Archive for June 2014
Public funding and private investment for R&D: a survey in China's pharmaceutical industry
Corresponding authors: Hao Hu haohu@umac.mo - Yi-Tao Wang ytwang@umac.mo
State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
Health Research Policy and Systems 2014, 12:27 doi:10.1186/1478-4505-12-27
Background
In recent years, China has experienced a rapid growth in its pharmaceutical industry. In 2012, the pharmaceutical market in China increased by 12% to reach about 154 billion USD, and is expected to reach $383 billion by 2020 [1], making China one of the largest pharmaceutical markets globally. Meanwhile, a shift to more advanced pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) has started out in China recently. The Chinese government is dedicated to making more considerable investments in new drug R&D. Typically, in the 12thFive-Year Plan, the Key Drug Innovation Program initiated by the government will receive 10,000 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) (about 1,653 million USD according to the exchange rate of 6.05 at the end of 2013) from the central government and 30,000 million CNY (about 4,959 million USD) from local governments [2]. Private investors are also motivated to invest huge funding into pharmaceutical R&D. As a result, R&D investment in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry has sharply increased [3].
However, studies regarding the different behaviors of public and private investment in pharmaceutical R&D are scarce. Since China is such a large emerging country, funding source distribution in different provinces might vary widely, as well as in different subsectors. Further, as an industry significantly driven by private venture funds, the current status of private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) in Chinese pharmaceutical R&D investment also remains unclear.
Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the current situation of public funding and private investment in the Chinese pharmaceutical R&D. In particular, an exploration of public funding and private investment in different provinces and subsectors can help us to observe the diverse preferences of public and private investment in pharmaceutical R&D, to better understand government guidance for the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, and to identify investment opportunities and patterns in different regions and subsectors.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/12/1/27
Image source: www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/0621/457964-pharma-investment-cork/
State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
Health Research Policy and Systems 2014, 12:27 doi:10.1186/1478-4505-12-27
Background
In recent years, China has experienced a rapid growth in its pharmaceutical industry. In 2012, the pharmaceutical market in China increased by 12% to reach about 154 billion USD, and is expected to reach $383 billion by 2020 [1], making China one of the largest pharmaceutical markets globally. Meanwhile, a shift to more advanced pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) has started out in China recently. The Chinese government is dedicated to making more considerable investments in new drug R&D. Typically, in the 12thFive-Year Plan, the Key Drug Innovation Program initiated by the government will receive 10,000 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) (about 1,653 million USD according to the exchange rate of 6.05 at the end of 2013) from the central government and 30,000 million CNY (about 4,959 million USD) from local governments [2]. Private investors are also motivated to invest huge funding into pharmaceutical R&D. As a result, R&D investment in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry has sharply increased [3].
However, studies regarding the different behaviors of public and private investment in pharmaceutical R&D are scarce. Since China is such a large emerging country, funding source distribution in different provinces might vary widely, as well as in different subsectors. Further, as an industry significantly driven by private venture funds, the current status of private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) in Chinese pharmaceutical R&D investment also remains unclear.
Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the current situation of public funding and private investment in the Chinese pharmaceutical R&D. In particular, an exploration of public funding and private investment in different provinces and subsectors can help us to observe the diverse preferences of public and private investment in pharmaceutical R&D, to better understand government guidance for the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, and to identify investment opportunities and patterns in different regions and subsectors.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/12/1/27
Image source: www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/0621/457964-pharma-investment-cork/
Teaching Tool for Materials Science - TLP library by Cambridge
Are you studying in or working with material? If yes, this will be a very good site for your to get yourself deep into the material world.
The site I would like to introduce is www.doitpoms.ac.uk, offered by University of Cambridge. In this site, you can find TLP library - "self-contained, interactive resources, each focusing on one area of Materials Science".
There are altogether 60+ topics covering different areas of material science. All are open-access and some of them have videos and simulations to illustrate the concepts behind. You will never feel boring or sleepy when studying with this package.
It seem to me they will keep updating the list. Anyway, I extracted the list here for your quick reference:
Analysis of Deformation Processes
Introduction To Anisotropy
Atomic Force Microscopy
Atomic Scale Structure of Materials
Avoidance of Crystallization in Biological Systems
Batteries
Bending and Torsion of Beams
Brillouin Zones
Brittle Fracture
Casting
Creep Deformation of Metals
Crystallinity in Polymers
Crystallographic Texture
Crystallography
Deformation of Honeycombs and Foams
Introduction To Deformation Processes
Dielectric Materials
Diffraction and Imaging
Diffusion
Introduction To Dislocations
Elasticity in Biological Materials
Electromigration
Ellingham Diagrams
Epitaxial Growth
Examination of a Manufactured Article
Ferroelectric Materials
Ferromagnetic Materials
Fuel Cells
The Glass Transition in Polymers
Indexing Electron Diffraction Patterns
The Jominy End Quench Test
Kinetics of Aqueous Corrosion
Lattice Planes and Miller Indices
Liquid Crystals
Materials for Nuclear Power Generation
Introduction To Mechanical Testing
Mechanics of Fibre-reinforced Composites
Microstructural Examination
The Nernst Equation and Pourbaix Diagrams
Optical Microscopy
Optimisation of Materials Properties in Living Systems
Phase Diagrams and Solidification
Introduction To Photoelasticity
Piezoelectric Materials
Polymer Basics
Pyroelectric Materials
Raman Spectroscopy
Reciprocal Space
Recycling of Metals
Introduction To Semiconductors
Slip in Single Crystals
Solid Solutions
Solidification of Alloys
Standalone Simulations
The Stereographic Projection
The Stiffness of Rubber
Stress Analysis and Mohr's Circle
The Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Wood
Structure of Bone and Implant Materials
Superconductivity
Superelasticity and Shape Memory Alloys
Tensors
Introduction to thermal and electrical conductivity
Thermal Expansion and the Bi-material Strip
Transmission Electron Microscopy
X-ray Diffraction Techniques
Have fun!
Image source: telegraph.co.uk; doitpoms.ac.uk
Best features of 2013 from Nature.com
Although now is the middle of year 2014, it is always worth to look back some interesting news in 2013. Editors from Nature filter out the most interesting one here:
Best features of 2013
Spending your time on these articles is worth. No matter you are in the research field or not.
image source: picc.it
image source: picc.it
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is not a new term to all video game players. To get yourself immersed in a virtual 3D world, you probably need to wear a headset and isolate yourself from the real world - your eyes are trapped.
You can find more research videos about virtual reality here: ieeevr.org/2014/videos.html
I am not sure if these videos will re-define your understanding about virtual reality. I extracted the definition from "Encyclopedia of Multimedia"
In scientific world, research in virtual reality is much more fascinating. Cave2, being developed by the University of Illinois, definitely will bring you a new insight about virtual reality.
"CAVE2 consists of 72 near-seamless passive stereo off-axis-optimized 3D LCD panels, a 36-node high-performance computer cluster, a 20-speaker surround audio system, a 10-camera optical tracking system and a 100-Gigabit/second connection to the outside world"
Experience the power of Cave2 at Youtube:
More about Cave2?
CAVE2@UIC
http://www.evl.uic.edu/cave2
http://www.evl.uic.edu/cave2
Cave2@Monash
http://monash.edu.au/cave2You can find more research videos about virtual reality here: ieeevr.org/2014/videos.html
I am not sure if these videos will re-define your understanding about virtual reality. I extracted the definition from "Encyclopedia of Multimedia"
"Virtual Reality is the technology that provides almost real and/or believable experiences in a synthetic or virtual way"
Virtual Reality. In: Furht B. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Multimedia: SpringerReference (www.springerreference.com). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2008. 2011-01-31 23:00:00 UTC
Other related articles:
Virtual Reality in the Operating Room | Tasker R. (Ed.) Textbook of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
Virtual Reality Learning Environments | Seel N. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning
Btw, there is one virtual reality video game kit set was successfully funded via KickStarter - ANTVR KIT
SPERM BIKE from Copenhagen
Recently I read an article by Professor Mark A. Jobling, University of Leicester, about his recent comment about sperm donation and genetics. From his article, I find one interesting bike - a SPERM BIKE in Copenhagen.
The Sperm Bike aims to deliver sperm from donor to fertility clinics but of course its catching eye design helps to raise the awareness of sperm donation.
What is in the big head? Of course, full of donor sperm sample in a liquid nitrogen tank. Very cool and very eco-friendly, right?
More about Sperm Bike: http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/04/sperm-bike-in-copenhagen.html
How it work? take a look on Youtube
Comment from Professor Mark A. Jobling:
"The sperm’s tale"
Correspondence: Mark A Jobling maj4@le.ac.uk
Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Investigative Genetics 2014, 5:6 doi:10.1186/2041-2223-5-6
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/5/1/6
Image source: www.copenhagenize.com
The Sperm Bike aims to deliver sperm from donor to fertility clinics but of course its catching eye design helps to raise the awareness of sperm donation.
What is in the big head? Of course, full of donor sperm sample in a liquid nitrogen tank. Very cool and very eco-friendly, right?
More about Sperm Bike: http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/04/sperm-bike-in-copenhagen.html
How it work? take a look on Youtube
Comment from Professor Mark A. Jobling:
"The sperm’s tale"
Correspondence: Mark A Jobling maj4@le.ac.uk
Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Investigative Genetics 2014, 5:6 doi:10.1186/2041-2223-5-6
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/5/1/6
Image source: www.copenhagenize.com
The dynamics of physics in PET
Correspondence: Charles C Watson charles.c.watson@siemens.com
Siemens Healthcare, 810 Innovation Drive, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA
EJNMMI Physics 2014, 1:6 doi:10.1186/2197-7364-1-6
Abstract
From a technical perspective, there are fundamentally two forces driving the evolution of instrumentation in positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear medicine generally: clinical needs and technical innovation. This essay considers some of the dynamics of these forces as they act on physics-related developments in PET and suggests that progress will be greatest if these differing motivations are kept in balance as the field evolves.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.ejnmmiphys.com/content/1/1/6
==============
No understand what is PET? take a look here
"How Does a PET Scan Work?"
Image source: www.bnl.gov/physics/history/body_60.asp?id=3, www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/jul2012_Value-Of-PET_01.htm
Siemens Healthcare, 810 Innovation Drive, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA
EJNMMI Physics 2014, 1:6 doi:10.1186/2197-7364-1-6
Abstract
From a technical perspective, there are fundamentally two forces driving the evolution of instrumentation in positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear medicine generally: clinical needs and technical innovation. This essay considers some of the dynamics of these forces as they act on physics-related developments in PET and suggests that progress will be greatest if these differing motivations are kept in balance as the field evolves.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.ejnmmiphys.com/content/1/1/6
==============
No understand what is PET? take a look here
"How Does a PET Scan Work?"
Image source: www.bnl.gov/physics/history/body_60.asp?id=3, www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/jul2012_Value-Of-PET_01.htm
"Science for Lunch" introduced by HKUST
Today I would like to introduce a program launched by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology named "Science for Lunch". It combines lunch and "scientific lecture" together:
"HKUST Science-for-Lunch is a town-and-gown event to share the scientific discovery and innovative technologies of HKUST professors with the community. Small, private lunch talks are held once a month in Central by invitation. Science-for-Lunch is one of the community engagement programs initiated by the Institutional Advancement and Outreach Committee of the University Council."
I believe the idea behind this program is good - bridging university research to the local communities. Nevertheless, how much the general public could really understand the presentation will be my major concern. This is definitely a good "test" to each professor.
You can also retrieve the lecture online as well - it is particular useful if professors are presenting waste water samples or any medical surgeries when you are cutting your medium-rare steak!
"HKUST Science-for-Lunch is a town-and-gown event to share the scientific discovery and innovative technologies of HKUST professors with the community. Small, private lunch talks are held once a month in Central by invitation. Science-for-Lunch is one of the community engagement programs initiated by the Institutional Advancement and Outreach Committee of the University Council."
Here is the site for details: http://science-for-lunch.ust.hk/cgi-bin/lunch/eng/index.php
You can also retrieve the lecture online as well - it is particular useful if professors are presenting waste water samples or any medical surgeries when you are cutting your medium-rare steak!
Image source: science-for-lunch.ust.hk
Sustainability in the wine industry: key questions and research trends
Corresponding author: Cristina Santini santini.cristina@gmail.com
Faculty of Agriculture, Università San Raffaele, Via Val Cannuta 247, Roma, Italy
Agricultural and Food Economics 2013, 1:9 doi:10.1186/2193-7532-1-9
Abstract
Sustainability is playing a key role in the wine industry as shown by the attention paid at several levels by the academia, institutions and associations. Nevertheless, the principle itself of sustainability opens a wide debate and it significantly affects firms in all their activities.
Using a systematic literature review, this paper wants to highlight some of the questions that academics must face when they approach the issue of sustainability with a specific focus on the wine industry. In particular the paper aims to: highlight where research is going and what has already been done; define the contribution of background research in explaining the determinants of sustainable orientation in the wine industry; and understand the role of research (and academics’ social responsibility) for the diffusion of a sustainable orientation within the wine industry. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed overview of the main research contributions to the issue of sustainability in the wine industry.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.agrifoodecon.com/content/1/1/9
Image source: alum.mit.edu
Faculty of Agriculture, Università San Raffaele, Via Val Cannuta 247, Roma, Italy
Agricultural and Food Economics 2013, 1:9 doi:10.1186/2193-7532-1-9
Abstract
Sustainability is playing a key role in the wine industry as shown by the attention paid at several levels by the academia, institutions and associations. Nevertheless, the principle itself of sustainability opens a wide debate and it significantly affects firms in all their activities.
Using a systematic literature review, this paper wants to highlight some of the questions that academics must face when they approach the issue of sustainability with a specific focus on the wine industry. In particular the paper aims to: highlight where research is going and what has already been done; define the contribution of background research in explaining the determinants of sustainable orientation in the wine industry; and understand the role of research (and academics’ social responsibility) for the diffusion of a sustainable orientation within the wine industry. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed overview of the main research contributions to the issue of sustainability in the wine industry.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.agrifoodecon.com/content/1/1/9
Image source: alum.mit.edu
Coca Cola and Sustainability
Like others, I forgot when I started drinking Coca Cola. Like others, I reused the plastic bottle as my water bottle, keeping the bottle in refrigerator overnight and got a crazy cool water bottle (I should use the word "ice" as a scientific term) for my school day. This was a really enjoyable moment to cool down myself after a long day in primary school, when air-condition was not common in any campus in Hong Kong.
Today, I found Coca Cola added more values to the empty plastic bottles. They designed 16 different functional caps and each of them has specific function - from bubble maker, pencil sharpener, to dumbbell, fitting user at all ages.
The idea is fascinating and well fit the issue of "sustainability"
Coca-Cola 2nd Lives
For details:
coca-cola campaign gives old bottles '2nd lives' with 16 functional capshttp://www.designboom.com/design/coca-cola-2nd-lives-caps-campaign-ogilvy-mather-06-03-2014/
Image source: www.feeldesain.com
Humanoid Robotics
Do you know what is humanoid robotics? I learnt this term from a professor in this field at NUS, Singapore. Anyway, I believe Japanese will answer this question and bring us all fascinating features of humanoid robotics.
The latest will be "Pepper" - developed by Softbank, Japan and Aldebaran - a robot read your emotions. For more information, visit http://www.aldebaran.com/en.
Take a look how Pepper interact with human on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AldebaranRobotics
Image source: http://www.aldebaran.com/en
The latest will be "Pepper" - developed by Softbank, Japan and Aldebaran - a robot read your emotions. For more information, visit http://www.aldebaran.com/en.
Take a look how Pepper interact with human on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AldebaranRobotics
A handheld 3D printer - 3Doodler
Last time I introduced 3D printing technology. You can easily find many 3D printer are designed to fit your home - in term of size and applications. Yesterday I found one amazing product finally was sold in a shopping mall related to 3D printing - a 3D printing PEN.
3Doodler: http://the3doodler.com/preorder-3doodler
How to use it? take a look:
3D sketch with 3Doodler (house)
This is also one of the successful story in KickStarter, for details:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1351910088/3doodler-the-worlds-first-3d-printing-pen
image source: www.kickstarter.com, www.rainydaymagazine.com
3Doodler: http://the3doodler.com/preorder-3doodler
How to use it? take a look:
3Doodler Arara Bird
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1351910088/3doodler-the-worlds-first-3d-printing-pen
image source: www.kickstarter.com, www.rainydaymagazine.com
Amazing 3D printing technology: Building House, Building Cake, Building Medical Tools, Building Kidney
In a bioengineering lab, a research based 3D printer limited its applications - you can't put other materials in the printer due to safety reason and contamination. To me, building bone/cartilages, or even living organs were usual tasks of a 3D printer. I previously used a 3D printer to build protein chip components and other research tools. Outside the lab, it is amazing when I find people applying 3D printing technology to daily life applications: from cake to house.
House:
Youtube: Giant Chinese 3D printer builds 10 houses in just 1 day
Cake:
Youtube: 3-D food printer makes dessert
Living Kidney:
Youtube: Living kidneys printed out in E China
image source: http://airwolf3d.com/3d-printer-product
Prof. Chi-huey Wong Winner of Wolf Prize in Chemistry - 2014
Congratulation to Prof. Wong!
Prof. Chi-Huey Wong has pioneered the development of programmable chemical and enzymatic synthesis methods that enable the previously impossible or infeasible synthesis and study of classes of compounds, especially complex carbohydrates, glycoproteins and related substances, which are vitally important in biology and medicine.
Full article: http://www.wolffund.org.il/index.php?dir=site&page=winners&cs=791
Prof. Wong website: http://labs.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/chwong/
Lecture Video at CUHK: http://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/cutv/detail/132
Image source: http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/