Assessment of Factors Influencing the Innovation Potential of Vertically Integrated Companies in a Macroregion

Due to the globalisation of the world economy and development of transnational corporations, vertically integrated companies have to use a wide range of innovation opportunities spanning the entire value chain in order to maintain market positions. Thus, such companies need to constantly and timely monitor changes influencing the innovation potential. The study proposes a new methodology for assessing the innovation potential of vertically integrated companies (VICs) and affecting factors. The implementation of the principle of continuity across the value chains of vertically integrated companies ensures the integrity and reliability of research results. Statistical data of seven VICs of the Volga Federal District for 2017 were analysed. Using the proposed methodology, we determined aggregate factors, ranked them and revealed their stimulating and disincentive effects on the innovation potential of VICs. Additionally, the study identified mechanisms for the efficient use of such potential across the value chains for strengthening the socio-economic development of regions. The analysis was performed based on the integrated use of structural, functional, generalisation, correlation and regression, statistical and economic, and expert assessment methods. It explained the distribution of factors and their correlation dependencies. The quantitative evaluation of presented factors demonstrated their varying impact on the innovation potential of vertically integrated companies. The research results can be used for developing regional strategies aimed at the improvement of company performance and economic crisis resolution

Assessment of Factors Influencing the Innovation Potential of Vertically Integrated Companies in a Macroregion

Due to the globalisation of the world economy and development of transnational corporations, vertically integrated companies have to use a wide range of innovation opportunities spanning the entire value chain in order to maintain market positions. Thus, such companies need to constantly and timely monitor changes influencing the innovation potential. The study proposes a new methodology for assessing the innovation potential of vertically integrated companies (VICs) and affecting factors. The implementation of the principle of continuity across the value chains of vertically integrated companies ensures the integrity and reliability of research results. Statistical data of seven VICs of the Volga Federal District for 2017 were analysed. Using the proposed methodology, we determined aggregate factors, ranked them and revealed their stimulating and disincentive effects on the innovation potential of VICs. Additionally, the study identified mechanisms for the efficient use of such potential across the value chains for strengthening the socio-economic development of regions. The analysis was performed based on the integrated use of structural, functional, generalisation, correlation and regression, statistical and economic, and expert assessment methods. It explained the distribution of factors and their correlation dependencies. The quantitative evaluation of presented factors demonstrated their varying impact on the innovation potential of vertically integrated companies. The research results can be used for developing regional strategies aimed at the improvement of company performance and economic crisis resolution

Luminescent Composite Carbon/SiO2 Structures: Synthesis and Applications

Luminescent carbon nanostructures (CNSs) have attracted great interest from the scientific community due to their photoluminescent properties, structural features, low toxicity, and a great variety of possible applications. Unfortunately, a few problems hinder their further development. These include the difficulties of separating a mixture of nanostructures after synthesis and the dependence of their properties on the environment and the aggregate state. The application of a silica matrix to obtain luminescent composite particles minimizes these problems and improves optical properties, reduces photoluminescence quenching, and leads to wider applications. We describe two methods for the formation of silica composites containing CNSs: inclusion of CNSs into silica particles and their grafting onto the silica surface. Moreover, we present approaches to the synthesis of multifunctional particles. They combine the unique properties of silica and fluorescent CNSs, as well as magnetic, photosensitizing, and luminescent properties via the combination of functional nanoparticles such as iron oxide nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). Lastly, we discuss the advantages and challenges of these structures and their applications. The novelty of this review involves the detailed description of the approaches for the silica application as a matrix for the CNSs. This will support researchers in solving fundamental and applied problems of this type of carbon-based nanoobjects

Water-dispersed luminescent quantum dots for miRNA detection

This review targets valuable insight into the application of water dispersed luminescent quantum dots (QDs) for detection of microRNA (miRNA). Recently, considerable efforts have been devoted to obtain QDs for biosensing and bioimaging. Quantum dots with bright stable photoluminescence, synthesized directly in the water phase, offered an unparalleled advantage for the assay development involving small size, high colloidal stability, and presence of groups for bioconjugation. In this review we have delineated the fundamental principles guiding the rational design, synthesis, and application of photoluminescent water-dispersed QDs. Diverse analysis methods for miRNA detection based on the photoluminescence,electrochemiluminescence, Forster resonance energy transfer and electrochemiluminescence energy transfer with different enhancement strategies are discussed

Targeted Therapy for Glomerulonephritis Using Arterial Delivery of Encapsulated Etanercept

Complex immunosuppressive therapy is prescribed in medical practice to patients with glomerulonephritis to help them overcome symptoms and prevent chronic renal failure. Such an approach requires long-term systemic administration of strong medications, which causes severe side effects. This work shows the efficiency of polymer capsule accumulation (2.8 ± 0.4 µm) containing labeled etanercept (100 μg per dose) in the kidneys of mice. The comparison of injection into the renal artery and tail vein shows the significant superiority of the intra-arterial administration strategy. The etanercept retention rate of 18% and 8% ID in kidneys was found 1 min and 1 h after injection, respectively. The capsules were predominantly localized in the glomeruli after injection in mice using a model of acute glomerulonephritis. Histological analysis confirmed a significant therapeutic effect only in animals with intra-arterial administration of microcapsules with etanercept. The proposed strategy combines endovascular surgery and the use of polymer microcapsules containing a high molecular weight drug that can be successfully applied to treat a wide range of kidney diseases associated with glomerular pathology

“Smart” Polylactic Acid Films with Ceftriaxone Loaded Microchamber Arrays for Personalized Antibiotic Therapy

Bacterial infections are a severe medical problem, especially in traumatology, orthopedics, and surgery. The local use of antibiotics-elution materials has made it possible to increase the effectiveness of acute infections treatment. However, the infection prevention problem remains unresolved. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of polylactic acid (PLA) “smart” films with microchamber arrays. These microchambers contain ceftriaxone as a payload in concentrations ranging from 12 ± 1 μg/cm2 to 38 ± 8 μg/cm2, depending on the patterned film thickness formed by the different PLA concentrations in chloroform. In addition, the release profile of the antibiotic can be prolonged up to 72 h in saline. At the same time, on the surface of agar plates, the antibiotic release time increases up to 96 h, which has been confirmed by the growth suppression of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The efficient loading and optimal release rate are obtained for patterned films formed by the 1.5 wt % PLA in chloroform. The films produced from 1.5 and 2 wt % PLA solutions (thickness—0.42 ± 0.12 and 0.68 ± 0.16 µm, respectively) show an accelerated ceftriaxone release upon the trigger of the therapeutic ultrasound, which impacted as an expansion of the bacterial growth inhibition zone around the samples. Combining prolonged drug elution with the on-demand release ability of large cargo amount opens up new approaches for personalized and custom-tunable antibacterial therapy

Cerebral Blood Flow in Predator Stress-Resilient and -Susceptible Rats and Mechanisms of Resilience

Stress-induced conditions are associated with impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) and increased risk of dementia and stroke. However, these conditions do not develop in resilient humans and animals. Here the effects of predator stress (PS, cat urine scent, ten days) on CBF and mechanisms of CBF regulation were compared in PS-susceptible (PSs) and PS-resilient (PSr) rats. Fourteen days post-stress, the rats were segregated into PSs and PSr groups based on a behavior-related anxiety index (AI). CBF and its endothelium-dependent changes were measured in the parietal cortex by laser Doppler flowmetry. The major findings are: (1) PS susceptibility was associated with reduced basal CBF and endothelial dysfunction. In PSr rats, the basal CBF was higher, and endothelial dysfunction was attenuated. (2) CBF was inversely correlated with the AI of PS-exposed rats. (3) Endothelial dysfunction was associated with a decrease in eNOS mRNA in PSs rats compared to the PSr and control rats. (4) Brain dopamine was reduced in PSs rats and increased in PSr rats. (5) Plasma corticosterone of PSs was reduced compared to PSr and control rats. (6) A hypercoagulation state was present in PSs rats but not in PSr rats. Thus, potential stress resilience mechanisms that are protective for CBF were identified