Understanding the formation and evolution of collaborative networks using a multi-actor climate program as example

Abstract. The mechanisms governing the composition of formal collaborative network remain poorly understood, owing to a restrictive focus on endogenous mechanisms to the exclusion of exogenous mechanisms. It is important to study how endogenous network structure and exogenous actor behaviour influence network formation and evolution over time. Current efforts in modelling longitudinal social networks are consistent with this view. The use of stochastic actor-based simulation models for the co-evolution of networks and behaviour allows the joint representation of endogenous and exogenous mechanisms, specifically the structural, componential, functional, and behavioural mechanisms of network formation. In this paper we study the emergence of collaborative networks in the Knowledge for Climate (KvK) research program. Endogenous mechanisms (transitivity and centrality) play a key role in the evolution of the KvK network. The results also reveal the influence of exogenous mechanisms: actors tend to collaborate with other actors from the same type of organizations (componential) and patterns of collaboration are affected by the nature and differences in roles (functional). Our analysis reveals a gap between actors from different sectors and a gap between actors working on global problems and those working on local problems. This is particularly visible in the fact that organizations active in hotspots projects, which focus on developing practical solutions for local and regional problems, are significantly more likely to form new ties than those active in theme projects

International comparisons of real product, 1820-1990 : an alternative data set

Research funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Education Grant PB95-0294 and Fundación Argentaria

Author disambiguation using multi-aspect similarity indicators

Key to accurate bibliometric analyses is the ability to correctly link individuals to their corpus of work, with an optimal balance between precision and recall. We have developed an algorithm that does this disambiguation task with a very high recall and precision. The method addresses the issues of discarded records due to null data fields and their resultant effect on recall, precision and F-measure results. We have implemented a dynamic approach to similarity calculations based on all available data fields. We have also included differences in author contribution and age difference between publications, both of which have meaningful effects on overall similarity measurements, resulting in significantly higher recall and precision of returned records. The results are presented from a test dataset of heterogeneous catalysis publications. Results demonstrate significantly high average F-measure scores and substantial improvements on previous and stand-alone techniques

Predicting clinical benefit from everolimus in patients with advanced solid tumors, the CPCT-03 study

Background: In this study, our aim was to identify molecular aberrations predictive for response to everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, regardless of tumor type. Methods: To generate hypotheses about potential markers for sensitivity to mTOR inhibition, drug sensitivity and genomic profiles of 835 cell lines were analyzed. Subsequently, a multicenter study was conducted. Patients with advanced solid tumors lacking standard of care treatment options were included and underwent a pre-treatment tumor biopsy to enable DNA sequencing of 1,977 genes, derive copy number profiles and determine activation status of pS6 and pERK. Treatment benefit was determined according to TTP ratio and RECIST. We tested for associations between treatment benefit and single molecular aberrations, clusters of aberrations and pathway perturbation. Results: Cell line screens indicated several genes, such as PTEN (P = 0.016; Wald test), to be associated with sensitivity to mTOR inhibition. Subsequently 73 patients were included, of which 59 started treatment with everolimus. Response and molecular data were available from 43 patients. PTEN aberrations, i.e. copy number loss or mutation, were associated with treatment benefit (P = 0.046; Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: Loss-of-function aberrations in PTEN potentially represent a tumor type agnostic biomarker for benefit from everolimus and warrants further confirmation in subsequent studies

Comparative advantages as drivers of scientific specialisation: do countries need specific or generic policies?

Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy 201