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Publications

2024

The veterinary medicinal products market supply gap: A practical insight based on the Regulation (EU) 2019/6

Authors
Nogueira, R; Baptista, CJ; Gonçalves, L; Coelho, AC; Faustino Rocha, I; Purriños, MR; Gonzalo Orden, M; Oliveira, A;

Publication
Revista de Ciencias Agroveterinarias

Abstract
The Regulation (EU) 2019/6 establishes that the veterinary prescriptions should follow a cascade, according to their availability of the market. In sum, the veterinarian is authorized to use a medicine for human use only if there is no product available for the same or other therapeutic indication, in the same or another animal species. This study aims to analyse the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 in the pharmacological prescription at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of León. A total of 121 clinical cases, 89 dogs (73.55%) and 32 cats (26.45%) were included. Results revealed that 95 medicines were prescribed, 51 (53.68 %) as veterinary medicines and 44 (46.32 %) as human medicines. From the human medicines, 22 (50.00%) did not have a veterinary alternative in the market; four (9.00%) presented a veterinary medicine in the appropriate formulation for the species; 10 (23.00%) had no alternative in the desired formulation; and 8 (18.00%) had no alternatives for the target species. This study suggested that the cascade was not strictly followed, and several reasons may justify it, such as the lack of veterinary products, different formulations, and differences in costs. An effective, safe and sustainable use of the therapeutic option available can only be accomplished with a rational use of the prescription cascade and a correct use of the Regulation (EU) 2019/6. © 2024 State University of Santa Catarina. All rights reserved.

2024

Anatomical Concept-based Pseudo-labels for Increased Generalizability in Breast Cancer Multi-center Data

Authors
Miranda, I; Agrotis, G; Tan, RB; Teixeira, LF; Silva, W;

Publication
EMBC

Abstract
Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women, poses a significant healthcare challenge, demanding effective early detection for optimal treatment outcomes. Mammography, the gold standard for breast cancer detection, employs low-dose X-rays to reveal tissue details, particularly cancerous masses and calcium deposits. This work focuses on evaluating the impact of incorporating anatomical knowledge to improve the performance and robustness of a breast cancer classification model. In order to achieve this, a methodology was devised to generate anatomical pseudo-labels, simulating plausible anatomical variations in cancer masses. These variations, encompassing changes in mass size and intensity, closely reflect concepts from the BI-RADs scale. Besides anatomical-based augmentation, we propose a novel loss term promoting the learning of cancer grading by our model. Experiments were conducted on publicly available datasets simulating both in-distribution and out-of-distribution scenarios to thoroughly assess the model's performance under various conditions.

2024

Simulation, Modelling and Classification of Wiki Contributors: Spotting The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Authors
Méndez, SG; Leal, F; Malheiro, B; Burguillo Rial, JC; Veloso, B; Chis, AE; Vélez, HG;

Publication
CoRR

Abstract

2024

Internationalisation of SMEs: a comparative perspective between Africa and Latin America

Authors
Moreira, AC; Ribau, CP; Borges, MIV;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SMALL BUSINESS

Abstract
This paper explores the internationalisation of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in Africa and Latin America. A total of 97 papers covering the period between 1995 and 2017 were analysed, providing a unique comparative perspective of the internationalisation of SMEs. The analysis of the papers revealed the following six main topics: international networking; financing, export promotion; internationalisation strategies; resources and business environment/context; e-business, e-commerce; and barriers to internationalisation. The topic 'internationalisation strategies' is the most researched topic both regarding the internationalisation of both African and Latin American SMEs. However, while the studies on Latin American SMEs focus on rapid internationalisation, international entrepreneurship orientation and export performance, the studies on African SMEs focus on supply performance, international behaviour, internationalisation process, knowledge and key-selection of foreign markets. This provides a clear perspective on how SMEs of those two emerging continents deal with the intricacies of internationalisation.

2024

Trainability issues in quantum policy gradients

Authors
Sequeira, A; Santos, LP; Barbosa, LS;

Publication
MACHINE LEARNING-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
This research explores the trainability of Parameterized Quantum Circuit-based policies in Reinforcement Learning, an area that has recently seen a surge in empirical exploration. While some studies suggest improved sample complexity using quantum gradient estimation, the efficient trainability of these policies remains an open question. Our findings reveal significant challenges, including standard Barren Plateaus with exponentially small gradients and gradient explosion. These phenomena depend on the type of basis-state partitioning and the mapping of these partitions onto actions. For a polynomial number of actions, a trainable window can be ensured with a polynomial number of measurements if a contiguous-like partitioning of basis-states is employed. These results are empirically validated in a multi-armed bandit environment.

2024

Study of Digital Maturity Models Considering the European Digital Innovation Hubs Guidelines: A Critical Overview

Authors
Babo, D; Pereira, C; Carneiro, D;

Publication
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 2, WORLDCIST 2023

Abstract
Nowadays the concept of digitalization and Industry 4.0 is more and more important, and organizations must improve and adapt their processes and systems in order to keep up to date with the latest paradigm. In this context, there are multiple developed Maturity Models (MMs) to help companies on the processes of evaluating their digital maturity and defining a roadmap to achieve their full potential. However, this is a subject in constant evolution and most of the available MMs don't fill all the needs that a company might have in its transformation process. Thus, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) arose to support companies on the process of responding to digital challenges and becoming more competitive. Supported by the European Commission and the Digital Transformation Accelerator, they use tools to measure the digital maturity progress of their customers. This paper analyzes several MMs publicly available and compares them to the guidelines provided to the EDIH.

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