Business Intelligence Analysis in Small and Medium Enterprises

In order to share knowledge, through discussion and exchange of information, about the technological challenges and management in the digital age, this article discusses in the following sections: First, the mining process - prerequisites and their application to “Small and Medium Enterprises” (SMEs) are discussed. Section two discusses "Using Customer Analytics for Success: The Case of Mexican SMEs." In next Section reviews data management software solutions for business sustainability. Finally, a "marketing analysis" is provided by analysis of SMEs

Managing Returnable Containers Logistics - A Case Study Part I - Physical and Information Flow Analysis

This case study paper is the result of a project conducted on behalf of a company, hereon referred to as Midwest Assembly and Manufacturing or MAAN. The company’s operations include component manufacturing, painting, and assembling products. The company also purchases a relatively large percentage of components and major assemblies that are needed to support final assembly operations. MAAN uses its own returnable containers to transport purchased parts from suppliers. Due to poor tracking of the containers, the company has been experiencing lost containers and occasional production disruptions at its facility well as at the supplier sites. The objective of this project was to develop a proposal to enable MAAN to more effectively track and manage its returnable containers. The research activities in support of this project included the analysis and documentation of both the physical flow and the information flow associated with the containers as well as some of the technologies that can help with automatic identification and tracking of containers. The focal point of this paper is on a macro‐level approach for the analysis of container and information flow within the logistics chain. A companion paper deals with several of the automatic identification technologies that have the potential to improve the management of MAANʹs returnable container

Managing Returnable Containers Logistics - A Case Study Part II - Improving Visibility through Using Automatic Identification Technologies

This case study is the result of a project conducted on behalf of a company that uses its own returnable containers to transport purchased parts from suppliers. The objective of this project was to develop a proposal to enable the company to more effectively track and manage its returnable containers. The research activities in support of this project included (1) the analysis and documentation of the physical flow and the information flow associated with the containers and (2) the investigation of new technologies to improve the automatic identification and tracking of containers. This paper explains the automatic identification technologies and important criteria for selection. A companion paper details the flow of information and containers within the logistics chain, and it identifies areas for improving the management of the containers. 

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Anxiety and Acute Stress in Adolescents Rescued from Earthquake in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

The present study examines the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy on anxiety and acute stress in adolescents rescued from earthquake in city of Hariss, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Twenty of the adolescents rescued from earthquake in East Azerbaijan (city of Hariss) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected for the study. This is a quasi-experimental study using pre-test and post-test design with the control group. The participants were randomly divided into two groups after pre-test. In the experimental group, the cognitive behavior group therapy, they were trained by 8 sessions of two hours and the control group did not receive any intervention. The instrument used in this study was Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess symptoms of anxiety and acute stress in adolescents rescued from earthquake in city of Hariss, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. In order to analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods (ANCOVA) were used. The results show a significant difference between experimental group and the control group after implementing the dependent variable and by a factor of 99% confidence; one can be considerd the cognitive-behavioral group therapy as positive in reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress in the experimental group. Further, the anxiety in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group in pre-test and stress was significantly reduced in the experimental group and the control group in pre-test. There was a significant difference in reducing anxiety and stress of the experimental group. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescents rescued from earthquake in East Azerbaijan (city of Hariss) has been effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The results indicated that the treatment had a significant effect on both gender. Therefore, this method can be used for both genders

The study of the impact of work observation course on increasing the efficiency of training in Applied Science Center of Farsan

This experimental research was conducted in survey method which aimed to investigate the effect of work seeing course on increasing the efficiency of training in Farsan Applied Science Center. The research sample consists of 285 new admitted students at Applied Science Center of Farsan in 2012. Given that this project was implemented for the first time, all new students were selected as statistical population and required information was collected through the researcher-made questionnaire. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed through statistical methods. The results of this study confirmed that the mean impact of work observation course on familiarity with careers was related to the field of study, students' familiarity with actual environment of work and implementing process of work, students' familiarity with activities leading to the production or providing service, students' familiarity with desired career position, promotion of students' motivation to work in job related area and familiarity of students with competences needed to obtain desired job, but the mean of work observation course's impact on students' familiarity with subjects and issues of career and students' familiarity with the benefits and privileges of career and evolution creation is not higher than average

Ageing and ankle pulse pressure

Background: Pulse pressure (PP) is a marker of arterial stiffness. Ageing of the arterial system is accompanied by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries and atherosclerosis of popliteal artery. However, severe impairment of the brachial artery is rare. This study investigates whether there is any significant inter-limb (brachial/ankle) PP difference. Methods: Blood pressure was measured in a group of young and a group of old non-smoking men; all were free from medication and disease with a mean age of 22 &#177; 1.3 and 59 &#177; 2 years respectively. The blood pressure was taken while they were in a supine position on three separate occasions. Lower limb pressure was measured by placing the cuff on the calf muscle. For auscultation of Korotkoff sounds the stethoscope was placed on the posterior surface of the internal malleolus. The mean of the second and third readings were rounded off and used for analysis. Results: Significant differences were found between brachial and ankle PP in both groups (p < 0.01). The ratio of brachial PP to ankle PP in the young men was greater than 1. In the old men it was less than 0.15. There was no significant difference between the brachial PP in the two groups, but on both sides the ankle PP was significantly greater in the old men (p < 0.01). Conclusions: With the ageing of the arterial system, raised PP is more prominent in the lower limb (e.g. ankle). Cuff measurement of blood pressure at this site may be a useful index of peripheral PP changes with ageing. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 2: 163-165

Artificial intelligence-based material discovery for clean energy future

Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted materials design and discovery methods can come to the aid of global concerns for introducing new efficient materials in different applications. Also, a sustainable clean future requires a transition to a low-carbon economy that is material-intensive. AI-assisted methods advent as inexpensive and accelerated methods in the design of new materials for clean energies. Herein, the emerging research area of AI-assisted material discovery with a focus on developing clean energies is discussed. The applications, advantages, and challenges of using AI in material discovery are discussed and the future perspective of using AI in clean energy is studied. This perspective paves the way for a better understanding of the future of AI applications in clean energies

The study of the impact of work observation course on increasing the efficiency of training in Applied Science Center of Farsan

This experimental research was conducted in survey method which aimed to investigate the effect of work seeing course on increasing the efficiency of training in Farsan Applied Science Center. The research sample consists of 285 new admitted students at Applied Science Center of Farsan in 2012. Given that this project was implemented for the first time, all new students were selected as statistical population and required information was collected through the researcher-made questionnaire. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed through statistical methods. The results of this study confirmed that the mean impact of work observation course on familiarity with careers was related to the field of study, students' familiarity with actual environment of work and implementing process of work, students' familiarity with activities leading to the production or providing service, students' familiarity with desired career position, promotion of students' motivation to work in job related area and familiarity of students with competences needed to obtain desired job, but the mean of work observation course's impact on students' familiarity with subjects and issues of career and students' familiarity with the benefits and privileges of career and evolution creation is not higher than average