Searching for synergy from a combination of heterogeneous business models: measurement and assessment from the polish software industry.

The authors propose a universal methodology for measuring and assessing the synergy potential when combining companies into a group, using the business model perspective. Based on interviews with company representatives, as well as consultations with Polish software industry experts, we have found 40 key variables which are characteristic for business models of resellers and integrators. The combination of business model concepts, of Balanced Scorecard and multi-criteria decision analysis, as proposed in the paper, allows the opportunities and threats (for strategic objectives to be reached within company group) in terms of business model variables, to be indicated more precisely.

A need for a paradigm shift in focus: From Kt/V to appropriate removal of sodium (the ignored uremic toxin).

Hemodialysis for chronic renal failure was introduced and developed in Seattle, WA, in the 1960s. Using Kiil dialyzers, weekly dialysis time and frequency were established to be about 30 hours on 3 time weekly dialysis. This dialysis time and frequency was associated with 10% yearly mortality in the United States in 1970s.

Update on cannulation techniques.

There are two methods of fistula cannulation for hemodialysis. The first, different site or rope-ladder cannulation method, established by originators of the arteriovenous fistula as a blood access for hemodialysis in 1966, relies on changing the puncture sites for each dialysis. The second, constant site or buttonhole method, developed several years later, recommends using the same puncture sites for consecutive dialyses.