Classification of E-Commerce Operations: Implications for Theory Development

As we enter this new millennium, e-commerce is touted as one of the basic tenets of the radical transformation in manufacturing and service operations. This gap between the expected outcomes and actual results of IT and e-commerce investments indicates that we lack a clear understanding of the dynamics of this technology. In this research, we will attempt to further our understanding e-commerce, by employing a typology to classify it. The typology can help determine where e-commerce fits in and what its respective properties are

Teams and E-Commerce: Exploring the Future via the Past

E-commerce is a relatively new phenomenon. One of the basic tenets of e-commerce is the way transactions, processes and customers are distributed, therefore, the role of teams/groups in such an environment can be crucial. In this research, we look at the literature on the interactions of teams/groups with inter-organizational information systems and telecommunications to hypothesize about the role and functionality of e-commerce. This paper can be of value to researchers, in that it will help them identify core areas of research that are yet to be undertaken, and to practitioners who may gain from these findings by recognizing the importance of teams relative to various e-commerce function

Mandatory Laptop Computers for All Students: Lessons Learned from the Technology-Learning-Communication (TLC) Initiative at Northern Michigan University

This paper presents the preliminary observations of the Technology-Learning-Communication (TLC) initiative at Northern Michigan University. The authors have spent the last year conducting interviews to gather critical information on the impact of mandatory laptop requirement on the various stakeholders of the university. The motivations, processes, changes, and initial feedback from various individuals and groups are presented. It was found that such a technology-focused endeavor requires various structural as well as procedural changes. In fact in some facets the university has to transform itself into a highly cohesive and efficient business organization where procurement, distribution and inventory control become a part of the organization culture. The study also finds that need for welldefined metrics relating to outcome of the project need greater attention. This study provides valuable insight to other universities and decision makers. It is anticipated that this interesting case study will be available in its entirety in early 2002

Flexor hallucis longus vs. peroneus brevis: the better tendon for augmentation surgery in chronic achilles tendon ruptures

Background: Chronic degenerative Achilles tendon ruptures are increasing in incidence. Calcific tendonitis, poor vascularity, prior steroid injections, and proximal migration of tendon render conservative management ineffective. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and peroneus brevis (PB) have shown promising results with tendon augmentation procedures. The study was done to find out which was a better tendon for augmentation among the two.Methods: A total of 27 patients underwent tendon augmentation surgeries using FHL (n=14) and PB (n=13) after randomization at PES Institute of medical sciences and research, Kuppam from March 2014 to December 2018. Both the groups had a standard postoperative regimen and rehabilitative protocol. Functional outcome was assessed using AOFAS, Leppilahti score and ATRS scores.Results: The functional outcome was comparable in both FHL and PB and there was no clear winner in the study.Conclusions: Predictably good results are seen with tendon augmentation procedures for Achilles tendon rupture. Both FHL and PB are equally good in providing good plantar flexion power needed in achilles tendon rupture

Bovine rotavirus pentavalent vaccine development in India

AbstractA bovine rotavirus pentavalent vaccine (BRV-PV) containing rotavirus human-bovine (UK) reassortant strains of serotype G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9 has been developed by the Serum Institute of India Ltd, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA. The vaccine underwent animal toxicity studies and Phase I and II studies in adults, toddlers and infants. It has been found safe and immunogenic and will undergo a large Phase III study to assess efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis

Clinico-social parameters of diabetes among patientsutilizing emergency medical services

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing in its potential in developing countries. Rise in diabetic patients calling emergency medical services (EMS) is expected. It calls for thorough assessment of patients with DM utilizing EMS. In the present study, was to assess magnitude of DM among patients utilizing EMS and its clinico-social parameters.Methods: It was hospital record based observational study of patients calling EMS delivered by a tertiary care hospital in Pune, Maharashtra, India during 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2014. Patients with incomplete records were excluded. A person with medical background was trained to extract required information from hospital records. Patients with previously diagnosed DM were considered those who were on diet, oral hypoglycemic agents or taking insulin therapy and newly diagnosed patients with DM were considered those with the value of glycemia on admission >200 mg/dl in first 24 hours. Data analysis was done using SPSS 15.0 software.Results: 45.8% (894/1951) were Patients with DM out of that 78.19% (699/894) were known to have DM while 28.81% (195/1951) were new cases of DM. 5.1% (100/1951) patients had uncontrolled DM. DM was significantly more in >60 years age group and in urban residents (p<0.001). Patients with DM were significantly more to have breathlessness, altered sensorium and dyspnoea as major purpose to call EMS (p<0.001, <0.001 and 0.045 respectively). Other co-morbidities in the form of Hypertension, other cardiovascular abnormalities, COPD, CKD and history of CVA were significantly more among Patients with DM (p<0.001, except for COPD, p=0.027).Conclusions: There was a high burden of patients with DM on EMS. EMS teams should be well trained to diagnose and manage such emergencies. Mass awareness of screening for DM and its proper management will help to decrease such burden

Comparison of surgical times of various total knee replacement techniques and assessment of learning curve of robotic total knee replacement: a retrospective study

Background: This study aims to compare the operating times of manual, computer-assisted and robotic- assisted TKA and to calculate the learning curve for image-less robotic-assisted TKA (RATKA). Methods: This retrospective observational study, conducted at the Centre of Excellence, Bone, Joint and Spine, Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, focused on patients aged 60 and above undergoing total                                                                       knee replacement for stage 4 osteoarthritis. The study included 75 consecutive cases of manual, computer- assisted, and robotic-assisted unilateral total knee arthroplasties performed between May 2021 and September 2022 (18 months). Data was collected from the hospital records. Results: The surgeon transitioned from learning to proficiency phase of RATKA after 14 cases. In the robotic learning phase, the overall operative time was 113.14 minutes (±8.96), significantly longer than the robotic proficiency phase's average of 98.24 minutes (±2.98) and that of CATKA (99.57±10.700 minutes) and manual TKAs (97.01±7.17 minutes). No statistically significant difference was observed in the global operative time between the proficiency phase RATKAs and the CATKA and manual groups (p=0.139). Conclusions: By optimizing techniques and modifying workflow, one can swiftly overcome the initial learning curve of RATKA and achieve operating times comparable to manual TKA. To enhance efficiency and productivity, the study proposes a revised workflow modifying various rate limiting surgical steps