On the definition and design-time analysis of process performance indicators

A key aspect in any process-oriented organisation is the evaluation of process performance for the achievement of its strategic and operational goals. Process Performance Indicators (PPIs) are a key asset to carry out this evaluation, and, therefore, having an appropriate definition of these PPIs is crucial. After a careful review of the literature related and a study of the current picture in different real organisations, we conclude that there not exists any proposal that allows to define PPIs in a way that is unambiguous and highly expressive, understandable by technical and non-technical users and traceable with the Business Process (BP). In addition, like other activities carried out during the BP lifecycle, the management of PPIs is considered time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, providing an automated support for them is very appealing from a practical point of view.     

Body mass index in a group of Venezuelan pregnant women and its relationship with the newborns' anthropometry

To assess the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) at early gestation and the newborns' anthropometry, 105 mother-infant dyads from a public Maternity Hospital in Valencia Venezuela, were studied during 1998-2000. Weight and height of adult women between 10 and 15 weeks of gestation were used to calculate BMI according to Atalah's reference (Low weight, Normal, Over weight). Term newborns were assessed using gestational age calculated according to the Capurro method. Their weight, height, and head circumference were recorded, and were characterized using a Venezuelan reference. Newborns whose birth weight (BW) was pound 10th percentile were considered "small for gestational age" (SGA), and those with BW (3) 90th percentile as "large for gestational age" (LGA). One-way ANOVA and Tukey's Post Hoc test were used for group comparisons. There were 41.9% of "low weight" mothers, and 13.4% of SGA newborns. There were differences in the newborns' weight and height according to "Low weight" maternal BMI with "Normal" and "Over weight" maternal BMI (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of nutritional deficit was observed from the beginning of the gestational period, as well as a relationship between maternal BMI and the newborn's anthropometry.     

Synthesis and Application of Hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene as Flame Retardant in Latex Coatings

The paper deals with a novel flame retardant and its application in waterborne coatings. The flame retardant was synthesized from hexachloro-cyclo-triphosphazene by nucleophilic substitution with allylamine. Functionalized emulsion copolymers bearing in the structure hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene were prepared by the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. The latexes were used as the main component of transparent coating systems cured by melamine formaldehyde resin. The incorporation hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene did not affect transparency, flexibility, and toughness of resulting coatings and increased their flame stability in terms of the amount of smoke release and maximum average rate of heat emission indicating a slower flame spread during the material combustion.     

The Strategic Impact of Country of Origin on Senior Tourism Demand: the Need to Balance Global and Local Strategies

This paper focuses on an understanding of the senior tourism market through an exploration the global-local dimension of international strategies that firms and destinations could implement in order to fit this high growing demand segment. We will argue that this market trend is a global one with an increasing presence in all the continents and in every type of country, from the most advanced to developing countries. This does not mean that the answer to this trend can always be a global strategy, meaning to provide the same touristic product for all seniors in every country. To determine an international strategy it is important to know if the tourism behaviour of seniors, and their motivations and determinants are common internationally; or do they show substantial differences that require a strategic adaptation, depending on the country of origin. To begin exploring this important issue, we decided to undertake exploratory research (Kozak Tourism Management, 23(3), 221–232, 2002; Patuelli and Nijkamp 2015) based on a meta-analysis of the literature, to design a model for classifying the variables identified in each country, testing their capabilities so as to be comprehensive, and reflect upon the common denominators that may articulate a global tourism market and the variables that encourage major differences to emerge. Our conclusions found that both dimensions coexist, making it possible to apply both global and local strategies, and preferably transnational approaches. This allowed us to validate our model as an useful tool to summarize previous research and to structure in a holistic way the diverse variables to consider a better understanding of the senior tourism market. Further research is proposed to advance more accurate conclusions.     

Serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in venezuelan elderly

The anatomical and physiological changes of aging make elderly people a vulnerable group to malnutrition and specific deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate. This study was aimed to establish relationships among serum vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine concentrations and dietary intake and adequacy. Fifty five male and female elderly (60 and more years), free-living, were assessed. Measurements were: serum vitamin B12 and folate by radioimmunoanalysis (RIA), homocysteine by polarized fluorescence immunoassay, nutrient intake by three 24 hours recalls and food frequency questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). Serum vitamin B12 and folate were at normal range (423,3+/-227,6 pmol/l and 6,4 +/- 4,5 mg/ml), but 17,5% of elderly had B12 deficiency and 12% had folate deficiency. Serum homocysteine was higher than reference values (15,8+/-4,4 mmol/l), but 47,5% showed concentrations above 15 mmol/L, male population showed higher mean value (p: 0,01). Nutrient intake was inadequate by deficiency. BMI indicated 11,8% of undernutrition, 29,4% of overweight and 20,6% of obesity A negative and inverse correlation between homocysteine and serum folate was found. Results suggest a biochemical deficiency of B12 and folate that is expressed as elevated homocysteine levels. These finding represent a high cardiovascular risk factor for this elderly group.     

Saturated fat and heart disease: The latest evidence

In recent years, many nutrition news headlines exclaimed that saturated fat was not linked to heart disease, leaving the public confused about whether to limit intake, as has been the dietary recommendation for several decades. However, a more nuanced look at the evidence indicates that high saturated fat diets are in fact not benign with respect to heart disease risk. Dietary recommendations should emphasize replacing saturated fats typical in red and processed meats, and certain tropical oils and dairy forms, with healthier polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat‐rich foods, such as nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish, as well as healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as fiber‐rich whole‐grain foods, rather than refined‐grain and sugar‐laden foods.     

Presence, processing, and localization of mouse ADAM15 during sperm maturation and the role of its disintegrin domain during sperm-egg binding

Successful fertilization requires gametes to complete several stages, beginning with maturation and transport along the male and female reproductive tracts and ending with the interaction between the sperm and the egg. This last step involves sperm-egg adhesion and membrane fusion. ADAMs (disintegrin and metalloprotease domain proteins) are a family of membrane-anchored glycoproteins that are thought to play diverse roles in cell-cell adhesion through their interaction with integrins. This study analyzes the presence, location, processing, and possible role of ADAM15 in mouse sperm. The presence of ADAM15 in mouse spermatozoa was detected by Western blotting, which revealed that ADAM15 is post-translationally processed, during epididymal sperm maturation and the acrosome reaction. The 35 kDa antigen present in the acrosome-reacted sperm is the last proteolytic product of the 110/75 kDa ADAM15 found in non-capacitated sperm. This 35 kDa protein contains the disintegrin domain. By indirect immunofluorescence, ADAM15 was identified in the acrosomal region and along the flagellum of mouse spermatozoa. In acrosome-reacted sperm, ADAM15 was lost from the acrosomal region, but remained diffusely distributed throughout the head and flagellum. Furthermore, the ADAM15 disintegrin domain (RPPTDDCDLPEF) partially inhibited fusion and almost completely inhibited sperm-oolemma adhesion. In conclusion, our data indicate that ADAM15 is present in the testis and in spermatozoa from the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis, as well as in non-capacitated and acrosome-reacted gametes. Results also indicate that ADAM15 is processed during epididymal maturation and acrosome reaction and that it may play a role during sperm-egg binding.