A Novel Language Paradigm for Intraoperative Language Mapping: Feasibility and Evaluation

(1) Background—Mapping language using direct cortical stimulation (DCS) during an awake craniotomy is difficult without using more than one language paradigm that particularly follows the demand of DCS by not exceeding the assessment time of 4 s to prevent intraoperative complications. We designed an intraoperative language paradigm by combining classical picture naming and verb generation, which safely engaged highly relevant language functions. (2) Methods—An evaluation study investigated whether a single trial of the language task could be performed in less than 4 s in 30 healthy subjects and whether the suggested language paradigm sufficiently pictured the cortical language network using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 12 healthy subjects. In a feasibility study, 24 brain tumor patients conducted the language task during an awake craniotomy. The patients’ neuropsychological outcomes were monitored before and after surgery. (3) Results—The fMRI results in healthy subjects showed activations in a language-associated network around the (left) sylvian fissure. Single language trials could be performed within 4 s. Intraoperatively, all tumor patients showed DCS-induced language errors while conducting the novel language task. Postoperatively, mild neuropsychological impairments appeared compared to the presurgical assessment. (4) Conclusions—These data support the use of a novel language paradigm that safely monitors highly relevant language functions intraoperatively, which can consequently minimize negative postoperative neuropsychological outcomes

Analysis of the product mix on the example of Taarapõllu talu

Käesoleva bakalaureusetöö eesmärgiks on analüüsida Taarapõllu talu tootekompleksi sihipärases juhtimises peituvaid kasumi teenimise võimalusi. Kuna Taarapõllu talu tootekompleks on pidevalt suurenenud, otsustas töö autor analüüsida ettevõtte kõiki tootesarju nende kasumisse panustamise aspektist. Ettevõtte tootekompleksi kuulub kuus tootesarja. Bakalaureusetöö empiirilises osas kasutatakse uurimismeetoditena kvantitatiivset (jääktulu analüüs ja ankeetküsitlus) ja kvalitatiivset (süvaintervjuu) analüüsimeetodit. Jääktulu analüüsi koostamiseks vajalikud andmed pärinevad ettevõttelt. Tootekompleksi teooria üheks olulisemaks aspektiks on tootesortimendi mõõtmine nelja dimensiooni (laiuse, pikkuse, sügavuse, terviklikkuse) kaudu. Taarapõllu talu tootekompleks on piisavalt lai, pikk, sügav ja ka terviklik. 2014. aasta seisuga on ettevõtte tootekompleksis 6 tootesarja, milles on kokku 132 toodet. Jääktulu analüüsist selgus, et kõik ettevõtte tootesarjad on kasumlikud ehk suudavad neist saadava tuluga ära katta tootesarjadele tehtud kulutused. Jääktulu analüüsist järeldus ka see, et kõige kasumlikumad tootesarjad on marjapulbrid, marjakrõpsud ja täismahlad, mis annavad ettevõtte müügikäibest valdava osa (90,14 %). Ülejäänud kolm tootesarja (siirupid, moosid ja püreed, mahlajoogid) on vähemkasumlikumad ning moodustavad ettevõtte kogu müügikäibest vaid 9,86 %. Töö lõpus tegi bakalaureusetöö autor ettevõttele ettepanekuid tootekompleksi paremustamise võimalusteks.The aim of the present Bachelor’s thesis is to analyse the opportunities for earning profit which lie in the purposeful management of the product mix of Taarapõllu talu. As the product mix of Taarapõllu talu is increasing steadily, the author formulated a research question which is the following: are all the product lines of the product mix profitable? There are six product lines in the product mix of Taarapõllu talu. The analysis of the present thesis is based on quantitative (contribution margin analysis and questionnaire) and qualitative (in-depth interview) research methods. There are mostly used company’s data in order to perform the contribution margin analysis. As it became apparent from theory, one of the most important aspect is measuring four dimensions (breadth, length, depth, consistency) of product mix. The product mix of Taarapõllu talu is sufficiently broad, long, deep and in accordance. There are 132 products together with six product lines of the product mix of Taarapõllu talu. During the course of the contribution margin analysis it became evident that all the product lines are profitable, but the most profitable ones are berry crisps, berry powders and organic juices which provide the vast majority (90,14 %) of company’s total profit. The rest of the product lines (organic syrups, jams and confitures, juice drinks) of the product mix are less profitable which provide only 9,86 % of company’s total profit. Lastly the author made several recommendations for the company on the purpose to enhance the product mix of Taarapõllu talu