Green innovation networks: A research agenda

Much of green innovation is the outcome of different levels of collaboration between organizations in different constellations. There is significant knowledge of interorganizational networks on the one hand and on green innovation on the other. However, less is known of interorganizational networks aimed at green innovations. The purpose of the paper is to develop a research agenda for future studies in green innovation networks. Extant literature on collaborations in networks to develop green innovations is reviewed. The Scopus database was used, with a search resulting in 63 papers. The review included a wide range of green innovations: products, services, processes, business models and marketing. Different types of actors and their reasons for engagement, the extent of networks and the prevalence of different actors were all identified. This research discusses what kind of network relationships (e.g. new types or cross-sectoral) need to be understood when studying these green innovations. Three areas for future research directions are proposed: the potential of horizontal collaborations in green innovation networks, cross-sectoral (including public-private) partnerships in green innovation networks and users as actors in green innovation networks

Social cross-functional vendor selection in technologically uncertain sourcing situations

Based on an in-depth case study of an automotive manufacturer sourcing parts for high technology projects, this study investigates the intentions and structure of socialization within and between firms during the supplier selection process in technologically uncertain sourcing situations. Here, we aim to answer the question of how socialization can hedge against the high levels of uncertainty for manufacturers selecting suppliers of high technology resources. The case represents a major automotive manufacturer in Northern Europe, and is based on 38 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the different functions involved in the sourcing for the new development projects. Our data suggest that internal and external socialization during the supplier selection process can improve internal alignment and problem solving, and external familiarity towards the sourcing task. In this context, socialization took place on functional, cross-functional, and (inter)corporate levels, with higher functional autonomy during the assessment, and higher cross-functional integration during negotiations and decision making, adding to the debate on whether functions should be integrated or separated

Features of adult neural progenitor cells

The adult Central Nervous System (CNS) harbors neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in three areas: the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone in the hippocampus and around the central canal in the spinal cord. The NPCs can be isolated and cultured in vitro. To improve recovery after a CNS trauma by using endogenous NPCs as well as by NPC transplantation, it is important to understand the features and localization of the NPC populations. It is crucial to understand the effects of inflammatory mediators on NPCs since neuroinflammation is involved in many CNS conditions such as trauma, neurodegenerative disorders, stroke and infections. The aim of this thesis was to study different NPC features: 1. How the NPCs transcriptionally and functionally differ throughout the neuroaxis, 2. If and how inflammation effects NPCs and 3. If human Filum Terminale harbors NPCs. I. NPCs express TLR receptors and can following activation of the receptors produce TNFα. Toll like receptors (TLR) are involved in the innate immune system which constitutes the first line of defense against pathogens. TLR2 and TLR4 were detected in NPC cultures and in vivo in the SVZ. Stimulation by macrophage supernatant and the cytokines IFNγ and TNFα resulted in a differentially regulated expression of these receptors on the NPCs. Moreover, TLR2 and TLR4 agonists induced expression of both mRNA and the TNFα protein which was released from NPC. II. NPCs change fate after exposure to chronic inflammation We used the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model to study NPCs after chronic inflammation. NPCs were isolated and cultured from SVZ, cervical, thoracic and caudal part of the spinal cord. Thereafter a global transcriptome analysis (Affymetricx Gene Chip®) was preformed paralleled by functional analysis where the NPC capacity to differentiate was determined using immunhistochemistry and western blot. In healthy situations significant changes was found between SVZ and spinal cord- derived NPCs. SVZ NPCs had a more neurogenic fate and NPC from spinal cord was more prone to astroglial differentiation. After inflammation spinal cord NPCs transcriptional profile was altered in functions such as myelination and survival of oligodendrocytes, several canonical pathways involved in gliogenesis was downregulated. This was translated into functional fate of the spinal cord NPCs with decreased oligo-and astrogliogenesis and increased neurogenesis. SVZ NPCs after inflammation fate was skewed towards astroglia. III. NPCs are affected by a distant on-going inflammation In this paper we focus on NPCs from levels within the EAE-affected spinal cord which did not show signs of high level of inflammation. NPCs from spinal cord revealed an altered transcription and differentiation pattern in vitro. which were independent of the level of active inflammation. We also detected an increased proliferative capacity of the NPCs after inflammation in the thoracic part. IV. Human Filum Terminale harbors NPC which can be isolated and propagated We here characterize and describe the existence of NPCs and their distribution in Filum Terminale immunohistochmically. NPCs were also isolated and differentiated in vitro. After addition of growth factor NPCs displayed increased neurogenesis. We also detected an age-related difference in growth and proliferation capacity which were higher in NPCs derived from young individuals. In conclusion, we demonstrated that NPCs differ in neurogenic and gliogenic potential depending on their origin in the healthy situation. After chronic inflammation we found that NPCs fate is altered. We also present that NPC in the SVZ express TLR receptors and can produce cytokines after inflammatory stimuli. These findings may increase the knowledge how inflammation alters the NPC fate and their regenerative potential. In human Filum Terminale harbors NPCs ressembling NPC from other CNS locations. Hypothetically Filum Terminale could be a potential cell replacement source

Feeling Small: Exploring the Tactile Perception Limits

The human finger is exquisitely sensitive in perceiving different materials, but the question remains as to what length scales are capable of being distinguished in active touch. We combine material science with psychophysics to manufacture and haptically explore a series of topographically patterned surfaces of controlled wavelength, but identical chemistry. Strain-induced surface wrinkling and subsequent templating produced 16 surfaces with wrinkle wavelengths ranging from 300 nm to 90 μm and amplitudes between 7 nm and 4.5 μm. Perceived similarities of these surfaces (and two blanks) were pairwise scaled by participants, and interdistances among all stimuli were determined by individual differences scaling (INDSCAL). The tactile space thus generated and its two perceptual dimensions were directly linked to surface physical properties – the finger friction coefficient and the wrinkle wavelength. Finally, the lowest amplitude of the wrinkles so distinguished was approximately 10 nm, demonstrating that human tactile discrimination extends to the nanoscale

Distribution and Characterization of Progenitor Cells within the Human Filum Terminale

Filum terminale (FT) is a structure that is intimately associated with conus medullaris, the most caudal part of the spinal cord. It is well documented that certain regions of the adult human central nervous system contains undifferentiated, progenitor cells or multipotent precursors. The primary objective of this study was to describe the distribution and progenitor features of this cell population in humans, and to confirm their ability to differentiate within the neuroectodermal lineage.We demonstrate that neural stem/progenitor cells are present in FT obtained from patients treated for tethered cord. When human or rat FT-derived cells were cultured in defined medium, they proliferated and formed neurospheres in 13 out of 21 individuals. Cells expressing Sox2 and Musashi-1 were found to outline the central canal, and also to be distributed in islets throughout the whole FT. Following plating, the cells developed antigen profiles characteristic of astrocytes (GFAP) and neurons (β-III-tubulin). Addition of PDGF-BB directed the cells towards a neuronal fate. Moreover, the cells obtained from young donors shows higher capacity for proliferation and are easier to expand than cells derived from older donors.The identification of bona fide neural progenitor cells in FT suggests a possible role for progenitor cells in this extension of conus medullaris and may provide an additional source of such cells for possible therapeutic purposes. Filum terminale, human, progenitor cells, neuron, astrocytes, spinal cord

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for adults with hydrocephalus : creating a prognostic model for success: protocol for a retrospective multicentre study (Nordic ETV)

Introduction Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is becoming an increasingly widespread treatment for hydrocephalus, but research is primarily based on paediatric populations. In 2009, Kulkarni et al created the ETV Success score to predict the outcome of ETV in children. The purpose of this study is to create a prognostic model to predict the success of ETV for adult patients with hydrocephalus. The ability to predict who will benefit from an ETV will allow better primary patient selection both for EN and shunting. This would reduce additional second procedures due to primary treatment failure. A success score specific for adults could also be used as a communication tool to provide better information and guidance to patients. Methods and analysis The study will adhere to the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis reporting guidelines and conducted as a retrospective chart review of all patients >= 18 years of age treated with EN at the participating centres between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018. Data collection is conducted locally in a standardised database. Univariate analysis will be used to identify several strong predictors to be included in a multivariate logistic regression model. The model will be validated using K-fold cross validation. Discrimination will be assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and calibration with calibration belt plots. Ethics and dissemination The study is approved by appropriate ethics or patient safety boards in all participating countries.Peer reviewe

Emerging collaborative research platforms for the next generation of physical activity, sleep and exercise medicine guidelines: The Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep consortium (ProPASS)

Galileo Galilei’s quote ‘measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so’ has particular relevance to health behaviours, such as physical activity (PA), sitting and sleep, whose measurement during free living is notoriously difficult. To date, much of what we know about how these behaviours affect our health is based on self-report by questionnaires which have limited validity, are prone to bias and inquire about selective aspects of these behaviours. Although self-reported evidence has made great contributions to shaping public health and exercise medicine policy and guidelines until now,1 the ongoing advancements of accelerometry-based measurement and evidence synthesis methods are set to change the landscape. The aim of this editorial is to outline new directions in PA and sleep-related epidemiology that open new horizons for guideline development and improvement; and to describe a new research collaboration platform: the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep consortium (ProPASS). </p

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for adults with hydrocephalus: creating a prognostic model for success: protocol for a retrospective multicentre study (Nordic ETV)

Introduction Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is becoming an increasingly widespread treatment for hydrocephalus, but research is primarily based on paediatric populations. In 2009, Kulkarni et al created the ETV Success score to predict the outcome of ETV in children. The purpose of this study is to create a prognostic model to predict the success of ETV for adult patients with hydrocephalus. The ability to predict who will benefit from an ETV will allow better primary patient selection both for EN and shunting. This would reduce additional second procedures due to primary treatment failure. A success score specific for adults could also be used as a communication tool to provide better information and guidance to patients.Methods and analysis The study will adhere to the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis reporting guidelines and conducted as a retrospective chart review of all patients >= 18 years of age treated with EN at the participating centres between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018. Data collection is conducted locally in a standardised database. Univariate analysis will be used to identify several strong predictors to be included in a multivariate logistic regression model. The model will be validated using K-fold cross validation. Discrimination will be assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and calibration with calibration belt plots.Ethics and dissemination The study is approved by appropriate ethics or patient safety boards in all participating countries.</p

Retorik i skolan. En studie av fem svensklärares inställning till retorikämnet och retorik i den nya läroplanen, Lgr11

Syftet med vår uppsats var att söka kunskap om lärares inställning till retorik och hur de arbetar med ämnet i skolan. Vi ville dessutom ta reda på hur de förhåller sig till målen i den nya läroplanen, Lgr11, när det gäller retorik. Vi valde att genomföra en kvalitativ respondentundersökning, i form av samtalsintervjuer med fem lärare, från tre skolor belägna i några av Göteborgs kranskommuner. Vi valde den här metoden för att kunna klarlägga eventuella mönster, även om vi är medvetna om att det finns svårigheter med att göra generaliseringar, då antalet intervjuer är få. Utifrån de svar vi fått av de intervjuade lärarna, visade att majoriteten av lärarna är osäkra på vad deras uppdrag, när det gäller retorik, innefattar i förhållande till Lgr11. För de flesta av lärarna handlar retorikundervisningen främst om olika former av redovisningar eller att eleverna ska samtala med varandra. Viktigt är dock att nämna, att alla intervjuade lärare ställde sig positiva till retorik som ämne och skulle dessutom gärna arbeta mer med ämnet, men de menar att bland annat tidsbrist och prioritering förhindrar en sådan utveckling. De menar också att en eventuell fortbildning samt samarbete mellan lärarna och ämnena, skulle kunna skapa en god retorikundervisning. Vår förhoppning är att vår uppsats bidrar till att uppmärksamma retorik som ämne och att ge en förklaring till vad retorik är och varför det är viktigt. Vi vänder oss främst till lärarstudenter och verksamma lärare, då vi vill skapa motivation, och därmed en drivkraft, att vilja undervisa i retorik. Vi hoppas också att den här undersökningen ska framhålla betydelsen av en god retorisk förmåga och även kunna ge konkreta, didaktiska tips på hur lärare kan arbeta med retorik i skolan