Kenntnisintensive Aktivitäten und ihr Einfluss auf die Kundenorientierung: Eine Untersuchung zur metallurgischen Produktion

In this study, we have constructed an original model and carried out a research analysis in metalworking manufacturing. The main subject of the research model is to investigate the customer orientation depending on the factors of knowledge intensive activities; and the aim is to contribute to businesses as well as academic researchers, about the related subject. The knowledge intensive activities are related with the learning capacity of the organizations and they are: systems orientation, organizational climate for learning orientation, knowledge acquisition and utilization orientation, and information sharing and dissemination orientation. To perform the research analysis in the related sector, we have formed a survey instrument after a detailed investigation of the literature and applied it on a number of 578 employees of the metalworking firms. Based on the results, it has been determined that the constructed model is significant (at the p<0.001 level) and at the same time customer orientation has significant correlations with all the knowledge intensive activities (at the p<0.001 level). Additionally, the total explained variance of customer orientation depending on the knowledge intensive activities has come out as the value of 0.77.U ovoj smo studiji izradili originalni model i proveli istraživanje o metalurškoj proizvodnji. Osnovni cilj istraživačkoga modela jest istražiti orijentaciju prema kupcima koja ovisi o faktorima znanjem intenziviranih aktivnosti te tako pomoći poduzećima i znanstvenicima zainteresiranima za ovu temu. Znanjem intenzivirane aktivnosti, koje su povezane s kapacitetom učenja organizacija jesu: sistemska orijentacija, klima u organizaciji koja potiče na učenje, orijentacija na stjecanje i upotrebu znanja te orijentacija na suuporabu i distribuciju podataka. U svrhu istraživanja odabranoga sektora, konstruiran je instrument na temelju detaljnoga proučavanja literature i primijenjen je na 578 zaposlenika metalurških tvrtki. Utvrđeno je na temelju ishoda da je konstruirani model značajan (na razini p< 0,001), a da je istodobno orijentacija na kupca značajno korelirana sa svim znanjem intenziviranim aktivnostima (na razini p< 0,001). Nadalje, ukupno objašnjena varijanca orijentacije prema kupcu koja ovisi o znanjem intenziviranim aktivnostima iznosi 0,77.Die Verfasser dieser Studie führten nach einem eigens erarbeiteten Modell eine Untersuchung im Bereich der metallurgischen Produktion durch. Das Hauptinteresse galt der mit Faktoren kenntnisintensiver Aktivitäten in Zusammenhang stehenden Kundenorientierung von Produzenten. Die Verfasser wenden sich mit ihrer Untersuchung vornehmlich an interessierte Unternehmer und Forscher. Kenntnisintensive Aktivitäten, die dank der Lernfähigkeit von Organisationen umgesetzt werden, sind: Systemorientierung, ein Lernprozesse begünstigendes Arbeitsklima, Ausrichtung auf Kenntniserwerb und -umsetzung sowie Daten-Sharing und -distribution. Ausgehend von fundierten fachliterarischen Kenntnissen haben die Autoren einen Fragebogen erarbeitet und ihn in einer Umfrage unter 578 Arbeitern von Metallurgieunternehmen eingesetzt. Der Fragebogen erwies sich als relevant (p < 0,001). Insbesondere aber zeigte sich, dass die Kundenorientierung von Produzenten wesentlich mit kenntnisintensiven Aktivitäten korreliert (p < 0,001). Ferner konnte ermittelt werden, dass die durch kenntnisintensive Aktivitäten bedingte allgemeine Varianz der Kundenorientierung 0,77 beträgt

Wetting-driven formation of present-day loess structure

© 2020 The Authors Present-day loess, especially Malan loess formed in Later Quaternary, has a characteristic structure composed of vertically aligned strong units and weak segments. Hypotheses describing how this structure forms inside original loess deposits commonly relate it to wetting-drying process. We tested this causal relationship by conducting unique experiments on synthetic samples of initial loess deposits fabricated by free-fall of loess particles. These samples were subjected to a wetting-drying cycle, and their structural evolutions were documented by close-up photography and CT scanning. Analysis of these records revealed three key stages of structural evolution: initiation (evenly distributed cracks appear due to wetting); inhomogeneitization (some cracks grow, forming large polygons); and development (polygon-forming cracks grow further - cracks within polygons narrow down or heal up). These experiments successfully reproduced the characteristic structure of present-day loess, and led to a discovery that it is the wetting of initial loess that initiates and drives the structural evolution, while drying preserves and expands resulting features

Identifying the frequency dependent interactions between oceanwaves and the continental margin on seismic noise recordings

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This study presents an exploration into identifying the interactions between ocean waves and the continental margin in the origination of double-frequency (DF, 0.1-0.5 Hz) microseisms recorded at 33 stations across East Coast of USA (ECUSA) during a 10-day period of ordinary ocean wave climate. Daily primary vibration directions are calculated in three frequency bands and projected as great circles passing through each station. In each band, the great circles from all stations exhibit largest spatial density primarily near the continental slope in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Generation mechanisms of three DF microseism events are explored by comparing temporal and spatial variations of the DF microseisms with the migration patterns of ocean wave fronts in Wavewatch III hindcasts. Correlation analyses are conducted by comparing the frequency compositions of and calculating the Pearson correlation coefficients between the DF microseisms and the ocean waves recorded at selected buoys. The observations and analyses lead to a hypothesis that the continental slope causes wave reflection, generating low frequency DF energy and that the continental shelf is where high frequency DF energy is mainly generated in ECUSA. The hypothesis is supported by the primary vibration directions being mainly perpendicular to the strike of the continental slope

Influence of infliximab pretreatment on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat intestine

The Pringle maneuver is used in hepatic surgery to prevent blood loss but is associated with ischemia- reperfusion injury. To investigate the effect of infliximab on inflammation and apoptosis in rat intestinal mucosa during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were equally divided into three groups to be subjected to (i) sham operation (sham), (ii) IR injury via Pringle maneuver (pringle) or (iii) infliximab (IFX) group (IFX was given at a dose 3 mg/kg for 3 days before IR injury). Following reperfusion period of 60 min., intestinal tissue and blood samples were taken and processed by standard histological methods. The Pringle maneuver and following reperfusion caused significant histopathological changes, increased serum transaminases’ activity and the levels of oxidative stress markers and decreased glutathione peroxidase activity. IFX pretreatment partially prevented these changes. Infliximab pretreatment may protect intestinal mucosa against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further studies are needed to investigate mechanism and evaluate safety and optimal dosing of IFX in humans exposed to the possible tissue damage by ischemia-reperfusion. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2014, Vol. 52, No. 1, 36–41

İzmir Körfezi’nde (Ege Denizi) Çok Büyük Bir Granyöz Balığının (Argyrosomus regius) Bulunuşu

On 16 May 2017, a specimen of Argyrosomus regius with a total length (TL) of 1310 mm (21.1 kg) was captured by an experimental trawl from eastern coast of Yassıcaada Island, Urla, İzmir Bay at a depth of 30 m. This ichthyologic note presents a new maximal size record of A. regius for İzmir Bay, Aegean Sea.16 Mayıs 2017 tarihinde, 1310 mm total boyuyla (21,1 kg) bir Argyrosomus regius bireyi Urla (İzmir Körfezi) Yassıcaada’nın doğu kıyısından bir deneysel dip trolüyle 30 m derinlikte yakalanmıştır. Bu ihtiyolojik not İzmir Körfezi (Ege Denizi) için A. regius’un yeni bir maksimum boyut kaydını sunmaktadır

A Comparative Study of National Infrastructures for Digital (Open) Educational Resources in Higher Education

This paper reports on the first stage of an international comparative study for the project “Digital educational architectures: Open learning resources in distributed learning infrastructures–EduArc”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This study reviews the situation of digital educational resources (or (O)ER) framed within the digital transformation of ten different Higher Education (HE) systems (Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and the United States). Following a comparative case study approach, we investigated issues related to the existence of policies, quality assurance mechanisms and measures for the promotion of change in supporting infrastructure development for (O)ER at the national level in HE in the different countries. The results of this mainly documentary research highlight differences and similarities, which are largely due to variations in these countries’ political structure organisation. The discussion and conclusion point at the importance of understanding each country’s context and culture, in order to understand the differences between them, as well as the challenges they face

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely