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A mathematical model using queuing theory for evolving a procedure enabling the businessmen in receiving venture capital funding is presented. The various aspects such as allocation decision, productivity and human resources are duly considered therein.

Formulation of periodical decision making models to help entrepreneurs make prudent business decisions, on developing new products and timing product launches is discussed.

Formulation of a model for timing launch of new ventures, by studying uncertainty of evolution of environmental volatility and market competitition with passage of time, is discussed.

Objectives: Summary evidence of influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against hospitalized influenza is lacking. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies reporting IVE against laboratory-confirmed hospitalized influenza among adults.Methods: We searched Pubmed (January 2009 to November 2016) for studies that used test-negative design (TND) to enrol patients hospitalized with influenza-associated conditions. Two independent authors selected relevant articles. We calculated pooled IVE against any and (sub)type specific influenza among all adults, and stratified by age group (18-64 and 65 years and above) using random-effects models.Results: We identified 3411 publications and 30 met our inclusion criteria. Between 2010-11 and 2014-15, the pooled seasonal IVE was 41% (95%CI:34;48) for any influenza (51% (95%CI:44;58) among people aged 18-64y and 37% (95%CI:30;44) among ≥65 years). IVE was 48% (95%CI:37;59),37% (95%CI:24;50) and 38% (95%CI:23;53) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B, respectively. Among persons aged ≥65 year, IVE against A(H3N2) was 43% (95%CI:33;53) in seasons when circulating and vaccine strains were antigenically similar and 14% (95%CI:-3;30) when A(H3N2) variant viruses predominated.Conclusions: Influenza vaccines provided moderate protection against influenza-associated hospitalizations among adults. They seemed to provide low protection among elderly in seasons where vaccine and circulating A(H3N2) strains were antigenically variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, annual influenza vaccination is recommended to elderly. From 2011 to 2014 and in 2015–16, we conducted a multicentre test negative case control study in hospitals of 11 European countries to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory confirmed hospitalised influenza among people aged ≥65 years. We pooled four seasons data to measure IVE by past exposures to influenza vaccination. We swabbed patients admitted for clinical conditions related to influenza with onset of severe acute respiratory infection ≤7 days before admission. Cases were patients RT-PCR positive for influenza virus and controls those negative for any influenza virus. We documented seasonal vaccination status for the current season and the two previous seasons. We recruited 5295 patients over the four seasons, including 465A(H1N1)pdm09, 642A(H3N2), 278 B case-patients and 3910 controls. Among patients unvaccinated in both previous two seasons, current seasonal IVE (pooled across seasons) was 30% (95%CI: −35 to 64), 8% (95%CI: −94 to 56) and 33% (95%CI: −43 to 68) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B respectively. Among patients vaccinated in both previous seasons, current seasonal IVE (pooled across seasons) was −1% (95%CI: −80 to 43), 37% (95%CI: 7–57) and 43% (95%CI: 1–68) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B respectively. Our results suggest that, regardless of patients’ recent vaccination history, current seasonal vaccine conferred some protection to vaccinated patients against hospitalisation with influenza A(H3N2) and B. Vaccination of patients already vaccinated in both the past two seasons did not seem to be effective against A(H1N1)pdm09. To better understand the effect of repeated vaccination, engaging in large cohort studies documenting exposures to vaccine and natural infection is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succession is often a critical event in the lifecycle of any organization. Consequently, an extensive body of literature explores family firm succession, and includes studies on integrated succession frameworks. Notwithstanding the large, illuminating body of literature, we believe that family firm succession is worth a fresh reexamination and consolidation to translate the findings into a powerful planning and communication tool, especially as all firms are facing a 'new normal' and their leaders are seeking novel perspectives and approaches amidst the COVID-19 disruption. We thus offer a systemic and systematic framework for family firm succession planning, incorporating ideas from the technology intelligence literature. Since relationship building can ease the succession process and relationships are built through communication, we also present a succession roadmap as a communication tool that can assist in making this process part of the regular business routines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nutritional status including vitamin A could explain some of the developmental deformities observed in cultivated teleosts, including Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). In the present study we aimed to investigate the transcriptional effect of retinoic acid (RA) on bone related genes using Atlantic cod craniofacial explants tissue cultures. Two different osteoblast specific osteocalcin/bone gla protein isoforms were discovered in cod. Transcription of both isoforms was up-regulated following RA treatment of 65dph cod lower jaw explants. In contrast, transcripts coding for genes related to bone resorption and osteoclast activity, matrix metalloproteinase 9 and cathepsin K were down-regulated following RA treatment. This could be linked to the decreased transcriptional ratio between receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand rankl and osteoprotegerin observed in the same tissue samples. RA treatment of juvenile explants had no effect on runt-related transcription factor 2 and osterix mRNA levels. However, osterix was significantly down-regulated in 25dph cod head explants following RA treatment. In situ hybridizations revealed differential spatial distribution of the two isoforms and the predominant expression of cathepsin K in bone surrounding tissues. The present study indicates that RA causes a shift in the balance between osteoclast activity and osteoblast activity in favor of the latter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To analyse the HDL associated anti-oxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1, during postprandial hyperlipaemia. Methods and results: Type 2 diabetic patients (n =72), glucose intolerant patients (n =10) and controls (n =38) consumed a high fat:high carbohydrate meal. Blood samples were collected up to 4h and analysed for lipids and paraoxonase-1. In vitro studies examined HDL function with respect to the enzyme. There were significant postprandial increases in serum triglycerides. Paraoxonase-1 activity decreased significantly throughout the postprandial phase. Concentrations of the enzyme initially decreased significantly, but returned to fasting concentrations at 4h. Specific activities were significantly lower at 4h, compared to fasting. The decrease in specific activity was linked to the dynamic phase of postprandial lipoprotein metabolism. Apo AI limited loss of paraoxonase-1. HDL isolated after being subjected to postprandial conditions in vitro had reduced capacity to associate with and stabilise PON1. Conclusions: Postprandial hyperlipaemia was associated with changes to serum paraoxonase-1, consistent with a reduced anti-oxidant potential of HDL. No differences were observed between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, suggesting that the effect was linked to postprandial hyperlipaemia. Modifications to paraoxonase-1 could contribute to increased risk of vascular disease associated with postprandial lipaemia, particularly in diabetic patients, who are already deficient in serum paraoxonase-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fatty acids, vitamin A and thyroid hormone have all been shown to affect development of flatfish larvae and they are ligands to nuclear receptors that participate in the control of development. Our hypothesis was that one of these factors or an interaction between them may be the cause of abnormal development of flatfish larvae. Atlantic halibut larvae were fed either DHA-selco-enriched Artemia or copepods from first feeding. In fish that had been fed Artemia, only 7% had normal pigmentation and 10% normal eye migration. The numbers for fish fed copepods were 68% and 88%, respectively. Malpigmented fish fed Artemia were depigmented, while those fed copepods had ambicoloration. The differences in development were probably nutrient dependent, since all other conditions were similar for the two groups. Larvae fed copepods had markedly higher body levels of docosahexanoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3) and lower levels of arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4 n−6) than larvae fed Artemia. The DHA/EPA ratio was similar in the two groups, but the EPA/ARA ratio was more than four times higher in larvae fed copepods than in larvae fed Artemia. Larvae fed copepods had higher body levels of total retinol than larvae fed Artemia, but the difference was due to higher levels of the storage forms, retinyl esters, whereas the levels of free retinol and retinal were similar in the two groups. The level of iodine was 700 times higher in copepods than in Artemia and 3–4 times higher in larvae fed copepods than in larvae fed Artemia. There was a significantly higher level of T4 in larvae fed copepods during the “window of opportunity”, 15–30 days after first feeding. In an experiment where Atlantic halibut larvae were fed Artemia enriched in iodine up to the levels found in copepods, there was a significant effect on the body level of iodine and a non-significant tendency of higher levels of thyroid hormone, but no effect on pigmentation or eye migration. It is concluded that Artemia probably offers a sufficient access to vitamin A precursors to meet the larval requirement. More research should be done to elucidate possible effects of iodine on development of Atlantic halibut larvae. Fatty acid composition is still the most likely candidate for causing abnormal development in Atlantic halibut larvae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Different concentrations of retinoids have been reported in Artemia. The levels vary from 0–362 μg g−1 Artemia (dry wt.). The aim of this study was to investigate the actual retinoid concentration in Artemia and compare it with levels in copepods. Samples of both DC-DHA Selco (INVE, Ghent, Belgium) from the bottle and after 12 h in the enrichment tank in addition to enriched and unenriched Artemia and copepods from a pond system were collected and analysed for vitamin A components. The analyses were conducted using two different HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) methods to ensure the justness of the results. The DC-DHA Selco contained 132.7 μg vitamin A g−1. After 12 h in the enrichment tank we could not detect any vitamin A. None of the following retinoids were observed in Artemia or copepods with any of the methods: all-trans-retinol (at-ROH), 9-cis-ROH or at-3,4-didehydro-ROH (at-3,4-dd-ROH). Method 2 detects several other retinoids when present, but none of the following were found in the two live prey organisms: cis or trans 3,4-dd-RA, cis or trans 3,4-dd-ROH, cis or trans 3,4-dd-RAL, cis or trans ROH or cis or trans RA. This implies that larvae feeding on either copepods or Artemia must meet their retinoid requirement from other sources than retinoids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) requires a suitable acceptor complex for its secretion from producing cells. The serum lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been shown to accomplish this function, whereas low-density lipoproteins are ineffective. The present study examined the influence of the third serum lipoprotein subclass, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), on PON1 secretion. VLDL were shown to promote secretion of PON1 from a transfected Chinese hamster ovary model and from transfected hepatocytes in a high-affinity, saturable manner. The effects of HDL and VLDL were not additive, suggesting that they may employ a common secretion pathway. VLDL was able to stabilise secreted PON1 enzyme activity, but less effectively than stabilisation by HDL. Following co-incubation of VLDL and HDL, the majority of PON1 accumulated in HDL even if HDL was added after initial association of the enzyme with VLDL. VLDL to HDL transfer of PON1 was rapid and did not require lipolysis of VLDL. Low levels of active PON1 were associated with VLDL in human serum, and VLDL-associated enzyme activity was proportional to serum triglyceride concentrations. Serum triglycerides were positively associated with whole serum PON1 mass but negatively associated with specific activity. PON1-enriched VLDL was more resistant to oxidation in vitro. The present study suggests that the triglyceride transport vector, VLDL, can modulate PON1 metabolism and activity. This is due, in part, to an influence of the lipoprotein on PON1 secretion. PON1 was associated with VLDL in human serum, where triglycerides correlated independently with variations in serum mass and activity of the enzyme. VLDL-associated PON1 exerted an anti-oxidative effect, which may be of physiological benefit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Six diets with different levels of retinyl acetate were fed in triplicate to Atlantic halibut larvae for 13 weeks. The dietary levels used were 0, 0.25, 0.75 (National Research Council (NRC) recommendation), 2.5, 25 and 250 mg retinol equivalents (RE) kg-1 diet (in dry weight). Any sign of deficiency or toxicity was recorded and analysed. No differences in mortality or weight gain were observed among the groups, although the groups fed 0 or 0.25 mg RE kg-1 diet had external haemorrhages and a reduced growth in length. Levels of retinol (ROH), didehydro retinol (dd-ROH), retinyl esters (ROHes) and didehydro retinyl esters (dd-ROHes) were analysed using HPLC equipped with a diode array detector. Between the groups fed 0–0.75 and 2.5–250 mg RE kg-1 diet, there was an overall change in retinoid levels from being indifferent to increasing exponentially. Groups fed 2.5 mg RE kg-1 diet had the highest specific activity in two brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes, indicating that the fish fed this diet had a highly developed or differentiated intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, DNA levels were lower in the groups fed 0.75–25 mg RE kg-1 diet (dry weight), while the other groups of fish showed higher proliferation of cells. This proliferation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The results indicated that the optimum level of retinoids in the diets for Atlantic halibut juveniles was closer to 2.5 mg than the recommended 0.75 mg RE kg-1 diet. Our recommendation is to use 2.5 mg RE kg-1 diet but not more because retinoids are shown to be toxic in excess. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines which consumer products are most commonly associated with pediatric eye injuries that are treated in emergency departments in the United States. The results demonstrate that, overall, boys experienced proportionally more consumer product–related eye injuries than girls, but eye injuries from specific product categories are more likely to be associated with one sex than the other. Age-specific patterns also revealed that certain product categories are more likely to be associated with eye injuries among different age groups. These findings are salient because children experience a disproportionate amount of ocular trauma, possibly resulting in visual disability or blindness and concomitant developmental delays. Given the heretofore lack of detailed information on products that may contribute to the burden of pediatric eye injuries in the United States, the results of the current study provide valuable information for identifying priorities for prevention and intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]