Business model development concept for SMEs in the era of twin transition

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the EC for funding the H2020 research project EPIC under grant No. 739592 (https://www.centre-epic.eu). This was carried out also as part of the champ14.Ons project and supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) (grant number 891793) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) (https://www.champi40ns.eu). This research is partially funded by the Research Fund KU Leuven and by the Flemish Research Programme Cybersecurity

Evaluación de clones de Pinot noir en la Norpatagonia

En esta publicación se muestra el comportamiento regional de cuatro clones franceses e italianos de Pinot noir que fueron probados en el Norte de la Patagonia durante seis años. Se describe el manejo a campo, la vinificación a escala piloto y los análisis fisicoquímicos y sensoriales de los vinos obtenidos con esta cepa. El estudio fue realizado desde 2014 hasta 2019 en la Estación Experimental Alto Valle del INTA (zona rural de Allen, km 1190, RN 22) en conjunto con técnicos de ese organismo y del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI), con la finalidad de brindar al sector información clave para la toma de decisiones. Si bien la variedad ha sido cultivada históricamente en el norte de la Patagonia, en los últimos años la industria ha aumentado el volumen de vinos de elevada calidad con esta cepa, de la mano de un consumidor que lo elige cada vez más como alternativa. En la región es posible obtener vinos de gran calidad aromática y complejos, con predominio de descriptores que recuerdan a frutillas y frambuesas. En lo que respecta a su comportamiento a campo, su cultivo y su manejo sanitario, presentan una dificultad media. La planta tiene un vigor medio a bajo con porte poco erecto, es sensible al oídio (Uncinula necator Burr.) y a podredumbre de racimos, y da bayas de tamaño medio a pequeño y racimos pequeños y compactos, lo que se traduce en una productividad media.EEA Alto ValleFil: Gallina, Mario Fabian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; ArgentinaFil: Barda, Nora. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI). Villa Regina; ArgentinaFil: Corti, Gilda. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI). Villa Regina; ArgentinaFil: Miranda, María José. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI). Villa Regina; ArgentinaFil: Muzas, Guillermo Ramon. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; ArgentinaFil: Suárez, Pablo Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI). Villa Regina; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Sebastián Leonardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; Argentin

Basal total testosterone serum levels predict biopsy and pathological ISUP grade group in a large cohort of Caucasian prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate associations of preoperative total testosterone (TT) with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PCA). Materials & methods: From 2014 to 2018, basal TT levels were measured in 726 consecutive PCA patients. Patients were classified according to the International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) system. Aggressive PCA was defined by the detection of ISUP > 2 in the surgical specimen. The logistic regression model evaluated the association of TT and other clinical factors with aggressive PCA. Results: On univariate analysis, there was a significant association of basal TT with the risk of aggressive PCA as well as age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), percentage of biopsy positive cores (BPC), tumor clinical stage (cT), and biopsy ISUP grade groups. On multivariate analysis, two models were considered. The first (model I) excluded biopsy ISUP grading groups and the second (model II) included biopsy ISUP grade groups. Multivariate model I, revealed TT as well as all other variables, was an independent predictor of the risk of aggressive disease [odds ratio (OR) = 1.585; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.113–2.256; p = 0.011]. Elevated basal PSA greater than 20 μg/dl was associated with the risk of aggressive PCA. Multivariate model II revealed that basal TT levels maintain a positive association between aggressive PCA, whereas age, BPC, and clinical stage cT3 lost significance. In the final adjusted model, the level of risk of TT did not change from univariate analysis (OR = 1.525; 95% CI: 1.035–2.245; p = 0.011). Conclusion: Elevated preoperative TT levels are associated with the risk of aggressive PCA in the surgical specimen. TT may identify patients who are at risk of aggressive PCA in the low and intermediate European Association of Urology (EAU) risk classes

The Prognostic Role of Preoperative PSMA PET/CT in cN0M0 pN+ Prostate Cancer: A Multicenter Study

CONTEXT: Despite negative preoperative conventional imaging, up to 10% of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) harbor lymph-node involvement (LNI) at radical prostatectomy (RP). The advent of more accurate imaging modalities such as PET/CT improved the detection of LNI. However, their clinical impact and prognostic value are still unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative PET/CT in patients node positive (pN+) at RP. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We retrospectively identified cN0M0 patients at conventional imaging (CT and/or MRI, and bone scan) who had pN+ PCa at RP at 17 referral centers. Patients with cN+ at PSMA/Choline PET/CT but cN0M0 at conventional imaging were also included. Systemic progression/recurrence was the primary outcome; Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariate analysis. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We included 1163 pN+ men out of whom 95 and 100 had preoperative PSMA and/or Choline PET/CT, respectively. ISUP grade ≥4 was detected in 66.6%. Overall, 42% of patients had postoperative PSA persistence (≥0.1 ng/mL). Postoperative management included initial observation (34%), ADT (22.7%) and adjuvant RT+/-ADT (42.8%). Median follow-up was 42 months. Patients with cN+ on PSMA PET/CT had an increased risk of systemic progression (52.9% vs. 13.6% cN0 PSMA PET/CT vs. 21.5% cN0 at conventional imaging; P .05). Observation as an initial management strategy instead of adjuvant treatments was related with an increased risk of metastases (HR 1.808; 95% CI: 1.069-3.058; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: PSMA PET/CT cN+ patients with negative conventional imaging have an increased risk of systemic progression after RP compared to their counterparts with cN0M0 disease both at conventional and/or molecular imaging

Business model development concept for SMEs in the era of twin transition

The urgent need to act against climate change is emphasized in many initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The role of the industrial sector is crucial. Companies, however, have to operate in a very complex environment driven by digitization and are supposed to be more sustainable. This paper explores how companies can implement the ecological transformation, with a focus on the role of digital technologies and data in enabling the twin transition. This paper proposes an approach to support SMEs in the twin transition through a combination of digital and sustainable business model development. The concept includes an interdisciplinary methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, focusing on the latter. The suggested method collection includes adaptations of the business model canvas, value proposition analysis, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of environmental and economic considerations using the system of environmental-economic accounting. In particular, approaches to define the quantification of economic as well as ecological value will be key levers for sustainable implementation. By leveraging these approaches, SMEs can navigate the challenges of digital transformation and sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable future