Competitive intelligence systems as a basis for the effective R&D management in the plastics industry in Andalusia

The main purpose of present work is to inquire the range of implementation an effective use of Competitive Intelligence Systems in the andalusian plastics industry linked to the agrifood industry of the region. This research seeks the model generalization of how CI Systems asses the generation of the competitive advantage and how they become an essential tool of new products creation, as well as the insfruments of the productive processes planning and management in the industrial organization. Through the case study of 5 big andalusian plastics companies and currently in phase of extending the analysis to whole branch with the DELPHI method, the research intends to contribute to comprehend how the internal systems of Technology Watch and Competitive Intelligence impact directly (measured short-term and long- term) on degree of competitiveness and innovating potential of the industrial companies. These systems can become tools of internal knowledge generation and means of feedback to R&D management systems, being able to provide answers to new emergent consumption trends, new product demands and any advances in technologies of materials or manufacturing.Comunicación presentada dentro del Congreso “III International Forum on Management”. Celebrado en la Universidad de Évora de Portugal, los días 1 y 2 de febrero de 2019. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Rola farmaceuty klinicznego w samoopiece pacjenta z niewydolnością serca

Niewydolność serca (HF, heart failure) jest istotnym problemem zdrowotnym współczesnego społeczeństwa i jednym z najpowszechniej występujących zespołów przewlekłych, powiązanym z wysoką śmiertelnością oraz intensywnym wykorzystywaniem zasobów ochrony zdrowia, zarówno ludzkich, jak i finansowych. Strategie terapeutyczne powinny uwzględniać monitorowanie stanu zdrowia pacjentów od chwili wypisania, optymalizację farmakoterapii oraz modyfikację czynników środowiskowych. Samoopieka niesie ze sobą strategicznie istotny potencjał odciążający system opieki zdrowotnej w zakresie HF, pozwalający na celowany transfer nakładów i potencjalizację wydajności systemu opieki zdrowotnej. Udział farmaceuty klinicznego w procesie samoopieki w zakresie optymalizacji stosowanej farmakoterapii, ujednolicania farmakoterapii włączanej przez różnych specjalistów zaangażowanych w proces opieki pacjenta oraz współuczestnictwo w skoordynowanej opiece medycznej, uściślanie zaleceń w zakresie stosowania leków i fachowe doradztwo niosą realnie istotne konsekwencje przekładające się na efektywność prowadzonej terapii oraz wykorzystywanie zasobów ochrony zdrowia. Propagowanie samoopieki w HF wydaje się priorytetem strategicznym i włączenie samoopieki w rutynową opiekę medyczną pacjentów z HF powinno być równorzędne z zaopatrzeniem pacjenta w niezbędne do kontroli tego zespołu leki. Synergistyczne działania w efekcie przyczynią się do obniżenia stopnia ponownych hospitalizacji oraz poprawy jakości życia pacjentów z HF.Niewydolność serca (HF, heart failure) jest istotnym problemem zdrowotnym współczesnego społeczeństwa i jednym z najpowszechniej występujących zespołów przewlekłych, powiązanym z wysoką śmiertelnością oraz intensywnym wykorzystywaniem zasobów ochrony zdrowia, zarówno ludzkich, jak i finansowych. Strategie terapeutyczne powinny uwzględniać monitorowanie stanu zdrowia pacjentów od chwili wypisania, optymalizację farmakoterapii oraz modyfikację czynników środowiskowych. Samoopieka niesie ze sobą strategicznie istotny potencjał odciążający system opieki zdrowotnej w zakresie HF, pozwalający na celowany transfer nakładów i potencjalizację wydajności systemu opieki zdrowotnej. Udział farmaceuty klinicznego w procesie samoopieki w zakresie optymalizacji stosowanej farmakoterapii, ujednolicania farmakoterapii włączanej przez różnych specjalistów zaangażowanych w proces opieki pacjenta oraz współuczestnictwo w skoordynowanej opiece medycznej, uściślanie zaleceń w zakresie stosowania leków i fachowe doradztwo niosą realnie istotne konsekwencje przekładające się na efektywność prowadzonej terapii oraz wykorzystywanie zasobów ochrony zdrowia. Propagowanie samoopieki w HF wydaje się priorytetem strategicznym i włączenie samoopieki w rutynową opiekę medyczną pacjentów z HF powinno być równorzędne z zaopatrzeniem pacjenta w niezbędne do kontroli tego zespołu leki. Synergistyczne działania w efekcie przyczynią się do obniżenia stopnia ponownych hospitalizacji oraz poprawy jakości życia pacjentów z HF

Instability of 2,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)acetic acid. Tautomerization versus decarboxylation

The DFT calculations at the B3LYP level with 6-311G** basis set were carried out in order to reveal whether tautomerization or decarboxylation is responsible for the instability of 2,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)acetic (DPA) and 1,8-diazafluorene-9-carboxylic (DAF) acids. The carboxyl protons in both compounds are involved in the intramolecular hydrogen bonds (the pyridine nitrogen atoms are the hydrogen bond acceptors). Although formation of two intramolecular OH···N hydrogen bonds in the enols of both carboxylic acids enables effective electron delocalization within the quasi rings (···HO − C = C − C = N), only ene-1,1-diol of DAF has somewhat lower energy than DAF itself (ΔE is ca. 7 kcal mol-1). DPA and its enediol have comparable energies. Migration of the methine proton toward the carbonyl oxygen atom (to form enediols) requires overstepping the energy barriers of 55-57 kcal mol-1 for both DPA and DAF. The enaminone tautomers of the acids, formed by migration of this proton toward the pyridine nitrogen atom, are thermodynamically somewhat more stable than the respective enediols. The energy barriers of these processes are equal to ca. 44 and 62 kcal mol-1 for DPA and DAF, respectively. Thus, such tautomerization of the acids is not likely to proceed. On the other hand, the distinct energetic effects (ca. 15 kcal mol-1) favor decarboxylation. This process involves formation of (E)-2-(pyridin-2(1H)-ylidenemethyl)pyridine and its cyclic analogue followed by their tautomerization to (dipyridin-2-yl)methane and 1,8-diazafluorene, respectively. Although the later compound was found to be somewhat thermodynamically more stable, kinetic control of tautomerization of the former is more distinct

Corporate intrapreneurship: an effective strategy at the junction of innovation and knowledge-based employees engagement paradigm.

The objective of this article is to examine the relation between the creation of new products and services, in general innovation strategy, and the implementation of active policies of Intrapreneurship or Corporate Entrepreneurship in big IT related companies in Andalusia. Due to the dynamic changes in the market rules as well as voracious speed of technology development, many established companies need to approach the innovation management differently. The intrapreneurship is becoming, once again, the focus of interest of scholar and companies leaders. As the corporate entrepreneurship initiatives can become both the source of viable innovation, or even R&D solutions, and the motivational spark that facilitate the knowledge generation and circulation within the companies´ structures.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

2-Methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydro­quinazoline

The title compound, C15H14N2, was formed during the lithia­tion of 2-methyl­quinazoline with phenyl­lithium followed by hydrolysis of the inter­mediate lithium 2-methyl-4-phenyl-4H-quinazolin-3-ide. NMR spectra as well as single-crystal X-ray structural data indicate that the reaction product to have the same structure in chloro­form solution as in the crystalline state. The phenyl substituent is twisted out of the plane of the 3,4-dihydro­quinazoline ring system by 86.47 (7)°. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯N inter­actions connect the mol­ecules into infinite chains

Adjunctive rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (ARREST): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a common cause of severe community-acquired and hospital-acquired infection worldwide. We tested the hypothesis that adjunctive rifampicin would reduce bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death, by enhancing early S aureus killing, sterilising infected foci and blood faster, and reducing risks of dissemination and metastatic infection. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults (≥18 years) with S aureus bacteraemia who had received ≤96 h of active antibiotic therapy were recruited from 29 UK hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated sequential randomisation list to receive 2 weeks of adjunctive rifampicin (600 mg or 900 mg per day according to weight, oral or intravenous) versus identical placebo, together with standard antibiotic therapy. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Patients, investigators, and those caring for the patients were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was time to bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death (all-cause), from randomisation to 12 weeks, adjudicated by an independent review committee masked to the treatment. Analysis was intention to treat. This trial was registered, number ISRCTN37666216, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between Dec 10, 2012, and Oct 25, 2016, 758 eligible participants were randomly assigned: 370 to rifampicin and 388 to placebo. 485 (64%) participants had community-acquired S aureus infections, and 132 (17%) had nosocomial S aureus infections. 47 (6%) had meticillin-resistant infections. 301 (40%) participants had an initial deep infection focus. Standard antibiotics were given for 29 (IQR 18-45) days; 619 (82%) participants received flucloxacillin. By week 12, 62 (17%) of participants who received rifampicin versus 71 (18%) who received placebo experienced treatment failure or disease recurrence, or died (absolute risk difference -1·4%, 95% CI -7·0 to 4·3; hazard ratio 0·96, 0·68-1·35, p=0·81). From randomisation to 12 weeks, no evidence of differences in serious (p=0·17) or grade 3-4 (p=0·36) adverse events were observed; however, 63 (17%) participants in the rifampicin group versus 39 (10%) in the placebo group had antibiotic or trial drug-modifying adverse events (p=0·004), and 24 (6%) versus six (2%) had drug interactions (p=0·0005). INTERPRETATION: Adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with S aureus bacteraemia. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment

New technologies as a chance for emancipation of people with disabilities in the process of communication

The aim of this article is to show the opportunities which new technologies offer in overcoming communication barriers in regards to people experiencing multiple disabilities. The solutions that new technologies bring can constitute one of the forms of resistance to the dominant model of perceiving disability and thus provide space for a particular resistance to the practices of discrimination and exclusion from the society of people experiencing disability, therefore entering into the emancipatory stream. Including the emancipation category into the emerging process of new technology allows us to create a broader theoretical context through which we can give it a new meaning - another dimension, i.e.: new technologies - emancipation ones: adopting such a vision gives new technology a technical dimension. By instilling the proposed position in the field of special education, we can contribute to the exploration of the potential that exists in every human-being regardless of the type or degree of specific disability

The role of a clinical pharmacist in self-care in heart failure

Heart Failure (HF) is a serious problem of today’s society and one of the most common chronic diseases associated with high morbidity and mortality rates as well as intensive utilisation of human, infrastructure and financial resources of healthcare system. Therapeutic strategies should therefore include health status monitoring starting at hospital discharge, throughout lifelong pharmacotherapy optimalisation and environmental risk factors modification. Self-care in heart failure offers significant strategic potential for releasing healthcare system resources and enabling effective cost consumption. Pharmacist involvement in heart-failure self-care including pharmacotherapy optimalisation, medicines reconciliation and counselling translates to increased effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and resources’ utilisation. Self-care promotion in heart-failure should be a strategic priority and incorporation of it into routine healthcare in heart failure should be implemented simultaneously along with provision of pharmacotherapy. Synergistic approach will result in decreased rate of hospitalisation and increased quality of life of patient with heart failure.Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem in the contemporary societies and one of the most common chronic syndromes, associated with high mortality and intensive healthcare resource use, both human and financial. Therapeutic strategies should include monitoring of the patients’ health status since the hospital discharge, optimization of drug therapy, and modification of environmental factors. Self-care offers a significant strategic potential to relieve healthcare system in HF, allowing targeted resource transfer and potential increase of the healthcare system efficiency. Involving the clinical pharmacist in the process of self-care in regard to optimization of the drug treatment used, standardization of drug treatment during patient transfer between various areas of healthcare, clarification of recommendations regarding drug use, and professional counselling has significant consequences translating to an increased therapy effectiveness and healthcare resource utilisation. Promoting self-care in HF should be a strategic priority, and incorporation of self-care within the routine medical care for HF patients should be considered equally important to providing the patient with medications necessary to control this syndrome. This synergistic approach will result in a reduced readmission rate and an improved quality of life of patients with HF

The Health-Promoting and Sensory Properties of Tropical Fruit Sorbets with Inulin

Inulin is a popular prebiotic that is often used in the production of ice cream, mainly to improve its consistency. It also reduces the hardness of ice cream, as well as improving the ice cream’s organoleptic characteristics. Inulin can also improve the texture of sorbets, which are gaining popularity as an alternative to milk-based ice cream. Sorbets can be an excellent source of natural vitamins and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of inulin on the sensory characteristics and health-promoting value of avocado, kiwi, honey melon, yellow melon and mango sorbets. Three types of sorbets were made—two with inulin (2% and 5% wt.) and the other without—using fresh fruit with the addition of water, sucrose and lemon juice. Both the type of fruit and the addition of inulin influenced the sorbet mixture viscosity, the content of polyphenols, vitamin C, acidity, ability to scavenge free radicals using DPPH reagent, melting resistance, overrun and sensory evaluation of the tested sorbets (all p < 0.05). The addition of inulin had no impact on the color of the tested sorbets, only the type of fruit influenced this feature. In the sensory evaluation, the mango sorbets were rated the best and the avocado sorbets were rated the worst. Sorbets can be a good source of antioxidant compounds. The tested fruits sorbets had different levels of polyphenol content and the ability to scavenge free radicals. Kiwi sorbet had the highest antioxidant potential among the tested fruits. The obtained ability to catch free radicals and the content of polyphenols proved the beneficial effect of sorbets, particularly as a valuable source of antioxidants. The addition of inulin improved the meltability, which may indicate the effect of inulin on the consistency. Further research should focus on making sorbets only from natural ingredients and comparing their health-promoting quality with the ready-made sorbets that are available on the market, which are made from ready-made ice cream mixes

Substituted 2-Phenacylbenzoxazole Difluoroboranes: Synthesis, Structure and Properties

Novel fluorescent dyes such as benzoxazole-boron complexes, bearing β-ketoiminate ligands, have been synthesized and characterized with a focus on the influence of a substituent on the basic photophysical properties. 1H, 11B, 13C, 15N, and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of substituted 2-phenacylbenzoxazole difluoroboranes have been recorded and discussed. It is worth mentioning that a high correlation coefficient was found between 15N-NMR parameters and substituent constants. The photophysical properties of these new dyes have been investigated by fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy. The geometry optimization, vibrational spectra, and the HOMO and LUMO energies were calculated based on density functional theory with the use of the B3LYP functional and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set