Potential Impact Of New Technologies Research Articles

Process model analysis of parenchyma sparing laparoscopic liver surgery to recognize surgical steps and predict impact of new technologies

BackgroundSurgical process model (SPM) analysis is a great means to predict the surgical steps in a procedure as well as to predict the potential impact of new technologies. Especially in complicated and high-volume treatments, such as parenchyma sparing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), profound process knowledge is essential for enabling improving surgical quality and efficiency.MethodsVideos of thirteen parenchyma sparing LLR were analyzed to extract the duration and sequence of surgical steps according to the process model. The videos were categorized into three groups, based on the tumor locations. Next, a detailed discrete events simulation model (DESM) of LLR was built, based on the process model and the process data obtained from the endoscopic videos. Furthermore, the impact of using a navigation platform on the total duration of the LLR was studied with the simulation model by assessing three different scenarios: (i) no navigation platform, (ii) conservative positive effect, and (iii) optimistic positive effect.ResultsThe possible variations of sequences of surgical steps in performing parenchyma sparing depending on the tumor locations were established. The statistically most probable chain of surgical steps was predicted, which could be used to improve parenchyma sparing surgeries. In all three categories (i–iii) the treatment phase covered the major part (~ 40%) of the total procedure duration (bottleneck). The simulation results predict that a navigation platform could decrease the total surgery duration by up to 30%.ConclusionThis study showed a DESM based on the analysis of steps during surgical procedures can be used to predict the impact of new technology. SPMs can be used to detect, e.g., the most probable workflow paths which enables predicting next surgical steps, improving surgical training systems, and analyzing surgical performance. Moreover, it provides insight into the points for improvement and bottlenecks in the surgical process.

CGIAR modeling approaches for resource‐constrained scenarios: II. Models for analyzing socioeconomic factors to improve policy recommendations

AbstractInternational crop‐related research as conducted by the CGIAR uses crop modeling for a variety of purposes. By linking crop models with economic models and approaches, crop model outputs can be effectively used as inputs into socioeconomic modeling efforts for priority setting and policy advice using ex‐ante impact assessment of technologies and scenario analysis. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration and very often collaboration across a variety of research organizations. This study highlights the key topics, purposes, and approaches of socioeconomic analysis within the CGIAR related to cropping systems. Although each CGIAR center has a different mission, all CGIAR centers share a common strategy of striving toward a world free of hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation. This means research is mostly focused toward resource‐constrained smallholder farmers. The review covers global modeling efforts using the IMPACT model to farm household bio‐economic models for assessing the potential impact of new technologies on farming systems and livelihoods. Although the CGIAR addresses all aspects of food systems, the focus of this review is on crop commodities and the economic analysis linked to crop‐growth model results. This study, while not a comprehensive review, provides insights into the richness of the socioeconomic modeling endeavors within the CGIAR. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the challenges this type of modeling faces.

Positron Emission Tomography with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Imaging Patterns in Autoimmune Encephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is an underrecognized and potentially curable disease, which has been the focus of intense neurologic research. In the present manuscript, we review recent updates and the current role of brain positron emission tomography imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the detection of AE. We appraise the many metabolic imaging manifestations described in this disease, the role of PET-FDG in its diagnosis and follow-up, and the possible relationship between some patterns and specific autoantibodies. We also briefly discuss recently recognized imaging patterns and the potential impact of new technologies in recognition of such metabolic imaging appearances. AE findings on FDG-PET may have various patterns, but three are dominant and can be summarized as follows: (1) hypermetabolism in cortical areas, mainly in mesial temporal regions and less frequently in basal ganglia and higher cortical regions, is a common pattern in early stages of the disease. Such pattern is highly suggestive of limbic AE, since it has not been described in many other entities, except for brain tumors and active epileptic foci. (2) Also common is a reduced metabolism in the regions described above, which could happen both in the detection of the disease or in previous hypermetabolic areas which changed their pattern during the course of illness. (3) Other areas with hypometabolism can also occur, especially the “diffuse whole-brain cortical hypometabolism” manifestation, which is unspecific and can have degenerative diseases and other conditions as differential diagnoses. Some antibodies are more related to specific metabolic imaging patterns, but others do not correlate closely with imaging appearances. We consider that FDG-PET imaging can aid in the early diagnosis of AE and may also be helpful while accessing the disease longitudinally while showing functional changes that occur after therapy. In both situations it can provide valuable information that is not provided by anatomic imaging alone.

Potential Impact of New Technology on Governance in Small Business

Small business is receiving increasing attention from government because of its potential to drive innovation and economic growth in the wake of the global financial crisis. The lean governance structures in small business mean that decisions are quickly made and implemented. Multiple decisions can modify production processes, produce a new product, apply new marketing methods or tap new markets. These decisions are deeply connected with issues of technological capability and incentives to invest in new innovations. However, many small businesses are likely to have limited access to skills, and lack information about markets and technology. Knowledge about these issues in small businesses is often provided by their accountants. The purpose of this study was to determine how accountants could assist small businesses to make better use of emerging web based technologies to communicate with their accountants. The research was supported by a major grant from the National Institute of Accountants. This paper reports research in which twenty two accountants and their clients were interviewed to determine the potential adoption and use of web based information and communications technology to provide immediate on-going communication between small businesses and their accountants. It is the first article to investigate the support for and barriers to the use of interactive technology to promote small business via the web. The research questions addressed in this paper were: What uses do small businesses currently made of ICT? What are some of the new opportunities offered by ICT to accountants? What are the barriers to the use of new technology? What are the benefits to accountants and their small business clients?

The potential impact of new technology and European mail deregulation on financial services marketers

This paper identifies the problems and opportunities presented to financial services marketers by European mail deregulation and the advent of new document technology in 2003. It explains the theory and current reality of mail deregulation in the UK and explains the timetable for its introduction. It goes on to explore the opportunities deregulation will create for more targeted direct marketing and even one-to-one marketing through new services and technology. It concludes that the financial services companies that utilise these new opportunities earliest to meet the needs of their customers will benefit most in both brand and net revenue terms.