The role of business analytics capabilities in bolstering firms’ agility and performance

Many companies invest considerable resources in developing Business Analytics (BA) capabilities to improve their performance. BA can affect performance in many different ways. This paper analyses how BA capabilities affect firms’ agility through information quality and innovative capability. Furthermore, it studies the moderating role of environmental turbulence, both technological and in the market. The proposed model was tested using statistical data from 154 firms with two respondents (CEO and CIO) from each firm. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)/Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). Our results indicate that BA capabilities strongly impact a firm’s agility through an increase in information quality and innovative capability. We also discuss that both market and technological turbulence moderate the influence of firms' agility on firms' performance.Many companies invest considerable resources in developing Business Analytics (BA) capabilities to improve their performance. BA can affect performance in many different ways. This paper analyses how BA capabilities affect firms’ agility through information quality and innovative capability. Furthermore, it studies the moderating role of environmental turbulence, both technological and in the market. The proposed model was tested using statistical data from 154 firms with two respondents (CEO and CIO) from each firm. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)/Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). Our results indicate that BA capabilities strongly impact a firm’s agility through an increase in information quality and innovative capability. We also discuss that both market and technological turbulence moderate the influence of firms' agility on firms' performance

Incidentally detected stenoses proximal to grafts originating below the common femoral artery: Do they affect graft patency or warrant repair in asymptomatic patients?

AbstractObjective: Stenoses in infrainguinal arteries proximal to a lower extremity vein graft may reduce flow velocity through the bypass graft and are thought to predispose to graft occlusion. Repair of these lesions has been recommended to preserve graft function. This study was undertaken to better define the natural history of grafts below inflow lesions and to evaluate the necessity of repair to preserve graft patency. Methods: From 1994 through 1999, patients undergoing lower extremity vein grafts by a single surgeon at a university hospital and an affiliated teaching hospital were placed in a prospective protocol for proximal infrainguinal native artery and graft surveillance through use of duplex scanning. The records of those patients with grafts originating distal to the common femoral artery were evaluated; they form the basis for this report. Arteriograms were obtained before bypass grafting, and no patient had a stenosis greater than 50% diameter reduction proximal to the graft origin. Follow-up scans were obtained from the common femoral artery through the graft and outflow artery. The peak systolic velocity and velocity ratio in an infrainguinal native artery proximal to the graft origin were recorded, as were the location and the time interval since the bypass graft. Repair of these proximal lesions was not performed during the course of this study. Revision of the bypass graft or its anastomoses was undertaken according to preestablished duplex scan criteria. Results: During this time, 288 autogenous infrainguinal bypass grafts were performed, of which 159 originated below the common femoral artery; of these, 74 were from the superficial femoral artery, 29 from the profunda femoris artery, 49 from the popliteal artery, and 7 from a tibial artery. The maximum peak systolic velocity proximal to the graft origin was more than 250 in 38 arteries (25%) and more than 300 in 26 arteries (16%). The velocity ratio was 3.0 or more in 32 arteries at the same location as the peak systolic velocity and 3.5 or more in 23 arteries (15%), confirming hemodynamically significant stenoses at these sites. The location of peak systolic velocity was the common femoral artery in 81 patients (51%), the superficial femoral artery in 50 (31%), the popliteal artery in 22 (14%), and a tibial artery in 6 (4%). Follow-up ranged from 8 to 60 months (mean, 35 months). During follow-up, 19 patients died, 18 with patent grafts. Overall, nine grafts occluded. One of the occluded grafts had a velocity ratio greater than 3.0; this may have contributed to graft thrombosis. The other occlusions resulted from an unrepaired graft lesion in 2 patients, graft infection in 2 patients, and graft ligation necessitated by below-knee amputation in 2 patients. No cause for the occlusion could be identified in two of the grafts (neither had evidence of proximal arterial stenosis). Assisted primary patency rates were 95% and 91% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Conclusions: For grafts originating distal to the common femoral artery, stenoses proximal to the graft do not affect bypass graft patency and do not require repair to prevent graft occlusion. Surveillance of these lesions may therefore be unnecessary, inasmuch as the repair of proximal lesions should not be undertaken to preserve graft function. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:1180-9.

Cell organelle-shaped liposomes: A novel approach to present the stable intracellular drug delivery systems

Caveolae are lipid raft-enriched flask-shaped, expose in the plasma membrane of various cell types. It has become clear now that caveolae and their caveolin “marker proteins” are associated in a several cellular procedures including endocytosis, lipid homeostasis, signal transduction, and tumorigenesis. Caveolin has been shown to have high binding affinity for cholesterol and sphingolipids. Caveolin oligomers construct filamentous networks that are believed to stabilize the membrane. Liposomes are the well-known drug delivery systems with spherical shape that can be produced from natural non-toxic phospholipids and cholesterol. Liposomes have been used as a considerable tool in biology, biochemistry, medicine, and drug delivery. The utilization of liposomes as a drug-delivery system has become more attractive in carrying systemically administered drugs with narrow therapeutic windows. The similarity between plasma membrane and liposomes from several points of view gives hope that the incorporation of caveolin in the phospholipid bilayer structures of liposomes can result in tightening and therefore stabilizing and long circulation of these structures.</p

Chitosan Dextran Microparticles as the Potential Carrier for Colon Specific Delivery of 5- Fluorouracil

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the world. The main and classic treatment of this cancer is 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) that its cytotoxicity and low systemic absorption restricted its therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these problems, mucoadhesive and colonic microbially degradable formulations based on chitosan and dextran sulphate hydrogels could be effective. Methods and Results: 5-Fu loaded hydrogel microparticles were formed via polyelectrolyte complexation technique using chitosan and dextran sulphate solutions. It was optimized by a systematic multi-objective optimization approach in terms of the particle size and loading efficiency of the resulting microparticles. Under this condition, the molecular weight of chitosan and 5-Fu concentration are the two factors which significantly influence the particle size and loading efficiency, respectively. Then the optimized microparticles were prepared and were characterized based on particle size, zeta potential, drug loading and drug release behavior. Finally the cytotoxicity of optimized microparticles was assessed by MTT assay (SW742 cell line) compare to free drug solution. Therefore, spherical particles of 51.33±0.95 μm mean diameter and a narrow size distribution were obtained under optimal conditions. The zeta potential, loading efficiency and loading capacity of optimized microparticles were 18.1±0.87mv, 26.96±0.38 and 13.12±0.65%, respectively. The in vitro drug release profile was fitted on Higuchi model and the cytotoxicity MTT results indicated the higher cytotoxicity of studied formulation on cells compare to free drug. The hydrogel microparticles were further lyophilized to prepare the enteric coated tablets and all tests endorsed that the coating process was suited. Conclusions: The designed formulations have provided appropriate properties and offer a potential mean for colon specific delivery of 5-Fu via oral administration

Studying the effects of earthquakes near and far fault region on seismic behavior of dual frame equipped with viscous damper

The effects of strong earthquakes in the past years show that the acceleration of near fault earthquake, for having impact motion with long periods at the beginning of the record, “exerted” have significant differences with far-fault earthquakes. Adverse effects of such earthquakes increases by approaching the main time of period of structures to period of these earthquakes. Nowadays using energy dissipation systems, in order to reduce the vibrations of the structure has been very common. Such these energy dissipation systems can be noted viscose dampers that by having hysteresis loops of fat greatly increase energy loss in buildings. In this study, the number of dual-steel frames equipped with nonlinear viscous dampers and by applying records seismic near and far fault to the frames of 4, 6, 8 and 10 floors, behavior and response of these types of frames by nonlinear analysis and in Perform 3D software is evaluated

The Survey of Malnutrition Prevalence in Patients With Parkinson Disease In Tehran, Iran

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) introduced as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease following Alzheimer disease. A patient’s nutritional status may be compromising in PD. This study aimed to describe the outpatient nutritional status in patients with PD at a third-level hospital in Iran.Methods: The validated Persian version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire was used to evaluate the nutritional status of 158 Iranian PD patients (age, 35-85 years). The exclusion criteria were as follows: chronic comorbidities affecting the nutritional status (e.g., diabetes and hypertension); adherence to special diets; and cognitive disorders. Based on the MNA questionnaire, a total score below 17 represented malnutrition, while scores 17-24 indicated a risk of malnutrition.Results: Based on the findings, 26% of the participants had low weight, 67% of whom were over 65 years. According to the MNA questionnaire, 14.3% of the participants showed malnutrition and 26.2% were at risk of malnutrition.Conclusion: Based on our findings, PD can contribute to reduced nutritional status. More than one-fourth of the PD population was at risk of malnutrition, which highlights the need for more attention towards nutritional assessment. Nutritional assessment is essential for the development of nutritional interventions and early detection of PD patients who are at risk of malnutrition

The Potential Role of Metformin in Relieving Acne Vulgaris by Modifying the Impaired Cellular Signaling Pathway, Responsible for Acne Pathogenesis

&nbsp;Introduction: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders, which various factors are involved in its pathogenesis. Recent investigations on intracellular signaling pathway show that the over expression of mTORC1 complex (mammalian target of rapamycin), leads to increased sebum production and altered keratinization, therefore it has an important role in acne pathogenesis. Another studies also showed that the expression of mTORC1 is significantly increased in the skin cells of the patients, which confirm the linkage between acne pathogenesis and mTORC1 over expression. The aim of this study is to represent a way to confront the impaired endocrine signaling, in order to relieve the acne symptoms. Methods and Results: The linkage between acne pathogenesis and endocrine signaling pathway was demonstrated through the collected signaling data from popular scientific databases such as www.Kegg.Jp. Insulin resistance is one of the major factors that leads to mTORC1 over expression. Metformin, a biguaniide that increases the cell's sensitivity to insulin, is the drug of choice for this condition, as it is able to suppress mTORC1 over expression through AMPK (5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) activation. So, applying a topical form of the drug on acne spots, may lead to relieve the symptoms. Topical semi solid formulation of metformin was prepared with the use of suitable thickening polymers and formulation was optimized through the point of viscosity and rheological behaviors of the aqueous gel, so the optimum ratio of the thickening polymers was determined. Conclusions: Signaling pathways show that acne pathogenesis is mediated through mTORC1 over activation, so we were aimed to design a formulation which is able to suppress this over expression in order to relieve acne symptoms. Metformin, formulated in a topical form, is the drug of choice, as it is a safe drug which can suppress the mTORC1 over expression through AMPK activation in the skin of acne patients

Cadmium and arsenic bioaccumulation and bio-concentration in the endemic toothed carp Aphanius arakensis in salt water

Heavy metals are released to aquatic ecosystems from natural and anthropogenic recourses and accumulate to the body of organisms. This study aimed to assess the accumulation of As and Cd in the gill, liver, and muscle of the toothed carp Aphanius arakensis in salt water exposed to three concentrations of Cd and As (5, 10 and 20 mg L-1) for 18 days. The specimens were collected from the Shoor River with an average weight of 1.5±0.3 g (mean±SD) and length of 3.4±0.4 cm. The findings showed that the bio-concentration factor (BCF) of Cd and As were in the following order: liver > gill > muscle, however, for 5 ppm of As the order was gill > liver > muscle. BCF in As concentrations were more than Cd concentrations. Also, the highest BCF was found at 5 ppm. The present study showed that the liver is the organ that accumulates the highest concentrations of As and Cd

Visual Comfort Assessment of Different Shading Strategies in a Commercial Office Building in the Southeastern US

It is challenging to design buildings that simultaneously consider both the dynamic nature of daylight and specific occupant preferences. The authors have investigated this problem by studying the performance of four specific shading strategies using quantitative measurements of occupants visual comfort: discomfort glare and daylight availability. This paper specifically evaluates the performance of four shading strategies, two types of electrochromic (EC) glass, an automated fabric roller shade, and a venetian blind in a building located in the Southeastern United States. This paper examines how these technologies impact occupant visual comfort and it also examines how the buildings perform relative to the two metrics outlined in IES LM-83-12. Horizontal illuminance and high dynamic range images were recorded to assess the existing luminous environment in order to better understand the potential of various shading strategies. Calibrated daylighting models were also constructed in DIVA. Our results suggest that perimeter-zone occupants benefits from EC glass as it can reduce more than 40% of glare annually in this zone. Findings from the interior zones are shown that all four shading strategies perform quite similarly in regards to reducing the glare. This study suggest that by providing a designer at early-design-stage with direct information related to the level of daylight availability and glare condition within a space will lead to improve occupant’s visual comfort

Intracranial aneurysm surgery: a case serie

Background: Intracranial aneurysms are fatal but also curable diseases of nervous system which often present suddenly with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study is to show the results of 7 years surgery performed on patients with intracranial aneurysm admitted in our center.Methods: This study is a retrospective case series that is performed by "existing data" in patient’s documents. Different factors such as age, sex, sign and symptoms, anatomical location of deficit and before-after surgery complications have been analyzed.Results: From February 2003 to June 2010, 54 cases (totally 62 aneurysms) were operated in our center. Male to female ratio was 1.28 and mean age was 50.47 years. The most common symptom was sudden severe headache. The most common sites were anterior communicating artery (40%), internal carotid artery bifurcation (35%) and middle cerebral artery (25%). Most of the patients were in grade 1 of Hunt &amp; Hess scale. The most common mortality was due to cardiopulmonary arrest.Conclusion: Considering that mortality rate in older patients with different risk factors is so high, it seems that operating these patients on an emergency basis and intensive care for vasospasm leads to favorable outcome