Why royalties ? Evidence from French distribution networks

Working paper GATE 2011-02This empirical note deals with the contractual design of relationships in distribution networks. In the framework of agency theory, I study the royalty rate as an incentive device for the upstream firm in maintaining brand-name value, using recent French data to estimate probit models. The results are consistent with the analytical framework

Market Power and Collusion on Interconnection Phone Market in Tunisia : What Lessons from International Experiences

We try in this paper to characterize the state of mobile phone market in Tunisia. Our study is based on a survey of foreign experience (Europe) in detecting collusive behavior and a comparison of the critical threshold of collusion between operators in developing countries like Tunisia. The market power is estimated based on the work of Parker Roller (1997) and the assumption of "Balanced Calling Pattern". We use then the model of Friedman (1971) to compare the critical threshold of collusion. We show that the "conduct parameter" measuring the intensity of competition is not null during the period 1993-2011. Results show also that collusion is easier on the Tunisian market that on the Algerian, Jordanian, or Moroccan one

First FAMU observation of muon transfer from \u3bcp atoms to higher-Z elements

Abstract: The FAMU experiment aims to accurately measure the hyperfine splitting of the ground state of the muonic hydrogen atom. A measurement of the transfer rate of muons from hydrogen to heavier gases is necessary for this purpose. In June 2014, within a preliminary experiment, a pressurized gas-target was exposed to the pulsed low-energy muon beam at the RIKEN RAL muon facility (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, U.K.). The main goal of the test was the characterization of both the noise induced by the pulsed beam and the X-ray detectors. The apparatus, to some extent rudimental, has served admirably to this task. Technical results have been published that prove the validity of the choices made and pave the way for the next steps. This paper presents the results of physical relevance of measurements of the muon transfer rate to carbon dioxide, oxygen, and argon from non-thermalized excited \u3bcp atoms. The analysis methodology and the approach to the systematics errors are useful for the subsequent study of the transfer rate as function of the kinetic energy of the \u3bcp currently under way

The MEG detector for μ+→e+γ{\mu}+\to e+{\gamma} decay search

The MEG (Mu to Electron Gamma) experiment has been running at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), Switzerland since 2008 to search for the decay \meg\ by using one of the most intense continuous $\mu^+$ beams in the world. This paper presents the MEG components: the positron spectrometer, including a thin target, a superconducting magnet, a set of drift chambers for measuring the muon decay vertex and the positron momentum, a timing counter for measuring the positron time, and a liquid xenon detector for measuring the photon energy, position and time. The trigger system, the read-out electronics and the data acquisition system are also presented in detail. The paper is completed with a description of the equipment and techniques developed for the calibration in time and energy and the simulation of the whole apparatus.Comment: 59 pages, 90 figure

The development and testing of balanced communication material for a population-based breast cancer screening program

Organized breast cancer screening (BCS) programs rely on written communication materials for achieving participation and informing women about screening-related benefits and limits. In order to achieve informed decisions and to maximize reader acceptance, the Agency for Health Protection of the metropolitan area of Milan aimed at improving the communication materials of the local BCS program through a multiphase, mixed-method process. Multidisciplinary working groups drafted three sets of materials: postal letters, an informative leaflet, and a question-and-answer online set. Readability was assessed using the Italian language-tailored Gulpease index. Suitability and Comprehensibility were assessed using the SAM + CAM instrument. User perception was investigated through "think aloud"interviews in two consecutive purposive samples. Participants' intention to participate in the program was also assessed. After each phase was completed, materials were readapted, and previous phases were repeated, to maintain the pre-defined Gulpease and SAM + CAM targets. During the quality improvement process, the overall mean Gulpease and SAM + CAM scores increased from 65.5 (s. d. 10.4) to 67.7 (s. d. 8.2) and from 78 (s. d. 5.6) to 83 (s. d. 4.1), respectively. In light of the results of the first round of interviews, materials underwent rewriting and layout revision, which was generally appreciated during the second round, with a non-significant increase in the intention to participate in the program. However, negative emotions and miscomprehension concerning overdiagnosis were frequently reported, although less frequent in the second round, after rewording of the text. The mixed-method multistep process involving all the relevant key players allowed a balance among the multifaceted aspects of communication

Biosimilars : lights and shadows in rheumatology

In the last 10 years, the growing approval and marketing of biological agents has significantly ameliorated the outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis patients suffering from active and refractory disease despite conventional treatments. As patent protection of many biopharmaceuticals will expire in the next years, biosimilars could be proximally introduced. Such agents could be marked only when they will be proven, through in vitro and in vivo studies, to be similar enough to the original comparator in term of quality, efficacy and safety. As biosimilars are less expensive than corresponding originators, a wider use of these drugs may substantially cut off the expenditure of biopharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, ongoing debate exists in scientific community: the intrinsic complex and large structure of biologic molecules besides the natural variability in the manufacturing processes might lead to a slightly different product respect to the original one, so that relevant implications for efficacy and safety concerns might arise, especially in the long-term period. Immunogenicity and extended indications of biosimilars represent further matter of discussion, too. Thus, before their approval and marketing, specific guidelines and steps imposed by national and/or international regulatory agencies should be followed along with the respect of scientific societies position in each specific contest

Consistency of high-fidelity two-qubit operations in silicon

The consistency of entangling operations between qubits is essential for the performance of multi-qubit systems, and is a crucial factor in achieving fault-tolerant quantum processors. Solid-state platforms are particularly exposed to inconsistency due to the materials-induced variability of performance between qubits and the instability of gate fidelities over time. Here we quantify this consistency for spin qubits, tying it to its physical origins, while demonstrating sustained and repeatable operation of two-qubit gates with fidelities above 99% in the technologically important silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor (SiMOS) quantum dot platform. We undertake a detailed study of the stability of these operations by analysing errors and fidelities in multiple devices through numerous trials and extended periods of operation. Adopting three different characterisation methods, we measure entangling gate fidelities ranging from 96.8% to 99.8%. Our analysis tools also identify physical causes of qubit degradation and offer ways to maintain performance within tolerance. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of qubit design, feedback systems, and robust gates on implementing scalable, high-fidelity control strategies. These results highlight both the capabilities and challenges for the scaling up of spin-based qubits into full-scale quantum processors