How to Foster Innovation? A Methodology to Identify Fields for Fostering Innovation Capability in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises are affected by changing development, production and selling paradigms in globalized industries, where innovation is a driver for sustainable competitiveness. However, innovating is highly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises, as human resources are very limited and know-how are often highly specialized. It is often unclear which fields and factors provide the capability to innovate and which measures or methods can be applied to promote innovation based on existing competencies. For this reason, the aim of this paper is to present a framework to support the innovation capability of SMEs by identifying promising fields for innovation and providing suitable innovation methods. A particular focus in this paper is a methodology for the description and identification of fields to foster the innovation capability in SMEs as a part of the introduced framework

Fast geomagnetic field intensity variations between 1400 and 400 BCE: New archaeointensity data from Germany

International audienceThirty-five mean archaeointensity data were obtained on ceramic sherds dated between 1400 and 400 BCE from sites located near Munich, Germany. The 453 sherds were collected from 52 graves, pits and wells dated by archaeological correlation, radiocarbon and/or dendrochronology. Rock magnetic analyses indicate that the remanent magnetization. was mainly carried by magnetite. Data from Thellier-Thellier experiments were corrected for anisotropy and cooling rate effects. Triaxe and multispecimen (MSP-DSC) protocols were also measured on a subset of specimens. Around 60% of the samples provide reliable results when using stringent criteria selection. The 35 average archaeointensity values based on 154 pots are consistent with previous data and triple the Western Europe database between 1400 and 400 BCE. A secular variation curve for central-western Europe, built using a Bayesian approach, shows a double oscillation in geomagnetic field strength with intensity maxima of similar to 70 mu T around 1000-900 BCE and another up to 90 AT around 600-500 BCE. The maximum rate of variation was similar to 0.25 mu T/yr circa 700 BCE. The secular variation trend in Western Europe is similar to that observed in the Middle East and the Caucasus except that we find no evidence for hyper-rapid field variations (i.e. geomagnetic spikes). Virtual Axial Dipole Moments from Western Europe, the Middle East and central Asia differ by more than 2.1022 A.m(2) prior to 600 BCE, which signifies a departure from an axial dipole field especially between 1000 and 600 BCE. Our observations suggest that the regional Levantine Iron Age anomaly has been accompanied by an increase of the axial dipole moment together with a tilt of the dipole. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: Updated Recommendations of the Cologne Consensus Conference 2018

In the summer of 2016, delegates from the German Society of Cardiology (DGK), the German Respiratory Society (DGP), and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology (DGPK) met in Cologne, Germany, to define consensus-based practice recommendations for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). These recommendations were built on the 2015 European Pulmonary Hypertension guidelines, aiming at their practical implementation, considering country-specific issues, and including newevidence, where available. To this end, a number of working groups was initiated, one of which was specifically dedicated to PH associated with left heart disease. In this context, the European Guidelines point out that the drugs currently approved to treat patients with PAH (prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, sGC stimulators) have not sufficiently been investigated in other forms of PH. However, despite the lack of respective efficacy data, an uncritical use of targeted PAH drugs in patients with PH associated with left heart disease is currently observed at an increasing rate. This development is a matter of concern. On the other hand, PH is a frequent problem that is highly relevant for morbidity and mortality in patients with left heart disease. In that sense, the distinction between isolated post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (IpcPH) and combined post-and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH) and their proper definition may be of particular relevance. The detailed results and recommendations of the working group on PH associated with left heart disease, which were last updated in the spring of 2018, are summarized in this article. (c) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V

Experiences with IL-1 blockade in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis - data from the German AID-registry

BackgroundSystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a complex disease with dysregulation of the innate immune system driven by cytokines. A major role is ascribed to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), supporting the autoinflammatory character of the disease and offering an effective blocking mechanism for treatment. Here we present clinical practice data from the German AID-registry for patients treated with IL-1 inhibition (IL-1i).MethodsIn 2009 a clinical and research consortium (AID-Net) was established, including an online AID-registry. Patients with documented sJIA diagnosis were identified. Data for this retrospective IL-1i study were recorded by 17 centers. Response to treatment was evaluated according to Wallace criteria and additionally by an own classifying clinical response system.ResultsIn 6years, 202 patients with confirmed sJIA were recorded in the AID-registry. Out of these, 111 children received therapy with Anakinra (ANA) (n=84, 39 f) and/or Canakinumab (CANA) (n=27, 15 f) at a median age of 8.7 y (range 0.6-19.1). During the first 12months 75/111 (ANA 55, CANA 20) patients were evaluated according to Wallace criteria (achievement of inactive disease 28/55 and 17/20, remission over 6months under medication 13/55 and 7/20 cases). Over the whole period of time, clinical response was preserved in the majority of patients (ANA 54/80, CANA 20/27). Arthritis mostly persisted in polyarticular (PA) courses. During treatment with IL-1i concomitant medication could be tapered in about 15%. IL-1i was discontinued in 59/111 patients. 45 (15) adverse events (AE)s in ANA (CANA) treated patients (19.7 (26.6) AE/100 ANA (CANA) exposure years, 95%CI: 14.4-26.4 (14.9-43.9)) were reported.ConclusionIn a large cohort of sJIA patients from Germany, we can confirm an overall favorable clinical response to both available IL-1 blocking agents. IL-1i was well tolerated with acceptable safety and effectiveness in a real-life clinical setting