An Auditing Approach for ERP Systems Examining Human Factors that Influence ERP User Satisfaction

This paper tries to connect the successful implementation and operation of the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) information systems with people and their characteristics through a pilot survey. It examines the human factors that influence ERP user satisfaction. The presented survey tests 14 hypotheses and is based on the model developed by Zviran, Pliskin & Levin [21]. An additional factor has been added to the specified model, the self-efficacy factor analyzed by Bandura [1]. The results are based on 250 ERP users that responded to the survey. The key findings that were revealed by data analysis were that none of the human socio-demographic characteristics do influence ERP user satisfaction. Additionally it was found that perceived usefulness and self-efficacy are the key directors of the ERP user satisfaction. Moreover suggestions are given about how the companies should handle ERP usage in order to develop the prerequisites for increasing user satisfaction and productivity accordingly.ERP Audit, User Satisfaction, Perceived Usefulness

A Modular Logic Approach for Expressing Web Services in XML Applying Dynamic Rules in XML

RuleML is considered to be a markup language for the semantic web. It allows the enrichment of web ontologies by adding definitions of derived concepts and it enhances interoperability among different systems and tools by publishing rules in an XML format. Moreover the in-creasing demand for interfaces that enhance information sharing has given rise to XML doc-uments that include embedded calls to web services. In this paper we propose a variation of RuleML that is based on modular logic programming. Our approach is based in a two level architecture. In the first level a modular logic language, called M-log, is presented. This lan-guage encompasses several mechanisms for invoking web services. In the second level we ex-ploit the semantics of M-log to present a variation of RuleML with rich modeling capabilities. Formal foundations for this variation are given through direct translation to M-log semantics.Knowledge Management, XML, Modular Logic Programming, E-Services

Allergic Conjunctivitis in Patients with Respiratory Allergic Symptoms; a Retrospective Study in Greece

Here, we report on the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis and positive skin prick test (SPT) results in relation to respiratory allergic conditions among patients with symptoms of allergies at a respiratory outpatient clinic. A questionnaire survey of symptoms (i.e., asthma-like, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis symptoms) involving 1522 patients was carried out. The responses of 1242 patients indicated that they had allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, rhinitis, or a combination of these conditions, and 869 of these patients underwent SPTs that assessed responses to 40 allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis was found to be very common (40%, 497 out of 1242 patients) among those with symptoms of allergies. Conjunctivitis was slightly more common among women, while rhinitis was more common among men. Patients with both conjunctivitis and rhinitis were more likely to undergo SPTs, and they had a higher rate of positive SPTs. The coexistence of two or more comorbidities increased the risk of having an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy (based on the SPT results) compared to having each of the conditions alone. In conclusion, allergic conjunctivitis can occur either alone or with asthma and/or rhinitis. It is not always accompanied by rhinitis, but the coexistence of these conditions was the strongest indicator of IgE-mediated allergies

Experimental treatment of corneal burns by alkaline substances using stem cells

The cornea of the eye is the most refractive segment of the ocular diopters. The integrity and transparency is necessary both for the quality of vision and for the proper functioning of the eye. A prerequisite for the proper function is to prevent neovascularization and haze. However, in adverse conditions such as chemical burns. They have published studies concerning the treatment affecting neovascularization, opacification caused by alkali burns Moreover, they have published and new drugs and compounds that have anti-angiogenic properties. Moreover, they have reported in the literature and recent promising new therapy with Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) . Antiinflammatory and antioangiogenetic action of mesenchymal cells is achieved largely by paracrine mobilize certain substances (IL-10, TGF-b1, IL-6, and TSP-1).This study evaluated the efficacy of MSCs to improve the effects of alkali burn of cornea. It was created corneal alkali burns in 30 rabbit eyes. The team with the MSCs (n = 15) was treated with intrastromal injection, subconjunctival injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 2x106 MSCs as well as topical application. The control group (n = 15), was treated with PBS on the same modes of application. They have been instilled local eye drops (10% ascorbate, citrate 10%, tobramycin, dexamethasone, cyclogyl) for two weeks. The rabbits were examined under slit lamp, and assessed for neovascularization, opacity and epithelial defects of the cornea. Moreover, the tear secretion was assessed by tear test Schirmet test 1, and measurements were made for IOP (Intraocular pressure), hyperemia, toxic reaction. Furthermore, the concentration of SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) were measured and CCT (Corneal Touch Threshold). Also, an analysis of histological samples and immunohistochemistry were performed for the indicators: a-SMA, Ki-67 and FVIII factor.The eyes of the group with MSCs showed greater recovery. The mean area of neovascularization was significantly lower in MSCs (p <0,05). A significant difference in the degree of corneal opacity, re-epithelialization, and the IOP 21 and 28 posttraumatic days were also observed (p <0.05). Histological shown that MSCs resulted in near normal architecture of the eye tissue. After injection of MSCs, SGPT levels and VEGF corneal decreased significantly. Immunohistochemistry revealed a reduction of a-SMA in the group of MSCs, with highest activity in mitotic-regenerating, by the presence of Ki67. The lower values, in comparison to control group, of hyperemia, toxic reaction and SGPT in corneas accepted MSCs treatment, although without statistically significant differences, they are an indication that these new studied parameters can used as indexes of the presence and action of MSCs. It is worthy to note that the lower hyperemia at corneas, after MSCs treatment, it is approved by the presence of less blood vessels observed by electron microscopy (Coagulation factor-FVIII)Our study shows that such an approach improves the clinical results and leads to a better prognosis.Ο κερατοειδής χιτώνας του οφθαλμού είναι το διαθλαστικότερο τμήμα του οφθαλμικού διόπτρου. Η ακεραιότητα και η διαφάνεια του είναι αναγκαία τόσο για την ποιότητα όρασης όσο και για τη σωστή λειτουργία του οφθαλμού. Απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση για την σωστή λειτουργία του, είναι η αποφυγή νεοαγγείωσης και θόλωσης. Όμως, σε ανεπιθύμητες καταστάσεις όπως σε χημικά εγκαύματα είναι πιθανό να δημιουργηθούν νέα αγγεία. Έχουν δημοσιοποιηθεί μελέτες που αφορούν στην εφαρμογή θεραπευτικών παραγόντων που επιδρούν στη νεοαγγείωση, στη θόλωση που προκαλούνται από εγκαύματα του κερατοειδή Επιπλέον, υπάρχουν και άλλες φαρμακευτικές ουσίες και χημικές ενώσεις που έχουν αντί-αγγειογενετικές ιδιότητες. Εκτός τούτων, εμφανίζεται στη βιβλιογραφία και η υποσχόμενη νέα θεραπεία με μεταμόσχευση μεσεγχυματικών βλαστικών κυττάρων(MSCs). Αυτά έχουν την ικανότητα αναπαράγωγής και διαφοροποίησης προς πολλές κυτταρικές σειρές. Η αντιφλεγμονώδης και η αντιοαγγειογενετική δράση των μεσεγχυματικών κυττάρων επιτυγχάνεται σε μεγάλο βαθμό με την παρακρινή δράση τους (IL-10, TGF-β1 ,IL-6 και TSP-1). Στην παρούσα μελέτη αξιολογήθηκε η αποτελεσματικότητα της εφαρμογής των MSCsγια τη βελτίωση των συνεπειών μετά από αλκαλικό εγκαύμα του κερατοειδή. Δημιουργήθηκαν αλκαλικά εγκαύματα κερατοειδή σε 30 οφθαλμούς κονίκλων. Η ομάδα των MSCs (n = 15) υποβλήθηκε σε αγωγή με ενδοστρωματική έγχυση και ένεση υπό τον επιπεφυκότα αλατούχου φωσφορικού ρυθμιστικού διαλύματος (PBS) που περιέχει 2Χ106 MSCs, καθώς επίσης και με τοπική εφαρμογή. Η ομάδα ελέγχου (n = 15), υποβλήθηκε σε αγωγή με PBS με τους ίδιους τρόπους εφαρμογής. Ενσταλλάχθηκαν τοπικά (ασκορβικό 10%, κιτρικό 10%, τομπραμυκίνη, δεξαμεθαζόνη, cyclogyl) για 2 εβδομάδες. Οι κόνικλοι υποβλήθηκαν σε εξέταση με σχισμοειδή λυχνία, και αξιολογήθηκαν ως προς την νεοαγγείωση, τη θόλωση και τα επιθηλιακά ελλείμματα του κερατοειδή. Επιπλέον, αξιολογήθηκε η παραγωγή δακρύων με τη δοκιμασία του Schirmer test1, η Ε.Ο.Π., η υπεραιμία, η αντίδραση του προσθίου θαλάμου και η αισθητικότητα, καθώς επίσης προσδιορίστηκε η συγκέντρωση του SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase)και του VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). Επίσης, πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση των ιστολογικών δειγμάτων καθώς και ανοσοιστοχημεία στους δείκτες: a-SMA,Ki-67και FVIII παράγοντα πήξης.Οι οφθαλμοί της ομάδας με MSCs παρουσίασαν καλύτερη ανάκαμψη. Η μέση περιοχή νεοαγγείωσης ήταν σημαντικά μικρότερη στην ομάδα MSCs (p <0,05).Επιπλέον, υπήρξαν ευνοϊκά αποτελέσματα στο βαθμό της κερατοειδικής θόλωσης και επαναεπιθηλιοποίησης, καθώς και στην ΕΟΠ κατά την 21 και 28 μετατραυματική ημέρα (p<0,05). Οι ιστολογικές εξετάσεις έδειξαν ότι οι κερατοειδείς που δέχθηκαν εφαρμογή MSCs απέκτησαν σχεδόν κανονική αρχιτεκτονική των ιστών τους. Μετά την έγχυση των MSCs, τα επίπεδα του SGPT και του VEGF στον κερατοειδή μειώθηκαν σημαντικά. Η ανοσοϊστοχημεία έδειξε μείωση της α-SMA, στην ομάδα των MSCs, με υψηλότερη όμως δραστικότητα στη μιτωτική-αναγέννητική δραστηριότητα, από την παρουσία του Κί-67. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι η μικρότερη υπεραιμία σε κερατοειδείς μετά από εφαρμογή MSCs επιβεβαιώθηκε και από την παρουσία λιγότερων αιμοφόρων αγγείων στο ηλεκτρονικό μικροσκόπιο.Η μελέτη δείχνει ότι μια τέτοια προσέγγιση βελτιώνει σημαντικά τα αποτελέσματα και οδηγεί σε καλύτερη πρόγνωση

An Auditing Approach for ERP Systems Examining Human Factors that Influence ERP User Satisfaction

This paper tries to connect the successful implementation and operation of the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) information systems with people and their characteristics through a pilot survey. It examines the human factors that influence ERP user satisfaction. The presented survey tests 14 hypotheses and is based on the model developed by Zviran, Pliskin &amp; Levin [21]. An additional factor has been added to the specified model, the self-efficacy factor analyzed by Bandura [1]. The results are based on 250 ERP users that responded to the survey. The key findings that were revealed by data analysis were that none of the human socio-demographic characteristics do influence ERP user satisfaction. Additionally it was found that perceived usefulness and self-efficacy are the key directors of the ERP user satisfaction. Moreover suggestions are given about how the companies should handle ERP usage in order to develop the prerequisites for increasing user satisfaction and productivity accordingly

Implementing Security in a University Network

This paper describes the implementation of a revised security plan in the Technological and Educational Institution Stereas Elladas. This technology uses smart cards and 8 digits alphanumeric to provide high data security and encrypted communications in the university campus network