1,620 research outputs found
Design and implementation of interface units for high speed fiber optics local area networks and broadband integrated services digital networks
The design and implementation of interface units for high speed Fiber Optic Local Area Networks and Broadband Integrated Services Digital Networks are discussed. During the last years, a number of network adapters that are designed to support high speed communications have emerged. This approach to the design of a high speed network interface unit was to implement package processing functions in hardware, using VLSI technology. The VLSI hardware implementation of a buffer management unit, which is required in such architectures, is described
Teams: Vehicle of Choice for Transporting the Organizational Future
Teamwork is much more than lip service paid to the concept. This article was writ- ten for the executive, the educator and the student to broaden awareness of the vast potential of teams and teamwork
Characterizing Poor Performance in For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Food Service Operations
In this article the authors explore the performance-related employee behaviors that are the most troublesome in food service. Four subsegments of food service were surveyed and differences in profit and not-for-profit operations analyzed. Significant differences were found between the two groups, with for-profit operations indicating more severe problems in all but one behavior category
Gauging Employee Theft and Other Unacceptable Behaviors in Food Service Operations
Unacceptable employee behavior ultimately results in higher prices for consumers. Members of the Indiana Hospitality and Restaurant Association were surveyed about the practices being used to safeguard their assets and control employee deviance in food service. They were also asked to estimate the losses that result from employee theft. This information was used to investigate whether certain policies and procedures were more effective than others in limiting their losses
A Conceptual Framework for Financing SME Growth in Ghana
Notwithstanding all factual and empirical evidences attesting that SMEs are the engine of growth of every economy around the world, Ghana is yet to experience the heaviest wave of growth propelled by these SMEs. The aim of this paper is to integrate the theories of financial resource-based view theory under the resource-based view theory and social capital theory to propose a conceptual framework for determining growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).The formulation of the framework is based on a review of literature on various financing sources both internal and external that support growth of SMEs. The design of this paper is cantered on the problem of inadequate ïŹnance faced by SMEs, which ultimately affects their promising growth opportunities This paper contributes to the literature by addressing the existent ïŹnancing gap that affects SME growth and makes an effort to diagnose the problem in the light of both internal and external sources of financing. The proposed framework will assist not only the entrepreneurs in finding an alternative and reliable sources of financing to embark on growth objective but also policy-makers and other stakeholders in improving lending infrastructure and related technologies on SMEs financing. Keywords: conceptual framework; financing; Ghana; growth; SM
Regional distribution of acoustic-based lung vibration as a function of mechanical ventilation mode
In search of the optimal management strategy for Arabian oryx
Extirpated from the wild in 1972 by overhunting, Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) were re-introduced in
Saudi Arabia in March 1990; 17 oryx were released into Mahazat as-Sayd, a 2244 km2 fenced reserve in westcentral
Arabia, which lies at the periphery of their historical home range. The population has increased to 346
animals. The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, and those that manage the herd,
have recently asked, âWhat is the optimal management strategy to assure long-term persistence of the species, given
the absence of immigration and predation?â Food resources, determinants of rates of mortality and birth, covary with
unpredictable rainfall in Mahazat as-Sayd. Using data-driven assumptions, we developed a computer model that
evaluated the probability of extinction (Pex) under various management strategies: no intervention, removing a fixed
number of animals each year, removing a fixed percentage of animals each year, and removing all individuals above
a threshold. In addition, we explored the probability that oryx populations would decline below two thresholds,
called the probability of quasi-extinction (Pq-ex) under various management schemes. Our analyses suggested that,
without intervention, the oryx population had a high Pex. Removing 15% of the current population provided a low
Pex, but this method also produced high values for Pq-ex and, as a by-product, wide fluctuations in population size
(N). Although it required an assessment of both N and carrying capacity (K), the most successful management plan
consisted of removing all oryx above 70% of K. Adoption of this plan resulted in low Pex, low Pq-ex, and smaller
fluctuations in N. Our study may provide a useful model for evaluating management plans for a variety of threatened
animal populations in desert ecosystems.Funding for this project was received from the National Wildlife Research Center, Taif, Saudi Arabia, and from the Columbus Zoo, Columbus, OH
Whole genome sequencing for drug resistance determination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
South Africa remains challenged with a high tuberculosis burden accompanied by an increase in drug resistant cases. We assessed the use of the Illumina MiSeq, a next-generation sequencing platform for whole genome sequencing, followed by bioinformatic analysis using a commercial software package to determine resistance to selected drugs used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis treatment in our setting. Whole genome sequencing shows potential as a diagnostic platform for the detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the provision of information for several drugs simultaneously
Exploring patientsâ viewpoints on uncomplicated malaria and its management in primary healthcare facilities of Plateau State, Nigeria: a qualitative study
Malaria infection is a major public health problem in Nigeria. The present study explored patientsâ thoughts and feelings on uncomplicated malaria and its management practices in some primary healthcare (PHC) facilities of Plateau state, Nigeria. An in-depth interview was conducted on patients receiving treatment in some of the facilities in the state, who were recruited through purposive sampling method up to saturation point. All the information was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim before analysis using the principles of thematic content analysis of inductive method. Generally, their views on malaria-related issues were categorised into four main themes based on their relevancies as: patientsâ perceptions on malaria infection and anti-malarial drugs, the role of healthcare workers and family during treatment, medications taken and socio-economic-related factors, as well as their general views on healthcare facilities-related factors. The study showed patientsâ perceptions of the aforementioned factors as influencing their treatment and management practices of the disease in the study area. Necessary interventions that would improve patientsâ quality of management of the disease toward achieving the desired outcome of therapy are recommended
Preservation of endopelvic fascia, puboprostatic ligaments, dorsal venous complex and hydrodissection of the neurovascular bundles during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a video demonstration and propensity score matched outcomes
Introduction: We sought to report the oncologic and functional outcomes of endopelvic fascia (EPF), puboprostatic ligaments (PPL), and dorsal venous complex (DVC) preservation with hydrodissection of the neurovascular bundles (NVB) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained prostate cancer database was performed. Patients who underwent bilateral or unilateral nerve sparing were identified. Propensity score matching was performed in a ratio of 1:1.6 between new technique (Group 1) and a historical group (Group 2). Data were reviewed for perioperative, oncologic, and functional outcomes. Cumulative incidence curves were used to depict perfect continence (0 pads), social continence (0-1 pads), and potency (SHIMâ„17 with or without erectile aids). Multivariate models were used to elicit variables associated with continence and potency.
Results: 76 patients in Group 1 and 126 patients in Group 2 were included. Median follow up was 17 months. Group 1 showed higher perfect continence rates at 1 month (9% vs 3%), 3 months (24% vs 19%), and 6 months (54% vs 34%) compared to Group 2 respectively (log rank p\u3c0.01). Group 1 also showed higher social continence rates at 1 month (15% vs 3%), 3 months (77% vs 32%), and 6 months (87% vs 53%) compared to Group 2 respectively (log rank p\u3c0.01). Group 1 had a similar potency rate compared to Group 2 (log rank p=0.25). Multivariate analysis showed that Group 1 was associated with improved perfect (Possibility ratio (PR) 1.82, 95% CI 1.29â2.58, p\u3c0.01) and social continence (PR 2.54, 95% CI 1.83 â 3.52, p\u3c0.01), but not potency.
Conclusions: EPF, PPL, and DVC preservation with hydrodissection of the NVB offered similar oncological outcomes, but earlier and improved urinary continence rates compared to standard dissection
- âŠ