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Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a novel biomarker reflecting neuroaxonal damage and associates with brain atrophy, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a marker of astrocytic activation, associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. Since obesity is associated with increased risk for several neurodegenerative disorders, we hypothesized that circulating NfL and GFAP levels could reflect neuronal damage in obese patients. 28 morbidly obese and 18 lean subjects were studied with voxel based morphometry (VBM) MRI to assess gray and white matter densities. Serum NfL and GFAP levels were determined with single-molecule array. Obese subjects were re-studied 6 months after bariatric surgery. Morbidly obese subjects had lower absolute concentrations of circulating NfL and GFAP compared to lean individuals. Following bariatric surgery-induced weight loss, both these levels increased. Both at baseline and after weight loss, circulating NfL and GFAP values correlated inversely with eGFR. Cross-sectionally, circulating NfL levels correlated inversely with gray matter (GM) density, and this association remained significant also when accounting for age and total eGFR. GFAP values did not correlate with GM density. Our data suggest that when determining circulating NfL and GFAP levels, eGFR should also be measured since renal function can affect these measurements. Despite the potential confounding effect of renal function on NfL measurement, NfL correlated inversely with gray matter density in this group of subjects with no identified neurological disorders, suggesting that circulating NfL level may be a feasible biomarker of cerebral function even in apparently neurologically healthy subjects.

Currently, industry is going through the fourth Industrial Revolution, also termed Industry 4.0. It is characterized mainly by the cyber-physical systems dominated by digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT). Organizations are making significant effort to understand customer needs and subsequently align them to the business goals for achieving market leadership. It is imperative for the longevity of the organization that goods and services be made available to the customer at the most appropriate place, time, and price. Supply chains are contributing to achieving this organizational goal. A paradigm shift was observed in the past few decades when organizations competed as supply chains in the market more than an individual brand. This shift brought forward the importance of collaborative supply chains. Researchers in this study have presented the impact of IoT origins on real-time data on a collaborative supply chain model, including internally and externally aligned parameters. The study recommends the best model basis for the goodness of fit from the customer and vendor perspective for the automotive industry in India.

With the rollout of the smart city initiative in India, this study explores potential risks and opportunities in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) for citizen services. The study deploys expert interview technique and the data collected from various sources are analyzed using qualitative analysis. It was found that AI implementation needs a critical examination of various socio-technological factors to avoid any undesirable impacts on citizens. Fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics (FATE) play an important role during the design and execution of AI-based systems. This study provides vital insights into AI implications to smart city managers, citizen groups, and policymakers while delivering promised smart city experience. The study has social implications in terms of ensuring that proper guidelines are developed for using AI technology for citizen services, thereby bridging the ever-critical trust gap between citizens and city administration.

The purpose of this article is twofold. First is to ascertain and establish the collaboration required between different stakeholders in the fundamental process of New Product Development (NPD). Augmentation of the process with the IoT origin real time data to enrich the efficacy of the New Product Development process forms the second part of the study. The primary data is collated from over 100 plus professionals while the qualitative data required for the second part is collated with the help of focused group interviews. The Likert scale with five points was deployed to record the opinions. The empirical analysis supports the theory that an effective collaboration is required between the different entities such as Sales, Marketing, R&D and going beyond the organizational boundaries Suppliers & Customers for the new product to be fruitful and successful in the market. The impact of using the IoT origin real time data on the effectiveness of the New Product Development is evaluated. In the current scenario for an organization to lead the market, it is essential that it has a descent product roadmap and an effective NPD. The current study reveals the importance of the NPD and contributes towards making it more effective with the IoT origin real time data.

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a life-threatening multi-aetiological and polymicrobial infective necrosis of the external genitalia, perineum, and peri-anal regions. Early recognition and aggressive multidisciplinary medical and surgical management are essential to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality. Acute appendicitis is a rare cause of FG. Here, we report the management of a 90-year-old man presenting atypically with a perforated appendicitis resulting in FG.

Despite the increasing pace of digital transformation initiatives across many industry verticals, lack of understanding among business leadership is cited as one of the major barriers for successful implementation of business transformation. This article explores the imperatives of business models and digital transformation from practical perspective and proposes an improvised business model framework with particular focus on digital services providers. Extant literature covering the trends of business models and digital transformation were reviewed qualitatively along with select reports pertaining to challenges faced by communications service providers. Key findings of this article suggest, a practical framework and business model representation to mitigate the challenges of business models and digital transformation. The authors believe, such an approach shall open up new and innovative opportunities for communication service providers to become true digital service providers which will help their business customers to plan and empirically progress with their business transformation efforts.

Contemporary insights on business innovation exhibit diverse recommendations, yet lack practical frameworks for quantifying business innovation success. VIDE-LEO business innovation framework is an effort to answer this challenge with innovation metrics defined as a conflation of four VIDE dimensions namely value, innovation, digital and enterprise dimensions in a 360° perspective. These dimensions are triangulated as LEO dimensions such as leadership, enablement and orchestration. Obviously, there are no previous studies available as applied to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Focus of this study is to validate this framework by multiple case study analysis of select case companies from India who are from Information Technology- Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. Further, findings of this study confirms the practical application of VIDE-LEO framework metrics for SMEs in IT-BPM industry. Value proposition of this framework and its innovation metrics may further be extended to other vertical industries for more enhanced practical value.

There are certain risk factors including high body mass index (BMI), low rectal anastomosis, post neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, steroid use, prolonged surgery, restorative surgery without ileostomy, emergency surgery, and male patient, which may prompt the use of AD after LAR [7]. COMPASS study (prospective, multi-central) showed no clear advantage of AD in detecting AL early; instead, they concluded AD leads to prolonged hospital stay and increases incidence of SSI (surgical site infections) [8]. Anastomotic leak after colorectal resection: a population-based study of risk factors and hospital variation.

The ability to control the electron flow of a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor MOSFET decreases due to a quantum mechanical effect as the size decreases below 50 nm. To meet this challenge, a new area of device research is needed. One such area is devices based on tunneling phenomena, called single-electron devices. In this paper, the most fundamental single-electron device, the Single Electron Transistor (SET), is designed using visual Technical Computer Aided Design (TCAD) with a gate length of 2 nm and a gate width of 2 nm. The channel is ultra-thin with a length of 2 nm and a width of 0.005 nm, and the thickness of the channel is 0.3 nm. Then, a Si quantum dot with a size of 0.5 * 1.6 nm2 is used between the island and the gate. Both devices are successfully simulated using Genius Simulator. It has been established that a device with a silicon dot is more promising at room temperature. A device with a silicon dot has a lower capacity and higher charging energy than a device without a quantum dot.