Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Network Forms of Organization

Initial sociological interest in network forms of organization was motivated in part by a critique of economic views of organization. Sociologists sought to highlight the prevalence and functionality of organizational forms that could not be classified as markets or hierarchies. As a result of this work, we now know that network forms of organization foster learning, represent a mechanism for the attainment of status or legitimacy, provide a variety of economic benefits, facilitate the management of resource dependencies, and provide considerable autonomy for employees. However, as sociologists move away from critiquing what are now somewhat outdated economic views, they need to balance the exclusive focus on prevalence and functionality with attention to constraint and dysfunctionality. The authors review work that has laid a foundation for this broader focus and suggest analytical concerns that should guide this literature as it moves forward.
Influence of the Lurcher mutation on myosin heavy chain expression in skeletal and cardiac muscles

This study evaluated the influence of Lurcher mutation, characterized by degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells, granule cells, and inferior olive neurons, on cardiac and skeletal muscles: one respiratory (diaphragm, Dia), three masticatory (anterior temporalis, AT; masseter superficialis, MS and anterior digastric, AD), one hind limb (soleus, S), entire tongue (T), and one cardiac (ventricle, V) muscles. Body and muscle weight, muscle protein content, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms relative expression were then compared in Lurcher mutant mice vs. normal, according to sex. Male body weight was always greater than female one, but there was no specific muscle difference in females, except for T relative weight which was greater in normal females. Muscle protein concentration was greater in normal males except for AD and T in which it was lower. Lurcher mutant mice showed a reduced whole body growth but no specific muscle atrophy (except in male AT), and a global decrease in muscle protein content which made muscles more fragile (except in female Dia and male T, in which it was greater). Lurcher mutation induced a global reduction of muscle protein concentration whereas a general influence of sex could not be disclosed. Concerning MHC relative composition, all the muscles were fast‐twitch: Dia, AT, MS, AD, S, and T predominantly expressed the fast type 2 MHC isoforms, except female S, whereas V contained only MHC α, also a fast MHC. Female muscles were slower than male ones and classification of muscles in terms of shortening velocity was comparable in normal male and female. In other respects, male Lurcher mutant muscles were slower and consequently more fatigue resistant than normal, except T which became faster and less fatigue resistant. On the contrary, in female mutants, only the Dia was slower than normal one, MS and AD were comparable to normal ones and finally, AT, S, and T were faster than normal ones. It should be noted that a developmental MHC (neonatal) was present in Lurcher AD. Motor control, which influences muscle structure, is altered in Lurcher mutant and could be one of the causal factor of the fast‐to‐slow MHC switches observed in some mutant muscles. It seems therefore that cerebellar Purkinje cells, granule cells, and inferior olive neurons are very important in maintaining the structural integrity of both cardiac and skeletal muscle, and their degeneration is accompanied by important muscles modifications. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 36: 222–231, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implementing Requirements Engineering Processes: Using Cooperative Self-Assessment and Improvement

Requirements engineering can help assure success for projects and their products. Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) demand effective, efficient RE practice because they must adhere to delivery dates and provide the same quality as large organizations, but with a smaller budget and staff. Moreover, these companies are highly affected by each customer's specific needs, and they must react accordingly.
Risk Aversion and Incentive Effects

A menu of paired lottery choices is structured so that the crossover point to the high-risk lottery can be used to infer the degree of risk aversion. With normal laboratory payoffs of several dollars, most subjects are risk averse and few are risk loving. Scaling up all payoffs by factors of twenty, fifty, and ninety makes little difference when the high payoffs are hypothetical. In contrast, subjects become sharply more risk averse when the high payoffs are actually paid in cash. A hybrid "power/expo" utility function with increasing relative and decreasing absolute risk aversion nicely replicates the data patterns over this range of payoffs from several dollars to several hundred dollars.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Promotes Glucose Transport and Blastomere Viability in Murine Preimplantation Embryos1

Abstract Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) secretion from epithelial cells lining the female reproductive tract is induced during early pregnancy by ovarian steroid hormones and constituents of seminal plasma. In this study we have investigated the influence of GM-CSF on development of preimplantation mouse embryos. Blastocyst-stage embryos were found to specifically bind 125I-GM-CSF and analysis of GM-CSF mRNA receptor expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction indicated expression of the low-affinity α subunit of the GM-CSF receptor, but not the affinity-converting β subunit (βc), or GM-CSF ligand. GM-CSF receptor mRNA was present in the fertilized oocyte and all subsequent stages of development, and in blastocysts it was expressed in both inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells. In vitro culture of eight-cell embryos in recombinant GM-CSF accelerated development of blastocysts to hatching and implantation stages, with a maximum response at a concentration of 2 ng/ml (77 pM). Blastocysts recovered from GM-CSF-null mutant (GM−/−) mice on Day 4 of natural pregnancy or after superovulation showed retarded development, with the total cell number reduced by 14% and 18%, respectively, compared with GM+/+ embryos. Blastocysts generated in vitro from two-cell GM−/− and GM+/+ embryos were larger when recombinant GM-CSF was added to the culture medium (20% and 24% increases in total cell numbers in GM+/+ and GM−/− blastocysts, respectively). Incubation of blastocysts with recombinant GM-CSF elicited a 50% increase in the uptake of the nonmetabolizable glucose analogue, 3-O-methyl glucose. In conclusion, these data indicate that GM-CSF signaling through the low-affinity GM-CSF receptor in blastocysts is associated with increased glucose uptake and enhanced proliferation and/or viability of blastomeres. Together, the findings implicate a physiological role for maternal tract-derived GM-CSF in targeting the preimplantation embryo, and suggest that defective blastocyst development contributes to compromised pregnancy outcome in GM-CSF-null mutant mice.
Variation in Older Adult Characteristics by Residence Type and Use of Home- and Community-Based Services

Background: The majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes, or to “age-in-place. ” To accomplish this goal, many older adults will rely upon home- and community-based services (HCBS) for support. However, the availability and accessibility of HCBS may differ based on whether the older adult lives in the community or in a senior housing apartment facility. Methods: This paper reports findings from the Pathways to Life Quality study of residential change and stability among seniors in upstate New York. Data were analyzed from 663 older adults living in one of three housing types: service-rich facilities, service-poor facilities, and community-dwelling in single-family homes. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with residence type. A linear regression model was fitted to examine factors associated with HCBS utilization. Results: When compared to community-dwelling older adults, those residing in service-rich and service-poor facilities were more likely to be older, report more activity limitations, and provide less instrumental assistance to others. Those in service-poor facilities were more likely to have poorer mental health and lower perceived purpose in life. The three leading HCBS utilized were senior centers (20%), homemaker services (19%), and transportation services (18%). More HCBS utilization was associated with participants who resided in service-poor housing, were older, were female, and had more activity limitations. More HCBS utilization was also associated with those who received instrumental support, had higher perceived purpose in life, and poorer mental health. Conclusions: Findings suggest that older adults’ residential environment is associated with their health status and HCBS utilization. Building upon the Person–Environment Fit theories, dedicated efforts are needed to introduce and expand upon existing HCBS available to facility residents to address physical and mental health needs as well as facilitate aging-in-place.
Are Normal Decision-Makers Sensitive to Changes in Value Contrast under Uncertainty? Evidence from the Iowa Gambling Task

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) developed by Bechara et al. in 1994 is used to diagnose patients with Ventromedial Medial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC) lesions, and it has become a landmark in research on decision making. According to Bechara et al., the manipulation of progressive increments of monetary value can normalize the performance of patients with VMPFC lesions; thus, they developed a computerized version of the IGT. However, the empirical results showed that patients' performances did not improve as a result of this manipulation, which suggested that patients with VMPFC lesions performed myopically for future consequences. Using the original version of the IGT, some IGT studies have demonstrated that increments of monetary value significantly influence the performance of normal subjects in the IGT. However, other research has resulted in inconsistent findings. In this study, we used the computerized IGT (1X-IGT) and manipulated the value contrast of progressive increments (i.e., by designing the 10X-IGT, which contained 10 times of progressive increment) to investigate the influence of value contrast on the performance of normal subjects. The resulting empirical observations indicated that the value contrast (1X- vs. 10X-IGT) of the progressive increment had no effect on the performance of normal subjects. This study also provides a discussion of the issue of value in IGT-related studies. Moreover, we found the “prominent deck B phenomenon” in both versions of the IGT, which indicated that the normal subjects were guided mostly by the gain-loss frequency, rather than by the monetary value contrast. In sum, the behavioral performance of normal subjects demonstrated a low correlation with changes in monetary value, even in the 10X-IGT.
Language control and the neuroanatomy of bilingualism: in praise of variety

ABSTRACT Structural data when allied to rich behavioural data offer an important resource for studying adaptive changes in the human brain contingent on the use of more than one language. In our commentary on the review paper by García-Pentón et al. (2015. The neuroanatomy of bilingualism: How to turn a hazy view into the full picture. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.) we emphasise that data from a variety of methods already converge in identifying key regions subject to adaptive change. With richer characterisations of individual differences in language use more specific predictions can be tested (e.g. on fronto-cerebellar circuits) and such characterisations can in turn inform intervention studies to help specify the causal bases of adaptive change. In the meantime there is great research value in neuroanatomical studies of richly characterised cross-sectional samples of bilingual and multilingual speakers.
A Proposed Schema for the Conditions of Creativity in Fine Art Studio Practice

Drawing from creativity and art research, this paper proposes a schema for the conditions for creativity in fine art studio practice. Discussion focuses on how the triad of creative person, artmaking process, and artwork is constructed, and the situating of this creative triad within an enabling environment, which on a structural level includes the curriculum, and on a cultural and agential level involves teaching and learning relationships. An emphasis in placed on affective concerns, particularly the role of uncertainty as an important part of the art student’s learning experience.
Analytical approximations for spatial stochastic gene expression in single cells and tissues

Gene expression occurs in an environment in which both stochastic and diffusive effects are significant. Spatial stochastic simulations are computationally expensive compared with their deterministic counterparts, and hence little is currently known of the significance of intrinsic noise in a spatial setting. Starting from the reaction–diffusion master equation (RDME) describing stochastic reaction–diffusion processes, we here derive expressions for the approximate steady-state mean concentrations which are explicit functions of the dimensionality of space, rate constants and diffusion coefficients. The expressions have a simple closed form when the system consists of one effective species. These formulae show that, even for spatially homogeneous systems, mean concentrations can depend on diffusion coefficients: this contradicts the predictions of deterministic reaction–diffusion processes, thus highlighting the importance of intrinsic noise. We confirm our theory by comparison with stochastic simulations, using the RDME and Brownian dynamics, of two models of stochastic and spatial gene expression in single cells and tissues.
Internet governance and development: Another digital divide?

This paper gives an insight to WSIS and discusses some reasons why in the WSIS process a very strong focus was given to Internet governance issues. It comments on the underlying paradigm gap between ICT/Internet and development professionals which the WSIS failed to resolve; it reports recent evidence on the relationship between Internet and other information and communication media in low-income communities; and it suggests some consequences for the future course of international discourse on the relationship between ICTs/Internet and development.
The enhanced cognitive interview: expressions of uncertainty, motivation and its relation with report accuracy

ABSTRACT The Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI) is one of the most widely studied and used methods to interview witnesses. However, ECI research has mainly focused on increasing report size and somewhat overlooked how to improve and evaluate report accuracy. No study evaluated if witnesses’ spontaneous expressions of uncertainty are accurate metacognitive judgments, nor if witnesses’ motivation during the interview affects report accuracy. This study examined how witnesses’ judgments of recall ‘uncertainty’ and their motivation perception could relate to report accuracy. Forty-four psychology students watched a mock robbery video recording and were interviewed 48 hours later with either the Portuguese version of the ECI or a Structured Interview (SI). Afterward, participants’ motivation was assessed and items of information were classified as ‘certainties’ or ‘uncertainties’. Results suggest that our ECI protocol was effective, since participants interviewed with the ECI produced more information without compromising accuracy. ‘Uncertainties’ were less accurate than ‘certainties’, and their exclusion raised overall, ECI, and SI, accuracy. More motivated participants had better recall accuracy. Accounting for witnesses’ motivation and spontaneous verbal expressions of uncertainty may be effective and time-saving procedures to increase accuracy. These are key points that professionals and researchers should consider.
Ought (Only) Economists to Defect? Stereotypes, Identity, and the Prisoner Dilemma

An observed discrepancy in the behaviour of Economics students and non-Economics ones in game theoretical experiments indicates that the former are more selfish. The prevalent explanation for this is that they are 'born economists' and thus self-select themselves into the discipline. This belief is supported by the observation that Econ-students already differ from non-Econ ones at the very beginning of the their training. We argue that the difference can also be explained by second-order expectations afforded by the economist's stereotype and by the adherence to such stereotype.
Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem. The disease is driven by abnormal inflammatory reactions in response to inhaled particles and fumes. Therefore, inflammatory mediators are postulated to be of distinct importance. Keeping in view of the above facts; we investigate the role of polymorphisms of cytokine genes in the genetic predisposition of COPD. METHODS In this present case-control study, the allele and genotype distributions of IL1B, IL1RN, TNF-α, and IL4 were studied in COPD patients (N=204) and healthy individuals (N=208). Genomic DNA was obtained by whole blood and genotyping was carried out by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism technique. RESULTS Genotype IL1RN*2/IL1RN*2 was identified as protective for male COPD, its frequency being 8.7% in COPD patients and 14.6% in healthy subjects (p=0.017; OR=0.53), but IL1RN*1/IL1RN*2 turned out to be a risk factor for females COPD. No significant differences were found between the groups of COPD patients and healthy subjects concerning the genotype frequencies of the polymorphisms T (-511) C of IL1B and 70bp VNTR of IL-4. Genotype GA of the TNF-α polymorphism G (-308) A was more common in the COPD patients than in the controls (20.5% vs.14.4%; p=0.107), and allele A was significantly associated with COPD patients (p=0.023; OR=0.65). CONCLUSION IL-1RN *2 allele appears to be significantly associated with the COPD female patients and TNF-α-308A allele is a risk factor for the development of COPD.
Management Styles Within a Multinational Corporation: A Five Country Comparative Study

This study examines participatory management systems and productivity in similar plants located in five different countries. Likert's System 4 theory was used as a tool to measure the nature and extent of participation. All five plants were engaged in identical operations that were designed and implemented by its U.S.-based owner. Each of the plants, however, was under the direction of host nationals. Data demonstrated that the degree of participation differed widely between the Italian, Mexican, Spanish, American, and English plants. It appears that the management systems in each of the plants reflects the expectations of the society and the local workforce. The data also revealed significant differences in the levels of productivity. While the most productive plants had the lowest levels of participation, the relationship between productivity and participation was not statistically significant across the five plants. The study concludes that management systems which are culturally congruent can produce equal levels of productivity independent of whether managers are empowered, or operate under centralized, autocratic control.
The Myofascial Trigger Point Region: Correlation Between the Degree of Irritability and the Prevalence of Endplate Noise

Kuan T-S, Hsieh Y-L, Chen S-M, Chen J-T, Yen W-C, Hong C-Z: The myofascial trigger point region: correlation between the degree of irritability and the prevalence of endplate noise. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2007;86:183–189. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between the irritability of the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) and the prevalence of endplate noise (EPN) in the MTrP region of human skeletal muscle. Design: Twenty normal subjects with latent MTrPs and 12 patients with active MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscles were recruited for this study. The patients reported the subjective pain intensity of the active MTrP (0–10). The MTrP and an adjacent non-MTrP site were confirmed and marked for the measurement of pressure pain threshold (with a pressure algometer) and the prevalence of EPN (with electromyographic recordings). Results: The prevalence of EPN in the MTrP regions was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the active MTrPs than in the latent ones. However, no EPN could be found in the non-MTrP region near either the active or the latent MTrPs. The pain intensity and the pressure pain threshold were highly correlated with the prevalence of EPN in the MTrP region (r = 0.742 and −0.716, respectively). Conclusions: The irritability of an MTrP is highly correlated with the prevalence of EPN in the MTrP region of the upper trapezius muscle. The assessment of EPN prevalence in an MTrP region may be applied to evaluate the irritability of that MTrP.
The effect of adding features on product attractiveness: the role of product perceived congruity

Technological progress has been enabling companies to add disparate features to their existing products. This research investigates the effect of adding more features on consumers’ evaluation of the product, by examining in particular the role of the congruity of the features added with the base product as a variable the moderates the effect of increasing the number of features. Grounding on schema-congruity theory, I propose that the cognitive elaboration associated with the product congruity of the features added explains consumers’ evaluation as the number of new features increases. In particular, it is shown that consumers perceive a benefit from increasing the number of features only when these features are congruent with the product. The underlying mechanisms that explains this finding predicts that when the number of incongruent features increases the cognitive resources necessary to elaborate such incongruities increase and consumers are not willing to spend such resources. However, I further show that when encouraged to consider the new features thoughtfully, consumers do seem able to infer value from increasing the number of moderately incongruent features. Nonetheless, this finding does not apply for those new features that are extremely incongruent with the product. Further evidence for consumers’ ability to resolve the moderate incongruity associated with adding more features is also shown, by studying the moderating role of temporal construal. I propose that consumers perceive an increase in product evaluation as the number of moderately incongruent features increases when consumers consider purchasing the product in the distant future, whereas such an increase is not predicted for the near future scenario. I verify these effect in three experimental studies. Theoretical and managerial implications, and possible avenues of future research are also suggested.