R&D, technological progress and efficiency change in industrial activities

in Review of Income and Wealth (1995), (41), 349-366

The objective of this paper is to estimate total factor productivity growth (TFP) in an international and sectoral setting using two alternative approaches based on the estimation of parametric stochastic ... [more ▼]

The objective of this paper is to estimate total factor productivity growth (TFP) in an international and sectoral setting using two alternative approaches based on the estimation of parametric stochastic frontiers and non-parametric production frontiers (DEA). The TFP is decomposed into two components, technological progress and efficiency change, that can also be interpreted as the results of the innovation and catching-up process, respectively. Finally their relationship is tested with a set of potential explanatory variables that includes R&D expenditures, international competition, and structural characteristics. It appears that the distinction between technological and efficiency performances does matter and must be taken into account in the design of industrial policy. [less ▲]

R-HuEPO hyporesponsiveness - who and why ?

in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (1995), 10

R. Sacré, « Les Negro Spirituals et les Gospel Songs »

in Cahiers de Clio (1994), 119

R.P.D.B. Tome XI, Complément : Pourvoi en cassation en matière civile

in P.P.D.B., Tome XI (2011)

The R304X mutation of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor Interacting Protein gene in familial isolated pituitary adenomas: mutational Hot-Spot or founder effect?

in Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (2010), 33

Background: Mutations in the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor Interacting Protein (AIP) gene have been described in about 15% of kindreds with Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenomas (FIPA) and in a minority of ... [more ▼]

Background: Mutations in the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor Interacting Protein (AIP) gene have been described in about 15% of kindreds with Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenomas (FIPA) and in a minority of early onset sporadic pituitary adenomas (PA). Among the AIP mutations reported so far, the R304X (AIPR304X) represents, together with the "Finnish mutation" Q14X, the most common one. Methods: Three AIPR304X Italian families, including a newly reported kindred, have been genotyped for 12 genetic markers surrounding the AIP gene in order to look for a potential founder effect in Italy. Disease penetrance and genotype-phenotype correlations were also addressed. Results: Analysis of chromosome 11' genetic markers revealed a common haplotype in two AIPR304X kindreds originating from central Italy. Overall, seventeen mutations carriers were identified, including 7 patients and 10 unaffected subjects, respectively, arguing in this case for a disease penetrance of 41%. Mean age at diagnosis was 19.1+/-6.7 years-old, with females tending to be older than males. Though most PA were somatotropinomas (6/7), a great variability in disease severity was observed, even between subjects sharing the same at-risk haplotype. Conclusion: These data provide strong evidence for a new founder effect of the AIPR304X mutation in central Italy and the observed variations in disease severity point out the role of additional genetic or environmental factors in such kindreds. [less ▲]

The rabbit left ventricle modeling at the cellular scale: application to flow-clamp experiments

Poster (2012, December)

Raccontare Zeus. Poesia e cultura di corte ad Alessandria, a partire dall’Inno I di Callimaco

in Pallas : Revue d'Etudes Antiques (2010), 83

Race and Class in the South since 1890 - M. Stokes et R. Halpern (eds.)

in Migration World Magazine (1996), 24(5), 46

Race cycling: biological evolution

in Meeusen, R; Duchateau, J; Roelands, B (Eds.) et al Book of Abstracts of the 17th annual Congress of the ECSS (2012, July)

Introduction: The metabolic and cardiac impact of a cycling effort on blood biology is not very well described in the literature. We aimed to measure the concentration of different biomarkers (cardiac and ... [more ▼]

Introduction: The metabolic and cardiac impact of a cycling effort on blood biology is not very well described in the literature. We aimed to measure the concentration of different biomarkers (cardiac and metabolic) released during an international cycling race. Materials and methods: Venous blood samples of 15 young men (25.1 ± 6.4 y.o.) were collected just before (T1), just after (T2), 3 hours (T3) after an international cycling race of 179.6 kilometers in Belgium for the determination of cardiac and metabolic biomarkers: red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HgB), creatinin (Cr), highly sensitive troponin T (hsTnT), myoglobin (MYO) and NT-proBNP. All automated assays were performed according to the manufacter’s specifications. For the statistical analysis, an Anova calculated with the Statistica Software version 9.1 was used. Results and discussions: RBC and HgB levels varied significantly between T0 and T3 (respectively p=0.0026, and p=0.002). Cr concentration also varied significantly between all times (T0-T1:p<0.0001, T1-T3:p=0.0326 and T0-T3 p=0.0001). These changes might be related to renal flow depletion during exercice. MYO increased significantly between T0 and T1 (p<0.0001), but quickly decreased between T1 and T3, however the T3 level stay higher than T0 (p=0.014). The stress delivered from the physical activity performed during the race induced a significant variation of hsTnT which increased significantly between T0 and T1 (p<0.0001) and stayed higher 3 hours after the end of the exercise (T0-T3: p<0.0001). The intense exercise delivery by the race induced a significant variation of NT-proBNP, that followed the same kinetic of hsTnT but in smaller proportion. We noticed variations statistically significant between T0 and T1 and between T0 and T3 for NT-proBNP. These increases of cardiac biomarkers were significant but reasonable and could not allow us to talk about cellular necrosis or irreversible injury. Conclusion: Our results show that stress generated by a cycling race could be the cause for the different metabolic variations observed. Troponin T stays without a doubt the most specific marker for stress related to myocardial tissue. Its increase can then be considered as being of interest. [less ▲]

Les races de poules belges de grande taille

Poster (2011, December 09)