Internationalization capacitation of a SME in the dental prosthetics industry: Oralook

The phenomenon of market globalization has been posing new challenges and opportunities for Portuguese companies, resulting in internationalization initiatives. With the opening and expansion of markets and with the increasing competition and pace of innovation, companies seek for growth in international markets. Increasingly, companies’ must be able to respond to challenges that threaten their economic survival, resulting in stagnation. Internationalization is one of business strategic responses to the globalization challenge. The aim of this dissertation is to develop an in-company project to evaluate a dental laboratory internationalization capacity, and the subject to be studied is a top technological company, Oralook. The motivation to internationalize emerged from an entrepreneurial vision of the company’s managing partner, Gonçalo Duque, a dental prosthetics expert. Today, Oralook has one of the best facilities among Portuguese dental laboratories, equipped with the latest dental technology worldwide, which allows the sale of products and services outside the domestic market. From the detailed internal and external analysis, it is possible to answer pertinent questions brought up by careful research and find solutions towards shaping the future of the laboratory’s internationalization process.O fenómeno da globalização do mercado tem vindo a oferecer novos desafios e oportunidades para as empresas portuguesas, incentivando-as a considerar iniciativas de internacionalização. Com a abertura e expansão dos mercados, com o incremento da concorrência e o acelerado ritmo de inovação, as empresas procuram o seu lugar nos mercados internacionais. Cada vez mais as empresas precisam de estar preparadas para dar resposta aos desafios que poderão ameaçar a sua sobrevivência económica, resultando em estagnação. A internacionalização é uma das estratégias que podem dar resposta ao desafio da globalização. O objetivo desta dissertação é a de elaborar um projeto que avalie a capacidade de internacionalização de um laboratório de prótese dentária. Assim, faz sentido que o objeto de estudo seja uma empresa em constante evolução técnica e tecnológica: Oralook. A iniciativa para internacionalizar a empresa surgiu da visão empreendedora do sócio gestor, Gonçalo Duque, um profissional de prótese dentária. Atualmente, a Oralook tem uma das melhores instalações laboratoriais a nível nacional, equipada com a mais recente tecnologia na área dentária, o que permite a venda de produtos e serviços fora do mercado doméstico. A partir da análise detalhada interna e externamente, é possível responder a questões pertinentes levantadas pela pesquisa cuidadosa e encontrar soluções com vista a moldar o futuro da empresa no processo da internacionalização

Sharps disposal containers

"A framework was presented for the selection of disposable and reusable sharps disposal containers and for evaluation of their efficacy as part of a needlestick injury (NSI) prevention plan. The number of NSIs in the health care environment can be reduced by the correct and consistent use of rigid sharps disposal containers. Disposal containers must be functional during their entire usage, accessible to workers who use sharps, visible to the workers who use them, and accommodate both the user and the facility. Existing OSHA requirements and NIOSH recommendation for sharps disposal containers were outlined. The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard was reviewed, and information was provided on reprocessing reusable sharps disposal containers. NIOSH has recommended that containers be selected based on a site specific hazard analysis. Recommended strategies for selecting and using sharps disposal containers were discussed. A decision logic was presented which outlined appropriate criteria and priorities for container selection. A performance evaluation questionnaire was also included." - NIOSHTIC-2"January 1998".Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references

Design, Development and Implementation Framework for a Postgraduate Non-Surgical Aesthetics Curriculum

Non-surgical aesthetics (NSA) procedures are primarily performed in private clinics away from traditional teaching hospital settings, establishing structured training and education in these procedures during residency training has been challenging. The objective of this study was to design and develop an evidence-based postgraduate curriculum in non-surgical aesthetics. It necessitated determining the current state of training and education for NSA procedures in postgraduate clinical education. Following a design-based research approach, a subsequent systematic literature review and a cross-sectional global-needs assessment study established the need for such a curriculum. Subsequent literature reviews and series of global Delphi studies have informed and guided the design and development of the conceptual framework, core curriculum content and finally, the implementation framework to facilitate the smooth delivery of the programme. The research also incorporated pilot studies for teaching methodology, assessment strategies like “objective structured practical examination (OSPE) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)”, which has shown to be very effective. The conceptual framework for curriculum design and development in NSA emerged from the global Delphi study. The conceptual framework is anchored on critical thinking and uses enquiry-based learning to develop information mastery, skills, and values and attitude. Moreover, relevant threshold concepts guided the construction of learning outcomes mapped against the core curriculum. The finding of this study is a crucial first step in bringing an evidence-based structure to training and education in NSA. This thesis will act as a ‘blueprint’ for the policymakers and program directors while curating a postgraduate programme in NSA

Physical and statistical shape modelling in craniomaxillofacial surgery: a personalised approach for outcome prediction

Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning of the jaw bones to restore face function and shape for patients who require an operation as a result of a syndrome, due to growth disturbances in childhood or after trauma. As part of the preoperative assessment, three-dimensional medical imaging and computer-assisted surgical planning help to improve outcomes, and save time and cost. Computer-assisted surgical planning involves visualisation and manipulation of the patient anatomy and can be used to aid objective diagnosis, patient communication, outcome evaluation, and surgical simulation. Despite the benefits, the adoption of three-dimensional tools has remained limited beyond specialised hospitals and traditional two-dimensional cephalometric analysis is still the gold standard. This thesis presents a multidisciplinary approach to innovative surgical simulation involving clinical patient data, medical image analysis, engineering principles, and state-of-the-art machine learning and computer vision algorithms. Two novel three-dimensional computational models were developed to overcome the limitations of current computer-assisted surgical planning tools. First, a physical modelling approach – based on a probabilistic finite element model – provided patient-specific simulations and, through training and validation, population-specific parameters. The probabilistic model was equally accurate compared to two commercial programs whilst giving additional information regarding uncertainties relating to the material properties and the mismatch in bone position between planning and surgery. Second, a statistical modelling approach was developed that presents a paradigm shift in its modelling formulation and use. Specifically, a 3D morphable model was constructed from 5,000 non-patient and orthognathic patient faces for fully-automated diagnosis and surgical planning. Contrary to traditional physical models that are limited to a finite number of tests, the statistical model employs machine learning algorithms to provide the surgeon with a goal-driven patient-specific surgical plan. The findings in this thesis provide markers for future translational research and may accelerate the adoption of the next generation surgical planning tools to further supplement the clinical decision-making process and ultimately to improve patients’ quality of life

Greater Space Means More Service: Leveraging the innovative power of architecture and design

Organizational structures certainly are of great importance in order to determine employees’ behaviour and performance. On the other hand, physical structures also significantly influence the way staff and customers view any company and interact with it. In service based activity, such as in retailing, banking, hospitality, and so, firms and institutions are competing thanks to innovations in products/services, delivery processes, and management styles. Innovative approaches may also materialize into the design of facilities. Service providers are in a position to significantly improve convenience, productivity, and attractiveness by designing space and defining appropriate layout carefully. This pattern also has to include identification of the meanings, characterization of size and qualification of the process by which any service facility delivers messages. In the last session of the paper, we address a particular type of service facilities, namely the buildings of institutions for higher education in management. The objective is then to analyze how facilities have evolved in order to cope with the change affecting business education.Service; innovation; architecture; working place; corporate symbols

Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management

This book is a reprint of the Special Issue 'Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management' that was published in the journal Buildings

AI and OR in management of operations: history and trends

The last decade has seen a considerable growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for operations management with the aim of finding solutions to problems that are increasing in complexity and scale. This paper begins by setting the context for the survey through a historical perspective of OR and AI. An extensive survey of applications of AI techniques for operations management, covering a total of over 1200 papers published from 1995 to 2004 is then presented. The survey utilizes Elsevier's ScienceDirect database as a source. Hence, the survey may not cover all the relevant journals but includes a sufficiently wide range of publications to make it representative of the research in the field. The papers are categorized into four areas of operations management: (a) design, (b) scheduling, (c) process planning and control and (d) quality, maintenance and fault diagnosis. Each of the four areas is categorized in terms of the AI techniques used: genetic algorithms, case-based reasoning, knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic and hybrid techniques. The trends over the last decade are identified, discussed with respect to expected trends and directions for future work suggested

Neurometrics applied to banknote and security features design

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una metodología sobre la aplicación del neuroanálisis en el diseño de billetes y elementos de seguridad. Tradicionalmente, la evaluación de la percepción de los billetes se ha basado en respuestas explícitas de las personas, obtenidas a través de cuestionarios y entrevistas. Las medidas implícitas se refieren a métodos y técnicas capaces de capturar los procesos mentales implícitos de las personas. La neurociencia ha demostrado que la consciencia humana no interviene en la mayoría de los procesos cerebrales que regulan las emociones, actitudes, comportamientos y decisiones. Es decir, estos procesos implícitos son funciones cerebrales que se producen automáticamente y sin control consciente. La metodología sobre el neuroanálisis puede aplicarse al diseño de billetes y elementos de seguridad, y utilizarse como una herramienta de análisis eficaz para evaluar los procesos cognitivos de las personas, como el interés visual, la atención a ciertas áreas del billete, las emociones, la motivación, la carga mental para comprender el diseño y el nivel de estimulación. La metodología del neuroanálisis propuesta ofrece un criterio para tomar decisiones sobre qué diseños de billetes y elementos de seguridad tienen una configuración más adecuada para el público, basada en el seguimiento de procesos conscientes, usando medidas explícitas tradicionales, y procesos inconscientes, usando técnicas neurométricas. La metodología del neuroanálisis trata variables neurométricas cuantificables obtenidas del público al procesar eventos como el movimiento ocular, la fijación visual, la expresión facial, la variación del ritmo cardíaco, la conductancia de la piel, etc. La aplicación de un estudio de neuroanálisis se lleva a cabo con un grupo de personas representativo de la población para la que se realiza el diseño de un billete o los elementos de seguridad. En el estudio neurométrico se ofrece a los participantes muestras físicas adecuadamente preparadas para recoger las diferentes respuestas neurométricas de los participantes, que luego se procesan para sacar conclusiones.The aim of this paper is to present a methodology on the application of neuroanalysis to the design of banknotes and security features. Traditionally, evaluation of the perception of banknotes is based on explicit personal responses obtained through questionnaires and interviews. The implicit measures refer to methods and techniques capable of capturing people’s implicit mental processes. Neuroscience has shown that, in most brain processes regulating emotions, attitudes, behaviours and decisions, human consciousness does not intervene. That is to say, these implicit processes are brain functions that occur automatically and without conscious control. The methodology on neuroanalysis can be applied to the design of banknotes and security features, and used as an effective analysis tool to assess people’s cognitive processes, namely: visual interest, attention to certain areas of the banknote, emotions, motivation and the mental load to understand the design and level of stimulation. The proposed neuroanalysis methodology offers a criterion for making decisions about which banknote designs and security features have a more suitable configuration for the public. It is based on the monitoring of conscious processes, using traditional explicit measures, and unconscious processes, using neurometric techniques. The neuroanalysis methodology processes quantifiable neurometric variables obtained from the public when processing events, such as eye movement, sight fixation, facial expression, heart rate variation, skin conductance, etc. A neuroanalysis study is performed with a selected group of people representative of the population for which the design of a banknote or security features is made. In the neurometric study, suitably prepared physical samples are shown to the participants to collect their different neurometric responses, which are then processed to draw conclusions