Patents and R&D: an econometric investigation using applications for German, European and US patents by German companies

Based on the data of the first wave of the Mannheim Innovation panel, this paper explores the link between R&D expenditures and patents. Our data allow a detailed analysis of the firm size distribution of R&D and patent applications at different patent offices. It is shown that the share of R&D performing firms is strictly increasing with firm size. The share of firms applying for patents shows an even steeper increase with firm size. Moreover, large firms more likely apply for patents in more than one country. The home patent office seems to be especially important for small firms. Using various count data models, the paper explores the relationship between R&D and patents at the firm level. We carefully test several distributional assumptions for count data models. A negbin hurdle model seems to be the most appropriate count data model for our data as the decision to patent inventions and the productivity of R&D are ruled by different mechanisms. Our estimates point towards significant returns to scale of R&D. Furthermore, the empirical results can be interpreted towards minor and insignificant spillover effects. Even after controlling for a variety of firm characteristics, firm size exhibits a large effect on the propensity to patent. --

Brevi considerazioni sull'assunzione di responsabilità per debito altrui

Nella storia del diritto privato rileva la categoria della garanzia personale dell’obbligazione e del credito; in essa si riscontra una varietà di forme e di modi, sempre storicamente condizionati, in cui si è presentata la garanzia, che si riconduce di norma al modello della fideiussione. Le prime radici, per così dire strutturate, della fideiussione si incontrano nel diritto romano. A tale riguardo si è affrontato il tema della accessorietà, prerogativa che oggi rappresenta emblematicamente le garanzie personali (con tutto ciò che consegue, ossia i limiti e l’estensione della fideiussione, la validità e l’invalidità come effetto del coinvolgimento della sressa nella sorte dell’obbligazione principale, nonché delle eccezioni opposte dal fideiussore); inoltre si è affrontato il tema della solidarietà (a partire da Giustiniano con l’ipotesi alternativa della sussidiarietà e del beneficio della preventiva escussione del debitore principale). Sono poi state esaminate le fonti antiche relative ad alcuni istituti cardine della fideiussione, quali il regresso (ossia il recupero dell’esborso da parte del garante, che era affidato ad azioni regolate dai principi in materia di actiones mandati e negotiorum gestio) e il beneficium cedendarum actionum (che avrebbe comportato la surrogazione del garantito nelle azioni spettanti al creditore, in seguito ad accordi presi tra creditore e garante). L’excursus storico-comparatistico si configura quindi come premessa necessaria all’esame della regolamentazione presentata dai vari legislatori, in particolare di quelli europei, coinvolti in un’opera di armonizzazione e unificazione della disciplina nella materia

Patents and R&D: an econometric investigation using applications for German, European and US patents by German companies

Based on the data of the first wave of the Mannheim Innovation panel, this paper explores the link between R&D expenditures and patents. Our data allow a detailed analysis of the firm size distribution of R&D and patent applications at different patent offices. It is shown that the share of R&D performing firms is strictly increasing with firm size. The share of firms applying for patents shows an even steeper increase with firm size. Moreover, large firms more likely apply for patents in more than one country. The home patent office seems to be especially important for small firms. Using various count data models, the paper explores the relationship between R&D and patents at the firm level. We carefully test several distributional assumptions for count data models. A negbin hurdle model seems to be the most appropriate count data model for our data as the decision to patent inventions and the productivity of R&D are ruled by different mechanisms. Our estimates point towards significant returns to scale of R&D. Furthermore, the empirical results can be interpreted towards minor and insignificant spillover effects. Even after controlling for a variety of firm characteristics, firm size exhibits a large effect on the propensity to patent

Training in regional field of tourism: characteristics and problems

В статье рассматриваются особенности подготовки кадров посредством получения туристского образования в Тюменской области и проблемы, связанные с практическим применением полученного образования. Выделяются аспекты, позволяющие исследовать зависимость качество туризма как межличностной деятельности от качества предоставляемых услуг. Анализируются факторы, необходимые для формирования профессионального персонала.The article discusses the features of training by obtaining tourism education in the Tyumen region and the problems associated with the practical application of learning. Aspects stand out, allowing us to research the dependence of the quality of tourism as an interpersonal activity on the quality of services provided. The factors necessary for the formation of the professional staff

Results of On-Line Tests of the ENABLE Prototype, a 2nd Level Trigger Processor for the TRT of ATLAS/LHC

The Enable Machine is a systolic 2nd level trigger processor for the transition radiation detector (TRD) of ATLAS/LHC. The task of the processor is to find the best candidate for a lepton track in a high background of pions according to the EAST benchmark [2] in less than 10 5s. As described earlier [1, 2] the Enable Machine finds all reasonable tracks by histogramming the coincidence of the mask templates and the RoI for each track. A prototype has been developed and tested within the EAST/RD-11 collaboration at CERN. It operates at 50 MHz and finds up to 400 arbitrary tracks in less than 10 5s. It is assembled of an interface board and one or more histogrammer boards which makes the Enable Machine easily scalable. The histogrammer units are systolic arrays consisting of a matrix of 36 field- programmable gate arrays (Xilinx XC3190). Through this it is possible to optimize the trigger algorithm, to adapt it to a changed detector setup, and it allows even the implementation of completly new algorithms. For the beam tests in autumn 1993 at CERN the overall functionality within the detector environment could be shown. We were able to link successfully the Enable prototype to the detector raw data stream as well as to the data acquisition system. For the next beam period in 1994 we will focus on efficiency measurements and tests with maximal detector data rate

ENABLE - A Systolic 2nd Level Trigger Processor for Track Finding and e/p Discrimination for ATLAS/LHC

The Enable Machine is a systolic 2nd level trigger processor for the transition radiation detector (TRD) of ATLAS/LHC. It is developed within the EAST/RD-11 collaboration at CERN. The task of the processor is to find electron tracks and to reject pion tracks according to the EAST benchmark algorithm in less than 10 ms. Track are identified by template matching in a (f,z) region of interest (RoI) selected by a 1st level trigger. In the (f,z) plane tracks of constant curvature are straight lines. The relevant lines form mask templates. Track identification is done by histogramming the coincidences of the templates and the RoI data for each possible track. The Enable Machine is an array processor that handles tracks of the same slope in parallel, and tracks of different slope in a pipeline. It is composed of two units, the Enable histogrammer unit and the Enable z/f-board. The interface daughter board is equipped with a HIPPI-interface developed at JINR/Dubna, and Xilinx 'corner turning' data converter chips. Enable uses programmable gate arrays (XILINX) for histogramming and synchronous SRAMs for pattern storage. With a clock rate of 40 MHz the trigger decision time is 6.5 ms and the latency 7.0 ms. The Enable machine is scalable in the RoI size as well as in the number of tracks processed. It can be adapted to different recognition tasks and detector setups. The prototype of the Enable Machine has been tested in a beam time of the RD6 collaboration at CERN in October 1993

Enable++ : a second generation FPGA processor

In the computing community field programmable processors are going to fill the niche for special purpose computing devices. A typical example is ultra-fast pattern recognition in experimental particle physics - a task for which we constructed two years ago Enable- 1, an FPGA processor rather specialized for pattern recognition algorithms in μs domain, but also provided with modest features for coping with more general applications. This paper presents the follow-up modell Enable++, a 2nd generation FPGA processor that offers several substantial enhancements over the previous system for a wider range of applications: Enable++ is structured into three different state-of-the-art modules for providing computing power, flexible and high-speed I/O communication and powerful intermodule communication with a raw bandwidth of 3.2 GByte/s by an active backplane. The technical realization of all three modules is guided by the maximum usage of field programmable logic. The actual demand of computing-and I/O-power can be satisified by the number of modules plugged into the crate. Enhanced features of Enable++ comprise the configurable processor topology provided by programmable crossbar switches. In combination with the 4 x 4 FPGA array and 12 MByte distributed RAM the Enable++ computing core offers a strongly increased and scalable computing power. For building new applications the system offers a comfortable programming and debugging environment consisting of a compiler for the C-like hardware description language spC, a simulator and a source level debugger for hardware design. The goal in planning the hardware design environment for Enable++ from scratch is to transfer established methodologies in software design to the design of digital logic. Concerning pattern recognition tasks, we estimate that Enable++ surpasses modern RISC processors by a factor of 100 to 1000

Teaching hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rural high school

Objective: To measure the impact of a 30-minute hands-only CPR course on 24 junior and senior high school students\u27 knowledge and willingness of CPR provision. Methods: A pre- and post-intervention survey with both knowledge and willingness components was employed to assess the impact of the hands-only CPR education. Results: An increase in knowledge level and self-rating of willingness to perform hands-only CPR from the pre- to post-intervention survey results was identified in the 24 student surveys that were evaluated. The results of the t-test demonstrated significant improvements between pre- and post-intervention surveys regarding hands-only CPR knowledge (M = 2 [1.02] to 4.96 [0.20], p \u3c .001). There was also improvement between pre- and post-intervention survey results regarding willingness to administer hands-only CPR (M = 11.75 [2.83] to 17.88 [2.19], p \u3c .001). There was no decrease in knowledge or willingness rating after the education. Conclusion: High school students as trained bystanders can help overcome rural community healthcare disparities by learning hands-only CPR. Encouragement of continued education about CPR is vital to rural areas around the United States to improve outcomes in cardiac arrest events. This promotes a culture of action in which community members can assist a person in need until trained medical personnel arrive