Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing the Co-Operation–Competition Dilemma in R&D Alliances: A Multiple Case Study in the Advanced Materials Industry

Generating value in R&D alliances requires intensive and fine-grained interaction between collaborating partners. At the same time, more intensive co-operation increases the risk of competitive abuse of the R&D alliance by one or more partners. In this study, we explore how managers address the fundamental tension between the need for co-operation and the risk of competition, using an in-depth case study of five R&D alliances in the advanced materials industry. Based on our data, we identify two relational strategies to enhance co-operation between engineers of different partners (i.e., adopting boundary-spanning activities and installing similar technical equipment) and three structural strategies to mitigate the risk of such intensified co-operation (i.e., definition of partner-specific task domains, definition of partner-specific knowledge domains and definition of partner-specific commercial domains). In addition, we find that partners tend to use particular combinations of such relational and structural strategies at different stages of the alliance life-cycle to address the co-operation–competition dilemma.
Pulmonary tuberculosis in Kigali, Rwanda. Impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection on clinical and radiographic presentation.

The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and radiographic presentation as well as the therapeutic outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) in adult patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in Kigali, Rwanda. Over a 17-month period 59 consecutive patients with bacteriologically and/or histopathologically documented PT were enrolled. Of these, 48 (81%) patients were HIV seropositive. Among these, 35 fit the WHO clinical criteria for AIDS (WHOCCA) at the time of admission. Significant differences were found between the HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative groups of patients: fever (85 versus 36%; p less than 0.001), tuberculin skin test anergy (69 versus 0%; p less than 0.01), mediastinal and/or hilar adenopathies (31 versus 0%; p = 0.05), and pleural effusion (43 versus 9%; p less than 0.05) were more frequently encountered in the HIV-seropositive group, and upper lobe infiltrates (55 versus 16%; p less than 0.02) and cavitation (91 versus 39%; p less than 0.003) were more often seen in the HIV-seronegative group. However, HIV-seropositive patients not meeting WHOCCA were less frequently anergic (0 versus 100%; p less than 0.001) and feverish (53 versus 97%; p less than 0.01) and more often had cavitation (69 versus 28%; p less than 0.02) and less often mediastinal and/or hilar adenopathies (7 versus 40%; p less than 0.04) compared with HIV-seropositive patients meeting WHOCCA. Under antituberculosis treatment, clearance of fever was slower in HIV-seropositive compared with HIV-seronegative patients, and among the HIV-seropositive group it was slower in those fitting WHOCCA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Treatment with a Urokinase Receptor-derived Cyclized Peptide Improves Experimental Colitis by Preventing Monocyte Recruitment and Macrophage Polarization

Background:Leukocyte migration across the blood barrier and into tissues represents a key process in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. The urokinase receptor (urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor) is a master regulator of leukocyte recruitment. We recently found that cyclization of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor–derived peptide Ser-Arg-Ser-Arg-Tyr [SRSRY] inhibits transendothelial migration of monocytes. Now, we have explored the effects of [SRSRY] administration during experimental colitis. Methods:The effects of [SRSRY] on cytokine profile, cytoskeletal organization, and cell migration were investigated using phorbol-12-myristate acetate–differentiated THP-1 cells exposed to polarizing stimuli. In vivo, [SRSRY] was intraperitoneally administered during dextran sodium sulfate– or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid–induced colitis in wild-type or urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor knockout mice. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory monocytes in mucosal infiltrates were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Results:[SRSRY] prevents M0 to M1 transition and migration of M1 polarized macrophages. In vivo, [SRSRY] reduces intestinal inflammation diminishing body weight loss and disease activity index. These beneficial effects are accompanied by a reduction of interleukin 1&bgr;, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor &agr;, an increase of interleukin 10, and an abridged recruitment of inflammatory monocytes to the inflamed tissue. Conclusions:Altogether, these findings indicate that [SRSRY] may be considered as a new drug useful for the pharmacological treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases.
Reliability of the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method for assessing causality in drug‐induced liver injury

The Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) was developed to quantify the strength of association between a liver injury and the medication implicated as causing the injury. However, its reliability in a research setting has never been fully explored. The aim of this study was to determine test‐retest and interrater reliabilities of RUCAM in retrospectively‐identified cases of drug induced liver injury. The Drug‐Induced Liver Injury Network is enrolling well‐defined cases of hepatotoxicity caused by isoniazid, phenytoin, clavulanate/amoxicillin, or valproate occurring since 1994. Each case was adjudicated by three reviewers working independently; after an interval of at least 5 months, cases were readjudicated by the same reviewers. A total of 40 drug‐induced liver injury cases were enrolled including individuals treated with isoniazid (nine), phenytoin (five), clavulanate/amoxicillin (15), and valproate (11). Mean ± standard deviation age at protocol‐defined onset was 44.8 ± 19.5 years; patients were 68% female and 78% Caucasian. Cases were classified as hepatocellular (44%), mixed (28%), or cholestatic (28%). Test‐retest differences ranged from −7 to +8 with complete agreement in only 26% of cases. On average, the maximum absolute difference among the three reviewers was 3.1 on the first adjudication and 2.7 on the second, although much of this variability could be attributed to differences between the enrolling investigator and the external reviewers. The test‐retest reliability by the same assessors was 0.54 (upper 95% confidence limit = 0.77); the interrater reliability was 0.45 (upper 95% confidence limit = 0.58). Categorizing the RUCAM to a five‐category scale improved these reliabilities but only marginally. Conclusion: The mediocre reliability of the RUCAM is problematic for future studies of drug‐induced liver injury. Alternative methods, including modifying the RUCAM, developing drug‐specific instruments, or causality assessment based on expert opinion, may be more appropriate. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
MRI Shows that Exhaustion Syndrome Due to Chronic Occupational Stress is Associated with Partially Reversible Cerebral Changes

The present study investigates the cerebral effects of chronic occupational stress and its possible reversibility. Forty-eight patients with occupational exhaustion syndrome (29 women) and 80 controls (47 women) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. Forty-four participants (25 patients, 19 controls) also completed a second MRI scan after 1-2 years. Only patients received cognitive therapy. The stressed group at intake had reduced thickness in the right prefrontal cortex (PFC) and left superior temporal gyrus (STG), enlarged amygdala volumes, and reduced caudate volumes. Except for the caudate volume, these abnormalities were more pronounced in females. They were all related to perceived stress, which was similar for both genders. Thickness of the PFC also correlated with an impaired ability to down-modulate negative emotions. Thinning of PFC and reduction of caudate volume normalized in the follow-up. The amygdala enlargement and the left STG thinning remained. Longitudinal changes were not detected among controls. Chronic occupational stress was associated with partially reversible structural abnormalities in key regions for stress processing. These changes were dynamically correlated with the degree of perceived stress, highlighting a possible causal link. They seem more pronounced in women, and could be a substrate for an increased cerebral vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge and Teaching Comfort Levels for Agricultural Science and Technology Objectives.

Self-efficacy beliefs are defined as context-specific assessments of one’s competence to perform specific tasks, influence one’s efforts, persistence, and resilience to succeed in a given task. Such beliefs are important determinants when considering agricultural science teachers’ subject matter knowledge, teaching comfort levels, and their likelihood for success in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to assess selected Texas pre-service agricultural science teachers’ knowledge and comfort for teaching state-mandated general agricultural science and technology objectives. Selected pre-service agricultural science teachers representing four Texas teacher education programs responded. Respondents’ summed knowledge and teaching comfort scores revealed perceptions of “adequacy” in seven of the eight general agricultural science and technology areas. However, they had low levels of knowledge and teaching comfort for the soils and soil formation objectives. A moderate positive association existed between overall knowledge and teaching comfort, supporting previous self-efficacy research. The findings indicated that pre-service teachers need additional preparation in the eight areas essential to every agricultural education classroom. Additional research in pre-service teacher self-efficacy, confidence, and competence is needed to identify causal factors affecting the less-than-desired levels of knowledge and teaching comfort for state-mandated general agricultural science and technology objectives.
Destination image differences between prospective and actual tourists in Nigeria

The study compared the types of tourism valued by non-tourists and tourists, and examined factors influencing destination selection. Cluster analysis and chi-square tests were used for comparison. Questionnaire surveys confirm that non-tourists attach higher values to natural destinations/environments that may be associated with escape/leisure needs, while the tourists placed higher importance on built destination environments associated with appreciative/study and recreational opportunities. Personal factors such as income and transportation were very important in the destination selection of non-tourists, while environmental factors such as attractions, facilities/amenities and security/safety were more important to tourists. Study implications are also highlighted.
Educational Reforms and the Role of Polytechnic Education in the Socio- economic Development of Ghana.

This paper contributes to the debate on the educational reforms and the role of the polytechnics in economic development of Ghana. The paper was an outcome of a review of secondary data supported by interviews with, polytechnic Rectors, polytechnic administrators and government officials across seven polytechnics in Ghana. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the key informants and qualitative analysis procedure was used. The study examined the educational development from the colonial period as bases for Ghana educational system today, the period of internal self-governance, the impact of the education development and reforms that took place in 1987. Following the educational reforms, the polytechnics became part of the institutional network responsible for the training of the middle man-power for the socio-economic development of the Ghana. Apart from raising the political and social awareness of citizens in Ghana, the polytechnics have witnessed the unprecedented growth and expansion from the 1990s to date. Many polytechnic trainees who became successful entrepreneurs have provided employment to other citizens in Ghana. They provided the alternative route aimed at easing pressure on the traditional universities and also promoted and encouraged scholarship and community service within Ghana. In that sense, they have made a significant strives as centres for excellence for the development of human resource for
Working capital management efficiency in Indian manufacturing sector: trends and determinants

The purpose of this paper is to study the working capital management (WCM) efficiency of firms belonging to the Indian manufacturing sector. We use a large sample of 1,200 firms to analyse the trend in WCM efficiency across ten years (2004 to 2013). We divide these firms into 11 major industries and study the influence of several exogenous firm specific and macroeconomic factors on WCM efficiency. Our study reveals that WCM efficiency has undergone considerable changes during the past ten years and there has been effect of the financial crisis to some extent. We find that firm specific factors like debt ratio, proportion of net fixed assets to total assets, profitability, sales growth, size and age of firm do affect WCM efficiency of firms whereas, there is an insignificant effect of macroeconomic factors. Our study reveals new evidences for better understanding of the short term financial behaviour of firms in developing economies like India.
The impact of active HIV-1 replication on the physiological age-related decline of immature-transitional B-cells in HIV-1 infected children

Objective:To characterize the level of immature-transitional B-cells in blood during pediatric HIV-1 infection in relation to active or suppressed viremia. We also aimed at characterizing the level of expression of CXCR4, CXCR5 and CCR7 on immature-transitional B-cells, as these receptors are important mediators for homing of B-cells. Design:Forty-eight HIV-1 vertically infected children (33 viral controllers and 15 viremic patients) and 33 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Methods:We measured the levels of peripheral immature-transitional B-cells in all groups in relation to switched memory B-cells by flow cytometry. In parallel we evaluated CXCR4, CXCR5 and CCR7 expression on immature-transitional B-cells and measured plasma levels of CXCL12, BAFF and interleukin-7 by ELISA. Results:We observed a lack of physiological age-related decline of immature-transitional B-cells in viremic children in parallel to a decreased level of switched memory B-cells. Interestingly, immature-transitional B-cells from viremic children presented with high levels of CXCR4. On the contrary, the level of CXCL12, the natural ligand for CXCR4, was lowest in the HIV-1 infected group, as compared with controls. Conclusion:Control of HIV-1 viremia through antiretroviral treatment appears to be crucial in decreasing the expansion and alteration of immature-transitional B-cells.
Foundations for an Ecological Aesthetic: Can Information Alter Landscape Preferences?

Ecological restoration often requires altering existing environmental conditions. Public acceptance of restoration options may be contingent on perceptions of aesthetic qualities and knowledge of ecological benefits for existing and proposed conditions. This experiment investigated the effect of ecological information on scenic beauty and acceptability judgments for a sample of woodland sites. A computer-implemented survey presented images of woodland scenes, ranging from open (savannah) to dense (woodland). “Woodland” message subjects were presented with information emphasizing ecological benefits of dense/closed canopies, while “savannah” message subjects received information that emphasized benefits of open canopies. No-message conditions received minimal information. Subjects in all conditions exhibited strong preferences across the scenes presented. In spite of the information manipulations intended to foster differential perceptual judgments, correlations between treatment groups were uniformly strong and positive, and negatively related to tree density. The potential utility of information interventions for securing public acceptance and support for ecological restoration is discussed.
Acute Physical Stress Elevates Mouse Period1 mRNA Expression in Mouse Peripheral Tissues via a Glucocorticoid-responsive Element*

In mammals, the circadian and stress systems (both centers of which are located in the hypothalamus) are involved in adaptation to predictable and unpredictable environmental stimuli, respectively. Although the interaction and relationship between these two systems are intriguing and have been studied in different ways since the “pre-clock gene” era, the molecular interaction between them remains largely unknown. Here, we show by systematic molecular biological analysis that acute physical stress elevated only Period1 (Per1) mRNA expression in mouse peripheral organs. Although behavioral rhythms in vivo and peripheral molecular clocks are rather stable against acute restraint stress, the results of a series of promoter analyses, including chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, indicate that a glucocorticoid-responsive element in the Per1 promoter is indispensable for induction of this mRNA both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that Per1 can be a potential stress marker and that a third pathway of Per1 transcriptional control may exist in addition to the clock-regulated CLOCK-BMAL1/E-box and light-responsive cAMP-responsive element-binding protein/cAMP-responsive element pathways.
Sequence analysis of hepatitis B virus genome of a new mutant of ayw subtype isolated in Sardinia.

The genome of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), a partially double-stranded circular DNA, has four known genes encoding the viral surface proteins (pre-S 1, pre-S2 and HBsAg), the precore (pre-C) and core (C) proteins (HBeAg and HBcAg), the DNA polymerase, the X protein. The synthesis and secretion of HBeAg are linked to the expression of the pre-C region, a small open reading frame (ORF) preceding the C region initiation codon in all HBV genomes so far sequenced. In the course of HBV infection, detection of HBeAg generally correlates with active viral replication and liver disease. Seroconversion to anti-HBe is usually followed by clearance of serum HBV DNA and remission of the disease (1). However, chronic hepatitis with ongoing HBV replication in presence of anti-HBe has frequently been observed in the Mediterranean area (2). Recently a point mutation from G to A at position 1896 (from the unique EcoRI site), that generates a novel stop codon in the pre-C region, has been reported by different investigators in most HBV strains isolated from such cases, suggesting that HBeAg synthesis is essential neither for persistent HBV replication nor for the progression of chronic hepatitis (3). This novel stop codon is associated with a second mutation at position 1899 (also G to A) in most cases. To find out whether this mutated HBV strain is present also in Sardinia, where HBV infection is highly endemic (4), and whether other mutations in the viral genome could occur, the complete DNA sequence of an HBV strain unable to secrete HBeAg was determined.
On the optimality of public capital for long-run economic growth: evidence from panel data

The role of public capital in economic growth is examined using data from the Penn World Tables and other sources on a large number of countries. Drawing on intertemporal optimization, the theoretical framework nests the exogenous (Solow) and endogenous types of growth and is data-consistent. It is found that public capital makes a significant contribution to growth. The actual level of investment on public capital is suboptimal. Growth in recent decades can be characterized as ‘endogenous’ with little sign of convergence. There is evidence of a growth slow-down between the 1970s and 1980s. Human capital also significantly enhances growth.
DyadChurn: Customer Churn Prediction using Strong Social Ties

The increase in mobile phone subscriptions in recent years, has led to near market saturation in the telecom industry. As a result, it has become harder for telecom providers to acquire new customers, and the need for retaining existing ones has become of paramount importance. Because of fierce competition between different telecom providers and because the ease of which customers can move from one provider to another, all telecom service providers suffer from customer churn. In this paper, we propose a dyadic based churn prediction model, DyadChurn, where customer churn is modeled through social influence that propagates in the telecom network over strong social ties. We propose a novel method for evaluating social tie strength between telecom customers. We then, incorporate strong social ties in an influence propagation model to predict the set of future potential churners. The evaluation of the proposed dyadic based churn prediction model has been done using a real dataset, from one of the largest telecom companies in Egypt. The experimental results showed that the "length of calls" between customers is the most effective attribute in predicting social influence that result in churning. The results also showed that strong social ties (as opposed to weak ties) were the most effective ties in determining churn. Using strong social ties only enhanced the prediction accuracy (in terms of the lift curve) by more than 20%, when compared to a diffusion model.
Perception of risk of adverse drug reactions by medical students: influence of a 1 year pharmacological course.

AIMS To investigate how adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to several classes of drugs are perceived by young medical students before and after a 1 year pharmacology course. METHODS The whole cohort of 92 medical students (63 females and 29 males) was questioned during their third year. A visual analogue scale was used to define a score (ranging from 0 to 10) of perceived risk of ADRs associated with each drug class before and at the end of the pharmacological training period. RESULTS Before the pharmacology course, hypnotics were ranked as the most dangerous drugs by the medical students, followed by antidepressants and anticoagulants. Contraceptive pills were listed in the last position. After pharmacological training, antidepressants moved into the first position, followed by anticoagulants and hypnotics. When all different drug classes were taken as a whole, the mean (+/-SD) of median scores of the perceived risk were 4.8 (+/-1.3) before and 5.8 (+/-1.5) at the end of the pharmacology course (P < 0.0001). Except for antidiabetics, antihypertensive drugs, tranquillizers, corticosteroids and hypnotics, the perceived risk significantly increased after the pharmacology course for the other drugs. The highest increases were observed for contraceptive pills (+104%, P < 0.01), NSAIDs (+86%, P < 0.01) and aspirin (+56%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological training allows young medical students to be aware of potentially serious ADRs associated with drugs, in particular with drugs considered relatively safe (such as NSAIDs and aspirin) by nonhealth professionals.