scholarly journals Firm Selection Based on Logistics Risk Factors

Author(s):  
Iskender Peker ◽  
Selcuk Korucuk ◽  
Birdogan Baki

Logistics firms are exposed several domestic and global risks such as variability in demand, shipment damages, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks. The purpose of this study is to provide an approach for selecting a logistics firm based on logistics risk factors according to the manufacturing firms' perspectives. An analytical network process method is utilized to determine risk factors' importance levels and VIKOR method is used to select the logistics firm. The study results show that the most important logistics risk factors are customer and supplier, and the least risky logistic firm is B. It can be concluded that the proposed model enables managers to examine potential risks influencing their logistics activities and select the logistics firm having minimum risk.

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Farahmand ◽  
J. D. Ringe

SummaryOsteoporosis in men is increasingly recognized as an important public health problem but affected patients are still under-diagnosed and -treated. As in women the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy has to be adapted to the individual case. In the practical management it is very important to detect possible causes of secondary osteoporosis, to explain the possibilities of basic therapy counteracting individual risk factors and communicate that osteoporosis is a chronic disease and adherence to a long-term treatment is crucial. In established severe osteoporosis a careful analgesic therapy is important to avoid further bone loss related to immobility. In elderly men with increased risk of falling insufficient Vitamin D supply or impaired activation of Vitamin D due to renal insufficiency must be taken into consideration. Specific medications available today for the treatment of male osteoporosis comprise among antiresorptive drugs the bis phosphonates alendronate, risedronate and zoledronic acid. Denosumab, the first biological therapy is approved for men with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. An important advantage of this potent antiresorptive drug is the increased adherence due to the comfortable application by sixmonthly subcutaneous injections. Study results from the 2-year multi-center randomized controlled ADAMO-Study will very soon allow the use of denosumab in all types of male osteoporosis. Teriparatide, the 34 N-terminal amino acid sequence of parathyroid hormone was approved for men with osteoporosis as an anabolic agent based on proven efficacy by different studies. Among drugs with other modes of action the D-hormone pro-drug alfacalcidol can be used in men alone or in combination with the advantage of pleiotropic effects on calcium absorption, parathyroids, bone and muscle. Recently also Strontium-ranelate was approved for male patients with the limitation to exclude men with clinical relevant cardiovascular risk factors. In general the possibilities to treat male osteoporosis have considerably improved during recent years. Today there is a choice of a spectrum of drugs from mild to strong potency with different modes of action on bone turnover to design strategies for individual male patients.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Hosang Hyun ◽  
Moonseo Park ◽  
Dowan Lee ◽  
Jeonghoon Lee

Modular construction, which involves unit production in factories and on-site work, has benefits such as low cost, high quality, and short duration, resulting from the controlled factory environment utilized. An efficient tower crane lifting plan ensures successful high-rise modular project completion. For improved efficiency, the lifting plan should minimize the reaching distance of the tower crane, because this distance directly affects the tower crane capacity, which is directly related to crane operation cost. In situations where units are lifted from trailers, the trailer-to-tower crane distance can have a significant impact on the tower crane operation efficiency. However, optimization of this distance to improve efficiency has not been sufficiently considered. This research proposes a genetic algorithm optimization model that suggests optimized tower crane and trailer locations. The case study results show that through the proposed model, the project manager can reflect the optimal location selection and optimal tower crane selection options with minimal cost.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Basavaraj PG ◽  
Ashok P Yenkanchi ◽  
Chidanand Galagali

Background: Risk factors can lead to clinical conditions, like metabolic syndrome, that predisposes the development of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: The goal of this population-based, prospective and non-randomised cohort study was to study the association between patients with metabolic syndrome and other various factors defining metabolic syndrome. Methods: All the patients referred to the department of Medicine, Al-Ameen Medical college hospital and District Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India over a period of twenty-two months extending from December 2013 to September 2015 were considered in this study. Results: In the current study, out of 100 patients, 62.9% patients had metabolic syndrome with positive family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus. 70.8% patients had metabolic syndrome with positive history of smoking. 64.3% patients had metabolic syndrome with positive history of alcohol .73.9% patients had metabolic syndrome with positive history of IHD. 87% of the patients with metabolic syndrome had SBP> 130 mmHg, and 78.85% patients had DBP>85 mmHg. And metabolic syndrome was observed in 71.8% patients on anti hypertensive drugs. The mean level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride is increased whereas the mean level of anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol is low in subjects with MS. At least one lipid abnormality was present in > 95 % of cases. Around 81% subjects with BMI <25 (out of 38) had metabolic syndrome and 58% subjects with BMI>25(out of 62) had metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: All the components defining the metabolic syndrome correlated positively with the abdominal obesity. Systolic blood pressure values were significantly higher than diastolic blood pressure in subjects with abdominal obesity. Metabolic syndrome has multiple risk factors determined by various aspects like the race, the life style, geographical factors larger study is needed to understand the correlation between various components defining it. A healthy lifestyle, that includes avoiding tobacco exposure and proper weight control, must be encouraged in this high-risk population. Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Overweight; Risk factors; Smoking.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongyi Shou ◽  
Jinan Shao ◽  
Weijiao Wang

PurposeAs a popular supply chain finance (SCF) strategy, reverse factoring has been widely adopted by buyer firms. However, the extant literature provides scant empirical evidence on the performance effect of reverse factoring. The purpose of this study is to seek to narrow this gap by empirically examining the relationship between reverse factoring and operating performance and the contingency conditions of this relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 167 announcements of reverse factoring implementation made by publicly listed Chinese manufacturing firms between 2014 and 2018, this paper employs a long-term event study approach to analyze the operating performance effect of reverse factoring as well as the moderating effects of production and innovation capabilities.FindingsThe event study results indicate that reverse factoring has a positive effect on buyer firms' operating performance in terms of cost efficiency and operating margin. In addition, both production and innovation capabilities positively moderate the relationship between reverse factoring and operating margin. However, neither of them moderates the relationship between reverse factoring and cost efficiency.Originality/valueThis is the first study that empirically examines the impact of reverse factoring on operating performance based on secondary data. Furthermore, it sheds light on the SCF literature by providing insights into the contingency effects of production and innovation capabilities, which also extends our understanding of the application of extended resource-based view in SCF research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Patrick M. Mutisya ◽  
Peter K'Obonyo ◽  
Kennedy Ogollah ◽  
James M. Njihia

The aim of this study was to establish the role of organizational design in the organizational ambidexterity - performance relationship among large manufacturing firms (LMFs) in Kenya. The studies linking ambidexterity to organizational performance are few and with mixed findings. The few studies indicate that there is no clear ambidexterity - organizational performance relationship. The research was founded on dynamic capabilities and configurations theories. Based on the reviewed literature, a conceptual model and hypotheses were formulated. The study was guided by positivist philosophy. The population of the research was the entire 107 Kenyan large manufacturing firms (LMFs). Cross-sectional research design was used. Primary data in respect of predictor variables was used and was collected using a structured questionnaire. The respondents were the senior managers of the large manufacturing firms (LMFs) in Kenya; namely Chief Executive Officers/Managing Directors (CEOs/MDs) or General Managers (GMs), or Heads of departments (HODs). Descriptive statistics, correlations, linear, multiple and hierarchical regressions were applied in the data scrutiny and interpretation. The study results showed partial organizational design mediating role in the organizational ambidexterity - performance association of LMFs in Kenya. The study findings are useful to practitioners and managers of LMFs, policymakers in government as well as scholars and researchers. The study recommends further studies on the mediating role of organizational design, different variable operationalization, diversify respondents and context as well as longitudinal study.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Vesna Mioljevic ◽  
Miroslav Milicevic ◽  
Vesna Bumbasirevic ◽  
Vesna Suljagic

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is an unavoidable part of the everyday medical practice. At the same time CVC application is associated with high risk of development of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). These infections are cause of icreased morbidity and mortality rates as well as higer costs of the inpatient treatment2. Risk factors for onset of CLABSIs include duration of catheterization, length of hospital stay before catheterization, anatomic site of placement, CVC placement at the intensive care units (ICU), parenteral nutrition (PN) and ommisions diring CVC placement, use and care. CLABSI incidence rates vary depending on distribution of different risk factors associated with CVC and patient him/herself. The most significant causative organisms of CLABSIs are coagulase-negative Staphylococcocae, Staphylococcus aureus (S.aures), Enterococcus spp. i Candida spp. CLABSIs prevention measures include compliance with the rules of the aseptic technique upon placement, use and care of CVCs, which, based on the study results, may enable prevention of 65% to 70% of cases of CLABSIs. METHODS: A prospective cohort study included 200 patients hospitalized at the intensive care and therapy units of the CCS Clinic of Digestive Surgery in the period November 30th, 2006-November 31st, 2007 in whom CVC was placed for more than 48 hours. All the data necessary for the study were obtained based on the review of the case histories and they were recorded into the individual questionnaires for each patient. The questionnarire included patient information (age, gender, underlying disease, presence of other infections), information related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to which the patient was exposed. The incidence of CRBSIs in ICU patients, Institute of Digestive Diseases, CCS over the study period was 10.08 per 1,000 catheter-days. During the study CLABSI more often present in the females. Additionally, application of albumin and amino acids, ICU stay longer that 7 days and CVC application longer than 15 days, significantly more often present in patients with CRBSIs than in the group of patients without CRBSIs. Independent factors for development of CRBSI are gender, administration of albumin and amino acids. The most common microorganisms isolated from hemocultures and CVC were S. aureus and Klebsiella spp., with 31,8% of isolates each. Statistically significant difference was evidenced in frequency of resistance of S. aureus isolates to methicillin in the group of patients with CRBSI in comparison to the group of patients without CLABSIs. CLABSIs prevention measurs include compliance with the rules of the aseptic technique upon placement, use and care of CVCs.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 709
Author(s):  
Sarah Nelson ◽  
Samantha Bento ◽  
Michelle Bosquet Enlow

Pediatric chronic pain is common and responsible for significant healthcare burden. However, the mechanisms underlying the development and/or maintenance of pediatric chronic pain remain poorly understood. Allostatic load (AL), or wear and tear on the nervous system following significant or prolonged stress, has been proposed to play a role in the maintenance of chronic pain, but minimal research has examined this possibility. This gap in research is particularly notable given the high exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; abuse/neglect, etc.) and psychological stress in this population. Accordingly, the current study aimed to preliminarily examine the measurement of AL in a treatment-seeking pediatric pain population. Biomarkers were collected during an already scheduled new patient pain evaluation and included salivary cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and C-reactive protein, in addition to waist–hip ratio, body-mass index, and blood pressure. A total of 61 children and adolescents with chronic pain (Mage = 14.47 years; 88.5% female and white/Caucasian) completed study procedures and were included in analyses. Preliminary results indicated that a multifactorial AL composite is feasible to assess for in a tertiary pain treatment setting and that over 50% of youth with chronic pain were classified as high risk for AL (two or more risk factors). Further, it was found that individual AL risk factors were significantly associated with functional disability and that AL may moderate the association between psychosocial and functional outcomes. Given the pilot nature of this study, results should be used to inform future investigations with larger and more diverse pediatric pain samples.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-473
Author(s):  
Kübra Evren Şahin

Background: This study aims to evaluate the frequency of and associated risk factors for adverse events caused by cardiac catheterization procedures in pediatric patients. Methods: Between January 2009 and January 2012, a total of 599 pediatric patients (320 males, 279 females; mean age 5.4±4.7 years; range, 1 day to 21 years) who underwent cardiac catheterization in our cardiac catheterization laboratory were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of the patients including the duration of the procedure, management of anesthesia, the American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics, and procedure-related serious adverse events were recorded. Results: The incidence of procedure-related serious adverse events was 9.18%. Potential risk factors associated with serious adverse events were identified as interventional heart catheterization, high scores obtained from the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics, the use of endotracheal tube in airway control, and prolonged procedural duration. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that prolonged duration of catheterization is a potential risk factor for procedure-related adverse events and the duration of the procedure needs to be included as a variable in the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics scoring system for predicting procedure-related adverse events.


Doctor Ru ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
R.V. Kapustin ◽  
◽  
E.V. Kopteeva ◽  
E.N. Alexeenkova ◽  
E.M. Tsybuk ◽  
...  

Study Objective: To analyse risk factors and perinatal mortality structure in patients with various types of diabetes mellitus (DM) over the last 30 years in specialised settings. Study Design: retrospective single-site cohort study. Materials and Methods. We have studied 42 medical records containing cases of perinatal death of foetus or newborn in 1988–2018 in patients with DM1 (n = 20), DM2 (n = 10), gestational DM (n = 12). Study Results. The most common complication in pregnancy was preeclampsia combined with chronic placental insufficiency (47.6%). The most common risk factors of perinatal death were inadequate glycemic control in 1st trimester (69.0%), absence of preconception preparations (66.7%), preconception overweight and obesity (42.8%), and chronic arterial hypertension (28.6%). There were 38.1% antenatal deaths, 16.7% intranatal deaths, and 45.2% cases of postnatal mortality. The major causes of perinatal foetal mortality in 26.2% cases were placental disorders, 16.7% were associated with foetus growth retardation, diabetic fetopathy and respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion. DM during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of perinatal death. Timely preconception preparation, BMI normalization and a consolidated approach to term and mode of delivery can reduce the risk of perinatal mortality in women with various types of DM. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, perinatal mortality, stillbirth, obesity, preeclampsia


2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynab Hatamizargaran ◽  
Mohammadreza Sasani ◽  
Masoumeh Akhlaghi

Background: Recent data have suggested that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can occur in normal-weight subjects. This study examined the association of body fat percentage (BF%) with NAFLD and its risk factors in normal-weight individuals. Objectives: The present study aimed to explain the influence of body fat on the risk of NAFLD. Methods: A total of 59 subjects with body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2 were selected from referrals to two major university polyclinics in Shiraz, Iran, from April to June 2019. Fatty liver grade, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured in this study. Results: Waist circumference (P = 0.012), fat mass (P < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) (P = 0.027), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P = 0.007), and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (P = 0.003) increased; however, skeletal muscle mass decreased (P < 0.001) across the tertiles of BF%. The average of fatty liver grade was similar in the first and second tertiles; nevertheless, the fatty liver grade of participants in the third tertile was significantly higher (1.3 ± 0.9 vs. 0.4 ± 0.7; P = 0.005). In ordinal regression analysis, BF% (1.13; 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.22; P = 0.003), BMI (1.95; 95% CI: 1.02 - 3.74; P = 0.045), VLDL (1.77; 95% CI: 1.00 - 3.12; P = 0.049), and TG/HDL-C ratio (2.21; 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.86; P = 0.006) had positive associations with NAFLD; nonetheless, HDL-C (0.33; 95% CI: 0.16 - 0.67; P = 0.002) and dietary cholesterol (0.97; 95% CI: 0.95 - 0.997; P = 0.028) had inverse associations with NAFLD after the adjustments for age, gender, BMI, and physical activity. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that within normal weight ranges, NAFLD occurs more frequently in individuals with higher BF%. In addition, BF% can be used as an important marker in NAFLD screening.


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