An Analysis of Open Innovation Strategies in Firms in Low and Medium Technology Industries

Open innovation (OI) has been mainly associated with high-technology firms. This paper aims to analyze how firms in low and medium technology industries implement their OI strategy. In doing so, we explore common patterns in OI strategies by considering inbound, outbound, and coupled OI practices. We also examine whether there are differences in innovation performance among companies adopting a specific OI strategy. The study is carried out on a sample of 242 Spanish innovating companies. Based on the relevance of the different OI practices, we identify three types of OI firms: advanced open innovators, intermediate open innovators, and incipient open innovators. Our results reveal that advanced open innovators have a higher performance in product innovation, and that there are no differences among groups in process and organizational innovation

CD5L promotes M2 macrophage polarization through autophagy-mediated upregulation of ID3

CD5L (CD5 molecule-like) is a secreted glycoprotein that controls key mechanisms in inflammatory responses, with involvement in processes such as infection, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In macrophages, CD5L promotes an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in response to TLR activation. In the present study, we questioned whether CD5L is able to influence human macrophage plasticity, and drive its polarization toward any specific phenotype. We compared CD5L-induced phenotypic and functional changes to those caused by IFN/LPS, IL4, and IL10 in human monocytes. Phenotypic markers were quantified by RT-qPCR and flow cytometry, and a mathematical algorithm was built for their analysis. Moreover, we compared ROS production, phagocytic capacity, and inflammatory responses to LPS. CD5L drove cells toward a polarization similar to that induced by IL10. Furthermore, IL10- and CD5L-treated macrophages showed increased LC3-II content and colocalization with acidic compartments, thereby pointing to the enhancement of autophagy-dependent processes. Accordingly, siRNA targeting ATG7 in THP1 cells blocked CD5L-induced CD163 and Mer tyrosine kinase mRNA and efferocytosis. In these cells, gene expression profiling and validation indicated the upregulation of the transcription factor ID3 by CD5L through ATG7. In agreement, ID3 silencing reversed polarization by CD5L. Our data point to a significant contribution of CD5L-mediated autophagy to the induction of ID3 and provide the first evidence that CD5L drives macrophage polarization.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

use of waste materials to improve soil fertility and increase crop quality and quantity

1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy 2 Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 307 M.B. Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA 3Departamento de Edafoloxia e Quimica Agŕicola, Escola Politecnica Superior, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Universitario, Lugo, Spain 4Oficiul Pentru Studii Pedologice si Agrochimice Cluj, Street Fagului 1, Cluj-Napoca, Judetul Cluj, Romani

Characterization of micromobility crashes in Spain (2016-2020)

Micromobility has a direct impact on the urban area, since it tries to make cities more liveable, o:ffering an alternative transport option that contributes to reduce air and noise pollution. Additionally, it promotes intennodality, promotes money savings, reduces parking space and helps to avoid road congestion in cities that have their own lanes for the use of micromobility vehicles such as bicycles, stand-up e-scooters (escooters) and other personal mobility vehicles (PMVs). In Spain, micromobility has significantly increased in recent years, through the increase in the supply and demand for bicycles and other PMVs, mainly e-scooters. There are many reasons that have motivated users to prioritize the bicycle and the other PMVs over other means of tra.nsport. In addition to the growing concern for health and the environment, the COVID-19 pandemic has also driven the growth in the use ofthe different PMVs in 2020. Accordmg to data from Global Public Transport Report, published by the mobility application Moovit, 31 % of Spanianis have used bicycles, scooters or e-scooters in 2020, increasing their use by 7% since 2019. However, in parallel and because of the increase in PMVs exposure, the number of crashes involving users of these vehicles has also increased in recent years. For this reason, among road safety researchers, interest and concern for the study of this kind of crashes have also increased The aim of this research is to characterize the crashes in Spain in which at least one PMV (bicycle, e-scooter or other PMV) is involved between the years 2016 and 2020

A novel trajectory concept for a mission to the Inner Large Moons of Saturn

We present a novel concept for a small mission to the four inner large satellites of Saturn. Leveraging the high efficiency of electric propulsion, the concept enables orbit insertion around each of the moons, for arbitrarily long close observation periods. The mission starts with a EVVES interplanetary segment, where a combination of multiple gravity assist and deep space low thrust enables reduced relative arrival velocity at Saturn. As a result, an unpowered capture via a sequence of resonant flybys with Titan is possible. The transfers between moons use a low-thrust control law that connects unstable and stable branches of the invariant manifolds of planar Lyapunov orbits from the circular restricted three-body problem of each moon and Saturn. The exploration of the moons relies on homoclinic and heteroclinic connections of the Lyapunov orbits around the L$_1$ and L$_2$ equilibrium points. These science orbits can be extended for arbitrary lengths of time with negligible propellant usage. The strategy enables a comprehensive scientific exploration of the inner large moons, located deep inside the gravitational well of Saturn, which is unfeasible with conventional impulsive maneuvers due to excessive fuel consumption

Post-depositional processes of elemental enrichment inside dark nodular masses of an ancient aeolian dune from A Coruña, Northwest Spain

This paper focuses on a residual ancient aeolian climbing dune from Punta Penaboa (A Coruña, Northwest Spain) showing evidence of post-depositional weathering, particularly the presence of dark brown nodular masses. The partitioning of trace elements between nodular masses and host sand during post-depositional weathering of the dune is investigated in this work, with the main objective of studying the elemental enrichment patterns in the dark masses. Data of the concentrations of chemical elements were obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and complemented by mineralogical and microchemical studies, using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The dune was dated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) , yielding an age of 300ka B.P.. The dark nodular masses preserved the dune sand structure, without defined concentric layers, suggesting an early stage of formation. They consist mainly of quartz grains cemented by clay materials enriched in the majority of the elements studied, especially in Mn, Co, Ba, Sb, Ce, Tb, Th, As, Zr and Hf. The post-depositional transformations of the dune were most likely influenced by migration of chemical compounds from the surrounding slope deposits and granitic rocks, as well as microbial activity that promoted metals concentration in the solutions percolating through the pore network of the dune. Seasonal changes in the redox potential were required to produce the accumulation of Mn and other trace elements in the dune pore network and to promote the fractionation between Ce4+ and trivalent rare earth elements that was observed in the geochemical patterns

Inhibition of gamma-secretase promotes axon regeneration after a complete spinal cord injury

In a recent study, we showed that GABA and baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) inhibit caspase activation and promote axon regeneration in descending neurons of the sea lamprey brainstem after a complete spinal cord injury (Romaus-Sanjurjo et al., 2018a). Now, we repeated these treatments and performed 2 independent Illumina RNA-Sequencing studies in the brainstems of control and GABA or baclofen treated animals. GABA treated larval sea lampreys with their controls were analyzed 29 days after a complete spinal cord injury and baclofen treated larvae with their controls 9 days after the injury. One of the most significantly downregulated genes after both treatments was a HES gene (HESB). HES proteins are transcription factors that are key mediators of the Notch signaling pathway and gamma-secretase activity is crucial for the activation of this pathway. So, based on the RNA-Seq results we subsequently treated spinal cord injured larval sea lampreys with a novel gamma-secretase inhibitor (PF-3804014). This treatment also reduced the expression of HESB in the brainstem and significantly enhanced the regeneration of individually identifiable descending neurons after a complete spinal cord injury. Our results show that gamma-secretase could be a novel target to promote axon regeneration after nervous system injuriesGrant sponsors: FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Grant number: BFU-2017-87079-P) and the Xunta de Galicia (Grant number: ED431C 2018/28). DR was supported by the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme Grants to the Roslin Institute (BB/P013732/1, BB/P013740/1, and BB/P013759/1)S

Circulating soluble CD36 is similar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus versus non-diabetic subjects

The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma concentrations of sCD36 (soluble CD36) are associated with the presence of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Plasma levels of sCD36 were analysed in 1023 subjects (225 type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, 276 type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, and 522 non-diabetic control subjects) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multinomial and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate associations with sCD36 and its association with diabetes types. There were no significant differences in sCD36 (p = 0.144) among study groups, neither in head-to-head comparisons: non-diabetic versus T1D subjects (p = 0.180), non-diabetic versus T2D subjects (p = 0.583), and T1D versus T2D patients (p = 0.151). In the multinomial model, lower sCD36 concentrations were associated with older age (p < 0.001), tobacco exposure (p = 0.006), T2D (p = 0.020), and a higher-platelets count (p = 0.004). However, in logistic regression models of diabetes, sCD36 showed only a weak association with T2D. The current findings show a weak association of circulating sCD36 with type 2 diabetes and no association with T1D

Recruitment of RNA molecules by connexin RNA-binding motifs: Implication in RNA and DNA transport through microvesicles and exosomes

Connexins (Cxs) are integral membrane proteins that form high-conductance plasma membrane channels, allowing communication from cell to cell (via gap junctions) and from cells to the extracellular environment (via hemichannels). Initially described for their role in joining excitable cells (nerve and muscle), gap junctions (GJs) are found between virtually all cells in solid tissues and are essential for functional coordination by enabling the direct transfer of small signalling molecules, metabolites, ions, and electrical signals from cell to cell. Several studies have revealed diverse channel-independent functions of Cxs, which include the control of cell growth and tumourigenicity. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most widespread Cx in the human body. The myriad roles of Cx43 and its implication in the development of disorders such as cancer, inflammation, osteoarthritis and Alzheimer's disease have given rise to many novel questions. Several RNA- and DNA-binding motifs were predicted in the Cx43 and Cx26 sequences using different computational methods. This review provides insights into new, ground-breaking functions of Cxs, highlighting important areas for future work such as transfer of genetic information through extracellular vesicles. We discuss the implication of potential RNA- and DNA-binding domains in the Cx43 and Cx26 sequences in the cellular communication and control of signalling pathwaysThis work was supported in part through funding from the Society for Research on Bone and Mineral Metabolism - Grant number FEIOMM2016 (to M.D.M.), by grant PRECIPITA-2015-000139 from the FECYT-Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (to M.D.M), by grants PI13/00591 and PI16/00035 from the Health Institute “Carlos III” (ISCIII, Spain) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, “A way of making Europe” from the European Union (to M.D.M.), by a grant from Xunta de Galicia (pre-doctoral fellowship) to M.V.-E., and by a grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, Spain (FPU grant to M.R.-C.M.)S