Argumentation Schemes in Technology-Mediated Open Innovation Product-Service Models: An Activity Systems Perspective

The paper uses activity theory for understanding and managing the complexity involved in the transition of a product-service organization from closed to the technology-mediated open mode of innovation. In particular, activity theory is used to facilitate the alignment of the open innovation model adopted with the organization’s dominant argumentation scheme by developing nested representations of the innovation process in the traditional closed mode, as well as in the user-led innovation and user co-creation modes, associated with product- and service-provision operations, respectively. For all cases, we concentrate on the argumentation-in-innovation activity and its context. We arrive at insights about the process of Activity Based Analysis (ABA) in this endeavor and the issues raised through action research in a product-service firm in the food and beverages sector, aiming at adopting an open innovation strategy implemented in the innovation community mode.

Analytical Problems with Preparation of Paraspinal Tissues from Patients with Spinal Fusion for Analysis of Titanium

Preparation of paraspinal tissue of patients with implants for elemental analysis is a challenge because it contains titanium in the ionic form, as well as metallic debris. Most literature reports focus on dissolving the tissue, but the impact of digestion conditions on metallic debris of Ti has not been investigated. In our work, various digestion conditions, including systems, compositions of oxidising mixture, and time, were tested aiming (i) to digest the tissue without digestion of metallic titanium to quantify soluble Ti and (ii) to digest metallic titanium debris to asses total Ti content in tissue. The experiments were performed in a closed mode using a microwave-assisted system and a carbon heating block. Our study revealed that total digestion of titanium was impossible in the tested conditions and the maximal level of digested titanium was below 70%. The mineralisation with the use of concentrated nitric acid was optimal to prepare paraspinal samples to analyse the soluble titanium form because metallic titanium passivated and did not migrate to the solution. The elaborated conditions were applied to determine titanium ion in the periimplant tissue of patients with three different titanium-based surgical systems, including traditional growing rod (TGR), guided growth systems (GGS), and vertical expandable prosthesis titanium rib (VEPTR).

Problems and impact of use of private owned theatre wears as seen by theatre users

Background: The surgical theatre wear or attire include but are not limited to surgical caps, surgical scrubs, theatre aprons, and theatre foot wears. The basic principles in the care and maintenance of theatre wears are aimed at ensuring safety and infection prevention and control. Aim was to explore the problems associated with private owned theatre wears (scrubs, boots and aprons); and examined the impact of semi-closed mode of procurement and maintenance of theatre wears on theatre users in the tertiary healthcare setting.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done among theatre users in a tertiary healthcare center using self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.Results: One hundred and twenty-nine (60.6%) respondents affirmed that the mode of care of theatre scrub was not standard. 133 (62.4%) of the respondents asserted that there were problems associated with the semi-close mode of care. Nearly half (42.3%) of the respondents stressed that bad smell and contamination were their worries, and most respondents call for a change in the model of procurement and care of theatre wears.Conclusions: There were problems associated with the semi-closed system as revealed in this study, which bothers on safety of the theatre staff. Most respondents were negatively impacted, rated the current practice below standard, and call for a change in policy.

Implementation of capacitance as simultaneous sensing and actuating tool in tapered microelectrode arrays for dielectrophoresis-on-a-chip application

Purpose This paper aims to present the capacitance characterization of tapered dielectrophoresis (DEP) microelectrodes as micro-electro-mechanical system sensor and actuator device. The application of DEP-on-a-chip (DOC) can be used to evaluate and correlate the capacitive sensing measurement at an actual position and end station of liquid suspended targeted particles by DEP force actuator manipulation. Design/methodology/approach The capability of both, sensing and manipulation was analysed based on capacitance changes corresponding to the particle positioning and stationing of the targeted particles at regions of interest. The mechanisms of DEP sensor and actuator, designed in DOC applications were energized by electric field of tapered DEP microelectrodes. The actual DEP forces behaviour has been also studied via quantitative analysis of capacitance measurement value and its correlation with qualitative analysis of positioning and stationing of targeted particles. Findings The significance of the present work is the ability of using tapered DEP microelectrodes in a closed mode system to simultaneously sense and vary the magnitude of manipulation. Originality/value The integration of DOC platform for contactless electrical-driven with selective detection and rapid manipulation can provide better efficiency in in situ selective biosensors or bio-detection and rapid bio-manipulation for DOC diagnostic and prognostic devices.

Модель управления конкуренцией замкнутых модовых структур в прямоугольных резонаторах большого размера на основе лазерных гетероструктур AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs

A lumped model of the dynamics of the controlled switching of high- Q closed-mode structures in rectangular large cavities (up to 1 × 1 mm and larger) based on AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs laser heterostructures is presented. The model considers the modulation of the useful power of a closed-mode structure due to controlled generation switching to an alternative closed mode. Generation-switching control between closed mode structures is implemented due to a variation in the optical loss of one structure. A variation in the optical loss occurs due to an increase in interband optical absorption due to the quantum-confined Stark effect upon the application of voltage to a laser crystal segment in the closed-mode propagation region.