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Li Lim,1– 3,* Elizabeth Wen Ling Lim,4,* Mohamad Rosman,1– 3 Jane Chwee Wah Koh,1 Hla Myint Htoon1,3 1Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore; 2Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore; 3Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; 4Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Li LimSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Ave, Singapore 168751, SingaporeTel +65 62277255Fax +65 62277290Email lim.li@singhealth.com.sgPurpose: To determine the long-term visual outcomes of simultaneous femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (femto-LASIK) and accelerated cross-linking (CXL) [LASIK Xtra] for the treatment of high myopia.Patients and Methods: All 163 consecutive eyes of 85 patients who underwent LASIK Xtra for the treatment of high myopia and/or myopic astigmatism (spherical equivalent ≥ − 6.00 D) in Singapore National Eye Centre from the years 2013 to 2017 were included in this retrospective case series. Post-operative follow-up was up to 3 years.Results: Of the 163 eyes, 67 were followed up for 1 year (mean 12.9 months), 69 for 2 years (mean 24.0 months) and 43 for 3 years (mean 36.4 months). Overall mean follow-up was 22.8 months (9– 46 months). The mean pre-operative spherical equivalent (SE) was − 8.60 ± 1.47 D [range: − 11.75 to − 4.75] (n = 163) and mean attempted correction SE was − 8.84 ± 1.41 D [range: − 11.88 to − 5.25]. Most eyes (> 95%) maintained an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 6/12 or better over 3 years. Visual outcomes were predictable with ≥ 95% of eyes achieving a SE correction within ± 1D of attempted correction over 3 years. There was a mild regression in SE refraction over 3 years with a mean of − 0.10 ± 0.45 D three years post-operatively (p = 0.03). The safety index was > 1.05 at 3 years follow-up. There were no significant post-operative complications though 24 eyes had mild haze and 2 eyes had grade 1 diffuse lamellar keratitis that resolved within 1 month.Conclusion: Our 3-year LASIK Xtra results show favorable safety, efficacy, predictability and stability outcomes in Asian patients with high myopia.Keywords: LASIK Xtra, refractive surgery, cross-linking

Andrea Petznick,1 Annabel Chew,2 Reece C Hall,2 Cordelia ML Chan,2 Mohamad Rosman,1,2 Donald Tan,1–3 Louis Tong,1–4 Jodhbir S Mehta1–31Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; 2Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; 4Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, SingaporePurpose: To evaluate longitudinal changes in corneal sensitivity, tear function, and corneal staining in patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using two different femtosecond lasers.Methods: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, contralateral eyes of 45 patients underwent flap creation by either VisuMax or IntraLase™ femtosecond laser. Corneal sensitivity, tear break up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, and corneal fluorescein staining were assessed preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.Results: There were no statistical differences in any clinical outcome measure between the two femtosecond lasers (P > 0.05), although there was a trend towards slightly lower reductions for corneal sensitivity and TBUT in VisuMax-operated eyes. Overall, corneal sensitivity was significantly reduced at 1 week (P < 0.05), 1 month (P < 0 .001), and 3 months (P < 0.001) postoperatively. A significantly greater reduction of corneal sensitivity was noted in eyes with a myopic spherical equivalent of −6.00 diopters (D) to −11.25 D as compared with eyes that had a relatively lower level of myopia of less than −6.00 D (P < 0.001). TBUT and Schirmer’s test values were significantly diminished at 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.04). Overall, corneal staining was significantly increased at 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.001). The level of myopia did not significantly affect postoperative changes in TBUT, Schirmer’s test values, or corneal staining (P > 0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that changes in corneal sensitivity, tear function, and corneal staining were statistically similar in LASIK using VisuMax and IntraLase femtosecond lasers for flap creation. However, the trend towards faster recovery of corneal sensitivity and TBUT observed in VisuMax-operated eyes may be attributable to improved technical specifications.Keywords: femtosecond laser, corneal sensitivity, tear film break-up time, Schirmer’s, corneal staining

In present time, dredged marine soils (DMS) are generally considered as geo-waste in Malaysia. It is also known to contain high value of water and low shear strength. Lightly solidified soils such as soilcement slurry and flowable fill are known as controlled low strength materials (CLSM). On site, the CLSM was tested for its consistency by using an open-ended cylinder pipe. The vertical and lateral displacement from the test would determine the quality and workability of the CLSM. In this study, manufactured kaolin powder was mixed with different percentages of water. Cement was also added to compare the natural soil with solidified soil samples. There are two methods of flowability test used, namely the conventional lift method and innovative drop method. The lateral displacement or soil spread diameter values were recorded and averaged. Tests showed that the soil spread diameter corresponded almost linear with the increasing amount of water. The binder-added samples show no significant difference with non-binder sample. Also, the mixing water content and percentage of fines had influenced the soil spread diameter.

This study aims to examine the relationship between the components of market orientation, i.e., customer orientation, competitor orientation, interfunctional coordination, architectural marketing capabilities and business performance. Researchers have been trying to find a solution for the gap that exists between market orientation and business performance. The respondents of this study were the owners or heads of 358 SMEs located in Central Java, Indonesia. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) for data analysis. The results showed that customer orientation (CSO), competitor orientation (CO), and inter-functional coordination (IC) have a significant effect on architectural marketing capabilities (AMC) and business performance (BP), and that AMC also has a significant effect on business performance. Furthermore, architectural marketing capabilities can mediate the relationship between customer orientation, competitor orientation, inter-functional coordination and business performance.

Purpose: The process of identifying and defining effective delivery mechanisms is a critical issue in the management of microcredit programs to meet the firm's objectives and the customers’ needs. The purpose of this paper is to look at the relative importance of delivery mechanism in microcredit programs. In addition, this paper analyses the relationship between delivery mechanism and business performance among micro enterprises involved in microcredit programs. Methodology: The primary data of the study were obtained from 756 micro entrepreneurs under two major microcredit programs (AIM and TEKUN). Descriptive and t-test analysis were used to explain the findings of the study. Findings: Analysis of the study shows that cooperation from staff, the duration and method of loan repayment and monitoring of loan capital are important mechanism in the management of microcredit programs. T-test analysis revealed a significant difference in delivery mechanism between the two microcredit programs involved. Empirical findings show that the performance of micro enterprises under the AIM microcredit program is better than that of micro enterprises under the TEKUN microcredit program. Practical Implications: The performance of a microcredit program depends largely on their resource management. This involves operational efficiency, credit products offered, and customer support services. These three elements are critical factors in determining the effectiveness of the delivery mechanism in a microcredit program. Originality/value:The efficiency of delivery mechanisms through strategic resource management not only can enhance the competitive advantage of the AIM microcredit program but also affect the performance of the micro enterprises involved. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01281 Full Text: PDF

Este estudo tem como objetivo examinar a relação entre os componentes da orientação para o mercado – orientação para o cliente, orientação para a concorrência, coordenação interfuncional e capacidades de arquitetura de marketing – e o desempenho da empresa. Pesquisadores vêm tentando encontrar uma solução para a lacuna existente entre a orientação para o mercado e o desempenho da empresa. Os sujeitos deste estudo foram 358 proprietários ou gestores de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) em Java Central, na Indonésia. A pesquisa utilizou Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (SEM) para analisar os dados. Os resultados mostraram que a Orientação para o Cliente (OCL), a Orientação para Concorrência (OC) e a Coordenação Interfuncional (CI) tiveram uma influência significativa nas Capacidades de Arquitetura de Marketing (CAM) e no Desempenho da Empresa (DE), e que as CAM também tiveram uma influência significativa no desempenho da empresa. Além disso, as CAM podem mediar a relação entre a orientação para o cliente, a orientação para a concorrência, a coordenação interfuncional e o desempenho da empresa.