Being ahead of its time the consumer resistance phenomenon: A comparative case study research

Double Degree.

Comparative clinical study of different multiplex real time PCR strategies for the simultaneous differential diagnosis between extrapulmonary tuberculosis and focal complications of brucellosis

Background: Both brucellosis and tuberculosis are chronic-debilitating systemic granulomatous diseases with a high incidence in many countries in Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Certain focal complications of brucellosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis are very difficult to differentiate clinically, biologically and radiologically. As the conventional microbiological methods for the diagnosis of the two diseases have many limitations, as well as being time-consuming, multiplex real time PCR (M RT-PCR) could be a promising and practical approach to hasten the differential diagnosis and improve prognosis. Methodology/Principal Findings: We designed a SYBR Green single-tube multiplex real-time PCR protocol targeting bcsp31 and the IS711 sequence detecting all pathogenic species and biovars of Brucella genus, the IS6110 sequence detecting Mycobacterium genus, and the intergenic region senX3-regX3 specifically detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The diagnostic yield of the M RT-PCR with the three pairs of resultant amplicons was then analyzed in 91 clinical samples corresponding to 30 patients with focal complications of brucellosis, 24 patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and 36 patients (Control Group) with different infectious, autoimmune or neoplastic diseases. Thirty-five patients had vertebral osteomyelitis, 21 subacute or chronic meningitis or meningoencephalitis, 13 liver or splenic abscess, eight orchiepididymitis, seven subacute or chronic arthritis, and the remaining seven samples were from different locations. Of the three pairs of amplicons (senX3-regX3+ bcsp3, senX3-regX3+ IS711 and IS6110+ IS711) only senX3-regX3+ IS711 was 100% specific for both the Brucella genus and M. tuberculosis complex. For all the clinical samples studied, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the M RT-PCR assay were 89.1%, 100%, 85.7% and 100%, respectively, with an accuracy of 93.4%, (95% CI, 88.3—96.5%). Conclusions/Significance: In this study, a M RT-PCR strategy with species-specific primers based on senX3-regX3+IS711 sequences proved to be a sensitive and specific test, useful for the highly efficient detection of M. tuberculosis and Brucella spp in very different clinical samples. It thus represents an advance in the differential diagnosis between some forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and focal complications of brucellosis.

Being ahead of its time the consumer resistance phenomenon: a comparative case study research

As empresas frequentemente negligenciam o fenômeno da resistência dos consumidores, culminando em investimentos em vão que podem comprometer a sustentabilidade financeira da empresa. Em um mundo onde a novidade é solicitada pelo mercado, as empresas impulsionadas por inovação devem perceber se os consumidores estão preparados para receber uma tecnologia disruptiva. Neste cenário, a difusão tecnológica tornou-se um tema importante de debate entre os pesquisadores. A resistência dos consumidores, no entanto, tem sido negligenciada na literatura. Este estudo analisa as características de inovação percepcionáveis que inibem a massa crítica de consumidores a adotar produtos tecnológicos. Além disso, este estudo complementa a literatura atual, fornecendo resultados empíricos e testando a teoria existente. O projeto de pesquisa tem uma abordagem qualitativa de estudo de caso múltiplo, investigando as características mais relevantes de dois produtos tecnológicos disruptivos que foram rejeitados pela maioria dos consumidores, versus outros dois produtos tecnológicos disruptivos que foram positivamente reconhecidos. Os resultados mostram que a compatibilidade com o estilo de vida do cliente constitui o fator mais importante que levanta barreiras para a adoção.

Comparative time-course study of aminoacyl- and dipeptidyl-resin hydrolysis

The classic hydrolysis procedure for quantification of resin-bound aminoacyl and peptidyl groups with 12 N HCl: propionic acid was recvaluated by studying the influence of the nature of the resin and the resin-bound group. Their stability during acid hydrolysis was dependent on the C-terminal amino acid, and the order of acid stability was Phe > Val > Gly. Otherwise, the dipeptides Ala-Gly, Ala-Val, and Ala-Phe displayed enhanced rates of hydrolysis of the resin if compared with their parent aminoacyl groups. Amongthe resins assayed, the order of acid stability was: benzhydrylamine-resin > p-methylbenzhydrylamine-resin ≅4-(oxymethyl)-phenylacetamidomethyl-resin > chloromethyl-copolymer of styrene-1%-divinylbenzene. Important for peptide synthesis method, the findings demonstrate that longer hydrolysis times than previously recommended in the literature (1 h at 130°C and 15 min at 160°C for peptides attached to the chloromethyl-copolymer of styrene-1%-divinylbenzene) are necessary for the quantitative acid-catalyzed cleavage of some resin-bound groups. The observed broad range of hydrolysis time varied from less than 1 h to about 100 h.

Benefits of retailer-supplier partnership initiatives under time-varying demand:a comparative analytical study

This paper aims to help supply chain managers to determine the value of retailer-supplier partnership initiatives beyond information sharing (IS) according to their specific business environment under time-varying demand conditions. For this purpose, we use integer linear programming models to quantify the benefits that can be accrued by a retailer, a supplier and system as a whole from shift in inventory ownership and shift in decision-making power with that of IS. The results of a detailed numerical study pertaining to static time horizon reveal that the shift in inventory ownership provides system-wide cost benefits in specific settings. Particularly, when it induces the retailer to order larger quantities and the supplier also prefers such orders due to significantly high setup and shipment costs. We observe that the relative benefits of shift in decision-making power are always higher than the shift in inventory ownership under all the conditions. The value of the shift in decision-making power is greater than IS particularly when the variability of underlying demand is low and time-dependent variation in production cost is high. However, when the shipment cost is negligible and order issuing efficiency of the supplier is low, the cost benefits of shift in decision-making power beyond IS are not significant. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.

Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia in the Treatment of Discal Lombosciatalgia: A Comparative Clinical Study between Methylprednisolone and Methylprednisolone with Levobupivacaine

Sousa FAEF, Colhado OCG - Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia in the Treatment of Discal Lombosciatalgia: A Comparative Clinical Study between Methylprednisolone and Methylprednisolone with Levobupivacaine. Background and objectives: Lumbar epidural technique has been used in the treatment of lombosciatalgia since 1953. In most cases, methylprednisolone is used along with a local anesthetic, and it is not known whether the isolated use of methylprednisolone is equally effective in relieving symptoms. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different solutions - methylprednisolone with saline and methylprednisolone with levobupivacaine injected in the epidural space to heal lombosciatalgia secondary to lumbar herniated disk. Methods: Sixty individuals ASA I and II, of both genders, ages 18 to 65 years participated in this randomized, double-blind study over a period of one year. They underwent interlaminar lumbar epidural analgesia without radioscopic control to heal a lombosciatalgia and they were divided into two groups: G-M (methylprednisolone + saline) and G-M + L (methylprednisolone + levobupivacaine + saline) both at a volume of 10 mL. Diagnosis was based on history, physical exam, and imaging exam (MRI). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was applied in a total of two blockades, 15 days apart. Results: A reduction in pain severity was observed in the methylprednisolone-levobupivacaine group, but without statistical significance. Conclusions: The analgesic efficacy of the G-M + L solution was superior to that of the G-M solution in the treatment of discal lombosciatalgia regarding the shorter time to onset of analgesia, but this was not significant at the time of discharge, and both solutions were effective in the treatment of discal lombosciatalgia.

A comparative ultrastructural study of spermatozoa of the teiid lizards Cnemidophorus gularis gularis, Cnemidophorus ocellifer, and Kentropyx altamazonica (Reptilia, Squamata, Teiidae)

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Cnemidophorus gularis gularis, Cnemidophorus ocellifer, and Kentropyx altamazonica is described for the first time. Mature spermatozoa of Cnemidophorus spp. and K. altamazonica differ in the occurrence of a perforatorial base plate, the enlargement of axonemal fibers 3 and 8, and shape of mitochondria. The comparisons of the ultrastructure sperm of Cnemidophorus spp. and K. altamazonica with Ameiva ameiva [J. Morphol. (2002) in press] suggest that Ameiva and Cnemidophorus are more similar to each other than either is to Kentropyx. Statistical analyses reveal that sperm of all three species studied are significantly different in the following dimensions: head, acrosome, distal centriole length, and nuclear shoulders width. There was no variable statistically different between the Cnemidophorus spp. only. The length of the tail, midpiece, entire sperm, and nuclear rostrum are significantly different between K. altamazonica and Cnemidophorus spp. Our results indicate that sperm ultrastructure presents intra and intergeneric variability. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effectiveness of supply chain management on firm's performance: A comparative case study

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the effectiveness of supply chain management (SCM) practices to increase a company’s performance based on a cross-border and cross-sector analysis. The paper follows a comparative case study approach which was achieved by interviewing supply chain management experts of three companies operating in different industries and positions in a supply chain. Practices that were mutually applied by the firms and their contribution to achieve quality, economic, cost, and time advantages were analyzed. The paper revealed practices, which contribute the most to increase specific performance areas.

Non-assisted versus neuro-navigated and XperCT-guided external ventricular catheter placement: a comparative cadaver study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accurate placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for the treatment of hydrocephalus is of paramount importance for its functionality and in order to minimize morbidity and complications. The aim of this study was to compare two different drain insertion assistance tools with the traditional free-hand anatomical landmark method, and to measure efficacy, safety and precision. METHODS: Ten cadaver heads were prepared by opening large bone windows centered on Kocher's points on both sides. Nineteen physicians, divided in two groups (trainees and board certified neurosurgeons) performed EVD insertions. The target for the ventricular drain tip was the ipsilateral foramen of Monro. Each participant inserted the external ventricular catheter in three different ways: 1) free-hand by anatomical landmarks, 2) neuronavigation-assisted (NN), and 3) XperCT-guided (XCT). The number of ventricular hits and dangerous trajectories; time to proceed; radiation exposure of patients and physicians; distance of the catheter tip to target and size of deviations projected in the orthogonal plans were measured and compared. RESULTS: Insertion using XCT increased the probability of ventricular puncture from 69.2 to 90.2 % (p = 0.02). Non-assisted placements were significantly less precise (catheter tip to target distance 14.3 ± 7.4 mm versus 9.6 ± 7.2 mm, p = 0.0003). The insertion time to proceed increased from 3.04 ± 2.06 min. to 7.3 ± 3.6 min. (p < 0.001). The X-ray exposure for XCT was 32.23 mSv, but could be reduced to 13.9 mSv if patients were initially imaged in the hybrid-operating suite. No supplementary radiation exposure is needed for NN if patients are imaged according to a navigation protocol initially. CONCLUSION: This ex vivo study demonstrates a significantly improved accuracy and safety using either NN or XCT-assisted methods. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to implement these new technologies into daily clinical practice. However, the accuracy versus urgency of an EVD placement has to be balanced, as the image-guided insertion technique will implicate a longer preparation time due to a specific image acquisition and trajectory planning.

Traitement du décollement de rétine du pseudophaque: étude rétrospective comparant la vitrectomie sans indentation au traitement ab-externo [Vitrectomy without scleral buckle versus ab-externo approach for pseudophakic retinal detachment: comparative retrospective study].

PURPOSE: Retinal detachment (RD) is a major complication of cataract surgery, which can be treated by either primary vitrectomy without indentation or the scleral buckling procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the results of these two techniques for the treatment of pseudophakic RD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 40 patients (40 eyes) treated with scleral buckling for a primary pseudophakic RD were retrospectively studied and compared to the charts of 32 patients (32 eyes) treated with primary vitrectomy without scleral buckle during the same period by the same surgeons. To obtain comparable samples, patients with giant retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, and severe preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were not included. Minimal follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: The primary success rate was 84% in the vitrectomy group and 82.5% in the ab-externo group. Final anatomical success was observed in 100% of cases in the vitrectomy group and in 95% of cases in the ab-externo group. Final visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 44% of cases in the vitrectomy group and 37.5% in the ab-externo group. The duration of the surgery was significantly lower in the ab-externo group, whereas the hospital stay tended to be lower in the vitrectomy group. In the vitrectomy group, postoperative PVR developed in 3 eyes and new or undetected breaks were responsible for failure of the initial procedure in 2 eyes. CONCLUSION: Primary vitrectomy appears to be as effective as scleral buckling procedures for the treatment of pseudophakic RD.

Statewide Process and Comparative Outcomes Study of 2003 Iowa Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, August 2009

A statewide evaluation of the six adult and three juvenile drug courts in operation during calendar year 2003 was conducted. Completion rates, recidivism, substance abuse treatment, and supervision and placement (juveniles only) costs were examined by model (Judge and Community Panel) and by Judicial District. In addition, adult drug court participants were compared with a group of offenders who were screened and declined or were rejected by drug court in 2003 (referred) and a sample of offenders starting probation in 2003 (probationer). The adult participant and comparison groups were tracked from their entry into drug court, or the study, through December 31, 2007. This yielded an average post-program follow-up time of almost 3 years (2.9) for drug court participants. For the juvenile portion, drug court participants were compared with a group matched on several demographic and offense variables (Matched Comparison group) and juveniles referred to drug court who did not enter the program (Referred Comparison group). The juvenile participant and comparison groups were tracked from their entry into drug court, or the study, through approximately 16 quarters after program discharge with an end date of December 31, 2007.

Criminal justice system in pondicherry - a comparative critical study of the past and the presen

The Union Territory of Pondicherry prior to its merger with the Indian Union was a French Colony. The erstwhile territory of Pondicherry along with its hamlets, namely, KARAIKKAL, MAHE and YANAM was administered by the French Regime. Before it was established by French in 1 6 74 A.D. it was part of Vijayanagara Empire. Prior to this, Pondicherry was a part of the Kingdom of Chola and Pallava Kings. During French Regime, the laws which were in force in France in relation to administration of civil and criminal justice were extended to the erstwhile Territory of Pondicherry. Thus while Pondicherry stood influenced by the Inquisitorial system since the beginning of the 18th century, the neighboring states forming part of the Indian Union since Independence came under the Influence of the British system, viz. accusatorial system. The territory of Pondicherry, for administrative reasons, came to be merged with the Indian Union in the early 60's. Following the merger, the Indian administration sought to extent its own laws from time to time replacing erstwhile French Laws, however, subject to certain savings. Thus the transitional period witnessed consequential changes in the administration of the territory, including the sphere of judicial system. Since I 963, the Union Territory of Pondicherry was brought under the spell of the Indian Legal System The people in Pondicherry ' thus have had the benefit of experiencing both the svstems. Their experiences will be of much help to those who undertake comparative studies in law. The plus and minus points of the respective systems help one to develop a detachment that helps independent evaluation of the svstents. The result of these studies could be relevant in revitalising our criminal systems.The present system is evaluated in the light of the past system. New dimensions are added by way' of an empirical study also.

Comparative mechanical study of isolated papillary muscle from Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar rats

Isolated papillary muscles have often been used in myocardial mechanical function studies. The objective of the present study was to compare the mechanical function of papillary muscle isolated from left ventricle between Wistar (W) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats of different ages (1, 3, 6 and 12 months), in order to examine whether there is a difference in intrinsic mechanical properties of muscle between the two rat strains. Muscles were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 28°C and studied isometrically and isotonically at a stimulation rate of 0.2 Hz. The W and WKY showed statistically significant differences during both isometric and isotonic contractions. During isometric contraction? (l) the peak developed tension (DT) and + dT/dt were lower in WKY rats in the 1 mo groups, (2) the resting tension (RT) was greater in WKY at 3, 6 and 12 mo. (3) time to peak tension (TPT) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo, (4) time for tension to fall from peak to 50% of peak tension (RT 1/2) was greater in WKY at 3 mo and (5) - dT/dt was lower in WKY at 1 and 3 mo. During isotonic contraction, (1) the peak shortening (PS) and -dL/dt were lower in WKY at 12 mo, (2) the time to peak shortening (TPS) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo; (3) + dL/dt was lower in WKY at 3, 6, and 12 mo and (4) the relative variation of length (Lmax-PS)/Lmax was greater in WKY at 6 and 12 mo. These data showed a difference in mechanical behaviour of the papillary muscle between Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto rats of different age.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOME TELLINIDAE FROM THAILAND (BIVALVIA: TELLINOIDEA)

A comparative study of seven species of Tellinidae, collected at Kungkrabaen Bay, Gulf of Thailand, is presented. The species are Serratina capsoides (Lamarck, 1818), Moerella cf. Miens (Deshayes, 1854), Cadella cf. semen (Hanley, 1845), Pinguitellina cf. pinguis (Hanley, 1844), Elpidollina sp., and Tellinides timorensis (Lamarck, 1818) of the subfamily Tellininae, and Macomona sp. of the subfamily Macominae. With the objective of performing the study in a comparative and testable scenario, a phylogenetic analysis was carried out based on 43 morphological characters (94 states). A single cladogram was obtained as follows: (Serratina capsoides (Tellinides timorensis (Pinguitellina cf. pinguis (Cadella cf. semen (Moerella cf. Miens (Elpidollina sp. Macomona sp.)))))). A semelid and a solenid were operationally analyzed as part of the ingroup; polarisation was based on a plicatulid. In this analysis, Tellinoidea and Tellinidae were monophyletic, supported by 19 and 9 synapomorphies, respectively. Tellininae was paraphyletic. Good and significant morphological differences were found for all taxa, including at the species level. Some structures are reported for the first time, such as pseudogills, insertion of the pedal protractor dividing the anterior adductor muscle, and a circular muscle surrounding part of the anterior adductor muscle.

Comparative clinical study of the effectiveness of different dental bleaching methods - two year follow-up

This study evaluated color change, stability, and tooth sensitivity in patients submitted to different bleaching techniques. Material and methods: In this study, 48 patients were divided into five groups. A half-mouth design was conducted to compare two in-office bleaching bleaching techniques (with and without light activation): G1: 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) (Lase Peroxide - DMC Equipments, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil) + hybrid light (HL) (LED/Diode Laser, Whitening Lase II DMC Equipments, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil); G2: 35% HP; G3: 38% HP (X-traBoost - Ultradent, South Jordan UT, USA) + HL; G4: 38% HP; and G5: 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) (Opalescence PF - Ultradent, South Jordan UT, USA). For G1 and G3, HP was applied on the enamel surface for 3 consecutive applications activated by HL. Each application included 3x3' HL activations with 1' between each interval; for G2 and G4, HP was applied 3x15' with 15' between intervals; and for G5, 15% CP was applied for 120'/10 days at home. A spectrophotometer was used to measure color change before the treatment and after 24 h, 1 week, 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. A VAS questionnaire was used to evaluate tooth sensitivity before the treatment, immediately following treatment, 24 h after and finally 1 week after. Results: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between in-office bleaching with or without HL activation related to effectiveness; nevertheless the time required was less with HL. Statistical differences were observed between the result after 24 h, 1 week and 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months (integroup). Immediately, in-office bleaching increased tooth sensitivity. The groups activated with HL required less application time with gel. Conclusion: All techniques and bleaching agents used were effective and demonstrated similar behaviors.