All posts by VPInstitute

Biomedical properties and potentiality of Lippia microphylla Cham. and its essential oils

Research Examples, Research profiling, Research Type, Strategic planning, Tech mining

Lippia microphylla Cham. (Verbanaceae) is an endemic underexploited Brazilian vegetal. This work reviewed the biological potentialities of Lippia microphylla, emphasizing the properties of essential oils (EOs) and analyzed scientific indicators about genus Lippia and L. microphylla. Databases from 1948 to the present were searched and a software (Vantage Point 7.1) associated with Derwent Innovation Index was used to identify the indicators of the genus Lippia, and biological activities and compounds in the L. macrophylla species. Ethnopharmacological records report use of L. microphylla leaves to treat gastrointestinal disorders, influenza, bronchitis, cough, nasal congestion and sinusitis during vaporization, whose aromatic volatile oils are rich in monoterpenes, especially cineole, terpineol and thymol. Other EOs have larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti larvae, and antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic and antitumor action on human and murine cancer cells. Brazil is the country with more articles about Lippia species, but it deposited only 9 patents since 1993. Most of the publications about L. microphylla are concentrated in food and chemical sciences. This bioprospection helps to choice areas of interest for capital investment and to give support for Brazilian Institutions to establish cooperation and improve technological impact at the point of view of creation and innovation.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4579491/

Author(s): Evelyne Rolim Braun Simões, Evelyne Alves Santos, Maria Carolina de Abreu, Jurandy do Nascimento Silva, Nárcia Mariana Fonseca Nunes, Marcília Pinheiro da Costa, Otília Deusdênia Loiola Pessoa, Cláudia Pessoa, Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira
Organization(s):Universidade Federal do Ceará, Universidade Federal do Piauí
Source: Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology
Year: 2015

A systematic method to create search strategies for emerging technologies based on the Web of Science: illustrated for ‘Big Data’

Citation analysis, Research Examples, Tech mining, , ,

Bibliometric and “tech mining” studies depend on a crucial foundation—the search strategy used to retrieve relevant research publication records. Database searches for emerging technologies can be problematic in many respects, for example the rapid evolution of terminology, the use of common phraseology, or the extent of “legacy technology” terminology. Searching on such legacy terms may or may not pick up R&D pertaining to the emerging technology of interest. A challenge is to assess the relevance of legacy terminology in building an effective search model. Common-usage phraseology additionally confounds certain domains in which broader managerial, public interest, or other considerations are prominent. In contrast, searching for highly technical topics is relatively straightforward. In setting forth to analyze “Big Data,” we confront all three challenges—emerging terminology, common usage phrasing, and intersecting legacy technologies. In response, we have devised a systematic methodology to help identify research relating to Big Data. This methodology uses complementary search approaches, starting with a Boolean search model and subsequently employs contingency term sets to further refine the selection. The four search approaches considered are: (1) core lexical query, (2) expanded lexical query, (3) specialized journal search, and (4) cited reference analysis. Of special note here is the use of a “Hit-Ratio” that helps distinguish Big Data elements from less relevant legacy technology terms. We believe that such a systematic search development positions us to do meaningful analyses of Big Data research patterns, connections, and trajectories. Moreover, we suggest that such a systematic search approach can help formulate more replaceable searches with high recall and satisfactory precision for other emerging technology studies.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11192-015-1638-y

Author(s): Ying Huang, Jannik Schuehle, Alan L. Porter, and Jan Youtie
Organization(s): Beijing Institute of Technology and Georgia Institute of Technology
Source: Scientometrics
Year: 2015

LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT TECHNOLOGY MONITORING IN THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SEGMENT

Patents, Research profiling, Research Type, S&T lit, Strategic planning, , , ,

The practice of using technology monitoring to keep track of technological advances is increasingly valued, and its systematic use is understood as essential to business in the new knowledge economy. The structuring of the technological monitoring process has become a growing need for organizations to keep up with the significant and rapid changes of technology in their core business and to better understand its business impact in order to support the decision‐making process of companies. An effective technology monitoring process should be based on a company’s business needs and on the information required for the fitting to strategic guidelines. This encompasses the right selection of databases, the establishment of the search strategy and keywords to be applied, the screening of the retrieved information, the analysis and consolidation of this information, and the right format and display of the relevant data and future trends to help the management decision. Photovoltaic solar energy reached the capacity of 139 GW in 2013, being an expanding market with a high number of government funding projects in the United States and in the European Union. Therefore, a survey was carried out about the new technologies and related business scenarios for this kind of power generation, using technology monitoring tools. Energy generation via photovoltaic cells has been known for a long time, since the Becquerel studies in the XIX century. Solar photovoltaic energy enables the generation of distributed electric energy, preventing long transmission and distribution lines, besides being a silent energy source that can be easily integrated into buildings without the need of additional installation areas; for these reasons, its application is being fostered by government programs.   The main step of the technology monitoring methodology is discussed, and the peculiarities and difficulties encountered in the process are pointed out. A survey of the scientific and technological developments in this area of knowledge was carried out, using patents and scientific papers with the time frame from the beginning of 2008 to the end of 2013. The lessons learned in this process and the major facilitating factors and difficulties for the retrieval, screening and analysis of the information collected are reported.

Author(s): Luiz Fernando Leite , Flavia Maria Lins Mendes, and Suzanne De Oliveira Rodrigues Schumacher
Organization: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Source: IAMOT 2015 Conference Proceedings http://iamot2015.com/2015proceedings/documents/P310.pdf
Year: 2015

Patento-scientometric indicators for the selection of projects by investment funds

CTI, Patents, Research Examples, Strategic planning,

Purpose
This paper aims to assess a method that applies scientometric and patentometric indicators in the selection process of projects by seed capital funds. There is increasing interest in technology-based enterprises, for their capacity to contribute to economic and social development. Nevertheless, in practice, there is some difficulty in assessing non-financial criteria associated with technology for the purposes of choosing investment opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach
The literature has presented various methods to instrumentalize the process of evaluation and selection of investment projects. This study focuses on an enterprise that received an investment by the largest seed capital fund in Brazil, to assess to what extent scientific and technological indicators can contribute to understanding the market potential of the firm’s technology.

Findings
The results show that the use of scientometric and patentometric indicators favors the process of judging non-financial criteria, in particular those related to technology, market, divestment and team.

Originality/value
The originality of this paper is in the evaluation of a patento-scientometric approach for the selection process of projects by seed capital funds.

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/VINE-10-2014-0056

Author(s): Gustavo da Silva Motta, Rogério Hermida Quintella, Pauli Adriano de Almada Garcia
Organization(s):Universidade Federal Fluminense, Universidade Federal da Bahia
Source: VINE
Year: 2015

Microalgal biofuel revisited: An informatics-based analysis of developments to date and future prospects

Patents, Research Examples, Research profiling, Research Type, S&T lit, , ,

Highlights

  • Microalgal biofuel studies between 1900 and mid-2015 were analyzed informatically.
  • Burst interest since 2006–2012 stimulated mass culture and biotechnology studies.
  • Unremitting study and investment is expected for better understanding of microalgae.
  • Integrated application of energy microalgae could be a possible solution.
  • Recent advances of approaches to bypass the production bottleneck were reviewed.

Abstract
Microalgae have reported to be one of the most promising feedstock for biofuel production. To obtain a comprehensive and systematic overview of the current state of microalgal research, particularly microalgal biofuel research, we retrieved and analyzed manuscripts and patents related to this topic and published between 1900 and mid-2015. We found that there was a burst in microalgal biofuel research from 2006 to 2011 that significantly stimulated the development of microalgal biotechnology for the production of high value-added commodities and for environmental applications and microalgal mass culturing, in an attempt to make the entire process of biofuel production economically viable for industrialization. However, a lag in basic microalgal research has kept production costs high, resulting in a decline in investments, funding, and research efforts in the fields of microalgal biofuel production, microalgal biotechnology, and mass culturing since 2012. Based on a review of the challenges/problems of microalgae biofuel production and recent advances of their solution, the perspective view of the future R&D needs and trends were proposed. To bypass the price bottleneck of microalgae-based biofuel production, it has been proposed that energy-producing microalgal biotechnological applications be synergistically combined with microalgal biofuel production. Future investments and funding will most likely be directed toward basic studies that aim to elucidate the microorganisms’ characteristics and toward the development of microalgal biotechnology and its environmental applications, which have potential economic and social benefits. This review represents a theoretical reference for both algal researchers and decision makers regarding the future directions of microalgal research, particularly that involving microalgal-based biofuel production.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261915008132

Author(s): Hui Chen, Tian Qiu, Junfeng Rong, Chenliu He, and Qiang Wang
Organization(s): Chinese Academy of Sciences
Source: Applied Energy
Year: 2015

Gmail Import to VantagePoint

VP Macros

The following provides guidance for exporting the content of a Gmail inbox to VantagePoint. To begin, start by creating a folder on your local drive and copying Gmail_Import_to_VP to this folder. Then take the following steps:

Step 1: Install Mozilla Thunderbird (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/download) on your machine.

Step 2: Setup Thunderbird by providing it with a Gmail address and password.

Step 3: In Thunderbird install the Add-on ImportExportTools 3.2.1 (by selecting Tools > Add-ons, then search Extensions for the keyword ‘Export’. In the results list select ‘ImportExportTools’). After downloading this Add-on to your local disk, opening Add-ons from the Tools menu (Tools>Add-ons) and from the options button (adjacent to the search field) select “Install Add-on From File…”, then point to this Add-on. Thunderbird must be restarted for the installation to complete.

Note: Steps 1-3 only need to be performed once. After performing these all subsequent Gmail imports begin with Step 4.

Step 4: In Thunderbird click ‘Get Messages’, then right click your Inbox folder and select ImportExportTools >  Export all messages in the folder > Spreadsheet (CSV). You will be prompted for a folder to save the CVS export to. Save this file in the same folder as Gmail_Import_to_VP.xlsm.

Step 5: Open Gmail_Import_to_VP.xlsm and click the button ‘Gmail Import’ (note: macros need to be enabled in Excel for this script to run). The procedure that follows will generate a file in the same directory Gmail_Import_to_VP.xlsm named To_Import.xls. Launch VantagePoint and select ‘Import Database Table (Excel, Access, etc.)’. Next click ‘Browse’ and point to To_Import.xls.

Step 6: Once imported into VantagePoint some users find it useful to further process fielded values that are separated by commas (e.g. this can occur in the ‘TO’ field if there are multiple recipients for a given email). Some users also find it useful to create a folder titled ‘Exported Emails’ in Thunderbird and move all exported messages to this folder.

A training video using this script can be viewed at VP ” How-To”>Advanced Analytics  Importing E-mail into VantagePoint

2004 DISSERTATION: A Text Mining Framework for Discovering Technological Intelligence

Academic Portal, Dissertations and Theses,

In this thesis, a framework based on text mining techniques is proposed to discover useful intelligence implicit in large bodies of electronic text sources. This intelligence is a prime requirement for successful R&D management. This research extends the approach called “Technology Opportunities Analysis” (developed by the Technology Policy and Assessment Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, in conjunction with Search Technology, Inc.) to create the proposed framework. The commercialized software, called VantagePoint, is mainly used to perform basic analyses. In addition to utilizing functions in VantagePoint, this thesis also implements a novel text association rule mining algorithm for gathering related concepts among text data. Two algorithms based on text association rule mining are also implemented. The first algorithm called “tree-structured networks” is used to capture important aspects of both parent-child (hierarchical structure) and sibling relations (non-hierarchical structure) among related terms. The second algorithm called “concept-grouping” is used to construct term thesauri for data preprocessing. Finally, the framework is applied to Thai xvi S&T publication abstracts toward the objective of improving R&D management. The results of the study can help support strategic decision-making on the direction of S&T programs in Thailand.

Doctoral candidate: Alisa Kongthon
Committee: Alan L. Porter, Xiaoming Huo, Donghua Zhu, Jye-Chyi Lu, and Susan E. Cozzens
University: Georgia Tech
Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
Year: 2004

Click or Full Dissertation

Technological Landscape and Collaborations in Hybrid Vehicles Industry

Patents, Research Examples, Research profiling, Research Type

Production of hybrid vehicles has experienced intense growth in recent years. Carmakers invest significant resources into the development of advanced hybrid drives. The global perspectives of this process can be estimated by systematically analyzing patents outlined in international patent databases.

The paper assesses the state-of-art and future of the industry. Evidence from leaders in the development of hybrid vehicles demonstrates the productivity of the methodology developed by the authors for analyzing patent data .

http://ecsocman.hse.ru/hsedata/2015/06/30/1082514598/01-Rodriguez.pdf

Author(s): Marisela Rodríguez and Francisco Paredes
Organization: Centro de Innovación en Diseño y Tecnología, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Source: Foresight-Russia
Year: 2015

China’s global growth in social science research: Uncovering evidence from bibliometric analyses of SSCI publications (1978–2013)

Research evaluation, Research Examples, Research profiling, Research Type

The phenomenon of China’s rise as an emerging scientific power has been well documented, yet the development of its social science is less explored. Utilizing up-to-date Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) publication data (1978–2013), this paper probes the patterns and dynamics of China’s social science research via bibliometric analyses. Our research indicates that despite the national orientation of social science research and the linguistic obstacle of publishing for an international audience, China’s publications in the SSCI dataset have been rising in terms of volume, world share, and global ranking. But China is still not yet a major player in the arena of social sciences, as is evidenced by the number of Chinese journals indexed in SSCI and the lack of Olympic players. Team research features China’s international publishing in social science, but the research outputs are highly unbalanced at regional and institutional levels.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751157715000528

Author(s): Weishu Liu, Guangyuan Hu, Li Tang, and Yuandi Wang
Orgainzation(s): Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Sichuan University
Source: Journal of Informetrics
Year: 2015

Identification of technology development trends based on subject–action–object analysis: The case of dye-sensitized solar cells

Future-oriented technology analysis, Research Examples, Research Type,

Identification of technology development trends is essential for supporting decision makers in forecasting and identifying related innovation activities and industrial growth. Different from the traditional technology development trends based on keyword-based quantitative methods, which usually predict trends by finding key technologies without showing how to develop them, our method allows the identification of future direction and industry goal for the technology domain and shows detailed paths for achieving them. Thus, our method has constructed technology roadmapping (TRM) with seven layers (material, technology, influencing factor, component, product, goal, and future direction) on the basis of subject–action–object analysis. The detailed paths for developing this as a trend can be shown by the interaction among these TRM elements. In addition, the method also sets three indicators as a discriminating standard to find key players that can support the trend by engaging technological innovation scenarios. The case of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is exemplified to illustrate the detailed procedure of our method. The results reveal the development trends in the field of DSSCs, the detailed paths to achieve them, and key countries that support them.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004016251500133X

Author(s): Xuefeng Wang, Pengjun Qiu, Donghua Zhu, Liliana Mitkova, Ming Lei, and Alan L. Porter
Organization(s): Beijing Institute of Technology, University Paris-Est Marne la Vallée, and Georgia Institute of Technology
Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Year: 2015