A payroll business model for the future

The context of this research is broadly focused since it is based on payroll business models, which sit predominantly within Human Resource or Finance functions. This research is not about defining the operational detail of how a payroll service is delivered. It is about the core strategic elements of a model that will strengthen payroll as a competitive business model for the joint venture company and other organisations. Strategies emerge as people come to learn about a situation and the capabilities of their firm to deal with them (Mintzberg et al, 1998). Mintzberg’s thinking encapsulates the essence of this research in that it has identified the challenging perceptual paradigm shift, that is, to transform the thinking of payroll as a mere transactional cost based activity to one that is perceived as a core business activity with multiple potential when combined with associated technology and integration with other business functions. It provides a competency set that can be sold in the market place as a unique selling position to deliver what others may consider as blue sky thinking i.e. a mere wish or dream

Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) primary cells and stable cell lines as predictive models for intestinal health in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Funding This work was funded by the University of Aberdeen. Acknowledgments This work was funded by Skretting AI and the University of Aberdeen. Technical support by Dr Dawn Shewring was greatly appreciated. We also thank Dr Tiehui Wang, Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre for providing the rIL-1β.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Cognitive Remediation and Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness

Published versio

Alignment and preliminary outcomes of an ELT-size instrument to a very large telescope: LINC-NIRVANA at LBT

LINC-NIRVANA (LN) is a high resolution, near infrared imager that uses a multiple field-of-view, layer-oriented, multi-conjugate AO system, consisting of four multi-pyramid wavefront sensors (two for each arm of the Large Binocular Telescope, each conjugated to a different altitude). The system employs up to 40 star probes, looking at up to 20 natural guide stars simultaneously. Its final goal is to perform Fizeau interferometric imaging, thereby achieving ELT-like spatial resolution (22.8 m baseline resolution). For this reason, LN is also equipped with a fringe tracker, a beam combiner and a NIR science camera, for a total of more than 250 optical components and an overall size of approximately 6x4x4.5 meters. This paper describes the tradeoffs evaluated in order to achieve the alignment of the system to the telescope. We note that LN is comparable in size to planned ELT instrumentation. The impact of such alignment strategies will be compared and the selected procedure, where the LBT telescope is, in fact, aligned to the instrument, will be described. Furthermore, results coming from early night-time commissioning of the system will be presented.Comment: 8 pages, 6 pages, AO4ELT5 Proceedings, 201

Sialendoscopy-assisted transfacial removal of parotid calculi

La diffusione delle tecniche minimamente invasive per il trattamento dei calcoli salivari, quali la scialoendoscopia, ha permesso di ottenere un maggior tasso di preservazione della funzionalità ghiandolare, evitando le significative morbidità notoriamente associate alla parotidectomia superficiale. La scelta terapeutica è condizionata dalla dimensione, mobilità e posizione del calcolo così come dalla presenza di stenosi duttali. Verranno descritti i principi terapeutici inerenti la patologia litiasica, nonché due tecniche scialoendoscopico-assistite di rimozione dei calcoli salivari: la prima per via intra-orale, la seconda per via extra-orale

Furthering Precision in Sentinel Node Navigational Surgery for Oral Cancer: a Novel Triple Targeting System

To describe an innovative sentinel lymph node (SLN) guidance approach using a radionuclide tracer, 3D augmented reality-guided imaging, and near infrared (NIR) fluorescence over-lay imaging with hand-held probes to optimize accuracy, efficiency, and precise navigation for sentinel node (SN) localization in head and neck cancer. In a cT1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, pre-operative radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy was performed with a sentinel node-specific radiolabeled tracer. Intraoperatively, a 3D hand-held augmented reality (AR) scanning SPECT probe assessed concordance of the SN with pre-operative SPECT-CT images. The real-time optical video was linked to the SPECT-CT images for added precision. Final guidance to the SN was performed using ICG fluorescence imaging. Dynamic and SPECT-CT showed bilateral lymphatic drainage from the tumor. The 3D hand-held AR SPECT probe SN localization was concordant with pre-operative imaging. The optical video successfully demonstrated the lymphatic drainage in real-time through a unique overlay fluorescence image. The ICG localized to the same nodes identified by both the SPECT-CT and hand-held SPECT images. The use of dual radiation and fluorescence tracers improved SN detection, especially for SN close to the injection site. The hand-held probes allowed the surgeon to dissect continuously, without needing to change tools. The combination of augmented reality, nuclear medicine, and over-lay fluorescence imaging allowed greater accuracy for matching the preoperative imaging with intraoperative identification and precisely guiding the dissection. This method uniquely permitted the surgeon to efficiently dissect the SN with accurate visualization and optimal precision

Cognitive and social functioning correlates of employment among people with severe mental illness

We assess how social and cognitive functioning is associated to gaining employment for 213 people diagnosed with severe mental illness taking part in employment programs in Andalusia (Spain). We used the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and the Social Functioning Scale and conducted two binary logistical regression analyses. Response variables were: having a job or not, in ordinary companies (OCs) and social enterprises (SEs), and working in and OC or not. There were two variables with significant adjusted odds ratios for having a job: “attention” and “Educational level”. There were five variables with significant odds ratios for having a job in an OC: “Sex”, “Educational level”, “Attention”, “Communication”, and “Independence-competence”. The study looks at the possible benefits of combining employment with support and social enterprises in employment programs for these people and underlines how both social and cognitive functioning are central to developing employment models