Exploring Venture Funding in the Entrepreneurial University

This chapter considers the role of venture funding in the entrepreneurial university. It begins by discussing the literature on the entrepreneurial university, focusing on the role of financing. The literature shows that there are gaps in the financing of academic and graduate ventures. The second part of the chapter introduces short case examples that illustrate different forms of university-led venture funding, demonstrating how different universities have sought to fill funding gaps by means of seed capital grants, micro-financing, small business research grants, crowdfunding, social impact investing, seed capital investing, public venture capital, and venture capital. The chapter concludes by arguing that universities have sufficient resource endowments and human capital to address many funding gaps through innovative thinking and practice.

Implementation of the method of figurative transformations to minimizing symmetric Boolean functions

This paper reports a study that has established the possibility of improving the effectiveness of the method of figurative transformations in order to minimize symmetrical Boolean functions in the main and polynomial bases. Prospective reserves in the analytical method were identified, such as simplification of polynomial function conjuncterms using the created equivalent transformations based on the method of inserting the same conjuncterms followed by the operation of super-gluing the variables. The method of figurative transformations was extended to the process of minimizing the symmetrical Boolean functions with the help of algebra in terms of rules for simplifying the functions of the main and polynomial bases and developed equivalent transformations of conjuncterms. It was established that the simplification of symmetric Boolean functions by the method of figurative transformations is based on a flowchart with repetition, which is the actual truth table of the assigned function. This is a sufficient resource to minimize symmetrical Boolean functions that makes it possible to do without auxiliary objects, such as Karnaugh maps, cubes, etc. The perfect normal form of symmetrical functions can be represented by binary matrices that would represent the terms of symmetrical Boolean functions and the OR or XOR operation for them. The experimental study has confirmed that the method of figurative transformations that employs the 2-(n, b)-design, and 2-(n, x/b)-design combinatorial systems improves the efficiency of minimizing symmetrical Boolean functions. Compared to analogs, this makes it possible to enhance the productivity of minimizing symmetrical Boolean functions by 100‒200 %. There are grounds to assert the possibility of improving the effectiveness of minimizing symmetrical Boolean functions in the main and polynomial bases by the method of figurative transformations. This is ensured, in particular, by using the developed equivalent transformations of polynomial function conjuncterms based on the method of inserting similar conjuncterms followed by the operation of super-gluing the variables.

Assessing sustainability factors for rural sanitation coverage in Kenya, Zambia, Nepal, and Bhutan: A qualitative case study analysis

BACKGROUND: Few countries are likely to achieve universal sanitation within the next decade as sustaining sanitation coverage remains a critical challenge. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may have supported or hindered sustainability of sanitation coverage 1-2 years after the completion of an integrated, area-wide sanitation program in four countries. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2018, the SSH4A approach was implemented in 15 countries in Africa and Asia, four of which are included in this qualitative study. We conducted focus group discussions and interviews with beneficiaries, implementors, and decision-makers to identify sustainability factors and used household survey data to characterize sub-national sanitation coverage throughout implementation, and 1-2 years after. RESULTS: Our data revealed behavioral, contextual, and service delivery factors that were related to the sustainability of sanitation improvements. Service delivery factors included follow-up hygiene promotion, access to materials (e.g., plastic, cement), local government commitment post-implementation, functioning monitoring systems, uptake of the supply chain by private sector, capacity for innovation. Contextual and behavioral factors included poverty, soil type, road networks, social cohesion, desire for improved latrines, maintenance and cleaning, and knowledge of sanitation benefits. DISCUSSION: The presence or absence of sustainability factors identified through this research may have implications on where certain programmatic approaches will work, and where adaptations may be required. Through comparing sustainability factors with sub-national slippage rates, we were able to illustrate how local service delivery systems may respond to barriers (e.g., poverty, lack of affordable sanitation options, changes in population density) and enablers (e.g., sufficient resource allocation, passionate leadership, social cohesion). Understanding the programmatic and contextual factors that either drive or hinder long-term sanitation coverage may allow for greater program impact through adapting implementation based on existing challenges in service delivery and context.

501 DISCHARGE AFTER HIP FRACTURE SURGERY IN RELATION TO MOBILISATION TIMING BY PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: A NATIONAL DATABASE STUDY

Introduction Early mobilisation leads to a two-fold increase in the odds of discharge by 30-days compared to late mobilisation. Whether this association varies by identified reasons for delayed mobilisation is unknown. Methods Audit data linked to hospitalisation records for patients 60 years or older surgically treated for hip fracture in England/Wales 2014–2016. Adjusted proportional odds regression models tested whether the cumulative incidences of discharge differed for early compared with late mobilisation across subgroups defined by dementia, delirium, hypotension, prefracture ambulation and residence, accounting for competing risk of death. Results Overall, 34,253 patients presented with dementia, 9,818 with delirium, and 10,123 with hypotension. Prefracture, 100,983 were ambulant outdoors, 30,834 were ambulant indoors only, 107,144 were admitted from home, and 23,588 from residential care. 10%, 8%, 8%, 12%, and 12% fewer patients with dementia, delirium, hypotension, ambulant indoors only prefracture, or from residential care mobilised early compared to those without dementia, delirium, hypotension, with outdoor ambulation prefracture, or from home. Adjusted odds ratios of discharge by 30-days for early compared with late mobilisation were 1.71 (95% CI 1.62–1.81) for those with dementia, 2.06 (95% CI 1.98–2.15) without dementia, 1.56 (95% CI 1.41–1.73) with delirium, 2.00 (95% CI 1.93–2.07) without delirium, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.66–2.02) with hypotension, 1.95 (95% CI, 1.89–2.02) without hypotension, 2.00 (95% CI 1.92–2.08) with outdoor ambulation prefracture, 1.80 (95% CI 1.70–1.91) with indoor ambulation only prefracture, 2.30 (95% CI 2.19–2.41) from home, and 1.64 (95% CI 1.51–1.77) from residential care. Conclusion Irrespective of dementia, delirium, hypotension, prefracture ambulation or residence, early compared to late mobilisation increased the likelihood of discharge by 30-days. Fewer patients with these conditions, poorer prefracture ambulation, or from residential care mobilised early. There is a need reduce this care gap by ensuring sufficient resource to enable all patients to benefit from early mobilisation.

Safeguarding of Key Minerals Deposits as a Basis of Sustainable Development of Polish Economy

Secure and sustainable supply of minerals is important for the stable development of a country’s economy, as well as the global economy. Poland’s economic performance—as a dynamically developing country—is also largely dependent on the availability of minerals and security of their supplies both from internal sources and form imports. In Poland, 42 key minerals—i.e., those of fundamental importance for the proper functioning of the economy and satisfying the living needs of the society—have been recently indicated. From among them, 19 key minerals have been recognized by authors as having a proven resource base in Poland and—on the other hand—having moderately- or strongly growing domestic consumption trends. An assessment of the mineral resource base for their production, a sufficiency of the resources of developed deposits, as well as possible means of undeveloped deposits safeguarding were analyzed and discussed. It was found that the long-term needs of the Polish industry can be satisfied only for some of them: coking coal, copper, and silver, as well as numerous industrial and construction minerals. Moreover, existence of a sufficient resource base and appropriate means of their safeguarding may potentially have a significant impact on Poland’s and Europe’s minerals security, in particular regarding several minerals for which Poland is an important supplier to the European market, i.e., coking coal, copper, silver, and elemental sulfur.

Developing the minimization of a polynomial normal form of boolean functions by the method of figurative transformations

This paper reports a study that has established the possibility of improving the effectiveness of the method of figurative transformations in order to minimize Boolean functions on the Reed-Muller basis. Such potential prospects in the analytical method have been identified as a sequence in the procedure of inserting the same conjuncterms of polynomial functions followed by the operation of super-gluing the variables. The extension of the method of figurative transformations to the process of simplifying the functions of the polynomial basis involved the developed algebra in terms of the rules for simplifying functions in the Reed-Muller basis. It was established that the simplification of Boolean functions of the polynomial basis by a figurative transformation method is based on a flowchart with repetition, which is actually the truth table of the predefined function. This is a sufficient resource to minimize functions that makes it possible not to refer to such auxiliary objects as Karnaugh maps, Weich charts, cubes, etc. A perfect normal form of the polynomial basis functions can be represented by binary sets or a matrix that would represent the terms of the functions and the addition operation by module two for them. The experimental study has confirmed that the method of figurative transformations that employs the systems of 2-(n, b)-design, and 2-(n, x/b)-design in the first matrix improves the efficiency of minimizing Boolean functions. That also simplifies the procedure for finding a minimum function on the Reed-Muller basis. Compared to analogs, this makes it possible to enhance the performance of minimizing Boolean functions by 100‒200 %. There is reason to assert the possibility of improving the efficiency of minimizing Boolean functions in the Reed-Muller basis by a method of figurative transformations. This is ensured by using more complex algorithms to simplify logical expressions involving a procedure of inserting the same function terms in the Reed-Muller basis, followed by the operation of super-gluing the variables.

Towards an Energy Self-Sufficient Resource Recovery Facility by Improving Energy and Economic Balance of a Municipal WWTP with Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment

The recent trend of turning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into energy self-sufficient resource recovery facilities has led to a constant search for solutions that fit into that concept. One of them is chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), which provides an opportunity to increase biogas production and to significantly reduce the amount of sludge for final disposal. Laboratory, pilot, and full-scale trials were conducted for the coagulation and sedimentation of primary sludge (PS) with iron sulphate (PIX). Energy and economic balance calculations were conducted based on the obtained results. Experimental trials indicated that CEPT contributed to an increase in biogas production by 21% and to a decrease in sludge volume for final disposal by 12% weight. Furthermore, the application of CEPT may lead to a decreased energy demand for aeration by 8%. The removal of nitrogen in an autotrophic manner in the side stream leads to a further reduction in energy consumption in WWTP (up to 20%). In consequence, the modeling results showed that it would be possible to increase the energy self-sufficiency for WWTP up to 93% if CEPT is applied or even higher (up to 96%) if, additionally, nitrogen removal in the side stream is implemented. It was concluded that CEPT would reduce the operating cost by over 650,000 EUR/year for WWTP at 1,000,000 people equivalent, with a municipal wastewater input of 105,000 m3/d.

Researchers from Thailand create methodology to help SMES measure levels of perceived workplace support (PWS) among staff

Purpose The authors decided to produce their instrument because they said that organizations need guidelines to determine the levels of PWS among their employees. PWS, they said, significantly influences staff retention, competency, and organizational commitment. Design/methodology/approach There are 15 items in the instrument, which assesses four essential components of PWS. These are perceived organizational support (POS), perceived supervisor support (PSS), perceived co-worker support (PCS) and perceived sufficient resource support (PSRS). The authors collected data from a list of SME hotels and also from 82,126 enterprises in central Thailand. Admins and clerks were recruited to fill out questionnaires. A total of 374 were returned and filled in correctly. Findings The authors collected data from a list of SME hotels and also from 82,126 enterprises in central Thailand. Admins and clerks were recruited to fill out questionnaires. A total of 374 were returned and filled in correctly. Originality/value The positive results, the authors say, have a number of practical implications for SMEs. The relevant questions in the 15-item methodology can be used to assess each of the four components of PWS and establish good policies.

Optimizing the future trajectory of information flow and resource allocation

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on forming a dynamic system of measuring the success of strategic plans, as a tool with which managers can keep track of their projects in real time. Based on insights gained from a public organization in Turkey, the study reveals that managers can indeed simulate their future strategic plans using a mathematical model, and advocates that managers make use of this to determine whether sufficient resource is available to optimize the value of their contributions. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Development and validation of perceived workplace support for small and medium-sized enterprise employees

Purpose Perceived workplace support (PWS) is an employee’s perception of perceived organisational support (POS), perceived supervisor support (PSS), perceived co-worker support (PCS) and perceived sufficient resource support (PSRS) to operate effectively. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development and validation of employee’s PWS instrument in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A total of 15 items of employees’ PWS instrument in SMEs were developed from the measurement base of earlier published research, concepts and theory. The instrument was applied to a cross-sectional study and data were collected as factor analyses to confirm and ascertain construct validity. Reliability was tested by measuring the internal consistency. Findings The instrument showed excellent reliability at 0.894. Four factors as “POS”, “PSS”, “PCS” and “PSRS” were extracted and confirmed from the confirmatory factor analysis. Originality/value PWS studies are often used by researchers, human resource departments and organisations to investigate the level of employee support. The instrument developed from this study will enable researchers, human resource departments and organisations to explore levels of POS, PSS, PCS and PSRS.