Firm survival: The role of incubators and business characteristics

This paper analyzes the impact of business incubators on firm survival. Using a configurational comparative method, namely fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), the article also examines whether degree of business innovation, size, sector, and export activity affects firm survival. Results show that, when combined with other variables (i.e. sector, technology), business size is a sufficient condition for firm survival. Likewise, incubators alone cannot affect survival. A combination between incubators and other factors is necessary to ensure firm survival.Mas Verdú, F.; Ribeiro Soriano, D.; Roig Tierno, H. (2015). Firm survival: The role of incubators and business characteristics. Journal of Business Research. 68(4):793-796. doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.11.030S79379668

Fast simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction

Simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction has now become a useful tool for designing and optimizing the system. In order to perform accurate simulations, including system non-linearities, the Finite Element Method is commonly employed combined with a time integration scheme, even though the computational time required may be longer than with the use of other simpler approaches. In this paper we propose a two-stage methodology (Offline/Online) which notably reduces the computational cost without any loss in accuracy and makes it possible to successfully carry out very efficient optimizations or even Hardware in the Loop simulations with real-time requirements.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the FPU program offered by the Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte under grant number (FPU13/04191), and also funding from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2016/007).Gregori Verdú, S.; Tur Valiente, M.; Nadal Soriano, E.; Aguado, J.; Fuenmayor Fernández, FJ.; Chinesta, F. (2017). Fast simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design. 129:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finel.2017.01.007S11312

Mortalidad a corto plazo en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca en estadios finales

Objectives: This study is aimed at analyzing the impact of the main factors contributing to short and long-term mortality in patients at final stages of heart failure (HF). Setting: Patients attended at any of the 279 primary health care centers belonging to the Institut Català de la Salut, in Catalonia (Spain). Participants: Patients with Advanced HF. Design: Multicenter cohort study including 1148 HF patients followed for one-year after reaching New York Heart Association (NYHA) IV. Main measurements: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to assess the outcomes at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Mean age of patients was 82 (SD 9) years and women represented 61.7%. A total of 135 (11.8%) and 397 (34.6%) patients died three months and one year after inclusion, respectively. Male gender, age, and decreased body mass index were associated with higher mortality at three, six and twelve months. In addition, low systolic blood pressure levels, severe reduction in glomerular filtration, malignancy, and higher doses of loop diuretics were related to higher mortality from 6 to 12 months. The most important risk factor over the whole period was presenting a body mass index lower than 20 kg/m2 (three months OR 3.06, 95% CI: 1.58–5.92; six months OR 4.42, 95% CI: 2.08–9.38; and 12 months OR 3.68, 95% CI: 1.76–7.69). Conclusions: We may conclude that male, age, and decreased body mass index determined higher short-term mortality in NYHA IV. In addition, low systolic blood pressure, reduced glomerular filtration, malignancy, and higher doses of loop diuretics contribute to increasing the risk of mortality at medium and long-term. Such variables are easily measurable and can help to decide the best way to face the most advances stages of the disease.Objetivos: Analizar los factores que contribuyen a la mortalidad de pacientes en las etapas finales de la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Ámbito: Centros de atención primaria del Institut Català de la Salut, Cataluña, España. Participantes: Pacientes con IC avanzada. Diseño: Estudio de cohortes multicéntrico. Incluyó 1.148 pacientes de IC seguidos durante un año tras el registro de estadio funcional NYHA IV. Mediciones principales: El resultado principal fue la mortalidad por todas las causas. Se realizaron modelos de regresión logística multivariada (1, 3, 6 y 12 meses). Resultados: Edad media 82 años (DE 9), las mujeres representaron el 61,7%. Un total de 135 (11,8%) y 397 (34,6%) pacientes murieron 3 meses y un año después de su inclusión. El sexo masculino, la edad y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) < 20 kg/m2 se asociaron con una mayor mortalidad a los 3, 6 y 12 meses. Bajos niveles de presión arterial sistólica, reducción severa en el filtrado glomerular, malignidad y dosis altas de diuréticos fueron relacionadas con una mortalidad más alta de 6 a 12 meses. El factor de riesgo más importante fue un IMC < 20 kg/m2 (3 meses OR: 3,06; IC 95%: 1,58-5,92; 6 meses OR: 4,42; IC 95%: 2,08-9,38 y 12 meses OR: 3,68; IC 95%: 1,76-7,69). Conclusiones: Los varones, la edad avanzada y un IMC disminuido determinaron una mortalidad a corto plazo más alta en pacientes NYHA IV. La baja presión arterial sistólica, la reducción del filtrado glomerular, la malignidad y las dosis altas de diuréticos aumentan el riesgo de mortalidad a medio y largo plazo. Estas variables son fáciles de obtener, y pueden ayudar a decidir las mejores estrategias para afrontar los estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad

Adaptation and Validation of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form in Spanish Subjects

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic complication that negatively affects the quality of life (QoL) of diabetic patients. In Spain, there is no specifically designed and validated instrument to assess the QoL of patients with DFU. Our aim was to adapt the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF) questionnaire to a Spanish population and validate it. A prospective, observational design was used. The DFS-SF was administered by personal interview. The validated SF-36 and EQ-5D generic instruments were used as reference tools. The reliability, validity, and sensitivity to changes were assessed using standard statistical methods. A sample of 141 patients with DFU was recruited. The content validity was 3.46 on average (maximum score of 4). The internal consistency of the DFS-SF subscales showed a standardized Cronbach’s α range between 0.720 and 0.948. The DFS-SF domains showed excellent reproducibility measures (intraclass correlation coefficient from 0.77–0.92). The criterion validity was good with significant correlations between each DFS-SF subscale and its corresponding SF-36 and EQ-5D subscales (p < 0.001). However, the questionnaire structure was not validated (comparative fit index = 0.844, root mean square error of approximation = 0.095, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.093). The instrument showed high sensitivity to ulcer changes over time (p < 0.001). The adapted and validated Spanish version of the DFS-SF questionnaire has good psychometric properties and shows good sensitivity to ulcer changes, although the construct validity was not optimal. The adapted questionnaire will be a useful tool specifically to assess the QoL in subjects with diabetic foot ulcers in the clinical and research settings in Spain.CIBERDEM is an initiative from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Plan Nacional de I + D + I and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional). M.G.-C. held a predoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, FPU15/03005. This project was developed in the context of the Programme “Doctorat en Medicina de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona”, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Towards the Combination of C2RCC Processors for Improving Water Quality Retrieval in Inland and Coastal Areas

Sentinel-2 offers great potential for monitoring water quality in inland and coastal waters. However, atmospheric correction in these waters is challenging, and there is no standardized approach yet, but different methods coexist under constant development. The atmospheric correction Case 2 Regional Coast Colour (C2RCC) processor has been recently updated with the C2X-COMPLEX (C2XC). This study is one of the first attempts at exploring its performance, in comparison with C2RCC and C2X, in inland and coastal waters in the east of the Iberian Peninsula, in retrieving water surface reflectance and estimating chlorophyll-a ([Chl-a]), total suspended matter ([TSM]), and Secchi disk depth (ZSD). The relationship between in situ ZSD and Kd_z90max product (i.e., the depth of the water column from which 90% of the water-leaving irradiance is derived) of the C2RCC processors demonstrated the potential of this product for estimating water clarity (r > 0.75). However, [TSM] and [Chl-a] derived from the different processors with default calibration factors were not suitable within the targeted scenarios, requiring recalibration based on optical water types or a shift to dynamic algorithm blending approaches. This would benefit from switching between C2RCC and C2XC, which extends the potential for improving surface reflectance estimates to a wide range of scenarios and suggests a promising future for C2-Nets in operational monitoring of water quality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unidades multidisciplinares de feridas crónicas: Clínica de feridas

As Unidades Multidisciplinares de Feridas Crónicas / Clínicas de feridas devem ser as líderes que garantam o direito a uma atenção que ponha ao serviço da pessoa com feridas crónicas todos os recursos técnicos e humanos em função das suas necessidades, sejam de prevenção, de atenção ao seu processo, dependendo obviamente das possibilidades do centro, sem que os cidadãos possam ser discriminados devido ao sexo, idade, raça, ideologia e condição socioeconómica. Possibilitar uma trama eficiente na atenção, prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento independentemente do contexto assistencial e social das pessoas com feridas crónicas. Otimizar os recursos diagnósticos, preventivos e terapêuticos dirigidos às pessoas com feridas crónicas. Aglutinar a atividade investigadora e docente em matéria de feridas crónicas da sua área de influencia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unidades multidisciplinares de feridas crónicas: Clínica de feridas

As Unidades Multidisciplinares de Feridas Crónicas / Clínicas de feridas devem ser as líderes que garantam o direito a uma atenção que ponha ao serviço da pessoa com feridas crónicas todos os recursos técnicos e humanos em função das suas necessidades, sejam de prevenção, de atenção ao seu processo, dependendo obviamente das possibilidades do centro, sem que os cidadãos possam ser discriminados devido ao sexo, idade, raça, ideologia e condição socioeconómica. Possibilitar uma trama eficiente na atenção, prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento independentemente do contexto assistencial e social das pessoas com feridas crónicas. Otimizar os recursos diagnósticos, preventivos e terapêuticos dirigidos às pessoas com feridas crónicas. Aglutinar a atividade investigadora e docente em matéria de feridas crónicas da sua área de influencia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Incidencia de úlceras por presión en una unidad geriátrica de recuperación funcional: estudio de series cronológicas

Objetivos: Describir y analizar la incidencia de úlceras por presión (UPP) en una unidad geriátrica de recuperación funcional de un hospital geriátrico y examinar los posibles factores de riesgo. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de dos series cronológicas de incidencia de UPP en la unidad geriátrica, de media estancia o convalecencia. Conformaron las dos series todos los pacientes ingresados consecutivamente en los dos periodos de estudio (n = 241). Se consideró UPP incidente o intrahospitalaria aquella que se produjo a partir de las 48 horas desde el ingreso (fórmula de cálculo: Pacientes que han desarrollado una UPP en el hospital × 100/ pacientes ingresados más de 2 días). Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables recogidas y comparaciones mediante la prueba de la x2 o el test exacto de Fisher, según correspondiera. Resultados: La incidencia acumulada para el primer periodo fue del 23%, IC 95% = 15,8-31,4 y en el segundo, del 23,5%, IC 95% = 15,9-31,2; no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Se obtuvo una tasa de incidencia de 3,4 por 1000 pacientes/día en el primer periodo y de 4,6 por 1000 pacientes/ día en el segundo, lo que supone una razón de tasas de 0,857, IC 95% = 0,49-1,5. No hubo diferencias en el RR de desarrollar UPP en función del periodo por cada variable, a excepción del diagnóstico de problemas musculoesqueléticos donde los pacientes con este problema en el segundo grupo tuvieron un riesgo relativo (RR) = 3,3, IC 95% = 1,1-10,9. Conclusiones: Este estudio ha permitido determinar la incidencia de UPP y sus factores de riesgo en una unidad de recuperación funcional de un hospital geriátrico, resultado epidemiológico apenas identificado en la literatura y de gran importancia para poder abordar mejoras en la calidad del cuidado del paciente anciano

Organizational linkages for new product development: Implementation of innovation projects

Effective external and internal organization linkage characterizes new product development. Although prior research covers the external linkages to gain operational efficiencies and develop new products, the current body of scholarship on internal cross-functional linkages requires further attention. This study provides a certain level of inquiry into the antecedents of such internal linkages and presents a framework to establish the relationship between two internal functions at major fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). The study examines the implementation of 150 innovation projects in 6 different countries over a period of three years. The objective is to study the influence of trust dimension on the perceived effectiveness of cross-functional linkage to highlight how organizational mechanisms like the amount and quality of shared communication affect trust and relationship between two functions