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This case is based on a project carried out in a tertiary care hospital of the Northeastern region of India for a period of eight months and is written by Dr Ankit Singh, Dr Meenal Kulkarni and Mr Avinash Poojari. The case was developed with the help of the hospital’s management team, disguised on request as Mr Raghugopal Ramalinga (Chief Hospital Administrator), Mr Suresh Kumar (Chief Engineer), Ms Linney Krubah (Chief Nursing Superintendent), Dr Premanand Ale (Chief Medical Superintendent) and Mr Srikrishna Shukla (Chief Finance Officer).

This case is about Trident Hospital, which faces issues pertaining to oxygen supply. Oxygen supply at Trident Hospitals is through three options as highlighted in the case, but due to the lack of preventive maintenance and no risk assessment done for the crucial medical oxygen, interruptions and additional work for the staff became a common phenomenon. The existing situation can lead to patient harm or death and can attract medico-negligence suit against the hospital, threatening the overall existence of the hospital. The hospital administrator is currently viewing the problem from only the cost perspective, which is a high-risk and a short-term approach.

Students pursuing full time/part time/diploma programme in health-care management, hospital administration/hospital operations; and undergraduate and post-graduate level students.

This paper aims to develop a real-time pothole detection system to improve mapping, localization and path planning, reducing vehicle instability and accident risks. Efficient mapping, accurate localization and optimal path planning stand as prerequisites to realizing accident-free navigation. Despite their significance, existing literature often overlooks the real-time detection of potholes, which poses a considerable risk, particularly during nighttime operations. Potholes contribute to vehicle imbalance, trajectory tracking errors, abrupt braking, wheel skidding, jerking and steering overshoot, all of which can lead to accidents.

Unmanned vehicles constitute a critical domain within robotics research, necessitating reliable autonomous navigation for their optimal functioning. This research paper addresses the gap in current methodologies by leveraging a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based approach to detect potholes, facilitating the generation of an efficient environmental map. Furthermore, a hybrid solution is proposed, integrating an improved Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm with modified Bezier techniques, complementing the CNN approach for accident-free and time-efficient unmanned vehicle navigation. The conventional Bezier technique is enhanced by incorporating new control points near sharp turns, mitigating rapid trajectory convergence and ensuring collision-free paths.

The hybrid solution, combining CNN with path smoothing techniques, is rigorously tested in various real-time scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed technique achieves a 100% reduction in collisions in favorable conditions, a 4.5% decrease in path length, a 100% reduction in sharp turns and a significant 23.31% reduction in total time lag compared to state-of-the-art techniques such as conventional ACO, ACO+ Bezier and ACO+ midpoint Bezier, Improved ACO, hybrid ACO+ A*.

The proposed technique provides a proficient solution in the field of unmanned vehicles for accident-free time efficient navigation in an unstructured environment.

This study examines the research landscape of Lean Six-Sigma (LSS) applications in hospitals for the period of the last decade (2011–2020) to derive answers to the research questions RQ 1: What are the current publication trends for the application of LSS in hospitals concerning document type, Journal (Source), active authors and country-wise publications and their comparison in the two most reputed scientific databases, i.e. Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), RQ2: What are the clusters based on the authors and keywords? RQ3: What are the research trends and author's productivity in LSS applications in Hospitals? RQ4: What are the future research areas?

This article compares these two databases (Scopus and WoS) based on publication pattern, document type, active authors and co-citation analysis. This article analyzes the core sources, author's productivity, globally cited articles, word growth analysis, thematic map and world collaboration map on the WoS and Scopus dataset. The software used are Vosviewer, Biblioshiny (R Package for Bibliometric) and M.S. Excel.

The application of LSS in hospitals is a niche theme. In the WoS database International Journal of Lean Six-Sigma and in Scopus database International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance are the most relevant sources publishing research articles in this field. The USA has the highest scientific production in this field. Among the authors, Antony J is the most active author in this area, with the highest contribution over the years.

This study fills the literature gap by mapping the field of LSS in hospitals.

Elderly patients suffering from non-communicable disease face a dilemma in the selection of healthcare providers. This study attempts to identify the key variables playing a crucial role and identify the appropriate healthcare destination with the help of a combination of Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques. The primary objective is to introduce the DEMATEL and AHP as efficient decision-making methods to choose the right healthcare provider for elderly patients suffering from non-communicable diseases.

An integrative approach utilizing DEMATEL and AHP is used to reach the ideal solution for healthcare provider selection decisions. The DEMATEL approach is used to segregate the cause and effect variables. Similarly, the AHP is used to identify the weights of the top five cause-inducing variables, and the paired comparison method is used to select the healthcare provider.

The variables such as dependency on family members, easily accessible services, and patient autonomy play a vital role in the selection decision of healthcare providers in elderly patients suffering from non-communicable diseases.

In terms of priority, home healthcare should be considered the preferred provider for elderly patients suffering from non-communicable diseases followed by neighbourhood registered medical practitioners and hospitals.

This is the first of its kind study which has attempted to solve the healthcare provider selection decision with the combined approach of DEMATEL and AHP.

Mapping the landscape of healthcare education is essential, particularly when examining the prevailing trends in learning and development (L&D) for healthcare workers.

The Scopus dataset was searched on 25th November 2023 for relevant files, and analysis was done using Bibilioshiny and VOSviewer.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) are increasingly being adopted in healthcare organizations. Moreover, simulation-based team training enhancing interprofessional communication and sensitizing healthcare workers (HCWs) towards equity, diversity, and inclusion is increasingly reflected in organizations’ L&D practices.

The study identifies prevailing themes in L&D in healthcare organizations in the last decade.

This paper aims to understand the underlying motivations and factors that drive millennials to embrace smartwatches as fashionable accessories, health monitoring tools and eco-friendly alternatives.

In June–July 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted, gathering 285 complete responses through an online survey using convenience sampling. These responses were then analyzed to obtain valuable insights using structural equation modeling.

This study’s findings confirm the mediation effect of fashion innovativeness on the relationship between subjective norms and attitudes toward smartwatch usage (b = 0.034, lower limit confidence interval (LLCI) = 0.007, upper limit confidence interval (ULCI) = 0.086, p = 0.015). In addition, it highlights the mediating role of healthology in the association between subjective norms and attitudes toward using smartwatches (b = 0.062, LLCI = 0.006, ULCI = 0.151, p = 0.029).

This research has limitations in terms of sample representativeness, self-reported data, cultural and regional factors and technological advancement.

Understanding millennials’ motivations behind smartwatch usage has implications for marketers, designers and manufacturers in targeting this generation effectively. By highlighting smartwatches’ fashion-forward and health-conscious aspects, companies can appeal to millennials’ preferences and develop innovative features that align with their values.

This study provides validation for the increased level of environmental concerns among millennials, emphasizing its substantial influence on their purchasing decisions when it comes to smartwatches. Furthermore, it highlights that health-consciousness holds greater significance than fashion-forwardness as a determining factor for consumers of smartwatches.

This pioneering study explores the adoption intentions of smartwatch usage, examining it from the unique perspectives of health theology and environmental concerns. By delving into these novel dimensions, the research fills a significant gap in the existing literature. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing millennials’ decision-making processes when embracing smartwatches.

After reading and discussing the case, the participants would be able to: apply 7S and VRIO framework for online furniture retail; evaluate the profitability of horizontal versus vertical marketplaces for selling furniture online; articulate the challenges faced by online furniture retailers; discuss the applicability of technology to enhance customer experience in online furniture retail; and discuss the omni-channel strategy which online furniture companies can adopt.

Although furniture has traditionally been an unorganized category, the online furniture platforms have been on an upward curve since past few years. Digitization of economy and usage of smartphones to access internet had given a thrust to online purchases. This case on Wakefit Innovations Private Limited is intended to provide the readers with the business and marketing insights of selling furniture using online platform. The readers will be able to understand how retailing furniture using e-commerce is full of challenges and how various marketing activities have helped Wakefit improve their customer base. The readers can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of horizontal versus vertical e-commerce marketplaces and various challenges associated with online furniture retailing. Whether Wakefit should continue setting up experience centres and the benefits that could accrue by usage of virtual reality, augmented reality and data analytics are additional dimensions which can be discussed by the readers. The case will benefit the professionals in understanding the challenges and marketing strategies used by online furniture retailers and the same can be replicated by other players in this sector.

This case is suitable for students enrolled for full credit course on e-commerce at post graduate level. The case can be discussed towards the middle of the course once the students have studied different formats of e-commerce marketplace.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 8: Marketing.

Carotenoids are pigments that have significant value as colorants and antioxidants in pharmaceutical, food, textile and cosmetic industries. Owing to its high demand, this study aims to identify ß-carotene producing bacteria from different terrestrial habitats of Jaipur region.

In this paper, standard isolation and purification process was used, followed by colony morphology and biochemical characterization of ß-carotene producing bacteria. ß-carotene concentration was determined quantitatively using spectrophotometric method.

Out of 43 isolates, 21 isolates showed peak range between 400 and 500 nm confirming the presence of carotenoids. Only one bacteria SAN-A has capacity to produce ß-carotene confirmed by the thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a yield of 1.68 mg/l. The 2, 2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) assay showed an IC50 value of 4.0 mg/ml.

The present study revealed the presence of ß-carotene producing bacteria in the soil of different terrestrial habitat of Jaipur region which can be exploited as an economical source for ß-carotene production.

The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the combined effects of canopy (leaf area index [LAI]) and root properties (root distribution function [Rdf] and root area index [RAI]) on a suction induced in soil-root composite under three different scenarios.

Richards equation coupled with sink term was solved using a commercial finite element package “HYDRUS” to investigate suction induced in soil-root composite.

Scenario 1 unveiled that soil-root composite induces 1 to 20 per cent higher suction than bare soil under the absence of transpiration. From Scenario 2, value of suction at depth of maximum RAI in case of linearly decreasing Rdf was found to be higher than that of other Rdfs. However, depth of suction influence zone (SIZ) for uniform Rdf and non-linear Rdf was found to be 10 and 11 per cent higher than that of linearly decreasing Rdf. Depth of evaporation dominant zone (EDZ) for uniformly decreasing Rdf and non-linear Rdf was found to be 1.08 to 3 times higher than that of linearly decreasing Rdf. From Scenario 3, influence of LAI on depth of SIZ is minimal. Depth of EDZ was found to decrease with the increase in LAI. Based on simple calculation on infinite slope stability, influence of variation in root and shoot properties was found to be significant on its factor of safety.

Numerical constitutive model has limitations that it does not consider aging of plant. This model is only applicable for a particular set of soil conditions. A long-term study is required in this field to further quantify parameters for improving calibration and modeling performance.

Following are the practical implication: consideration of vegetation properties into engineered design of green infrastructure (slopes in this case) and selection of vegetation with appropriate characteristics in design for enhancement of stability of green infrastructure.

Contents of this paper are original, and they have not been submitted to any other journal.

This paper investigates the causality among gold prices, crude oil prices, bitcoin and stock prices by using daily data from January 2014 to December 2021. The study also examines the data during the COVID-19 outbreak from January 2020 to December 2021.

To estimate the long- and short-run causality, this study considers the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) cointegration test.

The analysis found the existence of an asymmetric long-run cointegration among selected assets. Findings indicate that positive changes in bitcoin do not affect stock market in the long term. Changes in crude oil prices have a significant impact on stock prices. Moreover, it is observed that variations in the stock prices trigger a negative impact on gold prices. During the COVID-19 period, the study notices the presence of an asymmetric long-term cointegration between selected assets except bitcoin. Besides, findings revealed that negative price adjustments in gold lead to significant positive shocks in stock market.

These results provide critical information for policy performers and researchers to develop new strategies. Policy regulators can also consider the potential effects of the COVID-19 outbreak while developing strategies for investment decisions.