Organizational Structure for Electronic Commerce: A Qualitative Investigation

Business model and technology seem to be the mantra for companies, especially dot.com start-ups, entering e-commerce. In the hurry to be quickly functional in the e-economy, many appear to be ignoring critical factors such as organizational structure. Only a few seem to recognize the need to examine if their structure and arrangements are appropriate for e-commerce. This paper examines the issue of organizational structure for e-commerce. It discusses the findings of a qualitative study of 10 e-commerce companies in Singapore. The research concludes that though the conventional functional structure appears to be also the current norm for e-commerce organizations, the appropriateness of the matrix structure for e-commerce has been recognized and companies are starting on this route

Association of anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidylserine, anti-β2 glycoprotein I, and antiphosphatidylcholine autoantibodies with canine immune thrombocytopenia

β2GPI expression and identification. (PDF 159 kb

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Is this a good time to invest in platform supply vessels?

This paper conducts a literature review of the factors that affect an investor’s decision on purchasing various types of ships and attempts to mimic the same procedure for a Platform Supply Vessel. Similar factors were found and were analyzed using the Pearson’s Correlation Technique. Ship investment behavior was found to have a strong positive correlation with oil prices while charter rates together with exploration and production spending played a significant role in affecting an investor’s decision. Possible developments that could affect the demand of Platform Supply Vessels were also indicated and analyzed to show the prospects that lie within the industry. This study is done in hopes that an investor could use it to better time his purchase of Platform Supply Vessels in a market that is highly cyclical where the essence of time plays a very important role. Finally, a brief recommendation is done on the decision to invest in Platform Supply Vessels now.Bachelor of Science (Maritime Studies

Organizational structure for electronic commerce

While a growing number of companies have taken the plunge into the growing e-commerce industry, many have developed the organizational structure for e-commerce based on conventional business models. Even though conventional business models have served traditional brick and mortar firms well, it may not be the best model to be an effective e-commerce player

Irreducible Radial Dislocation of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint of a Finger

Dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) are often easily reduced with closed reduction and manipulation. Irreducible PIPJ dislocations are rare. They can be caused by soft tissue interposition, with interposition of the lateral band being very rare. Clinical signs may be nonspecific, with subtle changes on imaging. In our case, we highlight the clinical signs, imaging, and operative findings in an irreducible radial dislocation of the PIPJ

Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear With Medialization and Balloon Spacer Insertion

Retracted massive rotator cuff tears can be challenging to repair. Reduction of the retracted tendon to the native footprint may result in a repair with excessive tension. Repair under excessive tension predisposes to increased tendon retear rates. Footprint medialization involves securing the tendon medial to the anatomic footprint, resulting in decreased tension during repair. Several surgical adjuncts can also be employed to reinforce such tears so as to reduce the risk of retear. The aim of this Technical Note is to describe a surgical technique of rotator cuff repair with medialization of the footprint combined with a balloon spacer insertion

Coagulant Dipping Time and Temperature Optimisation for Latex Glove Uneven Coating Investigation

Powdered glove is produced by natural latex with the aid of coagulant. The composition of the coagulant contains wetting agent, calcium nitrate as coagulant and anti-tack agent. Generally wetting agent causes foam and results in uneven wall thickness in glove production. Hence, the objective of this research was to select a suitable wetting agent sample that could be used by the production, as well as optimising the parameter such as temperature of coagulant, weight percentage of wetting agent and coagulant dipping time to reduce the rejection of uneven thickness. This paper presented the preliminary testing including foam height test, cloud point test, wetting agent characterisation and the samples mechanical analysis. Two setting agents (sample T and sample E) were chosen due to its availability in the production line. Throughout the wetting agent characterisation, sample T was preferred compared to sample E due to similar bonding of the wetting agent. The surface tension of coagulant and tensile strength of glove samples meet the glove industry standard at the variation of wetting agent amount. The optimise parameter were at 0.0175 wt% of wetting agent and 5 seconds dipping time at 63 °C. The average thickness of the gloves at this parameter was at 0.09 ± 0.004 mm which is at the acceptable level comparing to 0.1mm thickness of ASTM standard

Coagulant Dipping Time and Temperature Optimisation for Latex Glove Uneven Coating Investigation

Powdered glove is produced by natural latex with the aid of coagulant. The composition of the coagulant contains wetting agent, calcium nitrate as coagulant and anti-tack agent. Generally wetting agent causes foam and results in uneven wall thickness in glove production. Hence, the objective of this research was to select a suitable wetting agent sample that could be used by the production, as well as optimising the parameter such as temperature of coagulant, weight percentage of wetting agent and coagulant dipping time to reduce the rejection of uneven thickness. This paper presented the preliminary testing including foam height test, cloud point test, wetting agent characterisation and the samples mechanical analysis. Two setting agents (sample T and sample E) were chosen due to its availability in the production line. Throughout the wetting agent characterisation, sample T was preferred compared to sample E due to similar bonding of the wetting agent. The surface tension of coagulant and tensile strength of glove samples meet the glove industry standard at the variation of wetting agent amount. The optimise parameter were at 0.0175 wt% of wetting agent and 5 seconds dipping time at 63 °C. The average thickness of the gloves at this parameter was at 0.09 ± 0.004 mm which is at the acceptable level comparing to 0.1mm thickness of ASTM standard