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Grading of age-related maculopathy: slit-lamp biomicroscopy versus an accredited grading center.
No full textPURPOSE: To compare clinical age-related maculopathy (ARM) grading using slit-lamp biomicroscopy (SLB) versus photographic grading of stereoscopically captured fundus photographs (FP) using a high-resolution fundus camera. METHODS: A subset (129) of participants in the Carotenoids in ARM study were clinically graded for ARM signs and the corresponding FPs were graded in an accredited reading center. RESULTS: Drusen were said to be present in 192 (94.5%) eyes graded by FP, and in 165 (82.5%) eyes examined by SLB (agreement = 84%, k = 0.23). A good and modest degree of agreement was observed between SLB and FP for quantification of total drusen number (agreement = 81%, k = 0.33) and for classification of drusen subtypes (agreement = 60%, k = 0.33), respectively. Localization of drusen to either the inner zone or the outer zone was comparable for both techniques of ARM grading (inner zone: agreement = 89%; outer zone: agreement = 88%, k = 0.39). Agreement between SLB and FP was 76% (k = 0.46) for identification of any pigment abnormality; however, agreement was less for hypo-pigmentation abnormalities (agreement = 64%, k = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: From the statistical perspective, SLB grading of ARM is generally comparable with findings from standardized grading of FP. However, the lower levels of agreement for classification of drusen subtypes and detection of hypo-pigmentation suggest these features may go unrecorded in a study which relies on SLB for grading ARM
Improving the reliability and performance of FlexRay vehicle network applications using simulation techniques
Get PDFAbstract
Modern vehicles are becoming more and more sophisticated, with more functions being controlled by a microprocessor unit. As new functions are developed there is not only more of a demand on the control unit, but there is also more demand placed on the communication network(s) within a car. There is also a growing need for fast and dependable networks for new safety features such as X-by-wire applications.
A trend in the automotive industry to make cars more eco-friendly has emerged.
As the amount of applications increases then the number of wires within a car increases and this can potentially add a large amount of weight leading to increased fuel consumption. This along with the need for higher performance networks led to the development of the FlexRay protocol.
FlexRay is a newly developed network protocol that is intended to address the current and future needs of the automotive industry. It is backed by many automotive manufacturers and suppliers. As such, FlexRay looks increasingly likely to become the network application of choice for many companies, especially where safety critical systems are implemented.
The purpose of this research was to design, implement and test a simulation model of a FlexRay network node. This simulation model could be a benefit to system developers to ensure accurate communication is achieved by tracing the flow of information through a FlexRay-based system and ensuring all timing constraints are met.
The model was built using MATLAB, Simulink and SimEvents. The basis of the model was a node that incorporated a separate host microcontroller and communications controller. The communications controller was based on The Bosch E-Ray IP. The simulation model comprised of the application, software driver, communications and physical bus layers of a FlexRay based system. The model was then calibrated against a real world system over a number of different test cases and constraints.
The final part of the research involved running tests to determine if the model that has been built, was built in a correct manner i.e. validation of the simulation model.
The model was then evaluated for its ability to carry out its intended role
DYNAMIC KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY FOR THE SMALL TOURISM FIRM
Get PDFStrategic management theory has largely and traditionally focused on the external environment in which a firm can achieve competitive advantage (Bounfour, 2003). Increasingly literature has redirected their focus towards the more controllable internal resources within the firm (Barney, 1991). An increasing amount of literature has recognised that the potential for competitive advantage arises from Intellectual Capital (IC) in the form of human, social and structural resources (Teece, 1998). Previous IC literature has tended to focus mostly on the measurement of individual components of IC and IC components collectively (Mayo, 2000; Tsai and Ghoshal, 1998; Stewart, 1997). Essentially IC amalgamates to a firm’s knowledge assets. Although it makes sense to redirect IC theory towards Knowledge Management (KM) thinking, it has traditionally remained as two distinct areas (Bounfour, 2003). The scant literature that does link KM with IC has been produced purely on a theoretical basis (Moustaghfir, 2008) and the tendency has been to focus on larger firms with case studies and little research has taken place in the tourism industry (Engstrom et al, 2003; Roos and Roos, 1997b) or SME sector.
Key authors in the area are calling for the integration of academics and management practitioners to form a practice based model (Grant, 1997). This article therefore seeks to create this link between IC and KM in the Irish tourism sector, by identifying the IC resources of importance, and leveraging these resources through knowledge management capability. Further this paper identifies and distinguishes between the cognitive based aspects of knowledge management and the action based area of organisational learning that will enhance the tourism firm’s competitive advantage
TOWARDS A CONCEPTUALISATION OF THE INNOVATIVENESS CONSTRUCT
No full textDrawing from prior work found in the innovation, organisational, strategy, marketing, consumer, tourism, and psychology literature literatures over the past 48 years, this paper offers a new, multidimensional conceptualisation of firm-level innovativeness leading to the development of an integrated conceptual model. The conceptual model explores the key antecedents, dimensions, and outcomes of tourism firm-level innovativeness. Synthesising extant knowledge on the subject, this paper offers a foundation for future research endeavours by developing and defining the construct and providing a set of research propositions. To date, little international significant research activity on innovativeness within the tourism SME firm has emerged. Due to the scarcity of research and interest in this area, it is perceived that this ongoing study will contribute substantially to academic knowledge and practice, highlighting key areas warranting future investigation. Keywords: innovativeness; antecedents; dimensions; outcomes; tourism innovation; conceptualisatio
Flexible Digital Display technologies using open source hardware and software for automotive applications
Get PDFWith the advances in electronics, digital dashboards are now becoming available for use in the automotive industry. The main difference between an analog dashboard and a digital dashboard configuration is that the later may easily be reconfigured.
To accommodate the influx of digital graphical displays in vehicles, manufacturers have started to run micro Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) inside their vehicles. Two options are offered to manufacturers when choosing a RTOS for their project; commercial OSs or open source OSs. Commercial OS contain many overheads which include an upfront capital investment and licensing fee for each unit produced. While open source OS are royalty free and offer no such financial overheads. Any application software that is written by the manufacturer for a commercial OS, is seen as proprietary software, and hence is not accessible by other manufacturers. Whilst any software written and licensed for use with an open source OS would be accessible, therefore leading to reduction in manufacturing costs and time.
The main objective of this research was to develop a flexible digital display using open source hardware and software for use in automotive applications. The development of a digital dashboard using these technologies can allow for individual customisation and in addition facilitate a significant reduction in the design cycle time. The designed display controller incorporated an Analog Devices Blackfin development board onto which an open source OS was ported. Automotive information was read from a CAN network and was used to manipulate the data displayed on the digital dashboard
Learning by Doing – Reactivating the Learning Support Programme at WIT Libraries
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to describe the process involved in re-designing Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Libraries’ information literacy programme for first year students. It is written by some of the members of the library learning support team, who deliver the programme. It describes the steps involved in the programme’s development and design, discusses the pedagogical principles that influenced the initiative, and summarises the evaluations we have undertaken to date. These evaluations have yielded positive informal and formal feedback from the students and lecturers who participated in the programme. The value of a pedagogically sound, active learning approach to information literacy training is highlighted throughout the results. By providing constructive solutions for incorporating active learning into library user education programmes, this paper is expected to be a useful source of practical information for libraries in similar positions, of similar scale, faced with similar challenges. It is likely to be of particular interest to librarians involved in information literacy education
Inclusion of Interactions in Mathematical Modelling of Implant Assisted Magnetic Drug Targeting
Get PDFDrug delivery technologies are an important area within biomedicine. Targeted drug delivery aims to reduce the undesired side effects of drug usage by directing or capturing the active agents near a desired site within the body. This is particularly beneficial in, for instance, cancer chemotherapy, where the side effects of general (systemic) drug administration can be severe.
One approach to targeted drug delivery uses magnetic nanoparticles as the constituents of carriers for the desired active agent. Once injected into the body, the behaviour of these magnetic carriers can be influenced and controlled by magnetic fields. In implant assisted magnetic drug targeting systems a magnetic implant, typically a stent, wire or spherical seed can be used to target sites deep within the body as the implant acts as a focus for the resulting magnetic force. This can be easily understood as the force depends on the gradient of the magnetic field and the gradient near the implant is large.
In designing such a system many factors need to be considered including physical factors such as the size and nature of the implants and carriers, and the fields required. Moreover the range of applicability of these systems in terms of the regions of the vasculature system, from low blood velocity environments, such as capillary beds to higher velocity arteries, must be considered. Furthermore, assessment criteria for these systems are needed. Mathematical modelling and simulation has a valuable role to play in informing in vitro and in vivo experiments, leading to practical system design.
Specifically, the implant assisted magnetic drug targeting systems of Avil´es, Ebner and Ritter are considered within this work, and two dimensional mathematical modelling is performed using the open source C++ finite volume library OpenFOAM. In the first system treated, a large ferromagnetic particle is implanted into a capillary bed as a seed to aid collection of single domain nanoparticles (radius 20-100 nm). The Langevin function is used to calculate the magnetic moment of the particles, and the model is further adapted to treat the agglomeration of particles known to occur in these systems. This agglomeration can be attributed to interparticle interactions and here the magnetic dipole-dipole and hydrodynamic interactions for two mutually interacting nanoparticles are modelled, following Mikkelsen et al. who treated two particle interactions in microfluidic systems, with low magnetic field (0.05 T). The resulting predicted performance is found to both increase and decrease significantly depending on initial positions of the particles. Secondly, a ferromagnetic, coiled wire stent is implanted in a large arterial vessel. The magnetic dipole-dipole and hydrodynamic interactions for multiple (N < 20) particles are included. Different initial positions are considered and the system performance is assessed. Inclusion of these interactions yields predictions that are in closer agreement with the experimental results of Avil´es et al.. We conclude that the discrepancies between the non interacting theoretical predictions and the corresponding experimental results can (as suggested by Avil´es et al.) be largely attributed to interparticle interactions and the consequent agglomeration
Evaluation of Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Learning Networks (TLN) Initiative: Modelling of Best Practice
Get PDFThe tourism learning network (TLN) initiative was developed by Fáilte Ireland as a key component of the tourism board’s current five year strategy (Human Resource Development Strategy 2005:2010). The initiative has achieved national coverage, with all learning networks now engaged in their third year of operation. Although internal evaluation of each TLN has been provided for, a more holistic assessment of the TLN initiative had not been addressed, that is, the modelling of ‘best practice’ for the development and sustainability of a successful TLN. A review of the literature highlights that the literature on learning networks is in its infancy, particularly in the context of tourism; furthermore knowledge regarding ‘best practice’ is also lacking. Most previous studies are qualitative in nature and focussed on organisational learning, whereas, this study focuses on learning at an individual level. By determining a means of measuring the individual level learning, this study provides insights into the process and content of learning network evaluation, thereby contributing to academic knowledge as it represents an area of research which has received little attention. Furthermore, the study contributes to the substantive knowledge by empirically identifying the key practices that will enhance learning in a learning network context. Following a review of the literature from the learning and network fields, a conceptual framework was formed to guide the evaluation. In keeping with the underlying social situational school perspective, the framework highlights that: (1) the influence of peer interaction, flexible learning approach, facilitation, and individual characteristics are major determinants of learning, and (2) that selfdevelopment, knowledge, skills and managerial capabilities are key measurable learning outcomes. The deterministic focus of the research lent itself to a nomothetic approach; hence, the data was collected via a postal survey sent to all the participants of the 2008 TLN initiative nationwide. The survey received a 55% response rate. Small group sizes, however, severely restricted the scope for comparative data analysis across the six TLN regions. Therefore, the comparative data analysis was conducted on a split between those participants whose TLN was facilitated by an academic institution and those whose facilitation was consultancy-backed. The key findings of the research indicated that individual characteristics, the flexible learning approach and the facilitation climate were the major determinants of learning in the TLN. In addition, significant differences were discovered between the two types of facilitator, in terms of their participants’ motivation, the peer interaction and the perceptions of the delivery methods. In contrast, the levels of learning, content and facilitation (climate and learner involvement) were not significantly different. The findings further indicated that while the participants reported learning from the initiative, thus meeting Fáilte Ireland’s strategic learning aims, the participants’ levels of learning could be considerably improved. The thesis concluded with the development of a ‘best practice’ model for future initiatives
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE UPTAKE AND BENEFIT OF VIRTUAL LEARNING NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SMALL BUSINESS TOURISM SECTOR(RIKON Group)
Get PDFWhile there is a growing interest in learning networks, relatively little research has been published with a specific tourism focus. Thus, this paper is concerned with tourism learning networks (TLN) and the role of virtual learning environments (VLE) in sustaining member viability following facilitated TLN interaction. The authors investigate user adoption and uptake of Fáilte Ireland2’s VLE, commencing with a comprehensive literature review, relating to virtual learning network (VLN) environments, and resulting in a VLN framework for a small firm environment.
A mixed method approach enabled the authors to comprehensively uncover quantitative measurements with qualitative insights through the use of key informant interviews, census questionnaire, click stream data analysis and semi-structured interviews. Findings classified the nature of the network in both physical and virtual capacities, through the identification of modes of communication, level of membership, intentions to seek advice, make contact and contribute within the networking community. In terms of VLN usage, time was identified as the lead barrier to using the VLE, followed by a lack of training, and a low usage level among TLN members. Furthermore, findings suggest that while participants are willing to seek advice and share information, most felt they made only limited contributions to the VLN community.
From a theoretical perspective, this research offers a framework for VLN facilitation in the tourism sector, and indicates the necessary dimensions involved in promotion of interactive learning online. The study also provides an in-depth analysis of participants’ perspectives in relation to virtual collaboration (activity, barriers, and adoption levels), participants’ perspectives in relation to the TLN support structure, and any underlying behavioral mediators, that may be responsible for poor VLN activity
TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF EXPERIENCE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM SERVICE DESIGN (RIKON Group)
Get PDFDespite the increasing importance placed on the delivery of memorable experiences in the tourism sector, there have been only limited attempts to comprehensively detail how experiences can be successfully conceptualised in practice. Based on a critical literature review of both experience and service concept development theory in conjunction with and the findings from case research, this paper will make a unique contribution to a very significant gap in experience design literature by presenting a conceptual model of the activities necessary for experience conceptualisation in a tourism context.
Key Words: Tourism, experience, concept developmen