From prototype to exploitation : mobile services for patients with chronic lower back pain

Many research and development projects that are carried out by firms and research institutes are technology-oriented. There is a large gap between research results, for instance in the form of prototypes, and the actual service offerings to customers. This becomes problematic when an organization wants to bring the results from such a project to the market, which will be particularly troublesome when the research results do not readily fit traditional offerings, roles and capabilities in the industry, nor the financial arrangements. In this chapter, we discuss the design of a business model for a mobile health service, starting with a research prototype that was developed for patients with chronic lower back pain, using the STOF model and method. In a number of design sessions, an initial business model was developed that identifies critical design issues that play a role in moving from prototype toward market deployment. The business model serves as a starting-point to identify and commit relevant stakeholders, and to draw up a business plan and case. This chapter is structured as follows. We begin by discussing the need for mobile health business models. Next, the research and development project on mobile health and the prototype for chronic lower back pain patients are introduced, after which the approach used to develop the business model is described, followed by a discussion of the developed mobile health business model for each of the STOF domains. We conclude with a discussion regarding the lessons that were learned with respect to the development of a business model on the basis of a prototype.

Department of Social Services Options Paper : Options for Replacement Arrangements Following the Abolition of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission : Response

Submission in response to government options paper regarding arrangements for regulation of charities following abolition of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

Better cars or older cars?: Assessing CO2 emission reduction potential of passenger vehicle replacement programs

The primary motivation for the vehicle replacement schemes that were implemented in many countries was to encourage the purchase of new cars. The basic assumption of these schemes was that these acquisitions would benefit both the economy and the environment as older and less fuel-efficient cars were scrapped and replaced with more fuel-efficient models. In this article, we present a new environmental impact assessment method for assessing the effectiveness of scrappage schemes for reducing CO2 emissions taking into account the rebound effect, driving behavior for older versus new cars and entire lifecycle emissions for during the manufacturing processes of new cars. The assessment of the Japanese scrappage scheme shows that CO2 emissions would only decrease if users of the scheme retained their new gasoline passenger vehicles for at least 4.7 years. When vehicle replacements were restricted to hybrid cars, the reduction in CO2 achieved by the scheme would be 6-8.5 times higher than the emissions resulting from a scheme involving standard, gasoline passenger vehicles. Cost-benefit analysis, based on the emission reduction potential, showed that the scheme was very costly. Sensitivity analysis showed that the Japanese government failed to determine the optimum, or target, car age for scrapping old cars in the scheme. Specifically, scrapping cars aged 13 years and over did not maximize the environmental benefits of the scheme. Consequently, modifying this policy to include a reduction in new car subsidies, focused funding for fuel-efficient cars, and modifying the target car age, would increase environmental benefits. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Exploitation of the menshutkin reaction for the controlled assembly of halogen bonded architectures incorporating 1,2-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and 1,3,5-Triiodotrifluorobenzene

1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) forms well-defined co-crystals with 1,2-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (1,2-DITFB), [(1,2-DITFB)2DABCO], and 1,3,5-triiodotrifluorobenzene, [(1,3,5-TITFB)2DABCO]. Both systems exhibited lower-than-expected supramolecular connectivity, which inspired a search for polymorphs in alternative crystallization solvents. In dichloromethane solution, the Menshutkin reaction was found to occur, generating chloride anions and quaternary ammonium cations through the reaction between the solvent and DABCO. The controlled in situ production of chloride ions facilitated the crystallization of new halogen bonded networks, DABCO–CH2Cl[(1,2-DITFB)Cl] (zigzag X-bonded chains) and (DABCO–CH2Cl)3[(1,3,5-TITFB)2Cl3]·CHCl3 (2D pseudo-trigonal X-bonded nets displaying Borremean entanglement), propagating with charge-assisted C–I···Cl– halogen bonds. The method was found to be versatile, and substitution of DABCO with triethylamine (TEA) gave (TEA-CH2Cl)3[(1,2-DITFB)Cl3]·4(H2O) (mixed halogen bond hydrogen bond network with 2D supramolecular connectivity) and TEA-CH2Cl[(1,3,5-TITFB)Cl] (tightly packed planar trigonal nets). The co-crystals were typically produced in high yield and purity with relatively predictable supramolecular topology, particularly with respect to the connectivity of the iodobenzene molecules. The potential to use this synthetic methodology for crystal engineering of halogen bonded architectures is demonstrated and discussed.

Comparison of nanostructures obtained from galvanic replacement in water and an ionic liquid for applications in electrocatalysis and SERS

We demonstrate potential applications for unusual dendrite like Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles formed via a galvanic replacement reaction in the ionic liquid [BMIM][BF4]. In comparison to Au–Ag alloy nanoshells synthesised via a similar reaction in water, the unusual branched structure of the dendritic materials led to increased electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of both formaldehyde and hydrazine, and increased sensitivity and spectral resolution for the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4,4-bipyridal.

Hybrid CuTCNQ/AgTCNQ metal-organic charge transfer complexes via galvanic replacement vs. corrosion recrystallization

This study reports a hybrid of two metal-organic semiconductors that are based on organic charge transfer complexes of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). It is shown that the spontaneous reaction between semiconducting microrods of CuTCNQ with Ag+ ions leads to the formation of a CuTCNQ/AgTCNQ hybrid, both in aqueous solution and acetonitrile, albeit with completely different reaction mechanisms. In an aqueous environment, the reaction proceeds by a complex galvanic replacement (GR) mechanism, wherein in addition to AgTCNQ nanowires, Ag0 nanoparticles and Cu(OH)2 crystals decorate the surface of CuTCNQ microrods. Conversely, in acetonitrile, a GR mechanism is found to be thermodynamically unfavorable and instead a corrosion-recrystallization mechanism leads to the decoration of CuTCNQ microrods with AgTCNQ nanoplates, resulting in a pure CuTCNQ/AgTCNQ hybrid metal-organic charge transfer complex. While hybrids of two different inorganic semiconductors are regularly reported, this report pioneers the formation of a hybrid involving two metal-organic semiconductors that will expand the scope of TCNQ-based charge transfer complexes for improved catalysis, sensing, electronics and biological applications.

Effect of partial H2O-D2O replacement on the anisotropy of transverse proton spin relaxation in bovine articular cartilage

Anisotropy of transverse proton spin relaxation in collagen-rich tissues like cartilage and tendon is a well-known phenomenon that manifests itself as the "magic-angle" effect in magnetic resonance images of these tissues. It is usually attributed to the non-zero averaging of intra-molecular dipolar interactions in water molecules bound to oriented collagen fibers. One way to manipulate the contributions of these interactions to spin relaxation is by partially replacing the water in the cartilage sample with deuterium oxide. It is known that dipolar interactions in deuterated solutions are weaker, resulting in a decrease in proton relaxation rates. In this work, we investigate the effects of deuteration on the longitudinal and the isotropic and anisotropic contributions to transverse relaxation of water protons in bovine articular cartilage. We demonstrate that the anisotropy of transverse proton spin relaxation in articular cartilage is independent of the degree of deuteration, bringing into question some of the assumptions currently held over the origins of relaxation anisotropy in oriented tissues.

Functional adaptation and rehabilitation following total knee replacement

This research project evaluated the biomechanical and functional outcomes of patients following total knee replacement measured at 6 and 12 months following surgery. Using more objective measures, patients were examined to determine changes in biomechanical and neuromuscular function during performance of activities of daily living such as walking, stair climbing and turning. Adaptations in joint positioning and performance were identified and progressive improvements were made in some areas of locomotor function. The findings of the study provided important objective information to contribute to the design and evaluation of prostheses, new surgical and rehabilitation procedures and improved recovery of patients.

Achieving service quality through service innovation exploration-exploitation: The critical role of employee empowerment and slack resources

Purpose This study investigates the effects of service innovation exploration-exploitation on financial performance through the delivery of quality services. Additional emphasis is also given to examining the extent to which employee empowerment and slack resources enhance or suppress the performance benefits of service firms engaging in service innovation exploration versus exploitation. Design/methodology/approach Data were drawn from a multi-informant survey of service firms using a drop-and-collect approach. The survey gathered data from managers, customer service employees and customers to test the hypotheses. Findings The results show that excelling at both exploitative and exploratory innovation helps enhance the quality of services, which in turn yield superior financial performance. Further, empowering employees enhances the relationship between exploratory and exploitative service innovation and service quality. We also show that the extent managers’ perceived their market to be competitive influences in the pursuit of high levels of both service innovation exploration and exploitation and that this relationship is impacted by the extent they believe they have available slack resources. Practical implications The findings suggest that service firms need to pursue both exploitation and exploration at high levels simultaneously and empower their employees to stay ahead of competitors in delivering quality services, which ultimately contribute to the achievement of superior financial outcomes. Also, the findings highlight the importance of employee empowerment, market competitiveness and slack resources in the pursuit of high levels of both service innovation exploration and exploitation. Originality/value These findings and our theory indicate that this study is the first to empirically examine organizational ambidexterity in the context of service innovation exploration – exploitation adopting the principles of combined and balanced innovation. The study provides insights into the critical role of customers’ perceptions of service quality in contributing to firms’ financial performance. Our insights are unique in that the study incorporates managers, employees and customers in an integrated service innovation model.

Transcutaneous bone-anchoring prosthesis with knee replacement: A novel treatment for amputees

Over the last two decades, Transcutaneous Bone-Anchored Prosthesis (TCBAP) has proven to be an effective alternative for prosthetic attachment for amputees, particularly for individuals unable to wear a socket. However, the load transmitted through a typical TCBAP to the residual tibia and knee joint can be unbearable for transtibial amputees with knee arthritis. The aims of this study are (A) to describe the surgical procedure combining TKR with TCBAP for the first time; and (B) to present preliminary data on potential risks and benefits with assessment of clinical and functional outcomes at follow up.

Intravascular device administration sets: Replacement after standard versus prolonged use in hospitalised patients--a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (The RSVP Trial)

Introduction Vascular access devices (VADs), such as peripheral or central venous catheters, are vital across all medical and surgical specialties. To allow therapy or haemodynamic monitoring, VADs frequently require administration sets (AS) composed of infusion tubing, fluid containers, pressure-monitoring transducers and/or burettes. While VADs are replaced only when necessary, AS are routinely replaced every 3–4 days in the belief that this reduces infectious complications. Strong evidence supports AS use up to 4 days, but there is less evidence for AS use beyond 4 days. AS replacement twice weekly increases hospital costs and workload. Methods and analysis This is a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) of equivalence design comparing AS replacement at 4 (control) versus 7 (experimental) days. Randomisation is stratified by site and device, centrally allocated and concealed until enrolment. 6554 adult/paediatric patients with a central venous catheter, peripherally inserted central catheter or peripheral arterial catheter will be enrolled over 4 years. The primary outcome is VAD-related bloodstream infection (BSI) and secondary outcomes are VAD colonisation, AS colonisation, all-cause BSI, all-cause mortality, number of AS per patient, VAD time in situ and costs. Relative incidence rates of VAD-BSI per 100 devices and hazard rates per 1000 device days (95% CIs) will summarise the impact of 7-day relative to 4-day AS use and test equivalence. Kaplan-Meier survival curves (with log rank Mantel-Cox test) will compare VAD-BSI over time. Appropriate parametric or non-parametric techniques will be used to compare secondary end points. p Values of <0.05 will be considered significant.

Balancing exploration and exploitation in particle swarm optimization on search tasking

In this study we present a combinatorial optimization method based on particle swarm optimization and local search algorithm on the multi-robot search system. Under this method, in order to create a balance between exploration and exploitation and guarantee the global convergence, at each iteration step if the distance between target and the robot become less than specific measure then a local search algorithm is performed. The local search encourages the particle to explore the local region beyond to reach the target in lesser search time. Experimental results obtained in a simulated environment show that biological and sociological inspiration could be useful to meet the challenges of robotic applications that can be described as optimization problems.