Fuel on the Invention Funnel: Technology Licensing-in, Antecedents and Invention

In this paper, we examine the impact of technology licensing-in on firm invention performance. Studying a sample of 266 licensees and matched non-licensees using a two-part model specification, we find that licensees are more likely to introduce inventions than their non-licensee counterparts. This holds both if we consider invention in general, and invention in the licensed technological class only. We also show that familiarity with the licensed technology and technological specialization drives licensees to pursue a narrow invention strategy primarily focusing on the technological class specified in the license agreement.Licensing-in, Invention, Dynamic Capabilities, Learning Opportunities, Technological familiarity, Technological specialization

Fuel on the Invention Funnel: Technology Licensing-in, Antecedents and Invention

Technology management has so far largely overlooked that licensing-in may represent learning opportunities for the recipient firm. Attention has primarily been directed towards a more tactic explanation for the decision of firms to in-license external technologies. However, increasing empirical evidence witnesses an inducing effect of licensing-in on the inventive behavior of the single firm which, in turn, feeds its development and growth. The aim of this paper is to explore whether licensing-in in fact acts as a catalyst for inventive activities pursued by licensee firms. We employ a two-part model to investigate the inventiveness of 133 licensees compared to an equally sized matched sample of non-licensees. The study reveals that licensees exhibit elevated invention performances compared to non-licensee counterparts. This holds both when considering invention in general and invention in licensed technological class.. In addition, the paper reveals that familiarity with the licensed technology and technological specialization instigates the licensee to pursue a narrow invention strategy as defined by the technological classes of the licensed patent.Technology management has so far largely overlooked that licensing-in may represent learning opportunities for the recipient firm. Attention has primarily been directed towards a more tactic explanation for the decision of firms to in-license external technologies. However, increasing empirical evidence witnesses an inducing effect of licensing-in on the inventive behavior of the single firm which, in turn, feeds its development and growth. The aim of this paper is to explore whether licensing-in in fact acts as a catalyst for inventive activities pursued by licensee firms. We employ a two-part model to investigate the inventiveness of 133 licensees compared to an equally sized matched sample of non-licensees. The study reveals that licensees exhibit elevated invention performances compared to non-licensee counterparts. This holds both when considering invention in general and invention in licensed technological class.. In addition, the paper reveals that familiarity with the licensed technology and technological specialization instigates the licensee to pursue a narrow invention strategy as defined by the technological classes of the licensed patent.Non-Refereed Working Papers / of national relevance onl

Laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of desmopressin treatment of von Willebrand's disease by flow cytometry.

Background and Objectives von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is a heterogeneous bleeding disorder caused by quantitative or qualitative defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF). The diagnosis of VWD requires several laboratory tests. The aim of our study was to validate a flow cytometric test for the diagnosis of VWD and for monitoring the effects of desmopressin therapy.Design and Methods Flow cytometric analysis of ristocetin-induced VWF binding to platelets was performed in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) samples from patients with VWD and from control subjects and in samples of formalin-fixed platelets in the presence of plasma from patients or controls. In 12 VWD patients the test was conducted before and 1 hour after desmopressin infusion. Results were compared with VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, VWF:CB, RIPA, PFA-100® and the skin bleeding time.Results Ristocetin-induced VWF binding to platelets, evaluated by both flow cytometry-based assays, was significantly reduced in patients with type1, 2A and 2M VWD as compared with that in healthy subjects. Patients with type 2B VWD showed reduced binding of VWF to formalin-fixed platelets, but increased binding to autologous platelets in PRP, similar to RIPA. VWF binding to platelets assessed by both flow cytometric assays correlated significantly with VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, VWF:CB, RIPA, PFA100® and bleeding time. VWF binding to platelets increased after desmopressin infusion.Interpretation and Conclusions The measurement of ristocetin-induced binding of VWF to platelets by flow cytometry is a sensitive, simple and rapid test for the diagnosis of VWD and for the monitoring of the effects of desmopressin therapy. The flow cytometric assay performed with autologous platelets is useful in the identification of type 2B VWD patients

Current Diagnosis and Management of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) one of the most common interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) is characterized by exposure to an inhaled inciting antigen that leads to a host immunologic reaction determining interstitial inflammation and architectural distortion. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are unclear. The absence of international shared diagnostic guidelines and the lack of a "gold-standard" test for HP combined with the presence of several clinical and radiologic overlapping features makes it particularly challenging to differentiate HP from other ILDs, also in expert contests. Radiology is playing a more crucial role in this process; recently the headcheese sign was recognized as a more specific for chronic-HP than the extensive mosaic attenuation. Several classification proposals and diagnostic models have been advanced by different groups, with no prospective validation. Therapeutic options for HP have been limited to antigen avoidance and immunosuppressant drugs over the last decades. Several questions about this condition remain unanswered and there is a need for more studies

Indirect evaporative cooling systems: An experimental analysis in summer condition

Indirect evaporative coolers (IEC) are components that can be effectively installed in air handling units to increase energy efficiency of air conditioning systems. In particular, such devices can be used in summer conditions to reduce chiller load in both existing and new buildings. In this paper, an IEC system based on a cross flow heat exchanger has been tested, evaluating its cooling capacity in different operating conditions. Performance is evaluated in terms of wet bulb effectiveness, primary air temperature reduction and fraction of evaporated water. Results put in evidence that a significant cooling capacity can be achieved in many operating conditions. Therefore, IECs are a promising technology that can be effectively used to reduce primary energy consumption of conventional systems

Shipwrecks stories in a “trap bay”: Research and valorization in Torre S. Sabina (Brindisi, Italy)

The 2020 underwater archaeological research in the inlet of Torre Santa Sabina - Baia dei Camerini (Municipality of Carovigno, Brindisi, Italy ) represented the first phase of the pilot intervention of the Interreg Italia-Croatia UnderwaterMuse project, which aims to enhance and make accessible the huge underwater heritage of the areas involved through the creation of submerged archaeological parks and the narrative and communicative use of the virtual reality. The Puglia Region - Department of Tourism, Economics of Culture and Valorization of the Territory, partner of the UnderwaterMuse project, launching these researches aimed at valorisation, has involved the three regional Universities thanks to an agreement. The fruitful synergy between the various actors involved and the support of the territory and the community have allowed the achievement of the objectives of this campaign, preliminary to the broader and more articulated intervention foreseen for the next year. Thanks to the collaboration with the Polytechnic of Turin, the entire stretch of coast was mapped with drone flights, in order to reconstruct the coastal landscape in the various phases, starting from the Bronze Age. Targeted interventions were carried out on the Roman wreck of the imperial age, beached and abandoned at the ancient shore and now submerged due to the relative rise in sea level, and on the remains of on-board equipment of a ship of the Serenissima, the Galea Magna (1598). Another important focus was represented by the stratigraphy of cargos resulting from the various shipwreck episodes, accumulated at the foot of the western cliff

Corticomotor Plasticity Predicts Clinical Efficacy of Combined Neuromodulation and Cognitive Training in Alzheimer’s Disease

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive training for treatment of cognitive symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A secondary objective was to analyze associations between brain plasticity and cognitive effects of treatment. Methods: In this randomized, sham-controlled, multicenter clinical trial, 34 patients with AD were assigned to three experimental groups receiving 30 daily sessions of combinatory intervention. Participants in the real/real group (n = 16) received 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered separately to each of six cortical regions, interleaved with computerized cognitive training. Participants in the sham rTMS group (n = 18) received sham rTMS combined with either real (sham/real group, n = 10) or sham (sham/sham group, n = 8) cognitive training. Effects of treatment on neuropsychological (primary outcome) and neurophysiological function were compared between the 3 treatment groups. These, as well as imaging measures of brain atrophy, were compared at baseline to 14 healthy controls (HC). Results: At baseline, patients with AD had worse cognition, cerebral atrophy, and TMS measures of cortico-motor reactivity, excitability, and plasticity than HC. The real/real group showed significant cognitive improvement compared to the sham/sham, but not the real/sham group. TMS-induced plasticity at baseline was predictive of post-intervention changes in cognition, and was modified across treatment, in association with changes of cognition. Interpretation: Combined rTMS and cognitive training may improve the cognitive status of AD patients, with TMS-induced cortical plasticity at baseline serving as predictor of therapeutic outcome for this intervention, and potential mechanism of action. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01504958.publishersversionpublishe

Personal risk or societal benefit? Investigating adults’ support for COVID-19 childhood vaccination

Parental hesitancy poses a serious threat to the success of the COVID-19 childhood vaccination campaign. We investigate whether adults' opinions on childhood vaccination can be influenced via two survey experiments in Italy (n = 3,633 participants) and the UK (n = 3,314 participants). Respondents were randomly assigned to: a “risk treatment” that highlighted the potential risks of COVID-19 to a child, a “herd immunity treatment” that emphasized the community benefits of pediatric vaccination, or a control message. Participants’ probability of supporting COVID-19 childhood vaccination was then assessed on a 0–100 scale. We find that the “risk treatment” reduced the proportion of Italian parents strongly against vaccination by up to 29.6 %, while increasing the proportion of neutral parents by up to 45.0 %. The “herd immunity treatment”, instead, was only effective among non-parents, resulting in a lower proportion of individuals against pediatric vaccination and a higher proportion of individuals in favor (both shifted by around 20 %)

Aflibercept Plus FOLFIRI in the Real-life Setting: Safety and Quality of Life Data From the Italian Patient Cohort of the Aflibercept Safety and Quality-of-Life Program Study

Abstract Background Aflibercept combined with FOLFIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan) as second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) significantly improved survival compared with FOLFIRI alone in the pivotal VELOUR (aflibercept vs. placebo in combination with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of an oxaliplatin-based regimen) trial. No quality-of-life assessment was performed in VELOUR; therefore, the ASQoP (Aflibercept Safety and Quality-of-Life Program) trial was designed to capture the safety and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Patients and Methods ASQoP was an international, open-label, single-arm trial evaluating the safety and HRQL of aflibercept combined with FOLFIRI administered in a real-life setting to 781 patients with mCRC, pretreated with an oxaliplatin-based regimen with or without bevacizumab. The Italian subset of ASQoP enrolled 200 patients from 28 institutions. The primary endpoint was safety; HRQL was a secondary endpoint, assessed by validated questionnaires (European quality of life 5-dimension instrument 3-level; European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30, version 3; and EORTC-CR29) at baseline, during treatment, and at the end of treatment. Results The median age of the Italian ASQoP population was 63 years; the median number of aflibercept and FOLFIRI cycles was 7. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 97.5% of patients. Hypertension (28.5%), neutropenia (27.5%; from laboratory data), asthenic conditions (20.0%), diarrhea (17.0%), and stomatitis (13.0%) were the most frequent (incidence, ≥ 5%) grade 3/4 toxicities. One toxic death occurred during the study period due to sepsis, without neutropenic complications. No significant worsening of HRQL was shown during treatment. Conclusion Aflibercept combined with FOLFIRI was well tolerated when administered as second-line treatment for patients with mCRC in a real-life setting. It did not affect HRQL and showed similar rates of treatment-emergent adverse events as those observed in the VELOUR trial. No new safety signals were identified