First-mover advantage and competitive dynamics: a study in the automotive industry

Competitive dynamics and previous studies have showed that firms that enter as first in a specific market tend to obtain a dominant position in comparison to the later movers. Researchers have argued on finding a suitable definition of first-mover since an excessively loose definition could be applicable for too many firms making it difficult to properly analyse them. Thus, it is relevant to analyse how car manufacturers are behaving in the automotive industry and if there is still a relevant first-mover advantage or not. Prior studies have analysed first-mover advantage in different industries with the selection of different criteria. The following study will analyse the above-mentioned industry taking into consideration electrification, autonomous driving, connectivity and mobility as a service. This research aims at analysing first-mover advantage and competitive dynamics of the automotive industry under the light of the new radical technologies that are revolutionizing the competitive scenario. The empirical investigation was based on a multiple case study in order to capture similarities and differences among automotive producers of different countries. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with managers of the companies while secondary data through annual reports and analysis of service providers. Furthermore, secondary data was collected in order to increase the credibility of the study by triangulating different sources of data. Findings show that first-mover advantage is considered to be a relevant success factor in the automotive competitive scenario. Notwithstanding, managerial perceptions of pioneering behaviours change depending on the technology considered. The main influential factors of pioneering have been identified in internal factors, particularly the internal innovation orientation. External factors are considered differently depending on strategic position: boosting agents for pioneers and starting agents for followers. Additional significant findings interest the competitive dynamics of the industry with a specific focus on the relevance of coopetition and future cooperation

The role of dalbavancin in the multi-disciplinary management of wound infections in orthopaedic surgery.

Antimicrobial resistance is continuously increasing among bacterial clinical isolates (especially methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA), negatively impacting on outcomes of patients with Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). A multi-disciplinary team work is essential for SSIs prevention and for the choice of antibiotic therapy of orthopaedic SSIs. In particular, an Antibiotic Stewardship (AS) approach is recommended for preserving the activity of old and new antimicrobials. Dalbavancin is a novel antimicrobial agent, belonging to the lipoglycopeptides family, recently approved by FDA for the treatment of ABSSSIs (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections) and can be considered as a candidate for the treatment of orthopaedic superficial SSIs. An antimicrobial activity directed against MRSA and other multi-resistant Gram-positive pathogens, a bactericidal effect and an extremely extended half-life are among key features of this drug. Dalbavancin gives to clinicians the option to provid..

Cuidados com a pele durante a pandemia de coronavírus: orientações para prevenir lesões de pele relacionadas ao uso de EPIs e à lavagem de mãos

A Liga Acadêmica de Cuidados com a Pele e Feridas Cuidarte (LACPF-CuidArte) reuniu, nesta cartilha, algumas recomendações de cuidados com a pele durante a pandemia de Coronavírus, com estratégias para prevenir e lidar com as doenças cutâneas relacionadas ao coronavírus e ao uso prolongado de EPIs

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives : data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.Peer reviewe

Prospective validation of the CLIP score: a new prognostic system for patient with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Prognosis of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends on both residual liver function and tumor extension. The CLIP score includes Child-Pugh stage, tumor morphology and extension, serum alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and portal vein thrombosis. We externally validated the CLIP score and compared its discriminatory ability and predictive power with that of the Okuda staging system in 196 patients with cirrhosis and HCC prospectively enrolled in a randomized trial. No significant associations were found between the CLIP score and the age, sex, and pattern of viral infection. There was a strong correlation between the CLIP score and the Okuda stage, As of June 1999, 150 patients (76.5%) had died. Median survival time was 11 months, overall, and it was 36, 22, 9, 7, and 3 months for CLIP categories 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to 6, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the CLIP score had additional explanatory power above that of the Okuda stage. This was true for both patients treated with locoregional therapy or not. A quantitative estimation of 2-year survival predictive power showed that the CLIP score explained 37% of survival variability, compared with 21% explained by Okuda stage. In conclusion, the CLIP score, compared with the Okuda staging system, gives more accurate prognostic information, is statistically more efficient, and has a greater survival predictive power. It could be useful in treatment planning by improving baseline prognostic evaluation of patients with RCC, and could be used in prospective therapeutic trials as a stratification variable, reducing the variability of results owing to patient selection

COVID-19 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis: Putting Data Into Context

Background and objectives: It is unclear how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to compare COVID-19-related outcomes collected in an Italian cohort of patients with MS with the outcomes expected in the age- and sex-matched Italian population. Methods: Hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death after COVID-19 diagnosis of 1,362 patients with MS were compared with the age- and sex-matched Italian population in a retrospective observational case-cohort study with population-based control. The observed vs the expected events were compared in the whole MS cohort and in different subgroups (higher risk: Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score > 3 or at least 1 comorbidity, lower risk: EDSS score ≤ 3 and no comorbidities) by the χ2 test, and the risk excess was quantified by risk ratios (RRs). Results: The risk of severe events was about twice the risk in the age- and sex-matched Italian population: RR = 2.12 for hospitalization (p < 0.001), RR = 2.19 for ICU admission (p < 0.001), and RR = 2.43 for death (p < 0.001). The excess of risk was confined to the higher-risk group (n = 553). In lower-risk patients (n = 809), the rate of events was close to that of the Italian age- and sex-matched population (RR = 1.12 for hospitalization, RR = 1.52 for ICU admission, and RR = 1.19 for death). In the lower-risk group, an increased hospitalization risk was detected in patients on anti-CD20 (RR = 3.03, p = 0.005), whereas a decrease was detected in patients on interferon (0 observed vs 4 expected events, p = 0.04). Discussion: Overall, the MS cohort had a risk of severe events that is twice the risk than the age- and sex-matched Italian population. This excess of risk is mainly explained by the EDSS score and comorbidities, whereas a residual increase of hospitalization risk was observed in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and a decrease in people on interferon