Opening the black box of an entrepreneurial training program focused on the scientific approach to decision-making : Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial

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The implications of entrepreneurs’ previous experiences on using a scientific approach to decision making: evidence from a randomized control trial

This study aims to investigate if previous managerial or entrepreneurial experiences of entrepreneurs could moderate the use of a scientific approach to decision-making. To test this, we embedded a field experiment involving 132 real start-ups from Italy. We collected data on performances using phone calls for 64 weeks. Using econometrics analysis, we find that previous managerial or entrepreneurial experiences moderate the effect of this entrepreneurial decision-making approach on start-up performances, such as whether they decided to terminate their entrepreneurial idea, the number of pivots and the amount of revenue gained. The moderating effects differ according to the experiences possessed by entrepreneurs

The implications of entrepreneurship education on the careers of PhDs: evidence from the challenge-based learning approach

We analysed the academic and business outcomes of 73 PhDs who attended an entrepreneurial education program, co - designed by two universities in collaboration with an international research center, in the last five years, and compared these results against 73 PhDs who did not attend the program. We based our analysis on a mix of quantitative and qualitative data regarding scientific and entrepreneurial achievements, as well as interviews with former pr ogram participants. Evidence from our analysis shows a positive effect of the entrepreneurial education program on the academic and business outcomes of PhDs

GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common β chain (CD131) expression as a biomarker of antigen-stimulated CD8+ T cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Upon Ag-activation cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) produce IFN-γ GM-CSF and TNF-α, which deliver simultaneously pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory signals to the surrounding microenvironment. Whether this secretion affects in an autocrine loop the CTLs themselves is unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we compared the transcriptional profile of Ag-activated, Flu-specific CTL stimulated with the FLU M1:58-66 peptide to that of convivial CTLs expanded <it>in vitro </it>in the same culture. PBMCs from 6 HLA-A*0201 expressing donors were expanded for 7 days in culture following Flu M1:58-66 stimulation in the presence of 300 IU/ml of interleukin-2 and than sorted by high speed sorting to high purity CD8+ expressing T cells gated according to FluM1:58-66 tetrameric human leukocyte antigen complexes expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ag-activated CTLs displayed higher levels of IFN-γ, GM-CSF (CSF2) and GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common β- chain (CD131) but lacked completely expression of IFN-γ receptor-II and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). This observation suggested that Ag-activated CTLs in preparation for the release of IFN-γ and GM-CSF shield themselves from the potentially apoptotic effects of the former entrusting their survival to GM-SCF. <it>In vitro </it>phenotyping confirmed the selective surface expression of CD131 by Ag-activated CTLs and their increased proliferation upon exogenous administration of GM-CSF.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The selective responsiveness of Ag-activated CTLs to GM-CSF may provide an alternative explanation to the usefulness of this chemokine as an adjuvant for T cell aimed vaccines. Moreover, the selective expression of CD131 by Ag-activated CTLs proposes CD131 as a novel biomarker of Ag-dependent CTL activation.</p

Hemodynamics in pig‐to‐baboon heterotopic thoracic cardiac xenotransplantation: Recovery from perioperative cardiac xenograft dysfunction and impairment by cardiac overgrowth

Introduction Orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation has seen notable improvement, leading to the first compassionate use in 2022. However, it remains challenging to define the clinical application of cardiac xenotransplantation, including the back-up strategy in case of xenograft failure. In this regard, the heterotopic thoracic technique could be an alternative to the orthotopic procedure. We present hemodynamic data of heterotopic thoracic pig-to-baboon transplantation experiments, focusing on perioperative xenograft dysfunction and xenograft overgrowth. Methods We used 17 genetically modified piglets as donors for heterotopic thoracic xenogeneic cardiac transplantation into captive-bred baboons. In all animals, pressure probes were implanted in the graft's left ventricle and the recipient's ascending aorta and hemodynamic data (graft pressure, aortic pressure and recipient's heart rate) were recorded continuously. Results Aortic pressures and heart rates of the recipients’ hearts were postoperatively stable in all experiments. After reperfusion, three grafts presented with low left ventricular pressure indicating perioperative cardiac dysfunction (PCXD). These animals recovered from PCXD within 48 h under support of the recipient's heart and there was no difference in survival compared to the other 14 ones. After 48 h, graft pressure increased up to 200 mmHg in all 17 animals with two different time-patterns. This led to a progressive gradient between graft and aortic pressure. With increasing gradient, the grafts stopped contributing to cardiac output. Grafts showed a marked weight increase from implantation to explantation. Conclusion The heterotopic thoracic cardiac xenotransplantation technique is a possible method to overcome PCXD in early clinical trials and an experimental tool to get a better understanding of PCXD. The peculiar hemodynamic situation of increasing graft pressure but missing graft's output indicates outflow tract obstruction due to cardiac overgrowth. The heterotopic thoracic technique should be successful when using current strategies of immunosuppression, organ preservation and donor pigs with smaller body and organ size

Entrepreneurship Education: The Effects of Challenge-Based Learning on the Entrepreneurial Mindset of University Students

The aim of this paper is to investigate the implications of Challenge-Based Learning programs on entrepreneurial skills, and on the mindset and intentions of university students, through a quantitative approach. Resorting to an original database, we analyzed the pre- and post-levels of entrepreneurial skills, mindset and intention of 127 students who attended a Challenge-Based Learning program. Results show a positive and significant effect of Challenge-Based Learning programs on the entrepreneurial mindset and skills—that is, financial literacy, creativity, and planning—of the students