The mediating effect of supply chain integration on the relationship between information technology, trust and firm performance: a conceptual framework

Supply chain Management has played a significant role in corporate efficiency and has attracted the attention of numerous academicians over the last few years. As the concept of becomes more widely accepted, supply chain integration (SCI) is gaining more attention among both practitioners and academics. The paper aims at understanding how SCI and its antecedents, impacts firm performance. For the literature review of the related academic articles for the previous studies has been taken by international journals in Logistics, Supply Chain Management and Operations Management. The study looked at some variables such as trust and information technology (IT) that might impact the SCI and finally improve firm performance. Therefore, it is crucial for managers to apply their firms IT and trust as lower-order organizational capabilities to improve SCI as a higher-order organizational capability. To aid the study, Resourced-Based View (RBV) theory has been developed as the framework for the present research. The paper also proposes the framework for future research in empirical investigation in manufacturing. This study bridges the gap by developing a framework for measuring SCI, which enables any organization to identify critical success factors for integrating their SC, measures the degree of integration qualitatively and quantitatively and suggest improvement measures

Biofeedback efficacy to improve clinical symptoms and endoscopic signs of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is often resistant to medical and surgical treatment. This study assessed the effect of biofeedback in decreasing the symptoms and the healing of endoscopic signs in SRUS patients. Before starting the treatment, endoscopy and colorectal manometry was performed to evaluate dyssynergic defecation. Patients were followed every four weeks, and during each visit their response to treatment was evaluated regarding to manometry pattern. After at least 50% improvement in manometry parameters, recipients underwent rectosigmoidoscopy. Endoscopic response to biofeedback treatment and clinical symptoms were investigated. Duration of symptoms was 43.11±36.42 months in responder and 63.9±45.74 months in non-responder group (P=0.22). There were more ulcers in non-responder group than responder group (1.50±0.71 versus 1.33±-0.71 before and 1.30 ± 0.95 versus 0.67±0.50 after biofeedback), although the difference was not significant (P=0.604, 0.10 respectively). The most prevalent symptoms were constipation (79%), rectal bleeding (68%) and anorectal pain (53%). The most notable improvement in symptoms after biofeedback occured in abdominal pain and incomplete evacuation, and the least was seen in mucosal discharge and toilet waiting as shown in the bar chart. Endoscopic cure was observed in 4 of 10 patients of the non-responder group while 8 patients in responder group experienced endoscopic improvement. It seems that biofeedback has significant effect for pathophysiologic symptoms such as incomplete evacuation and obstructive defecation. Improvement of clinical symptoms does not mean endoscopic cure; so to demonstrate remission the patients have to go under rectosigmoidoscopy

Bio-Cyber Threats and Crimes, the Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

زمینه و هدف: فاصله دگرگونی و تحولات شگرف یافته‌های علمی در جهان، با عنوان انقلاب صنعتی رو به کاهش است و با همبستگی عمیق‌تر در بخش‌های سایبری و بیولوژیکی، انقلاب صنعتی چهارم نیز در اوج تحولات خود قرار گرفته است. پژوهش حاضر با روش توصیفی ـ تحلیلی به دنبال درک این همبستگی رو به افزایش و پیامدهای آن، تلاش می‌کند تا با بررسی تهدیدها علیه امنیت در بخش بیوسایبری، تبدیل فضای سایبر به عنوان بستری غیر قابل انکار در بخش‌های مختلف علوم بیولوژیکی، این وضعیت در حال وابستگی روزافزون را به عنوان یک چالش جدی در مسیر علم و فناوری در اوج قله انقلاب صنعتی چهارم معرفی کند. مواد و روش‌ها: این تحقیق از نوع نظری است؛ ‌روش تحقیق به صورت توصیفی ـ تحلیلی می‏باشد و روش جمع‏آوری اطلاعات نیز به شیوه کتابخانه‏ای و با مراجعه به اسناد، کتب و مقالات، صورت گرفته است. ملاحظات اخلاقی: در انجام پژوهش حاضر، ضمن رعایت اصالت متون، اصول صداقت و امانتداری رعایت شده است. یافته‌ها: با واردشدن رایانه در عرصه اطلاعات و پیشرفت قابل تحسین در بخش هوش مصنوعی، به همان اندازه که نگهداری و پردازش اطلاعات آسان شده، سرقت اطلاعات و سوءاستفاده از آن نیز تسهیل شده است. نفوذ یا دسترسی غیر مجاز توسط هکر‌ها که با اهداف گوناگونی صورت می‌پذیرد، حاکی از این واقعیت است که آسیب‌پذیری‌ها و قابلیت بروز آن بسیار زیاد بوده و عنوان کشورهای برنده و بازنده در بُعد علوم بیوسایبری با توجه به میزان توانایی در حفاظت از چنین داده‌هایی در آینده‌ای نه‌چندان دور به واقعیت بدل خواهد شد. نتیجه‌گیری: تهدیدات و جرائم بیوسایبری می‌تواند نقش بسیار تعیین‌کننده‌ای در زیرساخت‌های حیاتی هر جامعه داشته باشد. جرائم بیوسایبری به مثابه تهدیدهایی جدی در تقابل با نظم اجتماع و یا بالفعل در این بخش، تلقی می­شوند. لذا امنیت بیوسایبری با حفظ امنیت بین فناوری‌های جدید بیولوژیکی مانند زیست‌شناسی مصنوعی و نیز DNA و فضای سایبری، از اهمیت بالایی برخوردار است.Background and Aim: The distance between the dramatic changes in scientific findings in the world, known as the Industrial Revolution, is decreasing, and with a deeper solidarity in the cyber and biological sectors, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is at the peak of its evolution. The present study with a descriptive-analytical method, in search of understanding this increasing correlation and its consequences, tries to examine security threats in the bio-cyber sector, turning cyberspace into an undeniable platform in various fields of biological sciences and introduce this increasingly dependent situation as a serious challenge to science and technology at the peak of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.     Materials and Methods: This research is of theoretical type and the research method is descriptive-analytical. The method of data collection is library and has been done by referring to documents, books and articles. Ethical Considerations: In order to organize this research, while respecting the authenticity of the texts, honesty and fidelity have been observed. Findings: With the advent of computers in the field of information and the admirable advancement in the field of artificial intelligence, as much as information storage and processing has become easier, information theft and misuse of data has also been facilitated. Unauthorized intrusion or access by hackers for various purposes indicates the fact that the vulnerabilities and the possibility of its occurrence are very high and the title of winning and losing governments in the field of bio-cyber according to the ability to protect such data will become a reality in the not too distant future. Conclusion: Bio-Cyber threats and crimes can play a crucial role in the vital substructures of any society. Bio-cybercrime is considered as a serious threat to the social order in this sector. Therefore, bio-cyber security is of great importance while maintaining security between new biological technologies such as artificial biology as well as DNA and cyberspace.   Please cite this article as: Amiri A, Shekarchizadeh M, Shekarchizadeh Esfahani AR, Masoud GH-H. Bio-Cyber Threats and Crimes, the Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Bioethics Journal, Special Issue on Ethical & Legal Reflections 2021; 81-97

Vertebral Malacoplakia

Malacoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory disease associated with infection and immunosuppression, and very few occurrences have been reported in the bone. The authors describe the case of a 22-year-old woman with paraplegia and urinary and fecal incontinence whose thoracic spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging suggested a tumoral or extensive inflammatory process in the body of the 8th, 9th and 10th thoracic vertebrae.On histology,however,the area turned out to be malacoplakia of bone.Although microbiologic cultures and polymerase chain reaction were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the lesion demonstrated regression following treatment with anti-TB regimen which had been started because of clinical suspicion.

Primary ectopic frontotemporal extradural craniopharyngioma

We present a case of primary ectopic frontotemporal extradural craniopharyngioma. Primary ectopic craniopharyngiomas are very rare and have been reported involving the fourth ventricle, infrasellar region, lateral ventricle, temporal area, cerebellopontine angle, clivus, corpus callosum, and prepontine cistern. There was just 1 case of craniopharyngioma previously presented in the literature, with nearly same location as the presenting case

Acute Subdural Hematoma and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Caused by Ruptured Cortical Artery Aneurysm: Case Report and Review of Literature

The present report describes an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), due to ruptured cortical aneurysm. To our knowledge, extremely rare cases of this sort have been reported so far. A 23-year-old male patient without previous trauma presented with severe headache and rapidly decreasing level of consciousness to decerebrate status. Computed tomography (CT) scan has demonstrated an ASDH together with SAH. Hematoma has immediately been evacuated without any evaluation by angiography. After evacuation of the thick subdural clot, a 10-mm aneurysm was revealed on a precentral artery of frontal cortex, which was ligated. However, after 35 days the patient discharged with left side hemiparesis and dysphasia, and just after several months of admission he got symptom free. Ruptured cortical aneurysm should be considered as one of the causes of spontaneous ASDH. Vascular anomaly investigations are suggested for these cases, thus CT angiography or digital subtraction angiography has to be considered if clinical condition allows

Malignant Transformation of an Intracranial Extradural Epidermoid Cyst into Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presented with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage

We report a case of malignant transformation of an intracranial extradural epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), that presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage at the time of recurrence. Intracranial epidermoid cysts are histologically benign and slow-growing neoplasms. They are congenital lesions that develop from ectodermal remnants during neuroembryogenesis. Malignant transformation of epidermoid cysts into SCC is very rare. Various clinical presentations of these tumors after malignant transformation are mentioned in the literature. None of the previous cases, presented with CSF leakage as the recent case did. In cases of malignant transformation, surgical resection and then adjuvant radiation therapy are highly recommended

An intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis in a 34-year-old man with beta thalassemia: a case report

Abstract Introduction Extramedullary hematopoiesis occurs in approximately 15% of cases of thalassemia. Intracranial deposits of extramedullary hematopoiesis are an extremely rare compensatory process in intermediate and severe thalassemia. Case presentation We present an unusual case of an intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis with a choroid plexus origin in a 34-year-old Caucasian man with beta thalassemia intermedia, who presented with the complaints of chronic headache and rapid progressive visual loss. Conclusion An intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis, although extremely rare, should be considered as a potential ancillary diagnosis in any thalassemic patient and therefore appropriate studies should be performed to investigate the probable intracranial ectopic marrow before any surgical intervention.</p