Going beyond customers - a business segmentation approach using network pictures to identify network segments

Existing approaches to segmentation, in particular business segmentation, are often conceptualized and applied in a limiting way, providing a narrow interpretation of the surrounding business network. This could be attributed to a rather myopic view of the multiple complexities and indirect links inherent in networks of business exchange relationships. The task for companies developing innovative segmentation approaches is to simultaneously enhance the company’s understanding of downstream as well as upstream preferences and resources, while going beyond immediate interaction partners to include relevant indirect business partners. The challenge is therefore not to identify attractive customer segments, but attractive network segments. As such, the managerial challenge becomes one of creating a business network segmentation from the perspective of a focal company within this network, taking a far wider interpretation of the concept of segmentation. Using the concept of network pictures, we outline the different dimensions that are important within a business network segmentation, and exemplify their use through a case study of an entrepreneurial company. Our study contributes to the literature by providing a detailed example of a practical application of abstract concepts, in this case the translation of the network picture concept into a way to apply a business network segmentation to an entrepreneurial context

Value dimensions and relationship postures in dyadic 'key relationship programmes'

Business-to-business marketing is often concerned with the way in which companies manage strategically important relationships with their counterparts: their Key Relationship Programmes (KRPs). These relationships can be managed through the implementation of specific managerial and organisational structures, commonly implemented via Key Account Programmes (on the supplier side) or Key Supplier Programmes (on the customer side). Underlying this managerial process is an implicit assumption that these important relationships bring some form of additional value to one or both parties involved. However, a dyadic view of how this value is created and shared between the parties remains an under-researched area. In this conceptual paper, we use the multi-faceted value construct introduced in Pardo et al. (2006) and posit that the buyer's or seller's value strategies can be best understood as being internally, exchange, or relationship based. This in turn allows us to analyse the value gained as being the outcome of one of nine generic key relationship postures within any dyadic KRP. We focus on an analysis of so-called "managed" relationship postures and identify a number of dyadic activities and competencies that we hypothesise are important in managing such KRPs, and which can form the basis for further empirical research

Properties of a new quasi-axisymmetric configuration

A novel, compact, quasi-axisymmetric configuration is presented which exhibits low fast-particle losses and is stable to ideal MHD instabilities. The design has fast-particle loss rates below 8\% for flux surfaces within the half-radius, and is shown to have an MHD-stability limit of a normalised pressure of $\langle\beta\rangle=3\%$ where $\langle\beta\rangle$ is volume averaged. The flux surfaces at various plasma betas and currents as calculated using the SPEC equilibrium code are presented. Neoclassical transport coefficients are shown to be similar to an equivalent tokamak, with a distinct banana regime at half-radius. An initial coil design study is presented to assess the feasibility of this configuration as a fusion-relevant experiment

Psychological Consequences of Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Conservative Treatment of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

AbstractObjective to describe the potential psychological consequences of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods the participants were prospectively and randomly sampled from a randomised screening trial for AAA and asked to complete a validated generic and global anonymous quality of life (QL) questionnaire by self-assessment (ScreenQL). Material case–control study: ScreenQL was completed once by 168 (48%) of 350 non-responders to screening, 271 (81%) of 335 attenders before screening, 286 (85%) of 335 attenders after screening, 127 (85%) of 149 with a small AAA diagnosed at screening, and 231 (66%) of 350 who were randomised not to be offered screening for AAA (controls). Prospective study (paired data): 127 men having a small AAA diagnosed. Twenty-nine (81%) of 36 men operated after initial conservative treatment. Results initially, the QL score was 5% lower among men with a small AAA compared to the controls (p<0.05), mainly because of poorer health perception. The QL score declined significantly further to 7% below control values during the period of conservative treatment. This impairment was mainly due to a 21% and 15% reduction in scores relating to health perception and psychosomatic distress, respectively. However, all scores improved to control levels in patients operated on. The QL of attending men for screening was significantly lower than that of the controls and the attenders after the screening. No differences were noticed concerning the non-attenders.Conclusion the offer of screening causes transient psychological stress in subjects found not to have AAA. However, diagnosis of an AAA seems to impair QL permanently and progressively in conservatively treated cases. This impairment seems reversible by operation. Nevertheless, the impairment seems considerable, and must be considered in the management of AAA and in the final evaluation of screening for AAA

Decreased mortality of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a peripheral county

Objectives:To analyse the effect on the mortality associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms, due to the establishment of a decentralised vascular surgical unit in the county of Viborg.Methods:Death after aneurysm repair and from rupture without repair were analysed retrospectively for the 3 year period before (1986–88), and after (1989–91), the unit was established.Results:Between 1986 and 1988, one patient (5%) died after 19 elective and three emergency non-ruptured aneurysm repairs. Only three ruptures were repaired with two deaths. In the county, 41 deaths due to ruptured aneurysm were recorded. Between 1989 and 1991 two patients (4%) died after 26 elective and 27 emergency non-ruptured aneurysm repairs. Nineteen ruptures were repaired with six deaths (32%). In the county, 28 deaths due to rupture were recorded during this period.Conclusions:The establishment of a decentralised vascular surgical unit has increased the proportion of ruptured aneurysms reaching surgery with a resultant decrease in mortality from this condition

The rigidity of periodic body-bar frameworks on the three-dimensional fixed torus

We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the generic rigidity of body-bar frameworks on the three-dimensional fixed torus. These frameworks correspond to infinite periodic body-bar frameworks in $\mathbb{R}^3$ with a fixed periodic lattice.Comment: 31 pages, 12 figure

Five-year Results of Elastin and Collagen Markers as Predictive Tools in the Management of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

AbstractObjective small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) do rupture and only half of AAAs above 5 cm would have ruptured unoperated. Furthermore, conservative treatment of AAAs may cause psychological side effects and impaired quality of life. To optimise the indication and time for operation for AAAs, we analysed whether serum elastin peptides (EP), procollagen-IIIN-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), and the initial AAA size could predict operation for AAAs in initially conservatively treated AAA. Material and methods in 1994, 4404 65–73 year old males were invited to hospital-based screening for AAAs by ultrasonography. Seventy-six percent attended. One hundred and forty-one (4.2%) had AAAs (def: +30 mm). Nineteen were offered operation (AAA +50 mm), and 112 were followed with annual control scans for 1–5 years (mean 2.5 years). Of these, 99 had their EP (ng/ml) and PIIINP (ng/ml) determined using ELISA and RIA techniques. Two observers and one scanner were used. Results the mean expansion rate was 2.7 mm/year. The initial AAA size (r=0.46; 0.26–0.61), EP ( r =0.31; 0.11–0.49), and NPIIIP ( r =0.24; 0.02–0.44) was independently significant associated to expansion rate in a multiple linear regression analysis including the three mentioned variables. The multivariate formula could by ROC curve analysis predict cases reaching 5 cm in diameter within 5 years with a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 87%, respectively, increasing to 91% and 94%, respectively, by accepting a 2 mm variation in those measurements. Twenty-three were lost to follow up, 21 of these due to death or severe illness. Of these, seven would have been predicted to reach an AAA size recommendable for surgery. If all 23 were included in the analysis, the sensitivity and specificity would have been 87% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion a predictive model using EP, PIIINP, and initial AAA size seems capable of predicting nine out of 10 AAAs that will be operated on within 5 years. However, a larger sample size is needed for clinical recommendations

The Plasma Level of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 may Predict the Natural History of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. A Preliminary Study

AbstractObjectives: increased levels of various proteinases have been detected in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and are assumed to cause the degradation of the aortic wall. To determine whether systemic measurement of these proteinases and their inhibitors may predict the natural cause of AAA. Methods and material: serum (S) and plasma (P) samples were obtained from 121 men following the diagnosis of a small AAA (3–5 cm) at population screening. Annual control scans were performed to check for expansion. Circulating levels of elastase-alpha 1 antitrypsin-complexes, alpha 1antitrypsin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 & 9, tissue-inhibitor-matrixproteinase 1 & 2, procollagen III-N-terminal-propeptide, and elastin-peptides were measured in a random group of 36 men. Results: alpha 1 antitrypsin was significantly and positively associated with expansion. Similarly, P-MMP9 levels were significantly associated with size and expansion. There was a difference between median serum and plasma values, probably because of secretion from platelets. Conclusion: P-MMP9 and P-alpha 1 antitrypsin may predict the natural history of AAA

Completeness and positive predictive value of registration of upper limb embolectomy in the Danish National Vascular Registry

Ljubica V Andersen1, Leif S Mortensen2, Jes S Lindholt3, Ole Faergeman4, Eskild W Henneberg3, Lars Frost51Department of Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; 2UNI-C, The Danish IT Centre for Education and Research, Aarhus, Denmark; 3Vascular Research Unit, Department of Vascular Surgery, Viborg Hospital, Denmark; 4Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; 5Department of Medicine, Silkeborg Hospital, DenmarkObjective: To evaluate completeness and positive predictive value of the Danish National Vascular Registry regarding registration of the surgical procedures: embolectomy of brachial, ulnar, or radial artery. Study design and settings: The study was based on first-time embolectomies in the brachial, ulnar, or radial artery performed in Denmark from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2002. The data were primarily retrieved from the Danish National Vascular Registry and secondarily from the Danish National Registry of Patients. Medical records were retrieved using a standardized form.Results: In total, 1433 incident cases of first-time embolectomy were found in both registries. The positive predictive value of the registration was 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 96.4&amp;ndash;98.4). The degree of completeness was 86.5% (95% CI; 84.3&amp;ndash;88.5). For the registration period from 1990 till 1996 the degree of completeness was 78.2% (95% CI; 74.4&amp;ndash;81.7), and from 1997 till 2002 it was 93.8% (95% CI; 91.6&amp;ndash;95.7). Conclusion: The completeness and positive predictive value of registration of embolectomy in the upper limb in the Danish National Vascular Registry was 86.5% and 97.5%, respectively. This registry can be a valuable tool for epidemiological research and quality-monitoring. Keywords: positive predictive value, completeness, capture-recapture method, validity, embolectomy, registration