Business model design: an evaluation of paper-based and computer-aided canvases

In recent years, Business Model Canvas design has evolved from being a paper-based activity to one that involves the use of dedicated computer-aided business model design tools. We propose a set of guidelines to help design more coherent business models. When combined with functionalities offered by CAD tools, they show great potential to improve business model design as an ongoing activity. However, in order to create complex solutions, it is necessary to compare basic business model design tasks, using a CAD system over its paper-based counterpart. To this end, we carried out an experiment to measure user perceptions of both solutions. Performance was evaluated by applying our guidelines to both solutions and then carrying out a comparison of business model designs. Although CAD did not outperform paper-based design, the results are very encouraging for the future of computer-aided business model design.

An innovative and shared methodology for event reconstruction using images in forensic science

This study presents an innovative methodology for forensic science image analysis for event reconstruction. The methodology is based on experiences from real cases. It provides real added value to technical guidelines such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enriches the community of practices at stake in this field. This bottom-up solution outlines the many facets of analysis and the complexity of the decision-making process. Additionally, the methodology provides a backbone for articulating more detailed and technical procedures and SOPs. It emerged from a grounded theory approach; data from individual and collective interviews with eight Swiss and nine European forensic image analysis experts were collected and interpreted in a continuous, circular and reflexive manner. Throughout the process of conducting interviews and panel discussions, similarities and discrepancies were discussed in detail to provide a comprehensive picture of practices and points of view and to ultimately formalise shared know-how. Our contribution sheds light on the complexity of the choices, actions and interactions along the path of data collection and analysis, enhancing both the researchers' and participants' reflexivity.

The role of intramolecular barriers on the glass transition of polymers: computer simulations versus mode coupling theory

We present computer simulations of a simple bead-spring model for polymer melts with intramolecular barriers. By systematically tuning the strength of the barriers, we investigate their role on the glass transition. Dynamic observables are analyzed within the framework of the mode coupling theory (MCT). Critical nonergodicity parameters, critical temperatures, and dynamic exponents are obtained from consistent fits of simulation data to MCT asymptotic laws. The so-obtained MCT λ-exponent increases from standard values for fully flexible chains to values close to the upper limit for stiff chains. In analogy with systems exhibiting higher-order MCT transitions, we suggest that the observed large λ-values arise form the interplay between two distinct mechanisms for dynamic arrest: general packing effects and polymer-specific intramolecular barriers. We compare simulation results with numerical solutions of the MCT equations for polymer systems, within the polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) for static correlations. We verify that the approximations introduced by the PRISM are fulfilled by simulations, with the same quality for all the range of investigated barrier strength. The numerical solutions reproduce the qualitative trends of simulations for the dependence of the nonergodicity parameters and critical temperatures on the barrier strength. In particular, the increase in the barrier strength at fixed density increases the localization length and the critical temperature. However the qualitative agreement between theory and simulation breaks in the limit of stiff chains. We discuss the possible origin of this feature.

Re-examination of Customer Satisfaction Measurement Results

Asiakastyytyväisyys on läheisesti yhteydessä yrityksen taloudelliseen menestykseen ja yrityksen yleisen laadun määrittämiseen. Asiakastyytyväisyyden mittaamista vaaditaan tällä hetkellä myös ISO 9001 laatujärjestelmästandardissa. Tämän vuoksi tarve tutkia ja mitata asiakastyytyväisyyttä on kasvanut yritysten ja yhteisöjen joukossa. Kokonaisvaltainen asiakastyytyväisyyden tutkiminen sisältää sekä asiakastyytyväisyyden mittaamista ja järjestelmällistä asiakaspalautteen tutkimista ja analysointia. Asiakastyytyväisyysmittaamisessa käytetään menettelytapoja ja tekniikoita, jotka ovat yleisesti käytössä markkinointitutkimuksessa. Menetelmiä on kuitenkin mukautettava, jotta ne sopivat asiakastyytyväisyyden mittaamiseksi. Asiakastyytyväisyysmittaustulosten perusanalyysit ovat helppo toteuttaa mutta tulokset voidaan helposti tulkita väärin ilman syvällisempiä tilastomatemaattisia analyysejä. Asiakastyytyväisyyden mittaaminen on helppo toteuttaa mutta tutkimussuunnitelma ja tulostenkeräysmenetelmä pitää suunnitella huolellisesti, jotta mittaustulosten luotettavuus ja validiteetti voidaan taata. Jotta asiakastyytyväisyyden tutkimisesta saataisiin maksimaalinen hyöty, pitäisi tutkimuksen myös tarkastella kuinka asiakastyytyväisyys, yrityksen sisäinen ja ulkoinen laatu sekä asiakaslojaalisuus ovat yhteydessä toisiinsa.

Segmentation model for small and medium size business sector: Case Oy Compaq Computer Ab

Markkinasegmentointi nousi esiin ensi kerran jo 50-luvulla ja se on ollut siitä lähtien yksi markkinoinnin peruskäsitteistä. Suuri osa segmentointia käsittelevästä tutkimuksesta on kuitenkin keskittynyt kuluttajamarkkinoiden segmentointiin yritys- ja teollisuusmarkkinoiden segmentoinnin jäädessä vähemmälle huomiolle. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on luoda segmentointimalli teollismarkkinoille tietotekniikan tuotteiden ja palveluiden tarjoajan näkökulmasta. Tarkoituksena on selvittää mahdollistavatko case-yrityksen nykyiset asiakastietokannat tehokkaan segmentoinnin, selvittää sopivat segmentointikriteerit sekä arvioida tulisiko tietokantoja kehittää ja kuinka niitä tulisi kehittää tehokkaamman segmentoinnin mahdollistamiseksi. Tarkoitus on luoda yksi malli eri liiketoimintayksiköille yhteisesti. Näin ollen eri yksiköiden tavoitteet tulee ottaa huomioon eturistiriitojen välttämiseksi. Tutkimusmetodologia on tapaustutkimus. Lähteinä tutkimuksessa käytettiin sekundäärisiä lähteitä sekä primäärejä lähteitä kuten case-yrityksen omia tietokantoja sekä haastatteluita. Tutkimuksen lähtökohtana oli tutkimusongelma: Voiko tietokantoihin perustuvaa segmentointia käyttää kannattavaan asiakassuhdejohtamiseen PK-yritys sektorilla? Tavoitteena on luoda segmentointimalli, joka hyödyntää tietokannoissa olevia tietoja tinkimättä kuitenkaan tehokkaan ja kannattavan segmentoinnin ehdoista. Teoriaosa tutkii segmentointia yleensä painottuen kuitenkin teolliseen markkinasegmentointiin. Tarkoituksena on luoda selkeä kuva erilaisista lähestymistavoista aiheeseen ja syventää näkemystä tärkeimpien teorioiden osalta. Tietokantojen analysointi osoitti selviä puutteita asiakastiedoissa. Peruskontaktitiedot löytyvät mutta segmentointia varten tietoa on erittäin rajoitetusti. Tietojen saantia jälleenmyyjiltä ja tukkureilta tulisi parantaa loppuasiakastietojen saannin takia. Segmentointi nykyisten tietojen varassa perustuu lähinnä sekundäärisiin tietoihin kuten toimialaan ja yrityskokoon. Näitäkään tietoja ei ole saatavilla kaikkien tietokannassa olevien yritysten kohdalta.

Sudden cardiac death among general population and sport related population in forensic experience.

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to assess the causes and analyze the cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims referred to the department of forensic medicine in Lausanne, with a particular focus on sports-related fatalities including also leisure sporting activities. To date, no such published assessment has been done nor for Switzerland nor for the central Europe. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on autopsy records of SCD victims, from 10 to 50 years of age, performed at the University Centre of Legal Medicine in Lausanne from 1995 to 2010. The study population was divided into two groups: sport-related (SR) and not sport-related (NSR) SCDs. RESULTS: During the study period, 188 cases of SCD were recorded: 166 (88%) were NSR and 22 (12%) SR. The mean age of the 188 victims was 37.3 ± 10.1 years, with the majority of the cases being male (79%). A cause of death was established in 84%, and the pathology responsible for death varied according to the age of the victims. In the NSR group, the mean age was 38.2 ± 9.2 years and there was 82% of male. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was the main diagnosis in the victims aged 30-50 years. The majority of morphologically normal hearts were observed in the 15-29 year age range. There was no case in the 10-14 year age range. In the SR group, 91% of victims died during leisure sporting activities. In this group the mean age was 30.5 ± 13.5 years, with the majority being male (82%). The main cause of death was CAD, with 6 cases (27%) and a mean age of 40.8 ± 5.5 years. The youngest victim with CAD was 33 years old. A morphologically normal heart was observed in 5 cases (23%), with a mean age of 24.4 ± 14.9 years. The most frequently implicated sporting activities were hiking (26%) and swimming (17%). CONCLUSION: In this study, CAD was the most common cause of death in both groups. Although this pathology most often affects adults over 35 years of age, there were also some victims under 35 years of age in both groups. SCDs during sport are mostly related to leisure sporting activities, for which preventive measures are not yet usually established. This study highlights also the need to inform both athletes and non athletes of the cardiovascular risks during sport activities and the role of a forensic autopsy and registries involving forensic pathologists for SR SCD.

Fatal Cervical Spine Injury From Diving Accident.

Spinal cord injuries result after diving into shallow water, often after incautious jumps head first into water of unknown depth during recreational or sport activities. Mortality is generally due to upper cervical trauma. The authors present a case of a diving-related death in a young woman who underwent medicolegal investigations. The measured water depth at the supposed dive site was 1.40 m. Postmortem radiology and autopsy revealed fractures of the body and the posterior arch of the fifth cervical vertebra, a fracture of the right transverse process of the sixth cervical vertebra and hemorrhages involving the cervical paraspinal muscles. Neuropathology showed a posterior epidural hematoma involving the whole cervical region and a symmetric laceration of the spinal cord located at the fourth and fifth cervical vertebra level, surrounded by multiple petechial hemorrhages. Toxicology revealed the presence of ethanol in both blood and urine samples. The death was attributed to cervical spine fracture (C5-C6), spinal cord contusion, and subsequent drowning. This case highlights the usefulness of postmortem radiology, examination of the deep structures of the neck, toxicology, neuropathology, and a detailed research of signs of drowning to formulate appropriate hypotheses pertaining to the cause and mechanism of death.

Traumatic injuries after mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (LUCAS?2): a forensic autopsy study.

AIM: The aim of our study was to compare traumatic injuries observed after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by means of standard (manual) or assisted (mechanical) chest compression by Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System, 2nd generation (LUCAS?2) device. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted including cases from 2011 to 2013, analysing consecutive autopsy reports in two groups of patients who underwent medicolegal autopsy after unsuccessful CPR. We focused on traumatic injuries from dermal to internal trauma, collecting data according to a standardised protocol. RESULTS: The study group was comprised of 26 cases, while 32 cases were included in the control group. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by LUCAS?2 was longer than manual CPR performed in control cases (study group: mean duration 51.5 min; controls 29.4 min; p = 0.004). Anterior chest lesions (from bruises to abrasions) were described in 18/26 patients in the LUCAS?2 group and in 6/32 of the control group. A mean of 6.6 rib fractures per case was observed in the LUCAS?2 group, but this was only 3.1 in the control group (p = 0.007). Rib fractures were less frequently observed in younger patients. The frequency of sternal factures was similar in both groups. A few trauma injuries to internal organs (mainly cardiac, pulmonary and hepatic bruises), and some petechiae (study 46 %; control 41 %; p = 0.79) were recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: LUCAS?2-CPR is associated with more rib fractures than standard CPR. Typical round concentric skin lesions were observed in cases of mechanical reanimation. No life-threatening injuries were reported. Petechiae were common findings.

Computer-aided system for morphometric mandibular index computation (Using dental panoramic radiographs)

Objective: We propose and validate a computer aided system to measure three different mandibular indexes: cortical width, panoramic mandibular index and, mandibular alveolar bone resorption index. Study Design: Repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements are analyzed and compared to the manual estimation of the same indexes. Results: The proposed computerized system exhibits superior repeatability and reproducibility rates compared to standard manual methods. Moreover, the time required to perform the measurements using the proposed method is negligible compared to perform the measurements manually. Conclusions: We have proposed a very user friendly computerized method to measure three different morphometric mandibular indexes. From the results we can conclude that the system provides a practical manner to perform these measurements. It does not require an expert examiner and does not take more than 16 seconds per analysis. Thus, it may be suitable to diagnose osteoporosis using dental panoramic radiographs

Les neurosciences au Tribunal : de la responsabilité à la dangerosité, enjeux éthiques soulevés par la nouvelle loi française

AIM: In the past few years, spectacular progress in neuroscience has led to the emergence of a new interdisciplinary field, the so-called "neurolaw" whose goal is to explore the effects of neuroscientific discoveries on legal proceedings and legal rules and standards. In the United States, a number of neuroscientific researches are designed specifically to explore legally relevant topics and a case-law has already been developed. In Europe, neuroscientific evidence is increasingly being used in criminal courtrooms, as part of psychiatric testimony, nourishing the debate about the legal implications of brain research in psychiatric-legal settings. Though largely debated, up to now the use of neuroscience in legal contexts had not specifically been regulated by any legislation. In 2011, with the new bioethics law, France has become the first country to admit by law the use of brain imaging in judicial expertise. According to the new law, brain imaging techniques can be used only for medical purposes, or scientific research, or in the context of judicial expertise. This study aims to give an overview of the current state of the neurolaw in the US and Europe, and to investigate the ethical issues raised by this new law and its potential impact on the rights and civil liberties of the offenders. METHOD: An overview of the emergence and development of "neurolaw" in the United States and Europe is given. Then, the new French law is examined in the light of the relevant debates in the French parliament. Consequently, we outline the current tendencies in Neurolaw literature to focus on assessments of responsibility, rather than dangerousness. This tendency is analysed notably in relation to the legal context relevant to criminal policies in France, where recent changes in the legislation and practice of forensic psychiatry show that dangerousness assessments have become paramount in the process of judicial decision. Finally, the potential interpretations of neuroscientific data introduced into psychiatric testimonies by judges are explored. RESULTS: The examination of parliamentary debates showed that the new French law allowing neuroimaging techniques in judicial expertise was introduced in the aim to provide a legal framework that would protect the subject against potential misuses of neuroscience. The underlying fear above all, was that this technology be used as a lie detector, or as a means to predict the subject's behaviour. However, the possibility of such misuse remains open. Contrary to the legislator's wish, the defendant is not fully guaranteed against uses of neuroimaging techniques in criminal courts that would go against their interests and rights. In fact, the examination of the recently adopted legislation in France shows that assessments of dangerousness and of risk of recidivism have become central elements of the criminal policy, which makes it possible, if not likely that neuroimaging techniques be used for the evaluation of the dangerousness of the defendant. This could entail risks for the latter, as judges could perceive neuroscientific data as hard evidence, more scientific and reliable than the soft data of traditional psychiatry. If such neuroscientific data are interpreted as signs of potential dangerousness of a subject rather than as signs of criminal responsibility, defendants may become subjected to longer penalties or measures aiming to ensure public safety in the detriment of their freedom. CONCLUSION: In the current context of accentuated societal need for security, the judge and the expert-psychiatrist are increasingly asked to evaluate the dangerousness of a subject, regardless of their responsibility. Influenced by this policy model, the judge might tend to use neuroscientific data introduced by an expert as signs of dangerousness. Such uses, especially when they subjugate an individual's interest to those of society, might entail serious threats to an individual's freedom and civil liberties.

On the computation of reducible invariant tori on a parallel computer

We present an algorithm for the computation of reducible invariant tori of discrete dynamical systems that is suitable for tori of dimensions larger than 1. It is based on a quadratically convergent scheme that approximates, at the same time, the Fourier series of the torus, its Floquet transformation, and its Floquet matrix. The Floquet matrix describes the linearization of the dynamics around the torus and, hence, its linear stability. The algorithm presents a high degree of parallelism, and the computational effort grows linearly with the number of Fourier modes needed to represent the solution. For these reasons it is a very good option to compute quasi-periodic solutions with several basic frequencies. The paper includes some examples (flows) to show the efficiency of the method in a parallel computer. In these flows we compute invariant tori of dimensions up to 5, by taking suitable sections.