Heuristic rating estimation - geometric approach

Heuristic Rating Estimation (HRE) is a newly proposed method supporting decisions analysis based on the use of pairwise comparisons. It allows that the ranking values of some alternatives (herein referred to as concepts) are initially known, whilst the ranks for the other concepts have yet to be estimated. To calculate the missing ranks it is assumed that the priority of every single concept can be determined as the weighted arithmetic mean of priorities of all the other concepts. It has been shown that the problem has admissible solution if the inconsistency of pairwise comparisons is not too high. The proposed approach adopts the heuristics according to which to determine the missing priorities a weighted geometric mean is used. In this approach, despite an increased complexity, the solution always exists and their existence does not depend on the inconsistency of the input matrix. Thus, the presented approach might be appropriate for a larger number of problems than the previous method. The formal definition of the proposed geometric heuristics is accompanied by two numerical examples.Comment: 11 page

The utilisation of a career conversation framework based on Schein’s career anchors model

Orientation: This  study  constituted  and  reported  on  the  outcomes  of  a  structured  career conversation  framework  based  on  Schein’s  eight  career  anchors  in  an  open  distance  and e-learning (ODeL) university in South Africa. Research purpose: The purpose of the research was to report on the utilisation of a structured career conversation framework based on Schein’s career anchors model. Motivation for the study: The rationale for the study was the paucity of studies investigating career anchors in South Africa’s multicultural organisational context. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative approach was adopted in the study. The population consisted of 4200 employees at a university in South Africa. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as a Scheffe post hoc test. Main  findings: The  findings  of  this  study  suggest  that  career  conversation  has  a  dynamic nature (i.e. it changes) over a period of time. Consequently, career development interventions in the workplace need to approach the workforce holistically. Practical/managerial implications: The findings and results will assist managers, practitioners and  career  development  specialists  in  the  practical  implementation  of  the  career  anchor concept. Contribution/value-add: The career conversation framework based on Schein’s career anchors has expanded the existing theory to find the right balance between career conversations and career anchors to keep people motivated to perform optimally in an organisation

Volumetric change of flowable composite resins due to polymerization as measured with an electronic mercury dilatometer

BACKGROUND: To determine the total volumetric change and the relative speed of shrinkage of bulk fill flowable composites during polymerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A specially designed electronic mercury dilatometer was used to determine the volumetric change. The light intensity was 500mW/cm2. The mercury dilatometer measured the volumetric change every 0.5 seconds during the 35 second irradiation exposure time. The materials tested were Z250 as standard and control. Four bulk fill flowable composites were tested. RESULTS: The sequence of total volumetric change was found to be: Z250 < Filtek bulk fill < Xtra-Base bulk fill < SDR < Venus bulk fill. The speed of shrinkage of the bulk fill flowables was faster than that of Z250, while the 2 flowables with the highest shrinkage speed (SDR and Venus) also had the highest total volumetric change. Of the different materials tested the volumetric change of Z250 (1.13%) was the lowest and significantly less (p<0.05) than that of SDR (1.55%) and Venus (1.72%). The material with the highest filler content (Z250) also showed the lowest shrinkage (1.13%) but this effect could not be seen in the flowables. In general, it was found that a 35 second irradiation period (with a light intensity of 500mW/cm2) was satisfactory for complete polymerization of the resins. CONCLUSIONS: The volumetric changes and speed of shrinkage were higher for all 4 bulk fill flowable composites than for Z250. SDR and Venus flowables had the fastest and highest volumetric shrinkage. Clinical significance: The manufacturers of bulk fill flowable composites advocate filling layers of 4mm. However, because of the high shrinkage values found in this study it should be suggested that the standard 2mm layer increments still be used.It was partly supported by the IADR and the C. H. Pameijer Fellowship 2012.Web of Scienc

Cytotoxicity of seven recent dentine bonding agents on mouse 3T3 fibroblast cells

Today it is generally accepted that most bonding agents are cytotoxic. In this study the relative cyto-toxicity of seven recent dentine bonding agents on mouse 3T3 fibroblast cells were investigated. Materials and Methods. Near-confluent mouse 3T3 fibro- blast cells were exposed to Dulbecco Modified Eagle’s Medium containing extractions from the seven different bonding agents. The cell survival rate was then determined using the standard MTT assay. Results. The cell survival rate ranking is: iBond (94%) < Gbond (78%) < Xeno V (71%) < Adper Easy Bond (63%) < Xeno V+ (61%) < Adper Scotchbond SE (33%) < XP Bond (32%). Part A of Adper Scotchbond SE had a survival rate of 35% and part B 38%. These two parts did not differ significantly. Adper Scotchbond SE and XP Bond do not differ significantly. While Xeno V+, Xeno V and Adper Easy Bond do not differ. (p < 5%; Tukey-Kramer Multiple-Comparison Test). Conclusion. All of the tested adhesive bonding agents were cytotoxic with survival rate of 3T3 cells between 94% to 31%. Of the 7 bonding agents tested iBond was found to be only slightly toxic and by far the least toxic. The two bonding agents (XP Bond and Adper Scotchbond SE) containing UDMA plus TEGDMA plus HEMA plus camphorquinone were found to be the most toxic