Search

This paper examines how industry changes through the nonlinear view of chaos theory. Chaos theory implies that a dynamic system is nonlinear. Accordingly, we developed a triangulated analysis const...

Introduction Maintaining the standard two-handed chest compression is difficult in high-speed ambulances in rural areas. Methods A retrospective, video-based, observational study was conducted from June to September 2013 in Nantou, a rural county of central Taiwan, to evaluate the chest compression fraction in an ambulance carriage during the travel from the scene to the hospital. The chest compression fraction was calculated as the chest compression time period divided by the ambulance travelling time period; the one-handed and two-handed chest compression fractions were also calculated. Results During the 4-month study period, a total of 102 videos that were recorded in an ambulance carriage were reviewed, including 97 cases of manual chest compressions. When there was only one emergency medical technician (EMT) in the carriage, the combined chest compression fraction was 50.6±20.7%; when there were two EMTs, the fraction was 58.3±16.0% and the fraction was 58.3±21.0% in a three-EMT scenario (p=0.221). Moreover, in the carriage, EMTs usually performed one-handed chest compressions. Conclusions The chest compression fraction was low for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a moving ambulance, irrespective of the number of providers. Reasons for this observation, as well as the effectiveness of the one-handed chest compression require further evaluation.

This paper applies chaos theory to innovation processes, highlighting nonlinear behavior and temporal dynamics in the process of replacing old and established technologies with the newly created ones. We employed the local Lyapunov exponent (LLE) to develop our model of analysis and define the edge of chaos. To illustrate our ideas, we analyzed the development of printers during the 1976–2012 period using patent application data. The results of the chaotic model were further enriched with a real-world industry review. We discuss the implications for research on chaotic dynamics of change, evolutionary processes of innovation, and managerial practices.

The occurrence of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is rare. The clinical manifestation varies and depends on the location and venous drainage pattern. We present a case of a 57-year-old man with a left transverse sinus DAVF along with sigmoid thrombosis, cortical venous reflux, and congestion, that initially presented as parkinsonism. The patient was alert and fully oriented; however, decreased facial expressions were noted. His left forearm showed rigidity and bradykinesia, and it was difficult for the patient to smoothly perform rapid alternating movement testing. His complaints about hearing a rhythmic bruit above the left ear, particularly when lying down, alerted the physician of the presence of vascular lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography confirmed the diagnosis of DAVF. The patient received a combined surgical and endovascular approach to permanently block the fistula blood flow. The motion and movement of his left upper limb improved after fistula embolization. Images at the 1-month follow-up showed a decrease in the volume of tortuous vessels, and the fistula was completely occluded.

This paper considers technological trajectories as a series of problem-solving activities, manifesting the pattern of divergence-convergence knowledge flow. We propose that technological trajectori...

This paper examines the diffusion of mobile payment technology in Taiwan from 2012 to 2018. To this end, we employ topic modeling, a computer-based text mining approach, to uncover the hidden struc...

Background: It remains unknown whether hearing loss increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This study aimed to examine the association between hearing loss and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older people in Taiwan. Methods: Analyzing the database from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Program, this case-control study enrolled 488 subjects ≥65 years old with newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease as a case group and 1952 subjects without Alzheimer’s disease as a control group from 1998–2011. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other comorbidities were identified by analyzing ICD-9 coding in claims data. The association of hearing loss, other comorbidities, and risk of Alzheimer’s disease were compared between groups. Results: After controlling for confounders, multivariable logistic regression showed an adjusted odds ratio of Alzheimer’s disease of 1.39 in people with hearing loss (95% CI, 1.05–1.84) versus those without. Parkinson’s disease (OR 4.44; 95% CI, 2.54–7.78), head injury (OR 2.31; 95% CI, 1.46–3.66), depression (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.19–2.39), hypertension (OR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.10–1.79), and age (each year, OR 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.05) also showed strong links with Alzheimer’s. Conclusions: Hearing loss is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older people in Taiwan.

Background This population based study investigated the relationship between use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and hip fractures in the elderly in Taiwan. Methods Analysis of a random sample of 1 million insurance enrollees' data identified 4,891 patients with newly diagnosed hip fractures and 4,891 controls without hip fracture between 2000 and 2011. Both cases and controls were ≥65 years of age and were matched by sex, age, comorbidities, and index year of hip fracture diagnosis. Patients were considered current SSRI users if their last SSRI tablet was taken ≤7 days before the hip fracture diagnosis. Late use of SSRIs was defined as taking the last SSRI tablet ≥8 days before the hip fracture diagnosis. Non-SSRI users comprised individuals who never had an SSRI prescription. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hip fracture associated with SSRI use was estimated by multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Results After adjustment for covariants, multivariate regression analysis showed that the adjusted OR of hip fracture was 2.17 for current SSRI users (95% CI: 1.60–2.93) compared with those who never used SSRIs. The adjusted OR was 1.11 for individuals with late use of SSRIs (95% CI: 0.96–1.28) and was not significant. Conclusions Current use of SSRIs was associated with a 2.17-fold increase in the odds of hip fracture in the elderly in Taiwan. Clinicians should consider the possibility of SSRI-associated hip fracture among old people currently taking SSRIs.

Disruptive innovation has become a core subject for technology management and a central part of the modern industrial revolution. Although considerable attention has been paid to its emergent prope...

The article presents management science research considering whether chaos theory can be applied to explain the process of technological innovation and in the management of innovation. The evolution of display panel technology from 1976-2003 is examined. Local Lyapunov Exponents (LLE) are applied to patent statistics on display panel technology from that period to test the hypothesis. Three periods of several years duration within the 1976-2003 frame of the study were found to correlate with chaos theory, in that small initial technological changes instigated large and widespread ones within a short time.

The emergence of Uber and Airbnb not only embodies the concept of sharing economy, but also declares war on formal institutions. Concerned with addressing such social conflicts and market uncertain...

This paper aims to enrich our understanding of punctuated equilibrium in technological change, which argues that technology evolves through a relatively long period of stability and continuity that is interrupted and punctuated by a relatively short burst of discontinuous, radical change. Most past literature has paid little attention to the embedded knowledge flow in technological change. To address this gap, a conceptual framework is exhibited to summarize our idea. The key-route main path analysis approach is used to construct the knowledge flow in punctuated equilibrium. Empirically, the thermal inkjet printhead is chosen as the research target, and patent data from USPTO were collected and used. We found that thermal inkjet printheads experienced three distinct phases of technological continuities, each of which is a cyclic divergent-convergent knowledge flow initiated by a breakthrough centering around a significant, prioritized technical problem. One knowledge cycle is to shape a distinct knowledge...

Background Cholelithiasis has become a major health problem in Taiwan. The predominant type of gallstone found in Asian populations differs from that in the West, indicating possible differences in the etiology and risk factors for cholelithiasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for cholelithiasis using data representative of the general population. Methods We performed a population-based, case-control study in which we analyzed medical data for 3725 patients newly diagnosed with cholelithiasis and 11175 gender- and age-matched controls with no history of cholelithiasis, using information obtained from the 2005 Registry for Beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Research Database. Coexisting medical conditions were included in the analysis. Relative risks were estimated by adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results After controlling for the other covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following as risk factors for cholelithiasis (in descending order of contribution): Among all patients - hepatitis C (OR = 2.78), cirrhosis (OR = 2.47), hepatitis B (OR = 2.00), obesity (OR = 1.89), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.54); Among women - hepatitis C (OR = 3.05), cirrhosis (OR = 1.92), obesity (OR = 1.91), menopause (OR = 1.61), hepatitis B (OR = 1.54), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.49). Diabetes mellitus appeared to have a marked influence on the development of cholelithiasis but was not identified as a significant independent risk factor for cholelithiasis. Conclusions The risk factors for cholelithiasis were obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, and cirrhosis in both genders, and menopause in females. Despite differences in the predominate type of gallstone in Asian versus Western populations, we identified no unique risk factors among the population of Taiwan.

Drawing on a longitudinal, embedded case study, this study explores the origin and evolution of organizational innovative capabilities. We show that capability development is connected to the way o...

Spleen-conserving management has been the trend for blunt splenic injury when hemodynamic conditions are unstable. Even though spleen-conserving management using splenorrhaphy is of great benefit, the pitfalls in operations remain. A 45-year-old male suffered a sudden attack of severe abdominal pain while with his colleagues. He had a history of spleen injury 2 years earlier and underwent splenorrhaphy for the injury. His colleague hit his abdomen softly at an exercise activity, and the attack of severe abdominal pain followed in a few minutes. After prompt aggressive fluid resuscitation, the emergent laparotomy was then arranged. Upon laparotomy, peritoneal adhesions and organs rearrangement were observed. The pancreas tail and the spleen were pulled forward to the anterior part of the left upper abdominal cavity using the dense adhesion bands (Fig. 1). Approximately 600 mL of blood was evacuated from the peritoneal cavity initially and active oozing and bleeding were still noted from the injured tissues. More attention was paid to mobilizing the spleen, due to the presence of extensive adhesion. To avoid

We explore the micro processes by which actors change established macro- institutional structures. Drawing on the concept of institutional entrepreneurship, we examine how the Industrial Technology...

This paper draws on the concept of institutional entrepreneurship to study the rise of China's Shan Zhai mobile phone market. Chinese shan zhai mobile phones have evolved over the last decade from ...