Telework Configurations and Labour Productivity: some stylized facts

The development of information and communication technologies has led to the rise of new working forms in firms, some of which are temporally and spatially dispersed, such as telework practices. However, ‘telework’ is a broad concept, including different forms of remote work as well as diverse reasons and performance implications for the separation of work from the firm’s premises. Following this consideration, this paper has explored two sides of telework: 1) the main types of telework practises adopted by firms in relation to their technological, organizational and environmental context; 2) the association between the adoption of telework practices and labour productivity. Specifically, analysing data gathered through a survey analysis conducted from 2005 and 2009 on Italian enterprises, we identified two main typologies of telework: 1) firms using forms of home‐based telework; 2) firms using mobile forms of telework. Whereas firms prevalently using the first type of telework modality do not exhibit a superior endowment of information systems and do not exhibit higher labour productivity, firms deploying “mobile work” practices are characterized by a higher adoption of information systems, deal with more dynamic business environments and exhibit higher labour productivity with respect to firms that do not use telework practices

Genomic Investigation of Virulence Potential in Shiga Toxin Escherichia coli (STEC) Strains From a Semi-Hard Raw Milk Cheese

Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) represents a significant cause of foodborne disease. In the last years, an increasing number of STEC infections associated with the consumption of raw and pasteurized milk cheese have been reported, contributing to raise the public awareness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main genomic features of STEC strains isolated from a semi-hard raw milk cheese, focusing on their pathogenic potential. The analysis of 75 cheese samples collected during the period between April 2019 and January 2020 led to the isolation of seven strains from four stx-positive enrichment. The genome investigation evidenced the persistence of two serotypes, O174:H2 and O116:H48. All strains carried at least one stx gene and were negative for eae gene. The virulence gene pattern was homogeneous among the serogroup/ST and included adherence factors (lpfA, iha, ompT, papC, saa, sab, hra, and hes), enterohemolysin (ehxA), serum resistance (iss, tra), cytotoxin-encoding genes like epeA and espP, and the Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation Pathogenicity Islands (LAA PAIs) typically found in Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE)-negative STEC. Genome plasticity indicators, namely, prophagic sequences carrying stx genes and plasmid replicons, were detected, leading to the possibility to share virulence determinants with other strains. Overall, our work adds new knowledge on STEC monitoring in raw milk dairy products, underlining the fundamental role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for typing these unknown isolates. Since, up to now, some details about STEC pathogenesis mechanism is lacking, the continuous monitoring in order to protect human health and increase knowledge about STEC genetic features becomes essential

Draft genome sequence of lactobacillus helveticus Lh 23, isolated from natural whey starter

Lactobacillus helveticus is a thermophilic lactic acid bacterium that is widely employed as a starter culture for manufacturing several Swiss and Italian hard-cooked cheeses. The sequencing of L. helveticus Lh 23, which consists of 2,100,230 bp with a GC content of 36.5%, reveals industrially useful traits and interesting metabolic pathways

Genomic Insights of Enterococcus faecium UC7251, a Multi-Drug Resistant Strain From Ready-to-Eat Food, Highlight the Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain

The presence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in ready-to-eat foods comprises a threat for public health due to their ability to acquire and transfer antibiotic-resistant determinants that could settle in the microbiome of the human digestive tract. In this study, Enterococcus faecium UC7251 isolated from a fermented dry sausage was characterized phenotypically and genotypically to hold resistance to multiple antibiotics including aminoglycosides, macrolides, beta-lactams, and tetracyclines. We further investigated this strain following a hybrid sequencing and assembly approach (short and long reads) and determined the presence of various mobile genetic elements (MGEs) responsible of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). On the chromosome of UC7251, we found one integrative and conjugative element (ICE) and a conjugative transposon Tn916-carrying tetracycline resistance. UC7251 carries two plasmids: one small plasmid harboring a rolling circle replication and one MDR megaplasmid. The latter was identified as mobilizable and containing a putative integrative and conjugative element-like region, prophage sequences, insertion sequences, heavy-metal resistance genes, and several antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, confirming the phenotypic resistance characteristics. The transmissibility potential of AMR markers was observed through mating experiments, where Tn916-carried tetracycline resistance was transferred at intra- and inter-species levels. This work highlights the significance of constant monitoring of products of animal origin, especially RTE foodstuffs, to stimulate the development of novel strategies in the race for constraining the spread of antibiotic resistance

Significant impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on pediatric parapneumonic effusion: Italy 2006-2018

Abstract Etiology and serotyping of parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and the impact of vaccination was evaluated over a 12-year period, before and after the PCV13 introduction (2011) for Italian children From 0 to 16 years of age. Five hundred and two children were evaluated; 226 blood and 356 pleural fluid samples were obtained and tested using Realtime-PCR and culture. In the pre-PCV13 era S. pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen identified (64/90; 71.1%) with a large predominance of serotypes 1 (42.4%), 3 (23.7%), 7F (5.1%) and 19A (11.9%). The impact of vaccination, calculated on children 0–8 years of age, demonstrated a significant reduction of PPE: with an incidence rate of 2.82 (95%CL 2.32–3.41) in the pre-PCV13 era and an age-standardized rate (ASR) of 0.66 (95% CL 0.37–1.99) in the post-PCV13 era, p  In conclusion, our findings indicate that routine immunization with PCV13 has significantly reduced the burden of childhood PPE in vaccinated children, without increasing PPE due to other bacteria and without serotype shift. Moreover, the impact of PCV13 may be underestimated due to the increase in pneumococcal surveillance in Italy. Data has also shown that Real-time PCR is an essential tool to better define the etiology of PPE and to monitor vaccination plans. Longer studies will be necessary to evaluate the role of herd protection in PPE prevention

Citrus peel extracts for industrial-scale production of bio-based active food packaging

The thermal stability of four different commercial citrus peel extracts was tested and improved by an encapsulation process with β-cyclodextrins in a spray-dryer. All extracts after the encapsulation process maintained a good antioxidant capacity, with an apparent loss in total phenolic compounds of around 20–25%. In addition, all samples showed good antimicrobial activity (MIC 5–0.625 mg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, which was maintained after the encapsulation process (MIC 5–1.25 mg/mL). Based on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity results, the best-encapsulated citrus extract was selected for incorporation into a polylactic acid/polyhydroxy butyrate (PLA/PHB) film. The latter was then produced on an industrial scale by cast extrusion and was found to be suitable for food contact as it showed overall migration values in different food simulants lower than the legislative limit of 10 mg of non-volatile substances per 1 dm2 of surface area. The UHPLC-HRMS analysis, performed to evaluate the migration of the active compounds, revealed about 13.41% release in food simulant A and 11.02% in food simulant B. Antimicrobial analysis conducted directly on the film showed a growth inhibition activity towards Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus equal to 30 and 60%, respectively

Value Networks: Scenarios on the Mobile Content Market Configurations

The market for mobile digital contents is undergoing a process of value system reconfiguration, giving rise to the need of developing original models capable of describing its structure and disclosing the drivers of value creation. The purpose of this paper is to apply Value Networks and Strategic Networks theories to Mobile Content market. At first, a model entangling the market’s key value adding activities will be provided. Consequently, four alternative configurations of feasible Mobile Content Value Networks will be proposed and evaluated with reference to a set of structural and dynamic variables drawn from an extensive literature review. The research relies on the adoption of a multiple case studies methodology: 94 in-depth exploratory case studies were performed. The findings show how varying the set of value adding activities covered by the different actors shapes the network structure and inner dynamics, with significant impacts on the firms’ behavior and strategic options

Social Applications: Revenue Models, Delivery Channels, and Critical Success Factors - An Exploratory Study and Evidence from the Spanish-Speaking Market

In the context of growing interest in both Mobile-Internet convergence and Web 2.0 social technologies, this article investigates the business opportunities derived from offering Social Applications in the convergent scenario, particularly regarding Social Network and Content Sharing services. Given the business model structural deficiencies identified in literature for this type of convergent services, the investigation is oriented towards the role of the technology delivery channels (either Internet and/or Mobile) and revenue appropriation strategies. A mixed-methods research strategy was employed consisting of a cross-sectional survey of 124 Social Application services offered in Spanish language and seven case studies with representative Social Network and Content Sharing services. While the aim of the survey was to map and identify the overall main characteristics and business model dimensions of Social Applications, the case studies' objective was to understand the strategic reasoning behind business model design and evolution. The research offered a detailed view on the dynamics of Social Network and Content Sharing services, showing how the revenue strategies are tightly linked to the technological delivery channel. Finally, six critical success factors for business models of Content Sharing and Social Network services were identified

Mobile Social Networking: A Case Study in an Australian Mobile Network Operator

In the context of increased importance of social applications and convergence between mobile and Web technological domains, this paper investigates potential strategies that MNOs can adopt regarding the offer of mobile social networking services. A case study in an Australian mobile network operator is presented in order to highlight the decision-making process for the launch of mobile networking services. General conclusions and potential implications for mobile network operators are presented, including a three-step strategy for carriers wishing to enter the social networking arena

Mobile Applications and Their Delivery Platforms

Mobile applications are a multibillion-dollar business. Understanding the business strategies behind them and the characteristics of their distinct delivery platform—the mobile app store—provides a glimpse into the emerging convergence of mobile-Web applications