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The increasing dominance of the Asia–Pacific region as a source of international business growth has created a dynamic and complex business environment. For this reason, a sound understanding of regional economies, communities and operational challenges is critical for any international business manager working in a global context. With an emphasis on 'doing business in Asia', Contemporary International Business in the Asia–Pacific Region addresses topics that are driving international business today. Providing content and research that is accessible to local and international students, this text introduces core business concepts and comprehensively covers a range of key areas, including trade and economic development, dimensions of culture, business planning and strategy development, research and marketing, and employee development in cross-cultural contexts. Written by authors with industry experience and academic expertise, Contemporary International Business in the Asia–Pacific Region is an essential resource for students of business and management.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common surgical complications that lead to increased costs. Depending on payer type, however, they do not necessarily translate into deficits for every hospital.
Objective:
We investigated how surgical site infections (SSIs) influence the contribution margin in 2 reimbursement systems based on diagnosis-related groups (DRGs).
Methods:
This preplanned observational health cost analysis was nested within a Swiss multicenter randomized controlled trial on the timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in general surgery between February 2013 and August 2015. A simulation of cost and income in the National Health Service (NHS) England reimbursement system was conducted.
Results:
Of 5,175 patients initially enrolled, 4,556 had complete cost and income data as well as SSI status available for analysis. SSI occurred in 228 of 4,556 of patients (5%). Patients with SSIs were older, more often male, had higher BMIs, compulsory insurance, longer operations, and more frequent ICU admissions. SSIs led to higher hospital cost and income. The median contribution margin was negative in cases of SSI. In SSI cases, median contribution margin was Swiss francs (CHF) −2045 (IQR, −12,800 to 4,848) versus CHF 895 (IQR, −2,190 to 4,158) in non-SSI cases. Higher ASA class and private insurance were associated with higher contribution margins in SSI cases, and ICU admission led to greater deficits. Private insurance had a strong increasing effect on contribution margin at the 10th, 50th (median), and 90th percentiles of its distribution, leading to overall positive contribution margins for SSIs in Switzerland. The NHS England simulation with 3,893 patients revealed similar but less pronounced effects of SSI on contribution margin.
Conclusions:
Depending on payer type, reimbursement systems with DRGs offer only minor financial incentives to the prevention of SSI.
The Ross Ice Shelf (RIS) is host to a broadband, multimode seismic wavefield that is excited in response to atmospheric, oceanic and solid Earth source processes. A 34-station broadband seismographic network installed on the RIS from late 2014 through early 2017 produced continuous vibrational observations of Earth's largest ice shelf at both floating and grounded locations. We characterize temporal and spatial variations in broadband ambient wavefield power, with a focus on period bands associated with primary (10–20 s) and secondary (5–10 s) microseism signals, and an oceanic source process near the ice front (0.4–4.0 s). Horizontal component signals on floating stations overwhelmingly reflect oceanic excitations year-round due to near-complete isolation from solid Earth shear waves. The spectrum at all periods is shown to be strongly modulated by the concentration of sea ice near the ice shelf front. Contiguous and extensive sea ice damps ocean wave coupling sufficiently so that wintertime background levels can approach or surpass those of land-sited stations in Antarctica.
Transvenous pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction in patients with Fontan palliation presents the difficulty of finding suitable pacing tissue and the potential of causing vascular obstruction in a low-flow circuit. We describe a patient who underwent electro-anatomic voltage mapping to guide a transvenous single chamber lead within her Fontan baffle. This highlights the use of advanced mapping technologies for pacemaker implantation in complex cyanotic heart disease.
In late summer, sometime between cal a.d. 340–405, a hoard of tightly packed, stacked copper-alloy vessels was deposited in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire. The corrosion of the vessels allowed for the preservation of delicate plant macrofossils and pollen. Analysis of this material has provided insights into the date, season and context of this act of structured deposition. A second hoard of similar vessels was deposited in the fourth or fifth century only a few miles away at Wilcot. The hoards and their deposition relate to Romano-British lifeways, at a time when the region was on the cusp of a dramatic period of change. The distribution of late Roman coins and belt fittings offers further insights into the social and economic character of Wiltshire at their times of deposition.
Both India and Nepal are prone to a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. Almost 85% of India’s area is vulnerable to one or more hazards, and more than 80% of the total population of Nepal is at risk of natural hazards. In terms of the number of people affected in reported disastrous events, India is in the top 10 and Nepal is in the top 20 globally. Over the last two decades, India and Nepal have taken steps to establish their respective National Disaster Management organizations, which provide essential disaster responses. However, key gaps still remain in trained clinical capacity for managing impacts from various disasters. Our review of the region has shown that large parts of the population suffer injuries, diseases, disabilities, psychosocial, and other health-related problems from disasters.
Aim:
Develop disaster medicine clinical capacity to reduce morbidities and mortalities from disasters.
Methods:
Independent published data and work undertaken by the lead author in various disasters in India and Nepal since 1993 formed the basis of establishing the Faculty of Disaster Medicine for South Asia. The Faculty of Disaster Medicine - India and Nepal (FDMIN) was launched from Pune in March 2015. This initiative is supported by the National Association of Primary Care (UK), Public Health England, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care of Royal College of Surgeons - Edinburgh and CRIMEDIM (Novara) - Italy.
Discussion:
FDMIN has international expert advisors and has outlined 16 modules training curriculum for health care professionals. FDMIN currently has partnerships for teaching disaster medicine program with 3 medical universities and 12 major health care providers. Six pilot training programmes have been conducted in Pune, Delhi, Chennai, and Kochin. Work is underway to submit an application to the Indian regulatory bodies for approval to establish a post-graduate diploma and Master’s for Disaster Medicine.