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Experiments deploying large arrays of transition-edge sensors (TESs) often require a robust method to monitor gain variations with minimal loss of observing time. We propose a sensitive and non-intrusive method for monitoring variations in TES responsivity using small square waves applied to the TES bias. We construct an estimator for a TES's small-signal power response from its electrical response that is exact in the limit of strong electrothermal feedback. We discuss the application and validation of this method using flight data from SPIDER, a balloon-borne telescope that observes the polarization of the cosmic microwave background with more than 2000 TESs. This method may prove useful for future balloon- and space-based instruments, where observing time and ground control bandwidth are limited., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures; Proceedings of the 19th International Workshop on Low Temperature Detectors (LTD19); Minor updates to match published version

Durable mechanical circulatory support (dMCS) devices can be offered as a bridge-to-transplant (BTT) or as a bridge-to-candidacy (BTC) strategy for candidates with contraindications to transplant listing, including pulmonary hypertension (BTC-PH), morbid obesity (BTC-Obes), social issues (BTC-Soc), or chronic illness (BTC-Illness). An understanding of the trajectory of BTC patients could guide future triage of advanced heart failure patients who are not candidates for transplantation. We performed a retrospective review all patients who underwent dMCS implantation as either BTT (206 patients) or BTC (114 patients) at our center from January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2020. There was no significant difference in mortality between BTC patients and BTT patients. Compared with the BTT group, significantly more patients in the BTC-PH group were transplanted (81% vs. 63%; p < 0.05) and significantly fewer patients in the BTC-Obes group (44%; p < 0.05) and BTC-Soc group (39%; p < 0.05) were transplanted. Additionally, the readmission rate was higher for those in the BTC-Obes (6.2 vs. 2.1; p < 0.05) and BTC-Soc (3.9 vs. 2.1; p < 0.05) groups. Bridge-to-candidacy patients generally had poorer post-dMCS trajectories than BTT patients. Centers should not be dissuaded from pursuing a BTC strategy for qualified patients; however, careful consideration of potential adverse outcomes is necessary.

Background and purpose Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices are commonly used in heart failure patients. These devices carry risk for presumably embolic and additionally hemorrhagic stroke. Alterations in blood flow play a key role in stroke pathophysiology, and we aimed to learn more about hemodynamic compromise. In this study, we used transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to define hemodynamics of commonly used nonpulsatile MCS devices, as well as pulsatile devices, with special attention to the total artificial heart (TAH). Methods From 2/2013 through 12/2016, we prospectively enrolled patients with MCS who underwent TCD imaging. We analyzed TCD parameters, including peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility indices (PIs), and number of high-intensity transient signals. Waveform morphologies were compared between various MCS devices. Results We performed 132 TCD studies in 86 MCS patients. Waveforms in patients supported by venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation demonstrated continuous flow without clear systolic peaks with an average (±SD) PI of .43 (±.2). PIs were low in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices with a mean PI of .32 (±.13). Impella patients had morphologically distinct pulsatile waveforms and a higher mean PI of .65 (±.24). In intra-arterial balloon pump patients, mean PI was 1.01 (±.16) and diastolic upstrokes were pronounced. In TAH patients, mean middle cerebral artery velocity of 79.69 (±32.33) cm/seconds and PI of .74 (±.14) approached normal values. Conclusion TCD can detect characteristic waveforms in patients supported by various MCS devices. These device-specific TCD patterns are recognizable and reproducible.

The scope of interior design research is broad and diverse due to its inherent multidisciplinary nature. Assessment of the body of knowledge is necessary from time-to-time to gain trend insights. T...

Patient adherence is vital to the success of durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS), and the pre-MCS assessment of adherence by the multidisciplinary advanced heart failure team is a critical component of the evaluation. We assessed the impact of a high-risk psychosocial assessment before durable MCS implantations on post-MCS outcomes. Between January 2010 and April 2018, 319 patients underwent durable MCS at our center. We excluded those who died or were transplanted before discharge. The remaining 203 patients were grouped by pre-MCS psychosocial assessment: high-risk (26; 12.8%) versus acceptable risk (177; 87.2%). We compared clinical characteristics, nonadherence, and outcomes between groups. High-risk patients were younger (48 vs. 56; p = 0.006) and more often on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at durable MCS placement (26.9% vs. 9.0%; p = 0.007). These patients had a higher incidence of post-MCS nonadherence including missed clinic appointments, incorrect medication administration, and use of alcohol and illicit drugs. After a mean follow-up of 15.3 months, 100% of high-risk patients had unplanned hospitalizations compared with 76.8% of acceptable-risk patients. Per year, high-risk patients had a median of 2.9 hospitalizations per year vs. 1.2 hospitalizations per year in acceptable-risk patients. While not significant, there were more driveline infections over the follow-up period in high-risk patients (27% vs. 14.7%), deaths (27% vs. 18%), and fewer heart transplants (53.8% vs. 63.8%).The pre-MCS psychosocial assessment is associated with post-MCS evidence of nonadherence and unplanned hospitalizations. Attention to pre-MCS assessment of psychosocial risk factors is essential to optimize durable MCS outcomes.

Modern CMB analysis pipelines regularly employ complex time-domain filters, beam models, masking, and other techniques during the production of sky maps and their corresponding angular power spectra. However, these processes can generate couplings between multipoles from the same spectrum and from different spectra, in addition to the typical power attenuation. Within the context of pseudo-$C_\ell$ based, MASTER-style analyses, the net effect of the time-domain filtering is commonly approximated by a multiplicative transfer function, $F_{\ell}$, that can fail to capture mode mixing and is dependent on the spectrum of the signal. To address these shortcomings, we have developed a simulation-based spectral correction approach that constructs a two-dimensional transfer matrix, $J_{\ell\ell'}$, which contains information about mode mixing in addition to mode attenuation. We demonstrate the application of this approach on data from the first flight of the SPIDER balloon-borne CMB experiment., Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures; updated to match published version

I will describe our development of a four kilopixel photometric imaging camera paired with a 1.5 meter crossed Dragone telescope. The focal plane is composed of aluminum kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) fabricated on crystalline silicon tiles. The tiles contain 960 KIDs and are approximately 100 mm x 100 mm in size. KID pairs, each sensitive to an orthogonal linear polarization, are coupled to a waveguide/feedhorn machined from aluminum. A single block, with 480 waveguides/feedhorns arranged in a hexagonal close-pack configuration, is paired with each detector tile. Initial tests with prototype KID tiles show the expected noise and optical performance. Full-scale tiles have now been fabricated with >90% yield, and are currently being characterized. The imager is intended for terrestrial applications, and an initial demonstration with the telescope is planned for early 2020. With relatively minor changes to the KID design, it could also be optimized for astronomical applications.

In this work we describe upgrades to the Spider balloon-borne telescope in preparation for its second flight, currently planned for December 2021. The Spider instrument is optimized to search for a primordial B-mode polarization signature in the cosmic microwave background at degree angular scales. During its first flight in 2015, Spider mapped ~10% of the sky at 95 and 150 GHz. The payload for the second Antarctic flight will incorporate three new 280 GHz receivers alongside three refurbished 95- and 150 GHz receivers from Spider's first flight. In this work we discuss the design and characterization of these new receivers, which employ over 1500 feedhorn-coupled transition-edge sensors. We describe pre-flight laboratory measurements of detector properties, and the optical performance of completed receivers. These receivers will map a wide area of the sky at 280 GHz, providing new information on polarized Galactic dust emission that will help to separate it from the cosmological signal., 13 pages, 8 figures; as published in the conference proceedings for SPIE Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy X (2020)

Millimeter-wave imaging provides a promising option for long-range target detection through optical obscurants such as fog, which often occur in marine environments. Given this motivation, we are currently developing a 150 GHz polarization-sensitive imager using a relatively new type of superconducting pair-breaking detector, the kinetic inductance detector (KID). This imager will be paired with a 1.5 m telescope to obtain an angular resolution of 0.09° over a 3.5° field of view using 3,840 KIDs. We have fully characterized a prototype KID array, which shows excellent performance with noise strongly limited by the irreducible fluctuations from the ambient temperature background. Full-scale KID arrays are now being fabricated and characterized for a planned demonstration in a maritime environment later this year.

Ethnic cultural affiliation, well established in consumer literature as influential in decision making, is much less studied in shopper literature. This research examines key path-to-purchase framework (PtPF) elements; motivation, role, and subjective norms, and their impact among three major U.S. ethnic affiliations (African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic). Study one explores two PtPF phases, perceptual mapping and solution targeting, while a second study examines moderation through importance perception and social shopping situation. The study demonstrates significant differences in relationship between the populations. Those differences are also shown to be subject to significant variation under the influence of the moderating conditions.

Entrepreneurship and small business management literatures diverged decades ago, with the former receiving the bulk of subsequent scholarly attention. The concept of a small business orientation (SBO) has not been widely and consistently employed in the literature. We present a conceptual framework aimed at clarifying the construct of SBO, and conceptualize SBO as a firm size- and age-independent phenomenon operating at the individual level, and reflecting manager values about how the business ought to be conducted. We discuss the values-based derivation of SBO, identify elements of this multidimensional construct, its likely consequences, and propose future research directions.

The purpose of this research is to propose a comprehensive conceptualization of the market orientation construct that acknowledges the role of salient stakeholders in value co-creation. The proposed multiple stakeholder market orientation (MSMO) construct is a more broadly defined conceptualization of what it means to implement the marketing concept in a multi-stakeholder business environment. The construct is developed within the context of prevailing theoretical perspectives including the service-dominant logic of marketing, stakeholder theory, and the market orientation paradigm. Specifically, the construct is developed as an interconnected operant resource consisting of a stakeholder orientation, a systems orientation, and a shared value orientation.

Purpose Patients with severe heart failure who have undergone placement of a mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device do develop renal dysfunction. This renal dysfunction is not severe enough to necessitate the use of combined heart transplantation (HTx) and kidney transplantation. However, it has not been firmly established whether kidney dysfunction does add to increased morbidity or mortality after HTx in these device patients. Methods Between 2012 and 2019, we assessed 79 patients who have undergone MCS, either with total artificial heart (n=22) or left ventricular assist device (n=53). Baseline creatinine/glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured and patients were divided into GFR categories which include 30-39 mL/min, 40-49 mL/min, 50-59 mL/min, and greater than or equal to 60 mL/min. All patients underwent HTx alone. The need for temporary dialysis was recorded, as well as peak creatinine in the first 3 months after HTx and serum creatinine at 1 year compared to baseline. Further outcomes include subsequent 1-year survival, freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV, stenosis ≥30%), and freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac event (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, new congestive heart failure, percutaneous coronary intervention, implantable cardioverter defibrillator/pacemaker implant, stroke). Results There was no significant difference in 1-year survival, CAV, and NF-MACE or the need for temporary dialysis amongst all groups. Furthermore, no patient in any group needed chronic dialysis. In the GFR 40-49 group compared to the other groups, there was a trend for higher creatinine at 1 year but the baseline was high. Conclusion Baseline lower GFRs between 30-39 and 40-49 mL/min in MCS patients do not appear to be a predictor of poorer outcomes after HTx in patients. These patients do not appear to require combined heart and kidney transplantation.

Purpose The new donor heart allocation policy in United States, which prioritizes the most urgent patients on the waitlist, may affect post-transplant care and outcomes. The objective of this study was to analyze national transplantation outcomes and the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support before and after the implementation of the new allocation system. Methods A retrospective review of the UNOS registry of all heart transplants performed between April 2018 and April 2019 (n=3431) was performed. Patients were divided according to their allocation status and whether they underwent transplantation prior to the allocation change (n=2143) or after (n=1288). Results The proportion of patients listed in the urgent status of 1,2 or 3 (77%) was significantly higher than status 1A (69%), while the proportion of patients in status 4 listing (19%) was significantly lower than status 1B (27%). The use of ECMO significantly increased from 1% prior to the change in allocation to 5% after the implementation of the new allocation system, with no differences in survival (76% vs. 79%, respectively). No significant changes in the use of temporary microaxial support devices (Impella) were observed. Survival was reduced from 98% prior to the change in allocation to 77% in the new allocation schema (p=0.006). IABP utilization significantly increased in the new allocation system (8% to 23%), with no significant changes in survival. Conclusion The utilization of ECMO and IABP in United States increased under the new donor allocation system, and was associated with high proportion of patients classified as status 1,2 and 3 compared to status 1A. While the new allocation prioritizes reduction in waitlist time and mortality, we observed higher post-transplant mortality in status 1, 2, 3 and 4 patients. Thus, lower mortality on the waitlist may be annulled by higher post-transplant mortality.

Purpose The new UNOS donor heart allocation policy began in October 2018 and prioritized the sickest patients on the heart transplant waitlist. Patients on ECMO and on temporary assist devices now have priority over those less sick patients who are on intravenous inotropes. As a consequence of transplanting sicker patients, post-transplant care and outcomes may be affected. We sought to address this question in our large single-center study. Methods We assessed 116 patients undergoing heart transplantation in the six months prior to October 2018 who were transplanted under status 1A (n=46) compared to patients transplanted the following six months as status 1, 2 or 3 (n=70). Endpoints for comparison in both groups include perioperative mortality, days in the ICU, overall hospital stays and 6-month survival, and the need for transient hemodialysis. Results We saw an increase in the total number of transplants done from 46 prior to the change to 70 after the allocation change. However, the proportion of patient done under urgent status did not change 78.3% vs. 80%. We did however observe an increase in ECMO (0% to 10%) and IABP utilization (11% to 17%). Despite the increase in device use outcome measures didn't show any difference in one year survival 100% pre vs. 92.7% post p=0.1. No statistical differences in ICU LOS, hospital LOS and need for dialysis were observed. Conclusion We observed that the total proportion of urgent transplant did not vary after the change however the use of temporary devices especially ECMO increased post change. This change did not however result in a negative effect of survival or ICU and hospital LOS. More time and a larger patient population is required to fully determine the impact of the new allocation changes on temporary device use and outcome but as of now there doesn't seem to be a negative effect of the increase temporary device use in our large single center institution.

Purpose The role of the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) caregiver is crucial to preventing adverse patient outcomes and promoting patient adjustment post-discharge. There is a lack of understanding around caregiver preparedness and support. Expanding on our previous work of caregiver resilience and stress, we sought to identify caregiver preparedness and threats to developing caregiver resilience. Methods A purposeful sample of caregivers (n =13: 77% female caregivers; 62% white; 77% working; age range 34-82) of LVAD patients (5 months to 6 years post-implantation) was recruited at a single center. Eight semi-structured group interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze caregiver interview transcripts. Results Caregivers expressed several themes around barriers to preparedness and resilience. 1) Feeling Unprepared and Emotionally Overwhelmed: “I'm afraid I am going to kill him” “I should have seen a counselor before I left.” 2) Needing Connection with Other Caregivers: “I wish I could have spoken to a caregiver that went through this already.” 3) Being Hyper Vigilant: “I make him dinner⋯I look over and he's eating something (else)⋯full of sodium.” 4) Grieving Loss of Partnership: “I want to be seen as his wife and not his nurse.” 5) Lack of Self-Care: “You have to care for yourself but sometimes it's hard, you feel guilty.” “This is the first time I've been separated from my loved one, and it's so good to be able to sit with someone having the same experience.” Conclusion Our study identified threats to caregiver resilience and opportunities to support them in their new role upon returning home. These findings can be used to develop interventions that support caregivers as they help their loved ones and themselves through the MCS recovery.

Purpose October 2018 saw a change in the UNOS heart allocation which prioritized the sickest patients especially those of temporary devices. The main driver of the change was to reduce wait list mortality. We aim to examine whether the new allocation benefits come at a cost of reduced post-transplant survival. Methods A retrospective UNOS database review of all heart transplants performed between April 2018 and April 2019 (n=3431). These patients divided according to their allocation status and whether they were done prior (n=2143) or after the allocation change (n=1288). Proportion of patients in each status and the rate of temporary device use were assessed. 6-month survival in each status was also analyzed. Results The proportion of patient listed in the urgent status of 1, 2 or 3 was 77% which is a significant increase compared to the 69% for status 1A patients. We observed a significant reduction in Status 4 listing compared to status 1B 19% vs. 27%. ECMO use significantly increased from 1% in the old system to 5% in the new system with no differences in survival 76% vs. 79%. No significant changes in Impella utilization were observed however survival was reduced from 98% in the old system to 77% in the new p=0.006. IABP utilization significantly increased in the new allocation system from 8% to 23% utilization with no significant changes in survival. Conclusion Under the new allocation we have seen a significant rise in the ECMO and IABP utilization resulting in an increase in the proportion of status 1, 2 and 3 compared to status 1A group but was associated with a significant reduction in the status 4 patients (former status 1B). While this new allocation prioritizes a reduction in wait times and mortality, we have observed that this is associated with higher transplant mortality in status 1, 2, 3 and 4 patients. Finally, more time and data is required to determine if the new allocation results in reduced wait list mortality at the cost of lower post-transplant survival.

Purpose The new donor heart allocation policy in United States, which prioritizes the most urgent patients on the waitlist, may affect post-transplant care and outcomes. The objective of this study was to analyze post-transplant outcomes in the period immediately surrounding the implementation of the new allocation policy. Methods We assessed 116 patients undergoing heart transplantation in the six months before and after the change in donor allocation policy on October 18, 2018. Patients transplanted under status 1A before the policy change were compared to patients transplanted under status 1, 2 or 3 after the change. Perioperative mortality, complications, lengths of stay, 6-month and 1-year survival were retrospectively analyzed. Results The total number of heart transplants increased from n=46 prior to the policy change to n=70 after the change. The proportion of patients transplanted under urgent status, however, did not change (78.3% vs. 80%). An increase in ECMO and IABP utilization was noted after the policy change (0% to 10% and 11% to 17%, respectively). Despite the increase in device use, the 1-year survival rates were similar in patients transplanted immediately before and after allocation changes (100% vs 92.7%, p=0.094). No significant differences in ICU or overall hospital lengths of stay were observed. Conclusion Although the proportion of patients transplanted urgently did not change, the use of temporary devices increased after the change in allocation policy. Similar complication rates and survival were noted, suggesting that increased utilization of temporary devices was not associated with worse outcomes.

Purpose To date, there are no studies evaluating the effects of prophylactic antibiotic regimens in patients receiving temporary Impella® mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of surgical-related infections within 30 days of temporary MCS implantation in patients receiving narrow versus broad spectrum peri-operative antibiotics. Methods 89 Patients receiving Impella® 5, 5.5, and CP devices in a surgical setting at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from January 2017 to August 2020 were included for analysis which was IRB approved. This study period includes devices implanted before and after the implementation of MCS Antibiotic Selection for Surgical Prophylaxis Guideline. This protocol recommends cefazolin or ceftriaxone for pre-op surgical prophylaxis, with gentamicin for additional gram-negative coverage and vancomycin for beta-lactam allergy. 34/89 (38.2%) patients were identified as Stewardship (protocol adherence), while 27/89 (30.3%) were identified as Conventional (protocol non-adherence) another 28/89 (31.5%) patients were identified as Pre-existing (admitted with prior antimicrobial). The primary endpoint was the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) and surgical-related bacteremia (SRB) within 30-day post-implant period. The secondary endpoint was protocol adherence. Results 72%, 26% and 2% of patients were bridged to heart transplant, durable MCS or no device, at 30 days respectively. There were no cases of SSI within 30 days post-operatively in any group, except for one case of SRB with Streptococcus mitis bacteremia in the Conventional group. Patients were screened for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization before incision in 72.2% of cases (mean, 2.6 days prior to device implantation). Reasons for non-adherence included incorrect duration of post-operative antibiotic(s) (44.4%), no pre-operative antibiotic given prior to incision (25.9%), and incorrect pre-operative antibiotic(s) given (22.2%). Conclusion The absence of SSI and SRB among Stewardship group supports narrow spectrum pre-op antibiotic prophylaxis over broad-spectrum agents for Impella® non-durable MCS.

Purpose The current work reviews all retailing articles published in four prominent retailing journals – Journal of Retailing, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, and International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research – in the 2009-2015 period, picking up where Runyan and Hyun (2009) left off. The purpose of this paper is to identify leading authors and institutions in retailing research based on overall impact. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis/literature review/descriptive research. Findings In total, 1,392 articles were published during this time period, and through a procedure of weights and adjustments for author count, journal impact, journal quality, and journal publishing opportunity, the findings reveal that research collaboration is highly prevalent, as evidenced by the high number of multi-authored papers and cross-university/international partnerships. Additionally, some authors and institutions remain influential, while others have emerged as highly influential in the last seven years. This shows the dynamic nature of the field and the need to remain active in quality publishing. Research limitations/implications Scholars must understand that several factors influence impact judgments, which cannot be assessed using raw counts alone. Journal quality, impact, and publishing opportunity as well as author counts are important elements to consider. Originality/value These reviews are vital to the field in that they provide status updates on scholarship, so these reviews should be done periodically. Additionally, the findings in this paper provide a more holistic understanding of research impact and permit better assessment for scholars and administrators.

The purpose of this article is to examine the brand identity of tourism-dependent downtowns as perceived by stakeholders in the community. From the theoretical perspective of the resource-based view of the firm, perceptions of local residents and downtown business owners are considered in terms of how each group perceives the downtown's brand. Specifically, this research seeks to identify and better understand differences in how these two groups attribute elements of the downtown's brand identity to overall downtown performance. Hypotheses are developed and tested using data collected from residents and downtown business owners in four tourism-dependent communities in the Midwestern US. The results suggest that whereas business owners attribute downtown success to both brand image and positioning, brand image alone affects residents' perceptions of downtown performance.

Purpose Increased perioperative risk has been observed in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and total artificial hearts (TAH) undergoing heart transplantation with worse outcomes in TAH patients. The purpose of this study was to review perioperative transplant outcomes in TAH vs LVAD patients at a high-volume transplant center. Methods We reviewed perioperative transplant outcomes of 46 TAH patients and 85 LVAD patients from 2010-2018. Outcomes included perioperative transfusions (units of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate), time in the operating room (OR), intensive care unit (ICU) days immediately post-transplant, freedom from return to OR for bleeding, freedom from primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and 1-year freedom from temporary dialysis. In addition, 1-year outcomes included survival, freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous intervention, defibrillator/pacemaker implant, stroke), and freedom from first-year rejection (any treated rejection (ATR), acute cellular rejection (ACR), antibody-mediated rejection (AMR)). Results TAH patients had more perioperative blood transfusions, and had decreased freedom from return to the OR for bleeding, temporary dialysis, and NF-MACE. There were no differences between groups in the time in OR, ICU days post-transplant, and freedom from PGD, survival, CAV, and rejection. Conclusion TAH patients appear to have increased perioperative post-transplant risk for some parameters though no difference in PGD or survival compared to LVAD patients. In a high volume center, there can be acceptable post-transplant outcomes in TAH patients.

Purpose Cholecystitis after mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation is possibly related to hemodynamic changes related to continuous peripheral blood flow. Visceral hypoperfusion is also a reported risk factor. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of cholecystitis in non-pulsatile LVAD vs pulsatile TAH devices. Methods We reviewed data from all durable MCS patients at a single large center from 2011 through 2019. The primary endpoint was cholecystitis requiring surgery. We reviewed explanted gallbladder pathology, the length of time between implantation and cholecystectomy, as well as INTERMACS profile at time of MCS. Results 11 out of 151 (7.3%) LVAD patients required cholecystectomy versus 18 out of 93 (19.4%) TAH patients, p-value 0.004. While cholecystectomies occurred earlier in patients with TAH vs LVAD, it was not statistically significant p 0.251. Wilcoxon Ranked Sum Test showed that surgical interventions occurred earlier in acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) than in calculous cholecystitis (CC) Z=151, p Conclusion There was a significantly higher incidence of cholecystitis requiring surgery in the pulsatile (TAH) vs non-pulsatile (LVAD) MCS devices. Surgical intervention occurred earlier in patients with ACC versus CC. This may be related to both biventricular failure and higher acuity at time of implant in TAH patients.

Purpose Clinicians recommend self-management interventions to patients with a variety of chronic conditions, but little is known about self-management perceptions and self-appraisal among patients with a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD). We investigated patient perceptions of managing life with an LVAD. Methods We used a qualitative design with content analysis to analyze transcripts of semi-structured interviews among a purposeful sample of patients with existing LVADs from a large center. Participants (n= 12) represented diversity (42% African American), were mostly male (83%), bridge to transplant (83%), varying in age from 33-81 years, and ranging from 5 months to 6 years post-implant. Results When asked to describe managing life with an LVAD, patients listed tasks and acknowledged caregiver involvement. Areas that patients appraised as managing well included monitoring (blood pressure, weight) and maintenance (co-managing drive-line sites and medications). In terms of management, several patients described self-recognition of fluid overload (“connecting with what was going on”) that motivated reduction of salt or calling the clinic. One patient described regularly dining out and ingesting too much salt, resulting in self-administering “rescue” diuretics twice weekly, which he appraised as “rarely” needing. Two patients distinguished between “knowing” and not being “willing” to follow dietary guidelines. Several patients described not knowing how active they could be during sex and exercise, but had not called to ask their provider. Barriers to feeling independent in self-management included being told by clinicians not to do their own drive-line dressing changes. Finally, at the conclusion of interviews, patients who participated in group interviews verbalized a new recognition that they would benefit from talking to other patients with an LVAD on a regular basis. Conclusion Most patients described satisfaction with self-management but some refrained from calling the clinic with questions. Support groups (in-person or online) are likely under-recognized as a means to share questions, test self-management interventions, and provide ongoing education and social support. Future analyses will include perceptions of patient-caregiver dyads.

We present results from laboratory detector characterizations of the first kilopixel BUG arrays for the High- resolution Wideband Camera Plus (HAWC+) which is the imaging far-infrared polarimeter camera for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Our tests demonstrate that the array performance is consistent with the predicted properties. Here, we highlight results obtained for the thermal conductivity, noise performance, detector speed, and first optical results demonstrating the pixel yield of the arrays.

The purpose of this study was to explore personality determinants of financial satisfaction using the Metatheoretic Model of Motivation and Personality (3M Model) as a theoretical framework. Such a framework can help researchers identify traits associated with financial satisfaction and ultimately assist practitioners working with clients on debt management and wealth building. The study used data from a survey of university alumni who had taken consumer economics and/or personal finance at the undergraduate level. Although the study’s initial, fully mediated model is fragmented, the modified model offers interesting insights into the determinants of financial satisfaction. The findings suggest that trait characteristics such as need for material resources and emotional instability affect financial satisfaction. Furthermore, the findings indicate that financial behaviors (compound traits) are related to financial situation (situational traits) and financial satisfaction (surface traits). Keywords: 3M Model, eight elemental traits, financial behaviors, financial situation, financial satisfaction

This study presents an evaluation of research diversity and rigor levels in the retail marketing literature in order to glean valuable insights for researchers. Retailing is a significant sub-field within marketing, and occupies a large portion of the extant marketing literature. The study consists of a content analysis of 600 quantitative empirical articles in the top six marketing journals (i.e. Journal of Retailing, Journal of Marketing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Science and Journal of Marketing Research) over a 12-year period. Over this period, the diversity and rigor of research design and data analytical methods were assessed across ten research sub-communities of retail marketing research. The authors develop a measure for evaluating the rigor of research design and analytic techniques most commonly used in business research. The data reveal trends and areas for improvement in research design and reporting scholarly research.

The performance of Total Artificial Heart (TAH) as a bridge to transplant, survival and perceived health remains underreported. Retrospective analysis of TAH patients implanted between 1/2012 and 6/2019 at a large single center. Visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire was used during ambulatory

We investigate two strategic postures, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and small business orientation (SBO), and their relationships with firm performance, revealing significant differences between family and nonfamily firms. We examine EO and SBO in 377 small businesses, finding that EO has a greater impact on the performance of nonfamily firms, whereas SBO drives the performance of family firms. Contrary to research suggesting that family firms should behave more entrepreneurially, our results indicate that this behaviour has no significant effect on family firm performance. Rather, increased performance is found in family firms that adopt a small business strategic orientation.

Despite the popularity of the resource-based view of the firm as a theoretical mechanism for the explanation of organizational performance, this framework has received surprisingly little attention within the context of destination marketing organizations (DMOs). The purpose of this research is to enhance extant perspectives of destination competitiveness by considering the destination marketing function from the dual theoretical lenses of the resource-based view of the firm and the service-dominant logic of marketing. In particular, this research focuses on the resource classification schemas underpinning these two frameworks and proposes a conceptual extension of their core phenomena to the domain of destination marketing. Within this discussion, a conceptual and operational definition of competitive market-based assets is proposed. This multifaceted construct is discussed as a potential outcome of market-oriented destination marketing and as an antecedent to DMO performance.

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the relationship between young consumers' innovativeness and their hedonic/utilitarian attitudes toward cool clothing and to examine the moderating role of income on this relationship. This study uses five cool factors (singular cool, personal cool, aesthetic cool, functional cool and quality cool) under the hedonic and utilitarian cool dimensions to test the hypotheses. Design/methodology/approach – Using a web-based survey, 265 responses were used for analysis. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the measurement scales. Single-group SEM and multiple-group SEM were performed to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings – Innovative young consumers tend to have stronger hedonic cool attitude toward clothing than non-innovative young consumers. In contrast, innovativeness and utilitarian values of cool products are not interrelated for young consumers. Innovative, high-income young consumes have a tendency to purchase cool products to reflect their personality, individuality, and self-identity. Research limitations/implications – This study has limitations for future research with regard to the generalization of the findings because this study focused on a sample of college students. Practical implications – This study will provide some valuable information about young consumers' purchasing behaviours toward cool products for commercial marketers. Originality/value – This study provides an initial contribution to the literature on the relationships between young consumers' hedonic/utilitarian attitudes and their innovativeness and income levels.

Purpose – Retailers have demonstrated mixed results during international expansions. However, home market saturation and the economic climate are forcing more and more retailers to look beyond their borders for revenue. A critical participant in the internationalizing effort is the expatriate manager. Unfortunately the literature is unclear and at times conflicted over how to select and prepare expatriate management for their leadership role. Therefore, this study was designed with the purpose of uncovering various factors which may lead to expatriate retail management success. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the lack of unanimity in the literature this study adopted a qualitative research methodology in order to develop some consensus regarding successful expatriate leadership attributes. Grounded theory was employed utilizing extensive in-depth interviews as the primary data gathering and analysis tools. Findings – A multi-dimensional construct emerged from the data requiring all dimensions to be utilized for a successful retail expatriate assignment. The construct of “Universal Leadership”, is proposed as formative, comprised of reflective sub-dimensions; Ability, Adaptability, Ambassadorship, and Awareness (Self), which we refer to as the Four A's, for successful expatriate management assignments. Several propositions are put forward as suggestions for future research in the use of the universal leadership model for both selection and training of retail expatriate managers. Originality/value – The study develops a theoretical platform for expatriate leadership success allowing for cultural and business variation. Awareness is introduced as a critical attribute in achieving success as an expatriate success. The universal leadership model proposes attributes beneficial for training and also selection which is critically under examined in the literature.

Purpose The lack of standardization in MCS surgical infection prophylaxis (ppx) has led to highly varied antimicrobial regimens with broad-spectrum activity. The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of SSI with narrow vs broad-spectrum antibiotics (abx) in MCS patients within 30 days post-op, and to assess adherence to abx ppx standards. Methods A single-center, IRB-approved retrospective analysis was performed on 52 patients implanted with a durable MCS device from 4/2017-6/2018, after implementation of the MCS Antibiotic Selection for Surgical Prophylaxis Guideline at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The protocol recommends cefazolin or ceftriaxone for pre-op surgical ppx, with optional gentamicin for additional gram-negative coverage and vancomycin for severe β-lactam allergy. 26 patients were identified as On-Protocol (Cohort 1; protocol adherence), while another 26 patients were identified as Off-Protocol (Cohort 2; protocol non-adherence). The primary endpoint was SSI incidence among Cohort 1 (C1) and Cohort 2 (C2) within 30 days post-op. The secondary endpoints assessed protocol adherence. Results No patients in either cohort developed an SSI within 30 days post-op. C1 received a median of 1 pre-op abx, while C2 received a median of 2 pre-op abx (p=0.009). 12 patients in C1 received non-protocol abx post-op for open chest ppx or empiric treatment of a non-cardiac infection. Non-protocol antimicrobials used in C2 included vancomycin in patients with no β-lactam allergy (73%), piperacillin-tazobactam (31%), fluconazole (4%), and cefepime (4%). The average time between pre-op abx administration and first incision time was 18 min for C1 and 27 min for C2 (p=0.04). 83% of C1 and 53% of C2 received peri-op abx ppx for surgeries longer than 4 h (p=0.04). 46% of C1 and 54% of C2 had post-op abx extended beyond 48 h. Of these patients, 81% in C1 and 77% in C2 were empirically treated for non-cardiac infections, with only 27% of C1 and 4% of C2 having positive cultures (p=0.05). Conclusion The absence of SSI among Cohorts 1 and 2 supports narrow-spectrum pre-op abx ppx over broad-spectrum agents for durable MCS. The results of this preliminary, ongoing study promote abx stewardship and protocol adherence, which will help minimize the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose – This study aims to identify consumer segments among luxe-bargain shoppers using a fuzzy clustering method based on psychographic variables related to both luxury consumption and bargain processes and profiles the identified segments in behavioral tendencies. Design/methodology/approach – The sample consists of 500 consumers who purchased a luxury brand at a bargain. The analyses involve running a confirmatory factor analysis, a fuzzy clustering analysis based on psychographic variables, and ANOVA for profiling the segments. Findings – A fuzzy clustering analysis identifies four distinct segments: deal hunters, sale-prone shoppers, active luxe-bargain shoppers, and royal shoppers. Each consumer segment exhibits differences in consumer characteristics, demographics, and behavioral tendencies. The study provides insight into varied luxury consumers. Research limitations/implications – In an effort to fill the gap between traditional framework in luxury research and today ' s luxury market that prov...

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to operationalize the ubiquitously used concept of “cool,” specifically considering its meaning to Generation Y consumers of apparel. Using Churchill's rigorous scale generating method, the authors generate items, pre‐test, and the test with a sample (n=265) of college students.Design/methodology/approachResearchers specify the domain of the cool construct, conduct item generation, collect data through a pre‐test to purify the measures and then collect data from a large sample to assess reliability and validity of the measures and construct.FindingsResults of exploratory factor analysis reveal a six‐factor solution; a confirmatory analysis shows that cool is a multi‐dimensional construct reflected in two second‐order factors that this paper labels hedonic and utilitarian cool. These factors are reflected in five first order factors: singular, personal, aesthetic, quality and functional cool.Originality/valueThe study provides a valuable insight into cool concept as being a multidimensional construct, operationalizing a scale to measure cool.

The promotion, tenure and salary of marketing faculty have been topics of intense interest recently. What has received less interest are the drivers of publishing productivity, especially for new, pre-tenure faculty. We use resource-advantage (RA) theory to examine the drivers of pre-tenure faculty productivity, specifically in the top marketing journals. Positive predictors of productivity, and thus key faculty resources are: degree-granting department ranking, advisor productivity and length of time in the new job. As would be predicted by RA theory, number of methods courses in a doctoral program has no effect on publishing.

Branding scholars have been deeply engaged in the identification of different interactions between brand and consumer. Additionally with the evolution of the internet, increasing research has focused on which brand relationships translate to the on-line environment. The current research advances the examination of these relationship constructs in particular brand experience, brand identification, brand community, and behavioral loyalty through the simultaneous examination of the relationships in the off and on-line channels. To add clarity, the context of the study utilizes single-brand retailers to explore relationship dynamics, providing less brand noise than a multi-brand retailer. Our results demonstrate the effect of channel as a moderator among these brand and consumer relationships providing valuable insight into brand management in multi-channel settings. Additionally the benefits from the single-brand retailer setting are highlighted.

Retailing evolves and changes with the times, but never have the changes been as rapid as in the past decade, with the spread of the Internet and social media and the ubiquity of smart phones, gran...

The entrepreneurial orientation (EO) scale has become the most widely used scholarly measure of entrepreneurial behavior. Additionally, it is frequently used in studying entrepreneurship in non–Western cultures. In the current study, the authors respond to calls for cross–cultural validation of measures used in international research by assessing the measurement invariance of the most frequently utilized EO scale. Using samples of small and medium–sized firms from the United States and China, the authors assess the dimensionality of EO, optimal number of scale items, and the measurement invariance of the construct across cultures. The results support conceptualizing EO as multidimensional, using an 8–item version, and utilizing it in cross–cultural research settings in certain instances.