Exploring the Meaning of Luxury to Gen Z

In an age when marketers are spending five times more to reach Millennials than all other demographics combined (Swant 2015), Generation Z, Millennials’ entrepreneurial and diverse younger siblings born from the mid-1990’s to 2010’s, are quietly becoming one of the of the most powerful consumer segments in the U.S. and around the world. Despite the fact that most brands are still clamoring for their piece of the Millennial pie, Generation Z is already influencing a staggering $829 billion in household spending in the U.S. alone (IBM 2017). Diverse, ambitious and predicted to account for 40% of the population in key current and emerging luxury markets (Europe, the U.S. and BRIC countries) by 2020, they are heralding a new age of luxury consumption

Accelerating Asia-Pacific Space Economies Through Regional Partnerships

Many Asia-Pacific countries have grown their outer space industries in recent years, resulting in a spectrum of space economies at differing levels of maturity across the region with potential complementarities that could catalyze further development of this crucial sector. This article highlights several key takeaways from a recent virtual event on "Accelerating Asia-Pacific Space Economies Through Regional Partnerships: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices.” First, as commercial interests are increasingly driving space development, states are articulating distinct space strategies to try to facilitate innovation by the private sector while also protecting their own national security interests. Second, while there are promising opportunities for cooperation among states and between the public and private sectors, there is still much work to be done in establishing shared rules, norms, and standards of behavior. Third, dynamics in the outer space domain are strongly shaped by the broader context of geopolitical competition among states, which presents challenges to some kinds of collaboration and highlights the need to build trust among multiple stakeholders

Work of the Spirit in Suffering

A practical seminar on walking in the Spirit through hard times. Join Vivian as she weaves her cancer journey with lessons learned about surrendering in the Spirit, the comfort of God, and the role of community

Multiple Re-entry Closures After TEVAR for Ruptured Chronic Post-dissection Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Introduction: Although thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become a promising treatment for complicated acute type B dissection, its role in treating chronic post-dissection thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) is still limited owing to persistent retrograde flow into the false lumen (FL) through abdominal or iliac re-entry tears. Report: A case of chronic post-dissection TAA treatment, in which a dilated descending FL ruptured into the left thorax, is described. The primary entry tear was closed by emergency TEVAR and multiple abdominal re-entries were closed by EVAR. In addition, major re-entries at the detached right renal artery and iliac bifurcation were closed using covered stents. To close re-entries as far as possible, EVAR was carried out using the chimney technique, and additional aortic extenders were placed above the coeliac artery. A few re-entries remained, but complete FL thrombosis of the rupture site was achieved. Follow-up computed tomography showed significant shrinkage of the FL. Discussion: In treating post-dissection TAA, entry closure by TEVAR is sometimes insufficient, owing to persistent retrograde flow into the FL from abdominal or iliac re-entries. Adjunctive techniques are needed to close these distal re-entries to obtain complete FL exclusion, especially in rupture cases. Recently, encouraging results of complete coverage of the thoraco-abdominal aorta with fenestrated or branched endografts have been reported; however, the widespread employment of such techniques appears to be limited owing to technical difficulties. The present method with multiple re-entry closures using off the shelf and immediately available devices is an alternative for the endovascular treatment of post-dissection TAA, especially in the emergency setting. Keywords: Aortic dissection, Ruptured aortic aneurysm, Post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, Endovascular aortic repair, Reentry closure, Endovascular procedure