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Journal of Otology & RhinologyISSN: 2324-8785
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Research Article, J Otol Rhinol Vol: 5 Issue: 4
MRI Safety with Cochlear Implants up to Three Tesla – Experiences by Performing an In Vitro Test
Wolf-Magele A1*, Schnabl J1, Hirtler L2, Heinz G3 and Sprinzl GM1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karl Landsteiner Private University, University Clinic St. Poelten, Austria
2Center for Anatomy and Cellbiology, Department of Systematic anatomy, Medical University Vienna, Austria
3Department of Medical Radiology-Diagnostic and Intervention, Karl Landsteiner Private University, University Clinic St. Poelten, Austria
Corresponding author : Wolf-Magele A, MD
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karl Landsteiner Private University, University Clinic St.Poelten, Probst-Führer-Straße 4, 3100 St. Poelten, Austria
Tel: +43 2742 9004-12907
Fax: +43 2742 9004-12919
Received: June 08, 2016 Accepted: June 21, 2016 Published: June 28, 2016
Citation: Wolf-Magele A, Schnabl J, Hirtler L, Heinz G, Sprinzl GM (2016) MRI Safety with Cochlear Implants up to Three Tesla – Experiences by Performing an In Vitro Test. J Otol Rhinol 5:4. doi:10.4172/2324-8785.1000286
Objective: This study aimed to quantify the demagnetization of the magnet of a new Cochlear Implant with removable magnet in a 1.5 T and a 3.0 T MRI scanner in vitro.
Study design: Experimental cadaver head model. Subjects and Methods: Ten implant magnets were examined through a routine protocol in a 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI scanners. Magnetization prior to and after the experiment was measured.
Results: No statistically relevant change in the magnetization of the magnets was observed for in the surrounding of the MRI scanner or the isocenters of the 1.5 T and 3.0 T scanners. No protective head bandage was required to prevent implant movement. In our experience, magnet replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure requiring about 15 minutes.
Conclusion: Demagnetization of the CI with removable magnet did not occur at 3.0 T MRI. However, to improve the quality of diagnostic imaging in patients with ipsilateral brain disease removal of the implant magnet is recommended.
Keywords: Cochleae Implants; MRI compatibility; 1.5/3.0 Tesla MRI machines; Demagnetization; Electromagnetic interferences; Magnetic attraction force
Cochleae Implants; MRI compatibility; 1.5/3.0 Tesla MRI machines; Demagnetization; Electromagnetic interferences; Magnetic attraction force
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive medical investigation, which depicts the different structures of the human body. It is used as a diagnostic tool; in contrast to computer tomography it does not emit radiation to the body.
To date, over 400 million people have undergone MRI scans [1], and young people today are expected to have an MRI at least once in their lifetime [2]. However, for cochlear implant (CI) patients, MRI scans carry a certain risk as the static magnet field, gradient magnetic field and RF field of the MRI scanner can interact with the implant in the patient's body [3]. The interaction between the static MRI field and ferromagnetic materials in the CI can cause translation or rotation of the ferromagnetic components leading to local pain, demagnetization and/or dislocation of the ferromagnetic components resulting in implant malfunction and the need for surgical intervention [4,5].
As a result, physicians have to balance the risks associated with the interaction between the CI and the MRI fields, which can potentially cause harm to the patient and/or damage the device, and the risk of misdiagnosis or underestimation of the patient's condition as a consequence of not performing an MRI scan.
The SYNCHRONY is a new CI (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) used for patients with severe to profound hearing loss who obtain no benefit from acoustic amplification in the best-aided conditions. The CI system consists of an internal part, the implant, and an external part, the SONNET audio processor. One of the features of the implant is that it is the only CI that is MRI-safe at 3.0 Tesla (T) without having to remove the magnet. The magnet is a rotatable self-aligning holding magnet (Table 1). To date, to our knowledge, no studies have been published which measure the effects of a 3.0 T MRI on such a magnet in a CI. Therefore, this preliminary study aimed to determine in a cadaver head model the effects of 3.0T MRI on the magnet of the CI. It is known that the intensity of the applied magnetic field determines the strength of the change in the magnetization of a magnet. Therefore, the present study focused on the effect of 3.0 T MRI on the demagnetization of the CI magnet. The demagnetization of the magnet in the CI with removable magnet was quantified at 1.5 T and 3 T in vitro in an MRI scanner.
Table 1: Investigations, which were performed for the different magnets at different positions of the head.
Ten SYNCHRONY CI with pin were used in the present study to evaluate demagnetization of the removable magnet after exposure to a 1.5 T and a 3.0 T MRI scan. The CI consists of a stimulator, a coil with a removable magnet within its center, a stimulation reference electrode, an evoked action potential (EAP) reference electrode, and an active electrode permanently attached to the stimulator. The CI is CE certified and FDA approved.
Cadaver heads were obtained from the anatomical institute, University Vienna, Austria. Informed consent was obtained for cadaver donation, for scientific purposes, from live donors.
Pre MRI measurements
In order to determine possible demagnetization effects as a result of the MRI exposure, the magnetic attraction force between the implant magnets and a reference magnet at an air gap of 7 mm was measured before carrying out the MRI test. A calibrated Alluris GmbH precision force meter FMI-210 A5 with a measuring range of 5 N and an accuracy of ± 0.0025 N was used. The reference magnet belonged to the same magnet type as used within the transmitter/receiver coil of the SONNET audio processor (MED-EL). It was mounted onto a customized cylindrical aluminum holder, which was connected to the force meter. Each implant magnet was aligned coaxially with the reference magnet using a second customized aluminum magnet holder. As the measurement setup was aligned vertically, the magnetic attraction force was calculated as the difference between the measured forces and the gravitational force; equivalent to the weight of the reference magnet and its holder. Each magnet measurement was performed three times.
MRI exposure
At the University Clinic St. Pölten, Austria, the magnets (n=10) were exposed to different MRI fields (see Table 1).
With the appropriate insertion tool, the first magnet was placed into the recess of the coil disk of the implant, which was subsequently implanted into a fresh cadaver head, following the standard surgical procedure. Using a minimally invasive approach, a retroauricular skin incision with 4 cm length was made. After preparation of a musculoperiosteal c-shaped flap, a mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy was performed. The implant was only fixed in position in a 3 mm deep implant bed by its titanium fixation pins and no additional sutures were placed. Immediately after closing the wound the cadaver head was placed in a 3.0 T MRI scanner in the standard supine position, i.e. head straight and facing upwards. The MRI examination was initiated according to routine protocols used for stroke examinations (see section MRI protocol). The examination took approximately 20 minutes. After the first MRI, the first magnet (magnet no. 1) was removed from the cadaver head using the magnet removal tool, following the removal procedure as recommended by the CI manufacturer. The second magnet (magnet no. 2) was then inserted into the recess of the implant coil and the MRI examination was started again.
The same procedure was used to investigate the demagnetization of magnets no. 4 and magnet no. 5. However, instead of a 3.0 T MRI scanner, a scanner with a static magnetic field of 1.5 T was used. Magnet no. 3 and magnet no. 6 served as reference samples and were therefore not exposed to an MRI field.
Magnet no. 7, 8, 9, and 10 were placed in the room 1 m from the 3.0 T scanner, to determine the impact of MRI on persons with a CI under exposure to the static magnetic field around the MRI scanner. A summary of the procedure (magnet use) is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Representative signals of AIMS sum signal and humidity of the exhaled breath sample measured with ChemPro®100 and multicapillary column used. The AIMS spectrum from the maximum point of the AIMS sum signal was analyzed further.
Post MRI measurements
After MRI exposure, the magnetic attraction force was measured three times again (as described in Pre MRI measurements).
For statistical analyses, Minitab Inc. Minitab Statistical Software (Stat Guide), Release 15 for Windows (2007), was used.
The paired t-confidence interval and test procedures were applied to analyze the differences between paired observations. The procedure was used to determine if the mean difference for the population was likely to be different from a reference value (usually zero). To use the paired t-procedure, the distribution of the differences should be normally distributed.
MRI protocol
MRI was performed on two MRI scanners, a 1.5 T (Philips Achieva) and a 3 T (Siemens Trio Magnetom Trio Tim) scanner, using a Sense- Head-8 coil and a Synergy Head 8 coil respectively (Table 2).
Table 2: Dietary content,physical activity, weight and blood parameters in 2x1 week diet intervention with low (LFD) and high fibre (HFD) diets in seven healthy men1.
The results of the measurements prior to and after the MRI experiment are summarized in Table 3. As a comparison of the mean force of different magnets showed there is no apparent change in the mean force prior to and after MRI exposure (Figure 2). The p-values received for the normality tests of the differences in magnetic force from magnets before and after the different investigations (Table 2) were above 0.05 and therefore greater than the chosen α-level. Consequently, there is enough evidence to suggest that all the data sets are normally distributed.
The results of paired t-tests to determine the differences in magnetic force measured for each magnet before and after the investigations are shown in Figure 3. The mean difference between paired observations labeled X in Figure 3, is within the limits of the 99 % confidence interval. H0, i.e. zero difference, lies within the confidence interval (depicted in Figure 2 as a solid blue line framed by brackets). Therefore, H0 cannot be rejected The outcome of this analysis is, that the force of the magnets does not change in a statistically significant manner after MRI. No significant demagnetization occurred in magnets exposed to the 1.5 T or 3.0 T static magnetic field of the MRI scanners.
Despite the fact that the implant was only fixed with the titanium pins in the implant bed, no change in the position of the CI, exposed to the 1.5 T or 3.0 T static magnetic field of the MRI scanners was observed. Therefore, no implant displacement occurred.
Although, no head bandage or additional sutures were applied the implant magnet sat flush in the implant coil after MRI exposure. Consequently, it was apparent that no implant magnet dislocation had occurred.
In addition, no retraction of the electrode from the cochlea was observed after the MRI. This indicated that only negligible reversible medial and lateral displacement of the implant was caused by the static magnetic field.
During this study the CI magnet was replaced four times in the cadaver head. The average duration for one magnet replacement was approximately 15 minutes. The procedure is minimally invasive, as only local anesthesia is required for the small skin incision to insert the magnet removal and magnet insertion instruments next to the coil.
No demagnetization occurred for the magnets exposed to the isocenter of the MRI scanners. Similarly, there was no demagnetization of the magnets placed outside of the isocenter of the scanner in the static magnetic field around the 3.0 T scanners.
Demagnetization might occur when the magnetic axis of the implant magnet and the outer magnetic field are in opposite direction towards each other. Vincent et al. [6] demonstrated the importance of the magnetic field orientation of the internal magnet relative to the static magnetic field of the MR device. Their measurements showed that the position of the patient had a direct correlation to the demagnetization of the magnet. In a side position, zero demagnetization was measured when the magnetic field was parallel to the static field. When the magnetic field of the implant was not parallel to the static field, demagnetization was high (75%). Demagnetization was 14% on average with the patient in a standard position. All investigations were performed in a 1.5 T machine.
The magnet used in the present study can rotate freely within its titanium housing and thereby align its magnetic field axis parallel to the outer magnetic field axis. Therefore, we did not stabilize the cadaver head in a special position in our study. We performed the investigation with the cadaver head located in the standard supine position (on the back, nose up). As a result, the maximum inclination angle between the internal magnet axis and the MRI scanner field axis was 90°. For the supine patient position with head kept straight, the diametrically magnetized magnet axis is parallel to the MRI scanner axis. As a result, the finding that no demagnetization occurred for the magnets exposed to the isocenter of MRI scanners at 1.5 and 3T (magnets no. 1, 2, 4 and 5), was not unexpected.
More and more radiological institutes are equipped with a 3.0 T machine, which offers the possibility of higher resolution. CI patients are also well informed about which implants are authorized for which MRI scans; consequently we notice an increasing number of patients who choose products suitable for the highest Tesla level of MRI. MRI compatibility is therefore becoming a more important aspect when considering which cochlear implant to use. Baumgartner et al. [7] retrospectively reviewed a series of 300 cochlear implants undergoing 1.0 T MRI for various non-otologic pathologies ranging from knee degeneration to parotid tumors. No adverse effects were reported by any of the patients, and the implants retained their function. Similarly, Teissl et al. [8] tested the imposed translational force, torque, demagnetization, induced voltage, temperature change and geometric distortions caused by the internal magnet of the CI in a 1.5 T MR system. No demagnetization of the implants and the translational forces were reported, and the temperature changes and the induced voltage were minimal and within acceptable MRI safety standards. However, the aforementioned literature has only confirmed CI safety up to 1.5 T MRI.
The present study is, to our knowledge, the first cadaver study to report on the demagnetization of the magnet up to 3.0 T. Limits for RF-induced heat, displacement force, torque and implant magnet dislocation were investigated for the CE certification by the manufacturer. In line with the CE certificate, no demagnetization from 3.0 MRI imaging of cadaver heads with the CI with removable magnet was observed.
According to the MRI safety guidelines in the instructions for use of the implant, a supportive elastic head bandage is recommended to be wrapped three times around the patient's head over the implant. In addition, in the manufacturer's surgical guideline sutures are recommended to be placed around the stimulator housing. Fritsch et al. [9] and Baumgartner et al. [7] conclude that even in MRI scanners with a field strength of only 1.5 T, cochlear implant patients can only safely undergo an MRI examination after applying an external compression dressing over their implants in the superiostal pocket. The MRI in the present study was performed without supportive head bandage or sutures in order to find out whether or not any movement of the implant or implant magnet might occur. After the MRI exposures the implants were located in the initial position and there was no indication of dislocation of the implant magnet as it was still flush with the implant coil surface. However, due to the lack of objective measurements obtained, further investigations in regard to implant movement during MRI are required. Furthermore, when leaving a magnet in situ during MRI investigation, there are limits to the visualization of the region around the implant. Anatomical structures on the implanted side are distorted, but structures on the contralateral side are free of artifacts. If patients with ipsilateral brain disease need a follow-up MRI, it is advantageous if the magnet can easily be removed.
We removed and replaced the different magnets 4 times, in order to investigate each one, in a 15- minute minimally invasive surgical procedure. In our experience, the magnet of the implant was easy to remove and could easily be replaced using the instruments provided.
Needless to say, in addition to the data obtained in this study, clinical studies should follow to determine other parameters, which may affect a CI magnet exposed to a 3.0T MRI. For example, the temperature the implant and electrode are exposed to during an MRI. The heating of the implant and its surrounding structures, due to the RF field, may lead to tissue damage [10].
In our opinion, assessing the CI patients' subjective impressions and feelings during these MRI investigations is also very important. In future studies, it would be interesting to ascertain if patients undergoing a 3.0 T MRI describe any discomfort when approaching/ entering the MRI; such as auditory sensation, pain or heat. We found no analysis of the subjective perception of MRI with a CI in our literature search. Therefore, clinical studies investigating these parameters would be contributed to the field/literature.
In conclusion, no statistical relevant change in the CI magnet's attraction force occurred for the CI with removable magnet exposed to the static magnetic field in the surrounding and isocenters of 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI scanners. No protective head bandage is required to prevent implant movement for the implants fixed to the drilled implant bed with its titanium pins. The magnet replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure requiring approximately 15 minutes using the magnet removal and insertion tool provided by the manufacturer. Although image artifact, around a CI magnet, may be observed during MRI this should not preclude a patient with a CI from MRI examination when necessary. However, for patients with ipsilateral brain disease requiring MRI, we would recommend removal of the implant magnet to increase.
The authors thank Johannes Rosner for the strong support in carrying out the measurements and investigations during our study.
Boots AW, van Berkel JJ, Dallinga JW, Smolinska A, Wouters EF, et al. (2012) The versatile use of exhaled volatile organic compounds in human health and disease.J Breath Res 6: 027108.
Amorim LC, de L Cardeal Z (2007) Breath air analysis and its use as a biomarker in biological monitoring of occupational and environmental exposure to chemical agents.J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 853: 1-9.
Kim KH, Jahan SA, Kabir E (2012) A review of breath analysis for diagnosis of human health. Trends Analyt Chem 33:1-8.
Hornuss C, Praun S, Villinger J, Dornauer A, Moehnle P, et al. (2007) Real-time monitoring of propofol in expired air in humans undergoing total intravenous anesthesia.Anesthesiology 106: 665-674.
Spaněl P, Smith D (2011) Progress in SIFT-MS: breath analysis and other applications.Mass Spectrom Rev 30: 236-267.
Journal of Otology & Rhinology received 246 citations as per Google Scholar report
Journal of Otology & Rhinology peer review process verified at publons
10th International conference on Otolaryngology and ENT Surgery
9th International Conference on Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
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Geriatric Otorhinolaryngology
Hearing Loss and Balance Disorders
Oral and Neck Oncology
Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Sinus Disorders
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Gochuumon Wa Usagi Desu Ka? The return of girls named after drinks.
Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka was a really enjoyable slice of life series with fun characters and strong comedic moments. I think that we're probably going to see a pretty comparable level of work with White Fox's second series of it, but first, let's briefly talk about the first series. Cocoa moved into a new area where she's staying at the Rabbit House Café and using sister to describe Chino, the younger girl who runs Rabbit House. The two of them have friends from two competitors and a friend who works with them and the five of them engage in hijinks. There's also a rabbit that houses the soul of Chino's grandfather and talks…. because. So, let's see if the second series provides new and improved hijinks for us.
Like the first series, there's no over-arcing story here. Cocoa has been at Rabbit House with Chino and their other friends for a year. They play around, get their work done and shenanigans happen. The comedic value is largely derived from our major characters, their quirks and their interactions with one another. Taken as a whole, it works really well. The situations they find themselves in readily lend themselves to comedic possibilities and most of the jokes that you get are amusing. About the worst you can say about the comedy is that some of the jokes are kind of obvious and that does weaken their impact.
The cast in GochiUsa is still not the deepest or most complex. However, they are incredibly endearing and entertaining. They're varied enough that they can play off of one another really strongly for comedic purposes and there are some really good non-comedic interactions too. This series does more with Megu & Maya than the first did. It also brings in Cocoa's sister, which leads to some very funny moments and Aoyama's editor. She barely appears but both the scenes that feature her are really hilarious.
The strongest aspect of the artwork is definitely the background details. White Fox does a superb job of making the buildings, plants and various other background objects detailed and vibrant. The characters look decent, but they're also pretty standard for a moe style.
The performances in this are really well done. We've got Sakura Ayane, Minase Inori, Uchida Maaya, Taneda Risa, Sato Satomi, Hayami Saori, Tokui Sora, & Murakawa Rie in prominent roles and all of them give really strong performances. The music is also really well done.
This series builds on the first, including developing the relationship with Sharo and Rize which outright involves romantic feelings on Sharo's part. Cocoa really has a thing about getting younger girls to call her sister and I remain convinced that she's thinking of it in the shoujo-ai trope way. This series also gives us Mocha, Cocoa's actual sister. Basically Mocha's interactions with all of the girls save Cocoa read as a bit yuri. Chiya also gets involved in a fair bit of les-yay in this series. It's all very cutesy and somewhat subdued because the series doesn't want to go full canon with it, but it's certainly there.
Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka series two is a thoroughly enjoyable series with endearing characters, strong comedic elements, and superb acting. If the moe type of slice of life series isn't your thing, it's not likely to change your mind but if you enjoy that type of series sometimes, you might want to give both series a watch. Which brings me to the final score. Overall, the second series builds off of the first and provides a somewhat improved experience. Which is what a good sequel should do. As such, my final rating is going to be a 9/10. Next week, I'll talk about yet another sequel to a series I've reviewed with Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan series 2.
This entry was posted in Review and tagged Anime, anime review, GochiUsa, Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka, is the order a rabbit?, review on April 6, 2016 by ktulu007.
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Our client has an immediate need for sharp Software Developers with solid object oriented development experience (preferably Python) to join their highly collaborative team to assist with the delivery of their suite of products. This is a hands-on role where you will work closely with the product team to ensure the design and delivery of new product features and functionalities. In order to be successful in this role, you must be self-motivated with the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced, and high growth start-up environment.


O'Connell Robertson is providing professional architecture and engineering services for Shannon Medical Center's hospital expansion. Construction of a new six-story addition and renovation of three floors at Shannon Medical Center impacted major programs including the Emergency Department, GI Lab and Cath Lab as well as added med/surgery nursing beds on the top two floors. A Surgical Suite addition added five new operating rooms, including a hybrid OR. Renovation work will also add PACU space and a staff entrance to the suite to address existing non-compliant capacity and access issues.


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All about memory
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OBJECTIVE To enable the builder to recognize and install memory sticks on the motherboard
RAM (or Random Access Memory) is an important part of the computer system which is used by actively running programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on. It is composed of integrated circuit memory chips that allow information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible. The information on RAM can be tossed out to make more space, as opposed to the Hard Disk Drive where the computer stores information for the long haul.
1 Memory sticks
1.2 DDR2
1.4 RAMBUS
1.5 SDRAM
1.6 72-Pin SIMM
RAM or Random Access Memory comes in 2 types, DIMM and SIMM
DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module)
DIMMs are usually 5.25" long and plug into slots that have plastics clips at the end that open and close to hold them in. There is also a type of DIMM that is only 2.5-2.75" long known as SODimm which is used in laptops and small computer systems
SIMM (Single In-Line Memory Module)
SIMM is the oldest form of memory that we still see and is shorter than the currently-used types - generally 4.25" long or 3.5" long. Its slots on the motherboard have metal clamps at the end to hold the stick in place.
Exercise Find the SIMM and DIMM slots on the motherboards on the example board in front of you so you can identify these slots.
A stick of DDR has a single notch in it near the center of the stick, with gold pins missing from one side more than the other, as well as 2 rounded notches on each side
Un módulo de DDR tiene una muesca en en el centro del módulo.
The newer DDR2 has a single notch that is slightly nearer the center of the stick, so it will not fit into a regular DDR slot. That notch also has symmetrical missing gold pins on either side. Like DDR, there are 2 rounded notches on the sides of the stick as well.
The DDR3 stick also has a single notch on it that is slightly closer to the end than the DDR2, with symmetrical missing gold pins. On the sides, there are square notches as opposed to the rounded ones of DDR and DDR2.
RAMBUS
A stick of RAMBUS has two close together notches at the center of the stick with a very large gap of missing gold pins.
A stick of SDRAM has two notches in it, one near the center of the stick, and one closer to the side.
Un módulo de SDRAM tiene dos muescas, una cerca del centro del módulo, y otra cerca a un extremo del módulo.
72-Pin SIMM
72 pin SIMMs are 4.25 inches long. The holes and notches need to match exactly since there are other objects that look like 72-pin SIMM but aren't, so see points A (side holes), B (center notch) and C (side notch) in the picture.
30 Pin SIMM
30-pin SIMMs are 3.5 inches long. These are the oldest types of memory we still see on a regular basis in System Evaluation. Note that they do not have a center notch.
Exercise 1: Look at the example memory sticks and match them up with the following pictures and descriptions. Then,
Exercise 2: Try putting the sticks into their slots on the motherboard. Open the clips, match up the notches and install the stick into the grooves at either end. Press down on the stick until the clips flip closed by themselves around the stick. This tells you that the memory is properly seated into the slot so it can function correctly. IMPORTANT - YOU CAN RUIN THE RAM AND FRY THE MOTHERBOARD IF YOU DON'T DO THIS!!!
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19-PM1-05: ST10.3 - Monitoring Technology Dynamics and Convergence
Wednesday, 19/Jun/2019:
Session Chair: Stefanie Broering, Uni Bonn
Session Chair: Martin G. Moehrle, University of Bremen, Germany
Location: Room PC 21
Technologies play a major role for the creation of product as well as process innovations and are able to establish a competitive advantage. For this reason, R&D managers should monitor their dynamics, in particular if driven by competitors or external research institutes. Furthermore, technologies might move towards each other; technology convergence might occur and change the business models of companies. On the other side, technologies might conquer new niches and form technology speciation.
All three tasks, monitoring technology dynamics, convergence as well as speciation, can be supported by advanced analyses. Time has come to consider all the possible methods and techniques to assess technology dynamics, convergence and speciation. Participants may consider – but not be limited to – the following:
Indicators for assessing technology dynamics, convergence and speciation
o patent- or publication-based
o blog or social network-based
o applying bibliometric or semantic approaches
o using network or indicator-based methods,
o applying advanced machine learning methods
Insights on processes leading to technology dynamics, convergence and speciation
o micro-foundations
o the importance of the time dimension
o life-cycle perspective
Insights on the determinants of technology dynamics, convergence and speciation
o specialization and diversification strategies
o search practices
o collaboration practices
o knowledge recombination
o network practices
Insights on the outcomes of technology dynamics, convergence and speciation
o emergence of general purpose technologies
o emergence of niche technologies
o emergence of radical or incremental innovations
o generation of new markets and industries
o market disruptions
Technological Drivers of Urban Innovation. A T-DNA Analysis Based on US Patent Data
Ngoc Uyen Phuong Nguyen, Martin G. Moehrle
University of Bremen, Germany, Germany
The world faces fast development of urbanization. It is necessary to solve related problems in a new way: urban innovation (Naphade et al. 2011). It focusses on connecting and integrating important infrastructures of cities (including 'city governance, transportation, energy and water, healthcare, information and communication technologies, education and public safety').
Several researches emphasize the importance of urban innovation. Recent papers are summarized with the main issues.
Meijer and Thaens (2018): 'Social technical structure' and the cooperation of many parts in the society (governments, companies, universities, institutes and people) in urban innovation
Han and Hawken (2018): The significance of data and 'informational ecosystems' in the development of technology and special cultures of the city as well as the enhancement of life quality in the urban innovation process
Caragliu and Del Bo (2018): Using patent counts in high-tech, ICT and particular smart city technologies to look for the influence of smart city policies on urban innovation and economic growth
Praharaj, Han and Hawken (2018): The integration of technologies and policy structure for the success of urban innovation
Colucci (2018): The adaptation of 'societal transition models' (changes in 'culture, structure and behaviors of societal systems') to urban innovation and climate change mitigation
Many authors have already looked at different parts of urban innovation, such as sustainability or connectivity of infrastructures and socio-technological systems. Still the questions arise (in a quantitative way) what the technological drivers of urban innovation are and in which relationship they stand to each other?
We sharpen the questions raised in the literature gap. Based on a reliable source of data, can we find out what the technologies as drivers of urban innovation are and in which relationship they stand to each other?
To answer the research questions we suggest the use of a Technology-DNA (T-DNA) approach based on patent data. T-DNA is developed by analogy with 'the DNA-sequence' of creatures. A system structure needs to be defined, comprising the system, subsystem, super system and associated system. For instance, we interpret buildings constituting the system level; embedding environments such as energy supply, infrastructure for transportation or communication technologies as elements of the super system. Moreover, we assign patents to those system levels. We identify a series of dominant system levels over years and sketch some of their features (Roepke and Moehrle, 2014).
Our study is based on the analysis of granted US patents from the period between 1976 and 2018.
Our approach sheds light on the drivers for urban innovation and the relationships between them. In detail, we find that the core system of buildings, the subsystem regarding parts of buildings and the associated system have only limited influence on the development of urban innovation. It is the super system, which drives dominantly. In particular, technologies in electricity and communication as well as technologies related to climate change and environment protection have had a major increase in terms of granted patents between 1976 and 2018 by factor ten (compared to other technologies with a factor around two or three). As those technologies had the same growth rate, we assume a possible relationship between them.
Our study provides a classification of technologies regarding urban innovation in the framework of the T-DNA. The classification is based upon the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC), which is a follow-up of the International Patent Classification (IPC). Other researchers could rely on this classification in all countries, in which one of these patent classifications (CPC or IPC) is used in the patenting system. For instance, they might compare the results from the USA with results from other developed countries, such as Canada, France, or the UK, and from emerging countries, such as China, India, or Brazil, to find out similarities and differences in the development of urban innovation.
Our results can lead researchers to a focus on such drivers of urban innovation that had major influence in the past and still have major influence currently in the present and in the future because many patents are still valid and alive.
Our research may help managers in companies as well as politicians in urban areas. Managers can analyse the drivers of urban innovation based on the T-DNA structure, use it as technology monitoring system, and integrate major drivers in their business. Politicians can check if their decisions regarding urban innovation take account of all relevant elements of the four system levels. According to theses assessments, they can adapt to the new environmental situations and technological opportunities.
Urban innovation is a prominent field, in which bridges between research and industry as well as bridges to society are not only needed, but also responsible for successful innovations. Without new ideas from research, without new products and services from industry, and without acceptance and contributions from the citizens, no development is possible.
Caragliu, A. and Del Bo, C. F. (2018) 'Smart innovative cities: The impact of Smart City policies on urban innovation', Technological Forecasting and Social Change, pp. 1–11.
Colucci, A. (2018) 'The Transition Approach in Urban Innovations: Local Responses to Climate Change', in Smart, Resilient and Transition Cities. ed. by Galderisi, A. and Colucci, A. Elsevier Inc., pp. 19–28. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128114773000031.
Han, H. and Hawken, S. (2018) 'Introduction: Innovation and identity in next-generation smart cities', City, Culture and Society, 12, pp. 1–4.
Han, J. et al. (2012) 'Innovation for sustainability: toward a sustainable urban future in industrialized cities', Sustainability Science, 7(1), pp. 91–100.
Meijer, A. and Thaens, M. (2018) 'Urban Technological Innovation: Developing and Testing a Sociotechnical Framework for Studying Smart City Projects', Urban Affairs Review, 54(2), pp. 363–387.
Nam, T. and Pardo, T. A. (2011) 'Smart City as Urban Innovation: Focusing on Management, Policy, and Context', in Proceedings of the 5th international conference on theory and practice of electronic governance, ACM, pp. 185–194.
Naphade, M. et al. (2011) 'Smarter cities and their innovation challenges', Computer, 6, pp. 32–39.
Praharaj, S., Han, J. H. and Hawken, S. (2018) 'Urban innovation through policy integration: Critical perspectives from 100 smart cities mission in India', City, Culture and Society, 12, pp. 35–43.
Roepke, S. and Moehrle, M. G. (2014) 'Sequencing the evolution of technologies in a system-oriented way: The concept of technology-DNA', Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 32, pp. 110–128.
State-of-the-Art in measuring convergence at different levels
Stefanie Bröring, Michael Wustmans
Univeristy of Bonn, Germany
Technology dynamics is an upcoming research stream focusing on changes either caused by a certain technology or by changes occurring within a technological field. Measurement and anticipation of such changes is key for firms in order to react and adapt in a timely manner.
These changes can be caused by the phenomenon of (technology) convergence, hence, the blurring of hitherto different technological paradigms as one can witness in Nano-Bio-Info convergence with new fields such as "nano sensors" where different areas of technology form novel substructures complementing the extant ones. The ability to sense those dynamics, in particular those relating to substitutive convergence, where the old technologies are fading out, becomes an ever increasing meta-competence for actors involved. Convergence as such is defined as 'the blurring of technical and regu-latory boundaries between sectors of the economy' (OECD, 1992, p. 13). Thereby, the process of convergence is often described as a sequential process with four steps, namely science, technology, market and industry convergence (Curran et al. 2010). These steps are characterized by a decreasing distances resulting in (structural) chang-es in the respective industry (Sick et al., 2018).
These steps can be measured and anticipated by using different data sources, i.e. secondary data sources (publications, patents, trends, M&A, product launches); or primary data sources (expert surveys, case studies), as well as by using different (quantita-tive or qualitative) research methods (Bornkessel et al., 2016; Sick et al., 2018).
However, a systematic literature review of these different possibilities along with their similarities and differences is still missing.
In order to fill this gap, we conduct a systematic literature review on how convergence is measured on different levels. Our method is based on Niemann et al. (2017) who use the so-called lane diagrams to identify patterns within a technological field using patents as a data source. For the purpose of a systematic literature review, we adapt this approach by using publications as a data source in order to identify different research streams and approaches for operationalization the assessment of convergence on different levels.
More precisely, we extracted publications from Web of Science using the following search string for the fields "Title" and "Topic": ("knowledge converg*" OR "technol-ogy converg*" OR "market converg*" OR "industry converg*" OR "converging knowledge" OR "converging technologies" OR "converging markets" OR "converging industries") AND (measur* OR analy* OR model* OR anticipat* OR investig* OR assess*). In total, we identified 517 publications, released until 09.11.2018, which were tagged within the indices WOS, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO. After ex-clusion of search results with either no or a non-English title and abstract, we obtained 500 publications. Following Niemann et al. (2017), we conduct semantic analyses in order to develop what we call a publication lane diagram. The underlying semantic approach relies on the comparison of sequences of n terms (n-grams) from the titles and abstracts of the publications. Therefore, we use the software PatVisor following the suggestions by Moehrle (2010), Moehrle and Gerken (2012), and Walter et al. (2017). Accordingly, we apply stop word and synonym filters, and a lemmatization for manipulating the textual input data. For the subsequent similarity measurements, we extract bi-grams in a window of two and apply a Jaccard similarity coefficient, fol-lowing suggestions by Moehrle (2010).
Based on the derived publication lanes, we are able to identify the most frequent measuring techniques and deduce similarities and differences within and across the publication lanes. Thereby, we focus on different dimensions to characterize the re-spective approaches. These include the convergence level (knowledge, technology, market, or industry), data source (primary or secondary data), and research methods (quantitative or qualitative).
Our results reveal that adapting the lane diagram approach by Niemann et al. (2017) for a systematic literature review is feasible since we identified different research are-as and similar research methods for measuring convergence on different levels. Fur-thermore, based on our results, pathways for future research can be derived leading to suggestions which different data sources and research methods might be combined to anticipate (and measure) convergence as an indicator for change to better understand dynamics caused by or within a respective technology.
Additionally, firms are able to get an overview of different measurement and anticipa-tion techniques of technological changes in order to react and adapt in a timely man-ner.
This research will give an overview of different methods for anticipating technological change caused by convergence. This is relevant for both, researcher and practitioners, and lead to bridging research methods with practical/industrial challenges.
Bornkessel, S., Bröring, S., & Omta, S. O. (2016). Crossing industrial boundaries at the pharma-nutrition interface in probiotics: A life cycle perspective. PharmaNutri-tion, 4(1), 29-37.
Curran, C. S., Bröring, S., & Leker, J. (2010). Anticipating converging industries using publicly available data. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 77(3), 385-395.Moehrle, M. G. (2010). Measures for textual patent similarities: a guid-ed way to select appropriate approaches. Scientometrics, 85(1), 95-109.
Moehrle, M. G., & Gerken, J. M. (2012). Measuring textual patent similarity on the basis of combined concepts: design decisions and their consequences. Scien-tometrics, 91(3), 805-826.
Niemann, Helen; Moehrle, Martin G.; Frischkorn, Jonas (2017). Use of a new patent text-mining and visualization method for identifying patenting patterns over time. Concept, method and test application. Technological Forecasting and So-cial Change 115, pp. 210–220. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.10.004.
OECD (1992). Telecommunications and Broadcasting: Convergence or Collision? No. 29, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 5, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/237416285388
Rosenberg, N. (1963). Technological change in the machine tool industry, 1840–1910. The Journal of Economic History, 23(4), 414-443.
Sick, N., Preschitschek, N., Leker, J., & Bröring, S. (2018). A new framework to assess industry convergence in high technology environments. Technovation (in press).
Walter, L., Radauer, A., & Moehrle, M. G. (2017). The beauty of brimstone butterfly: novelty of patents identified by near environment analysis based on text mining. Sci-entometrics, 111(1), 103-115.
Analysing scientific dynamics – Does machine learning help to predict scientific convergence based on bibliographic data?
Tetyana Melnychuk1, Lukas Galke1,2, Eva Seidlmayer3, Michael Wustmans4, Klaus Tochtermann1,2, Konrad Förstner3, Stefanie Bröring4, Carsten Schultz1
1Kiel University; 2Leibniz Information Centre for Economics (ZBW); 3German National Library of Medicine (ZB MED) - Information Centre for Life Sciences; 4University of Bonn
Scientific and technology convergence blur the boundaries between scientific fields and technological applications. They represent the basis for industry convergence characterized by a combination of technological capabilities and customer needs from different industry sectors (Bröring et al., 2006; Curran et al., 2010).
Scientific convergence is particularly difficult to predict for companies, since in the phase of basic research, markets or even application fields are unknown (Curran and Leker, 2009). However, active involvement into scientific convergence at the early stage of converging processes may create unique competitive advantages for firms. Therefore, it is crucial for firms to analyse the signs of scientific convergence at the embryonic stage. Nevertheless, the current literature in R&D management does not provide validated instruments that may help to predict the future dynamics of scientific and technology fields (Kim and Lee, 2017). Scientific convergence has its origin in scientific communities and networks. Therefore, scientific publications may provide relevant indications to detect scientific development early. Scientific convergence highly depends on knowledge diffusion in scientific communities and has been analysed from the network perspective with scientometric methods (Jeong et al., 2016; Jeong et al., 2018).
However, some of widely used topic modelling approaches based on unsupervised learning methodology which are used for investigation of technology convergence (Venugopalan and Rai, 2015) have a limitation in terms of overly common and unspecific terminology which is supposed to represent distinct topics, thus, providing little technological content.
To address the issues of handling large amount of bibliographic data and using an appropriate clustering method, we focus in the present study on analysis and forecast of dynamics and convergence of scientific areas and networks by applying a novel machine learning approach based on graph convolutional and attention networks.
We exert the proposed method on a case of cholesterol-lowering agents to quantitatively demonstrate scientific convergence of drug-based therapies and disease prevention approaches from the perspective of functional foods.
Our dataset comprises 28,2 scientific publications from the life sciences domain (PubMed with extensions from the ZB MED Knowledge Environment). To identify the patterns of scientific convergence, we group the data according to the controlled vocabulary of medical subject headings (MeSH terms) (Guo et al., 2011; Leydesdorff et al., 2012; Rotolo et al., 2015). By exploiting MeSH terms and bibliographic data of MEDLINE database, Leydesdorff et al. (2012) investigate the evolution of medical innovations arising from "translations and interactions" of "three main branches" (i.e. diseases, drugs and chemicals, and techniques and equipment) and demonstrate knowledge diffusion dynamics of three scientific areas over time (Leydesdorff et al., 2012). To validate our method, we compare our results with those of a scientific and technology convergence case on phytosterols. This case has been extensively studied (Curran et al., 2010) with the help of investigation of co-authorship and patent classification performed by a frequency-based analysis and visualization software (Curran and Leker, 2009; Curran and Leker, 2011).
Typical topic clustering methods which rest on similar co-citations (Upham et al., 2010) leave many publications, those citations are very diverse, outside of topic clusters. Though, such publications are decisive for scientific convergence. However, promising new techniques that apply neural networks to graph-structured data have recently emerged. Those include graph convolutional networks (Kipf and Welling, 2016, 2017) and graph attention networks (Velickovic et al., 2018). We apply these techniques to derive a quantitative similarity measure as indicator for scientific convergence and impose a graph structure on our dataset. A graph is denoted as a set of nodes and edges. Apart from the publications themselves, we consider authors and keywords as nodes. The edges are inserted according to each papers' authors and keywords annotations. The resulting graph consists of 43,7 million nodes and 104,4 million edges. On this data, we train a graph convolutional network for link prediction that refers to predicting the probability of an edge between two nodes. The model learns a latent (vector) representation of each node that is useful to correctly predict links. We use this latent representation to derive a similarity measure among the nodes (authors, papers, keywords) to analyze research dynamics such as scientific convergence.
The results indicate that our machine learning method may enable researchers and R&D managers to forecast changes within a distinct scientific field. Hence, we contribute to the increasing literature on research dynamics and convergence processes by demonstrating a novel approach that uses the vast data provided by scientific publications for the analysis of scientific convergence that constitutes the fundament for technology, market, and industry convergence processes. Future research may use our approach to investigate the knowledge diffusion within and between distinct scientific and technology areas and to analyze how these dynamics create the basis for technological innovations which may later lead to development of new product and services.
We discuss a possible future development of a software tool, that uses the demonstrated machine learning algorithm and may give R&D managers a helpful instrument for technology foresight. As a first step in this direction, we will publish the source code along with our paper, such that our methods can be reused.
The investigated scientific knowledge diffusion from distinct research areas into a new converged field demonstrates that such scientific outcome may create the foundation for technology innovations which may lead to emergence of a new industry segment.
Bröring S, Cloutier LM and Leker J. (2006) The front end of innovation in an era of industry convergence: evidence from nutraceuticals and functional foods. R&D Management 36: 487-498.
Curran C-S, Bröring S and Leker J. (2010) Anticipating converging industries using publicly available data. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 77: 385-395.
Curran C-S and Leker J. (2009) Employing STN AnaVist to forecast converging industries. International Journal of Innovation Management 13: 637-664.
Curran C-S and Leker J. (2011) Patent indicators for monitoring convergence – examples from NFF and ICT. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 78: 256-273.
Guo H, Weingart S and Börner K. (2011) Mixed-indicators model for identifying emerging research areas. Scientometrics 89: 421-435.
Jeong D-h, Cho K, Park S, et al. (2016) Effects of knowledge diffusion on international joint research and science convergence: Multiple case studies in the fields of lithium-ion battery, fuel cell and wind power. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 108: 15-27.
Jeong D, Lee K and Cho K. (2018) Relationships among international joint research, knowledge diffusion, and science convergence: the case of secondary batteries and fuel cells. Asian Journal of Technology Innovation 26: 246-268.
Kim J and Lee S. (2017) Forecasting and identifying multi-technology convergence based on patent data: the case of IT and BT industries in 2020. Scientometrics 111: 47-65.
Kipf T and Welling M. (2016) Variational Graph Auto-Encoders. In: 30th Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems.
Kipf T and Welling M. (2017) Semi-Supervised Classification with Graph Convolutional Networks. In: 5th International Conference on Learning Representations.
Leydesdorff L, Rotolo D and Rafols I. (2012) Bibliometric perspectives on medical innovation using the medical subject Headings of PubMed. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 63: 2239-2253.
Rotolo D, Hicks D and Martin BR. (2015) What is an emerging technology? Research Policy 44: 1827-1843.
Upham SP, Rosenkopf L and Ungar LH. (2010) Innovating knowledge communities. Scientometrics 83: 525-554.
Veličković P, Cucurull G, Casanova A, Romero A, Liò P and Bengio Y. (2018) Graph Attention Networks. In: 6th International Conference on Learning Representations.
Venugopalan S and Rai V. (2015) Topic based classification and pattern identification in patents. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 94: 236-250.
University spin-offs between soft and hard patents
Valentina Stanzione1, Alberto Nucciarelli1, Sandro Etalle2, Bert Sadowski2
1University of Trento, Italy; 2Eindhoven University of Technology
In recent years, attention has been paid to the entrepreneurial orientation of universities and their ability to exploit and transfer scientific knowledge to firms. Universities are considered an important source of new innovations and are increasingly seen as a breeding ground for innovative spin-offs.
We have looked at the literature on university spin-off to grasp its main characteristics, investigate the origins of the phenomenon and identify the main drivers. Moreover, we have analyzed the role and importance of Intellectual Property (IP) in promoting innovation and as a tool to protect competitive advantage based on knowledge.
We have also delved our attention into the literature on software patents to have a clear understanding of the particular nature of software and how it can be protected. In this respect, we paid attention to compare the European, and North American US patent legislation to understand how policy makers have regulated IP for software. as well as the criteria by which a software patent can be issued.
Literature has so far neglected the validity of the protection system in the case of software patents, and the effects of this type of patents on the growth and performance of the Spin-Offs. No research exists that establishes a link between these two aspects.
We aim to demonstrate the existence of hard patents and soft patents whereas soft patents are relatively weak to appropriate the value of an invention related to software. This weakness displays both in terms of market value of a patent and of defensibility in case of litigation.
We employ qualitative analysis (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007). In particular, we use comparative case studies built on primary and secondary data from 2 Dutch and 2 Italian spin-offs. We collected primary data have with semi-structured interviews conducted between February - March 2019 upon the completion of questionnaires.
We conducted 8 interviews (2 per case study) and reviewed printed material (when available) as well as web sites. We took the first round of interviews at the beginning of the project just after our contact persons filled the questionnaire. We took the second round of interviews after we compared the case studies to validate our findings.
The interviews highlighted a general lack of confidence in the effectiveness of software patents as a tool for protection. The University Spin-Offs with soft definable patents show difficulty in being able to sell their patent to existing companies with the sole proof that it works, as it is considered easy to copy without exploiting it. Necessary for the sale is a complete product, possibly with a brand, even the one protected by a patent. Trying to sell only the software patent to a company also exposes the Spin-Off to the risk of being copied. In such circumstances, a small and new business will hardly have the resources to start a dispute, especially when the competitor is a large company. There is also the likelihood that the large company may have a patent that the small business violates. Moreover, the development of a commercial software product usually requires several years of work, and therefore also considerable investments, after the Spin-Off foundation, while shorter times seem necessary for products with hard patents. As a result, making revenues is harder for software Spin-Offs and funding is essential at this stage.
In case of software inventions, many changes occur that need to be taken into consideration: product life, relationship between the description and implementation of the invention, multiplicity of "subsystems" that a software system includes, and the possibility to know for all if a patent already exists. As a result, it is hard to recognise the software patent a true market value. In the software industry, a patent tends to have a relatively low value due to the ease of designing a distinct product. As a consequence, it is undeniable the importance of the software industry in the modern economy, the importance of innovation for that industry, as well as that today innovation comes increasingly from small business contexts, such as the Spin-Offs.
Based on this evidence, this paper intends to underline the difficulty of adapting traditional intellectual property regimes to software innovation, inviting to reflect on possible new interventions that can be made to strengthen the protection of software patents. Another objective is also to further investigate the influence that this category of patents has on the Spin-Off phenomenon, with the ultimate goal of understanding how to help them prosper and thus benefit from the advantages in terms of innovation that can derive the community.
Spin-Offs represent a bridge between research and practice. By doing so, they provide us with meaningful insights for discussion during the R&D Management Conference.
Baroncelli A., Landoni M. (2017), Exploring differences in university support practices and the effects on Spin-Off companies in Boston, in International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
Baum J.A.C., Silverman B.S. (2004), Picking Winners or Building Them? Alliances, Patents, and Human Capital as Selection Criteria in Venture Financing of Biotechnology Startups, Journal of Business Venturing
Birley S. (2002), Universities, Academics, and Spinout Companies: Lessons from Imperial, International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education
Boh W.F., De-Haan U., Strom R. (2016) University technology transfer through entrepreneurship: faculty and students in spinoffs, in The Journal of Technology Transfer
Bolzani D., Fini R., Grimaldi R., Sobrero M. (2014) University Spin-Off and their impact: Longitudinal evidence from Italy, in Economia e politica industriale
Borges, C. & Filion, L. J. (2013). Spin-Off process and the development of academic entrepreneur's social capital. Journal of Technology
BVCA – British Venture Capital Association (2005), Creating Success from University Spin-Outs. Last retrieved: 19th December 2009 from: www.bvca.co.uk/
Calcagnini G., Favaretto I. (2016) Models of university technology transfer: analyses and policies, The Journal of Technology Transfer.
Cesaroni F., Moscara P., Piccaluga A. (2005), Le Imprese Spin-Off della Ricerca in Italia: Modelli di Sviluppo e Percorsi di Crescita, Piccola Impresa – Small Business
Chesbrough H., Crowther A.K. (2006), Beyond high tech: early adopters of open innovation in other industries, R&D Management
Colombo M., D'Adda D., Piva E. (2010), The contribution of university research to the growth of academic start-ups: an empirical analysis, Journal of Technology Transfer
Davila A., Foster G., Gupta M. (2003), Venture Capital Financing and the Growth of Startup Firms, Journal of Business Venturing
Di Gregorio D., Shane S. (2003), Why do some universities generate more start-ups than others?, Research Policy
Djokovic D., Souitaris V. (2004), Spinouts from Academic Institutions: A Literature Review with Suggestions for Further Research, Cass Business School City of London, Working Paper Series. Last retrieved: February 2009 from: http://bunhill.city.ac.uk/research/wpapers.nsf
Dechenaux, E., Thursby J. and Thursby M. (2011), Inventor moral hazard in university licensing: The role of contracts, Research Policy
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of management journal, 50(1), 25-32.
Etzkowitz H., Webster A., Gebhardt C, Cantisano Terra B.R. (2000), The Future of the University and the University of the Future: Evolution of Ivory Tower to Entrepreneurial Paradigm, Research Policy
Feldman M., Feller I., Bercovitz J., Burton R. (2002), Equity and the Technology Transfer Strategies of American Research Universities, Institute for Operation Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Fini R., Grimaldi R., Santoni S., Sobrero M. (2011), Complements or substitutes? The role of universities and local context in supporting the creation of academic Spin-Off. Research Policy
Henrekson M., Rosenberg N. (2001) Designing efficient institutions for science-based entrepreneurship: lesson from the US and Sweden, Journal of Technology Transfer
Heirman A., Clarysse B. (2004), The Initial Resources and Market Strategy to Create High Growth Firms, Working Paper Steunpunt OOI
Kalanje C. M. (2017) Role of Intellectual Property in Innovation and New Product Development, WIPO
Kenney M., Patton D. (2009) Reconsidering the Bayh-Dole Act and the current university ownership model, Research Policy
Lee C., Lee K., Pennings J.M. (2001) Internal Capabilities, External Networks, and Performance: A Study of Technology-Based Ventures, Strategic Management Journal
Leifer R., McDermott C.M., O'Connor G.C., Peters L.S., Rice M., Veryzer R.V. Jr. (2002), Radical Innovation: How Mature Companies Can Outsmart Upstarts, Harvard Business School Press
Leith P. (2011) Software and patents in Europe, Cambridge intellectual property Rights and information law, Cambridge University Press
Link, A. N., Scott J. T. (2005) Opening the ivory tower's door: An analysis of the determinants of the formation of U.S. university Spin-Off companies. Research Policy
Lockett, A., Wright, M. (2005). Resources, capabilities, risk capital and the creation of university spin-out companies. Research Policy
Macho-Stadler I., Perez-Castrillo D., Veugelers R. (2008) Designing contracts for university Spin-Off, Journal of Economics and Management Strategy
Mowery D., Nelson R., Sampat B., Ziedonis A. (2001) The growth of patenting and licensing by U.S. universities: an assessment of the effects of the Bayh-Dole act of 1980, Research Policy
Müller K. (2010), Academic Spin-Off's transfer speed – Analyzing the time from leaving university to venture, in Research Policy
Mustar P., Renault M., Colombo M.G., Piva E., Fontes M., Lockett A., Wright M., Clarysse B., Moray N. (2006), Conceptualizing the Heterogeneity of Research-Based Spin-Off: A Multi-Dimensional Taxonomy, Research Policy
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Niosi J. (2006), Success Factors in Canadian Academic Spin-Off, Journal of Technology Transfer
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Wright M., (2014) Academic entrepreneurship, technology transfer and society: where next? in The Journal of Technology Transfer


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[ART BOOK REVIEW] The Art of Blue Sky Studios
by Morgan Stradling
in Art Books, Blue Sky, Reviews, Studios
The Art of Blue Sky Studios is a wonderful celebration of Blue Sky Studios, the Connecticut-based animation studio that has brought us films like Ice Age, Horton Hears a Who!, Rio and Epic. This book is much different than most art-of books, which is a good thing. It's one of the best I've read in a long time.
At 304 pages, this book is huge! It's nearly double your typical art-of book, but that's because we're not just covering one film, we're covering a studio's entire library of films. With such a catalogue to delve into, it would be easy to gloss over some of the studio's less popular films, but that is not the case here. Every film is equally important in the eyes of this book and each film gets about 30-40 paged devoted to it.
Since this is a book about the art of the studio, rather than a particular film, the text focuses more on the history and developments of the studio through the years. So if an advancement occurred during the making of Rio, it is talked about. Insights about each individual film are definitely included as well, but it all ties back to Blue Sky Studios' history and evolution.
The book moves chronologically in the order that its films were released. So after a few introductory pages about the studio's inception and commercial work, we move into exploring each one of its feature films, starting with Ice Age. This is the obvious choice to lay out the book and allowed for each film to build upon each other and for the reader to see the natural progression of the studio from then and to today.
The book features a variety of art from concept sketches, color keys, storyboards, background paintings and more. It's also interesting that, for the most part, the art seems to have similar "Blue-Sky style", which helped make the book feel more cohesive.
It also has an appropriate about of text by the author Jake S. Friedman, which enlightens and enhances the visual experience provided by the art. While informative about the behind-the-scenes thinking about the characters and story, there isn't much regarding the nitty-gritty technical details of animation filmmaking. Scattered throughout the book are a few two-pages sections that detail phases of the movie-making process such as the animation department, music, lighting and more.
This was an absolutely lovely book that I couldn't put down. I loved diving into the rich history of Blue Sky Studios and learning about this incredible studio that is sometimes forgotten when compared to the other "Big 4" mainstream animation studios.
For any animation fan, this book is a must own. Due to its enormous size, it's a little more expensive that your traditional art-of book, but its worth every penny.
The Art of Blue Sky Studios: Amazon | Book Depository
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The Best Halloween Animation Wallpapers on the Web + GIVEAWAY
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Morgan Stradling
Morgan is an Arizona native who's had a lifelong passion for animation. Her favorite animated films are Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast, and The Iron Giant. She earned an MBA in Marketing from Arizona State University and now runs her own business where she coaches and trains entrepreneurs how to launch, grow & scale successful online businesses.
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NOTE DINNER SEATING OPENS 5:00 FOR 7:00 SHOW, AND 9:30 PM FOR 10:15 SHOW .
Carie Karavas is a tough, street smart, wise cracking stand-up comic who's been taking both the New York City and national comedy club scenes by storm. Her tough exterior adds to her hard hitting style of delivery, keeping her audiences constantly on guard for big laughs. Carie is one of the most talented female comics ever to come out of Long Island. She is extremely versatile with her style, adaptable for any audience and a big crowd pleaser. She has recently been featured in a guest role on the CBS sitcom "Kevin Can Wait"!


Impeccable Northeast corner Penthouse. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows w/ fabulous views. Stunning open living spaces w/ resurfaced & refinished birch hardwoods, large dining area and Chefs kitchen featuring 6 burner gas cooktop & large island w/ bar seating. Spacious master suite w/ custom built-ins and separate den. 2nd bed w/ adjacent full bath. Oversized utility room w/ murphy bed, laundry w/separate entrance. Large east facing deck.


text:
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var through2    = require('through2');
var PluginError = require('gulp-util').PluginError;
var bufferMode  = require('./lib/buffer');
var streamMode  = require('./lib/stream');
var defaults = require('defaults');
var bytes = require('bytes');

var PLUGIN_NAME = 'gulp-zopfli';

/**
 *
 * @param {Object} opts
 * @param {String} opts.format gzip || deflate || zlib
 * @param {Number} opts.thresholdRatio if compression ratio does not reach the threshold,
 * does not compress, default to 0
 * @param {String} opts.thresholdBehavior if compression ratio does not reach the threshold,
 * "original" to output original file, or
 * "blank" (default) to output nothing
 * @returns {Stream}
 */
module.exports = function(options) {

  options = options || {};
  defaults(options, {
    format: 'gzip',
    append: true,
    threshold: false,
    zopfliOptions: {}
  });
  if(options.threshold) {
    if(typeof options.threshold != 'number') {
      if(typeof options.threshold == 'string') {
        options.threshold = bytes(options.threshold) || 150;
      } else {
        options.threshold = 150;
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    options.threshold = Math.max(1, options.threshold);
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  var ext = '';
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      ext = '.gz';
    } else if(options.format === 'deflate') {
      ext = '.deflate';
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      ext = '.zz';
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  var stream = through2.obj(compress);
  stream.options = options;

  function compress(file, enc, done) {

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    var self = this;

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      return;
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    // Call when finished with compression
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        self.emit('error', error);
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      if (options.append && wasCompressed) file.path += ext;
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      return;
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    // Check if file contents is a buffer or a stream
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      streamMode(file.contents, options, finished);
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  return stream;
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


A comprehensive list of 7 Best WordPress 404 Plugins – Redirect & Log 404 errors 2019 according to 65 users.
There aren't many features or functionalities you can play with when it comes to creating and managing a 404 error page. It's an error code, used to denote a webpage which has no specific content.
For an authority website, having a proper and custom 404 error page is extremely important, as it's a showcase of how you plan to handle an error.
Now, most of the premium themes (almost every) have specific custom 404 page, which keeps the admins away from requiring any such specific plugins.
But, if you're among the other case, then here is a compilation of best WordPress 404 plugins. You can go ahead with the list, and check out the exact product to go forward with.
Before you begin, most of the features and functionalities will be all same. So, you'll find it tough to pick a single one out of these.
Let's start with the list now!
So it's far better to use security plugins to analyze the 404's than just redirecting them to your homepage or so.
Thank you for stopping by and pointing out that important bit of information to us. We recently wrote an in-depth security guide here: https://www.wpmultiverse.com/blog/wordpress-security/ for anyone interested in beefing up their WP security. I use security plugins in conjunction with 404 plugins to monitor broken links and where users are getting stuck.
it's good advice thanks Brian… if you interested maybe can feedback to our plugin also? thanks mate!
Thank you for stopping by, your plugin looks great. It does what it says on the tin.


text:
Uniting Through Music 3/13/2007
THE Aburukusu Orchestra and Chorus have consistently been helping to re-unite Ghanaians through their philosophically and enchantingly newly composed songs since the turn of the century.
This Orchestra has not only insisted in either reconciling or uniting people of all calibre through the use of appropriate music, but it intends to unite peoples and nations through peaceful co-existence.
Ghana at 50 years of Independence should not entertain rivalry, destruction of each other, violence, and the acts of hatredness. Our Golden Jubilee Celebration must be marked and enjoyed by the use of music that will bring individuals and the nation together.
It is in this guise that President Kufuor and ex-president Rawlings need to unite to set appropriate example for the twenty million Ghanaians and guests to follow. Using music as a bait for all of us to unite for the prosperity of Ghana, Aburukusu Orchestra has emotional and convincing songs such as the 1) National – Reconciliation, which aims to reconcile people in their day-to-day socio-political – economic endeavours.
With such songs as Ghana Nkabomu, Ghana Monsore, Patrotism, Oman Nkoso Pa; Ghana is bound to jump back unto its feet to vehemently unite and enjoy each others company at any given time. But, why would Ghana intentionally use Western music such as "Baa Baa Black Sheep" to promote and try to educate Ghanaians in understanding the values of our yet to change "New Cedi Currencies" that are due in July 2007?
Is there any good culturally defined reason why the Ghana at 50 secretariat cannot use our traditional or highlife music with appropriate text such as – 'Ghana Marching On Again,' 'Afe O, Afe O,' or 'What A Celebration' to usher in the Golden Jubilee Celebration as well as using some of the above songs to enjoy the changing of the new cedis? Fortunately, the Aburukusu Orchestra and Chorus has recorded some of the above patriotic songs with the GTV which are yet to be televised for the nation to appreciate our struggles for Independence and some minor achievements the country has made as a whole.
The Aburukusu Orchestra is planning to organise a special musical concert where most of the above patriotic songs could be enjoyed by various audiences, as the performed by Aburukusu Orchestra and chorus recently at the University of Ghana, Music Department where the staff and students of the School of the Performing Art were really treated to well-seasoned patriotic and reconciliatory songs. Ghana needs to stand on its feet to recognise its failures and its minor achievements when we talk about our 50th Anniversary Celebration.


Furniture — This furniture, is one of the 15 designs published under the gallery: Tips For You Looking For University Apartment In Charlotte NC. In the next page, we have the apartment in charlotte nc with low cost maintenance with kitchen applied with stainless steel appliances and granite countertop [ ... ]. While in	the previous page, we have the low income apartment in charlotte nc with affordable price [ ... ].


Burke Electric Electrical Contractors - Burke Electric Camarillo, CA Electricians Online.
Hello! The Camarillo, CA Electrical Contractors section of GetApprovedContractors.com provides the easiest way to find Camarillo, CA electricians and information on electrical services.


text:
Signed Mick Mills Memorabilia
Authentic signed memorabilia from Ipswich Town hero Mick Mills.
Mick Mills is an Ipswich Town legend. The defender made a club record 744 appearances for the Suffolk side during the most successful period in their history.
Framed Mick Mills Signed Ipswich Town Photo
Mick Mills Signed Ipswich Photo In Gift Box
Mick Mills Signed Ipswich Town Photo
Mills, Mick (3)
Ipswich Town (3)
Just six years after making his first team debut in 1966, Mills was made Ipswich captain by legendary boss Sir Bobby Robson. He proudly wore the armband at Portman Road from 1971 to 1982.
His two main career highlights as the Blues captain were lifting the FA Cup in 1978 after beating Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, and just three years later he held aloft the coveted UEFA Cup, after a wonderful two-legged victory over AZ Alkmaar.
Full back Mills also represented England for a decade between 1972 and 1982, collecting 42 caps under Sir Alf Ramsey, Don Revie and Ron Greenwood. He captained the Three Lions at the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain.
Between 1978 and 1982 Ipswich Town were one of English football's best sides, playing a wonderful brand of attacking football. During that spell they didn't finish outside the Top 5 in the top flight.
Mills was capable of playing equally well at left or right back, frequently switching flanks for club and country. During a 22-year professional career he netted 33 goals at club level.
After leaving Ipswich Town the defender represented Southampton and Stoke City. He picked up a third Division One runners-up medal of his career with the Saints in 1984.
Mills also managed Stoke City, Colchester United and Birmingham City after hanging up his boots as a player.
The iconic defender was awarded an MBE for services to football in the 1984 New Year's Honour's list.


With the summer season at its peak, we all are struggling to keep the skin looking fresh and healthy. I needed a new scrub for my "oh! So oily t-zone" when I came across this scrub. It is the LACTO CALAMINE OIL BALANCE FACE SCRUB; yes it is a new face scrub from my very trusted brand lacto calamine. I knew the moment I saw this that I have to try it, so without any further due let's get into the detailed review.
Lacto Calamine Oil Balance Face Scrub helps remove dead skin and absorbs only excess oil, which when used twice a week gives beautiful glowing skin. Kaolin Clay absorbs excess oil without removing the essential nutrients from the skin, Glycerine retains natural moisture in the skin and Cinnamon extract helps in preventing pimples by its anti-germ properties.
I wanted a face scrub which is mild on the skin but also helps in removing the excess oil from the face so that it stays fresh looking all day. When I saw this online the description of it, it was everything I wanted in a face scrub so I thought of trying it. The face scrub comes in a white squeeze tube with a sturdy cap and it has all the ingredients and the description of the product mentioned on the back of it. The face scrub has a protective seal on it which I really liked about it.
Coming to the texture of the scrub it smells exactly the oldie and the goodie Lacto calamine face lotion. The smell goes away instantly when I wash the face. It is a thin cream like a scrub, oranges in color. The scrub is mild on the skin but it also helps in removing the excess oil from the face as well as in removing the dead skin cells. I use it at the end of every day as a part of mine daily skin care routine. It has really helped me with m oily t-zone. I can see the results within a week of using it. I think overall it is very good affordable face scrub for everyday use.
I can't think of anything so far.
Yes, I will totally recommend it for those who are looking for a mild but yet effective face scrub.
Everyday use?? is it that mild?
Will try this one surely!
Yes, it is mild enough to use every day. I love it and I always keep one in my bag.


text:
On a diffusive predator-prey model with nonlinear harvesting
MBE Home
A SEIR model for control of infectious diseases with constraints
2014, 11(4): 785-805. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2014.11.785
Stability and bifurcation analysis of epidemic models with saturated incidence rates: An application to a nonmonotone incidence rate
Yoichi Enatsu 1, and Yukihiko Nakata 2,
Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8914, Japan
Bolyai Institute, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Aradi vértanúk tere 1, Hungary
Received April 2013 Revised September 2013 Published March 2014
We analyze local asymptotic stability of an SIRS epidemic model with a distributed delay. The incidence rate is given by a general saturated function of the number of infective individuals. Our first aim is to find a class of nonmonotone incidence rates such that a unique endemic equilibrium is always asymptotically stable. We establish a characterization for the incidence rate, which shows that nonmonotonicity with delay in the incidence rate is necessary for destabilization of the endemic equilibrium. We further elaborate the stability analysis for a specific incidence rate. Here we improve a stability condition obtained in [Y. Yang and D. Xiao, Influence of latent period and nonlinear incidence rate on the dynamics of SIRS epidemiological models, Disc. Cont. Dynam. Sys. B 13 (2010) 195-211], which is illustrated in a suitable parameter plane. Two-parameter plane analysis together with an application of the implicit function theorem facilitates us to obtain an exact stability condition. It is proven that as increasing a parameter, measuring saturation effect, the number of infective individuals at the endemic steady state decreases, while the equilibrium can be unstable via Hopf bifurcation. This can be interpreted as that reducing a contact rate may cause periodic oscillation of the number of infective individuals, thus disease can not be eradicated completely from the host population, though the level of the endemic equilibrium for the infective population decreases. Numerical simulations are performed to illustrate our theoretical results.
Keywords: nonlinear incidence rate, Hopf bifurcation, linearized stability, delay differential equation., Epidemic model.
Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 34K20, 34K25; Secondary: 92D3.
Citation: Yoichi Enatsu, Yukihiko Nakata. Stability and bifurcation analysis of epidemic models with saturated incidence rates: An application to a nonmonotone incidence rate. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering, 2014, 11 (4) : 785-805. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2014.11.785
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C. Connell McCluskey. Global stability of an $SIR$ epidemic model with delay and general nonlinear incidence. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering, 2010, 7 (4) : 837-850. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2010.7.837
Zhixing Hu, Ping Bi, Wanbiao Ma, Shigui Ruan. Bifurcations of an SIRS epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rate. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2011, 15 (1) : 93-112. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2011.15.93
Shouying Huang, Jifa Jiang. Global stability of a network-based SIS epidemic model with a general nonlinear incidence rate. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering, 2016, 13 (4) : 723-739. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2016016
Hui Miao, Zhidong Teng, Chengjun Kang. Stability and Hopf bifurcation of an HIV infection model with saturation incidence and two delays. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2017, 22 (6) : 2365-2387. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2017121
Min Lu, Chuang Xiang, Jicai Huang. Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation in a SIRS epidemic model with a generalized nonmonotone incidence rate. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - S, 2018, 0 (0) : 0-0. doi: 10.3934/dcdss.2020115
Jinling Zhou, Yu Yang. Traveling waves for a nonlocal dispersal SIR model with general nonlinear incidence rate and spatio-temporal delay. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2017, 22 (4) : 1719-1741. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2017082
Jianquan Li, Yicang Zhou, Jianhong Wu, Zhien Ma. Complex dynamics of a simple epidemic model with a nonlinear incidence. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2007, 8 (1) : 161-173. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2007.8.161
Yu Ji, Lan Liu. Global stability of a delayed viral infection model with nonlinear immune response and general incidence rate. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2016, 21 (1) : 133-149. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2016.21.133
Yoshiaki Muroya, Toshikazu Kuniya, Yoichi Enatsu. Global stability of a delayed multi-group SIRS epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rates and relapse of infection. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2015, 20 (9) : 3057-3091. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2015.20.3057
Runxia Wang, Haihong Liu, Fang Yan, Xiaohui Wang. Hopf-pitchfork bifurcation analysis in a coupled FHN neurons model with delay. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - S, 2017, 10 (3) : 523-542. doi: 10.3934/dcdss.2017026
Chengzhi Li, Jianquan Li, Zhien Ma. Codimension 3 B-T bifurcations in an epidemic model with a nonlinear incidence. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2015, 20 (4) : 1107-1116. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2015.20.1107
Chengxia Lei, Fujun Li, Jiang Liu. Theoretical analysis on a diffusive SIR epidemic model with nonlinear incidence in a heterogeneous environment. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2018, 23 (10) : 4499-4517. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2018173
Pham Huu Anh Ngoc. Stability of nonlinear differential systems with delay. Evolution Equations & Control Theory, 2015, 4 (4) : 493-505. doi: 10.3934/eect.2015.4.493
Fabien Crauste. Global Asymptotic Stability and Hopf Bifurcation for a Blood Cell Production Model. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering, 2006, 3 (2) : 325-346. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2006.3.325
Yoichi Enatsu, Yukihiko Nakata, Yoshiaki Muroya. Global stability of SIR epidemic models with a wide class of nonlinear incidence rates and distributed delays. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2011, 15 (1) : 61-74. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2011.15.61
Shengqin Xu, Chuncheng Wang, Dejun Fan. Stability and bifurcation in an age-structured model with stocking rate and time delays. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2019, 24 (6) : 2535-2549. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2018264
Xiaomei Feng, Zhidong Teng, Kai Wang, Fengqin Zhang. Backward bifurcation and global stability in an epidemic model with treatment and vaccination. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2014, 19 (4) : 999-1025. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2014.19.999
Michael Scheutzow. Exponential growth rate for a singular linear stochastic delay differential equation. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2013, 18 (6) : 1683-1696. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2013.18.1683
Yu Ji. Global stability of a multiple delayed viral infection model with general incidence rate and an application to HIV infection. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering, 2015, 12 (3) : 525-536. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2015.12.525
Ting Guo, Haihong Liu, Chenglin Xu, Fang Yan. Global stability of a diffusive and delayed HBV infection model with HBV DNA-containing capsids and general incidence rate. Discrete & Continuous Dynamical Systems - B, 2018, 23 (10) : 4223-4242. doi: 10.3934/dcdsb.2018134
Yoichi Enatsu Yukihiko Nakata


The price of light, sweet crude oil set a new intraday high in trading on Tuesday, April 18.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, trading reached a high of $71.45 per barrel after closing at a record of $70.40 per barrel the previous day. That broke the previous intraday high of $70.85 per barrel, set on Aug. 30, 2005.
Meanwhile, in London, prices for North Sea Brent crude jumped 74 cents to an all-time high of $72.20 per barrel.
The Associated Press reported that experts are blaming the increases on a number of factors, including the ongoing conflict in Iraq, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and supply disruptions caused by violence in Nigeria.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries issued a report on April 18 showing a decrease in its demand forecast for 2006. Demand for the rest of the year is now expected to increase by 1.42 million barrels a day, rather than the previously forecast 1.46 million barrels per day.
However, The AP reported that this news did little to rein in the increase in oil prices on the trading markets. In fact, analysts told The AP that the markets remain jittery because crude oil production is barely keeping up with world demand, leaving little room for error if there is a prolonged supply disruption.


Cami strap button down dress in lightweight fabric in white with floral print in red, pink & green. Strappy style with adjusters for the perfect fit. Fitted to top with A -line skirt in mini length. 100% Viscose. Model is 5' 7" and wears size UK10.
A classic button through sundress to take you from beach to bar, this striped number works perfectly with an floppy straw hat & oversized sunglasses for total Cannes chic style, or pair with a basic tee & your favourite kicks for a FROW worthy look for home.


This copy shows the entry on 22-Apr-2019 at 05:50:39.
Cottage in terrace. C18 altered late C20, perhaps refronting of earlier dwelling. Roughcast over rubble, slate roof, sprockets, decorative ridge tiles. Plan: 2 cell and cross passage with extension at rear. 2 storeys, 3 bays; first floor C20 2-light casements with many panes, groundfloor 16 pane sash windows under lintels, 2 right and one left of entrance, half glazed C20 door under pentice slab carried on decorative wrought iron brackets. Primarily listed for group value.