NOVELTY OF PRODUCT INNOVATION: THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT NETWORKS

In the current competitive scenario, firms are driven to introduce products with a higher degree of novelty. Consequently, there is a growing need to understand the critical success factors behind radical innovation. Specifically, this work empirically and theoretically analyses the role of different types of collaborative networks in achieving product innovation and, more precisely, the degree of novelty. Using a longitudinal data of Spanish manufacturing firms, our results show that the continuity on the co-operative strategy, the type of partner and the diversity of collaborative networks are critical factors in achieving a higher degree of novelty in product innovation.

Implementing quantum gates on oriented optical isomers

Optical enantiomers are proposed to encode molecular two-qubit information processing. Using sequences of pairs of nonresonant optimally polarized pulses, different schemes to implement quantum gates, and to prepare entangled states, are described. We discuss the role of the entanglement phase and the robustness of the pulse sequences which depend on the area theorem. Finally, possible scenarios to generalize the schemes to n-qubit systems are suggested. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70017/2/JCPSA6-120-23-10955-1.pd

Novel Role for Amphiregulin in Protection from Liver Injury

Clinically, the Fas and Fas ligand system plays a central role in the development of hepatocyte apoptosis, a process contributing to a broad spectrum of liver diseases. Therefore, the development of therapies aimed at the inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis is a major issue. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor has been shown to convey survival signals to the hepatocyte. To learn about the endogenous response of epidermal growth factor receptor ligands during Fas-mediated liver injury we investigated the expression of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, betacellulin, epiregulin, and amphiregulin in the liver of mice challenged with Fas-agonist antibody. Amphiregulin expression, barely detectable in healthy liver, was significantly up-regulated. Amphiregulin administration abrogated Fas-mediated liver injury in mice and showed direct anti-apoptotic effects in primary hepatocytes. Amphiregulin activated the Akt and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 survival pathways, and up-regulated Bcl-xL expression. Amphiregulin knock-out mice showed signs of chronic liver damage in the absence of any noxious treatment, and died faster than wild type mice in response to lethal doses of Fas-agonist antibody. In contrast, these mice were more resistant against sublethal liver damage, supporting the hypothesis that chronic liver injury can precondition hepatocytes inducing resistance to subsequent cell death. These results show that amphiregulin is a protective factor induced in response to liver damage and that it may be therapeutic in liver diseases

Comparación de métodos para el seguimiento de las poblaciones de comadreja Mustela nivalis en ambientes agrícolas

La comadreja Mustela nivalis es un pequeño carnívoro especializado en el consumo de micromamíferos. En la Península Ibérica hay muy poca información sobre esta especie, siendo especialmente interesante el estudio de su papel en la regulación de la dinámica poblacional de los micromamíferos. Algunas especies alcanzan eventualmente elevadas densidades en ambientes agrícolas, generando notable alarma social ya que pueden mermar significativamente la producción agrícola. Cualquier estudio de esta naturaleza requiere de métodos efectivos de seguimiento a largo plazo de las poblaciones de este mustélido. En este trabajo evaluamos la eficacia y eficiencia de cuatro metodologías para detectar comadrejas en ambientes agrarios: captura en vivo, trampas de huellas, trampas de pelo y cámaras-trampa. El estudio se desarrolló en dos localidades agrícolas de la meseta Castellano-Leonesa. Se hicieron dos muestreos por localidad, en otoño y primavera de 2016/2017. En cada localidad seleccionamos 10 lindes de ~400 m de longitud, donde se instalaron de forma alterna y equidistante: 6 trampas de captura, 2 trampas de huellas, 2 trampas de pelos y 1 cámara-trampa, que estuvieron activos entre 9-10 días. Se usó carne de pollo y topillo Microtus arvalis como cebo. Se detectó la presencia de comadrejas con alguna de las metodologías en el 38% de las lindes muestreadas (ocupación estimada), con un total de 29 detecciones (13 otoño/16 primavera). El trampeo en vivo detectó la presencia en el 80% de las lindes positivas, las trampas de huella en el 33%, las cámaras-trampa en el 20% y las trampas de pelo en el 6%. La ocupación estimada estuvo relacionada positivamente con las tasas de detección (detecciones/100 trampas-día) del trampeo en vivo y de las trampas de huellas pero no con las de cámaras-trampa y trampas de pelo. Al tener en cuenta el esfuerzo (trampas-día), las trampas de pelo fueron el método menos eficiente para detectar comadrejas. Estos resultados indican que, con esfuerzos similares, las trampas de huellas y las cámaras-trampa pueden ser tan eficaces como el trampeo en vivo para detectar comadrejas en ambientes agrícolas con condiciones similares a las de nuestro estudio.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Waste-polystyrene foams-derived magnetic carbon material for adsorption and redox supercapacitor applications

The current impact of plastic waste on the environment and nature pushes for coming up with methods for their efficient reuse and recycle. Expanded polystyrene waste, massively produced worldwide, is presented in this work as a novel precursor of magnetic activated carbons (MAC) for the first time. A simple methodology based on the impregnation of EPS samples with Fe3+ in solution, followed by pyrolysis under Ar pressure and chemical activation is proposed. The as-prepared carbonaceous magnetic materials present nanometric phases of Fe0, Fe3C, and Fe3O4, and showed high specific surface area (672 m2 g−1) and total pore volume (0.35 cm3 g−1), one of the highest found in the carbonaceous magnetic materials literature. Their excellent textural, chemical and electrical properties, combined with the possibility of magnetically collection and regeneration after operation guaranteed an excellent performance of MAC in two different applications: as adsorbents of organic contaminants and as electrodes of redox supercapacitors.The authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) for the financial support. P.F.R. Ortega acknowledges the FAPEMIG (DOF nº. 2720262/2018). The authors are also grateful to Rede Mineira de Química. R.L. Lavall is recipient of fellowship from CNPq (grant number 313304/2017-3). N. C. F. Machado, K. H. A. Mendes, and L. A. M. de Jesus would like to thank CEFET-MG and FAPEMIG for scholarships receivedPeer reviewe

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Classical and quantum theoretical studies of the Si + OH → SiO + H reaction

International audienc