When does centrality matter? Scientific productivity and the moderating role of research specialization and cross-community ties

The present study addresses the ongoing debate concerning academic scientific productivity. Specifically, given the increasing number of collaborations in academia and the crucial role networks play in knowledge creation, we investigate the extent to which building social capital within the academic community represents a valuable resource for a scientist's knowledge-creation process. We measure the social capital in terms of structural position within the academic collaborative network. Furthermore, we analyse the extent to which an academic scientist's research specialization and ties that cross-community boundaries act as moderators of the aforementioned relationship. Empirical results derived from an analysis of an Italian academic community from 2001 to 2008 suggest academic scientists that build social capital by occupying central positions in the community outperform their more isolated colleagues. However, scientific productivity declines beyond a certain threshold value of centrality, hence revealing the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship. This relationship is negatively moderated by the extent to which an academic focuses research activities in few scientific knowledge domains, whereas it is positively moderated by the number of cross-community ties established

Determinants of patent citations in biotechnology: An analysis of patent influence across the industrial and organizational boundaries

The present paper extends the literature investigating key drivers leading certain patents to exert a stronger influence on the subsequent technological developments (inventions) than other ones. We investigated six key determinants, as (i) the use of scientific knowledge, (ii) the breadth of the technological base, (iii) the existence of collaboration in patent development, (iv) the number of claims, (v) the scope, and (vi) the novelty, and how the effect of these determinants varies when patent influence—as measured by the number of forward citations the patent received—is distinguished as within and across the industrial and organizational boundaries. We conducted an empirical analysis on a sample of 5671 patents granted to 293 US biotechnology firms from 1976 to 2003. Results reveal that the contribution of the determinants to patent influence differs across the domains that are identified by the industrial and organizational boundaries. Findings, for example, show that the use of scientific knowledge negatively affects patent influence outside the biotechnology industry, while it positively contributes to make a patent more relevant for the assignee's subsequent technological developments. In addition, the broader the scope of a patent the higher the number of citations the patent receives from subsequent non-biotechnology patents. This relationship is inverted U-shaped when considering the influence of a patent on inventions granted to other organizations than the patent's assignee. Finally, the novelty of a patent is inverted-U related with the influence the patent exerts on the subsequent inventions granted across the industrial and organizational boundaries

Rural settlement patterns in the territory of Baida (Trapani mountains) during the Islamic period

The ARPATRA Project, acronym that stands for “Archeologia del Paesaggio nei Monti di Trapani”, is part of the broader Idrisi Project, which studies western Sicily between the Byzantine and the Suebian periods.The purpose of this article is to discuss the settlement patterns concerning the territory of Baida (Trapani Mountains) between the 7th and the 12th c., with a particular focus on the Islamic period. The field activities of the Idrisi Project-ARPATRA (2009-12) permitted the documentation, starting from the Islamic period, of a high density of settlements (villages, farms and scattered single houses) that coexisted in a reduced geographical space (10 km2). The settlement choices seem to match certain characteristics peculiar to the Islamic social formation and to indicate an intensive exploitation of the hydro, agricultural and pastoral resources.Scopo di questo articolo è discutere gli schemi insediativi nel territorio di Baida (Trapani) tra VII e XII secolo, specialmente nel periodo islamico. Le attività del progetto ARPATRA (2009-12), hanno permesso la documentazione di una alta densità di insediamenti nel periodo islamico (villaggi, fattorie e case sparse) in uno spazio geografico ridotto (10 kmq). Le scelte insediative sembrano rispondere a certe caratteristiche peculiari alla formazione sociale islamica e ad una volontà di sfruttamento intensivo delle risorse idriche, agricole e pastorali.The ARPATRA Project was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture

Silencing of Keratinocyte Growth Factor Receptor Restores 5-Fluorouracil and Tamoxifen Efficacy on Responsive Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND: Keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) is a splice variant of the FGFR2 gene expressed in epithelial cells. Activation of KGFR is a key factor in the regulation of physiological processes in epithelial cells such as proliferation, differentiation and wound healing. Alterations of KGFR signaling have been linked to the pathogenesis of different epithelial tumors. It has been also hypothesized that its specific ligand, KGF, might contribute to the development of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in epithelial cancers and tamoxifen in estrogen-positive breast cancers. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Small interfering RNA was transfected into a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), a breast cancer derived cell line (MCF-7) and a keratinocyte primary culture (KCs) to induce selective downregulation of KGFR expression. A strong and highly specific reduction of KGFR expression was observed at both RNA (reduction = 75.7%, P = 0.009) and protein level. KGFR silenced cells showed a reduced responsiveness to KGF treatment as assessed by measuring proliferation rate (14.2% versus 39.0% of the control cells, P<0.001) and cell migration (24.6% versus 96.4% of the control cells, P = 0.009). In mock-transfected MCF-7 cells, KGF counteracts the capacity of 5-FU to inhibit cell proliferation, whereas in KGFR silenced cells KGF weakly interferes with 5-FU antiproliferative effect (11.2% versus 28.4% of the control cells, P = 0.002). The capacity of 5-FU to induce cell death is abrogated by co-treatment with KGF, whereas in KGFR silenced cells 5-FU efficiently induces cell death even combined to KGF, as determined by evaluating cell viability. Similarly, the capacity of tamoxifen to inhibit MCF-7 and KCs proliferation is highly reduced by KGF treatment and is completely restored in KGFR silenced cells (12.3% versus 45.5% of the control cells, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that selective inhibition of the KGF/KGFR pathway may provide a useful tool to ameliorate the efficacy of the therapeutic strategies for certain epithelial tumors

The December 2018 eruption at Etna volcano: a geochemical study on melt and fluid inclusions

This study focus on the Mt Etna December 2018 eruption with the aim of investigating the geochemical characteristics of the feeding magma. New data on major and trace element geochemistry of olivine-hosted melt inclusions (MI) in volcanic products are presented together with the noble gas geochemistry of fluid inclusions (FI) in olivines. The noble gas geochemistry of fluid inclusions (FIs) in olivines was also investigated. The major element composition of MIs is variable from tephrite/trachybasalt to phonotephrite/basaltic trachyandesite, with SiO2 = 45.51–52.72 wt%, MgO = 4.01–6.02 wt%, and CaO/Al2O3 = 0.34–0.72. Trace element patterns of MIs present a typical enrichment in LILE and LREE, depletion in HFSE, and relatively fractionated REE patterns: (La/Lu) N= 18.8–41.08, with Eu/Eu* = (0.5–1.8). Positive anomalies in Sr (Sr/Sr* = 0.8–2.3) and Ba can be ascribed to the assimilation of plagioclase-rich cumulates in the magmatic reservoir. The variable Ba/La (9.8–15.8), K/Nb (260–1037), Ce/Nb (1.9–3.4), Rb/La (0.4–1.6), and Ba/Nb (10.8–25.8) ratios reveal mixing between two types of end-member magmas comparable to those emitted from 1) the 2001 Upper Vents and 2002–03 Northern Fissures (Type-1) and 2) the 2001 Lower Vents and 2002–03 Southern Fissures (Type-2), respectively. Type-2 represents a magma that was under the influence of a crustal component, whereas Type-1 is compatible with a HIMU–MORB-type heterogeneous mantle source. It appears that the 2018 MIs have captured the two different types of magmas, and the lack of homogenization may imply a very fast ascent (a few months). Compatible with the contemporary presence of primordial HIMU–MORB and crust-contaminated end-members are the data on noble gases from FI that highlighted an 3He/4He value of 6.5–6.6Ra. The hypothesis of two different types of magmas, identified by the trace element geochemistry in MIs, is, thus, reinforced by helium isotopic data on FI of the 2018 eruption together with data from other Etnean eruptions and allows the inference of a bicomponent magma mixing

Arqueología del paisaje medieval en Trapani (Sicilia). Resultados de la primera campaña en los municipios de Castellamare del Golfo y Buseto Palissolo (2010-2011)

El proyecto desarrollado estudia la formación de los paisajes históricos de la parte occidental de Sicilia, con especial atención a las fases medievales; desde época bizantina a la posterior conquista normanda del territorio a los musulmanes y las consiguientes transformaciones. La primera campaña de trabajo se ha concentrado en los términos municipales de Castellamare del Golfo y Buseto Palizzolo, con unos interesantes resultados no solo cuantitativos (56 yacimientos documentados), sino sobre todo cualitativos, en cuanto a la interpretación arqueológica de la formación de los paisajes y al periodo de ocupación islámica de la isla.The project studies the historical landscape formation in the occidental part of Sicily, with an special atention to the medieval phases, from the bizantine period to the norman conquest, over the muslims and the subsequences transformations. The first campaign has been concentrated in the Castellamare del Golfo and Buseto Palizzolo municipalities. The results has been very interesting, not only from a quantitative point of view (56 sites documented), but mainly qualitatively, because of the possibilities of archaeological interpretation of landscapes formation and the period of islamic occupation of the island.Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Secretaría de Estado de Educación, Formación Profesional y Universidade

Arqueología del Paisaje en Trapani III resultados de la campaña 2013: excavación arqueológica en Baida

En el presente trabajo exponemos los primeros resultados de la excavación en Baida (Castellammare del Golfo-Custonaci Trapani, Italia) dentro de la tercera campaña del proyecto Arqueología del Paisaje en Trapani. Tras varias actividades previas de prospección no sistemática sobre el territorio de los Montes de Trapani, se comenzó el pasado año 2013 la primera excavación arqueológica en dos de los yacimientos localizados en la prospección del área de Baida. En la parte baja, la abundancia de restos en superficie y la localización del área de necrópolis hacía pensar que se trataba de un asentamiento rural de grandes dimensiones con una cronología aproximada entre el final del siglo vii al xii. Cerca, sobre un pico, documentamos un recinto fortificado de época islámica, que por su estructura podría corresponderse con un granero fortificado (aghadir). Estos dos asentamientos fueron objeto de dos pequeños sondeos que han aportado interesantes resultados para el futuro.In this paper we present the preliminary results of the archaeological excavation made in Baida (Castellammare del Golfo-Custonaci, Trapani-Italy), as part of the third field campaign of the project Landscape Archaeology in Trapani. After several previous non-systematic surveys in the territory of the Trapani Mountains, we began in 2013 the first excavation in two different sites of the Baida area. In the lower part, the abundant remains and the existence of a necropolis made us interpret the place as big rural settlement occupied from the 7th to the 12th centuries. Close to it, in the highest part of a peak, we documented an Islamic fortified settlement that, could be interpreted as a fortified granary (aghadir) because of its structure. In these sites, two test-pits have offered important results for the future.Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Secretaría de Estado de Educación, Formación Profesional y Universidade

Does Systematic Preliminar Colour Doppler Study Reduce Kidney Biopsy Complication Incidence?

While ultrasonography is widely performed prior to biopsy, colour Doppler examination is often used only to discover post-biopsy complications. Aim of this paper was to evaluate the usefulness of colour Doppler examination in planning the optimal site of puncture for renal biopsy. Present analysis includes 561 consecutive percutaneous renal biopsies performed from the same operator. Until August 2000 332 biopsies were performed after a preliminary ultrasonography (Group A). From September 2000, 229 patients underwent even a preliminary colour Doppler study (Group B). Postbioptic bleeding were categorized as minor (gross hematuria or subcapsular perinephric hematoma < 4 cmq of greater diameter) or major (hematoma >4 cmq of greater diameter; requiring blood transfusion or invasive procedures; leading to acute renal failure, urine tract obstruction, septicaemia, or death). Major complications were seen in 2.1% in Group A while in Group B only one case was reported (0.43%). Minor clinically significant complications occur in 7.8% in Group A and in 3.4% of cases of Group B. Colour Doppler reduced drastically the incidence of complications observed before the introduction of routine colour Doppler examination prior to biopsy. In our opinion, these data support the use of preliminary colour Doppler study when a biopsy is planned

The italian quaternary volcanism

The peninsular and insular Italy are punctuated by Quaternary volcanoes and their rocks constitute an important aliquot of the Italian Quaternary sedimentary successions. Also away from volcanoes themselves, volcanic ash layers are a common and frequent feature of the Quaternary records, which provide us with potential relevant stratigraphic and chronological markers at service of a wide array of the Quaternary science issues. In this paper, a broad representation of the Italian volcano logical community has joined to provide an updated comprehensive state of art of the Italian Quaternary volcanism. The eruptive history, style and dynamics and, in some cases, the hazard assessment of about thirty Quaternary volcanoes, from the north ernmost Mt. Amiata, in Tuscany, to the southernmost Pantelleria and Linosa, in Sicily Channel, are here reviewed in the light of the substantial improving of the methodological approaches and the overall knowledge achieved in the last decades in the vol canological field study. We hope that the present review can represent a useful and agile document summarising the knowledege on the Italian volcanism at the service of the Quaternary community operating in central Mediterranean area

Peg-interferon lambda treatment induces robust innate and adaptive immunity in chronic hepatitis B patients

IFN-lambda (IFNλ) is a member of the type III IFN family and is reported to possess anti-pathogen, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory properties; however, there are limited data regarding its impact on host immune responses in vivo. We performed longitudinal and comprehensive immunosurveillance to assess the ability of pegylated (peg)-IFNλ to augment antiviral host immunity as part of a clinical trial assessing the efficacy of peg-IFNλ in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. These patients were pretreated with directly acting antiviral therapy (entecavir) for 12 weeks with subsequent addition of peg-IFNλ for up to 32 weeks. In a subgroup of patients, the addition of peg-IFNλ provoked high serum levels of antiviral cytokine IL-18. We also observed the enhancement of natural killer cell polyfunctionality and the recovery of a pan-genotypic HBV-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ with maintenance of HBV-specific CD8+ T cell antiviral and cytotoxic activities. It was only in these patients that we observed strong virological control with reductions in both viral replication and HBV antigen levels. Here, we show for the first time that in vivo peg-IFNλ displays significant immunostimulatory properties with improvements in the main effectors mediating anti-HBV immunity. Interestingly, the maintenance in HBV-specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of peg-IFNλ is in contrast to previous studies showing that peg-IFNa treatment for CHB results in a detrimental effect on the functionality of this important antiviral T cell compartment