Purpose
– Developing ambidexterity as a dynamic capability is important for firms to sustain their competitive advantage. Moreover, this capability allows firms to build the resiliency to mitigate ...enterprise risks. The purpose of this paper is to apply two main theoretical frames from the strategy literature, dynamic capabilities, and organizational ambidexterity, to supply chain management (SCM) to examine mitigation strategies for supply chain (SC) disruptions. The authors empirically investigated how the firm’s SC ambidexterity is developed through a dynamic capability-building process and how this, in turn, can mitigate the negative impact of SC disruptions and improve business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
– This study conducted a field survey to answer the research questions as there exists no archival database with detailed information on ambidextrous SC strategies and dynamic capability. A total of 316 usable responses were received from managers working in the SC area. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were run on SPSS (version 16.0) and AMOS (version 18.0) to test the hypotheses to answer research questions.
Findings
– Overall, the results of the study confirmed that a dynamic SC capability-building process is an antecedent of SC ambidexterity, and that SC ambidexterity is important to firms as it mitigate the negative impact of SC disruptions and enhance business performance. To take advantage of an ambidextrous SC, through minimizing the negative impact of SC disruptions and maximizing firm performance, firms should continually search for creative ways to satisfy new market needs and adapt to the fast changing business environment.
Originality/value
– This study applied a dynamic capability-building process and ambidexterity to SCM. From the resilient SC perspective, the study found that the ability to effectively utilize existing resources and create novel strategies for problem solving plays a critical role in addressing SC disruptions.
LiNi0.65Co0.13Mn0.22O2 cathode with two‐sloped full concentration gradient (TSFCG), maximizing the Ni content in the inner part of the particle and the Mn content near the particle surface, is ...synthesized via a specially designed batch‐type reactor. The cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 200 mAh g−1 (4.3 V cutoff) with excellent capacity retention of 88% after 1500 cycles in a full‐cell configuration. Overall electrochemical performance of the TSFCG cathode is benchmarked against conventional cathode (CC) with same composition and commercially available LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA). The TSFCG cathode exhibits the best cycling stability, rate capability, and thermal stability of the three electrodes. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cycled TSFCG, CC, and NCA cathodes shows that the TSFCG electrode maintains both its mechanical and structural integrity whereas the NCA electrode nearly pulverizes due to the strain during cycling.
Two‐sloped full concentration gradients (TSFCG) of Ni, Co, and Mn ions throughout the cathode particles to maximize the average Ni concentration are successfully synthesized via coprecipitation. The TSFCG cathode exhibits the best cycling stability compared to conventional cathode and LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, which delivers a discharge capacity in excess of 200 mAh g−1 with excellent cycle life and thermal stability.
The efficient delivery of light energy is a prerequisite for the non-invasive imaging and stimulating of target objects embedded deep within a scattering medium. However, the injected waves ...experience random diffusion by multiple light scattering, and only a small fraction reaches the target object. Here, we present a method to counteract wave diffusion and to focus multiple-scattered waves at the deeply embedded target. To realize this, we experimentally inject light into the reflection eigenchannels of a specific flight time to preferably enhance the intensity of those multiple-scattered waves that have interacted with the target object. For targets that are too deep to be visible by optical imaging, we demonstrate a more than tenfold enhancement in light energy delivery in comparison with ordinary wave diffusion cases. This work will lay a foundation to enhance the working depth of imaging, sensing and light stimulation.
Purpose
To investigate the quantity and quality of articles in the field of full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) from different countries and assess characteristics of worldwide research ...productivity.
Methods
Articles published from 1997 to July 23, 2018, were screened using the Web of Science database. All studies were assessed for the following parameters: the number of total publications, h-index, contribution of countries, authors, journals, and institutions.
Results
A total of 408 articles were identified between 1997 and 2018. Between 1997 and 2017, the number of published articles tended to increase by 41 times. The largest number of articles was from China (30.15%), followed by South Korea (28.68%), the USA (13.97%), Germany (9.31%), and Japan (4.90%). The highest h-index was found for articles from South Korea (23), followed by the USA (18), Germany (16), China (11), and Japan (7). The highest number of articles was published in
World Neurosurgery
(12.50%), followed by
Pain Physician
(10.29%),
Spine
(6.62%),
European Spine Journal
(4.66%), and
Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine
(4.17%). Wooridul Spine Hospital published the largest number of articles (10.29%), followed by Tongji University (5.88%), University of Witten/Herdecke (5.39%), Brown University (5.15%), and Third Military Medical University (3.43%).
Conclusions
The number of articles published in the field of FESS has increased rapidly in the past 20 years. In terms of quantity, China is the most contributive country based on the number of publications. High-quality papers as measured by h-index and the large quantity is from South Korea (second only to China).
Graphic abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin (carbohydrate), and lignin (noncarbohydrate) polymers are the main substrates of lignocellulose‐degrading enzymes. They are present in large amounts in the primary ...cell wall and dietary fibers of major fruits and vegetables. During processing of fruits and vegetables to the corresponding final food products, lignocellulosic substrates are hydrolyzed by different lignocellulolytic enzymes. Currently, lignocellulolytic enzymes such as cellulases, xylanases, pectinases, and laccases are extensively used during the processing of fruits and vegetables, in applications like texturizing and flavoring of products in the food industries. The present article provides an updated overview of functional applications of lignocellulolytic enzymes in the juice processing, oil extraction, and alcoholic beverage processing industries. Extensive use of lignocellulolytic enzymes in different food processing industries not only accelerates the production rates but also improves product quality. It is also possible to ensure the efficient use of fruits and vegetables globally by employing lignocellulolytic enzymes in the corresponding processing industries to convert them into food commodities, which will not only raise their economic value in the global market but also increase food availability, which will help mitigate nutritional problems worldwide.
Practical Application
Lignocellulosic substrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin) are abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. Various lignocellulolytic enzymes have been used to hydrolyze these substrates during fruit and vegetable processing. Lignocellulolytic enzymes are widely used in the conversion of fruits and vegetables into various food commodities, from texturizing to flavoring, and their immense potential for such applications makes them very attractive to food manufacturers. Lignocellulolytic enzymes have been extensively used in fruit and vegetable juice processing, vegetable oil extractions, and wine processing.
BACKGROUND:Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has remarkably evolved with successful results. Although PELD has gained popularity for the treatment of herniated disc (HD), the risk of ...surgical failure may be a major obstacle to performing PELD. We analyzed unsuccessful cases requiring reoperation.
OBJECTIVE:To find common causes of surgical failure and elucidate the limitations of the conventional PELD technique.
METHODS:A retrospective review was performed on all patients who had undergone PELD between January 2001 and December 2012. Unsuccessful PELD was defined as a case requiring reoperation within 6 weeks after primary surgery. Chart review was done, and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative radiographic reviews were performed. All unsuccessful PELD cases were classified according to the type of HD, location of herniation, extruded disc migration, working channel position, and intraoperative and postoperative findings.
RESULTS:In 12 years, 10 228 patients had undergone PELD; 436 (4.3%) cases were unsuccessful. The causes were incomplete removal of HDs in 283 patients (2.8%), recurrence in 78 (0.8%), persistent pain even after complete HD removal in 41 (0.4%), and approach-related pain in 21 (0.2%). Incomplete removal of the HD was caused by inappropriate positioning (95 cases; 33.6%) of the working channel and occurred in central HDs (91 cases; 32.2%), migrated HDs (70 cases; 24.7%), and axillary type HDs (63 cases; 22.3%).
CONCLUSION:Proper surgical indications and good working channel position are important for successful PELD. PELD techniques should be specifically designed to remove the disc fragments in various types of HD.
ABBREVIATIONS:HD, herniated discPELD, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy
Polysilsesquioxanes (PSQs) have generated great interest as solution‐processable inorganic polymers for obtaining high‐dielectric‐constant (k) dielectrics. Engineering the side chains in PSQs can ...enhance the polarization characteristics and provide different functionalities, such as photopatternability and ferroelectric performance. In this study, two types of UV curable high‐k PSQs are prepared by introducing epoxy‐containing side chains to the PSQs: 1) glycidyl epoxy‐containing linear groups and 2) bulky cycloaliphatic epoxy‐containing groups. The physical, chemical, and electrical properties of these two materials after UV curing are investigated. Both PSQ films show high dielectric strength and are successfully patterned after exposure to UV light. The structure of the side chains influences the UV curing behavior and capacitance characteristics of the PSQ dielectrics. These differences determine the driving behavior of the fabricated organic thin‐film transistors, which exhibits either stable or ferroelectric operation. Finally, logic gates and memory cells exhibiting low‐voltage and non‐destructive operations are successfully integrated using UV cured PSQs. This approach for engineering PSQs with the purpose of achieving desirable photopatternability and high dielectric or ferroelectric performance can be used to realize simple and inexpensive solution‐processing techniques for next generation integrated electronics.
Two UV curable high dielectric constant (k) polysilsesquioxanes are chemically engineered by introducing epoxy‐containing side chains. Both films successfully form good patterns after being exposed to UV light. But depending on the structure of side chains, the dielectrics show different responses in the UV curing behavior and capacitance characteristics. These differences determine the driving behavior of the fabricated organic electronic devices.
Use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) promotes better clinical outcomes for coronary intervention in complex coronary lesions. However, randomized data demonstrating the clinical usefulness of IVUS ...are limited for lesions treated with drug-eluting stents.
To determine whether the long-term clinical outcomes with IVUS-guided drug-eluting stent implantation are superior to those with angiography-guided implantation in patients with long coronary lesions.
The Impact of Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance on Outcomes of Xience Prime Stents in Long Lesions (IVUS-XPL) randomized, multicenter trial was conducted in 1400 patients with long coronary lesions (implanted stent ≥28 mm in length) between October 2010 and July 2014 at 20 centers in Korea.
Patients were randomly assigned to receive IVUS-guided (n = 700) or angiography-guided (n = 700) everolimus-eluting stent implantation.
Primary outcome measure was the composite of major adverse cardiac events, including cardiac death, target lesion-related myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization at 1 year, analyzed by intention-to-treat.
One-year follow-up was complete in 1323 patients (94.5%). Major adverse cardiac events at 1 year occurred in 19 patients (2.9%) undergoing IVUS-guided and in 39 patients (5.8%) undergoing angiography-guided stent implantation (absolute difference, -2.97% 95% CI, -5.14% to -0.79%) (hazard ratio HR, 0.48 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.83, P = .007). The difference was driven by a lower risk of ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization in patients undergoing IVUS-guided (17 2.5%) compared with angiography-guided (33 5.0%) stent implantation (HR, 0.51 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.91, P = .02). Cardiac death and target lesion-related myocardial infarction were not significantly different between the 2 groups. For cardiac death, there were 3 patients (0.4%) in the IVUS-guided group and 5 patients (0.7%) in the angiography-guided group (HR, 0.60 95% CI, 0.14 to 2.52, P = .48). Target lesion-related myocardial infarction occurred in 1 patient (0.1%) in the angiography-guided stent implantation group (P = .32).
Among patients requiring long coronary stent implantation, the use of IVUS-guided everolimus-eluting stent implantation, compared with angiography-guided stent implantation, resulted in a significantly lower rate of the composite of major adverse cardiac events at 1 year. These differences were primarily due to lower risk of target lesion revascularization.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01308281.
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common spinal degenerative condition. Minimally invasive interlaminar full-endoscopic decompressive laminectomy provides greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery ...than open decompressive laminectomy. The aim of our randomized controlled trial will be to compare the safety and efficacy of interlaminar full-endoscopic laminectomy and open decompressive laminectomy. Our trial will include 120 participants (60 per group) who will undergo surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. The primary outcome will be the Oswestry Disability Index measured at 12 months postoperatively. Secondary patient-reported outcomes will include back and radicular leg pain measured via a visual analog scale; the Oswestry Disability Index; the Euro-QOL-5 Dimensions score measured at 2 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively; and patient satisfaction. The functional measures will include time to return to daily activities postoperatively and walking distance/time. The surgical outcomes will include postoperative drainage, operation time, duration of hospital stay, postoperative creatine kinase (an indicator of muscle injury) level, and postoperative surgical scarring. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography images and simple radiographs will be obtained for all patients. The safety outcomes will include surgery-related complications and adverse effects. All evaluations will be performed by a single assessor at each participating hospital who will be blinded to group allocation. The evaluations will be conducted preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The randomized, multicenter design of the trial, blinding, and justification of the sample size will reduce the risk of bias in our trial. The results of the trial will provide data regarding the use of interlaminar full-endoscopic laminectomy as an alternative to open decompressive laminectomy that results in similar surgical findings with less invasiveness. Trial registration: This trial is registered at cris.nih.go.kr. (KCT0006198; protocol version 1; 27 May 2021).
Increasingly, national governments across the globe are prioritizing investments in neuroscience. Currently, seven active or in-development national-level brain research initiatives exist, spanning ...four continents. Engaging with the underlying values and ethical concerns that drive brain research across cultural and continental divides is critical to future research. Culture influences what kinds of science are supported and where science can be conducted through ethical frameworks and evaluations of risk. Neuroscientists and philosophers alike have found themselves together encountering perennial questions; these questions are engaged by the field of neuroethics, related to understanding of the nature of the self and identity, the existence and meaning of free will, defining the role of reason in human behavior, and more. With this Perspective article, we aim to prioritize and advance to the foreground a list of neuroethics questions for neuroscientists operating in the context of these international brain initiatives.
Neuroscience is a national priority across the globe necessitating engagement with the underlying cultural and ethical values that drive brain research. We offer a list of neuroethics questions for neuroscientists to advance and accelerate an ethically tenable globalized neuroscience.
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