Storage; analysis and communication of information from diverse wheat field trials

Tese de doutoramento em Gestão de Empresas apresentada à Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de CoimbraNas últimas décadas, grandes transformações ocorreram no ambiente competitivo internacional, provocando mudanças significativas no mercado externo e acelerando o processo de internacionalização das empresas, para que possam se manter competitivas. Portanto, esta tese investiga como se articulam os vários antecedentes da internacionalização de empresas brasileiras e avalia a intensidade das relações existentes entre a orientação para o mercado externo, a orientação empreendedora internacional, os recursos e a inovação e o seu impacto na performance exportadora. Este estudo visa a aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a capacidade destes construtos influenciarem o resultado das empresas brasileiras que operam no mercado internacional e avaliarem as relações agregadas entre eles. Para isso, alguns passos foram fundamentais no desenvolvimento da pesquisa: a proposição de um modelo teórico hipotetizando as relações entre os temas; a validação de escalas confiáveis; o teste empírico das hipóteses. As empresas brasileiras exportadoras foram definidas como população-alvo, conforme cadastro oficial da Secretaria de Comércio Exterior (Secex) do Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior (MDIC). A amostra foi composta de 406 empresas pesquisadas. Na análise dos dados aplicou-se a técnica multivariada dos dados, por meio da modelagem de equações estruturais (MEE) e a técnica de redes neurais artificiais (RNA). Testou-se o modelo hipotético através da análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC) e os resultados confirmaram 8 entre as 10 hipóteses estabelecidas a partir do modelo adotado nesta tese. Os resultados apontaram um efeito positivo e integrado entre os construtos antecedentes e a performance exportadora, conforme proposto no modelo estrutural. Os impactos mais fortes do modelo estabeleceram-se nas relações entre a orientação para o mercado externo e os recursos, e na relação entre a orientação empreendedora internacional e a orientação para o mercado externo. Os resultados obtidos através da técnica de redes neurais apresentaram 10 construtos de 1ª ordem com pesos positivos na relação com a performance exportadora e somente 4 com pesos negativos (inibidores). No comparativo entre as duas técnicas de análise, os resultados foram semelhantes, o que pode mostrar que a linearidade das relações é a realidade dominante. No cômputo geral os resultados confirmaram que os construtos de orientação para o mercado externo, a orientação empreendedora internacional, os recursos e a inovação influenciam positivamente na performance exportadora das empresas

Bott periodicity and stable quantum classes

We use Bott periodicity to relate previously defined quantum classes to certain "exotic Chern classes" on $BU$. This provides an interesting computational and theoretical framework for some Gromov-Witten invariants connected with cohomological field theories. This framework has applications to study of higher dimensional, Hamiltonian rigidity aspects of Hofer geometry of $\mathbb{CP} ^{n}$, one of which we discuss here.Comment: prepublication versio

Projections of the current and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus infection in Malaysia

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Malaysia has been estimated at 2.5% of the adult population. Our objective, satisfying one of the directives of the WHO Framework for Global Action on Viral Hepatitis, was to forecast the HCV disease burden in Malaysia using modelling methods.An age-structured multi-state Markov model was developed to simulate the natural history of HCV infection. We tested three historical incidence scenarios that would give rise to the estimated prevalence in 2009, and calculated the incidence of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) under each scenario, to the year 2039. In the baseline scenario, current antiviral treatment levels were extended from 2014 to the end of the simulation period. To estimate the disease burden averted under current sustained virological response rates and treatment levels, the baseline scenario was compared to a counterfactual scenario in which no past or future treatment is assumed.In the baseline scenario, the projected disease burden for the year 2039 is 94,900 DALYs/year (95% credible interval (CrI): 77,100 to 124,500), with 2,002 (95% CrI: 1340 to 3040) and 540 (95% CrI: 251 to 1,030) individuals predicted to develop decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively, in that year. Although current treatment practice is estimated to avert a cumulative total of 2,200 deaths from DC or HCC, a cumulative total of 63,900 HCV-related deaths is projected by 2039.The HCV-related disease burden is already high and is forecast to rise steeply over the coming decades under current levels of antiviral treatment. Increased governmental resources to improve HCV screening and treatment rates and to reduce transmission are essential to address the high projected HCV disease burden in Malaysia

Imaging language networks before and after anterior temporal lobe resection: results of a longitudinal fMRI study.

Anterior temporal lobe resection (ATLR) controls seizures in up to 70% of patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) but, in the language dominant hemisphere, may impair language function, particularly naming. Functional reorganization can occur within the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. We investigated reorganization of language in left-hemisphere-dominant patients before and after ATLR; whether preoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) predicts postoperative naming decline; and efficiency of postoperative language networks

Increased immunogenicity of surviving tumor cells enables cooperation between liposomal doxorubicin and IL-18

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) is a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug with a favorable hematologic toxicity profile. Its active drug, doxorubicin, has interesting immunomodulatory properties. Here, the effects of Doxil on surviving tumor cell immunophenotype were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using ID8 murine ovarian cancer cells, the immunomodulatory effects of Doxil were studied by measuring its impact on ovarian cancer cell expression of MHC class-I and Fas, and susceptibility to immune attack <it>in vitro</it>. To evaluate the ability of Doxil to cooperate with cancer immunotherapy, the interaction between Doxil and Interleukin 18 (IL-18), a pleiotropic immunostimulatory cytokine, was investigated <it>in vivo </it>in mice bearing ID8-Vegf tumors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>While Doxil killed ID8 tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner, tumor cells escaping Doxil-induced apoptosis upregulated surface expression of MHC-I and Fas, and were sensitized to CTL killing and Fas-mediated death <it>in vitro</it>. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the combination of immunotherapy with Doxil provides positive interactions. Combination IL-18 and Doxil significantly suppressed tumor growth compared with either monotherapy <it>in vivo </it>and uniquely resulted in complete tumor regression and long term antitumor protection in a significant proportion of mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data demonstrate that Doxil favorably changes the immunophenotype of a large fraction of the tumor that escapes direct killing thus creating an opportunity to expand tumor killing by immunotherapy, which can be capitalized through addition of IL-18 <it>in vivo</it>.</p

A computer assisted planning system for the placement of sEEG electrodes in the treatment of epilepsy

Approximately 20-30% of patients with focal epilepsy are medically refractory and may be candidates for curative surgery. Stereo EEG is the placement of multiple depth electrodes into the brain to record seizure activity and precisely identify the area to be resected. The two important criteria for electrode implantation are accurate navigation to the target area, and avoidance of critical structures such as blood vessels. In current practice neurosurgeons have no assistance in the planning of the electrode trajectories. To provide assistance a real-time solution was developed that first identifies the potential entry points by analysing the entry-angle, then computes the associated risks for trajectories starting from these locations. The entry angle, the total length of the trajectory and distances to critical structures are presented in an interactive way that is integrated with standard electrode placement planning tools and advanced visualisation. We show that this improves the planning of intracranial implantation, with safer trajectories in less time. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

Acquisition of sensorimotor fMRI under general anaesthesia: Assessment of feasibility, the BOLD response and clinical utility

We evaluated whether task-related fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) BOLD (blood oxygenation level dependent) activation could be acquired under conventional anaesthesia at a depth enabling neurosurgery in five patients with supratentorial gliomas. Within a 1.5 T MRI operating room immediately prior to neurosurgery, a passive finger flexion sensorimotor paradigm was performed on each hand with the patients awake, and then immediately after the induction and maintenance of combined sevoflurane and propofol general anaesthesia. The depth of surgical anaesthesia was measured and confirmed with an EEG-derived technique, the Bispectral Index (BIS). The magnitude of the task-related BOLD response and BOLD sensitivity under anaesthesia were determined. The fMRI data were assessed by three fMRI expert observers who rated each activation map for somatotopy and usefulness for radiological neurosurgical guidance. The mean magnitudes of the task-related BOLD response under a BIS measured depth of surgical general anaesthesia were 25% (tumour affected hemisphere) and 22% (tumour free hemisphere) of the respective awake values. BOLD sensitivity under anaesthesia ranged from 7% to 83% compared to the awake state. Despite these reductions, somatotopic BOLD activation was observed in the sensorimotor cortex in all ten data acquisitions surpassing statistical thresholds of at least p < 0.001uncorr. All ten fMRI activation datasets were scored to be useful for radiological neurosurgical guidance. Passive task-related sensorimotor fMRI acquired in neurosurgical patients under multi-pharmacological general anaesthesia is reproducible and yields clinically useful activation maps. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the technique and its potential value if applied intra-operatively. Additionally these methods may enable fMRI investigations in patients unable to perform or lie still for awake paradigms, such as young children, claustrophobic patients and those with movement disorders

Antimicrobial Stewardship from Policy to Practice: Experiences from UK Antimicrobial Pharmacists

Antimicrobial stewardship in the UK has evolved dramatically in the last 15 years. Factors driving this include initial central funding for specialist pharmacists and mandatory reductions in healthcare-associated infections (particularly Clostridium difficile infection). More recently, the introduction of national stewardship guidelines, and an increased focus on stewardship as part of the UK five-year antimicrobial resistance strategy, have accelerated and embedded developments. Antimicrobial pharmacists have been instrumental in effecting changes at an organizational and national level. This article describes the evolution of the antimicrobial pharmacist role, its impact, the progress toward the actions listed in the five-year resistance strategy, and novel emerging areas in stewardship in the UK

Oncolytic adenovirus co-expressing IL-12 and IL-18 improves tumor-specific immunity via differentiation of T cells expressing IL-12Rβ2 or IL-18Rα

The oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) is currently being advanced as a promising antitumor remedy as it selectively replicates in tumor cells and can transfer and amplify therapeutic genes. Interleukin (IL)-12 induces a potent antitumor effect by promoting natural killer (NK) cell and cytotoxic T cell activities. IL-18 also augments cytotoxicity of NK cells and proliferation of T cells. This effect further enhances the function of IL-12 in a synergistic manner. Therefore, we investigated for the first time an effective cancer immunogene therapy of syngeneic tumors via intratumoral administration of oncolytic Ad co-expressing IL-12 and IL-18, RdB/IL-12/IL-18. Intratumoral administration of RdB/IL-12/IL-18 improved antitumor effects, as well as increased survival, in B16-F10 murine melanoma model. The ratio of T-helper type 1/2 cytokine as well as the levels of IL-12, IL-18, interferon-γ and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor was markedly elevated in RdB/IL-12/IL-18-treated tumors. Mice injected with RdB/IL-12/IL-18 also showed enhanced cytotoxicity of tumor-specific immune cells. Consistent with these results, immense necrosis and infiltration of NK cells, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, were observed in RdB/IL-12/IL-18-treated tumor tissues. Importantly, tumors treated with RdB/IL-12/IL-18 showed an elevated number of T cells expressing IL-12Rβ2 or IL-18Rα. These results provide a new insight into therapeutic mechanisms of IL-12 plus IL-18 and provide a potential clinical cancer immunotherapeutic agent for improved antitumor immunity

What are the competences in information system required by managers? Curriculum development for management and public administration degrees

[EN] This paper analyzes the competences required by executives to manage information system, and consequently, the competences that must define the information system subjects in non-technical degrees, degrees, such as Public Administration or Business Management. This work reviews the literature about business managers competences on Information Technologies (IT) and compares the theory with the traditional body of knowledge about information systems taught at business schools. By analyzing the executives function, their role in the information system management, and, above, all the importance of their decisions in the effective integration of IT in business processes, this work proposes specific development in seven knowledge areas that facilitate the acquisition of these types of executive competencesDevece Carañana, CA.; Peris-Ortiz, M.; Rueda Armengot, C. (2016). What are the competences in information system required by managers? Curriculum development for management and public administration degrees. Technology, Innovation and Education. 2(10):1-9. doi:10.1186/s40660-016-0016-2S19210Bassellier G, Benbasat I (2004) Business competence of IT professionals: conceptual development and influence on IT-business partnerships. MIS Q 28(4):673–694Bassellier G, Reich BH, Benbasat I (2001) Information technology competence of business managers: a definition and research model. J Manag Inf Syst 17(4):159–182Bassellier G, Benbasat I, Reich BH (2003) The influence of business managers’ IT competence on championing IT. Inf Syst Res 14(4):317–336Bettiol M, Di Maria E, Finotto V (2012) Marketing in SMEs: the role of entrepreneurial sensemaking. Int Entrep Manag J 8(2):223–248Boyatzis RE (1982) The competent manager a model for effective performance. Wiley, New YorkBoynton AC, Zmud RW, Jacobs GC (1994) The influence of IT management practice on IT use in large organizations. MIS Q 18(3):299–318Broadbent M, Weill P (1993) Improving business and information strategy alignment: learning from the banking industry. IBM Syst J 32(1):162–179Brown CV, Magill SL (1994) Alignment of the IS functions with the enterprise: toward a model of antecedents. MIS Q 18(4):371–403Busch EA, Jarvenpaa SL, Tractinsky N, Glick WH (1991) External versus internal perspectives in determining a firm’s progressive use of information technology. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Information Systems, New York, 1991:239–250Camisón C (2002) On the relevance of industry, competitive scope, strategic group, size and distinctive competences construct on explaining of organizational performance. Universitat jaume I, Castellón (Working Paper 1–02,Research Group on Strategy, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning)Castanias RP, Helfat CE (1991) Managerial resources and rents. J Manag 17:155–171Cegarra-Navarro JG, Sánchez-Vidal ME, Cegarra-Leiva D (2011) Balancing exploration and exploitation of knowledge through an unlearning context: an empirical investigation in SMEs. Manag Decis 49(7):1099–1119Chan YE, Reich BH (2007) IT alignment: what have we learned? J Inf Tech 22:297–315Chan YE, Sabherwal R, Thatcher JB (2006) Antecedents and outcomes of strategic IS alignment: an empirical investigation. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 51(3):27–47Croteau AM, Bergeron F (2001) An information technology trilogy: business strategy, technological deployment and organizational performance. J Strateg Inf Syst 10:77–99Crowston K, Myers MD (2004) Information technology and the transformation of industries: three research perspectives. J Strateg Inf Syst 13(1):5–28Dent-Micallef A, Powell T (1998) Technologies de l’information: nécessités stratégiques ou sources d’avantage concurrentiel? Une étude empirique dans le secteur de la distribution aux Etats-Unis. Rev Can Sci Adm 15(1):39–64Devece C (2013) The value of business managers’ ‘information technology’ competence. Serv Ind J 33(7/8):720–733Doll WJ, Torkzadeh G (1987) The relationship of MIS steering committee to size of firm and formalization of mis planning. Commun ACM 30(11):972–978Earl MJ (1996) The risks of outsourcing IT. Sloan Manag Rev 37(3):26–32European Commission (2015) ECTS Users’ Guide 2015. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. doi: 10.2766/87592Hambrick DC, Brandon G (1988) Executive values. In: Hambrick DC (ed) The executive effect: concepts and methods for studying top managers. JAI Press, GreenwichHambrick DC, Mason PA (1984) Upper echelons: the organization as a reflection of its top managers. Acad Manag Rev 9(2):193–206Hotho S, Champion K (2011) Small businesses in the new creative industries: innovation as a people management challenge. Manag Decis 49(1):29–54Jarvenpaa SL, Ives B (1991) Executive involment and participation in the management of IT. MIS Q 15(2):52–69Lado AA, Wilson MC (1994) Human resource systems and sustained competitive advantage: a competency-based perspective. Acad Manag Rev 19(4):699–727Lado AA, Boyd NG, Wright P (1992) A competency-based model of sustainable competitive advantage: toward a conceptual integration. J Manag 18(1):77–91Lederer AL, Mendelow AL (1988) Information systems planning: top management takes control. Bus Horiz 31(3):73–78Oh W, Pinsonneault A (2007) On the assessment of the strategic value of information technologies: conceptual and analytical approaches. MIS Q 31(2):239–265Osbaldeston M, Barham K (1992) Using management development for competitive advantage. Long Range Plan 25(6):18–24Penrose ET (1959) The theory of the growth of the firm. Basil Blackwell, OxfordReich BH, Benbasat I (1996) Measuring the linkage between business and information technology objectives. MIS Q 20(1):55–81Reich BH, Benbasat I (2000) Factors that influence the social dimension of alignment between business and information techonology objectives. MIS Q 24(1):81–113Riegner C (2007) Word of mouth on the web: the impact of web 2.0 on consumer purchase decisions. J Advert Res 47(4):436–447Rockart JF (1988) The lines takes the leadership. Sloan Manag Rev 29(4):57–64Sabherwal R, Chan YE (2001) Alignment between business and IS strategies: a study of prospectors, analyzers, and defenders. Inf Syst Res 12(1):11–33Sanchez R, Heene A, Thomas H (1996) Towards the theory and practice of competence-based competition. In: Sanchez R, Heene A, Thomas H (eds) Dynamics of competence-based competition: theory and practice in the new strategic management. Elsevier, London, pp 1–35Senge PM (1990) The fifth discipline: the age and practice of the learning organization. Century Business, LondonSiegel DS, Renko M (2012) The role of market and technological knowledge in recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities. Manag Decis 50(5):797–816Stare M, Jaklic A, Kotnik P (2006) Exploiting ICT potential in service firms in transition economies. Serv Ind J 26(3):287–302Swanson EB (1974) Management information systems: appreciation and involvement. Manag Sci 21(2):178–188Torkzadeh G, Xia W (1992) Managing telecommunications by steering committee. MIS Q 16(2):187–199Westley F, Mintzberg H (1989) Visionary leadership and strategic management. Strateg Manag J 10:17–32Yang TT, Li CR (2011) Competence exploration and exploitation in new product development: the moderating effects of environmental dynamism and competitiveness. Manag Decis 49(9):1444–147