A comparative analysis of multivariate approaches for data analysis in management sciences

The researchers use the SEM-based multivariate approach to analyze the data in different fields, including management sciences and economics. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) are powerful data analysis techniques. This paper aims to compare both models, their efficiencies and deficiencies, methodologies, procedures, and how to employ the models. The outcomes of this paper exhibited that the PLS-SEM is a technique that combines the strengths of structural equation modeling and partial least squares. It is imperative to know that the PLS-SEM is a powerful technique that can handle measurement error at the highest levels, trim and unbalanced datasets, and latent variables. It is beneficial for analyzing relationships among latent constructs that may not be candidly witnessed and might not be applied in situations where traditional SEM would be infeasible. However, the CB-SEM approach is a procedure that pools the strengths of both structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis. The CB-SEM is a dominant multivariate technique that can grip multiple groups and indicators; it is beneficial for analyzing relationships among latent variables and multiple manifest variables, which can be directly observed. The paper concluded that the PLS-SEM is a more suitable technique for analyzing relations among latent constructs, generally for a small dataset, and the measurement error is high. However, the CB-SEM is suitable for analyzing compound latent and manifest constructs, mainly when the goal is to generalize results to specific population subgroups. The PLS-SEM and CB-SEM have specific efficiencies and deficiencies that determine which technique to use depending on resource availability, the research question, the dataset, and the available time

Extended Thromboprophylaxis with Betrixaban in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Background Patients with acute medical illnesses are at prolonged risk for venous thrombosis. However, the appropriate duration of thromboprophylaxis remains unknown. Methods Patients who were hospitalized for acute medical illnesses were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (at a dose of 40 mg once daily) for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban placebo for 35 to 42 days or subcutaneous enoxaparin placebo for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban (at a dose of 80 mg once daily) for 35 to 42 days. We performed sequential analyses in three prespecified, progressively inclusive cohorts: patients with an elevated d-dimer level (cohort 1), patients with an elevated d-dimer level or an age of at least 75 years (cohort 2), and all the enrolled patients (overall population cohort). The statistical analysis plan specified that if the between-group difference in any analysis in this sequence was not significant, the other analyses would be considered exploratory. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis and symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The principal safety outcome was major bleeding. Results A total of 7513 patients underwent randomization. In cohort 1, the primary efficacy outcome occurred in 6.9% of patients receiving betrixaban and 8.5% receiving enoxaparin (relative risk in the betrixaban group, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65 to 1.00; P=0.054). The rates were 5.6% and 7.1%, respectively (relative risk, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.98; P=0.03) in cohort 2 and 5.3% and 7.0% (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.92; P=0.006) in the overall population. (The last two analyses were considered to be exploratory owing to the result in cohort 1.) In the overall population, major bleeding occurred in 0.7% of the betrixaban group and 0.6% of the enoxaparin group (relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.12; P=0.55). Conclusions Among acutely ill medical patients with an elevated d-dimer level, there was no significant difference between extended-duration betrixaban and a standard regimen of enoxaparin in the prespecified primary efficacy outcome. However, prespecified exploratory analyses provided evidence suggesting a benefit for betrixaban in the two larger cohorts. (Funded by Portola Pharmaceuticals; APEX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01583218. opens in new tab.

Combating Energy Poverty in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Global Economic Uncertainty

The effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector and the economy as a whole are being followed by the global energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The situation is particularly difficult for European countries, which are heavily dependent on imported energy from Russia. In the face of such economic uncertainty, it is necessary to analyze and assess the energy poverty situation in the region. The article overviews the extent of energy poverty among European Union (EU) countries and determines regional differences by comparing the situation, trends and policy measures applied, followed by the challenges and opportunities to combat energy poverty among households during the global COVID-19 crisis and economic uncertainty. A scientific literature review was performed and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy poverty of households was identified. Moreover, a set of indicators reflecting the extent of energy poverty in different EU countries has been developed and an analysis of indicators was performed by comparing the situation, trends and policy measures applied

A Systematic Literature Review of Indices for Energy Poverty Assessment: A Household Perspective

Both developed and developing countries face energy poverty issues today. The growing interest over the last few years at the scientific level demonstrates the importance of the problem. It was a practice for many years to measure energy poverty by calculating the economic single indicators. In recent years, this practice was increasingly criticized and new, more comprehensive indices were developed. Review and analysis of indices developed can help scholars to dig deep into the specific aspects of the problem. The paper aims to review the indices for energy poverty assessment from households’ perspectives and to provide the main insights into the indicators selection process by providing the set of indicators for sustainable energy poverty assessment. The literature search and analysis follows the SALSA (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis) and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodologies. The literature search was carried out in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database. The search covered the period 1994–2020. Thirty-four developed indexes for energy poverty were identified for assessment. In order to measure the most important dimensions and to reflect the modern concept of the energy poverty, the paper proposes a set of indicators for sustainable energy poverty assessment

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Sustainability of the Energy Sector

In order to control the COVID-19 pandemic, the governments of the world started to implement measures regarding social distance and social contacts, including closures of cities, work and study relocations, and work suspension. The epidemical situation and the lockdown of the economy by governments in various countries caused changes in production, changes in the habits of energy consumers and other energy-related changes. This article analyses the impact of the global pandemic on the energy sector and the relationship with the progress to the sustainability of the energy sector. The systematic literature review was performed in the Web of Science (WoS) database. The research follows recommendations of the SALSA (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis) and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approaches. A total of 113 relevant articles were selected for the analysis. All selected articles were categorized according to their application and impact areas. The five main impact areas of the COVID-19 pandemic to the sustainability of the energy sector were identified: consumption and energy demand; air pollution; investments in renewable energy; energy poverty; and energy system flexibility. Based on the current research findings and perception of the problem, the main insights for future research in the field are provided

Study of Customer Satisfaction with Living Conditions in New Apartment Buildings

The article aims to analyze the Lithuanian housing market and to look into the satisfaction of people with living conditions in new apartment buildings on this market. The article presents the concept of customer satisfaction in construction and the criteria that define the quality of dwellings; the benefits, consequences, merits and demerits of the assessment of customer satisfaction are also named. A survey of customer satisfaction helped to evaluate the quality of dwellings according to their technical and functional parameters, as well as the degree of cooperation between customers and contractors/builders. The customer satisfaction index (CSI) and the degree of loyalty were calculated, and then a customer satisfaction matrix was built up

Formowanie nanowłókien PVA z udziałem jodu metodą elektroprzędzenia

The area of technical textile applications is very wide, with one of the most important being medical textiles. Polymer-iodine complexes (i.e. iodophors) are widely used in antiseptic products. Nanofibres with iodine may be used to disinfect skin in medicine, and iodine is also characterised by a fungicidal effect. The aim of this research was to form an electrospun PVA mat from nanofibres with iodine and establish the influence of iodine dissolved in ethanol on the structure of electrospun mats. The results showed that it is possible to form a PVA nonwoven mat with an iodine element inserted by the electrospinning process, which has an influence on the structure of the electrospun nonwoven mat.Związki kompleksowe polimer-jod (jodofory) są szeroko stosowane jako środki antyseptyczne. Nanowłókna z udziałem jodu mogą zostać użyte dla celów medycznych do dezynfekcji skóry, jod charakteryzuje się również efektem grzybobójczym. Celem badań było wytworzenie elektroprzędzionego runa PVA z nanowłókien z dodatkiem jodu i określenie wpływu rozpuszczonego w etanolu jodu na strukturę elektroprzędzionego runa. Wyniki wskazują, iż możliwe jest wytworzenie runa PVA metodą elektroprzędzenia nanowłókien z jodem, który jednak wpływa na strukturę runa