bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of IOL Power Calculation and Refractive Outcome After Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery With a Femtosecond Laser Versus Conventional Phacoemulsification
Authors: Filkorn Tamás , Kovács Illés , Takács Ágnes , Horváth Éva , Knorz Michael C. , Nagy Zoltán Z. 
Published: July 2012

PURPOSE:
To compare intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation and refractive outcome between patients who underwent laser refractive cataract surgery with a femtosecond laser and those with conventional cataract surgery.

METHODS:
In this prospective study, 77 eyes from 77 patients underwent laser refractive cataract surgery (laser group; Alcon LenSx femtosecond laser), and conventional cataract surgery with phacoemulsification was performed in 57 eyes from 57 patients (conventional group). Biometry was done with optical low coherence reflectometry (Lenstar LS900, Haag-Streit AG), and IOL calculation was performed with third-generation IOL formulas (SRK/T, Hoffer Q, and Holladay). The refractive outcome was analyzed using the mean absolute error (MAE; difference between predicted and achieved postoperative spherical equivalent refraction), and multivariable regression analysis was performed to compare the two groups.

RESULTS:

No significant differences were found between age, axial length, keratometry, and preoperative corrected visual acuity in the laser and conventional groups (
P
>.05; Mann-Whitney U test). At least 6 weeks after surgery, MAE was significantly lower in the laser group (0.38±0.28 diopters [D]) than in the conventional group (0.50±0.38 D) (
P
=.04). The difference was the greatest in short (axial length <22.0 mm, 0.43±0.41 vs 0.63±0.48) and long (axial length >26.0 mm, 0.33±0.24 vs 0.63±0.42) eyes.

CONCLUSIONS:
Laser refractive cataract surgery with a femtosecond laser resulted in a significantly better predictability of IOL power calculation than conventional phacoemulsification surgery. This difference is possibly due to a more precise capsulorrhexis, resulting in a more stable IOL position.
Change in Diabetic Panretinal Photocoagulation Incidence
Authors: Feman Stephen S. , Chen Jiajing , Burroughs Thomas E. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Diabetic blindness occurs most often among working-age people. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) can prevent this outcome. Administrative data examined changes in PRP incidence rates.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Anonymous data from the “claims submitted” files of an insurer with nationwide representation was used. This health insurance was a job benefit, and the sample included 6,085,750 U.S. employees and their dependents. Those who received PRP for diabetic retinopathy were compared to all others with diabetes mellitus. Although some enrollees had more than one PRP procedure, each procedure was considered a unique event. The rate change was evaluated by chi-square tests with post hoc tests for pair-wise comparisons.

RESULTS:

A total of 14,856 PRP procedures were performed. An incidence rate reduction from 0.95% to 0.67% (chi-square = 243.6818,
P
< .0001) was found within the study interval.

CONCLUSION:
The incidence of PRP was reduced in this sample of U.S. workers and their dependents.
Graded Subthreshold Transpupillary Thermotherapy for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Manayath George J. , Narendran Venkatapathy , Arora Saurabh , Morris Rodney J. , Saravanan Veerappan R. , Shah Parag K. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To study the safety and efficacy of “graded” subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), a novel treatment protocol for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and an alternative to photodynamic therapy (PDT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This retrospective pilot study included 10 eyes with chronic CSC that underwent TTT with 810-nm continuous diode laser treatment using a subthreshold power (60% reduced from threshold) for 60 seconds. Treatment was repeated at 20% increase in power from the baseline if submacular fluid persisted on optical coherence tomography (OCT) after 1 month (graded fashion).

RESULTS:
The mean chronic CSC duration was 20.3 ± 8.3 months. Eight eyes (80%) showed resolution of CSC on OCT. Mean number of TTT sittings required was 1.5. Although 5 eyes (50%) had 3 or more lines of improvement in Snellen visual acuity, 3 eyes (30%) had up to 2 lines of improvement. None of the patients developed macular burn or scar.

CONCLUSION:
The safety enhanced graded subthreshold TTT was beneficial in patients with chronic CSC.
Multifocal Visual Evoked Potentials for Early Glaucoma Detection
Authors: Weizer Jennifer S. , Musch David C. , Niziol Leslie M. , Khan Naheed W. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To compare multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP) with other detection methods in early open-angle glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Ten patients with suspected glaucoma and 5 with early open-angle glaucoma underwent mfVEP, standard automated perimetry (SAP), short-wave automated perimetry, frequency-doubling technology perimetry, and nerve fiber layer optical coherence tomography. Nineteen healthy control subjects underwent mfVEP and SAP for comparison. Comparisons between groups involving continuous variables were made using independent
t
tests; for categorical variables, Fisher’s exact test was used.

RESULTS:

Monocular mfVEP cluster defects were associated with an increased SAP pattern standard deviation (
P
= .0195). Visual fields that showed interocular mfVEP cluster defects were more likely to also show superior quadrant nerve fiber layer thinning by OCT (
P
= .0152).

CONCLUSION:
Multifocal visual evoked potential cluster defects are associated with a functional and an anatomic measure that both relate to glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
Visual and Anatomic Outcomes of Vitrectomy With Temporary Keratoprosthesis or Endoscopy in Ocular Trauma With Opaque Cornea
Authors: Chun Dal W. , Colyer Marcus H. , Wroblewski Keith J. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To examine the outcomes of vitrectomy in ocular trauma with opaque cornea.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This retrospective study included 17 eyes of 16 patients who underwent vitrectomy with temporary keratoprosthesis or endoscopy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, from March 2003 to October 2010.

RESULTS:
A temporary keratoprosthesis was used in 8 eyes (47%) and endoscopy in 9 eyes (53%). Overall, the number of eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or better improved from 0 at baseline to 5 (29%) at 6 months. The number of eyes with retinal detachment also improved from 10 (59%) at baseline to 3 (18%) at 6 months.

CONCLUSION:
Vitrectomy may be safely performed in ocular trauma with opaque cornea using a temporary keratoprosthesis or endoscopy with comparable outcomes. Endoscopy allows earlier diagnosis and treatment of occult pathology and requires less time and fewer procedures to implement than the temporary keratoprosthesis.
The Effects of Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy on Macular Thickness, Intraocular Pressure, and Visual Acuity
Authors: Ari Seyhmus , Cingü Abdullah Kürsat , Sahin Alparslan , Çinar Yasin , Çaça Ihsan 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate how different energy levels of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy affect best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and macular thickness of patients with posterior capsule opacification.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Thirty eyes of 30 patients with posterior capsule opacification following phacoemulsification were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified according to total energy used during Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (⩽ 80 mJ = group I, > 80 mJ = group II).

RESULTS:

Mean total energy levels were 58 ± 18 mJ (range: 14 to 80 mJ) in group I and 117 ± 36 mJ (range: 84 to 200 mJ) in group II. BCVA at 1 week preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively was significantly better compared to preoperative BCVA in both groups (
P
< .001). In group I, IOP increased 1 week postoperatively (
P
= .007) and declined to preoperative levels at 1 month. In group II, IOP increased 1 week postoperatively (
P
= .001) and did not return to preoperative levels during 3 months of follow-up (
P
= .04). Both groups had increased macular thickness compared to preoperative levels, but group II measurements were significantly higher 1 week and 1 month postoperatively compared to group I (
P
= .004 and .03, respectively).

CONCLUSION:
Increased IOP and macular thickness are inevitable after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, but the severity and duration are less when a total energy level less than 80 mJ is used.
2-dimensional Convexity Numbers and P4-free Graphs
Authors: Geschke Stefan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractFor S ⊆ ℝn a set C ⊆ S is an m-clique if the convex hull of no m-element subset of C is contained in S. We show that there is essentially just one way to construct a closed set S ⊆ ℝ2 without an uncountable 3-clique that is not the union of countably many convex sets. In particular, all such sets have the same convexity number; that is, they require the same number of convex subsets to cover them. The main result follows from an analysis of the convex structure of closed sets in ℝ2 without uncountable 3-cliques in terms of clopen, P4-free graphs on Polish spaces.
Ouverture de ‘Brand Equity’
Authors: Brondoni Silvio M. , Lambin Jean-Jacques 
Published: July 2012

The progressive development of the global market highlights a structural manufacturing over-capacity and therefore an offer permanently and significantly higher than the potential of absorption by demand. In the new competitive domain of over-supply, firms adopt specific policies of exploitation of the ‘intangibles’, to counter the volatility of demand and stimulate customer loyalty, by exploiting a characteristic intangible asset, represented by the brand equity. Brand equity summarizes a set of tangible and intangible components, quantifiable with respect to the values settled in defined segments of demand. Quantifications that, clearly, does not directly express a monetary value, reconnecting rather to parameters expressive of brand awareness and image.
Marketing in Wireless Context
Authors: Dainesi Lele , Zucchella Antonella 
Published: July 2012

The first-generation mobile computing enabled analogue voice and no data, the second-generation enabled digital voice and some data the third-generation will enable digital voice and high-speed data, the fourth-generation should enable IP based voice and multimedia data. Then fifth-generation will involve all of the above, but the devices (as we know them) will begin to disappear and computing and communications should start making a leap to invisible or ubiquitous computing. The core issue for market players now is determined by the evolving nature of the wireless market in terms of users, focusing in particular on the re-thinking of market segmentation, according to new parameters and to the interpretation of users’ needs.
Network Culture, Performance & Corporate Responsibility
Authors: Brondoni Silvio M. 
Published: July 2012

The growth and sustainability of free market economies highlights the need to define rules more suited to the current condition of market globalisation and also encourages firms to adopt more transparent and accountable corporate responsibility (and corporate social responsibility, namely the relationship between the company, environment and social setting). From a managerial perspective, corporate responsibility is linked to ensure the lasting pursuit of the company mission, seeking increasing levels of quality and efficiency. Corporate responsibility in global markets aims to pursue business results (local and corporate) that feature high levels of profitability and efficiency, but also a priority concern for sustainable development. In global companies, corporate social responsibility is targeted at managing the stakeholder system (i.e. all those with an organizational, social or environmental interest).
Data Mining and Marketing Intelligence
Authors: Saccardi Alberto 
Published: July 2012

The technological advance has made possible to create data bases designed for the marketing intelligence, with the availability of large information. Data Mining is the process of selection, research and modeling of large amounts of data aimed to find out unknown business relationships in order to achieve a business edge. The Data Mining activity has a searching approach in the data analysis: discover unknown relationships, new relationships without an ‘a priori’ hypotheses on the subject.
The Professional Rugby Experience in England and Italy
Authors: Thomas Howard , Cavatorti Francesco , Fino Alessandro 
Published: July 2012

The Premier Rugby League is made up of 12 professional clubs. Its mission is to promote professional rugby in England. In fulfilling this mission, it bases all activities on the League’s founding principles: a ‘large virtual family’ with values such as moral integrity. This strong sense of aggregation is a feature of the rugby community. The spirit of collaboration has also developed at the international level - formalised by an agreement with The Italian Rugby League-LIRE (Lega Italiana Rugby Eccellenza). Twinning between LIRE and Premier League means organisational and technical strengthening for each of their Clubs.
Professional Football, Stadiums and Global Markets
Authors: Cappiello Giuseppe 
Published: July 2012

The world of sport, as an economic phenomenon, is an array of extremely complex elements. In this context, professional football clubs are amongst the best-known entities to the general public. Clubs are where the interests of media, sponsors and all others involved are concentrated most. In conditions of over-supply and globalisation, professional football clubs must try to maximise returns on connections with fans (fan value) ‘seven days out of seven’, or give value to fans identifying a market-driven management of the offering presented
Corporate Governance, Management Control and Global Competition
Authors: Salvioni Daniela M. 
Published: July 2012

Corporate governance is a complex activity evolving in parallel with change within internal and external contexts. In particular, global competition shows how maintaining the conditions for company effectiveness implies: reviewing the corporate governance approach, emphasising relations between governance and management control and developing appropriate skills to adapt to the variables being monitored. The new outlook companies are up against tends to determine revising important critical factors for company success and changes resources important for the creation and maintenance of positive company/environment relations. More specifically, certain elements are taking shape that - though with different characteristics and importance based on specific company contexts and interaction with the environment – are proving to be dominant success factors. These include: corporate culture; information system; brand equity.
Brand Portfolio and Over-Supply
Authors: Gnecchi Flavio 
Published: July 2012

Firms operating in over-supply conditions cannot increase their sales not even through the price reduction as a lever. In such context the intangible assets become predominant and tend to direct the competition within different industries towards new, unstable competitive business models based on market-driven management. In fact, the firms have reconsidered their brand portfolio, often by intervening drastically on the number of brands possessed and selling some of them to third parties or, alternatively, abandoning taking into consideration strategic aspects of brand management and its costs. At the business unit level, the brand portfolios are subjected to numerous operations oriented to adapt supply to new competitive conditions.
Ouverture de 'Over-Supply and Global Markets – 2'
Authors: Brondoni Silvio M. 
Published: July 2012

Globalisation and over-supplied markets impose new behaviour to achieve stable performance, with corporate strategies based on: downsizing, networking, merging, development of intangibles. Global markets redefine competition space (market-space competition) and assert global managerial economics which interfaces with a competition space where markets are open and highly permeable to information; trade conditions development with an active role as intermediary on a global scale; and finally, companies –manufacturing, commercial and retail– grow with networking models.
Corporate Governance Report and Stakeholder View
Authors: Salvioni Daniela M. , Bosetti Luisa 
Published: July 2012

The increasing importance recognised to corporate governance, the shift from the dominance of the shareholder view to the prevalence of the stakeholder view, and the necessity to recover approval on companies’ actions have stressed the opportunity of complete disclosure about corporate governance structures and performances. The research is founded on an international comparison and is finalised to verify: the existence of principles and recommendations concerning the corporate governance communication; the real quality of corporate governance communication published by some companies, operating in the same sector but in different countries; the effort needful to reach a formal and substantial shared model of communication.
Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance
Authors: Arrigo Elisa 
Published: July 2012

The code of conduct can be considered a tool of corporate governance because it identifies corporate responsibilities towards stakeholders and obliges top managers to comply with certain guidelines when exercising their authority, both inside and outside the company. The code of conduct encompasses a wide variety of subjects, because it addresses all the stakeholders who make up the operating scenario. Moreover, it is an expression of the corporate culture since it reveals how the rules of conduct towards the company’s interlocutors derive from cultural values and principles.
Digital Marketing Communication
Authors: Corniani Margherita 
Published: July 2012

Digital marketing communication is directed to profiled targets, which are active in the communication process. Every communication flow can ask for an information answer from the market. This opportunity grants immediate feed-backs and feed-forwards, so that digital communication can be easily and cheaply measured; digital communication flows are diffused at costs that are getting lower and lower, but it asks specialized and deep competences to communication managers. The ease in the flowing process granted by digital technologies is also the main negative aspect of digital communication. It is impossible to control digital flows in all their effect and contacts and this limit opens the door to competitor actions and to “rumors”.
Self-Service Technology in Retailing. The Case of Retail Kiosks
Authors: Cho Hira , Fiorito Susan S. 
Published: July 2012

Retailers are adopting self-service technologies (SSTs) to improve the quality of service. Self-service technologies indicate any technological application, but the most typical SST is interactive kiosks which refer to computer workstations for public access. Kiosks have widely been used for banking (ATM) and airline checkins. Now kiosks are shown in diverse retail sectors, including food service, supermarkets, department stores, specialty stores, drug stores, bookstores, and entertainment. The range of service varies depending on retailers’ goal. However, the retail application is not always positively received. Thus it is vitally important that retailers understand the inherent problems and strategic issues of kiosks as a SST. Successful kiosks can deliver financial returns to the company and also impact consumer satisfaction and retention.
Promoting Ethical Human Resource Management Practices in Work Organizations in Nigeria: Roles of HR Professionals
Authors: Christopher Chidi Odogwu , Paul Ogunyomi, Olusiji. , Badejo Adedehinbo Ekundayo 
Published: July 2012

This paper has become imperative in view of the on-going Federal Government’s initiative in charting an ethical roadmap for Nigeria. Ethics permeates all aspects of our national life and human resource management profession is no exception. Ethics refers to the principle of conduct governing an individual or a group. This paper examines ethical HRM practices in work organisations in Nigeria and the roles of HR professionals in promoting ethical practices with a view to achieving employee well-being, satisfaction at work and organisational performance. Based on theoretical and practical insights, the authors x-ray an array of unethical human resource management practices in work organisations in Nigeria. To combat unethical HR practices in the workplace, the authors enjoin HR professionals in line with top management to put in place ethical policies and codes and to constantly embark on ethical training of workers at all level as well as the institutionalisation of whistle blowing policy in their organisations. Keywords: Ethics, Human Resource Management, Work Organisation, HR Professionals.
Percieved Importance and Perfomance of Information Systems in Azam Company- Dar Es Salaam
Authors: Abeka Silvance O. , Abeka Evance Ochieng’ 
Published: July 2012

It is increasingly more interesting to the Companies to understand the relationship existing between perceived importance and performance of information systems within their companies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perception of the importance of attributes of information systems and whether the performance of information systems met the users’ expectations in Azam company in Dar es salaam. Anonymous and self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 217 respondents. A total of 185 usable responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 85.3% which was considered satisfactory for subsequent analysis. Using an end-user satisfaction survey, It was discovered that the end-users were moderately satisfied with the company’s IS performance and that there were gaps between importance and performance on all the systems-related attributes studied. The largest gap pertained to the attributes Understanding Systems and Documentation. The contribution of the study is in advancing Importance-Performance Analysis applicable to IS research. Keywords: Information Systems Performance, Information Systems Importance, End-user Satisfaction
The Effect of Teaching Format, Students’ Ability and Cognitive Effort on Accounting Students’ Performance
Authors: Ghani Erlane K , Said Jamaliah , Muhammad Kamaruzzaman 
Published: July 2012

This study examines whether factors identified in the literature as influencing students’ performance explain students’ performance in an Advanced Financial Accounting course. Three variables are chosen: teaching format, cumulative grade point average and study effort to examine their effect on students’ performance. Using questionnaire and experimental approaches on 129 students who were enrolled in Advanced Financial Accounting course in a public university in Malaysia, the results in this study indicate all three variables examined are associated with students’ performance. These results could assist academics in understanding and developing strategies that could be apply at the beginning of the course to ensure students’ performance could be improved. Keywords: Students’ performance, Advanced Financial Accounting (AFA), Teaching Format, Cumulative Grade Point Average, Study Effort.