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The aim of this chapter is to analyze the business model of an innovative company in the context of a smart city. Specifically, this research investigates key components and challenges concerning the operationalization of a business model originally conceived to be sustainable. This chapter relies on the analysis of the empirical evidence collected at the organizational level by combining different data sources, including official and internal documents, face-to-face interviews, and questionnaires. It is thus designed to contribute to the lively debate on sustainability by providing empirical evidence and shedding light on the operationalization of the concept of sustainable business model. Further, in light of the smart context where the company operates, this research paves the way for further investigation into the potential win-win collaboration between innovative companies and smart cities to foster sustainability consistent with a systems approach to the topic.

Tra le epigrafi greche conservate in Piemonte un documento, in particolare, si segnala per la sua lunga storia di mobilità e di collezionismo che risale già al XVI secolo. Di provenienza romana e databile all’età imperiale, un’erma di Menandro giunse infatti a far parte delle collezioni di Carlo Emanuele I di Savoia: essa presenta un lungo testo epigrafico di cui l’autore fornisce qui l’edizione critica e il commento testuale. Il lavoro presenta l’obiettivo dichiarato di sottolineare l’urgenza dell’autopsia al fine di stabilire un’attendibile comprensione testuale e al fine di evitare inutili esercizi filologici. Il contributo costituisce inoltre il completamento di un precedente lavoro, già dedicato dall’autore all’esegesi storica del manufatto. Among the Greek inscriptions of the Piedmont area, a document, in particular, is outstanding for its long history of mobility that dates back to the sixteenth century. Originally found in Rome and datable to the imperial age, a Menander herm came to be part of the collections of Carlo Emanuele 1st of Savoy: it presents a long epigraphic text of which the author provides here the critical edition and the textual commentary. The work presents the declared goal of underlining the urgency of the autopsy in order to establish a reliable textual comprehension and to avoid unnecessary philological exercises. This paper also aims to complete a previous work, that the author already dedicated to the historical exegesis of the inscription., HISTORIKA Studi di storia greca e romana, V. 7 (2017)

SAEG 2017, HISTORIKA Studi di storia greca e romana, V. 7 (2017)

European Mediterranean mountain regions have been characterized by a sort of competition between the tourism sector and the agro-silvo-pastoral system, which in recent years has contributed to generate a continuous decline of the second one. Nevertheless, Pasture-based Livestock Farming Systems (PLSFS) are relevant for their role in the management and conservation of large High Nature Value (HNV) farmlands in Europe. The goal of our research is therefore to analyze what are the main features of farming organizations in the Italian alpine mountains and how they may be combined into inovative and sustainable business models (BM), characterized by the coexistence of agro-silvo-pastoral and touristic activities. By drawing upon the BM definition suggested by the Bocken’s et al. (2014), an exploratory case study has been analyzed; in particular, we propose the case study of the Lanzo Valleys, an alpine mountain region in the northwest of Italy, and the Toma di Lanzo Producers Association. The way a concrete and sustainable innovation in the more traditional BM could be supported only by the proactive intervention of a supra-farm dimension, while maintaining the peculiarities of the individual farms, is clearly shown in the article. A system of firms and institutions linked together in a collaborative relationship may represent a strong network, able to achieve the common goal of producing a sustainable development for the territory. Indeed, environment and cultural heritage may be preserved, as well as the economic perspective of farms reinforced, while the PLSFS could become more attractive for the tourism phenomenon. Interesting implications for farmers, policy makers and local institutions are identified.

Agritourism has achieved a greater importance in the last decade, but despite this relevance, the definition is not aligned everywhere, depending on the contingency variables of the context in which agritourism is located. This paper aims at analyzing the business model’s key success factors of Italian agritourism by studying their structural, social and economic features, integrated with a sustainability approach. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of agritourism, located in an Italian region. The empirical results show relevant and useful elements to support the sustainable development of agritourism business models in Italy, linking theory, policy and practices. Indeed, these results, together with others related to the economic dimension of the farms, their specialization, and the characteristics of the farmers make it possible to argue that there are common elements, which offer potential for agritourism. In addition, it was possible to identify two different models of agritourism. Agritourism can open new horizons in rural sustainable development, with possible beneficial effects on the environment, society, agricultural heritage and economic growth. In particular, regional policy developers should take into consideration these elements in order to direct correctly efforts. The research shows also some interesting theoretical implications as it contributes to enrich the literature on this particular kind of business model. At the same time, it helps family owners to increase the overall understanding of their agritourism, in order to finalize adequate planning and communication.

[Objective] To evaluate the use of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 sequencing as alternative to the comercially available Versant HCV 2.0 reverse hybridization line-probe assay (LiPA 2.0) to determine HCV genotype 1 (HCV-1) subtypes., [Patients and methods] A cohort of 104 patients infected by HCV-1 according to LiPA 2.0 was analyzed in a cross-sectional study conducted in patients seen from January 2012 to June 2016 at an outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina., [Results] The samples were included within well supported subtype clades: 64 with HCV-1b and 39 with HCV-1a infection. Twenty of the HCV-1a infected patientes were included in a supported sub-clade “1” and 19 individuals were among the basal sub-clade “2”. LiPA 2.0 failed to subtype HCV-1 in 20 (19.2%) individuals. Subtype classification determined by NS3 direct sequencing showed that 2/18 (11.1%) of the HCV-1a-infected patients as determined by LiPA 2.0 were in fact infected by HCV-1b. Of the HCV-1b-infected according to LiPA 2.0, 10/66 (15.2%) patients showed HCV-1a infection according to NS3 sequencing. Overall misclassification was 14.3% (κ-index for the concordance with NS3 sequencing = 0.635). One (1%) patient was erroneously genotyped as HCV-1 and was revealed as HCV genotype 4 infection., [Conclusions] Genomic sequencing of the HCV NS3 region represents an adequate alternative since it provides reliable genetic information. It even distinguishes between HCV-1a clades related to resistance-associated substitutions to HCV protease inhibitors, it provides reliable genetic information for genotyping/subgenotyping and simultaneously allows to determine the presence of resistance-associated substitutions to currently recommended DAAs., ACAC, and FAD are members of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Research Career Program. KN is the recipient of a Miguel Servet research grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant number CP13/00187). This work was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Investigaciones Científica y Técnicas (grant number PICT 2013-1268) and partially funded by the RD12/0017/0012 project as part of the Plan Nacional R+D+I and cofinanced by ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación, the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).

Graphical abstract Human rhinoviruses (HRV) detection during two consecutive years, in children with respiratory infection, without comorbidities, in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008–2010). Phylogenetic analysis of HRV clusters in relation to their demographic reconstruction in a time scale., Highlights • Human rhinoviruses (HRV) were detected in 40% of children with ARI without comorbidities. • HRV were identified as a risk factor associated with hospitalization (OR: 2.47). • All HRV species co-circulated, being HRV-A and C the most frequently detected. • Demographic and clinical outcome were similar for HRV-A and C infections. • A high turnover rate of HRV genotypes was observed., Background Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are recognized as a cause of upper and lower acute respiratory infections (ARI). The circulating species and their clinical impact were not described in Argentina. Objectives To describe the molecular epidemiology of HRV in children and to determine the association of HRV species with outcome and severity. Study design: Hospitalized and outpatients children

The objective was to test the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Severity of Dependence Scale, a five-item measure designed to assess the compulsive dimension of drug dependence. 635 smokers enrolled in a tobacco dependence treatment program served as the participants. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence was used as a comparative measure. Dimensionality of the Severity of Dependence Scale and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence was assessed by factor analysis. Prediction of smoking at one year was evaluated by logistic regression. Factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution; however, the second factor explained very little variance. Factor 1 had a Cronbach's α of .66 (overall Scale coefficient = .44). The total Severity of Dependence Score predicted smoking at one year (OR = 1.10).

BackgroundSport participation (SP) of individuals with impairments has recently grown exponentially. Scarce scientific data, however, exist regarding cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with competitive SP.ObjectiveAssessing the prevalence of CV abnormalities and the risk for SP in Paralympic athletes (PA).MethodsPA (n=267; 76% men), aged 35±9 years, engaged in 18 sport disciplines, with a spectrum of lesions including: spinal cord injury (paraplegia and spina bifida) (n=116); amputation, poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular and/or skeletal disorders (Les autres) or visual impairment (n=151) entered the study. CV evaluation included history, PE, 12-lead and exercise ECG, echocardiography. Of these, 105 participated in ≥2 consecutive games, and had evaluations available over a 6±4 year follow-up.ResultsStructural CV abnormalities were identified in 33 athletes (12%), including arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies in 3, aortic root dilation in 3, valvular diseases in 7 (mitral valve prolapse in 4, bicuspid aortic valve in 3) and systemic hypertension in 11 (4%). In addition, ventricular (polymorphic, couplets or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia) or supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or SVT) were identified in 9 others. Over a 6-year follow-up, 6 of the 105 athletes (6%) developed CV diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy in 1 and systemic hypertension in 5.ConclusionsPA present an unexpected high prevalence of CV abnormalities (12%), including a non-trivial proportion of diseases at risk for sudden death (2%), such as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies and dilated aortic root. This observation suggests that tailored recommendations for preparticipation screening and safe SP in this special athletic population are timely and appropriate.

Objectives To correlate diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) of the optic nerve with morphological indices obtained by scanning laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC); confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (Heidelberg III retinal tomograph; HRT-III) and optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT). Methods Thirty-six subjects (12 with no eye disease and 24 with perimetrically diagnosed glaucoma) were examined. One eye for each participant was studied with 3-Tesla DTI (with automatic generation of mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values); GDx-VCC, HRT-III and OCT. Single and multiple regression analyses of all variables studied were performed. Results MD displayed the strongest correlation with linear cup/disc ratio (LCDR) from HTR-III (r¼0.662), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness (avThickn) from OCT (r¼� 0.644), and nerve fibre index (NFI) from GDx (r¼0.642); FA was strongly correlated with the LCDR (r¼� 0.499). In multiple regression analyses, MD correlated with LCDR (p¼0.02) when all variables were considered; with avThickn (p

Summary. The history behind the production of clotting factor concentrates produced differences in the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and other blood-borne infections in haemophilic patients. Prevalence rates of HCV infection up to 100% were reported in patients treated with concentrates before 1985. Conversely, nowadays, viral inactivation and recombinant technologies have effectively prevented transfusion-transmitted viral pathogens. Recently, new HCV infections in three young brothers were observed. In the absence of any other risk of transmission, their HIV/HCV coinfected uncle, who was living in the same house, was subject to study. Plasma samples of the four relatives were investigated in order to test whether the infections have a common source. A phylogenetic approach using the most variable (E2) viral sequences was carried out using samples from the four family members. The HCV sequences from the study resulted highly related, being those obtained from the uncle the most ancestral ones. Because of the chronological order in which the infections occurred and the relatedness of the sequences, an infection from the uncle to his nephews is the most likely explanation. Special cares must be applied in the case of household contact among members of a family with inherited bleeding disorders.

Objectives The goal of this study was to define electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic characteristics of adolescent African athletes. Background Recent observations in African athletes reported large prevalence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and ECG abnormalities. No data, so far, exist for adolescent Africans, which comprise a growing proportion of competitive/professional athletes. Methods The study included 154 soccer players participating at the 8th African Under-17 Championship of 2009, representing Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. For comparison, 62 Italian players with similar ages, sport achievements, and training schedules were included. Results African athletes showed higher R5/S1-wave voltages than Caucasian athletes (48.6 ± 12.1 mm vs. 34.1 ± 8.9 mm; p Conclusions African athletes displayed large proportion of ECG abnormalities, including a striking increase in R/S-wave voltage, ST-segment elevation, and deeply inverted or diffusely flat T waves by adolescence. LV remodeling in African athletes was characterized by a disproportionate wall thickening than in Caucasians but similar cavity size. Finally, distinctive peculiarities existed in African athletes according to the country (and ethnic) origin.

Business process management (BPM) is recognised as highly valuable, although not yet widely implemented by companies, with significant differences existing between small and large enterprises. The purpose of this research was to investigate the increasing use of BPM, focusing on innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), an aspect not widely dealt with in the literature. The method used was a survey by questionnaire, conducted on a sample of Italian SMEs. The findings pointed to inadequate use of BPM and scant awareness of potential benefits to be gained from investment in research and development. This study was meant to contribute to the literature on these subjects, which are not particularly structured, and help in bridging the gap with evidence from the local context. Moreover, SME management should be more aware of the importance of process and innovation management in achieving sustainable growth.

Background— Few data are available that address the impact of athletic training on aortic root size. We investigated the distribution, determinants, and clinical significance of aortic root dimension in a large population of highly trained athletes. Methods and Results— Transverse aortic dimensions were assessed in 2317 athletes (56% male), free of cardiovascular disease, aged 24.8±6.1 (range, 9 to 59) years, engaged in 28 sports disciplines (28% participated in Olympic Games). In males, aortic root was 32.2±2.7 mm (range, 23 to 44; 99th percentile=40 mm); in females, aortic root was 27.5±2.6 mm (range, 20 to 36; 99th percentile=34 mm). Aortic root was enlarged ≥40 mm in 17 male (1.3%) and ≥34 mm in 10 female (0.9%) subjects. Over an 8-year follow-up period, aortic dimension increased in these male athletes (40.9±1.3 to 42.9±3.6 mm; P P =0.11) in female athletes. Multiple regression and covariance analysis showed that aortic dimension was largely explained by weight, height, left ventricular mass, and age ( R 2 =0.63; P P Conclusions— An aortic root dimension >40 mm in highly conditioned male athletes (and >34 mm in female athletes) is uncommon, is unlikely to represent the physiological consequence of exercise training, and is most likely an expression of a pathological condition, mandating close clinical surveillance.

Individuals with haemophilia who received non heat-treated factor concentrates were likely to undergo multiple exposures to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Therefore, HCV mixed-genotype infections might be more frequent in these patients than in the general population. Their prevalence is extremely variable in similar groups of patients tested by different assays due to the fact that currently available genotyping techniques are not suitable to detect multiple HCV genotypes in a viral population. As an HCV viral reservoir, the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) might harbor viral variants distinct from the genotypes detected in plasma. We investigated the presence of HCV genotypes in a group of chronically infected haemophilic patients in the PBMC compartment using a non-stimulated cell culture system that allows the detection of the HCV genome in culture supernatants. We compared them to the HCV genotypes found in plasma samples. Cell culture experiments performed with PBMC demonstrated the presence of additional HCV genotypes that were undetected in the corresponding plasma samples with the same genotyping technique. Although mixed infections at HCV genotype level became evident in 5.6% of the patients (16/288), the culture methodology increased the number of HCV infections with multiple genotypes to 62.5% (10/16) (P < 0.0001). Once more, the role of mononuclear cells as HCV viral reservoirs is emphasized. Considering minor strains could influence the outcome of treatment, detection of covert HCV mixed-genotype infections might be essential for choosing the adequate therapeutic regimen.

Purpose To obtain age-specific data on changes in the prevalence and management of optically correctable visual impairments (OCVIs) in Ponza, Italy. Methods Ophthalmologic examinations were carried out to 1000 Ponzans aged 40-87 years in 1988 and to 836 persons in 2000. Visual acuity (VA) was evaluated under uncorrected (VA UC ), presenting (VA PR ), and best-corrected (VA BC ) conditions. We calculated the prevalence of total OCVIs (subjects with VA UC > 0.5 logMAR and VA BC ≤0.5 logMAR in the better eye), uncorrected OCVIs (VA PR >0.5 logMAR), and corrected OCVIs (VA PR ≤0.5 logMAR) as well as the OCVI correction rate ((corrected OCVI/ total OCVI) x 100). Subjects with uncorrected OCVIs were compared to those with corrected OCVIs to evaluate possible associations with some risk factors. Results Among 52- to 63-year olds there were increases in the prevalence of total OCVI (from 15.7 to 22.7%, P= 0.051), corrected OCVI (from 10.9 to 19.9%, P = 0.005), and OCVI correction rate (from 69.2 to 87.8%, P = 0.045). Among 64- to 75-year olds decreases were observed in the prevalence of total OCVI (from 28.5 to 20.0%, P= 0.029) and uncorrected OCVI (from 12.6 to 4.8%, P= 0.003) while the OCVI correction rate increased from 55.9 to 76.1% (P = 0.033). The overall prevalence of uncorrected OCVIs dropped from 7.5 to 4.1%. In 2000, uncorrected OCVI was associated with limited education, very advanced age, retirement, and refractive error associated with eye diseases. Conclusions Refractive error management has improved in Ponza since 1988, and these changes may be, in part, due to higher education levels, increased frequency of cataract surgery, and slower progression of cataract-related disability.

The purpose of our research is to verify the role of the family variable in the dividends policy and investments one, distinguishing family firms (FFs) and non-family firms (NFFs) and between large FFs (FFs listed in FTSE MIB index) and medium-sized FFs (FFs listed in STAR index), in terms of dividends and investments policies adopted. Medium-sized FFs have a weaker dividends distribution policy than large FFs, due to a high interest in saving the liquidity in order to finance the attractive investment opportunities. Large FFs are interested in a stronger dividends policy, in order to attract new shareholders and reward the old ones, more than with large NFFs. FFs have a stronger investments policy compared with NFFs and this difference is more evident in medium-sized companies. The medium-sized FF can take advantage of the power of the family to maintain a continuous growth and development of the business, even when liquidity is restricted.

The aim of this study is to test the beyond budgeting theory and to investigate the characteristics in the adoption of the budgeting process by Italian listed firms, verifying the presence of a systematic use and trying to understand if it is yet considered useful to help companies to improve performance and to reach their goals. In addition, we distinguish between family firms and non-family firms, in order to understand if there is a significant difference in their use of managerial systems, due to the corresponding features in corporate governance. This study shows the budget is yet a fundamental tool in the Italian listed firms, even if in FFs it is used preferable as a guide to support the short-run decision making process and not always as a tool to make managers responsible. In any case, budget needs to be joined by other tools to overcome its limitations.

This paper contributes to the current debate on the evolving nature and meaning of public service corporations. It draws upon notions of neo-institutional theory and adopts a case study methodology. The study focuses on the case of SMAT, an Italian water corporation, whose value has been recognized at home and internationally. Findings show how a public service corporation's priorities and activities, particularly commercialization and internationalization, are constrained by various factors. These include: the burden of regulatory frameworks, the public nature of the corporation and its governance, the expectations of users, and the need for infrastructural investment.

The purpose is to propose a model thanks to which the management, the owners and the stakeholders could assess the evolution in time of small and medium-sized enterprises’ state of health, in terms of different criteria during the considered three year period. For this purpose, our framework is represented by a model developed in the previous publication (Giacosa and Mazzoleni, forthcoming), which distinguishes small and medium-sized enterprises into several typologies, in terms of above-mentioned criteria. The originality of the research is consistent to the current context in which the companies operate, which is changing in a intensive way because of the world financial crisis. In particular, the company manifests the need to understand its situation and be encouraged to adopt a series of measures to improve its situation. Concluding, the companies could commit themselves to undertake a path toward virtuous positions, after determining the current starting condition.