bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La influencia del estrés y el optimismo sobre la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama
Authors: Jaime-Bernal Leticia , Juárez-García Dehisy M. , Téllez Arnoldo
Published: October 2018

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia del estrés y el optimismo sobre la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama. Método: Diseño trasversal correlacional. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh, la Escala de Estrés Percibido y la Escala de Orientación de Vida. Participaron 60 pacientes con cáncer de mama en estadios tempranos, sin metástasis, con una media de edad de 51,4 (±9,3) años. Resultados: Las pacientes obtuvieron una media de 7,5 (±4,4) del Índice de calidad de sueño global, en donde a mayor puntaje indica una mala calidad de sueño, una media de 24,5 (±9,5) para estrés y una media 37,6 (±5,5) para optimismo. Se obtuvo una correlación positiva y significativa entre el estrés y calidad de sueño global (r =0,349, p=0.006), y una correlación negativa y significativaentre optimismo y calidad de sueño (r =-0,524, p=0,001). El optimismo predice la calidad de sueño global en un 25,8%. Conclusión: En mujeres con cáncer de mama en estadios tempranos, la relación entre variables indica que a mayor estrés menor calidad de sueño, menor duración del dormir y más alteraciones de sueño. En cuanto a la variable de optimismo, indica que, a mayor optimismo, mayor calidad subjetiva de sueño, mayor duración, menor latencia de sueño y menos alteraciones del dormir. Por lo tanto, se concluye que, en mujeres con cáncer de mama, el estrés reduce la calidad de sueño mientras que el optimismo la beneficia directamente.
Caregiving Burden of the Dyad in Cancer Situations
Authors: Valbuena Castiblanco Cindy , Chaparro Díaz Lorena
Published: October 2018

Objective: To analyze the relationship of the care burden of the dyad in cancer situations in Bogotá. Methodology: Quantitative and correlation with standard dyadic design of reciprocal type. The sample consisted of 80 dyads (Caregiver-Cancer Patient). A characterization card of the dyad, caretaker - person with chronic illness, the Zarit burden Interview and the Instrument of burden of chronic illness for the patient were used. An analysis was made based on descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency, to know the profile of the participating dyads; Spearman correlation tests and canonical correlation were used; And non-parametric tests to evaluate the behavior of the variables of the selected measurement instruments. Results: It is corroborated that the female gender is predominant in the dyads and in productive age. The dyads of the study were characterized by taking little time of care. Family caregivers had a low overload and people with cancer expressed feelings ofemotional, physical and occupational aspects. We identified a weak relationship between caregiver andperson with cancer loads from Spearman correlation tests and canonical coefficient. Indicators of theburden on the quality of life mediated by the wells measured in the dyad through the Kruskall Wallistest, related to cultural and economic factors, were determined; and physical and psycho-emotionalwell-being. Conclusions: The dyads are in an individualized coping mediated by a short time link,present in the early stages of chronic disease; However, there are some characteristics that merit furtherresearch to deepen the phenomenon.
Aquablation among novice users in Canada: A WATER II subpopulation analysis
Authors: Zorn Kevin C. , Goldenberg S. Larry , Paterson Ryan , So Alan , Elterman Dean , Bhojani Naeem
Published: October 2018

Introduction: Surgical management options for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) associated with prostates of small to moderate volume (<80 cc) are numerous; however, for men with enlarged prostates (>80 cc), many of these options are neither safe nor effective. Recently, Aquablation (PROCEPT BioRobotics, Inc., U.S.), a precise ultrasound-guided, robotically executed prostatic ablative procedure, has become available with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Herein, we present three-month safety and efficacy data from the cohort of Canadian men included in the WATER II trial.

Methods: WATER II is a prospective clinical trial of the Aquablation system for the treatment of BPH in men with prostate volumes between 80 and 150 cc. Only patients from Canada were included for this analysis. At baseline, subjects completed International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), as well as several validated questionnaires, uroflowmetry and post-void residual volume measurements, and underwent standard laboratory blood assessment. These were repeated at one and three months post-Aquablation.

Results: A total of 19 subjects who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at three Canadian academic sites. Mean pre-, one-month, and three-month post-treatment IPSS scores were 21.2±5.5, 9.9±6.9 (p<0.0001), and 5.0±4.5 (p<0.0001), respectively. Mean pre-, one-month, and three- month post-treatment maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax) were 6.6±3.1 ml/s, 19.5±6.1 ml/s (p<0.0001), and 23.1±9.2 ml/s (p<0.0001), respectively. The Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or higher event rate at three months was 31.6% (six events).

Conclusions: In this short-term, three-month analysis of Canadian men, Aquablation appears to provide a strong surgical alternative in patients with LUTS/BPH due to larger prostate volumes, with impressive functional outcomes, relatively short operative time and length of hospital stay, and acceptable complication and low transfusion rates.
Opportunities for augmentation cystoplasty revision without additional bowel harvest: “Hourglass” deformity or non-detubularized augment
Authors: Pariser Joseph J. , Elliott Sean P.
Published: October 2018

Introduction: We describe our experience performing bladder augmentation revision without additional bowel harvest for certain suboptimal cystoplasty configurations.
Methods: We identified patients with prior bladder augmentation who underwent augmentation revision without additional bowel harvest at our institution. These patients were identified to have either “hourglass” deformity or non-detubularized augment previously. Revision was performed using an open technique by detaching the prior augment and performing detubularization and/ or completion cystotomy as needed. Baseline characteri0stics, perioperative courses, and followup information were reviewed. Preand postoperative cystography and urodynamics were assessed.
Results: Seven patients underwent bladder augmentation revision without the use of additional bowel. Three patients were found to have a non-detubularized augment, while the other four had a narrow connection from the native bladder to augment. Cystography demonstrated correction of “hourglass” deformity for the four patients, and urodynamics revealed resolution of phasic contractions after detubularization. Six of seven patients reported significant improvements in symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, and incontinence. One patient ultimately required Indiana pouch urinary diversion. All patients are performing intermittent catheterization at last followup.
Conclusions: Patients with a prior bladder augmentation with inadequate urine storage should have testing to identify the possibility of a non-detubularized augment or “hourglass” deformity. These patients can be safely offered a revision without the need for additional bowel harvest.
Factors Influencing Professional Judgment of Auditors in Malaysia
Authors: Halim Hazianti Abdul , Jaafar Hartini , Janudin Sharul Effendy
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing professional judgment of Malaysian auditors. A questionnaire was used to measure the level of professional judgment and factors influencing the judgment such as gender, knowledge, position level, experience and also firm size. The multiple regression results showed that the position level and experience to be statistically significant in determining the level of professional judgment of auditors. Gender, knowledge and firm size have no significant relationship with professional judgment. As for gender, past research has shown mixed results and this study proves that there is no gender differences among Malaysian auditors in terms of their professional judgment. Even though past research has shown that knowledge has a positive relationship with professional judgment, this study finds no significant relationship between the two variables. With regard to firm size, this study finds similar results of prior study that there is no significant relationship between firm size and judgment. In terms of the practical implications, this study provides insights into significant factors that influence professional judgment of Malaysian auditors. Besides, the management of audit firms can place emphasis on establishing training to their employees especially for the junior staff. Exposing junior auditors at the early stage might improve their professional judgment when facing with complexities of assignments.
Key Factors of Cognitive Performance in Moroccan Preschool: Evidence from Random Slope Model
Authors: IBOURK Aomar , TAHA Salah Eddine
Published: October 2018

Compared to social factors, some studies have concluded that the quality of school environment is not important for learning. However, other studies have pointed out the divergence from this finding, highlighting the importance of environmental and educators quality regarding cognitive acquisition. Therefore, this article is in the same vein, and this, by seeking in a Moroccan context to identify the factors likely to influence cognitive learning in early childhood. The major features of our research reveal that in the Moroccan context mothers' level of education, environment’s quality, the training of educators and class size are among the key factors of preschool learning. Multilevel modeling is applied to data from an ad hoc survey of 780 children in 45 pre-schools.
Application of computed tomography for an analysis of composite with fine dispersive reinforcement made of the Fe65Co10Ni3W2B20 alloy
Authors: Szlązak K. , Siejka A. , Szota M. , Nabiałek M. , Łukaszewicz A. , Klimas J. , Pietrusiewicz P. , Błoch K.
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The paper presents the results of microstructure and mechanical properties ofcomposites resulting from a combination of powders of metallic glasses with an epoxy resin(Epidian 100). The study was performed using computed tomography.Design/methodology/approach: The filler used was made of a Fe65Co10Ni3W2B20amorphous alloy based on, showing in the state after the formation the soft magneticproperties. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the fraction of the compositepowders on the microstructure parameters (mean pore diameter and pore volume fraction)and the properties of the obtained composites.Findings: Based on the survey it was found out that size fraction used does not affectthe value of the modulus of elasticity linear composites studied. It was also shown that thecomposites analysed in an attempt to compress the cross cracked grain boundaries. Theinfluence fraction powders and change the share of the pore size depending on the fractionof the filler.Research limitations/implications: No studies of the magnetic properties determinethe usefulness of these materials in the electronics industry.Practical implications: Practical implications are to size the test specimens in the limitedrange of tests. In the future, it is planned to produce samples with a larger diameter.Originality/value: The paper presents a new group of composites-based metallic glassesconditions characterised by good properties produced a simple and inexpensive method.
Screw-retained full arch restorations –
methodology of computer aided design
and manufacturing
Authors: Malara P. , Dobrzański L.B.
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to present the designing and manufacturing process ofthe screw-retained superstructure of the dental arch in the maxilla based on six implants usingCAD/CAM technology.Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is presented on the example of theimplantoprosthetic treatment in a 55-year-old female patient with a significant deficit of the alveolarbone. 6 implants were placed to achieve a good anchorage for the ceramic suprastructure. Theprosthetic reconstruction was milled out of a zirconium dioxide block and covered with veneeringceramics to obtain good aesthetics of the restoration. Special copings were designed andmanufactured to achieve stabile connection between the implants and the suprastructure.Findings: To properly plan the prosthetic work rebuilding the alveolar ridge on dental implantsit is necessary to plan the final prosthetic work before implant placement planning the numberof implants and their location in the bones and the possibility of using a fixed or a mobilesuprastructure.Practical implications: Design of the suprastructure has to take into account the followingfactors: 1. The number of implants, copings and openings for the abutment screws, 2.Arrangement of teeth in the prosthesis, 3. The shape of the alveolar ridge, 4. The shape of thespace for the porcelain and for the individual crowns, which will be pasted on the suprastructure.Originality/value: For technological reasons it is not possible to make an extensivesuprastructure in a single piece. It is necessary to execute the foundation of the reconstructionof the alveolar ridge and the teeth in one piece and separately the individual crowns. Itis possible, however, to design and manufacture the complex screw-retained prostheticsuprastructures by means of CAD/CAM technology.
(Nie)udany projekt. Vidkun Quisling i paradoks norweskiego faszyzmu lat 30. i 40.
Authors: Sobczak Paweł M.
Published: October 2018

The article discusses the history of the Nasjonal Samling party (founded in 1933) and
its leader Vidkun Quisling – a military, politician and prime minister of the collaborative
government of occupied Norway in 1942–1945. Currently, Norwegian fascism of the 1930s
and 1940s does not serve as a popular exemplification of fascist ideology, although unlike
many other European movements of this type, it managed to gain power in its own country.
However, this happened only after Quisling entered into an alliance with Germany and the
Third Reich attacked Norway. The history of Quisling and his party seems to prove the
bankruptcy of his ideas, which never gained popularity in Norwegian society.
The Hygge Phenomenon. Between a Lifestyle and Nationalism
Authors: Pesel Włodzimierz Karol
Published: October 2018

The article comments on the amazing enthusiasm generated by the now popularised concept of “hygge” from Denmark. The so-called Danish secrets to happiness have been brought into vogue in Poland as well as other countries worldwide. The author tries to show that the reach of this concept is much broader than – the area of trendy lifestyles or competition from Nordic neighbourhood, for instance Swedish idea “lagom”. Namely, patriotism and its cultural practises in the everyday life lie at the root of all Danish inclination for comfort and cosiness.
Oswajanie przestrzeni Islandii w piśmiennictwie polskim. Rekonesans
Authors: Rott Dariusz
Published: October 2018

The author of the article discusses in a chronological order the literature on Iceland
written in Polish starting from the seventeenth-century account of the journey to the island
by Daniel Vetter. Most attention is devoted to the accounts created in the second half of
the twentieth (reports by Lucjan Wolanowski and Polish sailors) and at the beginning of the
twenty-first century. Recent publications are largely based on blog experiences. In quantitative
as well as qualitative terms, we observe the perspective of changing the geographical and
cultural imagination of Polish literature at the beginning of the 21st century: within the
North-South axis one can notice the recently emerging diagonal axis linking Poland with
Iceland. It is worth examining this issue in more detail in a while.
Nacjonalistyczna Szwecja
Authors: Arnstberg Karl-Olov
Published: October 2018

Karl-Olov Arnstberg in the text Swedish Patriotism discusses the issue of identity and
national consciousness in Sweden. The starting point for his reflections is the interview he had the opportunity to conduct with a doctor from Sri Lanka. He approached him as if he was
a Swede, they both had a similar worldview, but his approach changed when the subject of
conversation became the history of Sri Lanka. Arnstberg felt as if his interlocutor was so
rooted in the past that the past, not the present created who he is now. The author of the
text notices a parallel linking this situation with how the national consciousness of the
Swedes was described at the beginning of the previous century by Selma Lagerlöf and Verner
von Heidenstam. However, he notices certain regularity that “when the history of Sweden is
written in a scientific and objective way, with a keen pursuit of truth, it is not only the history
of Sweden that loses its social grounding, but it is also much harder to build a national
identity on it”. What affects most the nation are fantastic heroes and fantastic events.
Arnstberg emphasizes that he does not need his country’s history to build his identity. He
refers to Peter Englund, a member of the Swedish Academy, who on the one hand wrote
that ignorance of history may cause a lack of sense and identity, and on the other hand, he
believed that historical events and heroes should not be used as justification for nationalism.
His interpretation of Englund’s words includes two approaches to history. The first – modernist,
which does not look at history in the identity context, and the second – nationalist,
according to which knowledge of history is important for a sense of community with the rest
of the nation. Further, the author of the text analyzes the concept of Swedishness, referring
to the articles of other researchers. The examples he gives more blur the term than allow us to
understand what it really means. He demonstrates, on the basis of nationalism, the paradoxes
of Swedishness and even undermines its existence.
Kolczasta sensualność. Miasto szwedzkich melancholików przełomu XIX i XX wieku
Authors: Wojciechowski Paweł
Published: October 2018

The text shows the picture of nineteenth-century Stockholm saturated with negative
content, revealing a large city as a space of deadness, chimerical vitalism, and unconditional
dissolution as a result of crisis of values. Symptomatic for the nineteenth-century European
social changes made the literary city a reflection of this process by showing the urban
monstrosity of that destructive energy, its unfriendliness and controversy. This case is
similar. The novelistic city shows multidimensional loneliness of man of that time. This
image maps the entity which is not able to save its subjectivity, to find the formula, the
man who from the heights of his own selfishness precipitates his identity into the abyss of
all progression. It also shows the doom of rudimentary value, flattening of anthropocentric
dimension of existence in favour of the eruption of animalistic instincts, impulses and
consumerism. The characters in Hjalmar Söderberg’s novel – Martin, Arvid, Gabriel or
Tomas – circulate in this space, wander, chase, roam the empty area looking for values. The
characters being in chronic pointless movement automatically include themselves in an
insensitive stream of street momentum, as they were passively involved in this whole
theatre of gestures. Stockholm is a symbol of the inertial city, neutral existentially, it is
a braid of illusions, fantasies, afterimages. The city is a zone of axiological deadness,
damages. A sad face of the city chronically becomes a grimace of everything that is wrong,
hardening into the “damage”, closure. It is an unusual character of this prose.
Jak istnieje martwe ciało, czyli Ewy Domańskiej koncepcja Nekrosa
Authors: Zięba Włodzimierz
Published: October 2018

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Comparison of QuEChERS with Traditional Sample Preparation Methods in the Determination of Multiclass Pesticides in Soil
Authors: Ðurović-Pejčev Rada D , Bursić Vojislava P , Zeremski Tijana M
Published: October 2018

Background: The increased use of pesticides leads to permanent pollution of soil, and there is a need for continuous monitoring of these agrochemicals in soil. Objective: Three methods for the simultaneous determination of 12 pesticides belonging to eight chemical groups in soil samples were tested and compared based on analytical parameters. Methods: The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS); traditional solid–liquid extraction (SLE); and Soxhlet extraction were used for soil sample preparation, while detection and quantification of pesticides were performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The tested methods featured good sensitivity, and with the exception for carbofuran (Soxhlet method, LOD = 29 μg/kg), for the rest of the pesticides, the studied LODs were less than 12 μg/kg. Except for simazine and carbofuran, LODs obtained by Soxhlet extraction were lower than values obtained by other two methods, whereas QuEChERS gave lower LODs than the traditional SLE method for all compounds except atrazine and acetochlor. The recoveries obtained applying QuEChERS, traditional SLE, and Soxhlet methods for multiple analyses of soil samples fortified at 10, 75, and 200 μg/kg of each pesticide were in the ranges 54–103, 40–91, and 12–92%, respectively. Except for chlorothalonil, the highest recoveries were obtained by the QuEChERS method. Soxhlet was better than traditional SLE method for chlorothalonil, heptachlor, and aldrin; organophosphorus pesticides (fenitrothion and diazinon) and trifluralin, gave similar recoveries for both methods. All three methods were proven to be repeatable, with RSDs lower than 19%. Conclusions: Although all tested methods showed as satisfactory regarding most analytical parameters, QuEChERS method showed much better results in terms of confidence, indicating that traditional SLE and Soxhlet extraction still need improvements for determination of multiclass pesticides in soil samples.
Telefonia óptica bidirecional
Authors: Ferreira E. H. , Rosolem J. B. , Celaschi S.
Published: October 2018

A system of bidirectional optical telephony is made of two telephonic terminals interconnected by eletro-optical conversion - GaAs lasers and phototransitors, through a simple multimode optical fiber. The simultaneous bidirectional transmission is possible with the utilization of optical coupling. In this paper the components of this system are presented and their functions analysed in detail.
Uma introdução à Teoria Quântica de muitas partículas aplicada a Física do Estado Sólido
Authors: Costa José Antônio Trindade Borges da
Published: October 2018

Some fundamental concepts and mathematical tools of the quant um theory of many particle systems, which are indispensable to the study of solid state physics. are presented. The concepts of collective excitations and quasi-particles are stressed. Concerning the mathematical tools, Quantum Mechanics is presented in its general, representation independent formalism. The many-particle problem is approached in the occupation number representation, or second quantization. Finally, as an application the interaction between electrons and the vibrations of a crystal lattice, described in terms of elementary excitations of collective waves, i.e., phonons, is expressed and discussed within this framework.
Partículas e interações fundamentais
Authors: Battistel Orimar Antônio
Published: October 2018

We present a discussion of some of the ideas and facts that led to the modern conception of the structure of matter in terms of basic constituents and fundamental interactions. We discuss the construction of the quark model in a historical context, stressing that the phenomenological knowledge of particle properties induced the mathematical formalism. The interaction between quarks is discussed in the framework of the color force based on the exchange of gluons. For the sake of completeness we mention briefly the microworld structure that emerged from these new ideas.
Discussion on Strengthening Financial Supervision of Pharmaceutical Industry under the Background of New Medical Reform
Authors: Yang Chunjiang , Tan Xiuli , Yang Yujiang , Chen Anqel
Published: October 2018

Abstract: with the continuous development of the economy and the improvement of the medical technological level, China's pharmaceutical industry is also undergoing sustainable development while the market competition among pharmaceutical companies is being intensified. Leading the operation of pharmaceutical companies and promoting the progress of the pharmaceutical industry, financial regulation is the most important part of many management projects. Hence, strengthening the financial supervision of pharmaceutical companies has become the key to the development of the pharmaceutical industry. However, the financial supervision of domestic pharmaceutical companies under the new medical reform shows many problems, such as poor concept of financial supervision, weak basic supervision, weak budget management and control as well as poor cost control capacity, which make the financial supervision of pharmaceutical enterprises can not proceed smoothly. Therefore, corresponding countermeasures need to be developed. By analyzing the changes of the living environment of domestic pharmaceutical enterprises and the development of financial supervision under the new medical reform, this paper discusses the existing problems in the financial supervision of pharmaceutical enterprises, and puts forward corresponding measures to promote the development of the pharmaceutical industry.
Patenting Bioinformatics Innovations: Emerging Trends and Challenges in the United States
Authors: Chatterjee Tuhin
Published: October 2018

Bioinformatics tools and techniques are useful not only to manage and analyze the vast amount of raw biological data generated from various genomics research but also to understand the phenomena of the biological system at the macromolecular level. The development of bioinformatics has come a long way from DNA sequencing tools of the Human Genome Project (HGP) era to DNA circuits and programmable synthetic biological devices in the twenty-first century. The present article attempts to analyze and reveal the emerging trends in bioinformatics and computational biology research and innovation and challenges in patenting them under the current US patent regime.
Safety management and risk communication of genetically modified organisms
Authors: Li Jinying , Wang Ying
Published: October 2018

With the rapid development of transgenic biotechnology, social economic benefits generated from it becomes more and more; however, the doubt on its safety never fades away. Whether transgenic technology is safe or not is always disputed. Different countries have released and established relevant genetically modified organisms safety management schemes and biotechnology risk communication mechanisms to ensure the long-acting, stable and healthy development of transgenic biotechnology. This study analyzed and compared the genetically modified organisms safety management schemes of United States and European Union and the biotechnology risk communication mechanisms of counties such as United States and Japan and then proposed some suggestions to perfect genetically modified organisms management regulations and risk communication long-acting mechanisms such as establishing sound laws and regulations, strengthening transgenic technology support, establishing information open monitoring platform and perfecting the risk communication function of relevant institutions, with the intention of ensuring the health and continuous development of transgenic organism industry.
Application of transgenic biotechnology based on public participation system in China
Authors: An Mei
Published: October 2018

In recent years, the application of transgenic biotechnology in China has become more and more extensive, but the matched public participation system construction is not optimistic; due to information asymmetry, groups which support and oppose transgenosis appear, which affects the healthy and scientific development of transgenic biotechnology in China. Based on the condition, this study clarified the public participation status in the issue of transgenic biotechnology through integrating related research achievements and empirical research, figured out the improvement direction of public participation system based on social development, and finally proposed several suggestions for the perfection of transgenic biotechnology in three aspects. This work provides a reference for the development of transgenic biotechnology in China and the maintenance of public participation rights.
Turbulence in the Biotechnology Sub-sector of the Western Cape Regional Innovation System
Authors: Uctu Ramazan , Jafta Rachel CC
Published: October 2018

The research was initially designed to complete the study with an investigation of the growth stories of the biotechnology spin-offs from the universities in the study. When it became evident that several of the firms targeted for this in-depth story, were no longer in existence, a more important question became ‘why did they fail?’ In the search for answers to this question, a tale of turbulence in the sector, and particularly in the environment in which they were to innovate and grow, emerged. This research is novel in that it shows with the aid of the case studies, how a complex series of internal (to the firms) and external factors (in the national and regional innovation systems) combined to lead to the failure of the biotechnology spin-offs. The paper yielded important insights on the unintended consequences of institutional changes. Further, funding for seed and start-up capital remains an obstacle to growth in biotechnology in South Africa. These insights may assist policy makers, technology transfer officers and entrepreneurs in designing and implementing strategies to enhance the development of the biotechnology sector and spin-off creation in general.
Do VC Firms of Different Ownership Structures Exert Heterogeneous Impact on the SMEs’ Profitability?
Authors: Yang Xi , Wang Su-Sheng
Published: October 2018

This article is to investigate the heterogeneous effect of Venture Capital?VC, in abbreviated form?on the profitability performance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs, in abbreviated form) in China, from the perspective of VC firms’ different ownership structures. Our regression results show that the Chinese entrepreneurial firms backed by VC firms can present significantly positive superiority over the non VC backed peers in the performance of profitability; the VC firms can exert the positive impact on the profitability performance of the SMEs. After focusing on the VCs’ characteristics in the ownership structures, it is proven that the foreign VC firms can have the strongest positive impact on the ventures’ profitability performance; the Chinese private VC firms can have the positive impact on the SMEs’ profitability, but the impact is weaker than that of foreign VCs and stronger than that of governmental VC in a positive way; the governmental VC firms exert the significantly negative effect on the ventures’ profitability.
The Marketing of Genetically Modified Food With Direct and Indirect Consumer Benefits: An Analysis of Willingness to Pay
Authors: Wilson Grant Alexander , Zhang David Di
Published: October 2018

Genetically modified foods have traditionally been marketed as having direct industry benefits.  Whereas, consumer benefits of genetically modified foods have been largely indirect, through price reduction.  This study explores the marginal effects of differing value propositions on consumers’ acceptance and willingness to pay for genetically modified foods among Canadians.  Consumers’ exposure to genetically food advertisements with industry-oriented benefits lowered both purchase intention and willingness to pay for genetically modified food.  Consumers’ exposure to non-genetically modified food advertisements with direct consumer benefits increased both purchase intention and willingness to pay.  Most noteworthy, consumers’ exposure to genetically modified food advertisements with both direct consumer benefits and industry-oriented benefits increased their willingness to pay.  These findings provide insight into the future of successful genetically modified food marketing.
Effective Leadership through Bioentrepreneurship and Bioinnovation
Authors: Kearney Claudine , Langer Lynn Johnson
Published: October 2018

For biotechnology firms need leaders that can lead scientists beyond the science and turn new discoveries into commercially viable products. Bioentrepreneurial leaders are continuous learners; they are adaptable to change and flexible, they are not afraid to take risks, and they challenge existing assumptions with the objective of generating greater value through novel bioinnovative discoveries. Without bioentrepreneurial leadership, many discoveries will not make it to the marketplace. Biotechnology scientists, by nature, tend to work for the greater good and hope that their discoveries will benefit mankind. Yet it is often the hyper focus on addressing the scientific and technical aspects of a problem that leads to difficulties. Scientists do not generally have the necessary skills or mindsets required to meet commercial or monetary milestones to successfully commercialize products. Therefore, bioentrepreneurial leaders must themselves be willing to continuously learn and adapt to a dynamic industry and at the same time they must inspire and motivate employees at all levels of biotechnology firm to also learn and adapt. Creativity and innovative thinking are required at all stages, and across all disciplines in the organization. Only when this happen will the firm succeed with new innovations through product development and commercialization.
Patenting Therapeutic Methods: Statutes and Strategies
Authors: Soni Seema , Devarapalli Pratap
Published: October 2018

Patenting medical therapeutic methods has become one of the toughest tasks for inventors and scientists in some jurisdictions where these methods are excluded from patentable subject matter. There are recent amendments by different countries in relation to patentability aspects of Therapeutic methods. In this scenario, analysis of these recent amendments would provide a path for researchers in the field to identify whether their inventions are considered as patentable subject matter. Our analysis sheds some light on different statutes and regulations of major jurisdictions on the patentable subject matter and patentability aspects of therapeutic methods. Furthermore, we have identified that most of the jurisdictions restrict inventors in patenting therapeutic methods. However, some countries such as United States and Australia allow patents related to therapeutic methods. We think adapting different strategies that are provided in this article would help researchers, inventors and patent attorneys in patenting the inventions related to therapeutic methods. Moreover, while applying the provided strategies, it is suggested that inventors should draft the patent claims by keeping a note of different statutes and regulations of countries in which they are interested to file the patent applications.
Service Design for Delivery of User Centered Products and Services in Healthcare
Authors: Foley Sarah Marie
Published: October 2018

In the broader context of healthcare, hospitals have begun to adopt Service Design to understand and improve the patient experience.1 The patient experience has increasingly become more important in the USA as hospital reimbursement is tied to patient satisfaction scores.2 Beyond improving patient experiences, Service Design is extendable to helping care providers build relationships with individuals across different functions and silos to improve cooperation and communications internally and externally – while also improving outcomes.This paper, will firstly cover the essentials of Service Design and observe that service is an important element in the evolving Pharma 3.0 business model where patient focus, or centricity is the emphasized (along with importance of the payer in adoption of healthcare solutions). From there is discussion of Service Design in the evolving healthcare ecosystem, recognizing the importance of interactions throughout the system – patients, providers, physicians, extended care networks, etc. The discipline’s value is then illustrated through various applications in several mini case studies.
Moleculera Labs Story: Lessons in a Capital Efficient Start-Up
Authors: Shimasaki Craig
Published: October 2018

This case study focuses on Moleculera Labs, an emerging biotechnology R&D company developing clinical diagnostics and identifying new therapeutic targets. This article covers commercialization and innovation strategy applicable to an emerging biotech company that has utilized patient-centric, capital efficient, and lean principles for development, validation, and go-to-market execution. This case study includes key factors that are essential for successful biotechnology companies. These range from management of technology, market, and team/leadership risks to dealing with financing, regulatory, IP, and reimbursement issues.
Simulated intention-to-treat analysis based on clinical parameters of patients at high risk for sleep apnea derivated to respiratory polygraphy
Authors: Borsini Eduardo Enrique , Blanco Magali , Ernst Glenda , Montenegro Paulina , Salvado Alejandro , Nigro Carlos
Published: October 2018

Purpose Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a public health problem. We designed a pilot study to validate empiric indication of CPAP therapy in a population with moderate-to-high pre-test probabilities who underwent self-administered home-based respiratory polygraphy (RP).

Methods A cross-sectional simulation study was performed. CPAP therapy could be indicated by two independent blind observers. Observer 1´s decision was based on the results of STOP-BANG (SBQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Observer 2 used all objective data provided by RP + SBQ + ESS.

Results We evaluated 1763 patients; 1060 men and 703 women (39.2%) with a mean age of 53.6±13.8 and a body mass index (BMI) of 32.8±7.5 kg/m2. We found evidence of mild (34.1%), moderate (26.6%), and severe (18.3%) There were Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) relationship between > 5 or < 5 SBQ and RP AHI (p<0.05). BMI > 25 kg/m2 + snoring (S) + observed apnea (O) + 1 of the following: ESS > 11, hypertension (HT) or > 5 SBQ components showed sensitivity of 40% (CI95%:37.3-43) and specificity of 95.1% (CI93.4-96.4). The performance of 5 SBQ components with regard to gender and empirical CPAP therapy was; (women vs. men): AUC-ROC 0.625 (CI95%: 0.599-0.651) vs. 0.70 (CI95%:0.68-0.72), p<0.01, respectively.

Conclusions STOP-BANG and ESS made it possible to indicate CPAP reliably (low rate of false-positive results) in 20-40% of patients who needed such therapy according to clinical history and RP results. These clinical criteria performed better in male.
Access to CPAP treatment in patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea in a Latin American City
Authors: Nogueira Juan Facundo , Simonelli Guido , Giovini Vanina , Angellotti María Florencia , Borsini Eduardo , Ernst Glenda , Nigro Carlos
Published: October 2018

Introduction: The most effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) but adherence may be a limiting factor. Most compliance studies often only include patients under CPAP treatment, neglecting the importance of access to treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate CPAP access and compliance in OSA patients, after CPAP indication and titration.

Methods: We included moderate to severe OSA patients, diagnosed by in-lab polysomnography (PSG), with CPAP indication and effective pressure titration. Between 12 to 18 months after treatment was indicated a telephone questionnaire was administered including questions about access to CPAP, reasons of no access, reported adherence and symptoms improvement.

Results: A total of 213 patients responded to the survey (171 males, mean age 53.4±13.5 and BMI 34.02±8.8 kg/m2). Almost a third of the patients (28.2%) did not initiate CPAP treatment. Out of 213, 153 patients (71.8%) started treatment with CPAP and 120 (56.3%) reported still being under treatment a year after indication, additionally, 85.8% reported that they were using it =4hs/night. Those who accessed to CPAP were on average, older age, had full coverage of treatment by their medical insurance, required lower effective pressure and experienced more severe sleepiness compared to those individuals who did not accessed to CPAP.

Discussion: A significant proportion of OSA patients with CPAP indication did not initiate and/or eventually abandoned CPAP. Approximately only 50% of the patients were still under treatment, with acceptable self-reported adherence rate and clinical response, one year after the initial treatment indication. Additional measures are necessary to increase access to CPAP and improve long-term compliance.
The Boundedness Illusion: Asymptotic projections from early evolution underestimate evolutionary potential
Authors: Wiser Michael J , Dolson Emily L , Vostinar Anya , Lenski Richard E , Ofria Charles
Published: October 2018

Open-ended evolution researchers seek to create systems that continually produce new evolutionary outcomes, attempting to reflect the power and diversity of evolution in nature. The specific metrics used (novelty, complexity, diversity, etc) vary by researcher, but the holy grail would be a system where any of these can accumulate indefinitely. Of course, one challenge that we face in reaching this goal is even recognizing if we have succeeded. To determine the evolutionary potential of a system, we must conduct finite experiments; based on their results we can predict how we would expect evolution to progress were it to continue. Here we examine how such predictions might be made and how accurate they might be. We focus on predicting fitness; this metric is often easy to calculate, and correlated with increases in traits like novelty and complexity. For each run in a simple digital evolution experiment, we find the best fit to measured values of fitness, and demonstrate that projecting this fit out usually predicts that fitness will be constrained by an asymptote. Upon extending the experiment, however, we see that fitness often far exceeds this asymptote, belying the boundedness that it implies. Extending past a premature end point allows us to see beyond this "boundedness illusion"
The MODES toolbox: Measurements of Open-ended Dynamics in Evolving Systems
Authors: Dolson Emily L , Vostinar Anya E , Wiser Michael J , Ofria Charles A
Published: October 2018

Building more open-ended evolutionary systems can simultaneously advance our understanding of biology, artificial life, and evolutionary computation. In order to do so, however, we need a way to determine when we are moving closer to this goal. We propose a set of metrics that allow us to measure a system's ability to produce commonly-agreed-upon hallmarks of open-ended evolution: change potential, novelty potential, complexity potential, and ecological potential. Our goal is to make these metrics easy to incorporate into a system, and comparable across systems so that we can make coherent progress as a field. To this end, we provide detailed algorithms (including C++ implementations) for these metrics that should be easy to incorporate into existing artificial life systems. Furthermore, we expect this toolbox to continue to grow as researchers implement these metrics in new languages and as the community reaches consensus about additional hallmarks of open-ended evolution. For example, we would welcome a measurement of a system's potential to produce major transitions in individuality. To confirm that our metrics accurately measure the hallmarks we are interested in, we test them on two very different experimental systems: NK Landscapes and the Avida Digital Evolution Platform. We find that our observed results are consistent with our prior knowledge about these systems, suggesting that our proposed metrics are effective and should generalize to other systems.
The Aquilegia genome provides insight into adaptive radiation and reveals an extraordinarily polymorphic chromosome with a unique history
Authors: Filiault Danièle L , Ballerini Evangeline S , Mandáková Terezie , Aköz Gökçe , Derieg Nathan J , Schmutz Jeremy , Jenkins Jerry , Grimwood Jane , Shu Shengqiang , Hayes Richard D , Hellsten Uffe , Barry Kerrie , Yan Juying , Mihaltcheva Sirma , Karafiátová Miroslava , Nizhynska Viktoria , Kramer Elena M , Lysak Martin A , Hodges Scott A , Nordborg Magnus
Published: October 2018

The columbine genus Aquilegia is a classic example of an adaptive radiation, involving a wide variety of pollinators and habitats. Here we present the genome assembly of A. coerulea ‘Goldsmith’, complemented by high-coverage sequencing data from 10 wild species covering the world-wide distribution. Our analyses reveal extensive allele sharing among species and demonstrate that introgression and selection played a role in the Aquilegia radiation. We also present the remarkable discovery that the evolutionary history of an entire chromosome differs from that of the rest of the genome – a phenomenon that we do not fully understand, but which highlights the need to consider chromosomes in an evolutionary context.
Integrated culturing, modeling and transcriptomics uncovers complex interactions and emergent behavior in a three-species synthetic gut community
Authors: D'hoe Kevin , Vet Stefan , Faust Karoline , Moens Frédéric , Falony Gwen , Gonze Didier , Lloréns-Rico Verónica , Gelens Lendert , Danckaert Jan , De Vuyst Luc , Raes Jeroen
Published: October 2018

The composition of the human gut microbiome is well resolved, but predictive understanding of its dynamics is still lacking. Here, we followed a bottom-up strategy to explore human gut community dynamics: we established a synthetic community composed of three representative human gut isolates (Roseburia intestinalis L1-82, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii A2-165 and Blautia hydrogenotrophica S5a33) and explored their interactions under well-controlled conditions in vitro. Systematic mono- and pair-wise fermentation experiments confirmed competition for fructose and cross-feeding of formate. We quantified with a mechanistic model how well tri-culture dynamics was predicted from mono-culture data. With the model as reference, we demonstrated that strains grown in co-culture behaved differently than those in mono-culture and confirmed their altered behavior at the transcriptional level. In addition, we showed with replicate tri-cultures and simulations that dominance in tri-culture sensitively depends on the initial conditions. Our work has important implications for gut microbial community modeling as well as for ecological interaction detection from batch cultures.