Adapting a causality model of technical systems to represent socio-technical systems: A Case study from the BoP

The base of the world economic pyramid, generally called the base of the pyramid (BoP), consists of four billion people with average daily income of four dollars. Over the past several years, the design and development of products and services for BoP markets has been investigated by several authors from different disciplines. While some authors suggest a systems approach to design and develop products and services for these markets, a little work has been carried out in this area. Specifically, no studies have been found in the reviewed literature that systematically explain how businesses bring about systemic changes in BoP markets. This study methodically explains how businesses bring about systemic changes in these markets through the design and development process. In order to explain these systemic changes, the study first describes the development of a causality-model for socio-technical systems by modifying a causality-model of technical systems. It then explains the developed causality model for the BoP. Lastly, it tests this model by an in-depth investigation of a case study from the BoP. The findings systematically explain the need of: gaining an in-depth understanding of the existing BoP system to bring about desired actions (e.g. gaining profits, satisfying under-served or un-met needs of BoP customers, etc.); including different stakeholders from the BoP in the design and development process; and appropriately modifying existing BoP system before deploying products and services. In addition, this study proposes some applications of the developed causality-model to support practitioners involved in designing, developing and assessing interventions (i.e. products and services) for BoP markets

Representing Interventions from the Base of the Pyramid

The base of the world economic pyramid, generally called the base of the pyramid (BoP), consists of four billion people with average per day income of four dollars. While some authors suggest a systems approach to design and develop products and services (i.e. interventions) for BoP markets, a little work has been carried out in this area. Furthermore, a framework to represent interventions in the BoP (i.e. socio-technical systems) and the resulting changes of state is not available. The reviewed studies on technical systems include models that represent inputs and the resulting changes of state in such systems; however, these studies have not been used to represent interventions in socio-technical systems. By modifying a causality model of technical systems, this study develops a framework called the IASTS model to represent interventions in a socio-technical system. It then explains the IASTS model by analyzing two case studies drawn from the BoP

Design and Development of Products and Services at the Base of the Pyramid: A Review of Issues and Solutions

Abstract in UndeterminedThe base of the world income pyramid, generally called the ‘Base of the Pyramid’ (BoP), consists of four billion people with average per day income of less than four dollars. Over the past several years, the design and development of products and services at the BoP (BoP people as producers and consumers as well) has been investigated by several authors from different disciplines. A literature review showed that the issues (i.e. constraints) in designing and developing products and services at the BoP and ingredients of solutions addressing these issues have not been synthesised. Furthermore, quantitative findings on these issues and solution-ingredients are lacking. This paper addresses these gaps by pulling together the issues and solution-ingredients in the BoP from the reviewed literature and comparing these with a large study found in this literature. In addition, through the analysis of the data available in this large study, we extracted some quantitative findings on these issues and solution-ingredients, and identified relationships between them. We have discussed the practical implications of these findings. This study adds to the growing body of literature on the sustainable development at the BoP

A Conceptual Study of Electric Vehicle Market in India

Research into electric vehicles (ev) as a potential means of reducing the greenhouse effect is extensive. Thanks to improvements in power electrics, energy storage, and support, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (phev) offers competitive driving range and fuel economy when compared to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (icev).the various sorts of evs' operational procedures will be detailed in this review study. We'll also talk about battery and supercapacitor technology as potential ways to boost phevs' energy capacity

Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude of Saudi Students towards Basic Life Support: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude in relation to basic life support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills among the dental undergraduates and interns in Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken between October 2019 and December 2019 in Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. One hundred and eighty randomly selected dental students aged over 18 years participated in the study. Their knowledge and attitude towards BLS were gathered through a questionnaire. Results: A total of 158 (out of 180) UG students and interns participated in this study, making the responses of 87.8%. The mean age of the participants was 24.6 years. The samples comprised 86 (54.4%) males and 72 (45.6%) females. The assessments showed that overall the participants had average knowledge towards BLS and CPR, with males responding significantly better than the females (p˂0.05). Furthermore, as students climb the academic ladder, their knowledge regarding BLS and CPR tends to rise. Also, their attitude was positive, and they were willing to receive CPR training. Conclusion: Attitude toward acquiring knowledge about CPR was very positive. However, their knowledge about the topic was average. Students should understand the importance of such skills and efficiently involve in these life-saving procedures

A study of serum lipid profile in normal pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertensive disorders: a case-control study

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertensive disorders are one of the commonest complication of pregnancy which accounts for 12% of the maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Dyslipidemias are associated with endothelial dysfunction that may result in proteinuria and hypertension which is a clinical hallmark of PIH. It affects both maternal health as well as fetal growth. Hence, this study was done to assess the role of altered lipid profile in the development of PIH.Methods: A Case Control study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Kurnool Medical College and Govt General Hospital, Kurnool in collaboration with its Obstetrics Dept during the period of November 2015-2017. A total of 300 pregnant women, primigravida /multigravida with singleton pregnancy, in the age group of 18‐ 35 years with >20 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Subjects were divided into gestational hypertensives, n=39 (BP ≥140/80) and preeclamptic women, n=111 (≥140/80 and proteinuria) as cases. Age matched normotensive pregnant women, n=150 (BP 120/80) were recruited as Controls. Subjects with history of multiple pregnancies, pregnancy with congenital anomalies, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiac/thyroid/hepatic/renal disease, dyslipidemia were excluded. Total cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL were performed.Results: A comparison of these values between hypertensive and normotensive women showed a significant rise in TC, TG, LDL and VLDL. HDL-C showed a significant decrease in hypertensive women compared to normal pregnant women. LDL: HDL and TG:HDL ratios were higher in PIH group.Conclusions: The results of this study suggests an abnormal lipid metabolism, predominantly high TG concentrations and low HDL-C, which may add to the promotion of vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress seen in PIH. This association is significant in understanding the development of hypertension during pregnancy and is useful in early diagnosis and prevention of PIH

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Treatment of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in an Ex Vivo Pulsatile Heart Model

Although associated with left heart pathologies, functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is often left untreated during left heart surgery. Hence, owing to its degenerative character, reoperation is often needed, encompassing an impressive (25% to 35%) mortality rate. Thus transcatheter approaches to FTR are raising great interest

Role of non-coding RNA networks in leukemia progression, metastasis and drug resistance.

Early-stage detection of leukemia is a critical determinant for successful treatment of the disease and can increase the survival rate of leukemia patients. The factors limiting the current screening approaches to leukemia include low sensitivity and specificity, high costs, and a low participation rate. An approach based on novel and innovative biomarkers with high accuracy from peripheral blood offers a comfortable and appealing alternative to patients, potentially leading to a higher participation rate.Recently, non-coding RNAs due to their involvement in vital oncogenic processes such as differentiation, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis have attracted much attention as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in leukemia. Emerging lines of evidence have shown that the mutational spectrum and dysregulated expression of non-coding RNA genes are closely associated with the development and progression of various cancers, including leukemia. In this review, we highlight the expression and functional roles of different types of non-coding RNAs in leukemia and discuss their potential clinical applications as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets