Search

Photobiomodulation is a non-pharmacological tool widely used to reduce inflammation in many tissues. However, little is known about its effects on the inflammatory response in the aged brain. We conducted the study to examine anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation in aging brains. We used aged rats (20 months old) with control (handled, laser off) or transcranial laser (660 nm wavelength, 100 mW power) treatments for 10 consecutive days and evaluated the level of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the expression and activation of intracellular signaling proteins in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Inflammatory analysis showed that aged rats submitted to transcranial laser treatment had increased levels of IL-1alpha and decreased levels of IL-5 in the cerebral cortex. In the hippocampus, the laser treatment increased the levels of IL-1alpha and decreased levels of IL-5, IL-18, and fractalkine. Regarding the intracellular signaling proteins, a reduction in the ERK and p38 expression and an increase in the STAT3 and ERK activation were observed in the cerebral cortex of aged rats from the laser group. In addition, the laser treatment increased the hippocampal expression of p70S6K, STAT3, and p38 of aged rats. Taken together, our data indicate that transcranial photobiomodulation can improve the inflammatory response and the activation of intracellular signaling proteins linked to vascular function and cell survival in the aged brain.

PurposeThis paper underscores how organizational ambidexterity and organizational innovation play differentiated roles in the subsidiary reverse knowledge transfers (RKT). The authors argue that both organizational ambidexterity and organizational innovation play a positive but differentiated role in the RKT process in that the former positively influences subsidiary knowledge creation, whereas the latter positively influences subsidiary knowledge transfers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 289 foreign subsidiaries operating in Brazil. Hypotheses were developed and tested by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results supported the hypotheses and showed that organizational ambidexterity promotes knowledge creation, and that organizational innovation facilitates knowledge transfers.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper offers implications with regard to drivers of subsidiary investments and actions of subsidiary managersvis-à-visthe subsidiary objectives of knowledge creation and/or transfers.Originality/valueShowing the different roles of organizational ambidexterity and organizational innovation, this paper reveals some underlying mechanisms of the RKT process and contributes by explaining the competitive heterogeneity of subsidiaries, with impacts on subsidiary management’s evolutionary and resource dependence perspective.

This study proposes a new approach to the Country-of-Origin Image (COI) literature. Unlike previous research which gathers COI from an outsider (external) perspective, it argues that the COI phenomenon should be understood from insider (internal) perspective, that is how national stakeholders within the home country perceive COI. Measuring the image of a country from the insider perspective can help its national stakeholders recognize COI as a valuable resource that can be translated into a Country-Specific Advantages (CSA). It thus introduces the construct ‘Country Self-image’ (CSI) that covers an insider perspective and identifies it as an antecedent of COI based CSA (COI-CSA). It adapts and validates a scale of CSI to this effect and test the relationship between CSI and COI-CSA by performing a structural equation modeling (SEM) on a dataset collected from two different surveys. The adapted scale of CSI comprises six dimensions and twenty-three items.

Drug repositioning refers to new uses for existing drugs outside the scope of the original medical indications. This approach fastens the process of drug development allowing fnding efective drugs with reduced side efects and lower costs. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages, when the probability of chemotherapy resistance is higher. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, highly metastatic and difcult to treat. For both tumor types, available treatments are generally associated to severe side efects. In our work, we explored the efect of combining metformin and propranolol, two repositioned drugs, in both tumor types. We demonstrate that treatment afects viability, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migratory potential of CRC cells as we described before for TNBC. We show that combined treatment afects diferent steps leading to metastasis in TNBC. Moreover, combined treatment is also efective preventing the development of 5-FU resistant CRC. Our data suggest that combination of metformin and propranolol could be useful as a putative adjuvant treatment for both TNBC and CRC and an alternative for chemo-resistant CRC, providing a low-cost alternative therapy without associated toxicity. Fil: Anselmino, L. E. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER-CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Anselmino, L. E. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Baglioni, M. V. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Baglioni, M. V. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Genética Experimental; Argentina. Fil: Malizia, Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER-CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Malizia, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Cesatti Laluce, N. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER-CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Cesatti Laluce, N. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Borini Etichetti, C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Rico, M. J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Rico, M. J. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Genética Experimental; Argentina. Fil: Menacho Márquez, M. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER-CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Menacho Márquez, M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Menacho Márquez, M. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB); Argentina.

Purpose Accessing and sharing dispersed knowledge in ecosystems is neither easy nor automatic. In ecosystems, focal firms should purposely create the right conditions and act to deal with dispersed knowledge. This study aims to investigate how focal firms manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems characterized by a set of autonomous, heterogeneous, yet interdependent actors involved in experimentation under uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach Following a conceptual framework based on preceding literature, this study conducted a broad qualitative case study of 6 firms and 12 projects, with 43 semi-structured interviews to identify the patterns of actions associated with dispersed knowledge management (KM) in ecosystems. This paper combines coding and multiple case comparisons to examine the processes and strategies used by the firms to strategically manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems. Findings This paper proposes a framework that articulates a new type of orchestration (dispersed knowledge orchestration) and offers a new set of dispersed knowledge strategies (transfer, modularity and circular) for ecosystems. Practical implications Innovation and knowledge managers play the roles of dispersed knowledge orchestrators. The study offers guidance on how focal firms should carefully use a particular set of approaches (e.g. integrative theorization) including a portfolio of dispersed knowledge strategies in ecosystems. Originality/value Current literature on KM and ecosystem management offers a limited understanding of how organizations manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems. The research provides three major original contributions. First, the framework contributes to broadening the current understanding of ecosystem orchestration by identifying the micro-foundations of dispersed knowledge orchestration: integrative theorization, nurturing distributed sensemaking and a new chapter for ecosystem governance (i.e. dispersed knowledge governance). Moreover, the framework proposes a new type of strategy, the dispersed knowledge strategy. Finally, by exploring the interplay between the micro-foundations of dispersed knowledge orchestration and dispersed knowledge strategy, the results contribute to a multi-level approach in the field.

Recent evidences have shown the therapeutic potential of transcranial photobiomodulation on traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. Despite the promising benefits in the brain, little is known about the laser's effects in the absence of pathological conditions. We submitted young (4 months old) and aged (20 months old) rats to transcranial low-level laser and evaluated their exploratory activity and habituation in open field, anxiety in elevated plus maze, spatial memory in Barnes maze, and aversive memory in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task. Additionally, the levels of a panel of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were quantified in two different brain regions: the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Young and aged rats submitted to transcranial laser exhibited better cognitive performance in Barnes maze than did control rats. Transcranial laser therapy decreased cortical levels of GM-CSF, IL-10, MCP-1, LIX, and TNFα in young rats and IL-5 in aged rats. High levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha were found in the cerebral cortex of aged rats submitted to transcranial laser. In the hippocampus, a decrease in IP-10 and fractalkine levels was observed in the aged rats from the laser group when compared to the aged rats from the control group. Our data indicate that transcranial photobiomodulation improves spatial learning and memory and alters the neuroinflammatory profile of young and aged rats' brains.

Purpose: To estimate the contribution of cryopreservation to the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) after law modification in Italy in the era of vitrification and freeze-all. Methods: The Italian National Registry performed a cycle-based data collection. Nine Italian IVF clinics were involved incorporating a total of 10,260 fresh cycles performed between January 2015 and April 2016 resulting in 9273 oocyte retrievals and 3266 subsequent warming cycles from the same oocyte retrievals performed up to December 2016. Mean female age was 37 ± 4.3 years. Primary outcome measure was CLBR per oocyte retrieval. Confounding factors were tested in multivariate regression analysis, and the relative impact of cryopreservation to the CLBR in different patient categories was calculated. Results: CLBR per oocyte retrieval was 32.6%, 26.5%, 18.7%, 13.0%, and 5.5% for women younger than 36, aged 36–39, 40–41, and older than 41 years, respectively. The total relative contribution of oocyte/embryo cryopreservation was 40.6% (95% CI 38.41–42.75). An association between maternal age, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, cryopreservation, and cumulative live birth was shown. When adjusted for confounders, a 2.3-fold increase was observed in the chance of live birth when cryopreservation was performed (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.99–2.56). In high responder patients (> 15 oocytes retrieved) where freeze-all was applied in 67.6% of cycles to avoid the risk of hyper stimulation syndrome, the relative contribution of vitrification to the CLBR was 80.6%. Conclusions: Cryopreservation is essential in IVF and should always be available to patients to optimize success rates. Multicentric, cycle-based data analyses are crucial to provide infertile couples, clinicians, and regulatory bodies with accurate information on IVF effectiveness including fresh and cryopreserved cycles.

Research question Ovarian stimulation during IVF cycles involves close monitoring of oestradiol, progesterone and ultrasound measurements of follicle growth. In contrast to blood draws, sampling saliva is less invasive. Here, a blind validation is presented of a novel saliva-based oestradiol and progesterone assay carried out in samples collected in independent IVF clinics. Design Concurrent serum and saliva samples were collected from 324 patients at six large independent IVF laboratories. Saliva samples were frozen and run blinded. A further 18 patients had samples collected more frequently around the time of HCG trigger. Saliva samples were analysed using an immunoassay developed with Salimetrics LLC. Results In total, 652 pairs of saliva and serum oestradiol were evaluated, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.68 to 0.91. In the European clinics, a further 237 of saliva and serum progesterone samples were evaluated; however, the correlations were generally poorer, ranging from –0.02 to 0.22. In the patients collected more frequently, five out of 18 patients (27.8%) showed an immediate decrease in oestradiol after trigger. When progesterone samples were assessed after trigger, eight out of 18 (44.4%) showed a continued rise. Conclusions Salivary oestradiol hormone testing correlates well to serum-based assessment, whereas progesterone values, around the time of trigger, are not consistent from patient to patient.

PurposeThis study aims to look at the relationship of external embeddedness and institutional distance (governance aspects) with the foreign subsidiary research and development (R&D) capacity. Furthermore, it examines whether these relationships are mediated by subsidiary product and process innovation, and whether institutional distance plays a moderating role in the relationship between subsidiary innovation and R&D capacity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on survey data from 130 foreign subsidiaries operating in Brazil and test their model using variance-based structural equation modeling.FindingsResults suggest that subsidiary (product and process) innovation fully mediates the relationships between: subsidiary external embeddedness and R&D capacity; and institutional distance and subsidiary R&D capacity, such that the relationship is positive in case of the former and negative in case of the latter. The relationship between subsidiary product and process innovation and R&D capacity is positive and stronger at lower levels of institutional distance.Originality/valueThe research ignores the underlying mechanisms of the external embeddedness and institutional distance relationship with subsidiary R&D capacity. Furthermore, institutional distance based on formal governance aspects and their impacts on subsidiary innovation and R&D capacity are rarely investigated. This paper contributes with regard to these aspects.

PurposeCompanies need guidance on how to operate in turbulent environments to improve their innovative performance. However, few studies have been done specifically about how to market and technological turbulence affects the innovative performance in emerging markets. This paper aims to propose model with market turbulence, technological turbulence and firm’s bricolage behavior as antecedents of organizational innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachTwo conceptualizations of the role of environmental turbulence are examined as follows: that market turbulence and technological turbulence are established as direct antecedents to organizational innovativeness performance; and the model has a mediating effect through the bricolage behavior. In this sense, the strengths of the paths differ depending on the presence of bricolage. Data were collected from 215 firms operating in Brazil, analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS)-structural equation modeling (SEM) technique as a quantitative method to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that the mediating effect evidenced by the bricolage behavior was supported. In other words, the path from market and technological turbulence to organizational innovativeness is significantly better when permeated by bricolage behavior in the organization.Research limitations/implicationsIt can be suggested to conduct similar research with larger sample size and applying control variables such as the size of the company, as smaller companies have less access to resources and maybe the engagement in bricolage can be even more substantial for them to keep innovating and to remain competitive in times of turbulence.Practical implicationsSome managerial recommendations and implications are provided. Managers should recognize the possible improvements in the organizational innovativeness development by actively including the bricolage behavior among their companies’ activities.Originality/valueThe theoretical contribution to the academic knowledge lies in corroborating with previous studies, which pointed out that bricolage has an influence on a firm’s innovativeness and some studies, which address perspectives in the organizational learning field.

PURPOSE: To explore the possible influence of sperm quality, as assessed by prewash total sperm count (TSC), on cumulative success rates in assisted reproduction cycles. METHODS: Retrospective study carried out in private IVF centre. Seven hundred sixty-five couples undergoing complete ICSI cycles, i.e. whose all embryos were transferred or disposed of. Couples were characterised by male infertility and female age younger than 36 years. Couples with a combination of female and male infertility factors were excluded. The primary outcome measure was cumulative live birth rate. Secondary outcomes were cumulative pregnancy and miscarriage rates. No specific interventions were made. RESULTS: Higher TSC values have a positive impact on cumulative success rates in cycles characterised by few retrieved oocytes (1 to 5), while does not influence the outcome of cycles with a normal (6 to 10) or high (> 10) number of retrieved oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of sperm quality for the efficacy of assisted reproduction treatments. This influence may remain relatively cryptic in association with normal or high ovarian response, but emerge decisively in cases of reduced ovarian response, suggesting a relationship between ovarian response and oocyte ability to compensate for paternal-derived deficiencies. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10815-020-01807-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose In the past years, many contributions have been published addressing frugal innovation and other types of resource-constrained innovations in the management field. Throughout this paper frugal innovation is reported as a phenomenon, concept, research field and strategy, showing the different ways the literature refers to it and how scattered the concept is. However, based on the understanding, the authors decided to address frugal innovation as a kind of innovation strategy that helps companies to innovate in resource-constrained environments. Therefore, considering the increasing interest in the frugal innovation topic and adding the perspective of business strategy for resource-constrained conditions, the research question addressed in this paper is: what are the main features of the frugal innovation literature that unfold its current perspectives for business strategy? In this sense, the purpose of this study is to analyze the scientific production in frugal innovation through a literature mapping and review to better understand it, delimiting different perspectives and creating boundaries to other business strategies or approaches. Design/methodology/approach The authors performed a co-citation analysis using the Vosviewer software to notice how authors are arranged in clusters based on their understanding of the topic. Furthermore, the authors also performed a systematic literature review (SLR) analyzing the extant literature on frugal innovation based on the clusters found through the co-citation method. The final sample used in the study included 42 papers published between 2011 and 2019, using the Web of Science platform as a data source. Findings By means of SLR, the findings of this study provided a more organized view of frugal innovation through the co-citation analysis and the qualitative analysis of the clusters, which were the basis for the parameters established. After the conceptualization of frugal innovation strategy (FIS) and the delimitation of boundaries of FIS, the authors bring the reflections about the contribution to the literature and the practice (managers and society) by showing three assumptions to be tested and confirmed in future studies and a framework to guide companies in search of a FIS. Originality/value This study contributes to the discussion on frugal innovation moving a step forward to clarify the research field on this subject providing the main characteristics for researchers and practitioners. The paper has delimited the boundaries of FIS. The assumptions established in the discussion can become hypotheses for empirical studies. In addition, the authors explain why, what is, where and to whom the FIS can be developed and applied. Furthermore, the authors contribute by developing the FIS framework, with four strategic positions based on the boundaries of FIS organized by the complexity technological level. The strategic positions are frugal innovation orientation (FIO), FIO to value shared, FIO to market and FIS.

Objective: To appraise the fertilization rate as a predictive factor for cumulative live birth rate (CLBR). Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Setting: Ten in vitro fertilization clinics, whose data were collected and processed by the assisted reproductive technology (ART) Italian National Registry. Patient(s): 7,968 couples undergoing 9,394 complete intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome measure was the CLBR in association with the fertilization rate intervals (80%—group 3). Further data stratification was performed on the basis of maternal age ( 10 oocytes). Result(s): The CLBR was progressively higher in relation to the fertilization rate in groups 1, 2, and 3 (20.1%, 34.7%, and 41.3%, respectively). The number of recovered oocytes, embryo number per cycle, and cumulative pregnancy rate followed the same trend. The decrease in CLBR with increasing maternal age was significantly correlated with the fertilization rate and CLBR in all 3 maternal age groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed fertilization rate as a factor independently associated with CLBR. Conclusion(s): The present data indicated a positive association between the fertilization rate and the CLBR, suggesting the predictive clinical relevance of this parameter and its adoption as a key performance indicator.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global situation. As assisted reproductive technology (ART) specialists, we should be cautious, carefully monitoring the situation while contributing by sharing novel evidence to counsel our patients, both pregnant women and would-be mothers. Time to egg collection and drop-out rates are critical parameters for scheduling treatments once the curve of infections has peaked and plateaued in each country. In order to reduce the values for these two parameters, infertile patients now require even more support from their IVF team: urgent oocyte collection for oncology patients must be guaranteed, and oocyte retrievals for women of advanced maternal age and/or reduced ovarian reserve cannot be postponed indefinitely. This document represents the position of the Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Medicine (SIFES-MR) in outlining ART priorities during and after this emergency.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The introduction of supply chain management (SCM) between the 1980s and 1990s represented a breakthrough in the field of management. SCM provides the analytical and theoretical background to design, plan, and manage production activities involving complex chains of firms. Nowadays, both production activities and incremental and radical innovation are organized through complex networks. Innovations, especially radical ones, have unique characteristics related to production flows, which generate new challenges for researchers and managers. In this study, we argue that similar to SCM, ecosystem management (EM) represents a potential breakthrough in the field. However, no general framework exists to address EM. To address this challenge, we perform a systematic literature review by adopting a hybrid approach that combines bibliometric analysis and content analysis. Our findings offer a historical perspective of how EM and the ecosystem concept have evolved over three generations. Building on and reaching beyond current scholarship, we propose a definition of ecosystem as a type of meta-organization. We also identify the goals, scope, and boundaries of EM. Our contributions invite scholars to explore old and new questions related to innovation and management in a novel way. School of Economics Business Administration and Accounting University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 908 Production Engineering Department Campus Itapeva São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Geraldo Alckmin, 519 Production Engineering Department Campus Itapeva São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Geraldo Alckmin, 519 CNPq: 436877/2018-0

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the management styles adopted by project managers in the software industry in Oman. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 208 project management professionals is drawn from the Omani software industry. Data analysis is based on factor analysis and analysis of variance techniques. Findings The results suggest that project managers in the Omani software industry mainly adopt three management styles: people oriented, task oriented and organization oriented. Furthermore, the management styles of project managers are affected by their experience and age, and the organizational structure. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by examining management styles adopted by managers in a temporary organization environment from an under-researched context, Oman.

Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo verificar a existência de relação positiva entre a mobilidade acadêmica internacional (MAI) e a inovação (depósito de patentes) no país de origem do talento acadêmico. A tese defendida é que existe relação positiva para o país de origem. Se em um primeiro momento os efeitos positivos dessa relação beneficiam os países de destino, em um segundo momento há efeito positivo para os países de origem. Fazendo uso de abordagem metodológica quantitativa, de caráter descritivo, esta pesquisa explorou dados primários cedidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI) e dados secundários extraídos da Plataforma Lattes. Considerando as duas universidades que reuniram o maior número de patentes publicadas em 2014 - Universidade de São Paulo (USP) e Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) - chegou-se ao nome dos 30 inventores mais produtivos em número de patentes depositadas, em cada uma das instituições. Dados relativos à trajetória acadêmica e profissional de 472 pesquisadores foram extraídos da Plataforma Lattes dos 282 inventores da USP e dos 190 da Unicamp. Os resultados confirmam a tese, contribuindo para o campo de estudos sobre a MAI e os efeitos para os países envolvidos. Ademais, este artigo apresenta contribuições para a esfera de políticas públicas vinculadas à ciência e tecnologia do país.

Study question Does fertilization rate (FR) affect cumulative success rates in assisted reproduction cycles? Summary answer These data indicate a positive association between FR with CLBR suggesting the predictive clinical relevance of this parameter and its adoption as Key Performance Indicator(KPI). What is known already Numerous studies have aimed at characterizing outcome predictors. Maternal age is historically and correctly recognized as the single most important factor impacting on the clinical outcome of ART. More recently ovarian response has also gained interest in this respect. However, the quest for novel, more comprehensive predictive factors is not over; new relevant evidence is starting to emerge. FR is a noteworthy parameter because expressing a fundamental aspect of both oocyte and sperm developmental competence. In fact it has been adopted as a key performance indicator of the IVF laboratory, to assess laboratory, operator, and gamete competence. Study design, size, duration Reported data concern a retrospective cohort study carried out between 2015 to 2017 involving 7,968 couples undergoing 9,394 complete ICSI cycles, i.e. whose all embryos were transferred or disposed.All women aged between 18-42 years were included.We excluded from analysis: surgical sperm retrieval cases, cycles resulting in neither fresh or frozen–thawed embryo transfers,cycles in which live birth were not achieved, but with remaining cryopreserved embryos,cycles of PGT, cycle with fertilization failure and standard IVF cycles. Participants/materials, setting, methods The cohort was groupped according to fertilization rate intervals based on recommendations of the Vienna Consensus (80% - Group 3). Harnessing the large size of the original dataset, further cycle stratifications were carried out based on female age (10 oocytes). Main results and the role of chance No significant difference in female age was observed between fertilization rate groups (p = 0.640). CLBR was progressively higher in relation fertilization rate in Groups 1, 2 and 3 (20.1%, 34.7%, 41.3%, P Limitations, reasons for caution The study design is retrospective and requires further refinement to control for factors that may impact clinical outcome. Wider implications of the findings These data indicate a positive association of FR with CLBR, thereby suggesting that fertilization, in addition to representing an assay for gamete quality and laboratory performance,has an independent clinical significance.Irrespective of the number of retrieved oocytes and female age, we observed that, rates of FR are positively associated with CLBR. Trial registration number None

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the race for testing new platforms designed to confer immunity against SARS-CoV-2, has been rampant and unprecedented, leading to conditional emergency authorization of various vaccines. Despite progress on early multidrug therapy for COVID-19 patients, the current mandate is to immunize the world population as quickly as possible. The lack of thorough testing in animals prior to clinical trials, and authorization based on safety data generated during trials that lasted less than 3.5 months, raise questions regarding vaccine safety. The recently identified role of SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein for inducing endothelial damage characteristic of COVID-19, even in absence of infection, is extremely relevant given that most of the authorized vaccines induce endogenous production of Spike. Given the high rate of occurrence of adverse effects that have been reported to date, as well as the potential for vaccine-driven disease enhancement, Th2-immunopathology, autoimmunity, and immune evasion, there is a need for a better understanding of the benefits and risks of mass vaccination, particularly in groups excluded from clinical trials. Despite calls for caution, the risks of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been minimized or ignored by health organizations and government authorities. As for any investigational biomedical program, data safety monitoring boards (DSMB) and event adjudication committees (EAC), should be enacting risk mitigation. If DSMBs and EACs do not do so, we will call for a pause in mass vaccination. If DSMBs and EACs do not exist, then vaccination should be halted immediately, in particular for demographic groups at highest risk of vaccine-associated death or serious adverse effects, during such time as it takes to assemble these boards and commence critical and independent assessments. We urge for pluralistic dialogue in the context of health policies, emphasizing critical questions that require urgent answers, particularly if we wish to avoid a global erosion of public confidence in science and public health.

International audience; Die Nutzung von E-Learning-Diensten nimmt in verschiedenen Kontexten zu, insbesondere in der COVID-19-Pandemie. Diese Studie zielt darauf ab, die Akzeptanz und Absicht von Studenten zu untersuchen, Learning Management Systems (LMSs) für die Hochschulausbildung in Brasilien zu verwenden, wobei das erweiterte Technologieakzeptanzmodell (UTAUT) verwendet wird, das ein Qualitätskonstrukt integriert, das aus dem Servicequalitätsbewertungsmodell (ServQual) adaptiert wurde. Durch Befragung einer großen Stichprobe (n = 1237) von Studierenden in Brasilien mittels Fragebögen untersuchen wir das Verhalten der Nutzer hinsichtlich der Faktoren, die die Technologieakzeptanz und die Intention der Nutzung in einem E-Learning-System beeinflussen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Absicht, ein LMS zu benutzen, von den unterstützenden Bedingungen (sachkundig, praktikabel und einfach zu bedienen), sozialem Einfluss (bemerkenswert, Präferenz für die Verwendung und Relevanz), Gewohnheit (routiniert, unterhaltsam und unterhaltsam) und Qualität (zuverlässig, greifbar) beeinflusst wird , Reaktionsfähigkeit und Sicherheit), aber nicht für die Leistungserwartung (Agilität, Wissen und Produktivität). Unsere Forschungsergebnisse legen nahe, das Modell in verschiedenen Universitäten und Ländern zu replizieren, um potenzielle Unterschiede zu verstehen; The use of e-learning services is growing in different contexts, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine students’ acceptance of and intention to use Learning Management Systems (LMSs) for university education in Brazil using the extended Technology Acceptance Model (UTAUT) integrating quality construct adapted from Service Quality Evaluation Model (ServQual). Examining a large sample (n = 1237) of students in Brazil through questionnaires, we investigate the behaviour of the users concerning the factors that influence the technology acceptance and the intention of the use in an e-learning system. Results show that intention to use an LMS is affected by the facilitating conditions (skilful, workable and easy to use), social influence (remarkable, preference for use and relevance), habit (routine, enjoyable and entertaining) and quality (reliable, tangibility, responsiveness and assurance), but not for effort expectancy (agility, knowledge and productivity). Our research findings suggest fostering replicate the model in different universities and countries understanding potential differences; El uso de servicios de e-learning está creciendo en diferentes contextos, especialmente en la pandemia de COVID-19. Este estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la aceptación y la intención de los estudiantes de utilizar los Sistemas de Gestión del Aprendizaje (LMS) para la educación universitaria en Brasil utilizando el Modelo de Aceptación de Tecnología Extendido (UTAUT) integrando el constructo de calidad adaptado del Modelo de Evaluación de la Calidad del Servicio (ServQual). Examinando una muestra grande (n = 1237) de estudiantes en Brasil a través de cuestionarios, investigamos el comportamiento de los usuarios sobre los factores que influyen en la aceptación de la tecnología y la intención de uso en un sistema de e-learning. Los resultados muestran que la intención de usar un LMS se ve afectada por las condiciones facilitadoras (hábil, viable y fácil de usar), influencia social (notable, preferencia por el uso y relevancia), hábito (rutina, agradable y entretenido) y calidad (confiable, tangibilidad , capacidad de respuesta y seguridad), pero no por la expectativa de esfuerzo (agilidad, conocimiento y productividad). Los hallazgos de nuestra investigación sugieren fomentar la replicación del modelo en diferentes universidades y países entendiendo las diferencias potenciales; L'utilisation des services d'apprentissage en ligne se développe dans différents contextes, en particulier dans le cadre de la pandémie de COVID-19. Cette étude vise à examiner l'acceptation et l'intention des étudiants d'utiliser les systèmes de gestion de l'apprentissage (LMS) pour l'enseignement universitaire au Brésil en utilisant le modèle étendu d'acceptation de la technologie (UTAUT) intégrant la construction de qualité adaptée du modèle d'évaluation de la qualité des services (ServQual). En examinant un large échantillon (n = 1237) d'étudiants au Brésil à travers des questionnaires, nous étudions le comportement des utilisateurs concernant les facteurs qui influencent l'acceptation de la technologie et l'intention de l'utilisation dans un système d'apprentissage en ligne. Les résultats montrent que l'intention d'utiliser un LMS est affectée par les conditions de facilitation (habile, pratique et facile à utiliser), l'influence sociale (remarquable, préférence d'utilisation et pertinence), l'habitude (routine, agréable et divertissante) et la qualité (fiable, tangibilité , réactivité et assurance), mais pas pour l'attente d'effort (agilité, connaissance et productivité). Nos résultats de recherche suggèrent de favoriser la reproduction du modèle dans différentes universités et pays en comprenant les différences potentielles; O uso de serviços de e-learning está crescendo em diferentes contextos, especialmente na pandemia COVID-19. Este estudo tem como objetivo examinar a aceitação e a intenção dos alunos de usar Sistemas de Gestão de Aprendizagem (LMSs) para a educação universitária no Brasil usando o Modelo de Aceitação de Tecnologia estendido (UTAUT) integrando o construto de qualidade adaptado do Modelo de Avaliação de Qualidade de Serviço (ServQual). Examinando uma grande amostra (n = 1237) de alunos no Brasil por meio de questionários, investigamos o comportamento dos usuários em relação aos fatores que influenciam a aceitação da tecnologia e a intenção de uso em um sistema de e-learning. Os resultados mostram que a intenção de usar um LMS é afetada pelas condições facilitadoras (habilidoso, viável e fácil de usar), influência social (notável, preferência de uso e relevância), hábito (rotina, agradável e divertido) e qualidade (confiável, tangibilidade , responsividade e garantia), mas não para expectativa de esforço (agilidade, conhecimento e produtividade). Nossos resultados de pesquisa sugerem a promoção da replicação do modelo em diferentes universidades e países, entendendo as diferenças potenciais; 电子学习服务的使用在不同背景下不断增长，尤其是在 COVID-19 大流行期间。本研究旨在使用扩展的技术接受模型 (UTAUT) 整合从服务质量评估模型 (ServQual) 改编的质量结构，来检查学生对巴西大学教育学习管理系统 (LMS) 的接受程度和使用意愿。通过问卷调查了巴西学生的大样本（n = 1237），我们调查了用户在影响电子学习系统中技术接受和使用意图的因素方面的行为。结果表明，使用 LMS 的意愿受便利条件（熟练、可行和易于使用）、社会影响（显着、偏好使用和相关性）、习惯（常规、愉快和有趣）和质量（可靠、有形）的影响、响应性和保证），但不适用于预期工作量（敏捷性、知识和生产力）。我们的研究结果表明，在不同的大学和国家促进复制模型，了解潜在的差异

This paper aims to identify and map capabilities applied to the management of business ecosystems. The methodology used was a systematic literature review in two international databases: Web of Science and Scopus. In total, 789 papers were collected on the subject, 89 of which were relevant about capabilities and ecosystems. From this, a content analysis was carried out, discovering 122 identified capabilities, distributed among three actors of the ecosystem: focal firm, suppliers and complementors. The identified capabilities were grouped into 10 aggregated capabilities, one being dynamic and the other nine operational. The identification and mapping that we undertook in this article seems to us to present a first structuring of the management of capabilities in the ecosystem. The main contribution was the development of an ecosystem capabilities management framework, which has a dynamic capability as a central link and driver of the set of capabilities to support companies and the ecosystem, as well as for the alignment and growth of the ecosystem.

Extratos da Cannabis sativa tem sido utilizados no tratamento de varias doencas, bem como, no alivio de sintomas de doencas. Os principais principios ativos da planta sao o Delta-9-Tetrahidrocanabidiol e o Canabidiol. O glaucoma e um conjunto amplo de doencas de diversas etiologias, mas com alteracoes estruturais e sintomas clinicos semelhantes – aumento da pressao intraocular, aumento da escavacao, atrofia de nervo optico e perdas campimetricas caracteristicas. Os canabinoides, tanto por via oral, aplicacao topica ocular ou aspirados, reduzem a pressao intraocular e tem o potencial de se tornar uma opcao para o tratamento do glaucoma. As propriedades medicinais dos canabinoides derivam de suas interacoes especificas com o sistema endocanabinoide. A maioria dos estudos realizados mostram que os canabinoides em geral, naturais ou sinteticos, e a maconha medicinal em particular, reduzem a pressao intraocular por periodo de curta duracao, o que determina a necessidade de repeticao frequente das doses e, por isso, o consumo de grande quantidade diaria de canabinoides com decorrente aumento da ocorrencia de efeitos colaterais e adversos, alem de dependencia fisica e psiquica. A conclusao dessa revisao e que o assunto necessita de mais estudos sobre variadas particularidades: doses terapeuticas eficazes para as diferentes doencas, dose toxica, frequencia e quantidade de uso e questoes de biodisponibilidade das diversas preparacoes dos extratos. A Sociedade Americana de Glaucoma e a Sociedade Canadense de Oftalmologia nao apoiam o uso da maconha para tratamento do glaucoma.

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the attractiveness of the markets in the inland of Brazil to franchise chains based on the characteristics of institutional environment, referring to the socioeconomic, geographical, and human resources dimensions. Originality/value: Interiorization is a theme that has been hardly explored in franchise chains’ growth strategies. This paper contributes to this debate through the institutional theoretical perspective, contributing to the clarification and ordering of the decision-making factors for the regional expansion of franchises. For regional development, it calls for municipal management to direct actions aimed at socioeconomic development and human resources. Design/methodology/approach: The quantitative method using secondary data - from Brazilian Association of Franchising (Associação Brasileira de Franchising [ABF]), Brazilian Association of Shopping Centers (Associação Brasileira de Shopping Centers [Abrasce]), Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística [IBGE]) and Google Maps - was employed in this study for the analysis of franchise location and for municipalities. The sample comprised 458 municipalities with a populaion of above 50 thousand inhabitants. The statistical techniques used were factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results show that the socioeconomic and human resources factors of the municipalities are essential for the attractiveness of franchises chains to the inland of the country. In turn, the geographical distance of the inland municipality in relation to the state capital did not present adherence to the model as an explanation for the attraction of franchises. RESUMO Objetivo: O artigo tem como objetivo analisar a atratividade dos mercados do interior do Brasil para as redes de franquias, considerando as características do ambiente institucional referente às dimensões socioeconômica, geográfica e de recursos humanos. Originalidade/valor: A interiorização é um tema pouco explorado nas estratégias de crescimento das redes de franquias. Por meio da perspectiva teórica institucional, o artigo contribui para esse debate ao esclarecer e ordenar os fatores de tomada de decisão para a expansão regional das redes de franquias. Da mesma forma, contribui para o desenvolvimento regional ao instigar a gestão municipal para o direcionamento de ações voltadas para desenvolvimento socioeconômico e de recursos humanos. Design/metodologia/abordagem: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, com dados secundários - da Associação Brasileira de Franchising (ABF), Associação Brasileira de Shopping Centers (Abrasce), Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) e do site Google Maps - tanto para a análise da localização das unidades franqueadas como dos municípios. Para a amostra foram selecionados 458 municípios com população acima de 50 mil habitantes. Utilizou-se a técnica estatística de análise fatorial e de análise de regressão múltipla. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que os fatores socioeconômico e de recursos humanos dos municípios são primordiais para a atratividade das redes de franquias no interior do país. Por sua vez, a distância geográfica do município do interior em relação à capital do estado não apresentou aderência ao modelo explicativo para a atração das redes de franquias.

Research question Can artificial intelligence and advanced image analysis extract and harness novel information derived from cytoplasmic movements of the early human embryo to predict development to blastocyst? Design In a proof-of-principle study, 230 human preimplantation embryos were retrospectively assessed using an artificial neural network. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryos underwent time-lapse monitoring for 44 h. For comparison, standard embryo assessment of each embryo by a single embryologist was carried out to predict development to blastocyst stage based on a single picture frame taken at 42 h of development. In the experimental approach, in embryos that developed to blastocyst or destined to arrest, cytoplasm movement velocity was recorded by time-lapse monitoring during the first 44 h of culture and analysed with a Particle Image Velocimetry algorithm to extract quantitative information. Three main artificial intelligence approaches, the k-Nearest Neighbour, the Long-Short Term Memory Neural Network and the hybrid ensemble classifier were used to classify the embryos. Results Blind operator assessment classified each embryo in terms of ability to develop to blastocyst, with 75.4% accuracy, 76.5% sensitivity, 74.3% specificity, 74.3% precision and 75.4% F1 score. Integration of results from artificial intelligence models with the blind operator classification, resulted in 82.6% accuracy, 79.4% sensitivity, 85.7% specificity, 84.4% precision and 81.8% F1 score. Conclusions The present study suggests the possibility of predicting human blastocyst development at early cleavage stages by detection of cytoplasm movement velocity and artificial intelligence analysis. This indicates the importance of the dynamics of the cytoplasm as a novel and valuable source of data to assess embryo viability.

Sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) negatively affects reproduction and is traditionally detected in total sperm population including viable and non-viable spermatozoa. Here, we aimed at exploring the ability of DNA fragmentation to discriminate fertile and subfertile men when detected in viable (viable sDF), non-viable (non-viable sDF), and total spermatozoa (total sDF). We revealed sDF in 91 male partners of infertile couples and 71 fertile men (max 1 year from natural conception) with LiveTUNEL coupled to flow cytometry, able to reveal simultaneously DNA fragmentation and cell viability. We found that the three sDF parameters discriminated fertile and subfertile men with similar accuracy and independently from age and basal semen parameters: AUCs (area under the curves) (95% CI) were: 0.696 (0.615–0.776), p < 0.001 for total sDF; 0.718 (0.640–0.797), p < 0.001 for viable sDF; 0.760 (0.685–0.835), p < 0.001 for non-viable sDF. We also found that total and non-viable but not viable sDF significantly correlated to age and semen quality. In conclusion, the three sDF parameters similarly discriminated fertile and subfertile men. Viable spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation are likely cells able to fertilize the oocyte but failing to properly support subsequent embryo development. Non-viable sDF could be a sign of a subtler damage extended beyond the non-viable cells.

This paper aims to analyse the association of the adoption of proactive CSR practices with internal and external institutional pressures on a group of emerging market MNCs. CSR proactivity is measured by the adoption of green and social certifications through the value chain. CSR is understood by all means as a component of the legitimating strategy of Brazilian subsidiaries to gain competitiveness abroad. Data from primary and secondary sources is analysed by the multiple linear regression technique. Results reveal that CSR proactivity is associated with green and social certifications. Also, companies’ commitment to ethics at their headquarters is reflected by their CSR subsidiaries abroad. Yet, the adoption of green certifications do not make up for the less developed institutional environment found on the home market for companies on their operations abroad.

Purpose of review The purpose of the current review is to provide an update on time-lapse morphokinetic assessment related to embryo ploidy status. Recent findings The main limitation of the available studies regarding correlation between morphokinetic variables and ploidy is that each embryo is considered as an independent unit whereas recent findings show that embryo kinetics may be affected by patient and ovarian stimulation-related factors, so that clustered data analysis is more appropriate. Moreover, some experimental evidences show how embryos with irregular developmental patterns, often used as deselection criteria, can evolve into usable embryos and give pregnancy. Summary Time lapse technology has allowed us to obtain a lot of information about human embryo development through the characterization of events that are otherwise not visible using static morphological observations. Many morphokinetic parameters have been tested in relation to a variety of outcomes including implantation potential, blastocyst development and ploidy status. Regarding to this last point, most efforts aim to unravel this relationship with conflicting results in their predictive ability. Furthermore, embryos originating from anomalous behaviour, although with a reduced developmental potential, may result in euploid and transferrable blastocysts.

The field of innovation studies has grown considerably in the last four decades, which has led to the emergence of new approaches and theoretical aspects that need to be examined and considered. Therefore, this paper aims to understand what are the main theoretical pillars that support the structure of innovation theories and fields, how it evolved over the years and what are the directions that lead to future trends in innovation research. The procedure consists in a mix-methods using the citation and co-citation analysis associated with bibliometric methods, Social Network Analysis, and a systematic review of the literature. The results were validated by Delphi with academic specialists in innovation. Considering publications between 1956 and 2016 divided into four 15-years timespan, the longitudinal analysis results indicate the evolution of the main streams of thoughts that support the current innovation research fields and depict a research orientation for future works that can be developed to generate relevant contributions for the theoretical development of the area. This paper differentiates itself bringing results based on a large database, by the research methods employed, and by the perspective adopted provides solid contributions to the understanding of the past, present, and future of the scientific research in innovation to business administration field.

This study examined the influence of networks on the development of technological capabilities of 90 technology-based companies (TBCs) graduated by Brazilian incubators. The relational-based view theoretically supported the study. The data were processed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A model with three hypotheses was tested. Two hypotheses were validated, proving that technological and financial networks built by those firms with external agents explained 70.6% of their capacity to innovate. The insertion into technology networks of licensing, universities, suppliers, and consulting shows that the TBCs are making use of relationships of high technical content, which is expected according to previous literature. As for the financial networks, it was observed that the insertion into networks of venture capital and economic subvention demonstrates that the innovation ecosystem presents advancements in the well-known challenge of financial support for technology-based startups. A third hypothesis was not validated, which provides another important finding: the planning effort presented a negative relationship on the technological capability, but a positive relationship on the insertion into relationship networks. This means that only direct planning is not able to support technological capabilities. In other words, planning is more effective when indirectly applied to relational resources of technical and financial networks, rather than when directly applied to technological capabilities. The insertion into technical and financial networks, in turn, positively affects the TBC’s innovation capability. Results demonstrate that this change in planning focus, from inside to outside of the company, could improve technological capabilities in R&D, patent, people, and products. Future studies could investigate the entrepreneur’s competencies in managing networks and further understanding of how networks could be constructed through formal and informal cooperation.

The study discusses the country-of-origin-image (COI) as a country-specific-advantage (CSA) for internationalised firms. We developed and validated a scale to measure the importance of the incorporation of the COI as a resource in a firm's international strategy, the COI-CSA. Several psychometric procedures were adopted. We analysed data gathered from two case studies, validation procedures with experts and researchers, and three data sets from executives working in internationalised firms. The results validate the COI-CSA scale as a multidimensional construct reflected in a set of four dimensions: textual and visual elements, senses, cultural resources, and natural resources.

Background Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the usefulness of pituitary block with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists during intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, with conflicting results. Objective The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs was to evaluate the effectiveness of GnRH antagonist administration as an intervention to improve the success of IUI cycles. Search strategy Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Sciencedirect) and clinical registers were searched from their inception until October 2017. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials of infertile women undergoing one or more IUI stimulated cycles with GnRH antagonists compared with a control group. Data collection and analysis The primary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate (OPR/LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). Pooled results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) or mean differences with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Sources of heterogeneity were investigated through sensitivity and subgroups analysis. The body of evidence was rated using GRADE methodology. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plot, Begg's and Egger's tests. Main results Fifteen RCTs were included (3253 IUI cycles, 2345 participants). No differences in OPR/LBR (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.82-1.57, P = 0.44) and CPR (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97-1.69, P = 0.08) were found. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses did not provide statistical changes in pooled results. The body of evidence was rated as low (GRADE 2/4). No publication bias was detected. Conclusion Pituitary block with GnRH antagonists does not improve OPR/LBR and CPR in women undergoing IUI cycles. Tweetable abstract Pituitary block with GnRH antagonists does not improve the success of IUI cycles.

Background. The pancreas as a site of metastasis of other primary tumors is a rare event. Pancreatic metastases may occur years after the start of treatment of a neoplasm of another organ or may be the initial manifestation of an unidentified primary tumor. The most commonly reported primary sites for pancreatic metastases are the kidneys, lungs, breast, bowel, and skin (melanoma). Case Summary. The authors report a case of pancreatic metastasis derived from a primary breast cancer that underwent endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) core biopsy to obtain tissue, which made it possible to perform an immunohistochemical study. Conclusion. We emphasize the importance of outpatient follow-up after the treatment of a neoplasia and the completion of control exams. In addition, we should always be aware of the finding of a secondary lesion in patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer, even if it is located in unusual organs, as in this case, where two metastases of a breast carcinoma to the pancreas were detected.

Frugal innovation (FI) has challenged management to think beyond small cost-based improvements in existing products or services, favoring the redesign and reconfiguration of resources, skills, and expertise. FI often goes hand in hand with models of more socially sustainable innovation. Product innovation approaches in emerging markets try to overcome resource constraints while meeting the demand for lower-priced products. The reliability of each dimension was measured by the composite reliability coefficients and Cronbach’s alpha. In turn, validity tests included the use of convergent and discriminant validity. The nature of the FI process was represented in this research using two constructs: innovation in cost and open innovation. The developed model contributes to the understanding of how FIs manifest themselves, showing a new perspective to measure frugality by combining the dimensions presented in this research. This research also helps to outline how a frugal strategic orientation is formed, avoiding conceptual overlaps.

Alternative protein sources such as cell-based meat are potentially associated with improvements in important issues related to intensive industrial livestock production: animal welfare, environmental impact, food safety and the low efficiency of conventional meat production. However, little is known about the potential implications of the new cultivated meat technology for emerging countries. Thus, drawing on the Global Value Chain literature and on the blossoming literature on cell-based meat, we have first discussed how this new chain may be structured. Then, based on the analysis of a set of companies that operate in the fast-developing cultivated meat industry, core enabling capabilities that are required in order to enter the new meat value chain were identified; they encompass technological, business structuring, market positioning and relationship with stakeholder capabilities. It is likely that all listed capabilities are relevant for any country to access the livestock chain in transition. We propose reflections that may contribute to decisions which, in turn, may define aspects of the cultivated meat chain, for the sake of relieving animal suffering and taking care of our home planet, while providing all humans with quality food that meet their nutritional requirements and consumption desires. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In this research, products with high quality were obtained from natural sources. The sensorial qualities, chemical characterization, and physical properties of gelatin extracted from chicken feet were compared with commercial gelatins. The extraction process was performed using acetic acid on a concentration ranging from 0.318% to 3.682%, processing time between 1.0 h and 8.4 h and extraction temperature between 43.3 &deg, C and 76.8 &deg, C. After the end of each assay, the yield was measured. Results showed that, under the best conditions, the collagen extraction yield was above 8%, and comprised 78.525 g/100 g of protein. Collagen analyzed by ICP-MS was composed of 99.44% of macro-minerals that are of great importance to human health. ATR-FTIR analysis showed that approximately 70.90% of the total protein from chicken feet is collagen, whereas, in commercial gelatin, only 30.31% is collagen. When comparing chicken gelatin with commercial gelatin, most sensory attributes were similar and chicken gelatin gained acceptance by more than 80% of the consumers. Additionally, the collagen films obtained from chicken feet and swine showed water absorption, odors, and texture characteristics similar to commercial material, such as latex and celofane. Consequently, due to its similarity to human skin, it is possible to apply it as a biocurative.

Purpose Is the development of local innovation capabilities enough for foreign subsidiaries in emerging markets to be able to integrate into global R&D projects? The authors argue that it is not. The purpose of this paper is to show the central role of R&D capacities when it comes to inserting foreign subsidiaries in emerging markets into global R&D projects. Design/methodology/approach The study investigated 131 foreign multinational subsidiaries operating in Brazil. For each subsidiary, the authors surveyed two to five directors or C-level executives from innovation, R&D, engineering, product development and projects. the authors used structural equation modeling for analysis. Findings The results indicate that product and process innovations alone do not guarantee the insertion of the emerging market subsidiaries into global innovation projects. Such insertion depends on the subsidiary’s accumulation of R&D capacities. Practical implications The results reinforce the central issue of building product and process innovation capabilities as the first step toward a blueprint for global projects. However, the effort is not limited to these initiatives. Product and process innovation efforts need be reverted in headquarters’ eyes in order for subsidiaries to gain R&D center status. To achieve this, subsidiaries must align their technological innovations with multinational corporations’ innovation strategies. Originality/value In authors’ view, this study contributes to the literature in three main areas: the evolutionary process of innovation capability in subsidiaries, the reverse innovation debate and the discussion of subsidiaries’ initiatives.

Teamwork is one of the most important trend in modern medicine. Airway team were created in many places to respond in a multidisciplinary and coordinated way to challenging clinical problems which were beyond the possibility of an individual management. In this chapter, we illustrate the historical steps leading to the development of an airway team in a pediatric referral hospital, describe the present teamwork activity defining the key points for the creation of a team and discussing different organization models; finally we delineate possible future directions for the airway teams in the globalized world.

COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge overload of healthcare systems worldwide For such reason, in a preventive manner, governments and scientific societies recommended to stop any elective medical or surgical treatment in order to reduce the eventual burden on hospitals Fertility treatments have since then been reserved only to urgent cases as oncologic patients asking for fertility preservation However, the relevance of such policy on natality rate and on ovarian aging has soon induced the main scientific societies to ask for a fast return to action, considering that infertility should be treated as an urgent condition In this regard, phase 2 recommendations have been issued to ensure working requirements to be settled in the safest way possible Therefore, the Special Interest Group on Sterility (GISS) of the Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SIGO) and its federates released their guidelines as Italy has been one of the first Western countries to face the phase 2 restart of treatments

Purpose - This study seeks to explore the value creation opportunities offered by e-HRM practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM practices on organizational outcomes by incorporating HRM service quality as an intermediary value creating factor. Design/methodology/approach –Line managers of commercial banks that adopted operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM were asked to participate in the study. The study used exploratory factor analysis for scale validation. PLS-SEM was used to validate and test the conceptual model. Findings - Drawing on data from a large and new survey, the study found that operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM practices have a significant impact on HR service quality and employee productivity. HRM service quality mediates the relationship between e-HRM practices and organizational outcomes. Implications - The study focuses on the relevance of e-HRM practices for improving organizational effectiveness, leading to competitive advantage for the firm. It is one of the pioneering studies that explore the link between e-HRM practices and organizational outcomes by analyzing the perception of South Asian line managers from the banking sector. Organizations from developing and developed countries can extract benefits by designing and implementing e-HRM systems in a way that supports their workflow. Objetivo – Este estudo procura explorar oportunidades de criação de valor trazidas pelas práticas de e-HRM. O objetivo é examinar o impacto das e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais nos resultados organizacionais, incorporando a qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos como fator de criação de valor intermediário. Metodologia – Gerentes de linha de bancos comerciais que adotaram a e-HRM operacional, relacional e transformacional foram convidados para participar do estudo. Este utilizou a análise fatorial exploratória para validação de escala. Utilizou-se o PLS-SEM para validar e testar o modelo conceitual. Resultados – Com base em dados de uma pesquisa grande e nova, o estudo concluiu que as práticas de e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais têm um impacto significativo na qualidade dos serviços de RH e na produtividade dos funcionários. A qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos medeia a relação entre as práticas de gestão de recursos humanos e os resultados organizacionais. Contribuições – O estudo contribui para a literatura referente à HRM identificando a relação entre as práticas de e-HRM e os resultados organizacionais e analisando a percepção dos gerentes de linha do setor bancário no sul da Ásia. Também contribui para a teoria RBV identificando a e-HRM como um recurso fundamental para melhorar a produtividade dos funcionários e oferece base para o desenvolvimento da teoria da e-HRM. Objetivo – Este estudo procura explorar oportunidades de criação de valor trazidas pelas práticas de e-HRM. O objetivo é examinar o impacto das e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais nos resultados organizacionais, incorporando a qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos como fator de criação de valor intermediário. Metodologia – Gerentes de linha de bancos comerciais que adotaram a e-HRM operacional, relacional e transformacional foram convidados para participar do estudo. Este utilizou a análise fatorial exploratória para validação de escala. Utilizou-se o PLS-SEM para validar e testar o modelo conceitual. Resultados – Com base em dados de uma pesquisa grande e nova, o estudo concluiu que as práticas de e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais têm um impacto significativo na qualidade dos serviços de RH e na produtividade dos funcionários. A qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos medeia a relação entre as práticas de gestão de recursos humanos e os resultados organizacionais. Contribuições – O estudo contribui para a literatura referente à HRM identificando a relação entre as práticas de e-HRM e os resultados organizacionais e analisando a percepção dos gerentes de linha do setor bancário no sul da Ásia. Também contribui para a teoria RBV identificando a e-HRM como um recurso fundamental para melhorar a produtividade dos funcionários e oferece base para o desenvolvimento da teoria da e-HRM.

In recent years, following the improved prognosis of patients with cancer, interest and attention has grown around fertility issues in these patients. International guidelines on fertility preservation in patients with cancer recommend that physicians discuss with all patients of reproductive age (or their parents/guardians, if children) the risk of infertility arising from their cancer or its treatment. Oncofertility counselling is recommended at the earliest opportunity and prior to cancer treatment, to help patients make informed decisions on pursuing fertility preservation. Currently, however, such discussions are not being routinely held. In June 2017, an esteemed group of European oncofertility experts met to discuss current unfulfilled needs in oncofertility for female cancer patients. This expert group has produced here a number of key recommendations in order to guide oncologists, haematologists, and other involved professionals with oncofertility discussions and appropriate referrals for further fertility preservation counselling and follow-up.

Perfumes industry has been exponentially developing due to last decade’s technological development, requiring larger investments and creative capacity from fine chemicals industry. Since creative capacity may be maximized through creation strategies and methodologies such as co-creation and design thinking, the aim of this paper is to analyze the role of design thinking in the process of co-creation among competitors. In order to achieve such aim, a unique case study was conducted in a representative enterprise in the Brazilian perfume industry, which was responsible for a triad co-creation process of a new product, involving two foreign competing companies in the fine chemicals industry. It is possible to assert that the paradigm shift with co-creation and design thinking strategies in such a knowledge and technology intensive industry maximized new products development process.

Objective To determine whether the freeze-all policy ensures a higher efficacy in terms of cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in comparison with a conventional fresh/frozen embryo transfer (ET) approach in patients with normal ovarian response. Design Retrospective, matched, multicenter cohort study. Setting Private IVF centers. Patient(s) This study analyzed 564 completed IVF cycles in which an average of 12–18 oocytes were retrieved. In 435 cycles the conventional strategy was applied, with initial ET followed by frozen embryo replacements, whereas in 129 cycles the freeze-all policy was performed, with elective cryopreservation and deferred use of all viable embryos. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) The primary endpoint was CLBR. The secondary endpoint was cumulative clinical pregnancy rate. Result(s) Overall, statistically comparable CLBRs were achieved in the fresh/frozen and freeze-all groups (45.5% vs. 53.5%). Stratification of data for age and number of retrieved oocytes confirmed the absence of differences between the two groups. In a subanalysis in which the day of ET and cryopreservation were taken into account, a similar outcome was achieved in cleavage-stage groups (45.6% vs. 46.4%), whereas when ET was performed at the blastocyst stage the CLBR was significantly higher in the freeze-all group (45.3% vs. 66.7%). Conclusion(s) Our CLBR analysis indicates that clinical performance of the freeze-all policy is equivalent to that of the conventional strategy when ET is carried out at the cleavage stage. However, it seems to be superior if associated with cryopreservation and transfer at the blastocyst stage.

Existing country image (CI) literature tends to focus on consumer behaviour. In contrast, this paper approaches CI from the point of view of the firm. In doing so, it seeks to identify the means by which international companies associate a brand with a specific country of origin in order to build brand values. In particular, it looks at the use of CI cues in brand strategies. The paper is based on exploratory research comprising a case study of two contrasting companies from the cosmetics industry, Natura, a domestic company, and the French-owned L’Occitane, both of which draw on images of Brazil to build their brands. Specific elements of CI used in branding are identified, and the extent to which the use of these differs depending on the origin of the owning company is explored. The cases suggest that CI can be exploited in different contexts. Through analysis of the elements used by both companies to build strong brands associated with the Brazilian CI—Natura Cosmeticos and L’Occitane au Bresil—six tools are identified that can be combined by firms to deliver brand values, derived from any country, through the use of CI.

This study is a retrospective collection of aggregated data from all the Italian ART centers reporting to the Italian National Register from cycles started between January 2005 and December 2013. Data from both slow freezing (SF) and vitrification (V) were assessed for the period 2007–2013, while during the years 2005–2006 cryopreservation was exclusively performed by SF. In the study period, a total of 2,526,024 oocytes were retrieved (from 378,543 retrievals), of which 1,346,061 (53.3 %) were inseminated in fresh cycles and 214,481 (8.5 %) were cryopreserved. Cryopreserved oocytes were used in 24,173 cycles yielding 19,453 transfer cycles (80.5 % of the thawing/warming cycles) and 3043 clinical pregnancies (15.6 % per transfer). A significant difference in implantation (8.7 vs 12.9 % OR 1.30 CI 1.20–1.40) and pregnancy rates per transfer (12.2 vs 14.9 % OR 1.34 CI 1.23–1.46) was found between SF and V. Complete outcome data was available for 2708 pregnancies (89.8 %), leading to 1882 deliveries and 2152 live births. Neonatal major congenital anomalies were 0.9 % (20/2152). A wide variation in pregnancy rates were found among different centers and lower rates were reported in donor cycles and in centers with more experience.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.-- et al., We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field., We acknowledge funding by the EC under the Graphene Flagship Pilot and the Graphene Flagship (grant agreement no. 604391).