The role of the adrenal cortex in fat metabolism of Meriones unguiculatus, the Mongolian gerbil

The effects of adrenalectomy and corticoid replacement therapies on survival, weight loss, depot fat and blood free fatty acid were studied in Meriones unguiculatus, the Mongolian gerbil. Adrenalectomized gerbils that received cortisol and aldosterone lived significantly longer and lost significantly more weight than the controls (adrenalectomized gerbils not receiving any treatment) and the sham-operated groups. Cortisol and aldosterone treatment were also effective in mobilizing significantly greater amounts of depot fat into free fatty acid. Cortisol and aldosterone treated groups had significantly less blood free fatty acid than the control and the sham-operated groups

Simulation Based Optimisation of Ground Crews: Case of a Regional Airport

Paper presents the simulation models built within an airport ground crew scheduling automatization project at a regional airport. Our goal was to develop robust ground crew task scheduling and shift generation algorithms that would improve on existing heuristic rules. We have utilized simulation modeling to develop and validate the algorithms, starting with a model of the existing scheduling process coded and visualized in spreadsheet software and ending with a hybrid Discrete Event and Agent Based model used for the visualization and verification of the optimized processes. Explicit and tacit expert knowledge was recorded through meetings with airport personnel managers and observation of the ground crew processes. Gathered knowledge was combined with business rules, contractual limitations and labor legislation to develop the final version of the algorithms

Optimization of a Call Centre Performance Using the Stochastic Queueing Models

Background: A call centre usually represents the first contact of a customer with a given company. Therefore, the quality of its service is of key importance. An essential factor of the call centre optimization is the determination of the proper number of operators considering the selected performance measure. Results of previous research show that this can be done using the queueing theory approach. Objectives: The paper presents the practical application of the stochastic queueing models aimed at optimizing a Slovenian telecommunication provider’s call centre. Methods/Approach: The arrival and the service patterns were analysed, and it was concluded that the call centre under consideration can be described using the M/M/r {infinity/infinity/FIFO} queueing model. Results: An appropriate number of operators were determined for different peak periods of the working day, taking into consideration the following four performance measures: the expected waiting time, the expected number of waiting customers, the probability that a calling customer will have to wait, and the call centre service level. Conclusions: The obtained results prove the usefulness and applicability of the queueing models as a tool for a call centre performance optimization. In practice, all the data needed for such a mathematical analysis are usually provided. This paper is aimed at illustrating how such data can be efficiently exploited

Attitudes Toward Microchip Implant in Groups Pro and Con its Insertion for Healthcare Purposes

The perception of new technologies and medical interventions in the human body changes over time. Attitudes towards new technologies, health issues and approaches differ according to the gender, age, education, place of residence and background of the individual. Our research on the adoption of microchip implants for healthcare purposes has identified two main groups of people: those who would be willing to use microchip implants for healthcare purposes and those who reject this option without considering its use. This study examines the differences in the general opinion on microchip implants between respondents for and against their use for healthcare purposes. An online survey was conducted in four European countries. More than half of the respondents were inclined to use a microchip implant for healthcare purposes. Statistically significant differences in general attitudes towards microchip implants exist between the groups of respondents who are for and against the use of a microchip implant for healthcare purposes. The most significant difference is in perceived usefulness, which shows that respondents who are inclined to use microchip implants for healthcare purposes consider the technology more useful than those who are against it. All respondents disregarding their willingness to use microchip implants showed privacy concerns

Speech Standards: Lessons Learnt

During the past decades, the landscape of speech and DTMF applications has changed from being based on proprietary platforms to being completely based on speech standards. The W3C Voice Browser Working Group played a primary goal in this change. This chapter describes that change, highlights the standards created by the W3C VBWG, and discusses the benefits that these standards have provided in many other application fields, including multi-modal interfaces

Behaviour Intentions to Use RFID Subcutaneous Microchips: A Cross-sectional Slovenian Perspective

This paper presents the second iteration results of a study investigating the possibility of radio frequency identification device subcutaneous microchip (RFID-SM) usage as a substitute for personal identification, healthcare issues, shopping or payments, and home usage. Our aim was to investigate the readiness to use SM-RFID in everyday life. In the study, we used an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to verify the main concerns regarding the use of RFID-SM among Slovenian people. The survey responses were gathered from October until December 2016. After evaluating the model, it can be concluded that the fit of the model is good and the significant path of dependence are similar as in the first study from 2014. Similar to previous results, the Health Concerns have a negative effect on the Perceived Trust and Perceived Usefulness of SM-RFID adoption. On the other hand, the Perceived Trust and Perceived Usefulness have a positive effect on the Behaviour Intention to use SM-RFID