Comparing University-Ownership Technology Transfer Systems With University-Inventor Technology Transfer Systems In Scandinavian Universities – A Question Of Focusing On Licensing Or Spin-Off Business Models?

Universities have become important components of the national innovation systems in innovation driven economies. To strengthen the university related flow of mainly technological knowledge into commercialized products many European countries have followed the American example and changed from an inventor-ownership system to a university-owned system (Genua & Rossi, 2011). Today most European countries have adopted a university-ownership system but with varying characteristics (Genua & Rossi, 2011). One of the strongest effects of changing to a university-owned system is a strengthening of the university support structures especially the founding or expansion of a Technology-Transfer organization (TTO). Most research indicates an increased output of patent applications, university-owned patents and license deals from the European universities (Genua & Rossi, 2011; Siegel et al, 2007). Will the university owned system give privilege to patents and license deals instead of trying to capture a higher value from university ownership in a university spinout as Kenney & Patton’s (2009; 2011) research indicate? The Scandinavian countries have since a decade changed university laws, policies and allocated specific resources in order to stimulate commercialization of university research. While Denmark and Norway changed intellectual property laws in favor of university ownership and pushed for commercialization early in the 2000's, Sweden retained the professor’s privilege system or university inventor system. The paper reports on a survey of Scandinavian universities’ technology-transfer offices regarding their patenting, licensing and university-spin-off activities in the years from 2000 to 2012. Results show an increase in commercialization activities in Denmark and Norway confirming earlier results by Genua and Rossi (2011). The Danish development shows a clear increase of patenting and licensing activity but a stagnation of university spin-outs. The Norwegian development is less clear but also here a pattern of more licensing and stagnation of spinouts is visible. In contrast Swedish universities’ TTO-systems are organized for spinouts and produce mostly university spinouts. Patenting is done also in Sweden but primarily in conjunction with the spinout process. Moreover, pure licensing deals are rare in the Swedish system. The study provides some support for Kenney and Patton’s (2009; 2011) results that university owned systems favour the business model of patenting and licensing while university inventor systems favour the business model of spinoffs. This study does however note the effect of other factors than the university intellectual property regime as important in the development. These are government initiatives and resource allocations for university commercialization, the capabilities of the TTO and the universities’ choice of commercialization support structure

Counterterms in Gravity in the Light-Front Formulation and a D=2 Conformal-like Symmetry in Gravity

In this paper we discuss gravity in the light-front formulation (light-cone gauge) and show how possible counterterms arise. We find that Poincare invariance is not enough to find the three-point counterterms uniquely. Higher-spin fields can intrude and mimic three-point higher derivative gravity terms. To select the correct term we have to use the remaining reparametrization invariance that exists after the gauge choice. We finally sketch how the corresponding programme for N=8 Supergravity should work.Comment: 26 pages, references added, published versio

Combined effects of high water level and precipitation on flooding of Gothenburg, Sweden

In the future, both rising sea water level and higher precipitation are expected due to climate change. Gothenburg is one of the cities in Sweden most affected by flooding in urban areas. Flooding is caused by very high sea level, but also as a consequence of heavy rainfall over the city. It is unknown whether high sea level or heavy rainfall is the most important reason for flooding, or if the combination of them causes the most severe flooding. Flooding caused by combinations of extreme water levels and rains in Gothenburg, are simulated using Mike21 for two scenarios: present climate and year 2100. A digital elevation model is used as input together with water level data from the harbour (Torshamnen) and CDS-rainfall (Chicago Design Storm). In present climate, extreme rainfall and extreme sea water level give more or less the same amount of flooding. If a greater part of Gothenburg is taken into account, extreme precipitation is expected to be the most important factor. In year 2100, the area along the harbour is flooded more severely by a 100-year water level, as the level of the quay is exceeded. In future climate, flooding from sea surge will cause more severe flooding

Organic field-testing of compounds to control apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) in combination with alleyway cover crops

To find new potential fungicides acceptable to organic production preventing apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) infections on leaf and fruits during primary apple scab infection period. The trials were carried out in combination with different cover crop treatments in single-tree plots. The formerly resistant variety ‘Delorina’ on rootstock M9, planted 1995 at a planting distance of 3.3 m x 1.6 m, unfertilized and with mechanical weed cleaning in the tree row, were used. The experimental orchard is located at Research Centre Aarslev (100 27´ E, 550 18´N)

The implications of digitalization on business model change

Context: Digitalization brings new opportunities and also challenges to software companies. Objective: Software companies have mostly focused on the technical aspects of handing changes and mostly ignoring the business model changes and their implications on software organization and the architecture. In this paper, we synthesize implications of the digitalization based on an extensive literature survey and a longitudinal case study at Ericsson AB. Method: Using thematic analysis, we present six propositions to be used to facilitate the cross-disciplinary analysis of business model dynamics and the effectiveness and efficiency of the outcome of business modeling, by linking value, transaction, and organizational learning to business model change. Conclusions: Business model alignment is highlighted as a new business model research area for understanding the relationships between the dynamic nature of business models, organization design, and the value creation in the business model activities

On the distribution of saline groundwater in the Poopo Basin, central Bolivian Highland

Lake Poopó is a terminal lake of the Bolivian Altiplano, with high salinity and heavy anthropogenic pollution from centuries of extensive mining activity. This study aims to describe how the water quality of groundwater and surface water system in different subwater-sheds of the Lake Poopó varies with geology and hydrology. Measurements of total dissolved solids (TDS) in wells show groundwater becoming more saline close to the lake. The results indicate high natural contamination from weathering of minerals with high concentrations of lead and arsenic, generally dry conditions which results in high salinity in water and soil, and most importantly, anthropogenic contamination from the intensive mining and metallurgic activities. Fresh groundwater can be found in the upper part of the soil and bedrock to a small extent. Up-coning and saline water intrusion is very common in the wells, which need to be shallow in order to avoid abstraction of saline groundwater. The groundwater is highly vulnerable and further on contaminated by acid mine drainage from the mining tails and by untreated effluents from the towns and villages of the area

Övertändning, backdraft och brandgasexplosion sett ur räddningstjänstens perspektiv

This report presents a detailed description of the phenomena flashover, backdraft and smoke gas explosion. The physical and chemical processes which are involved in these phenomena are thoroughly discussed. The report also describes a number of compartment fire scenarios which are believed to be the most common scenarios occurring in Sweden. The description is based on a number of full- scale experiments which were carried out within the project. At the end of the report, possible warning signs of a potential flashover and backdraft are discussed. In the appendices, a number of models used to predict flashover are evaluated, using data from small scale experiments carried out within the project

Negative Ion Instrumentation for Detection of the Electron Affinity of Astatine

For the purpose of measuring the electron affinity of Astatine, a versatile tool for ion beam line up is proposed. Apertures in the ion optics are used to guide the beam and traditionally the current is measured on the apertures in order to detect the presence of an ion beam. By slitting the aperture into four separate pieces, the aperture current can also be used to determine the direction of the misalignment and the size of the ion beam diameter. A 4-channel pico ammeter with optical LED indication of the ion beam position is suggested in an analog/digital hybrid design. The design utilizes two charge/current-to-digital chips in a microcontroller design. This work is an important contribution to an ongoing project with the objective to determine the electron affinity of Astatine which is a potential a-radiation agent in radioimmunotherapy

Comparison of Single-Grip Harvester Productivity in Clear- and Shelterwood Cutting

An increased interest in the use of shelterwood stands to promote regeneration has led to an interest in how singlegrip harvester productivity is affected by shelterwood cutting compared to clearcutting. A comparative time study of a large singlegrip harvester was made in a spruce stand in northern Sweden. Three treatments were used. Shelterwood cutting leaving: 1) a sparse stand, 2) a dense residual stand, and 3) clearcutting. Each treatment was replicated three times. Results show that productivity decreases from 64 m3 per effective hour in clearcutting to 54 and 41 m3 per effective hour when shelterwoods with 259 and 381 stems ha1, respectively, were retained

Інформаційна культура й професійно-особистісний розвиток майбутнього вчителя історії

(uk) У статті розглядається ціннісно-мотиваційний компонент та прояв індивідуальності в структурі інформаційної культури майбутнього вчителя історії.(ru) В статье рассматривается ценностно-мотивационный компонент и проявление индивидуальности в структуре информационной культуры будущего учителя истории