As a sequel of [4], this paper is devoted to the computation of the digital fundamental group πd 1(O/S;σ) defined by loops in the digital object O for which the digital object S acts as an “obstacle”. We prove that for arbitrary digital spaces the group πd 1(O/S;σ) maps onto the usual fundamental group of the difference of continuous analogues |AO∪S | − |AS |. Moreover, we show that this epimor...

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to analyse the obstacles and eventual motivations of solo GPs for working in group practice. METHODS A qualitative study using 12 focus groups was carried out in primary care in French-speaking Belgium. The subjects comprised four samples of GPs: 20 GP trainers, 18 GP trainees, 25 women GPs and 25 other GPs. The focus groups were taped and transcribed. Two independent re...

BACKGROUND GPs are the health professionals most frequently consulted by adolescents. However, discussion between GPs and adolescents regarding cannabis use does not occur spontaneously. OBJECTIVE To identify obstacles to the identification and management of cannabis use by adolescents based on GPs' experiences. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study using focus groups of GPs from the Auv...

Quality of higher education is a multi-dimensional concept. It lies in effectiveness of transmitting knowledge and skill; the authenticity, content, coverage and depth of information; availability of reading/teaching materials; help in removing obstacles to learning; applicability of knowledge in solving the real life problems; fruitfulness of knowledge in personal and social domains; convergen...

Evolution of 3D graphics acceleration hardware has enabled novel user interface designs for many new applications running on a regular desktop personal computer. However, navigating in an architectural environment remains difficult for a novice user because of the limited view and low-level control that the current interface provides. In this paper, we propose to use an artificial force field t...

OBJECTIVE A systematic review of the literature was conducted to characterise patients' own experience of colonoscopy in the screening context. METHODS A search strategy was applied in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCHinfo (1996-2009). Thematic analysis and narrative summary techniques were used. RESULTS Fifty-six studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Seven studies exa...

The purpose of this study was to Survey and identify obstacles of Successful Implementation of Business Strategies in food industry Companies of Fars Province. This research is a mixed method research that combined both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In qualitative part, focus group and in quantitative part inferential and descriptive research was applied. In order to inferentia...

The study aimed to identifying the obstacles of using the computerized interactive learning in teaching mathematics from the teachers' perspective at UNRWA schools in Gaza Strip governorates. The study sample consisted of (50) teachers who taught mathematics using the Computerized Interactive Learning for the first and second grades at UNRWA schools, and their selection was according to stratif...

The purpose of this paper is to discover and understand factors that lead to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) shutdown in transitional economies, such as the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The paper provides some findings about main influencing factors that lead to SMEs shut down in the first years of operation from entrepreneurs’ and managers’ perspective and suggests certai...

Prevention of disease is often difficult to put into practice. Among the obstacles: the success of prevention is invisible, lacks drama, often requires persistent behavior change, and may be long delayed; statistical lives have little emotional effect, and benefits often do not accrue to the payer; avoidable harm is accepted as normal, preventive advice may be inconsistent, and bias against err...