Knowledge management in new product development (NPD)

This thesis analyses features that, in New Product Development process (NPD), foster knowledge, and their contribution to the creation and application of knowledge with the aim of increasing both global performance and organizational effectiveness. Since knowledge is becoming more important to achieve competitive advantage, companies have already started to focus on their ability to generate new competencies and create new opportunities for producing new knowledge. One of the issues compelling knowledge management understands what aspects of the organization\u27s work system and organizational design affect its ability to acquire, create and apply knowledge. In fact, the way that workers are organized and managed determine the success of NPD organizations. In this work, topics such as Knowledge Management and New Product Development are addressed. Furthermore, the study focuses on several models and frameworks of knowledge management, extracted from the existing literature, provides analyses of such models, and, based on them, proposes an additional framework

Time‐invariant portfolio strategies in structured products with guaranteed minimum equity exposure

We introduce a new exotic option to be used within structured products to address a key disadvantage of standard time-invariant portfolio protection: the well-known cash-lock risk. Our approach suggests enriching the framework by including a threshold in the allocation mechanism so that a guaranteed minimum equity exposure (GMEE) is ensured at any point in time. To be able to offer such a solution still with hard capital protection, we apply an option-based structure with a dynamic allocation logic as underlying. We provide an in-depth analysis of the prices of such new exotic options, assuming a Heston–Vasicek-type financial market model, and compare our results with other options used within structured products. Our approach represents an interesting alternative for investors aiming at downsizing protection via time-invariant portfolio protection strategies, meanwhile being also afraid to experience a cash-lock event triggered by market turmoils

Sulfoxonium Ylides in Aminocatalysis: An Enantioselective Entry to Cyclopropane-Fused Chromanol Structures

The 1,1a,2,7b-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]chromene, aris-ing from fusion of chromane and cyclopropane rings is the core of medicinally relevant compounds. Engaging sulfoxonium ylides in enantioselective aminocatalytic reactions for the first time, a convenient entry to this scaffold is presented. Several ring-fused derivatives were obtained in moderate-to-good yields and enantiose-lectivities and with perfect diastereoselectivity at the cyclopropane, using an alpha,alpha-diphenylprolinol aminocatalyst. The versatility of the hemiacetal moiety in the products was leveraged to effect various synthetic manipulations

Methamphetamine abuse and “meth mouth” in Europe

With easy chemical synthesis from its precursor, methamphetamine (MA) is now widespread in many countries. The abuse of methamphetamine is associated with several negative effects on health, because MA is a neurotoxin and a dangerous central nervous system stimulant. It changes levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, releasing dopamine and inhibiting nor epinephrine uptake which increases sympathetic nervous system activity and can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension and tachypnea. The consequences of MA abuse are clearly manifested in oral diseases (like “meth mouth”) which is characterised by extensive caries, teeth grinding with ensuing dental wear and trismus. The present review was designed to fill the gap in knowledge about methamphetamine abuse in the European Union (EU) and to illustrate the main clinical effects of prolonged use. After describing the pharmacology and systemic effects of methamphetamine and concentrating on its effects on the mouth, the present review compares the epidemiology and incidence of abuse in the world, particularly the USA and the EU

Rearing Romagnola geese in vineyard: pasture and antioxidant intake, performance, carcass and meat quality

This study aimed to assess the effect of rearing system (intensive vs. free-range under vineyard) on the qualitative characteristics of goose meat. In particular, the integration of a goose raising system with an organic grape production was evaluated. Six hundred Romagnola geese of both sexes were divided into two groups at 21 d of age: Vineyard group (V) – 480 geese (120 geese/ha) pasturing in 4 ha of vineyard, and Control Group (C) – 120 geese of the same genotype in the experimental farm of Perugia, without any access to the pasture. Live weight, feed consumption and other performance were registered weekly on 30 selected and marked animals/group. At 160 days of age, 15 geese/group were slaughtered and characteristics of carcase, breast and drumstick (physical, chemical, oxidative status, fatty acids profile) were evaluated. The chemical analysis of diet and pasture and the ingestion of crude protein, digestible energy and bioactive compounds were also estimated. Vineyard geese, showed lower productive performance than the C ones (live and carcase weight), however, due to pasture availability, the intake of bioactive compounds (vitamin E, retinol, n-3 long-chain fatty acids) was higher and positively affected the antioxidant content of breast and drumstick. The higher kinetic activity of V geese reduced the fat amount of carcase and meat, whereas increased the development of drumstick muscle (higher meat/bone ratio) and worsened the oxidative status of meat. Concluding, the free-range vineyard geese resulted in a positive payoff on the geese meat quality viewpoint.Highlights Pasture enhance the amount of VIT E in goose muscle. Pasture reduce the amount of lipid in goose carcass and meat. Pasture enhance the amount of n-3 PUFA in goose meat

3D Printing of Drug-Loaded Thermoplastic Polyurethane Meshes: A Potential Material for Soft Tissue Reinforcement in Vaginal Surgery

Current strategies to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), include the surgical implantation of vaginal meshes. Recently, there have been multiple reports of issues generated by these meshes conventionally made of poly(propylene). This material is not the ideal candidate, due to its mechanical properties leading to complications such as chronic pain and infection. In the present manuscript, we propose the use of an alternative material, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), loaded with an antibiotic in combination with fused deposition modelling (FDM) to prepare safer vaginal meshes. For this purpose, TPU filaments containing levofloxacin (LFX) in various concentrations (e.g., 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) were produced by extrusion. These filaments were used to 3D print vaginal meshes. The printed meshes were fully characterized through different tests/analyses such as fracture force studies, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT), release studies and microbiology testing. The results showed that LFX was uniformly distributed within the TPU matrix, regardless the concentration loaded. The mechanical properties showed that poly(propylene) (PP) is a tougher material with a lower elasticity than TPU, which seemed to be a more suitable material due to its elasticity. In addition, the printed meshes showed a significant bacteriostatic activity on both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli cultures, minimising the risk of infection after implanting them. Therefore, the incorporation of LFX to the TPU matrix can be used to prepare anti-infective vaginal meshes with enhanced mechanical properties compared with current PP vaginal meshes

The MEM project: experiences, challenges and outcomes of an international double master-level degree

[EN] Educating the workforce of the future to perform adeptly in the global environment as well as to surmount cross cultural boundaries is of a paramount necessity in today’s technologically advanced and complex settings. This environment has led institutions of higher education to seek international collaborations to face these challenges. Building on experiences and successes gained from a nearly decade long project entitled UMANE that was jointly supported by both the US Department of Education and the EU for undergraduate double/triple Bachelor’s degrees, this paper reports on an extension of the earlier partnership, to include a graduate level partnership that offers a double master degree between New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and University of Parma (UNIPR) that was put in place in 2015. In this work, we present the developed framework of this international cooperation, report on its challenges, and share our experiences. Specifically, the framework of the agreement establishes guidelines and course of study leading to double master degrees in the area of Engineering Management, one from NJIT and another from Parma University. Students in this program, usually, start their studies in Italy, attending the classes at their home Institution and then move to Newark, New Jersey, during the spring/second semester (6 months) of their first year, to attend NJIT classes. At the end of their studies, students will be awarded two master’s degrees in Engineering Management from the partnering universities.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Montanari, R.; Malek, LA.; Andrei, P.; Ferretti, G.; Valenti, S.; Mancinelli, LM.; Bernazzoli, A.... (2018). The MEM project: experiences, challenges and outcomes of an international double master-level degree. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1125-1133. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.8159OCS1125113

Effect of transport length and genotype on tonic immobility, blood parameters and carcass contamination of free-range reared chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of transport on welfare traits, several haematological parameters and carcase hygiene in two different chicken genotypes (fast- and slow-growing strains) reared under free-range conditions. For this aim, two hundred male chicks, 100 from fast-growing (Ross 308, R) and 100 from slow-growing (Naked Neck, NN) strain were farmed. At the end of the rearing period, at 81 days of age, 56 birds/strain were randomly selected for slaughtering and submitted to two different pre-slaughter conditions: no transport (0h) or 4 hours of transport (4h). Tonic immobility (TI), blood parameters and carcase hygiene traits were determined. Strain and transport significantly affected TI of birds. Both experimental factors and their interaction significantly affected plasma creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Cholesterol and triglycerides were not different between the experimental groups, whereas glucose decreased after 4 hours of transport in both strains. A significant difference between groups for the heterophils/lymphocytes ratio after transport was also observed, with NN being higher than Ross. Concerning the oxidative stress, we observed a higher ROS production in NN chickens. The carcase microbial characteristics showed a higher level of contamination after the transport (total viable counts), but not concerning the Enterobacteriaceae counts

Accumulation of HIV-1 drug resistance in patients on a standard thymidine analogue-based first line antiretroviral therapy after virological failure: Implications for the activity of next-line regimens from a longitudinal study in Mozambique

Background: We describe the accumulation of HIV-1 drug resistance and its effect on the activity of next-line components in patients with virological failure (HIV-1 RNA >1000 copies/mL) after 1 year (t1) of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) not switching to second-line drugs for one additional year (t2) in low-middle income countries (LMIC). Methods and results: We selected 48 patients from the DREAM cohort (Maputo, Mozambique); their median pre-ART CD4+ cell count was 165 cells/μl. At t1 patients were receiving ART since a median of 12.2 months (mainly zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine), their median HIV RNA was 3.8 log10 copies/mL, 43 (89.6%) presented at least one resistance-associated mutation (RAM), most frequently for lamivudine/emtricitabine, nevirapine and efavirenz. Resistance to tenofovir, was 10% at 1 year and higher than 20% at 2 years, while projection at 3 years was >30%. At t2, 42 (89.4%) had a predicted low-level or higher resistance to at least 1 s-line drug. At t1, the frequency of RAM in patients with a lower adherence to pharmacy appointments (10,000 copies/mL; NNRTI RAM accumulation rate was 0.15/year, 0.40/year in the subgroup with HIV RNA >10,000 copies/mL. Conclusions: While the activity of NNRTIs is compromised early during failure, tenofovir and zidovudine activity are reduced more frequently after 1 year of documented virological failure of thymidine analogue-based first-line ART, with RAMs accumulating faster in patients with higher viral loads. The present observation may help informing decisions on when to switch to a second line ART in patients on virological failure in LMIC

The Association of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Metabolic Syndrome is Dependent on Body Mass Index in Hypertensive Overweight or Obese Patients

Overweight (Ow) and obesity (Ob) influence blood pressure (BP) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). It is unclear whether the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) independently affects echocardiographic parameters in hypertension.380 Ow/Ob essential hypertensive patients (age ≤ 65 years) presenting for referred BP control-related problems. MetS was defined according to NCEP III/ATP with AHA modifications and LVH as LVM/h(2.7) ≥ 49.2 g/m(2.7) in males and ≥ 46.7 g/m(2.7) in females. Treatment intensity score (TIS) was used to control for BP treatment as previously reported.Hypertensive patients with MetS had significantly higher BMI, systolic and mean BP, interventricular septum and relative wall thickness and lower ejection fraction than those without MetS. LVM/h(2.7) was significantly higher in MetS patients (59.14 ± 14.97 vs. 55.33 ± 14.69 g/m(2.7); p = 0.022). Hypertensive patients with MetS had a 2.3-fold higher risk to have LVH/h(2.7) after adjustment for age, SBP and TIS (OR 2.34; 95%CI 1.40-3.92; p = 0.001), but MetS lost its independent relationship with LVH when BMI was included in the model.In Ow/Ob hypertensive patients MetS maintains its role of risk factor for LVH independently of age, SBP, and TIS, resulting in a useful predictor of target organ damage in clinical practice. However, MetS loses its independent relationship when BMI is taken into account, suggesting that the effects on MetS on LV parameters are mainly driven by the degree of adiposity