Business Incubator and Economic Development

This chapter aims to (i) understand the functioning and importance of incubators in supporting the creation of new business and local economic development, as they help locally engage young entrepreneurs and thus retain expertise, for example, in regions farthest from large urban centers, (ii) realize the importance of incubators and science parks in the development of start-ups, (iii) understand the role of education in promoting entrepreneurship, and (iv) understand the competitive environment as it becomes more complex and dynamic, as there are opportunities to serve customers who are dissatisfied; thus the threats that large companies experience offer small business opportunities

Patrón de reconocimiento de bellotas procedentes de diferentes especies Quercus basado en el contenido de aceite y en el perfil de ácidos grasos

The aim of this study was (i) to characterize different species of Quercus genus and (ii) to discriminate among them on the basis of the content and fatty acid composition of the oil in their fruits and/or their morphological aspects via pattern recognition techniques (Principal Component Analysis, PCA, Cluster Analysis, CA, and Discriminant Analysis, DA). Quercus rotundifolia Lam., Quercus suber L. and Quercus pyrenaica Willd., grown in the same stand in the centre of Portugal, were investigated. When oil content and respective fatty acid composition were used to characterize samples, well-separated groups corresponding to each of the species were observed by PCA and confirmed by CA and DA. The ‘‘width’’ and ‘‘length’’ of acorns exhibited a low discriminant power. Acorns from Q. rotundifolia showed the highest average oil content followed by Q. suber and Q. pyrenaica acorns (9.1, 5.2 and 3.8%, respectively). Fatty acid profiles of Q. rotundifolia and Q. suber oils are similar to olive oil while the oil from Q. pyrenaica acorns is more unsaturated.El objetivo de este estudio fué (i) la caracterización de diferentes especies del género Quercus y (ii) la clasificación de las mismas en base al contenido y composición de ácidos grasos del aceite de sus frutos y/o en sus caracteres morfológicos, via técnicas de patrón de reconocimiento (Análisis de Componentes Principales, ACP, Análisis de Cluster, AC, y Análisis Discriminante, AD). Se han estudiado Quercus rotundifolia Lam., Quercus suber L. y Quercus pyrenaica Willd., pertenecientes a la misma zona del centro de Portugal. Al emplear el contenido de aceite y sus respectivas composiciones de ácidos grasos para caracterizar a las muestras, el ACP reveló grupos bien separados correspondientes a cada especie, los cuales, a su vez, se confirmarón con el AC y el AD. El ‘‘ancho’’ y ‘‘longitud’’ de las bellotas exhibieron un poder discriminante bajo. Las bellotas de Q. rotundifolia mostraron el contenido más elevado de aceite, seguidas de las de Q. suber y Q. pyrenaica (9.1, 5.2 y 3.8%, respectivamente). Los perfiles de ácidos grasos de los aceites de Q. rotundifolia y Q. suber son similares al del aceite de oliva, mientras que el aceite de las bellotas de Q.pyrenaica es más insaturado

A Fuzzy Logic Model to Enhance Quality Management on R&D Units

Nowadays, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), are becoming even more competitive, with the public ones, facing at the same time a greater restriction on public funding. Therefore, HEIs, have to be more effective and more efficient as well, on pursuing their own goals, which includes Research and Development (R&D) units as well. Such demands can be achieved, by enhancing R&D’s global performance. Therefore, the use of a framework such as European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), can bring value to an organization with the characteristics of a R&D unit. This work presents a new integrated method based on EFQM model, by using Fuzzy Logic, to enhance the organizations’ overall performance. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated by a case study in a R&D unit, where an initial performance evaluation takes place, by using RADAR’s Logic approach. The proposed method, based on Fuzzy Logic, is then applied, followed by the identification of the strength points as well as the improvement areas, according to the EFQM framework. Then, the improvement actions with high priority are determined, followed by the correspondent action measures. Keywords: Quality management, Fuzzy logic, EFQ

Comparación entre el etanol y el hexano para la extracción del aceite de los frutos de Quercus suber L..

The aim of this study was to (i) evaluate the feasibility of replacing n-hexane with ethanol for the extraction of oil from Quercus suber fruits and (ii) optimize, at lab scale, sample preparation and extraction time for both solvents used (n-hexane vs. anhydrous ethanol). For both solvents, the effect of the conditioning process on extraction yield was evaluated. Therefore, a full factorial design was used as a function of four variables: dehulling (with vs. without husks), and thermal treatment of the crushed material (40ºC vs. 75ºC), at different times (5 min vs. 120 min) and pressures (10 kPa vs. 100 kPa). Higher oil yields were obtained with n-hexane when dehulled fruits were conditioned under atmospheric pressure. Better yields were obtained with n-hexane, when dehulled material was treated at 75ºC for 90 min. Ethanol was not adequate for oil extraction from Quercus fruits, since other materials rather than oil were also extracted.El objetivo de este estudio fue (i) evaluar la posibilidad de reemplazar el n-hexano por el etanol para la extracción del aceite de los frutos de Quercus suber y (ii) optimizar, a escala de laboratorio, la preparación de la muestra y el tiempo de extracción para ambos solventes (n-hexano vs. etanol anhidro). Para ambos solventes, se ha evaluado el efecto del proceso de acondicionamiento en el rendimiento de la extracción. Para ello, se ha empleado un diseño factorial completo como función de cuatro variables: descascarillado (con vs sin cascarilla), y tratamiento térmico del material triturado (40ºC vs. 75ºC), a diferentes tiempos (5 min vs. 120 min) y presiones (10 kPa vs. 100 kPa). Los rendimientos más elevados de extracción de aceite se obtuvieron con n-hexano cuando los frutos descascarillados se acondicionaron a presión atmosférica. Cuando el material descascarillado fue tratado a 75ºC por 90 min, se obtuvieron mejores rendimientos con n-hexano. El etanol demostró no ser adecuado para la extracción del aceite de los frutos de Quercus, debido a la extracción conjunta de otros materiales a la vez del aceite

The Mexican consensus on non-cardiac chest pain

Introduction: Non-cardiac chest pain is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by ret-rosternal pain similar to that of angina pectoris, but of non-cardiac origin and produced byesophageal, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, or psychiatric diseases. Aim: To present a consensus review based on evidence regarding the definition, epidemiology,pathophysiology, and diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain, as well as the therapeutic options forthose patients. Methods Three general coordinators carried out a literature review of all articles published inEnglish and Spanish on the theme and formulated 38 initial statements, dividing them into 3 maincategories: 1) definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology, 2) diagnosis, and 3) treatment.The statements underwent 3 rounds of voting, utilizing the Delphi system. The final statementswere those that reached > 75% agreement, and they were rated utilizing the GRADE system. Results and conclusions The final consensus included 29 statements. All patients presentingwith chest pain should initially be evaluated by a cardiologist. The most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If there are no alarm symptoms, the initialapproach should be a therapeutic trial with a proton pump inhibitor for 2-4 weeks. If dysphagiaor alarm symptoms are present, endoscopy is recommended. High-resolution manometry isthe best method for ruling out spastic motor disorders and achalasia and pH monitoring aidsin demonstrating abnormal esophageal acid exposure. Treatment should be directed at thepathophysiologic mechanism. It can include proton pump inhibitors, neuromodulators and/orsmooth muscle relaxants, psychologic intervention and/or cognitive therapy, and occasionallysurgery or endoscopic therapy

Consenso mexicano sobre dolor torácico no cardiaco

Introducción: Dolor torácico no cardíaco (DTNC) se define como un síndrome clínico caracte-rizado por dolor retroesternal semejante a la angina de pecho, pero de origen no cardiaco ygenerado por enfermedades esofágicas, osteomusculares, pulmonares o psiquiátricas.Objetivo: Presentar una revisión consensuada basada en evidencias sobre definición, epidemio-logía, fisiopatología, diagnóstico y opciones terapéuticas para pacientes con DTNC.Métodos: Tres coordinadores generales realizaron una revisión bibliográfica de todas las publi-caciones en inglés y espa˜nol sobre el tema y elaboraron 38 enunciados iniciales divididosen tres categorías principales: 1) definiciones, epidemiología y fisiopatología; 2) diagnóstico,y 3) tratamiento. Los enunciados fueron votados (3 rondas) utilizando el sistema Delphi, y losque alcanzaron un acuerdo > 75% fueron considerados y calificados de acuerdo con el sistemaGRADE. Resultados y conclusiones: El consenso final incluyó 29 enunciados Todo paciente que debutacon dolor torácico debe ser inicialmente evaluado por un cardiólogo. La causa más común deDTNC es la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE). Como abordaje inicial, si no existensíntomas de alarma, se puede dar una prueba terapéutica con inhibidor de bomba de pro-tones (IBP) por 2-4 semanas. Si hay disfagia o síntomas de alarma, se recomienda hacer unaendoscopia. La manometría de alta resolución es el mejor método para descartar trastornosmotores espásticos y acalasia. La pHmetría ayuda a demostrar exposición esofágica anormal alácido. El tratamiento debe ser dirigido al mecanismo fisiopatológico, y puede incluir IBP, neu-romoduladores y/o relajantes de músculo liso, intervención psicológica y/o terapia cognitiva,y ocasionalmente cirugía o terapia endoscópica. ABSTRACT Introduction: Non-cardiac chest pain is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by retros-ternal pain similar to that of angina pectoris, but of non-cardiac origin and produced byesophageal, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, or psychiatric diseases.Aim: To present a consensus review based on evidence regarding the definition, epidemiology,pathophysiology, and diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain, as well as the therapeutic options forthose patients. Methods: Three general coordinators carried out a literature review of all articles published inEnglish and Spanish on the theme and formulated 38 initial statements, dividing them into 3 maincategories: (i) definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology; (ii) diagnosis, and (iii) treatment.The statements underwent 3 rounds of voting, utilizing the Delphi system. The final statementswere those that reached > 75% agreement, and they were rated utilizing the GRADE system.Results and conclusions: The final consensus included 29 statements. All patients presentingwith chest pain should initially be evaluated by a cardiologist. The most common cause ofnon-cardiac chest pain is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If there are no alarm symptoms, the initial approach should be a therapeutic trial with a proton pump inhibitor for 2-4 weeks. Ifdysphagia or alarm symptoms are present, endoscopy is recommended. High-resolution mano-metry is the best method for ruling out spastic motor disorders and achalasia and pH monitoringaids in demonstrating abnormal esophageal acid exposure. Treatment should be directed at thepathophysiologic mechanism. It can include proton pump inhibitors, neuromodulators and/orsmooth muscle relaxants, psychologic intervention and/or cognitive therapy, and occasionallysurgery or endoscopic therapy