ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS AS COORDINATING TOOL IN LARGE SCALE DISTRIBUTED DEVELOPMENT

In this paper, we explore the role of Enterprise systems in coordinating knowledge-intensive work. Drawing on an in-depth case study conducted in a global high-tech, knowledge-intensive project organization, this paper offers insights into different coordinative capabilities of enterprise systems and the relationship with the project context. By employing the concepts of boundary object and boundary spanning this paper suggests that the enterprise systems and related IT components can only partially support information sharing between organizational groups. The organizational actors in different roles drew on enterprise systems components and IT tools as boundary objects to a varying degree. These boundary objects were more significant to some actors than others. The paper argues that different kinds of boundary objects and communication were needed depending on the project context. The findings also suggest that staffing for high value strategic projects could be effectively handled through the informal organization whereas routine staffing could be handled with the help of the enterprise systems

Emerging Role of Enterprise System in Radical Organizational Change

In this paper we analyze the role of Enterprise Systems (ES) in shaping a company’s transformation process by conducting an in-depth case study in a large European high-tech company. Although there are previous studies concerning organizational transformation and ES implementation process, the role of ES as an instrument for de-institutionalization is not well understood. By drawing on the framework of neo-institutional theory we seek to understand how ES facilitates discarding of the old ways of doing things and the simultaneous forming of the new institutional arrangements. This paper seeks to provide valuable insights into the de-institutionalization process and the role of ES in a company’s re-organization. The findings show how ES in use serves as an agent and a platform for de-institutionalization and later as a powerful force in forming the new institutional arrangement

Morfologisen perheen vaikutus sanan tunnistamiseen normaalissa ikääntymisessä, lievässä kognitiivisessa häiriössä, sekä Alzheimerin taudissa

Reading a word activates morphologically related words in the mental lexicon. People with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) often have difficulty retrieving words, though the source of this problem is not well understood. To better understand the word recognition process in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders such as MCI and AD, we investigated the nature of the activation of morphologically related family members in 22 Finnish speakers with AD, 24 with MCI, and 17 cognitively healthy elderly. We presented Finnish monomorphemic (base form) nouns in a single-word lexical decision experiment to measure the speed of word recognition and its relation to morphological and lexical variables. Morphological variables included morphological family size (separate for compounds and derived words) and pseudo-morphological family size (including the set of words that have a partially overlapping form but that do not share an actual morpheme, e.g., pet and carpet, or corn and corner). Pseudo-morphological family size was included to examine the influence of words with orthographic (or phonological) overlap that are not semantically related to the target words. Our analyses revealed that younger and elderly controls and individuals with MCI or AD were influenced by true morphological overlap (overlapping forms that also share meaning), as well as by the word's pseudo morphological family. However, elderly controls and individuals with MCI or AD seemed to rely more on form overlap than young adults. This demonstrates that an increased reliance on form-based aspects of language processing in Alzheimer's disease is not necessarily due to a partial loss of access to semantics, but might be explained in part by a common age-related change of processes in written word recognition. (C) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Third follow-up of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) cohort investigating determinants of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing among the oldest old : the CAIDE85+study protocol

Background: The oldest old is the fastest growing age group worldwide and the most prone to severe disability, especially in relation to loss of cognitive function. Improving our understanding of the predictors of cognitive, physical and psychosocial wellbeing among the oldest old can result in substantial benefits for the individuals and for the society as a whole. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study investigated risk factors and determinants of cognitive impairment in a population-based longitudinal cohort, which was first examined between 1972 and 1992, when individuals were in their midlife, and re-assessed in 1998 and 2005-2009. Most of the study participants are currently aged 85 years or older. We aim to re-examine the cohort's survivors and gain further insights on the mechanisms underlying both cognitive and overall healthy ageing at old age. Methods: CAIDE85+ is the third follow-up of the CAIDE study participants. All individuals still alive and living in the Kuopio and Joensuu areas of Eastern Finland, from the original CAIDE cohort (two random samples,N = 2000 + similar to 900), will be invited to a re-examination. The assessment includes self-reported data related to basic demographics and lifestyle, as well as psychosocial and physical health status. Cognitive and physical evaluations are also conducted. Blood biomarkers relevant for dementia and ageing are assessed. Primary outcomes are the measurements related to cognition and daily life functioning (CERAD, Trail Making Test-A, Letter-Digit Substitution Test, Clinical Dementia Rating and Activities of Daily Living). Secondary endpoints of the study are outcomes related to physical health status, psychosocial wellbeing, as well as age-related health indicators. Discussion: Through a follow-up of more than 40 years, CAIDE85+ will provide invaluable information on the risk and protective factors that contribute to cognitive and physical health, as well as ageing and longevity. Study registration: The present study protocol has been registered at(registration nr, date 03.05.2019).Peer reviewe

Third follow-up of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) cohort investigating determinants of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing among the oldest old : the CAIDE85+study protocol

Background: The oldest old is the fastest growing age group worldwide and the most prone to severe disability, especially in relation to loss of cognitive function. Improving our understanding of the predictors of cognitive, physical and psychosocial wellbeing among the oldest old can result in substantial benefits for the individuals and for the society as a whole. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study investigated risk factors and determinants of cognitive impairment in a population-based longitudinal cohort, which was first examined between 1972 and 1992, when individuals were in their midlife, and re-assessed in 1998 and 2005-2009. Most of the study participants are currently aged 85 years or older. We aim to re-examine the cohort's survivors and gain further insights on the mechanisms underlying both cognitive and overall healthy ageing at old age. Methods: CAIDE85+ is the third follow-up of the CAIDE study participants. All individuals still alive and living in the Kuopio and Joensuu areas of Eastern Finland, from the original CAIDE cohort (two random samples,N = 2000 + similar to 900), will be invited to a re-examination. The assessment includes self-reported data related to basic demographics and lifestyle, as well as psychosocial and physical health status. Cognitive and physical evaluations are also conducted. Blood biomarkers relevant for dementia and ageing are assessed. Primary outcomes are the measurements related to cognition and daily life functioning (CERAD, Trail Making Test-A, Letter-Digit Substitution Test, Clinical Dementia Rating and Activities of Daily Living). Secondary endpoints of the study are outcomes related to physical health status, psychosocial wellbeing, as well as age-related health indicators. Discussion: Through a follow-up of more than 40 years, CAIDE85+ will provide invaluable information on the risk and protective factors that contribute to cognitive and physical health, as well as ageing and longevity. Study registration: The present study protocol has been registered at(registration nr, date 03.05.2019).Peer reviewe

Tolerability of ORM-12741 and effects on episodic memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Introduction ORM-12741 is a novel selective antagonist of alpha-2C adrenoceptors. This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ORM-12741 in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory phase 2a trial was conducted in 100 subjects with AD and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants were randomized to receive one of two flexible doses of ORM-12741 (30–60 mg or 100–200 mg) or placebo b.i.d. for 12 weeks in addition to standard therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors. Efficacy was assessed primarily with the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) computerized assessment system and secondarily with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results A statistically significant treatment effect was seen in one of the four primary CDR system end points, Quality of Episodic Memory (P = .030; not adjusted for multiple comparisons), favoring ORM-12741 over placebo. NPI caregiver distress scores also favored ORM-12741 (P = .034). ORM-12741 was well tolerated. Discussion This is the first clinical trial providing evidence on an acceptable safety profile for ORM-12741 in patients with AD and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In addition, the trial provided hints of potential therapeutic benefit, primarily on episodic memory, in this patient population

Computer-based Eye-tracking Analysis of King-Devick Test Differentiates Persons with Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus from Cognitively Unimpaired

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.Background: Functional defects in eye movements and reduced reading speed in neurodegenerative diseases represent a potential new biomarker to support clinical diagnosis. We investigated whether computer-based eye-tracking (ET) analysis of the King-Devick (KD) test differentiates persons with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) from cognitively unimpaired [control (CO)] and persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We recruited 68 participants (37 CO, 10 iNPH, and 21 AD) who underwent neurological examination, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease neuropsychological test battery (CERAD-NB), and a Clinical Dementia Rating interview. The KD reading test was performed using computer-based ET. We analyzed the total time used for the reading test, number of errors, durations of fixation and saccade, and saccade amplitudes. Results: The iNPH group significantly differed from the CO group in the KD test mean total time (CO 69.3 s, iNPH 87.3 s; P≤0.009) and eye-tracking recording of the mean saccade amplitude (CO 3.6 degree, iNPH 3.2 degree; P≤0.001). The AD group significantly differed from the CO group in each tested parameter. No significant differences were detected between the iNPH and AD groups. Conclusion: For the first time, we demonstrated altered reading ability and saccade amplitudes in patients with iNPH.Peer reviewe

Shortening of Saccades as a Possible Easy-to-Use Biomarker to Detect Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Wide-ranging functional defects in eye movements have been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. The detection of abnormal eye movements and reading problems may identify persons at risk of AD when clear clinical symptoms are lacking. Objective: To examine whether computer-based eye-tracking (ET) analysis of King-Devick (KD) test results differentiates cognitively healthy persons from persons with minor problems in cognitive testing or diagnosed mild AD. Methods: We recruited 78 participants (57 non-demented, 21 with mild AD) who underwent neurological examination, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease neuropsychological test battery (CERAD-NB), and a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) interview. The non-demented participants were further divided into control (normal CERAD subtests, mean MMSE= 28) and objective mild cognitive impairment (MCI; decline in at least one CERAD memory score, mean MMSE= 27) groups. The KD reading test was performed using computer-based ET. The total time used for the reading test, errors made, fixation and saccade durations, and saccade amplitudes were analyzed. Results: We found significant differences between the control, objective MCI, and AD groups in regard to the mean saccade amplitude (3.58, 3.33, and 3.21 ms, respectively, p < 0.03) and duration (27.1, 25.3, and 24.8 ms, respectively, p < 0.05). The KD error scores in the AD group differed significantly (p < 0.01) from the other groups. Conclusion: Computed ET analysis of the KD test may help detect persons with objective MCI early when clear clinical symptoms are lacking. The portable device for ET is easy to use in primary health care memory clinics.Peer reviewe