Progressive Approach Research Articles

History of production and its challenges in the current era

This qualitative and documentary research analyzes the significant advances that production and operations have had over time, seeking to establish the management approach's progress in each of the historical stages. It is possible to confirm that this has evolved from a perspective focused on manufacturing to a philosophy focused on a comprehensive view of the supply chain. This highlights the main obstacles to facing current challenges and, at the same time, points out the almost hegemonic short-term vision that has characterized production and operations management throughout the 20th century, as opposed to the demand current broader perspective.

History of production and its challenges in the current era

This qualitative and documentary research analyzes the significant advances that production and operations have had over time, seeking to establish the management approach's progress in each of the historical stages. It is possible to confirm that this has evolved from a perspective focused on manufacturing to a philosophy focused on a comprehensive view of the supply chain. This highlights the main obstacles to facing current challenges and, at the same time, points out the almost hegemonic short-term vision that has characterized production and operations management throughout the 20th century, as opposed to the demand current broader perspective.

Classical trigeminal neuralgia recurrence after vascular decom - pression: analysis of the causes and features of the clinical picture

Introduction. Pain syndrome recurrence in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) after surgical treatment is an important and relevant issue, despite the advances in the diagnosis of the disease, progress in approaches to patient selection, and proven surgical tactics. The aim of the study is to evaluate the affecting factors for redo surgery in patients with CTN recurrence. Materials and methods. 257 patients with CTN recurrence operated on at the FSAI N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for the period from 2012 to 2017 were involved in the prospective nonrandomized study. Intraoperative findings and pain structure in postoperative period were evaluated in patients after revision surgery. Burchiel classification, DN4 Questionnarie, and Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Score (BNI-PS) were used. Results. CTN recurrence in the early and late post-operative periods was registered in 33 patients, which accounted for 13% of the total number of patients in the study group. 58% of them underwent secondary surgical intervention. The efficacy of redo surgery was noted in 79% of patients with complete regression of pain. Patients with CTN and neuropathy combination were admitted to alternative methods (neuromodulation, radiosurgery, radiofrequency ablation). In patients who received stimulation of the branches of the trigeminal nerve after vascular decompression, pain regression was observed in 100% of cases. Patient distribution after combined treatment was 78% for BNI-PS score I and 22% for BNI-PS score 2-3, respectively. Conclusion. In patients with “pure” CTN recurrence, redo surgery presents an effective method of treatment. In patients with CTN and neuropathy combination, repeat vascular decompression is effective only in terms of paroxysmal pain. Thus, multidisciplinary approach is needed – combining adjunctive methods of treatment in neurology, neurosurgery, pain management, and radiotherapy.

Integration of AI to Enhance 5G Capabilities in Smart Cities

AI alludes to a developing group of computational procedures connecting with PC frameworks equipped for performing undertakings that would somehow require human insight. Models incorporate the analysis of sicknesses, settling complex numerical conditions, and dissecting electronic circuits. With the end goal of this note, we follow the definition and depiction of essential, high level, and independent computerized reasoning set forward in past EM Compass Notes. AI is the science and designing of making machines shrewd, particularly insightful PC programs. This likewise implies that AI isn't one sort of machine or robot, but a progression of approaches, techniques, and innovations that show savvy conduct by dissecting their surroundings and making moves — with some level of independence — to accomplish explicit goals.

Typical errors pulmonary artery verification on the example of a clinical case

The difficulties of verification of pulmonary embolism (PE) are well known and have not been overcome to date, despite significant progress in approaches to managing patients with this pathology over the past 1015 years. Due to the nonspecific clinical picture, cases of a long and difficult journey to this diagnosis are not exclusive. In large studies have shown that the most frequent symptom of pulmonary embolism shortness of breath. However, it is not always associated with doctors of different specialties with the need to exclude this diagnosis, purposefully collect anamnesis, identify risk factors. Modern low-dose oral contraceptives are considered quite prosperous in terms of the development of thrombotic complications and cause a slight (1020%) increase in fibrinogen concentration, factors VII, VIII and X, as well as a decrease in the content of active protein S by 1020%. But in the case of the presence of diseases and conditions that increase the risk of venous embolism, this effect may be sufficient for the realization of life-threatening pulmonary embolism. In this regard, it is important to provide a combined effect on the prognosis of the pathology of the patients and the chosen method of contraception.

Novel Approaches to Profile Functional Long Noncoding RNAs Associated with Stem Cell Pluripotency.

The pluripotent state of stem cells depends on the complicated network orchestrated by thousands of factors and genes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA longer than 200 nt without a protein-coding function. Single-cell sequencing studies have identified hundreds of lncRNAs with dynamic changes in somatic cell reprogramming. Accumulating evidence suggests that they participate in the initiation of reprogramming, maintenance of pluripotency, and developmental processes by cis and/or trans mechanisms. In particular, they may interact with proteins, RNAs, and chromatin modifier complexes to form an intricate pluripotency-associated network. In this review, we focus on recent progress in approaches to profiling functional lncRNAs in somatic cell reprogramming and cell differentiation.

Recent advances of chemical proteomics for protein drug target screening

Proteins play a key role through binding with drugs or bioactive compounds. Previous reports showed that drugs have multiple targets, and identification of drug targets contributes to the discovery of drug precursors and the mechanism of action, as well as provides theoretical guidance on elimination of side effects such as drug resistance. The development of biological mass spectrometry-based proteomics can conduct high-throughput qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins and provide a new platform for drug targets screening. The present review summarized the recent progress of approaches and applications of immobilized and free drug-based modes for the targeted proteins recognition and identification, which will provide reference for biological mass spectrometry-based chemical proteomic study.

The microbiome in allergic disease: Current understanding and future opportunities—2017 PRACTALL document of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

PRACTALL is a joint initiative of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology to provide shared evidence-based recommendations on cutting-edge topics in the field of allergy and immunology. PRACTALL 2017 is focused on what has been established regarding the role of the microbiome in patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy. This is complemented by outlining important knowledge gaps regarding its role in allergic disease and delineating strategies necessary to fill these gaps. In addition, a review of progress in approaches used to manipulate the microbiome will be addressed, identifying what has and has not worked to serve as a baseline for future directions to intervene in allergic disease development, progression, or both.

Shape-Morphing Materials from Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel Hybrids

The formation of well-defined and functional three-dimensional (3D) structures by buckling of thin sheets subjected to spatially nonuniform stresses is common in biological morphogenesis and has become a subject of great interest in synthetic systems, as such programmable shape-morphing materials hold promise in areas including drug delivery, biomedical devices, soft robotics, and biomimetic systems. Given their ability to undergo large changes in swelling in response to a wide variety of stimuli, hydrogels have naturally emerged as a key type of material in this field. Of particular interest are hybrid systems containing rigid inclusions that can define both the anisotropy and spatial nonuniformity of swelling as well as nanoparticulate additives that can enhance the responsiveness and functionality of the material. In this Account, we discuss recent progress in approaches to achieve well-defined shape morphing in hydrogel hybrids. First, we provide an overview of materials and methods that facilitate fabrication of such systems and outline the geometry and mechanics behind shape morphing of thin sheets. We then discuss how patterning of stiff inclusions within soft responsive hydrogels can be used to program both bending and swelling, thereby providing access to a wide array of complex 3D forms. The use of discretely patterned stiff regions to provide an effective composite response offers distinct advantages in terms of scalability and ease of fabrication compared with approaches based on smooth gradients within a single layer of responsive material. We discuss a number of recent advances wherein control of the mechanical properties and geometric characteristics of patterned stiff elements enables the formation of 3D shapes, including origami-inspired structures, concatenated helical frameworks, and surfaces with nonzero Gaussian curvature. Next, we outline how the inclusion of functional elements such as nanoparticles can enable unique pathways to programmable and even reprogrammable shape-morphing materials. We focus to a large extent on photothermally reprogrammable systems that include one of a variety of additives that serve to efficiently absorb light and convert it into heat, thereby driving the response of a temperature-sensitive hydrogel. Such systems are advantageous in that patterns of light can be defined with very high spatial and temporal resolution in addition to offering the potential for wavelength-selective addressability of multiple different inclusions. We highlight recent advances in the preparation of light-responsive hybrid systems capable of undergoing reprogrammable bending and buckling into well-defined 3D shapes. In addition, we describe several examples where shape tuning of hybrid systems enables control over the motion of responsive hydrogel-based materials. Finally, we offer our perspective on open challenges and future areas of interest for the field.

Toxicity assessment of nanoparticles in various systems and organs

AbstractIn the past decades, much attention has been paid to toxicity assessment of nanoparticles prior to clinical and biological applications. Whilein vitrostudies have been increasing constantly,in vivostudies of nanoparticles have not established a unified system until now. Predictive models and validated standard methods are imperative. This review summarizes the current progress in approaches assessing nanotoxicity in main systems, including the hepatic and renal, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. Histopathological studies and specific functional examinations in each system are elucidated. Related injury mechanisms are also discussed.

On using broadcast index for efficient execution of shortest path continuous queries

Various efficient indexing techniques have been proposed for formulating broadcast index to minimize the tune-in cost at mobile clients to support shortest path search in a road network. However, none of them is designed for shortest path continuous queries (SPCQ). Due to frequent updates of traffic data, an SPCQ has to be invoked periodically while the client is following the suggested shortest path to its destination. This could result in heavy path searching cost at the client. To reduce the tune-in and path searching costs at the clients, in this paper, we propose the progressive approach (PA) in which we apply the next region (NR) approach together with a hierarchical network approach to formulate the local networks at the clients for shortest path navigation. Since the shortest path may change due to changing traffic, to minimize the path searching cost, we aim for an approximate path including shortcuts of shortcut networks (SN) from each invocation of an SPCQ to navigate the client to its destination step-by-step. In formulating the client local network, higher level shortcut networks are chosen if the regions are farther away from the current region of the client. An important property of the approximation mechanism adopted in PA is that traffic updates may be pruned if they will not significantly affect the shortest path information to be distributed to the clients. This can reduce the index re-generation cost at the traffic server. Extensive performance evaluation experiments have been conducted to investigate how PA reduces the tune-in cost from data broadcast and path searching cost at the clients with just small delays in the arrival times to their destinations.

What makes bones shiny? Investigating trampling as a cause of bone abrasion

Taphonomic modifications on animal bones have the potential to provide a wealth of information on the depositional histories of faunal assemblages. However, certain modifications have received little attention and their interpretation remains complex due to their varied or uncertain aetiology. This has hindered progress in approaches to taphonomic research and it remains relatively rare that a comprehensive suite of modifications is recorded during zooarchaeological analysis. Abrasion, defined as a shine or polish on bone, is one such modification, with a plethora of processes having been cited as a potential cause. Relatively little holistic analysis of archaeological specimens has been carried out and consequently the interpretative potential of the modification is yet to be realised. This paper examines the degree to which the process of trampling causes bone abrasion. Trampling causes multiple, sub-parallel, linear striations on bones and has been suggested by some researchers as a cause of abrasion (see Andrews and Cook, Man 20:675–691, 1985; Behrensmeyer et al., Palaeogeogr Palaeocol 63:183–199, 1986; Fiorillo, Univ Wyoming Contrib Geol 26:57–97, 1989; Myers et al., Am Antiquity 45:483–490, 1980; Nielsen, Am Antiquity 56:483–503, 1991; Olsen and Shipman, J Archaeol Sci 15:535–553, 1988). Research presented here involves statistical analysis of a large and diverse faunal dataset from seven British sites. Results from both correlation and logistic regression analysis demonstrate the very close relationship between the two modifications, although this is not the case at every site. These findings strongly suggest that trampling is a major cause of abrasion in a British context. Once the relationship is established at a specific site, the modification can be more reliably used for reconstructing the taphonomic trajectory of an assemblage.

Situational analysis–framing approaches to interpretive inquiry in healthcare research

This paper outlines the emergence of Clarke's situational analysis as a fundamental and key progression of approaches to grounded theory (Clarke, 2006). Developed within the context of sociological inquiry to frame and contextualise perceived and actual reality, grounded theory became a seminal starting point for naturalistic inquiry. This paper provides an insight into several theoretical engagements with the technicalities of grounded theory and ultimately explicates where post-modernism has facilitated and aided construction of theoretical standpoints encompassing the dynamic nature of contemporary society. Key philosophers and modern theorists from the fields of Discourse and Actor Network Theory such as Foucault and Latour, Callan and Law, respectively, are used to further develop and illustrate the schemata which represent long traditions of interpretive inquiry and how they have progressed in recent years. The paper is a direct attempt to make fundamental aspects of interpretive inquiry open and accessible to healthcare practitioners.

Steady Advance of Stem Cell Therapies: Report from the 2011 World Stem Cell Summit, Pasadena, California, October 3–5

Stem cell research and related therapies (including regenerative medicine and cellular therapies) could have a significant near-term impact on worldwide public health and aging. One reason is the industry's strong linkage between policy, science, industry, and patient advocacy, as was clear in the attendance and programming at the 7(th) annual World Stem Cell Summit held in Pasadena, California, October 3-5, 2011. A special conference session sponsored by the SENS Foundation discussed how stem cell therapies are being used to extend healthy life span. Stem cells are useful not only in cell-replacement therapies, but also in disease modeling, drug discovery, and drug toxicity screening. Stem cell therapies are currently being applied to over 50 diseases, including heart, lung, neurodegenerative, and eye disease, cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Dozens of companies are developing therapeutic solutions that are in different stages of clinical use and clinical trials. Some high-profile therapies include Dendreon's Provenge for prostate cancer, Geron's first-ever embryonic stem cell trials for spinal cord injury, Fibrocell's laViv cellular therapy for wrinkles, and well-established commercial skin substitutes (Organogenesis' Apligraf and Advanced BioHealing's Dermagraft). Stem cell policy issues under consideration include medical tourism, standards for large-scale stem cell manufacturing, and lingering ethical debates over the use of embryonic stem cells. Contemporary stem cell science advances include a focus on techniques for the direct reprogramming of cells from one lineage to another without returning to pluripotency as an intermediary step, improved means of generating and characterizing induced pluripotent cells, and progress in approaches to neurodegenerative disease.

Interdisciplinary progress in approaches to address social-ecological and ecocultural systems

SUMMARYThe emergent human cultures have shaped, and in turn been shaped by, local ecosystems. Yet humanity's intense modification of the environment has resulted in dramatic worldwide declines in natural and cultural capital. Social-ecological systems are becoming more vulnerable through the disruption of livelihoods, governance, institutions, resources and cultural traditions. This paper reviews the environmental sub-disciplines that have emerged to seek solutions for conservation and maintenance of the resilience of social-ecological systems. It shows that a central component is engagement with the knowledges of people within their contexts. Local knowledges of nature (traditional, indigenous, local ecological knowledge and ecoliteracy) are used by place-based cultures to guide actions towards nature. The importance of new engagements between different knowledges is now becoming more widely recognized by scientific institutions. Yet there still exist many false dualisms (for example local knowledge versus science) which tend to emphasize a superiority of one over the other. Ecocultures retain or strive to regain their connections with the environment, and thus improve their own resilience. Revitalization projects offer ways to connect knowledge with action to produce optimal outcomes for both nature and culture, suggesting that systems can be redesigned by emphasis on incorporation of local and traditional knowledge systems.

Designing a conservation area network that supports the representation and persistence of freshwater biodiversity

Summary1. The progression of approaches in systematic conservation planning from representation to representation and persistence has greatly enhanced its potential applicability to freshwaters. However, conceptual frameworks that consolidate principles for incorporating persistence into freshwater conservation planning are still lacking.2. We present four key principles to consider when planning for the persistence of freshwater biodiversity: selecting ecosystems of high ecological integrity; incorporating connectivity; incorporating areas important to population persistence; and identifying additional natural processes that can be mapped.3. The practicalities of gathering data and conducting the conservation plan to address these principles are explored here using a case study in the Olifants/Doorn Water Management Area, South Africa. Spatial layers are developed for depicting ecological integrity, sub‐catchment boundaries, riparian zones and wetlands, high water‐yield areas and patterns of groundwater discharge and recharge.4. These data are used to develop a conservation area network that supports both representation and persistence of freshwater biodiversity. Although the planning region is relatively data rich by global standards, several data deficiencies were identified. We suggest ways of using environmental surrogates to address data deficiencies, improving confidence in these surrogates by combining them wherever possible with existing field data and expert knowledge.5. We also recommend methods to achieve spatial efficiency by simultaneously designing for representation and persistence of freshwater biodiversity. Spatial efficiency can be achieved in different ways when using a conservation planning algorithm and a multiple‐use zoning strategy.6. The allocation of multiple‐use zones aligns closely with the objectives of integrated water resources management and land use planning. Given the practicalities at local levels of planning, we recommend using multiple‐use zones in the design phase, rather than merely at the end once the design is complete.

Mobile Usability in Educational Contexts: What have we learnt?

The successful development of mobile learning is dependent on human factors in the use of new mobile and wireless technologies. The majority of mobile learning activity continues to take place on devices that were not designed with educational applications in mind, and usability issues are often reported. The paper reflects on progress in approaches to usability and on recent developments, with particular reference to usability findings reported in studies of mobile learning. The requirements of education are considered as well as the needs of students participating in distance education; discipline-specific perspectives and accessibility issues are also addressed. Usability findings from empirical studies of mobile learning published in the literature are drawn together in the paper, along with an account of issues that emerged in two mobile learning projects based at The Open University, UK, in 2001 and 2005. The main conclusions are: that usability issues are often reported in cases where PDAs have been used; that the future is in scenario-based design which should also take into account the evolution of uses over time and the unpredictability of how devices might be used; and that usability issues should be tracked over a longer period, from initial use through to a state of relative experience with the technology.

The design of multiple production lines under deadline constraint

This study submits a mathematical model, production design and schedule (PDS) model, to design a manufacturing system consisting of multiple production lines in parallel under the considerations of available machines, order quantity, and production deadline for profit maximization. This paper not only discusses the production rate, the machine cost, and the number of machines in parallel for each workstation of the production line in such a manufacturing system, but also proposes a solution procedure called progressive approach (PA) to solve this combinatorial problem. In addition, a computerized program written by Visual Basic 6.0 is completely developed to suggest the structure and the production time interval of every production line in the manufacturing system, as well as to perform the sensitivity analyses and a case study. This study shows a computerized tool to production design engineers in modern manufacturing with profound insight.

A Report from the RIKEN International Frontier Research Project on Earthquakes (IFREQ)

Mitigation of seismic hazards requires integration of science and human action, namely the science of earthquakes, anti-seismic engineering and socio-political measures. In this paper, we will be primarily examining the problem of saving human life from earthquakes. Loss of human life from earthquakes is caused overwhelmingly by the collapse of houses and buildings within less than a few minutes of the main shocks. When structural damage is reduced, most other seismic hazards will also be reduced. On top of that, if short-term prediction could be made, casualties would be further reduced dramatically. We review the state of the art in short-term prediction, in particular recent progress in approaches using electromagnetic phenomena. The RIKEN International Frontier Research Project on Earthquakes (IFREQ) has demonstrated the existence of pre-seismic ultra-low frequency (ULF) geo-electric potential changes, a claim that has long been made by the Greek VAN group. In addition, IFREQ has been able to verify the precursory signatures of ULF geomagnetic variations. A review is also made for another promising method using pre-seismic over-the-horizon transmission of VHF (‘100MHz) FM radio waves. Thus, the reinforcement of existing structures and enhancement of short-term prediction research are the two keys for seismic hazard mitigation.

Physical Therapy: What About Basic Sciences?

In their pursuit of evidence-based practice, rehabilitation sciences, physical therapy included, seem to be reluctant to use a basic sciences approach. This is quite understandable, but at the same time illogical, as by excluding such an approach progress within the discipline might be hindered. Consequently, we here propose the judicious involvement of rehabilitation professionals in the field of basic sciences.