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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test flow as a construct distinctly separate from its antecedents, and the resulting impact on brand attitudes and purchase intent within realistic online shopping three-dimensional virtual environments (3-DVEs). Design/methodology/approach This research utilizes a field study, combined with a survey research design of 348 3-DVE participants. Findings The findings reveal that flow is not a unidimensional construct but rather, a mental state that should be measured separately from its antecedents, with the possibility that certain antecedents may be more relevant than others in different activities. Furthermore, the authors received strong support for the overarching hypothesized model separating the nine dimensions associated with engagement in an activity as antecedents of flow, which, in turn, influences brand attitude and thereafter purchase intention. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to one type of activity within one 3-DVE but is balanced by the difficulty in gaining access to organizations and computer-mediated environments of this type for examining such phenomena. Practical implications Businesses using 3-DVEs to market brands should focus their efforts on creating highly enjoyable experiences that result in the feeling of a loss of sense of time for the participants in order to ultimately positively influence purchase intentions. Originality/value Prior research focused on fantasy-based, game-oriented environments, while also neglecting to test all elements of flow, examining “similar to flow” constructs or measuring flow as a unidimensional construct.

Decision making techniques have been widely used in healthcare and medical industry. This study systematically reviews the conventional and fuzzy decision-making techniques applied in healthcare and medical problems. In total, we evaluated 202 published studies selected from 85 high-ranking journals, in which 130 of those published studies were directly related to the decision-making processes in healthcare and medical issues. Selected studies were classified into nine application areas: environmental sustainability, waste management, service quality, risk management, medical equipment and material selection, health technology, operation researches in healthcare, hospital healthcare services and other application areas. Furthermore, we classified the selected studies by numerous significant perspectives such as the authors, application areas, utilized techniques, publication time periods, decision-making and study goals, and significant results of the papers. The statistical results show that the year 2012 was ranked first in terms of developed studies within the period of 1989–2018. The techniques of AHP and hybrid approaches were the most frequently implemented decision-making technique in healthcare fields. Notably, the results also show that decision-making approaches and techniques are mostly applied to evaluate and rank different applications of service quality in healthcare and medical industries.

Renewable energy should play a crucial role in increasing energy supplies and achieving the potential target of reducing 50% of CO2 emissions by 2050. The main objective of this study is to propose a neuro-fuzzy modelling entitled ensemble-Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) learning to predict and analyse the interrelationship between renewable energy consumption, economic growth, and CO2 emissions of G8+5 countries. This will help the governments and industry sectors to formulate energy policies and develop energy resources sustainably. The prediction method was constructed by extracting the fuzzy rules from the real-world dataset of World Development Indicators (WDI) and generalising the relationships of the inputs and output parameters for accurate prediction of CO2 emissions. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated, and the results show its efficiency in the prediction of CO2 emissions by incorporating the import indicators, including renewable energy consumption and economic growth. The U test of Sasabuchi–Lind–Mehlum (SLM) was conducted to identify the interrelationship results obtained from the ensemble ANFIS learning and the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The results of SLM test found an inverse U-shape condition among all countries except Brazil. The prediction of CO2 emissions trends using the soft computing approach (ensemble ANFIS) indicated that the consumption of renewable energy reduces CO2 emissions. The proposed soft computing method was found efficient in predicting CO2 emissions. It was in line with the foreseen targets of increasing the renewable energy generation and achieving the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) objectives.

Background: The MOMENTUM 3 study (Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy With HeartMate 3) has demonstrated that the HeartMate 3 (HM3) pump is associated with reduced strokes compared with the HeartMate II (HMII) device. We now perform a comprehensive analysis of stroke events to evaluate their longitudinal occurrence, clinical correlates, patterns, and impact on outcome across the 2-year duration of support. Methods: MOMENTUM 3 is a randomized controlled trial of the HM3 centrifugal-flow pump versus the HMII axial-flow pump in patients with advanced heart failure, regardless of the intended goal of support (bridge to transplantation or destination therapy). Baseline and postimplantation clinical correlates of stroke events were assessed with multivariable analyses. Longitudinal patterns, including device association, type of stroke (hemorrhagic versus ischemic), changing severity of impairment assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (disabling [modified Rankin Scale score >3] versus nondisabling [modified Rankin Scale score ≤3]) over time, and association with outcome, were determined. Results: In 361 patients with the intended implant (189 HM3 and 172 HMII), 65 strokes (40 ischemic strokes and 25 hemorrhagic strokes) occurred in 52 patients at a median of 131 (range, 1–733) days. No difference in stroke rate was noted between 0 and 180 days of follow-up between devices. However, stroke incidence in the long-term period (181–730 days after left ventricular assist device) was 3.3 times lower for the HM3 group (HM3: 0.04 versus HMII: 0.13 events per patient-year; odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08–0.63; P =0.01). Treatment with the HM3 pump was the only independent predictor of lower stroke events. We found no direct association of blood pressure or antithrombotic regimens with observed stroke rates. A stroke event significantly lowered 2-year postimplantation survival regardless of subtype or initial severity of neurological impairment compared with patients without a stroke (43±12% for hemorrhagic stroke, 57±9% for ischemic stroke, 51±11% for disabling, and 51±11% for nondisabling compared with 85±2% 2-year survival for patients without stroke). Conclusions: The HM3 pump is associated with a marked reduction in stroke rates compared with the HMII device, with benefits observed in the long-term period (>6 months). The occurrence of stroke of any type (hemorrhagic and ischemic) or of any functional severity (disabling and nondisabling) is predictive of a poor 2-year clinical outcome. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT02224755.

Background In January 2015, we created a multidisciplinary Aortic Center with the collaboration of Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Anesthesia and Hospital Administration. We report the initial success of creating a Comprehensive Aortic Center. Methods All aortic procedures performed from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2016 were entered into a prospectively collected database and compared with available data for 2014. Primary outcomes included the number of all aortic related procedures, transfer acceptance rate, transfer time, and proportion of elective/emergent referrals. Results The Aortic Center included 5 vascular surgeons, 2 cardiac surgeons, and 2 interventional radiologists. Workflow processes were implemented to streamline patient transfers as well as physician and operating room notification. Total aortic volume increased significantly from 162 to 261 patients. This reflected an overall 59% ( P = 0.0167) increase in all aorta-related procedures. We had a 65% overall increase in transfer requests with 156% increase in acceptance of referrals and 136% drop in transfer denials ( P n = 45) of our total aortic volume in 2015. The average transfer time from request to arrival decreased from 515 to 352 min, although this change was not statistically significant. We did see a significant increase in the use of air-transfers for aortic patients ( P = 0.0041). Factorial analysis showed that time for transfer was affected only by air-transfer use, regardless of the year the patient was transferred. Transfer volume and volume of aortic related procedures remained stable in 2016. Conclusions Designation as a comprehensive Aortic Center with implementation of strategic workflow systems and a culture of “no refusal of transfers” resulted in a significant increase in aortic volume for both emergent and elective aortic cases. Case volumes increased for all specialties involved in the center. Improvements in transfer center and emergency medical services communication demonstrated a trend toward more efficient transfer times. These increases and improvements were sustainable for 2 years after this designation.

Robert Hooke's development of the theory of matter-as-vibration provides coherence to a career in natural philosophy which is commonly perceived as scattered and haphazard. It also highlights aspects of his work for which he is rarely credited: besides the creative speculative imagination and practical-instrumental ingenuity for which he is known, it displays lucid and consistent theoretical thought and mathematical skills. Most generally and importantly, however, Hooke's 'Principles … of Congruity and Incongruity of bodies' represent a uniquely powerful approach to the most pressing challenge of the New Science: legitimizing the application of mathematics to the study of nature. This challenge required reshaping the mathematical practices and procedures; an epistemological framework supporting these practices; and a metaphysics which could make sense of this epistemology. Hooke's 'Uniform Geometrical or Mechanical Method' was a bold attempt to answer the three challenges together, by interweaving mathematics through physics into metaphysics and epistemology. Mathematics, in his rendition, was neither an abstract and ideal structure (as it was for Kepler), nor a wholly-flexible, artificial human tool (as it was for Newton). It drew its power from being contingent on the particularities of the material world.

Globalization has resulted in globally dispersed suppliers (Blackhurst et al. 2005). These disperse suppliers are exposed to multiple unforeseen natural and manmade risks and vulnerabilities (Simchi-Levi et al. 2014; Zsidisin et al. 2004). One of the consequences of exposure to manmade and natural risks is supply chain disruption (Schmidt and Raman 2012; Zsidisin et al. 2004). Therefore, the risks and vulnerabilities faced by the supply chain of large enterprises have made them to focus on monitoring supply chain risks and preparing their organizations to be resilient enough to come back after a significant disruption.

E-business based e-lance networks can impact the coordination and completion of work within organizations and improve efficiencies in global supply chains. This may be particularly true for organizations mitigating sudden demand spikes, or lacking internal expertise and bandwidth. However, little is known about what governance and social control mechanisms impact network success. Utilizing data from 14,644 projects, this research tests a theory of network governance specific to this new emerging e-lance economy by integrating transaction cost economics with the concepts of social controls. For transaction costs, findings indicate that higher average project values lead to more projects and more money being exchanged, but more bids leads to less monetary exchange. For social controls, restricting access by sealing bids and not disclosing budget amounts leads to less bidding, but not disclosing budgets is associated with more projects being posted. The authors further find that the best predictor of e-lance success across all measures is the number of projects posted in the prior time period.

For leadership, responding to supply chain disruptions can be paradoxical. Supply chain disruptions can rattle the stability and operational norms of a company and its stakeholders. Without an unwavering effort to contain the damage, such disruptions can easily propagate and become even more damaging. This assertion suggests that decisive leadership is fit for the purpose. However, supply chain disruptions often sever multiple value-generating streams, creating a ripple effect across organizations. Re-establishing production links in a web of inter-organizational exchanges requires careful examination of what is at stake by purchasing and supply managers. This alternative assertion suggests that an adaptive leader is fit for the purpose. The concurrent need for decisiveness in leadership and adaptiveness in leadership can be paradoxical. In this study, we explore this issue by assessing how leader’s adaptive decision-making (ADM) affects the extent of operational performance damage caused by different forms of supply chain disruptions. Using paradox and leadership theories, we offer hypotheses related to unexpected, complicated and enduring supply chain disruptions. We empirically test our hypotheses using secondary (financial) and primary (managerial assessment) data from a cross-section of 251 manufacturing firms. Results show a concave curvilinear relationship between leader’s ADM and operational damage from supply chain disruptions, suggesting that moderate levels of ADM are optimal. Higher ADM is particularly effective to diminish ripple effects in the face of rare disruptions. Instead, low ADM is more effective in the face of unexpected and complicated disruptions.

The MOMENTUM 3 study (Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy With HeartMate 3) has demonstrated that the HeartMate 3 (HM3) pump is associated with reduced strokes compared with the HeartMate II (HMII) device. We now perform a comprehensive analysis of stroke events to evaluate their longitudinal occurrence, clinical correlates, patterns, and impact on outcome across the 2-year duration of support.MOMENTUM 3 is a randomized controlled trial of the HM3 centrifugal-flow pump versus the HMII axial-flow pump in patients with advanced heart failure, regardless of the intended goal of support (bridge to transplantation or destination therapy). Baseline and postimplantation clinical correlates of stroke events were assessed with multivariable analyses. Longitudinal patterns, including device association, type of stroke (hemorrhagic versus ischemic), changing severity of impairment assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (disabling [modified Rankin Scale score3] versus nondisabling [modified Rankin Scale score ≤3]) over time, and association with outcome, were determined.In 361 patients with the intended implant (189 HM3 and 172 HMII), 65 strokes (40 ischemic strokes and 25 hemorrhagic strokes) occurred in 52 patients at a median of 131 (range, 1-733) days. No difference in stroke rate was noted between 0 and 180 days of follow-up between devices. However, stroke incidence in the long-term period (181-730 days after left ventricular assist device) was 3.3 times lower for the HM3 group (HM3: 0.04 versus HMII: 0.13 events per patient-year; odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.63; P=0.01). Treatment with the HM3 pump was the only independent predictor of lower stroke events. We found no direct association of blood pressure or antithrombotic regimens with observed stroke rates. A stroke event significantly lowered 2-year postimplantation survival regardless of subtype or initial severity of neurological impairment compared with patients without a stroke (43±12% for hemorrhagic stroke, 57±9% for ischemic stroke, 51±11% for disabling, and 51±11% for nondisabling compared with 85±2% 2-year survival for patients without stroke).The HM3 pump is associated with a marked reduction in stroke rates compared with the HMII device, with benefits observed in the long-term period (6 months). The occurrence of stroke of any type (hemorrhagic and ischemic) or of any functional severity (disabling and nondisabling) is predictive of a poor 2-year clinical outcome.URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT02224755.

In disaster management, a response to an incident that affects various people, communities, and organizations involves multiple parts of the supply chain. When a disaster occurs, people from the entire emergency supply chain are pulled together into one response team in order to ensure an effective disaster response. The whole team needs to work jointly as one unit, because even a small mistake can pose a serious threat to disaster victims’ and team members’ safety, health, and well-being.

The main purpose of this article to present a comprehensive review of the application of the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in the assessment of sustainable and green supply chain management (SCM). In this paper, we systematically identified, reviewed, and categorized the selected papers in various key perspectives, including application area, research problem and study purpose and gap, type of method and technique, name of variables, name and country of authors, related theory, unit of analysis, publication year, number of hypotheses, number of sample and scope, respondents, measure validation, data collection method, and finally, findings and results. The findings of this review study demonstrated that previous works have used the SEM in the field of green SCM. In addition, it appears the manufacturing sector had the highest rank among other sectors. Results report the majority of published papers have used SmartPls and the resource-based theory (RBV) theory achieved first rank among other theories. With 16 records, Journal of Cleaner Production stands out as the most prominent outlet, and scholars published 16 papers in the year of 2016 as the most influential year. According to the findings, we identified the United States with 16 records, as the most prominent country compared to other countries. This review paper proves to be a valuable source of information for readers and practitioners in the field of SCM because it presents useful insights into green and sustainable SCM development and offers a better understanding of the current body of knowledge in these fields.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to outline the usage of interactive marketing tools in the area of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to further collaboration among supply chain partners. Emergent challenges and research directions are proposed.Design/methodology/approach– Using extant literature from S&OP, supply chain management and interactive marketing, the authors integrate those to show the value of using interactive marketing tools to further integration across the supply chain of important S&OP processes.Findings– S&OP utilizes sophisticated software to integrate various business processes beyond B2C and into B2B relationships.Research limitations/implications– Uncertainty exists as to the measurement of the performance of a supply chain, or the network or system of companies, is not developed enough to deal with that issue. However, this is addressed in the research questions section.Practical implications– The practical implications for the use of integrative marketing tools to link B2C as well as B2B partners through S&OP are numerous and far reaching.Originality/value– This study uniquely examines the use of interactive marketing tools for B2B, as opposed to simply B2C.

While sustainability has garnered a great deal of attention in the popular press, it is not well defined, and little is known about the actual drivers and barriers to adopting environmentally sustainable practices within organizations. This is particularly true with regard to implementation in the purchasing and supply management (P/SM) function. This study reviews the sustainability literature and defines supply management sustainability (SSM) and its components. Additionally, a multi-method approach was utilized consisting of an extensive review of the sustainability literature, a multi-stage Delphi analysis with a panel of twenty-one P/SM executives, and interviews with nineteen additional P/SM executives. The purpose of this study was to identify the drivers and barriers currently facing P/SM sustainability implementation efforts. The results indicated that top management initiatives and government regulations currently drive P/SM sustainability efforts while investments in sustainability and economic uncertainty are a hindrance to these programs.

This study covers a decade of academic research in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) field, offering an in-depth analytical review focused on the existing trends and gaps in the supply chain literature. Nine academic journals were investigated and a subject categorization is developed for SCM research. A content analysis was then conducted on 405 articles, focusing on the categories covered within the SCM literature, various levels of the chain examined and sample populations and industries studied, as well as the research methods employed. Finally, a conceptual framework of the most highly researched categories in SCM indicates that there is a need for more research that seeks to understand the nature of multiple links in SCM chains and networks, as opposed to focusing on dyadic and inter-firm relationships.

Paradoxical low flow-low gradient aortic stenosis (PLF-LG AS) is characterized by low stroke volume and gradient despite a normal ejection fraction (EF), and is associated with poorer outcomes. The mechanism of low flow is incompletely understood and is presumed to be related to restrictive filling

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) associated with tuberculous pericarditis after lung transplantation is a very rare entity. Here we report a unique case of cardiac tamponade due to tuberculous pericarditis, in a patient 4 months after single right lung transplantation, the patient underwent a subxyphoid pericardial window. The pericardial effusion analysis showed exudate effusion with high level of lymphocyte concentration. Both patient and donor didn’t have history of TB or TB Exposure.

Supply chain disruptions can be complicated, surprising, infrequent, and often unforgiving to mediocre decisions. Leading organizations through such disruptions can be extremely challenging. This r...

This research broadens the study of trust as it applies to developing stable relationships in electronic environments. Prior studies have investigated many aspects of trust, but few have looked at its incremental development. Previous empirical research identifies antecedents to initial perceptions of trust that may influence the progression of trust to deeper levels. More conceptual work identifies antecedents that swiftly cultivate trust, allowing for stable relationships to develop more quickly. The antecedents investigated in this study, using regression and structural equation modeling, are the use of security symbols, trustworthy brand names, and personalization techniques. The results of the study indicate that the use of security symbols and trustworthy brand names have a positive and lasting effect on trusting beliefs and that personalization has a decreasing and lasting effect on trusting beliefs. There was no support for the hypothesis that trust develops over time in electronic environments.

In this article, we focus on the role of brokers as the essential facilitators of e-collaboration. E-lance brokers are Web-based and serve as online clearinghouses for information about customers and their projects, as well as suppliers of services seeking work, allowing knowledge work to be traded like a commodity. Brokers bring together those seeking services and those who can provide those services to meet the particular needs of the customer. The study of the different ecollaboration tools used by e-lance brokers provides important insights into how loosely coupled, autonomous agents exchange services through e-lance forms of organization. Examining the different e-collaboration mechanisms and how these mechanisms translate into successful transactions, is essential for understanding the future of knowledge work. Since knowledge-based work can be codified and shared electronically, such as software development, consulting, translation, and accounting, e-collaboration tools enabled through ICTs present viable alternatives to traditional models of organizing.

Paragonimiasis is an important cause of pulmonary disease worldwide. It results from an infection with Paragonimus, a parasite that reproduces through a complex life cycle involving snails, crustaceans, and mammals. Humans acquire the disease by ingesting uncooked freshwater crab or crayfish. Paragonimus species are distributed globally, and the disease is well known in endemic regions of Asia where culturally based methods of food preparation foster human transmission. Paragonimus also exists in regions of the United States but has been a rare cause of pulmonary disease. We report a case of a previously healthy young man who developed a dense empyema from Paragonimus kellicotti that ultimately required thoracotomy and praziquantel to eradicate his infection.