Synchronous communication in PLM environments using annotated CAD models

The connection of resources, data, and knowledge through communication technology plays a vital role in current collaborative design methodologies and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, as these elements act as channels for information and meaning. Despite significant advances in the area of PLM, most communication tools are used as separate services that are disconnected from existing development environments. Consequently, during a communication session, the specific elements being discussed are usually not linked to the context of the discussion, which may result in important information getting lost or becoming difficult to access. In this paper, we present a method to add synchronous communication functionality to a PLM system based on annotated information embedded in the CAD model. This approach provides users a communication channel that is built directly into the CAD interface and is valuable when individuals need to be contacted regarding the annotated aspects of a CAD model. We present the architecture of a new system and its integration with existing PLM systems, and describe the implementation details of an annotation-based video conferencing module for a commercial CAD application.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the FEDER Funds, through the ANNOTA project (Ref. TIN2013-46036-C3-1-R).Camba, JD.; Contero, M.; Salvador Herranz, GM.; Plumed, R. (2016). Synchronous communication in PLM environments using annotated CAD models. Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering. 25(2):142-158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11518-016-5305-5S142158252Abrahamson, S., Wallace, D., Senin, N. & Sferro, P. (2000). Integrated design in a service marketplace. Computer-Aided Design, 32(2):97–107.Ahmed, S. (2005). 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Slovenia and the European Union: Macroeconomic Development Scenarios.

Consistent projections are presented for Slovenia's economic development in the form of two scenarios: one assuming accession to the European Union in 2005, and another assuming that no accession takes place before 2010. If accession does not take place, the growth of GDP will fluctuate between 3 and 4 percent, while in the accession scenario it achieves 5-6% in the years before and after accession. In both scenarios some reorientation of trade to former Yugoslav regions is expected, but in case of accession the high share of trade with the EU is maintained. Budgetary policy and agreement with social parters are expected to take care of moderate wage developments, which are even more crucial in case of accession due to the increased competitive pressures. The forecasts assume not only that external conditions will be favorable, or at least not adverse, but that internal structural reforms and economic policy making will fulfill all the ambitious targets that the official national and international documents prescribe.

Sport and Exercise in Genotype positive (+) Phenotype negative (-) Individuals. Current Dilemmas and Future Perspectives.

Genotype positive - phenotype negative (GEN + PHEN-) individuals harbor a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant without exhibiting a phenotypic manifestation of the disease. In the last few years, the widespread use of genetic testing in probands and relatives has increasingly led to the identification of these individuals, with emerging dilemmas regarding their clinical management. A genetic variant may exhibit a variable expressivity even in the same family and spontaneous conversion to overt phenotype is largely unpredictable. Little is known about the possible influence of environmental factors, such intense or moderate exercise with open questions regarding their possible role in promoting or worsening the phenotypic expression. Current guidelines for sports participation in this setting acknowledge the weak burden of evidence and the many uncertainties. The recommendations to engage in intensive exercise and competitive sports is usually contingent on annual clinical surveillance, except for pathogenic variants in specific genes, such as LMNA or PKP2. In certain conditions, such as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, guidelines do not differentiate between GEN + PHEN- individuals and patients with overt disease and recommend avoiding participation in high-intensity recreational exercise and competitive sports. It should be emphasized that international guidelines, traditionally restrictive in terms of sports participation and focused on disqualification, embraced recently a more liberal attitude promoting a shared decision-making approach in absence of clinical markers of increased risk. In this review, we will discuss the current state of knowledge on GEN + PHEN- individuals and the dilemmas surrounding the impact of exercise and prognosis, focusing on cardiomyopathies and channelopathies, which are the predominant causes of sudden cardiac death in the young and in young athletes

Slovenia and the European Union: Macroeconomic Development Scenarios

Consistent projections are presented for Slovenia's economic development in the form of two scenarios: one assuming accession to the European Union in 2005, and another assuming that no accession takes place before 2010. If accession does not take place, the growth of GDP will fluctuate between 3 and 4 percent, while in the accession scenario it achieves 5-6% in the years before and after accession. In both scenarios some reorientation of trade to former Yugoslav regions is expected, but in case of accession the high share of trade with the EU is maintained. Budgetary policy and agreement with social partners are expected to take care of moderate wage developments, which are even more crucial in case of accession due to the increased competitive pressures. The forecasts assume not only that external conditions will be favorable, or at least not adverse, but that internal structural reforms and economic policy making will fulfill all the ambitious targets that the official national and ..

Using the physical properties of artefacts to manage through‐life knowledge flows in the built environment: an initial exploration

Effective through‐life management of built facilities requires effective through‐life knowledge management to support it. The KIM (Immortal Information and Through‐Life Knowledge Management) project attempted to develop such an approach, based on a dichotomy of knowledge and information. Knowledge is conceived in terms of communities of practice. An initial philosophical analysis demonstrates deficiencies in this conception. Drawing inspiration from production theory, a tripartite analysis is offered, suggesting that knowledge flows consist of: social practices, information and physical properties. Literature on physical properties from design studies, production management and ethnomethodology is briefly reviewed to demonstrate the information bearing functions of physical properties. Fieldwork conforming to the unique adequacy requirement of methods was carried out on construction sites, in hotel and hospital facilities during the use stage of their life cycles. Safety barriers on construction sites were found to have informational properties beyond their function as a physical barrier. The quality of information delivered by wayfinding signs was found to depend upon both the physical placement of the signs in relation to the surrounding environment and the physical layout of the sign itself. It was found that social practices are institutionalized to repair the knowledge flow when the physically instantiated wayfinding system breaks down. Finally, through the investigation of practices surrounding emergency resuscitation equipment, it was found that if the physical properties of information are not designed to mesh with the work practices of the setting, this will lead to a breakdown in the knowledge flow. It is suggested that elements of knowledge management, ethnomethodology, production management and design studies might be integrated to form the basis of a hybrid discipline

Schizophrenia causes significant burden to patients' and caregivers' lives

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a serious public health problem and is ranked among the most disabling diseases in the world. The sub-study presented here was part of a larger project to characterize the burden of schizophrenia on healthcare systems and on individuals living with the disease in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). AIMS: This sub-study aimed to assess and analyze the impact of schizophrenia on many aspects of the lives of patients and caregivers. METHODS: Psychiatrists from selected centers in seven Central and Eastern European countries were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to collect information about the disease history, characteristics, treatment protocols and resources used for each randomly selected patient. All data were statistically analyzed and compared between countries. RESULTS: Data from 961 patients with schizophrenia (mean age 40.7 years, 45.1% female) were included in the analysis. The mean number of days spent in hospital per patient per year across all seven countries was 25.3 days. Hospitalization occurred on average once per year, with psychiatrist visits 9.4 times per year. Of the patients in the study, 61% were single, 12% divorced and 22% married or cohabiting. Almost 84% were living with relatives or a partner; only 17% lived alone and, on average, 25% of patients received support from social workers. Relatives provided care for approximately 60% of patients and 4% of them had to stop working in order to do so. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were unemployed, and 56% received a disability pension or were retired, with only 19% in full-time employment or education. CONCLUSION: Schizophrenia has a significant effect on the lives of patients and caregivers and impacts their social integration