Risks in major innovation projects, a multiple case study within a world's leading company in the fast moving consumer goods

This paper investigates which risks characterise radical innovation projects. In-dept case studies were carried out via interviews and a questionnaire. The risk concept applied in this study includes three dimensions: certainty, controllability and impact. Three structural or unambiguous risks were found: new product performance according to specification, reliability of suppliers and new product adoption by consumers. The incidental or ambiguous risks that were found relate to: internal organisation and project management. These results can provide guidance for project teams and innovation managers regarding issues they must seek to tick off early and issues that continuously require team and management attention

Impact of Urban Growth on Green Space in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State (1975 – 2015)

A green area in a city is an open space that is deliberately left untouched permanently. The trees, grasses and shrubs in a green area have special attributes associated with a planned city that nurture healthy living condition for the inhabitants of the city on a sustainable basis. The paper assessed the impact of urban growth on the green areas of Maiduguri city. Data was generated from the city plan and satellite images of 1975, 1986, 1999 and 2015 to determine the changing pattern of land use in the green areas. The study was conducted within an area of a 10 km radius that effectively housed the green areas of Maiduguri in 1975. The total area under study was 31,428 hectares comprising 3245 ha of green areas and 28,183 of other land use. In 1986 the green areas have reduced to 1889 hectares with a corresponding increase in other land use to 29,539 ha. The green area in 1999 has further reduced to 1114 ha with an increase of other land uses to 30,314 ha. The result indicated that the green area of 3,245 hectares in 1975 has virtually disappeared by 2015. At the same time, satellite images of the city suggest a progressive increase in other land uses (residential, institutional,commercial/industrial and transportation). The results indicated a tremendous decline in the green areas of the city. This can be attributed to a lack of adherence to planning rules and regulation and the growing need for housing and other infrastructural facilities in the city. The paper recommends the need for land-use land cover monitoring to restore the green areas in the city, pragmatic physical planning intervention by the government, an all-inclusive approach to green area management involving NGOs, individuals, traditional rulers and advocacy to regain the cities green areas among others. Keywords: Green Space, land use, Urban Growt

An Investigation into the Frequency and Patterns of Science Reporting in Three Leading Online Nigerian Newspapers from 2016-2022

This study conducts a comprehensive seven-year analysis of science reporting in three prominent Nigerian online newspapers: Vanguard, Daily Sun, and Punch, spanning from 2016 to 2022. Research conducted before has shown that science journalists in Africa face difficulties. These challenges include editors who do not provide enough support and focus too much on politics, low salaries, and not having enough resources to do their work effectively. They also face criticism from scientists for perceived shortcomings in education, interview preparation, reporting accuracy, and ethical concerns regarding payment for information. In view of this, the problem of this study is the need to understand and analyze the frequency and patterns of science reporting in Nigerian newspapers, specifically in Vanguard, Daily Sun, and The Punch, from 2016 to 2022. Utilizing descriptive research methods, the research scrutinizes the frequency of science reports and their percentage relative to general reports in each newspaper. The findings reveal variations among the newspapers, with Vanguard consistently featuring the highest number of science reports. Noteworthy fluctuations are observed from year to year, indicating potential shifts in editorial priorities or public interest in science-related topics. The study underscores the importance of enhancing science reporting efforts in online newspapers to foster scientific literacy and awareness among readers. It emphasizes the necessity of adapting reporting trends to align with evolving public interests and scientific advancements

Plan estratégico del distrito de Amarilis

El Plan Estratégico del distrito de Amarilis ha sido desarrollado teniendo en cuenta los sectores económicos predominantes que existen actualmente tales como: el sector comercio, el sector turismo y el agropecuario. Amarilis hoy en día presenta una posición competitiva frente a los distritos vecinos de la provincia de Huánuco, tales como Huánuco y Pillco Marca, pues concentra un sector importante del comercio, tiene una población joven ubicada principalmente en áreas urbanas y cuenta con atractivos turísticos con proyección a futuro. Sin embargo, Amarilis cuenta también con capacidades aún por desarrollar que restan competitividad actualmente. El bajo nivel de educación superior de la población, que limita el potencial de la fuerza laboral del distrito; la inseguridad ciudadana, que atenta contra las condiciones de vida de sus pobladores y restan atractivo frente a inversionistas; las brechas en infraestructura, especialmente en el servicio de agua potable, desagüe y electrificación; la falta de cohesión de los comerciantes y el nivel de informalidad; son temas aún pendientes que deben ser tomados en cuenta por la municipalidad del distrito. La visión, misión, objetivos y estrategias definidas en el Plan Estratégico buscan capitalizar las fortalezas y potencialidades del distrito así como disminuir el impacto de las actuales áreas de oportunidad a través de una planificación urbana, el uso sostenible de sus recursos, la mejora y optimización de los procesos internos, un enfoque de mayor transparencia hacia los pobladores y públicos de interés, una eficaz gestión de seguridad ciudadana e iniciativas orientadas a la educación, salud, cultura, deporte y recreación; creando de este modo un entorno orientado a mejorar el bienestar social y la calidad de sus ciudadanosThe Strategic Plan of the Amarilis district has been developed taking into account the predominant economic sectors that currently exist such as: the commerce sector, the tourism sector and the agricultural sector. Amarilis today has a competitive position against the neighboring districts of Huanuco province, such as Huánuco and Pillco Marca, since it has an important sector of commerce, it has a young population located mainly in urban areas and it has tourist attractions with projection to the future. However, Amarilis also has capabilities still to be developed that are currently undermining competitiveness. The low level of higher education of the population, which limits the potential of the district's workforce; citizen insecurity, which threatens the living conditions of its inhabitants and reduces attractiveness to investors; the gaps in infrastructure, especially in the drinking water, drainage and electrification services; the lack of cohesion of the merchants and the level of informality; they are still pending issues that should be taken into account by the municipality of the district. The vision, mission, objectives and strategies defined in the Strategic Plan seek to capitalize on the strengths and potentialities of the district as well as to reduce the impact of current opportunity areas through urban planning, the sustainable use of its resources, improvement and optimization. of the internal processes, an approach of greater transparency towards the residents and public of interest, an effective management of citizen security and initiatives oriented to education, health, culture, sports and recreation; creating in this way an environment oriented to improve the social welfare and the quality of its citizensTesi

Percutaneous Preoperative Biliary Drainage for Resectable Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: No Association with Survival and No Increase in Seeding Metastases

Background: Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are both used to resolve jaundice before surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). PTBD has been associated with seeding metastases. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and the incidence of initial seeding metastases that potentially influence survival in patients with preoperative PTBD versus EBD. Methods: Between 1991 and 2012, a total of 278 patients underwent preoperative biliary drainage and resection of PHC at 2 institutions in the Netherlands and the United States. Of these, 33 patients were excluded for postoperative mortality. Among the 245 included patients, 88 patients who underwent preoperative PTBD (with or without previous EBD) were compared to 157 patients who underwent EBD only. Survival analysis was done with Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression with propensity score adjustment. Results: Unadjusted median OS was comparable between the PTBD group (35 months) and EBD-only group (41 months; P = 0.26). After adjustment for propensity score, OS between the PTBD group and EBD-only group was similar (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95 % confidence interval, 0.74–1.49; P = 0.80). Seeding metastases in the laparotomy scar occurred as initial recurrence in 7 patients, including 3 patients (3.4 %) in the PTBD group and 4 patients (2.7 %) in the EBD-only group (P = 0.71). No patient had an initial recurrence in percutaneous catheter tracts. Conclusions: The present study found no effect of PTBD on survival compared to patients with EBD and no increase in seeding metastases that developed as initial recurrence. These data suggest that PTBD can safely be used in preoperative management of PHC

Preoperative endoscopic versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in potentially resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (DRAINAGE trial): Design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial

Background: Liver surgery in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is associated with high postoperative morbidity because the tumor typically causes biliary obstruction. Preoperative biliary drainage is used to create a safer environment prior to liver surgery, but biliary drainage may be harmful when severe drainage-related complications deteriorate the patients' condition or increase the risk of postoperative morbidity. Biliary drainage can cause cholangitis/cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, portal vein thrombosis, bowel wall perforation, or dehydration. Two methods of preoperative biliary drainage are mostly applied: endoscopic biliary drainage, which is currently used in most regional centers before referring patients for surgical treatment, and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Both methods are associated with severe drainage-related complications, but two small retrospective series found a lower incidence in the number of preoperative complications after percutaneous drainage compared to endoscopic drainage (18-25% versus 38-60%, respectively). The present study randomizes patients with potentially resectable PHC and biliary obstruction between preoperative endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Methods/Design: The study is a multi-center trial with an "all-comers" design, randomizing patients between endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. All patients selected to potentially undergo a major liver resection for presumed PHC are eligible for inclusion in the study provided that the biliary system in the future liver remnant is obstructed (even if they underwent previous inadequate endoscopic drainage). Primary outcome measure is the total number of severe preoperative complications between randomization and exploratory laparotomy. The study is designed to detect superiority of percutaneous drainage: a provisional sample size of 106 patients is required to detect a relative decrease of 50% in the number of severe preoperative complications (alpha = 0.95; beta = 0.8). Interim analysis after inclusion of 53 patients (50%) will provide the definitive sample size. Secondary outcome measures encompass the success of biliary drainage, quality of life, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Discussion: The DRAINAGE trial is designed to identify a difference in the number of severe drainage-related complications after endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients selected to undergo a major liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register [, 11 October 2013]

Aan tijd gebonden : over motivatie en arbeidsvreugde van predikanten

Het predikantsberoep is de laatste decennia sterk veranderd. Was het vanouds een professie met een duidelijk gezicht, zowel binnen de kerk als daarbuiten, thans verkeren predikanten in onzekerheid over de wijze waarop zij vorm en inhoud moeten en kunnen geven aan hun functie. In plaats van te kunnen terugvallen op een duidelijke rol en taak in kerk en samenleving, worden zij teruggeworpen op zichzelf. Zij moeten zelf keuzes maken. Het komt steeds meer aan op het draagvlak dat de predikant in zichzelf vindt. De beschikbare gegevens suggereren dat predikanten, ondanks de bezinning die met name in praktisch-theologische kring voortdurend plaatsvindt op de mogelijkheden van een eigentijds predikantschap,in toenemende mate in problemen verkeren.