sufficiently small. Here we carry out a series of Hall-MHD simulations to show how the Hall effect modifies recursive reconnection once the ion inertial scale is approached. We show that as the ion inertial length becomes of the order of the inner, singular layer thickness at some step of the recursive collapse, reconnection transits from the plasmoid-dominant regime to an intermediate plasmoid+Hall regime and then to the Hall-dominant regime. The structure around the X-point, the reconnection rate, the dissipation property, and the power spectra are also modified significantly by the Hall effect.
Synchrotron Self-Compton as a Likely Mechanism of Photons beyond the Synchrotron Limit in GRB 190114C
Authors: Fraija N. , Duran R. Barniol , Dichiara S. , Beniamini P.
Published: October 2019

GRB 190114C, a long and luminous burst, was detected by several satellites and ground-based telescopes from radio wavelengths to GeV gamma-rays. In the GeV gamma-rays, the Fermi Large Area Telescope detected 48 photons above 1 GeV during the first 100 s after the trigger time, and the MAGIC telescopes observed for more than 1000 s very high-energy (VHE) emission above 300 GeV. Previous analysis of the multi-wavelength observations showed that, although these are consistent with the synchrotron forward-shock model that evolves from a stratified stellar-wind to a homogeneous ISM-like medium, photons above a few GeV can hardly be interpreted in the synchrotron framework. In the context of the synchrotron forward-shock model, we derive the light curves and spectra of the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model in a stratified and homogeneous medium. In particular, we study the evolution of these light curves during the stratified-to-homogeneous afterglow transition. Using the best-fit parameters reported for GRB 190114C we interpret the photons beyond the synchrotron limit in the SSC framework and model its spectral energy distribution. We conclude that low-redshift gamma-ray bursts described under a favorable set of parameters as found in the early afterglow of GRB 190114C could be detected at hundreds of GeV, and also afterglow transitions would allow that VHE emission could be observed for longer periods.
High Frequency of Drug Resistance Mutations in the HBV Genome in ART-Experienced HIV-Coinfected Patients in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Akanbi Olusola Anuoluwapo , Harms Dominik , Wang Bo , Osundare Folakemi Abiodun , Adesina Olufisayo , Oluremi Adeolu Sunday , Omoruyi Ewean Chukwuma , Kappert Kai , Opaleye Oluyinka Oladele , Bock C.-Thomas
Published: October 2019

Background

HBV and HIV infections are highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria while HBV–HIV coinfection is not uncommon. Antiretroviral (ART)-treatment for HIV can affect HBV whereby antiviral resistance mutations in the HBV genome can be selected. Here, we determined the prevalence of resistance mutations among ART-experienced and ART-naive HIV–HBV-coinfected patients in southwestern Nigeria.

Methods

A total of 81 serum samples from HBV–HIV-coinfected patients who were either ART-naive or received lamivudine (3TC)-containing ART-therapy and HBV-monoinfected patients were analysed. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected using ELISA. HBV-positive samples were confirmed by PCR amplification of the surface and polymerase regions. Mutations conferring drug resistance to HBV were analysed by direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to identify the HBV genotype.

Results

Of the 81 HBsAg-positive samples, 27 had detectable HBV DNA by real-time PCR with mean viral loads of 6.77 log IU/ml. Phylogenetic analyses showed a predominance of HBV genotype E. A high prevalence (22.2%; 6/27) of HBV resistance mutations among ART-experienced HBV–HIV-coinfected patients was detected. However, a relatively high selection rate of resistance mutations in drug-naive HIV–HBV-coinfected (3.7%; 1/27) and in HBV-monoinfected patients, potential drug resistance mutations (7.4%; 2/27) were also observed. HBV polymerase amino acid substitutions found included rtV173L, rtL180M, rtM204V, rtK212R, rtS213T, rtV214A, rtL229V and rtP237A/S.

Conclusions

Drug resistant mutations were detected frequently in ART-experienced HIV–HBV patients. Well-coordinated antiviral therapy for HIV patients coinfected with HBV should include proper HBV diagnosis and resistance testing to minimize the emergence and spread of antiviral drug resistance.
Transvenous Lead Extraction of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Indications, Complications and Outcome: An Egyptian Two Years' Experience
Authors: El-Zoghby Ibrahim , Nawar Amr , Soliman Mohamed , Kenawy Mahmoud , Hussien Khaled , Khaled Hassan
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND: The growing needs to extract cardiovascular implantable electronic devices warrants the need to improve the outcome and prevent complications.
AIM: This study aims to analyse the findings and identify factors associated with complications of Percutaneous Transvenous Lead Extraction in the Critical Care Department, Cairo University.
METHODS: We studied 52 candidates for Percutaneous Transvenous Lead extraction of a Permanent Pace Maker (PPM) regarding extraction indications, comorbidities, device type, complications and outcome. Extraction was first attempted by simple manual traction using regular non-locking stylet and if failed, locking stylet, and evolution dilator sheath were used.
RESULTS: We extracted 110 leads with a mean lead age of 4.67 ± 3.6 years. The most common extraction indication was an infection (71.15%). Indications correlated significantly with comorbidities (p = 0.024), the most common being Diabetes Mellitus (40.38%). Simple traction was successful in 31 % of the leads, while 69% were extracted using locking stylet and evolution dilator sheath. The method of lead extraction correlated significantly with lead age (P ≤ 0.001). Complications were significantly higher with extraction by evolution dilator sheaths than by simple traction (P = 0.003) and in older patients (P = 0.008). Complications also correlated significantly with extractions indications (p = 0.012), type of PPM (P = 0.037), number of extracted leads (P = 0.041), and lead age (p= 0.011).
CONCLUSION: Among the studied variables, extraction indications particularly infection, was the only preventable factor significantly associated with complications. While focusing on preventable factors, improving, implantation and extraction techniques should also be addressed.
Roteiro para aplicação do lean seis sigma na melhoria de processos industriais
Authors: Porto Rosa Ariane Ferreira , De Souza Rafael Santos , Royer Rogerio
Published: September 2019

Os conceitos acerca das práticas enxutas do Lean Manufacturing assim como as ferramentas estatísticas do Seis Sigma possuem ampla difusão por parte da comunidade acadêmica. O presente artigo, visa discutir sobre a união dos conceitos estatísticos fortemente explorados no Seis Sigma aliados aos princípios de eliminação de desperdícios do Lean Manufacturing com a finalidade de promover a melhoria do processo produtivo por meio da abordagem Lean Seis Sigma. Como objetivo, este artigo busca, a partir de uma breve revisão teórica, apresentar os conceitos, métodos, procedimentos das etapas e ferramentas da qualidade propostas no Seis Sigma, das ferramentas propostas no Lean Manufacturing, assim como a integração de ambas no Lean Seis Sigma. Serão apresentados também alguns exemplos da aplicação do Lean Seis Sigma em estudos de caso da literatura. Após isso, será proposto um roteiro definindo os passos para aplicação da integração das ferramentas Lean Seis Sigma aplicadas na obtenção de melhorias em processos industriais.
Proposta de alteração de layout para melhoria no fluxo de produção de uma indústria automotiva
Authors: Gennaro Caroline Kühl , Oliveira Everton Dias de , Oliveira Fábio Franco de , Silva Danilo De Freitas
Published: September 2019

A cadeia produtiva cresceu exponencialmente principalmente nos anos 80, onde as linhas de produção automatizadas ganharam força principalmente no setor automobilístico. As vendas na internet a partir de meados dos anos 90, outro fator impactante e fonte de prosperidade para todos os setores produtivos, amadurecendo ainda mais a globalização dos processos produtos. Muitas indústrias possuem plantas de trabalhos em lugares distintos, algumas delas em alguns casos em países diferentes, mas seus processos organizados de maneira enxuta, fazem com que estas distâncias sejam vantajosas do ponto de vista financeira, pois cada região ou nação possui uma fonte de tributação distinta da outra, assim contribuindo para a descentralização das plantas produtivas. O presente trabalho tem a responsabilidade de mostrar a importância de uma boa alteração de layout e os benefícios que o mesmo pode causar numa organização produtiva. Em tempos de crise aumentar o espaço fabril nem sempre é possível, mas readequar o espaço aplicando estudos científicos é uma alternativa considerável onde se busca o melhor aproveitamento do espaço, reduzindo os custos como um todo. Para aplicar qualquer mudança de layout deve-se priorizar o tipo de processo que está sendo executado, assim como demais fatores, fluxo do produto, entradas e saídas de matéria prima, logística interna, movimentação de operadores e custos de realocação de equipamento. Toda e qualquer mudança de layout inicialmente requer uma adaptação por parte dos envolvidos, posteriormente pode se haver ganhos importantes de qualidade, produtividade e performance dos equipamentos, com objetivo de deixar a empresa cada vez mais competitiva.
As exportações por meio de agentes de venda pela ótica de empresas de médio porte localizadas em caxias do sul
Authors: Da Rosa Patrick Piamolini , Bergmann Borges Vieira Guilherme , França Júnior Rogério Da Silva
Published: September 2019

A presente pesquisa investigou os principais pontos positivos e negativos da utilização de agentes internacionais de vendas pela ótica de gestores de empresas exportadoras de médio porte de Caxias do Sul. Para tanto, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, sendo entrevistados seis gestores mediante a utilização de um roteiro de perguntas semiestruturado. Os resultados das entrevistas foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo, identificando-se que a gestão comercial dos agentes pode ser efetuada de diversas maneiras, através de metas, indicadores de desempenho, relacionamento interpessoal, contratos e rotinas comerciais, e que o sucesso comercial está associado à atuação do gerente de vendas. Com pontos positivos da utilização de agentes internacionais de venda foram identificados o baixo investimento por parte das empresas exportadoras e a velocidade de penetração em novos mercados. Por outro lado, como pontos negativos, podem-se mencionar a eventual perda de controle e o distanciamento aos clientes, dependendo da forma como é conduzido o relacionamento com os agentes.
Projeto e construção de um dinamômetro para medir o torque dinâmico de um eixo rotativo
Authors: Vieira Oscar De Bortoli , Tagliari Leandro Dóro , Nava Guilherme Regner , Bicigo Cristian , De oliveira Leonardo Castilhos
Published: September 2019

Este trabalho consiste em desenvolver o projeto e a construção de um dinamômetro para ser acoplado no eixo árvore de um centro de usinagem vertical. O dinamômetro a ser desenvolvido deve ser capaz de monitorar parâmetros de processo, objetivando o mensuramento do torque dinâmico. Para o funcionamento do dinamômetro, uma deformação deve ser analisada. Neste caso, a deformação é dada por uma mola calibrada. Sua deformação e variações na velocidade de rotação serão captadas por sensores infravermelhos e, como utiliza um método sem contato na medição e transmissão, acaba tornando-se menos sensível a vibrações. Manter uma boa fixação e evitar vibrações são fatores importantes dentro do projeto, então o estudo sobre rolamentos, ajustes e tolerâncias se faz necessário. Outro fator importante a ser considerado são os materiais específicos de cada componente, visando evitar excesso de peso e baixar o custo, sem comprometer a aquisição de dados. Com o respectivo projeto pretende-se suprir uma necessidade do laboratório de usinagem de medição de esforços, além do conhecimento técnico que será adquirido, tanto da parte mecânica como da parte eletrônica, durante seu desenvolvimento, aquisição e interpretação de informações.
Mapeamento de fluxo de valor do processo de alvenaria em uma obra pública: estudo de caso
Authors: Souza Maelson Mendonça , Tavares Jennef Carlos , Melo Reymard Sávio Sampaio
Published: September 2019

A construção civil é uma cadeia gigantesca, considerada “termômetro da economia brasileira”. O ramo em questão possui números expressivos, mas infelizmente nem todos são positivos. Duas características marcantes são a baixa produtividade e o elevado desperdício. Avaliando exclusivamente obras públicas, tal ineficiência é ainda maior. Desde 1993, a filosofia gerencial do lean Thinking foi adaptada ao ramo em questão através do lean construction, visando a eliminação total do desperdício. Uma de suas ferramentas principais é o Mapeamento de Fluxo de Valor (MFV), sua aplicação permite identificar os principais problemas e desperdícios do processo. Nesse contexto, o trabalho em questão pretende propor melhorias a um processo construtivo bem conhecido, a alvenaria de vedação, a partir de um MFV concebido após um estudo de caso exploratório em uma obra pública, no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. A aplicação do MFV do estado atual possibilitou diagnosticar os principais tipos de desperdícios relatados por Ohno (1997), permitindo a elaboração de uma série de propostas de mudanças e melhorias através do MFV do estado futuro, que culminaram na eminente elevação do tempo de agregação de valor (Tav), que passou de 24,18% para 76,90%. As melhorias apresentadas proporcionam redução dos custos e do lead time e o aumento da qualidade, sem a necessidade de mais investimentos financeiros, tornando a empresa mais eficiente, algo fundamental a quem adentra no competitivo mercado de obras públicas.
A Synchronous Interprofessional Patient Safety Simulation Integrating Distance Health Professions Students
Authors: Packard Kathleen , Iverson Lindsay , Ryan-Haddad Ann , Teply Robyn , Wize Alynne , Qi Yongyue
Published: October 2019

Background:

Increasing rates of medical errors necessitate incorporation of patient safety education for health professions students. Institutions must address the needs of both campus- and distance-based learners to meet interprofessional education (IPE) accreditation requirements. The purpose of this project was to evaluate a synchronous interprofessional patient safety simulation to train students on interprofessional teamwork and communication through recognition of patient safety and medical hazards.

Method:

Students from health care professions participated in a Haunted Hospital/Heartbreak Hospital patient hazard/medical error simulation. A total of 201 students in 41 teams, both campus and distance, participated over three semesters.

Results:

Mean Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised (SPICE-R) scores significantly improved from 44.81 ± 3.59 to 47.08 ± 3.31 (
p
< .0001). Qualitative responses indicated that students appreciated working with other health care students through collaborative practice and recognized the importance of discipline-specific expertise.

Conclusion:

This simulation provided campus and distance learners with a collaboration opportunity that improved their perceptions of IPE.

[
J Nurs Educ.
2019;58(10):577–582.]
Photodynamic Therapy in Young Patients
Authors: Lam Andrew , Lee Henry C. , Ho Allen C. , Regillo Carl D. , McNamara J. Arch , Fineman Mitchell D.
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To present a consecutive case series of patients 50 years or younger who underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from etiologies other than age-related macular degeneration.
PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective chart review of 35 consecutive eyes of 34 patients.
RESULTS
Visual acuity remained stable or improved in 20 of 35 eyes. Thirteen eyes with myopic degeneration had pre-treatment and post-treatment mean visual acuities of 20/100 and 20/200, respectively. Eight eyes with idiopathic CNV had an improvement of mean visual acuity from 20/200 to 20/125. Six eyes with ocular histoplasmosis displayed a stable mean visual acuity of 20/50. Of 3 eyes with angioid streaks, visual acuity remained stable in 2 eyes and declined in 1 eye. Five eyes with other etiologies all had improved vision.
CONCLUSION Although the current literature shows evidence that PDT is beneficial in treating CNV secondary to myopic degeneration, the evidence for etiologies such as idiopathic causes, ocular histoplasmosis, and angioid streaks is optimistic but remains unproven. Our study suggests that PDT may be beneficial in stabilizing and improving vision when treating CNV from these etiologies. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2006;37:182-189.]
AUTHORS  From the Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accepted for publication February 26, 2006. Presented at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 16-20, 2005. Address reprint requests to Allen C. Ho, MD, Retinovitreous Associates, 910 East Willow Grove Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038.
A Fully Adjustable Suture for Trabeculectomy
Authors: Davis Andrew P.
Published: October 2019

Most approaches to improve the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the early postoperative period following trabeculectomy involve irreversible alterations of the flap sutures, which carry subsequent risk of overfiltration. A new technique using a fully adjustable suture that can be incrementally loosened or tightened is described. Eighteen eyes underwent trabeculectomy using a fully adjustable suture. Suture adjustments were made in the early postoperative period based on IOP, bleb appearance, and the results of digital massage. Sixteen of the 18 eyes were able to maintain the target IOP level without additional drops or laser treatment. The use of a fully adjustable suturing technique is safe and allows excellent control of IOP in the early postoperative period. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2006;37:252-256.] AUTHOR From the Eye Clinic of Bellevue, Bellevue, Washington. Accepted for publication February 18, 2006. Address reprint requests to Andrew P. Davis, MD, 1300 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
Controlling Patient Expectations: Important in Maximizing Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Spaeth George L.
Published: October 2019

One goal of patient care is happy, healthy patients. We physicians know that at one level, but it is surprisingly easy to forget. For example, we assume that a person whose visual acuity has been improved from 20/60 to 20/20 will be happy. Clearly, there is a relationship of some sort between level of acuity and ability to function, and a relationship between the ability to function and happiness. Indeed, we physicians tend to underestimate the importance of visual ability in our patients.1-3AUTHOR
From the Glaucoma Service, Wills Eye Hospital/Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Address reprint requests to George L. Spaeth, MD, Wills Eye Hospital, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Influence of Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fibers on Scanning Laser Polarimetry Using Variable and Enhanced Corneal Compensation Methods
Authors: Tóth Márta , Holló Gábor
Published: October 2019

Five eyes with myelinated retinal nerve fibers were imaged using a scanning laser polarimeter with variable corneal compensation and with enhanced corneal compensation (a new research software). Using variable corneal compensation, areas of myelinated retinal nerve fibers uniformly appeared as areas of increased retardation. Using enhanced corneal compensation software, the same myelinated retinal nerve fiber areas adjacent to the optic nerve head appeared as areas of clinically significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the superior and inferior quadrants, and as areas of increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness nasally and temporally. Wedge-shaped myelinated retinal nerve fibers along a retinal nerve fiber bundle and discontinuous to the optic nerve head caused increased retardation with both compensation methods. The results show that influence of myelinated retinal nerve fibers on scanning laser polarimetric results varies according to the compensation method and the retinal location of the myelinated retinal nerve fibers. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2006;37:336-340.] AUTHORS From the Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Supported by Hungarian National Health Grant (ETT) 011/2003 (Dr. Holló). Dr. Holló was an unpaid consultant for Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc., San Francisco, California. Accepted for publication April 12, 2006. Address reprint requests to Gábor Holló, MD, PhD, DSci, Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1083. Budapest, Tömö u. 25-29, Hungary.
Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
Authors: Pesqueira António , Sousa Maria José
Published: October 2019

This chapter analyzes innovation, knowledge, and competitive intelligence (CI). Besides these concepts, the focus will be on the role of innovation profiles. The innovation profiles include the creation, capture, organization, and integration of knowledge into the innovation process. The CI variable will be analyzed, demonstrating the potential for creating a context of competition for companies. A case study is presented about the pharmaceutical (pharma) industry with the application of the concepts of competitive intelligence, knowledge, and innovation to a real context.
Patent Information Project to Leverage Innovation
Authors: Maravilhas-Lopes Sérgio
Published: October 2019

This chapter describes the project for the development and implementation of a theoretical support model for the creation of an information system that will allow the dissemination of scientific and technical information contained in patent documents using the web sites of industrial property official entities. The support of information resources, available through libraries and information services in universities, will be crucial for the project and the success of university research centres (URC) in Science, Technology, and Medicine (STM). To achieve a coherent program of dissemination and make possible the access to patent information by the URC, social media network (SMN) tools (like RSS, Blogs, Wikis, Newsletters) will be used. The tools will also effectively achieve control to constantly improve the system implemented.
A Decision Tree on Data Mining Framework for Recognition of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: B. V. Ravindra , N. Sriraam , M. Geetha
Published: October 2019

The term chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to the malfunction of the kidney and its failure to remove toxins and other waste products from blood. Typical symptoms of CKD include color change in urine, swelling due to fluids staying in tissue, itching, flank pain, and fatigue. Timely intervention is essential for early recognition of CKD as it affects more than 10 million people in India. This chapter suggests a decision tree-based data mining framework to recognize CKD from Non chronic kidney disease (NCKD). Data sets derived from open source UCI repository was considered. Unlike earlier reported work, this chapter applies the decision rules based on the clustered data through k-means clustering process. Four cluster groups were identified and j48 pruned decision tree-based automated rules were formatted. The performance of the proposed framework was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision, and recall. A new quantitative measure, relative performance, and MCC were introduced which confirms the suitability of the proposed framework for recognition of CKD from NCKD.
What Do We Know About Destination Branding?
Authors: Malerba Rafaela Camara , Fernandes Cristina I. , Veiga Pedro
Published: October 2019

Destination branding is a recent field of study related to tourism and marketing. Based on a categorized bibliometric analysis of 272 articles published in Thomson Reuters' journals since 2001, this chapter characterizes intellectual structure of the scientific publications about destination branding, identifies its authors' location in terms of institution and countries, and recognizes main research lines. It also provides co-citation networks of authors, journals, and their respective clusters. This analysis enhances knowledge on destination branding and supports new studies and researches in this field.
Secure Routing Challenges for Opportunistic Internet of Things
Authors: Kandhoul Nisha , Dhurandher Sanjay K.
Published: October 2019

Internet of Things(IoT) is a technical revolution of the internet where users, computing systems, and daily objects having sensing abilities, collaborate to provide innovative services in several application domains. Opportunistic IoT(OppIoT)is an extension of the opportunistic networks that exploits the interactions between the human-based communities and the IoT devices to increase the network connectivity and reliability. In this context, the security and privacy requirements play a crucial role as the collected information is exposed to a wide unknown audience. An adaptable infrastructure is required to handle the intrinsic vulnerabilities of OppIoT devices, with limited resources and heterogeneous technologies. This chapter elaborates the security requirements, the possible threats, and the current work conducted in the field of security in OppIoT networks.
Sustainable Supply Chain
Authors: Girisaballa Susheela , Bhattacharya Sonali
Published: October 2019

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is an evolving discipline, for which many theories are being proposed. It is dependent on other disciplines, of which organizational theories are of tremendous importance. One such theory that has great relevance to SSCM is Institutional Theory. The purpose of this study is to develop a model that relates the enablers of SSCM to Institutional Theory. This is achieved in three steps: First, SSCM enablers were identified through a literature review. These internal enablers go through certain external challenges when supply chain players practice Sustainability. Second, an attempt is made to explain these challenges from the perspective of Institutional Theory. The role of Institutional Isomorphism in regulating and creating a direction for achieving the sustainability goal is identified. Finally, a theoretical model is developed to describe the link between supply chain players, institutional isomorphism, and the support and participation of the top management in creating an enabling environment for legitimization of sustainable supply chain.
Selection of Transportation Channels in Closed-Loop Supply Chain Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithm
Authors: Rajak Sonu , Parthiban P. , Dhanalakshmi R.
Published: October 2019

This article presents a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) network design problem consisting of both forward and reverse material flows. Here, a four-echelon single-product system is introduced in which multiple transportation channels are considered between the nodes of each echelon. Each design is analyzed for the optimum cost, time and environmental impact which form objective functions. The problem is modeled as a tri-objective mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model. The cost objective aggregates the opening cost (fixed cost) and the variable costs in both forward and reverses material flow. The time objective considers the longest transportation time from plants to customers and reverse. Factors of environmental impact are categorized and weighed using an analytic network process (ANP) which forms the environmental objective function. A genetic algorithm (GA) has been applied as a solution methodology to solve the MILP model. Ultimately, a case problem is also used to illustrate the model developed and concluding remarks are made regarding the results.
Exploring the Impact of Globalization and Technology on Supply Chain Management
Authors: Hu Jiayi , Haddud Abubaker
Published: October 2019

This article reports on results of a research aimed at understanding the relation between globalization and technology and what impact this relation has brought to the modern global supply chain. The research focuses on the e-business/e-commerce, a new but fast growing concept as a supply chain operation model, to compare and discuss the differences of related aspects to global supply chain management versus similar practices a decade earlier. An online questionnaire was used to collect data and the participants were all supply chain experts working for the same global logistics and transportation company. Participants' perceptions were collected about their online experience and how they have experienced the change in supply chain management as a result. The research revealed that there is a relationship between globalization, technology use, and the impact of these two elements on the evolution of the global supply chain in the e-business industry. Also, the ‘digitalization' is leading the global supply chain operations to a new operation platform. There were two main limitations in this study; a) relatively small sample size, and b) the majority of participants had a logistics background and this may have impacted their reported perceptions.
Advocating Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Sustainability in Global Supply Chain
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: October 2019

This chapter aims to advocate Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) and sustainability in global supply chain, thus describing the overview of Supply Chain Management (SCM); the overview of SSCM; the overview of Triple Bottom Line (TBL); TBL measures in terms of social, environmental, and economic perspectives; the multifaceted applications of SSCM; the barriers to the implementation of SSCM; the overview of sustainability; the utilization of sustainability in global supply chain; and the sustainability aspects in global supply chain concerning risk management, transparency, strategy, and culture. This chapter performs a detailed literature review and uses the conceptual theory to introduce the concept of TBL to implement SSCM practices and to promote sustainability in global supply chain. The chapter argues that advocating SSCM and sustainability has the potential to enhance organizational performance and achieve business goals in global supply chain.
The Role of Institutional Pressures on Green Supply Chain Practices in Building the Organizational Image
Authors: Sharma Manisha
Published: October 2019

Supply chain management has been used by businesses and the companies have attributed their success to effective supply chain management. But in case of healthcare sector, supply chain management is not that prominent since it deals with finished products. Supply Chain Management is a concept, strategy and approach that is proving its worth in hospital management all over the world. The pressures on hospital supply chains are changing. In response to these pressures some hospitals have initiated green supply chain management (GSCM) practices that provide tremendous opportunities to improve supply chain performance. This paper tries to provide empirical results in order to examine the impact of GSCM practices in building the positive image of the Indian hospitals incorporating two moderating variables namely regulatory and competition. In order to gain unique insights of current levels of awareness/adoption of GSCM and the potential impact GSCM could have in building organizational image, a survey was conducted among 53 hospitals from NCR (National Capital Region) India. Moderated hierarchical regression analysis has been used to arrive at the following results: (1) Indian hospitals have experienced increasing environmental pressure to implement GSCM practices; (2) The implementation of GSCM practices have helped in building positive organizational image (3) The existence of competitive and regulatory pressures influence hospitals to implement green supply chain practices that eventually help in building positive organizational image especially when these pressures cause adoption of green purchasing and green hospital services even though organizational image is most influenced by Internal environment management; (4) Hospitals implement green transportation policies under regulatory and competitive pressures. Implications for operations strategists from these relationships are also discussed.
An Empirical Study to Understand the Effect of Supply Chain Agility on Organizational Operational Performance
Authors: Nazempour Rayhaneh , Yang Jianhua , Waheed Abdul
Published: October 2019

To bring agility in supply chain operations is a critical factor for firms in order to meet customers' requirements in an effective and productive manner. Several researchers have been argued that agility has become a prime driver of competitiveness. However, agility with respect to supply chain was not extensively studied, especially less attention was paid to empirical work. This article attempts to fulfill such need by investigating the relationship between supply chain agility (SCA) and organizational performance (OP) in the context of Iran. Primary data were collected through surveys distribution to 500 SC managers of all levels in Iranian SMEs. Subsequently, hypotheses were tested through SPSS and Structure Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed a positive relationship between SCA and OP along with positive relationships of each dimension of SCA (e.g., alertness, decisiveness, flexibility, accessibility, and swiftness). This article ensures that organizational OP might be improved by focusing SCA in the today's competitive environment.
Systems for Knowledge Management along the Supply Chain
Authors: Edwards John S.
Published: October 2019

This chapter explains the role of knowledge management systems, whether technology-based or people-based, in service supply chain management. A systematic literature review was carried out to identify relevant examples of both successful and unsuccessful knowledge management systems. These are analyzed in terms of process, people and technology aspects, and the activities in the knowledge life-cycle (create, acquire, store, use, refine, transfer) that they support. These include systems used within a single organization, systems shared with supply chain partners, and systems shared with customers, the latter being the least common. Notable features are that more systems support knowledge exploitation than knowledge exploration, and that general-purpose software (e.g., internet search, database) is used more than software specific to knowledge management (e.g., data mining, “people finder”). The widespread use of mobile devices and social media offers both an opportunity and a challenge for future knowledge management systems development.