DEA window analysis for assessing efficiency of blistering process in a pharmaceutical industry

Neural Computing and Applications - This research evaluates the efficiency of blistering lines over a 2-year period starting January 2013 till December 2014 using data envelopment analysis models....     

Project-conceptualisation in technological innovations: A knowledge-based perspective

Project management is widely regarded as a knowledge-based process. Critical to this process is the initial project-conceptualisation phase, especially in the context of technological innovations, but which has received little attention in the literature. Specifically, hardly any study has examined how project activities overlap, how project roles evolve, what skills are required and how much time is spent across different knowledge-based project-conceptualisation stages, or sets of activities. We explore these patterns and their knowledge-based explanations through a cross-case analysis of four technological innovations. Our contribution is a knowledge-based project-conceptualisation framework that deepens the appreciation of the evolving nature of the critical project management aspects across the highly uncertain project-conceptualisation phase. We then offer practical steps for project managers to effectively manage this project management phase.     

Evaluating the Effects of Subnormothermic Perfusion with AP39 in a Novel Blood-Free Model of Ex Vivo Kidney Preservation and Reperfusion

The use of blood for normothermic and subnormothermic kidney preservation hinders the translation of these approaches and promising therapeutics. This study evaluates whether adding hydrogen sulfide donor AP39 to Hemopure, a blood substitute, during subnormothermic perfusion improves kidney outcomes. After 30 min of renal pedicle clamping, porcine kidneys were treated to 4 h of static cold storage (SCS-4 °C) or subnormothermic perfusion at 21 °C with Hemopure (H-21 °C), Hemopure + 200 nM AP39 (H200nM-21 °C) or Hemopure + 1 µM AP39 (H1µM-21 °C). Then, kidneys were reperfused with Hemopure at 37 °C for 4 h with metabolic support. Perfusate composition, tissue oxygenation, urinalysis and histopathology were analyzed. During preservation, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited significantly higher urine output than the other groups and significantly higher tissue oxygenation than the H1µM-21 °C group at 1 h and 2h. During reperfusion, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited significantly higher urine output and lower urine protein than the other groups. Additionally, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited higher perfusate pO₂ levels than the other groups and significantly lower apoptotic injury than the H-21 °C and the H1µM-21 °C groups. Thus, subnormothermic perfusion at 21 °C with Hemopure + 200 nM AP39 improves renal outcomes. Additionally, our novel blood-free model of ex vivo kidney preservation and reperfusion could be useful for studying other therapeutics.