Tasapainoilu ekosysteemien välillä ja onnistuminen ekosysteemeissä – Tapaustutkimus komplementtituottajien strategioista alustakeskeisissä ekosysteemeissä

The ecosystem concept enables and demands expanding the focus of strategy making from individual companies to value systems in a novel way. Ecosystems are characterized by nongeneric complementarity and a lack of full hierarchical control. The construct has attracted growing interest in both academics and practitioners, but the focus of interest has mainly been directed to companies in leading positions of the ecosystems with the ability and responsibility to orchestrate the ecosystems. This thesis is an effort to not only present the most important characteristics of ecosystems, but to provide insight about the players that represent a majority in ecosystems, but have not been thoroughly understood previously, i.e. the complementors. The thesis builds on literature in strategy, but also on information systems literature to provide a summary of the most important themes for complementors. Specialization and multihoming enable companies to succeed in ecosystems, but they also come with some costs. Furthermore, there seems to be a tradeoff between them, which has not been widely explored or explicitly studied in prior literature, although early indications exist. The empirical case study of this thesis is inductive and exploratory in nature. Based on interviews from eight case companies that provide services to business customers in the software industry, and comprehensive analysis of the interview data, insights on complementor strategies regarding ecosystems are provided. The main theoretical contribution of this thesis is the identification of a divergence in the approach the complementors take to participating in ecosystems or platforms. The case companies either focus on a single platform or remain independent of platforms while participating in multiple platforms. The decision regarding platform participation is strategic in nature as platform-focused complementors and platform independent complementors differ in their key success drivers and the way their offerings relate to platforms. The organizations have aligned themselves to succeed with their platform participation decision. Furthermore, the way they are responding to changes in the operating environment, mainly driven by technology development and customer needs, differ. All in all, it seems that the way the case companies approach platform participation seems to be fundamentally interrelated with many characteristics of the companies. In addition to theoretical contributions, the thesis provides practical implications as advice to complementors. As the findings are context-specific to some degree, some limitations in applicability to other contexts are discussed. However, complementors in other industries where platforms are emerging and complementarity is nongeneric in a manner that requires continuous development of specialized capabilities that relate to platforms, may also find the advice useful.Ekosysteemin käsite mahdollistaa ja vaatii strategian tarkastelun painopisteen siirtymistä yksittäisistä yrityksistä arvoa tuottaviin systeemeihin. Käsitteen tärkeimpiä ominaispiirteitä ovat epägeneerinen komplementaarisuus sekä täyden hierarkkisen kontrollin puute. Ekosysteemit ovat herättäneet kiinnostusta niin tutkijoissa kuin ammatinharjoittajissakin, mutta kiinnostus on kohdistunut lähinnä ekosysteemejä hallitseviin yrityksiin. Sen sijaan komplementtien tuottajia, jotka edustavat suurinta osaa ekosysteemien yrityksiä, ei ole aikaisemmissa tutkimuksissa perusteellisesti tarkasteltu. Tämän diplomityön pyrkimyksenä onkin esitellä ekosysteemien tärkeimpiä ominaispiirteitä sekä luoda syvempää ymmärrystä komplementtien tuottajista. Tämä työ rakentuu niin strategisen kuin tietojärjestelmätieteenkin kirjallisuuden varaan, ja tarjoaa yhteenvedon komplementtituottajien kannalta tärkeimmistä teemoista. Erikoistuminen ja useampaan alustaan kuuluminen mahdollistavat komplementtituottajien menestymisen ekosysteemeissä, mutta näihin liittyy myös kustannuksia. Lisäksi, näillä vaikuttaa olevan vaihtoehtoinen suhde, jota ei ole aiemmassa kirjallisuudessa käsitelty syvällisesti, mutta josta on jo aikaisia merkkejä viimeaikaisissa artikkeleissa. Työn empiirinen tapaustutkimus on luonteeltaan induktiivinen ja eksploratiivinen. Löydökset perustuvat haastatteludataan, joka on kerätty kahdeksasta yrityksestä, jotka tuottavat palveluita yritysasiakkaille ohjelmistoalalla. Haastatteludatan perusteellisen analyysin perusteella tässä työssä esitetään löydöksiä komplementtituottajien strategioista ekosysteemeissä. Työn tärkein ja tieteellisesti arvokkain havainto on se, komplementtituottajat lähestyvät osallistumista ekosysteemeihin tai alustoihin kahdella erilaisella tavalla. Tapausyritykset joko keskittyvät yhteen alustaan tai pysyttelevät riippumattomina alustoista osallistuen useampaan alustaan samanaikaisesti. Päätös alustoihin osallistumisesta on luonteeltaan strateginen, sillä alustakeskittyneet ja alustariippumattomat komplementtituottajat eroavat toisistaan tärkeimmissä menestystekijöissään sekä tavassa, jolla niiden tarjonta suhtautuu alustoihin. Organisaatioiden sopeutuminen osallistumispäätökseen mahdollistaa niiden menestyksen. Lisäksi nämä erityyppiset yritykset eroavat kyvyssään vastata muutoksiin toimintaympäristössä, jonka kehitystä ajaa teknologian kehitys ja muutokset asiakkaiden tarpeissa. Kaiken kaikkiaan vaikuttaakin siltä, että tapausyritysten tapa lähestyä alustoihin osallistumista on perustavalla tavalla yhteydessä niiden ominaispiirteisiin. Tieteellisen arvon lisäksi diplomityön johtopäätökset tarjoavat käytännön ohjeita komplementtituottajille. Löydökset ovat kuitenkin kontekstisidonnaisia, minkä vuoksi työssä käsitellään rajoituksia löydösten soveltamisesta muihin konteksteihin. Rajoitukset huomioon ottaen myös muiden alojen komplementtituottajat voivat hyödyntää työn löydöksiä ja ohjeita. Ohjeet ovat erityisesti hyödyllisiä aloilla, joissa alustat kasvattavat merkitystään, ja joissa komplementit ovat epägeneerisiä niin, että komplementtituottajien on jatkuvasti kehitettävä alustoihin erikoistunutta osaamistaan

Bioarchaeology of compassion: Exploring extreme cases of pathology in a Bronze Age skeletal population from Tell Abraq, U.A.E.

Tell Abraq is a Bronze Age archaeological site located in the modern day United Arab Emirates and was occupied from the 3rd millennium BC to the 1st century AD. The coastal location provided access to both marine and agricultural resources as well as trade routes and foreign exchange. The tomb at the site was in use for 200 years (2200-2000 BC) and housed the commingled remains of a minimum of 286 adults. These individuals lived hard lives, dependent on good health to maintain a life-line of sustenance for themselves and each other. A number of individuals with severe expressions of pathological cases, however, indicate they were in need of support from others during their times of illness or injury. These pathologies include osteoarthritis with eburnation, stress fracture, healed mal-union fracture, spondylosis deformans, dislocated knee, and osteomyelitis. Using clinical literature, each case is interpreted based on current medical notions of disability and pain. Limited mobility and diminished capacity to provide for oneself lend to a biocultural analysis in which compassion is displayed through extended care and support to ailing and injured people. This research brings focus to an area of study that has received little attention, attempts to highlight individuals in a commingled context, and suggests ways of integrating bioarchaeology in a community

Atomic-level characterization and cilostazol affinity of poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles conjugated with differentially charged hydrophilic molecules

Indexación: Scopus.M.F.M. acknowledges support from CONICYT-PFCHA/Doctorado Nacional/2014-21140225. M.M.M. thanks the FONCyT PICT-2015-2191, CONICET PIP 11220110100992, Secyt, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. C.V. acknowledges support from CONICYT under FONDECYT #1161438 and BASAL Grant FB0807, MECESUP PMI-UAB1301, and H2020-MSCA-RISE-2016 #734801 MAGNAMED. The authors thank the High-Performance Computational Center (CCAD UNC) and Escuela de Ingeniería Civil en Bioinformática (Universidad de Talca) for access to supercomputers.Nanotherapeutics is a promising field for numerous diseases and represents the forefront of modern medicine. In the present work, full atomistic computer simulations were applied to study poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The formation of this complex system was simulated using the reactive polarizable force field (ReaxFF). A full picture of the morphology, charge and functional group distribution is given. We found that all terminal groups (carboxylic acid, methoxy and amino) are randomly distributed at the surface of the nanoparticles. The surface design of NPs requires that the charged groups must surround the surface region for an optimal functionalization/charge distribution, which is a key factor in determining physicochemical interactions with different biological molecules inside the organism. Another important point that was investigated was the encapsulation of drugs in these nanocarriers and the prediction of the polymer-drug interactions, which provided a better insight into structural features that could affect the effectiveness of drug loading. We employed blind docking to predict NP-drug affinity testing on an antiaggregant compound, cilostazol. The results suggest that the combination of molecular dynam ics ReaxFF simulations and blind docking techniques can be used as an explorative tool prior to experiments, which is useful for rational design of new drug delivery systems. © 2018 Matus et al.https://www.beilstein-journals.org/bjnano/articles/9/12

Impact of class III obesity on outcomes and complications of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pickup

Objective: To assess the impact of class III obesity on outcomes and complications of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pickup (OPU). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Hospital-based fertility clinic. Patient(s): All women undergoing OPU procedures during autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) and oocyte banking cycles, grouped by patient body mass index (BMI: \u3c25, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9, ≥40 kg/m2). Intervention(s): Transvaginal OPU under conscious sedation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sedation and procedure-related parameters and complications. Result(s): A total of 2,141 OPU procedures in 1,579 patients were analyzed, including 121 OPU procedures in 94 patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. There was a statistically significant increase in total fentanyl and midazolam doses and procedure duration as BMI increased. Compared with patients with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2, those with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 were more likely to require additional sedation during the procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–3.49). The rate of difficult access was 28.9% for procedures with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 compared with 5.2% with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2 (aOR 7.57; 95% CI, 4.66–12.29). The OPU was incomplete due to inaccessible follicles through a transvaginal approach in 18.2% of procedures with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 compared with 1.3% with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2 (aOR 16.94; 95% CI, 8.24–34.84). The rates of sedation and procedure-related complications were low, and none occurred in patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Conclusion(s): There was no increased risk of complications for women with class III obesity undergoing OPU with conscious sedation. However, the operator was more likely to encounter difficult access and to incompletely aspirate follicles through a transvaginal approach

Ceftiofur-loaded PHBV microparticles: A potential formulation for a long-acting antibiotic to treat animal infections

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloBackground: The infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry represent a significant drawback that generates substantial economic loss and have led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. The formulation of polymeric microparticles loaded with antibiotics for veterinary use can: reduce the number of required doses; protect the drug from inactivation; and maintain a sustained-release of the antibiotic drug at effective levels. Accomplishing all of these goals would have a significant economic and animal health impact on the livestock breeding industry. Results: In this work, we formulated ceftiofur-loaded PHBV microparticles (PHBV-CEF) with a spherical shape, a smooth surface and diameter sizes between 1.65 and 2.37 μm. The encapsulation efficiency was 39.5 ± 1.1% w/w, and we obtained a sustained release of ceftiofur in PBS-buffer (pH 7.4) over 7 days. The antibacterial activity of ceftiofur was preserved after the encapsulation procedure, and toxicity of PHBV-CEF microparticles evaluated by MTS was represented by an IC50 > 10 mg/mL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PHBV-CEF particles have a potential application for improving the treatment of infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry. Keywords: ceftiofur, drug delivery, livestock breeding industry, PHBV, polymeric microparticle

Uterine kisspeptin receptor critically regulates epithelial estrogen receptor α transcriptional activity at the time of embryo implantation in a mouse model

Embryo implantation failure is a major cause of infertility in women of reproductive age and a better understanding of uterine factors that regulate implantation is required for developing effective treatments for female infertility. This study investigated the role of the uterine kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) in the molecular regulation of implantation in a mouse model. To conduct this study, a conditional uterine knockout (KO) of Kiss1r was created using the Pgr-Cre (progesterone receptor-CRE recombinase) driver. Reproductive profiling revealed that while KO females exhibited normal ovarian function and mated successfully to stud males, they exhibited significantly fewer implantation sites, reduced litter size and increased neonatal mortality demonstrating that uterine KISS1R is required for embryo implantation and a healthy pregnancy. Strikingly, in the uterus of Kiss1r KO mice on day 4 (D4) of pregnancy, the day of embryo implantation, KO females exhibited aberrantly elevated epithelial ERα (estrogen receptor α) transcriptional activity. This led to the temporal misexpression of several epithelial genes [Cftr (Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), Aqp5 (aquaporin 5), Aqp8 (aquaporin 8) and Cldn7 (claudin 7)] that mediate luminal fluid secretion and luminal opening. As a result, on D4 of pregnancy, the lumen remained open disrupting the final acquisition of endometrial receptivity and likely accounting for the reduction in implantation events. Our data clearly show that uterine KISS1R negatively regulates ERα signaling at the time of implantation, in part by inhibiting ERα overexpression and preventing detrimentally high ERα activity. To date, there are no reports on the regulation of ERα by KISS1R; therefore, this study has uncovered an important and powerful regulator of uterine ERα during early pregnancy

Therapeutic Strategies Based on Polymeric Microparticles

The development of the field of materials science, the ability to perform multidisciplinary scientific work, and the need for novel administration technologies that maximize therapeutic effects and minimize adverse reactions to readily available drugs have led to the development of delivery systems based on microencapsulation, which has taken one step closer to the target of personalized medicine. Drug delivery systems based on polymeric microparticles are generating a strong impact on preclinical and clinical drug development and have reached a broad development in different fields supporting a critical role in the near future of medical practice. This paper presents the foundations of polymeric microparticles based on their formulation, mechanisms of drug release and some of their innovative therapeutic strategies to board multiple diseases

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

A 19-year-old patient presented with intractable uterine bleeding, 11 weeks post-abortion. A pelvic ultrasound with Doppler and color imaging suggested a uterine arteriovenous malformation. Failing conservative therapies, the patient consented to uterine artery embolization (UAE). Two months later, she conceived and had an uneventful normal vaginal delivery at term. Since this is an extremely rare condition, allowing limited clinical exposure and experience, there may be an underlying reluctance by general practitioners to treat these cases with uterine artery embolization for fear of compromising future fertility and pregnancies. However, data from the 20 pregnancies embolized for uterine AVM cited in the present report and data from embolization for uterine fibroids indicate that such fears may be unfounded since pregnancy rates and outcomes may not be compromised after UAE. © 2009 Springer-Verlag

Ureteric Injury During Transvaginal Ultrasound Guided Oocyte Retrieval

Background: Transvaginal ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval during in vitro fertilization is performed routinely around the world and has reduced the occurrence of intra-abdominal injury considerably over laparoscopic procedures. Despite this, injuries do occur. Case: We report a case of a 37-year-old patient who underwent IVF and encountered a ureteric injury during oocyte retrieval, which was recognized early and treated with ureteral stents with full resolution. During a subsequent IVF cycle, stenting of the ureters allowed better visualization, resulting in an uneventful retrieval and subsequent pregnancy. Conclusion: Ureteric injury can occur during transvaginal ultrasound guided egg retrieval. Prompt recognition is vital to successful treatment. Stenting of the ureters is the most common therapeutic modality and can be used in subsequent retrievals to identify the ureters

Nanopartículas Poliméricas en Dermocosmética

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Recent advances in the fields of biomaterials and nanotechnology have allowed the development of advanced nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Despite a vast number of nanostructures such as liposomes, solid­lipid nanocapsules, polymeric and hybrid lipid­polymer nanoparticles have been studied as carriers for drug delivery for different pathologies with remarkable promising results; the use of polymeric nanoparticles in dermocosmetic still has not been widely explored. The evolution of cosmetic into the care skin and dermatology represents novel technological challenges. Also, the increasing knowledge about normal skin physiology and advances in nanotechnology provide an attractive environment for the creation of innovative dermocosmetic formulations. In this work, we discuss the state of the art of polymeric nanoparticles formulated for dermocosmetics, its mechanisms of action, and diffusion into the skin.Los recientes avances en el campo de los biomateriales y la nanotecnología han permitido el desarrollo de nanopartículas avanzadas para aplicaciones biomédicas. A pesar de que un gran número de nanoestructuras tales como liposomas, nanocápsulas lípido-sólidas, nanopartículas poliméricas y lípido-polímero híbridas han sido estudiadas como vehículos para la administración de fármacos en diferentes patologías con notables resultados prometedores, el uso de nanopartículas poliméricas en dermocosmética todavía no ha sido ampliamente explorado. La evolución de la cosmética en el cuidado de la piel y la dermatología nos enfrentan a nuevos retos tecnológicos. Además, el aumento de los conocimientos sobre la fisiología de la piel normal y los avances en la nanotecnología proporcionan un entorno atractivo para la creación de formulaciones dermocosméticas innovadoras. En este trabajo se discute el estado del arte de las nanopartículas poliméricas desarrolladas para dermocosmética, sus mecanismos de acción y la difusión en la piel.http://ref.scielo.org/b68hz