Building creative confidence in idea management processes to improve idea generation in new product development teams

This is a scoping paper that aims to establish effective practices and key players in the domain of Idea Management. The paper defines Idea Management as the generation, evaluation and selection of ideas. The purpose of the paper is to map the current landscape of methodologies and tools in order to identify gaps and support the development of a framework to enhance creative confidence in idea management. The study has two key research questions: (i) what factors are influencing current idea generation practices and (ii) what tools and approaches exist for idea generation. This will help identify how creative confidence can influence the idea generation processes. Creative confidence is the capability to come up with breakthrough ideas, associated with the bravery to perform. If stimulated in the right way with a valuable framework, its impact on employees’ performance is significant in improving team members’ innovation performance and quality of ideas

The potential of Data-Driven Virtual Assistants to enhance Customer Experience in the Telecommunications Industry

Our day to day is becoming increasingly technological. We use more devices, manage more aspects of our life online, check whatsapp dozens of times a day, etc. We have even started talking to our phones in search of information and answers to make our lives easier. This is why we keep hearing words like Virtual Assistants or Artificial intelligence, which have become familiar through Siri, Cortana or Google Assistant. We do not hesitate to ask them for information about the weather, routes, reminders, etc. However, when it comes to interacting with organisations and service providers, users still tend to do so through traditional channels, such as phone calls or visiting shops, which quite often result in a poor customer experience and low customer satisfaction. This usually happens because it has become difficult for both customers and firms to access and filter information in this overwhelming era of Data Growth, the core challenge of Big Data. Consequently, how could large organisations implement new technologies to improve customer experience and utilise Big Data? This paper explores the benefits and needs of applying Data-Driven Virtual Assistants and Artificial Intelligence principles to enhance customer experience when managing Telecommunications services, as well as what such applications would imply compared to existing models. It identifies the perceived benefits from both users and the Telecoms organisations that implement a Data Driven Virtual Assistant

Non-invasive ultrasonic technology for continuous monitoring of pork loin and ham dry salting

[EN] Online ultrasound measurements were taken using pulse-echo mode in loins (Longissimus dorsi) and hams at different salting times (up to 30 days). From the time-domain ultrasonic wave, the time of flight (TOF) was computed as well as its variation between two signals (Delta TOF). A progressive decrease in TOF during dry salting was found, which was linked to the salt gain, water loss and the reduction in sample thickness. Predictive models based on the ultrasonic parameters (Delta TOF and initial time of flight, TOF0) correctly classified 85% of the loins and 90% of the hams into 3 groups of salt content (low/medium/high): The results obtained confirm that the use of the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique is of great potential in the non-destructive monitoring of dry salting in pork loins and hams, as well as in the prediction of the salt gain for classification purposes. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO), the Instituto Nacional de Investigation y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF 2014-2020) (contract n. RTA2013-00030-C03-02), by the PROMETEOII\2014\005 and by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) through the FPI grant awarded to Marta de Prados (SP-1.2011-S1-2757)Prados Pedraza, MD.; Garcia-Perez, J.; Benedito Fort, JJ. (2017). Non-invasive ultrasonic technology for continuous monitoring of pork loin and ham dry salting. Meat Science. 128:8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.01.009S81412

¿Cuál es el estilo parental óptimo para adolescentes con baja vs. alta autoeficacia? Autoconcepto, desajuste psicológico y rendimiento académico de los adolescentes en el contexto español

The aim of this paper is to establish which parenting style is associated with optimum outcomes among adolescents of Spanish families considering adolescents with low vs. high self-efficacy. Although classical studies identify the authoritative parenting style (based on warmth and strictness) as the best parental strategy, emerging research seriously questions the benefits of parental strictness. Additionally, the impact of parenting on the adolescent’s psychosocial competence has been studied for years, but less is known about whether it might vary depending on individual characteristics of the adolescent (e.g., self-efficacy). Participants were 1029 Spanish adolescents, 453 males (44%), aged 12-17 years. Families were classified in one of the parenting styles groups (authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, or neglectful), and adolescents were grouped by low vs. high self-efficacy. Adolescent psychosocial competence was examined through emotional and academic self-concept, psychological maladjustment (hostility/aggression, negative self-esteem, emotional responsivity, instability, and negative view of the world), and academic performance (grade point average and number of failing grades). Main and interaction effects of parenting style and adolescent self-efficacy were tested. Main effect results indicated that adolescents with low self-efficacy were always associated with the worst psychosocial competence. Consistently, the main effect findings indicated that adolescents from indulgent and authoritative families were associated with better results than those from neglectful and authoritarian families. However, the indulgent parenting style yielded the best results. The impact of parenting might not be the same for adolescents in all cultural contexts. Contrary to findings from classical studies, parental strictness seems to be unnecessary or even detrimental for adolescents with low and high self-efficacy.El objetivo de este estudio es identificar qué estilo parental se asocia con resultados óptimos entre los adolescentes de familias españolas considerando aquellos con baja vs. alta autoeficacia. Los participantes fueron 1029 adolescentes españoles, 453 varones (44%), de 12 a 17 años. Aunque los estudios clásicos identifican el estilo autorizativo (basado en el afecto y la severidad) como la mejor estrategia socializadora, las investigaciones emergentes cuestionan seriamente los beneficios de la severidad parental. Además, el impacto de la socialización parental en la competencia psicosocial del adolescente se ha estudiado durante años, pero se sabe menos sobre si podría variar en función de las características individuales del adolescente (e.g., la autoeficacia). Las familias fueron clasificadas por estilo parental (autorizativo, autoritario, indulgente o negligente), y los adolescentes por baja vs. alta autoeficacia. La competencia psicosocial se examinó a través del autoconcepto emocional y académico, el desajuste psicológico (hostilidad/agresión, autoestima negativa, irresponsividad emocional, inestabilidad emocional y visión negativa del mundo) y el rendimiento académico (nota media y número de cursos repetidos). Se comprobaron los efectos principales y de interacción de estilo parental y autoeficacia. Los resultados de los efectos principales indicaron que los adolescentes con baja autoeficacia presentaban siempre la peor competencia psicosocial. También que los adolescentes de familias indulgentes y autorizativas presentaron mejores resultados que los de familias negligentes y autoritarias. Sin embargo, el estilo parental indulgente se asoció a los mejores resultados. El impacto de la socialización parental podría no ser igual en todos los contextos culturales. Frente a los resultados de los estudios clásicos, la severidad parental parece ser innecesaria o incluso perjudicial para los adolescentes con baja y alta autoeficacia

Effect of Preventive Chlamydia abortus Vaccination in Offspring Development in Sheep Challenged Experimentally

Ovine enzootic abortion, caused by Chlamydia abortus, leads to important economic losses worldwide. In addition to reproductive failures, infection may impact lamb growth during the first weeks after birth, yet this effect has not been well characterized. Vaccination can help to control the disease but variable efficacy values have been described, possibly related with factors associated with the host, the vaccine, the parameter used for efficacy determination and the challenge conditions. In this context, we evaluated the efficacy of an inactivated standard commercial vaccine and a 1/2 diluted dose in pregnant sheep challenged with C. abortus by examining multiple indicators ofvaccine effect (including incidence of reproductive failures, bacterial excretion, and evolution of weight gain of viable lambs during the first month of life). Three groups of ewes [control non-vaccinated, C (n = 18); vaccinated with standard dose, SV (n = 16) and vaccinated with 1/2 dose, DV (n = 17)], were challenged approximately 90 days post-mating and tested using direct PCR (tissue samples and vaginal swabs) and ELISA (serum) until 31 days post-reproductive outcome. There were not significant differences in the proportions of reproductive failures or bacterial shedding after birth/abortion regardless the vaccination protocol. However, a beneficial effect of vaccination on offspring growth was detected in both vaccinated groups compared with the controls, with a mean increase in weight measured at 30 days of life of 1.5 and 2.5 Kg (p = 0.056) and an increase in the geometric mean of the daily gain of 8.4 and 9.7% in lambs born from DV and SV ewes compared to controls, respectively. Our results demonstrate the effect of an inactivated vaccine in the development of the offspring of C. abortus-infected ewes at a standard and a diluted dose, an interesting finding given the difficulty in achieving sufficient antigen concentration in the production of EAE-commercial vaccines

Estrategias Educativas para el profesorado de alumnado con TEA a través de la metodología TEACCH

El presente Trabajo de Fin de Grado plantea una propuesta educativa dirigida a integrar al alumnado con Trastorno de Espectro Autista durante la etapa de Educación Infantil, en un aula ordinaria. Para ello, se facilita al profesorado diferentes estrategias a través de una guía de intervención, con la finalidad de abordar desde la intervención educativa individualizada diversas conductas que presenta este alumnado en el contexto escolar. Dicha propuesta toma como referencia la metodología de Tratamiento y Educación de Niños con Autismo y Problemas Asociados de Comunicación, en torno a la cual girará esta guía de intervención. A su vez, se establecen unas pautas a seguir por el personal docente, y donde la familia cobra un protagonismo especial, con la finalidad de intervenir y dar respuestas a las necesidades específicas del alumnado. Dichas pautas favorecerán el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, así como la relación entre el profesorado y el alumnado con autismo.In this End Degree Project a method of action is proposed to include students with autism, belonging to the Early Childhood Education stage, in an ordinary classroom. For this, teachers are provided with different strategies, through an intervention guide, in order to approach from the individualized educational intervention diverse behaviors that this students presents in the school context. Among the previously mentioned strategies is the methodology of Treatment and Education of Children with Autism and Associated Communication Problems around which this intervention guide will revolve. At the same time, guidelines to be followed by teachers are specified to intervene and respond to the specific needs of this student. These guidelines will favor the teaching and learning process of the same, as well as the relationship between teachers and students with autism

Childhood leukaemia risk and residential proximity to busy roads

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests that childhood leukaemia can be associated with residential traffic exposure; nevertheless, more results are needed to support this conclusion. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the possible effects of residential proximity to road traffic on childhood leukaemia, taking into account traffic density, road proximity and the type of leukaemia (acute lymphoid leukaemia or acute myeloid leukaemia). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study of childhood leukaemia in Spain, covering the period 1990-2011. It included 1061 incidence cases gathered from the Spanish National Childhood Cancer Registry and those Autonomous Regions with 100% coverage, and 6447 controls, individually matched by year of birth, sex and autonomous region of residence. Distances were computed from the respective participant's residential locations to the different types of roads and four different buffers. Using logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), were calculated for four different categories of distance to roads. RESULTS: Cases of childhood leukaemia had more than three-fold increased odds of living at <50 m of the busiest motorways compared to controls (OR = 2.90; 95%CI = 1.30-6.49). The estimates for acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) were slightly higher (OR = 2.95; 95%CI = 1.22-7.14), while estimates for cases with the same address at birth and at diagnosis were lower (OR = 2.40; 95%CI = 0.70-8.30). CONCLUSIONS: Our study agrees with the literature and furnishes some evidence that living near a busy motorway could be a risk factor for childhood leukaemia.This study was funded by Spain's Health Research Fund, Spain (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria - FIS 12/01416 and FIS CP11/00112), Carlos III Health Institute, Spain Grand EPY 1344/16 and Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Spain (Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) – EVP-1178/14). This article presents independent research. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Carlos III Institute of Health.S

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on biomarkers in healthy and cancer populations: a systematic review

Background: Only a small number of articles have investigated the relationship between mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and biomarkers. The aim of this systematic review was to study the effect of MBIs on specific biomarkers (cytokines, neuropeptides and C-reactive protein (CRP)) in both healthy subjects and cancer patients. Methods: A search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane library between 1980 and September 2016. Results: A total of 13 studies with 1110 participants were included. In the healthy population, MBIs had no effect on cytokines, but were found to increase the levels of the neuropeptide insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). With respect to neuropeptide Y, despite the absence of post-intervention differences, MBIs may enhance recovery from stress. With regard to CRP, MBIs could be effective in lower Body Mass Index (BMI) individuals. In cancer patients, MBIs seem to have some effect on cytokine levels, although it was not possible to determine which specific cytokines were affected. One possibility is that MBIs might aid recovery of the immune system, increasing the production of interleukin (IL)-4 and decreasing interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Conclusions: MBIs may be involved in changes from a depressive/carcinogenic profile to a more normalized one. However, given the complexity and different contexts of the immune system, and the fact that this investigation is still in its preliminary stage, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to further establish the impact of MBI programmes on biomarkers in both clinical and non-clinical populations.Instituto de Salud Carlos III of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessNetwork for Prevention and Health Promotion in primary Care from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain)European Union ERDF fundsAragon Hlth Sci Inst IACS, Zaragoza, SpainShowa Univ, Dept Psychiat, Sch Med, Tokyo, JapanPrimary Care Prevent & Hlth Promot Res Network RE, Barcelona, SpainUniv Zaragoza, Miguel Servet Univ Hosp, Dept Psychiat, Zaragoza, SpainUniv Zaragoza, Fac Social & Human Sci, Dept Psychol & Sociol, Teruel, SpainFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Prevent Med, Mente Aberta Brazilian Ctr Mindfulness & Hlth Pro, Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Zaragoza, Fac Hlth Sci & Sports, Huesca, SpainUniv Balearic Isl, Res Inst Hlth Sci IUNICS, Palma De Mallorca, SpainFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Prevent Med, Mente Aberta Brazilian Ctr Mindfulness & Hlth Pro, Sao Paulo, BrazilInstituto de Salud Carlos III of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness: PI13/01637Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in primary Care from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain): RD12/0005Web of Scienc

Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Baix Empordà

Background: In Spain, the prevalence of different rheumatic diseases is known mainly through the EPISER studies coordinated by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology and based on surveys in a population sample. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence in 2016 of different rheumatic diseases in the population residing in Baix Emporda according to healthcare coding records.Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out on the popula-tion attended from 2016 to 2017 in SIBBE (Serveis de Salut Integrats del Baix Emporda), an organizational service that includes all the healthcare facilities in the Baix Emporda area with a unique information sys-tem. Patients >= 20 years of age were selected and the ICD9-CM coding of all their healthcare contacts was analysed according to 11 entities and 28 diseases. The entities were: polyarthritis, spondyloarthri-tis, microcrystalline arthritis, osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, fibromyalgia, chronic spinal pain, osteoporosis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis and others. The studied population was assigned to the categories: .with rheumatic disease,.p.ossible rheumatic diseaseand .without rheumatic disease..Results: In total, 71,785 patients were distributed as: 36.2% with rheumatic disease (n = 25,990); 6.1% with possible rheumatic disease (n = 4406) and 57.7% without rheumatic disease (n = 41,389). The group .with rheumatic diseases.howed a predominance of women (59.7% vs. 44.9%) and older age (59.1 +/- 17.7 vs. 45.1 +/- 16.2; p < .001) compared to the group .without rheumatic disease.. The presence of rheumatic disease increased progressively with age, being maximum in the group between 55-75 years.Conclusions: 36.2% of our population has some type of rheumatic disease. The estimated prevalence of some rheumatic diseases in the Baix Emporda population is partially consistent with that estimated by the EPISER 2016 study. Rheumatic disease affects women in a greater proportion and is more frequent in patients over 45 years of age

A Multimodal Scaffold for SDF1 Delivery Improves Cardiac Function in a Rat Subacute Myocardial Infarct Model

Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The efficient delivery of therapeutic growth factors could counteract the adverse prognosis of post-myocardial infarction (post-MI). In this study, a collagen hydrogel that is able to load and appropriately deliver pro-angiogenic stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) was physically coupled with a compact collagen membrane in order to provide the suture strength required for surgical implantation. This bilayer collagen-on-collagen scaffold (bCS) showed the suitable physicochemical properties that are needed for efficient implantation, and the scaffold was able to deliver therapeutic growth factors after MI. In vitro collagen matrix biodegradation led to a sustained SDF1 release and a lack of cytotoxicity in the relevant cell cultures. In vivo intervention in a rat subacute MI model resulted in the full integration of the scaffold into the heart after implantation and biocompatibility with the tissue, with a prevalence of anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic macrophages, as well as evidence of revascularization and improved cardiac function after 60 days. Moreover, the beneficial effect of the released SDF1 on heart remodeling was confirmed by a significant reduction in cardiac tissue stiffness. Our findings demonstrate that this multimodal scaffold is a desirable matrix that can be used as a drug delivery system and a scaffolding material to promote functional recovery after MI