Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lean bundles and configurations: a fsQCA approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether there are different configurations of lean bundles leading to successful (bad) financial performance and to explore how the complementarities and substitutions between lean bundles shape these configurations. Design/methodology/approach A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was performed on 19 manufacturing firms. Data on financial performance (return-on-asset and growth rate) were retrieved from the AIDA database and data on the lean bundles of just-in-time, total quality management, total preventive maintenance and human resource management were collected via surveys conducted in all the plants belonging to the sampled firms. Findings None of the lean bundles is able to explain alone the firm’s successful financial performance. Lean bundles always have to be complemented by other lean bundles. There are different, equifinal configurations of lean bundles leading to successful (bad) financial performance. Configurations characterized by low implementation of lean bundles are related to bad financial performance. Practical implications By finding different configurations of lean bundles associated with successful and bad financial performance, this study informs operations managers on the most effective investments concerning the implementation of lean manufacturing. Originality/value This study extends literature on complementarities in lean manufacturing literature. It also bridges together apparently contradictory research on the relationship between lean manufacturing and financial performance. Finally, the study demonstrates that lean bundles have different roles in reaching successful and bad financial performance.
HER2 Expression in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma in a US Population: Clinicopathologic Analysis With Proposed Approach to HER2 Assessment

Recent evidence suggests that trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody which targets HER2, in combination with chemotherapy is a therapeutic option in patients with HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Widely accepted guidelines for HER2 testing in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer have not been established. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence and patterns of HER2 expression in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer using a tissue microarray approach, which closely simulates small biopsies routinely tested for HER2. One hundred sixty-nine patients, including 99 primary gastric adenocarcinomas and 70 primary gastroesophageal junction carcinomas were analyzed for HER2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry and HER2 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization using scoring schemes proposed by both American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) and the results of the recently published Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA) trial. In our analysis, 19 adenocarcinomas were HER2 positive, defined as either a HER2/CEP17 ratio >2.2 and/or a 3+ HER2 immunohistochemistry score with either the ASCO/CAP or ToGA scoring schemes. Of the 19 HER2-positive adenocarcinomas, 8 (42%) exhibited a characteristic strongly intense basolateral membranous staining pattern which would be interpreted as negative (1+) using the accepted ASCO/CAP scoring scheme for HER2 assessment in breast carcinoma, but were correctly labeled as 3+ positive using the proposed ToGA scoring scheme. Of the 19 HER2-positive adenocarcinomas, 8 (42%) demonstrated heterogeneous HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Twelve of 99 (12%) gastric carcinomas were positive for HER2. Of these, HER2 was more often identified in intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (10 of 52, 19%) compared with diffuse (2 of 34, 6%) adenocarcinoma. Seven of 70 (10%) gastroesophageal junction carcinomas were positive for HER2 of which all were intestinal type (7 of 58, 12%). HER2 status or primary tumor site did not correlate with patient survival. Gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas typically display a characteristic basolateral membranous pattern of HER2 expression which is often heterogeneous rendering routine evaluation of HER2 status on small tissue samples challenging.
Holomeric vs. meromeric segmentation: a tale of centipedes, leeches, and rhombomeres

SUMMARY Explaining the origin and evolution of segmentation is central to understanding the body plan of major animal groups such as arthropods, annelids, and vertebrates. One major shortcoming of current views on segmentation is the failure to recognize the existence of two layers of segmentation. I distinguish here holomeric segmentation, involving the whole body axis (or the whole axis of an appendage) and producing “ true” segments (eosegments); and meromeric segmentation, producing merosegments within one or more eosegment(s). In terms of developmental mechanisms, meromeric segmentation is probably the same as compartmentalization. This process follows two rules: (1) merosegments are formed from a stereotyped pattern of subdivisions, where only the merosegments in contact to the anterior or posterior boundary of the eosegment are allowed to divide; (2) contiguous eosegments undergoing meromeric segmentation generate merosegments according to identical lineage patterns apart from possible lineage truncation in one or a few terminal eosegments. The segmentation model proposed in this paper is mainly supported by evidence from comparative morphology, but it is compatible with known cellular and developmental mechanisms. The development of vertebrate rhombomeres, the annulation of leeches, the subdivision of the distal part of insect antenna into flagellomeres and the segmentation of centipedes are interpreted here in terms of meromeric segmentation. Some of these phenomena, like centipede segmentation, have thus far defied all attempts at an explanation, both in mechanistic (developmental) and phylogenetic terms. The model presented in this paper suggests a rich research agenda at all levels, from molecular and genetic to morphological and phylogenetic.
Shifts in intended and unintended pregnancies in the United States, 2001-2008.

OBJECTIVES We monitored trends in pregnancy by intendedness and outcomes of unintended pregnancies nationally and for key subgroups between 2001 and 2008. METHODS Data on pregnancy intentions from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and a nationally representative survey of abortion patients were combined with counts of births (from the National Center for Health Statistics), counts of abortions (from a census of abortion providers), estimates of miscarriages (from the NSFG), and population denominators from the US Census Bureau to obtain pregnancy rates by intendedness. RESULTS In 2008, 51% of pregnancies in the United States were unintended, and the unintended pregnancy rate was 54 per 1000 women ages 15 to 44 years. Between 2001 and 2008, intended pregnancies decreased and unintended pregnancies increased, a shift previously unobserved. Large disparities in unintended pregnancy by relationship status, income, and education increased; the percentage of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion decreased; and the rate of unintended pregnancies ending in birth increased, reaching 27 per 1000 women. CONCLUSIONS Reducing unintended pregnancy likely requires addressing fundamental socioeconomic inequities, as well as increasing contraceptive use and the uptake of highly effective methods.
Clinical Outcome of Surgical Endarterectomy for Common Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease.

BACKGROUND Although common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) is the standard treatment for occlusive disease of the common femoral artery (CFA), several studies have noted encouraging results for endovascular therapy in this anatomical area. METHODSANDRESULTS A retrospective multi-center study of 118 consecutive limbs from 111 symptomatic patients undergoing CFE between April 1998 and December 2014 was performed. Seventy-five CFE were performed on limbs for intermittent claudication and 43 CFE were performed for critical limb ischemia (CLI). The prevalence of perioperative complications was higher in patients with CLI than in the claudication patients. The technical success rate was 99% in all cases. The 1- and 5-year primary patency rates were 100% and 100% for claudication and 95% and 95% for CLI, respectively. The assisted-primary patency rates were 100% at both time points in both groups. Freedom from major amputation at 1 and 5 years was 100% and 100% in the claudication patients and 93% and 82% in the CLI patients, respectively. The 1- and 5-year overall survival rates were 97% and 89% in the claudication patients and 69% and 33% in the CLI patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CFE is a safe, effective and durable procedure for occlusive disease of the CFA. This procedure should remain the standard treatment for this anatomical region.
Porcine Pancreatic Phospholipase A2 Stimulates Secretin Release from Secretin-producing Cells*

We have isolated, from canine pancreatic juice, two 14-kDa proteins with secretin-releasing activity that had N-terminal sequence homology with canine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In this study we have obtained evidence that secretin-releasing activity is an intrinsic property of pancreatic PLA2. Porcine pancreatic PLA2 from Sigma or Boehringer Mannheim was fractionated into several peaks by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. They were tested for stimulation of secretin release from murine neuroendocrine intestinal tumor cell line STC-1 and secretin cells enriched mucosal cell preparations isolated from rat upper small intestine. Each enzyme preparation was found to contain several components of secretin-releasing activity. Each bioactive fraction was purified to homogeneity by rechromatography and then subjected to mass spectral analysis and assays of PLA2 and secretin-releasing activities. It was found that the fraction with highest enzymatic activity also had the highest secretin-releasing activity and the sameM r as porcine pancreatic PLA2. Moreover, it also had the same N-terminal amino acid sequence (up to 30 residues determined) as that of porcine pancreatic PLA2, suggesting that it was identical to the enzyme. Purified porcine pancreatic PLA2 also stimulated secretin release concentration-dependently from both STC-1 cells and a mucosal cell preparation enriched in secretin-containing endocrine cells isolated from rat duodenum. Abolishment of the enzymatic activity by pretreatment with bromophenacyl bromide did not affect its secretin-releasing activity. The stimulatory effect of purified pancreatic PLA2 on secretin secretion from STC-1 cells was inhibited by an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, by down-regulation of protein kinase C or by pretreatment of the cell with pertussis toxin. It is concluded that porcine pancreatic PLA2 possesses an intrinsic secretin-releasing activity that was independent of its enzymatic activity. This action is pertussis toxin-sensitive and is in part dependent on Ca2+ influx through the L-type channel and activation of protein kinase C.
CD4+CD28− T Lymphocytes Contribute to Early Atherosclerotic Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background—Peripheral blood expansion of an unusual CD4+ T-cell subset lacking surface CD28 has been suggested to predispose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to develop more aggressive disease. However, the potential association between CD4+CD28null T cells and early atherosclerotic changes in RA has never been investigated. Methods and Results—The number of circulating CD4+CD28null cells was evaluated in 87 RA and 33 control subjects who also underwent evaluation of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelial function via flow-mediated vasodilation (FMV). Patients had higher IMT and lower FMV compared with control subjects. The frequency of CD4+CD28null cells was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects. Twenty patients with persistent expansion of circulating CD4+CD28null cells had more marked increase of carotid artery IMT and stronger decrease of brachial artery FMV. Blockade of tumor necrosis factor-&agr; led to a partial reappearance of the CD28 molecule on the CD4+ cell surface. Conclusions—Circulating CD4+CD28null lymphocytes are increased in RA. Patients with persistent CD4+CD28null cell expansion show preclinical atherosclerotic changes, including arterial endothelial dysfunction and carotid artery wall thickening, more significantly than patients without expansion. These findings suggest a contribution of this cell subset in atheroma development in RA. Moreover, the demonstration that tumor necrosis factor-&agr; blockade is able to reverse, at least in part, the CD28 deficiency on the CD4+ cell surface may be of interest for possible innovative therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular diseases.
Got a plan in the pipeline? Nominating committee’s information processing in executive successions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how information-processing mechanisms between nominating committees (NCs), incumbent executives, board chairs, and shareholders affect the comprehensiveness of executive succession processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ an explanatory multiple-case study that comprises eight CEO and CFO succession cases in large German publicly traded firms. Findings The findings reveal that comprehensiveness is determined by four key information-processing mechanisms: the effectiveness of NC’s information sharing, absorbing disagreement, and integrating heterogeneous opinions; board chair leadership (i.e. an apprentice board leadership structure in association with the board chair’s openness to ideas); the breadth and depth of information sharing between executives and NCs; and the extent and timing to which major shareholders influence succession processes. Research limitations/implications The authors summarize the findings in a conceptual framework and develop a set of propositions to guide future research on the topic. Such studies may want to test the suggestions in a quantitative way, preferably in a multinational context. Originality/value The authors’ emerging conceptual framework contributes a set of information-processing variables by which NCs engage in comprehensive executive successions with incumbent executives, board chairs, and major shareholders and offers a multiechelon approach to study executive successions.
Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of bilateral hyperplasia of usual type of the breast

Hyperplasia of usual type (HUT) is part of the spectrum of benign proliferative disease in the breast and confers an increased risk of developing invasive cancer. Its role as a putative precursor of invasive ductal carcinomas in the breast is, however, controversial. HUT is occasionally seen bilaterally but it is not clear whether there is a genetic predisposition to the process. This study has analysed 14 cases of bilateral HUT in the breast (28 independent lesions) by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis to define DNA copy number changes and to investigate any commonality in these genetic alterations. The mean number of alterations seen was 1.6 (46/28) in all lesions, with common losses at chromosomes 1p, 16p, 17q, and 22q. Bilaterally, only five alterations were seen in common across both lesions in both breasts, but no single locus was altered preferentially. These data indicate that a proportion of HUT in the breast are indeed clonal, neoplastic proliferations which exhibit genetic alterations in common with invasive breast cancer, albeit at very low levels. The limited data from these experiments do not reveal a specific predisposition locus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CTA-based screening reduces time to diagnosis and stroke rate in blunt cervical vascular injury.

BACKGROUND Advances in computed tomography capabilities have enabled trauma surgeons to screen for and diagnose the severity of blunt cervical vascular injury (BCVI) using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) alone. We hypothesized that the use of CTA-alone screening and diagnostic methods would reduce the time interval from admission to diagnosis and, hence, also reduce the stroke rates associated with these injuries. METHODS All patients admitted to a level I trauma center after December 1999 at risk for BCVI were screened. Until March 2005, patients were screened with cervical catheter angiography (CA). Subsequently, a CTA-alone screening/diagnostic program was initiated simultaneously with standardized interdisciplinary treatment guidelines for BCVI. Data for controls were subsequently obtained by reviewing trauma registry records. RESULTS Of 3012 trauma service admissions from April 2005 to July 2006, 26 patients were found to have BCVI diagnosed by CTA alone. A standardized, injury grade-based set of treatment guidelines were then initiated immediately based on CTA findings. Time to diagnosis and stroke rate in these patients were then compared with 79 patients found to have BCVI from December 1999 to March 2005 during CA-based screening. There were no differences in sex, mean age, Injury Severity Score, head/neck Abbreviated Injury Scale, or arrival Glasgow Coma Scale between the CA and CTA groups. With CA-based screening, the mean +/- SD time from trauma center admission to diagnosis was 31.2 +/- 41.1 hours. After transition to CTA screening in March 2005, this time was reduced to 2.65 +/- 3.3 hours (p < 0.001). During the era of CA-based screening, the overall stroke rate for BCVI at our institution was 15.2% (n = 12 of 79). After the initiation of CTA-based screening, the stroke rate was reduced to 3.8% (n = 1 of 26, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS The initiation of a CTA-based screening and diagnostic program, along with interdisciplinary standardized treatment guidelines, reduced the time to diagnosis of BCVI 12-fold and the institutional stroke rate due to BCVI fourfold. This may be due to earlier diagnosis and initiation of definitive therapy.
Energy–economy–environmental (3E) performance of Chinese regions based on the data envelopment analysis model with mixed assumptions on disposability

This paper presents a modified environmental production technology which imposes the proper disposability on the undesirable outputs depending on the underlying technical properties. Then, aggregate and disaggregate (Russell-type) data envelopment analysis (DEA) models are proposed to evaluate the energy–economy–environment (3E) efficiency based on the modified technology (hereafter referred to as the 3E-DEA models). The non-radial Malmquist productivity index is adapted to model the changes in the 3E productivity over time. A case study of 3E efficiency analysis for the 30 Chinese administrative regions during 2011–2013 is presented. In general, Chinese regions did not perform well in terms of 3E goals as only three of them exhibited full efficiency. It was also found out that the eastern area showed the best 3E performance, whereas the central area followed suit, thus putting the western area at end of ranking. Still, some regions in the eastern area showed 3E efficiencies lower than those of some cities in the central and eastern areas. Anyway, most of the regions showed improving 3E productivity during 2011–2013.
Risks Associated with Long-Term Homelessness among Women: Battery, Rape, and HIV Infection

The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of battery, rape, and HIV risk practices in a sample of long-term homeless women and to explore correlates of HIV risk practices. Fifty-three women who had been homeless for at least three months in the last year were interviewed at day and night shelters. The women were demographically similar to other samples of homeless men and women and had similar rates of drug use. However, a higher proportion of homeless women were exposed to battery (91 percent), rape (56 percent), and mental distress, and they had a smaller support network (three people). Eighty-six percent had been battered prior to homelessness. A positive association was found between HIV risk practices and the use of certain drugs and having a protector. A higher level of assertiveness was associated with less HIV risk. The study demonstrated that homeless women are at very high risk of battery and rape. Being homeless may require lifestyles that increase the risk of HIV infection and transmission.
Amorphous silicon core-shell nanowire Schottky solar cells

Nanostructures such as nanoparticles and nanowires have been demonstrated as powerful tools to improve light absorption[1–4], to enable low temperature process[5], to demonstrate multi-exciton generation[6], and to decouple the absorption depth and carrier diffusion length[7, 8]. Here we demonstrated the first amorphous silicon core-shell nanowire solar cells, which can be fabricated through a low temperature, scalable processes. A simple Schottky based nanowire device structure is used to demonstrate the concept[9]. The device demonstrated much higher short circuit current (>150%) compared to the control thin film device, because of improved carrier collection. A core-shell nanowire solar cells based on p-i-n configuration is also proposed to further increase the efficiency. It provides a viable pathway to solve the mismatch between carrier diffusion length and absorption depth in amorphous silicon and to dramatically improve the device performance.
Fruit and vegetable intake and head and neck cancer risk in a large United States prospective cohort study

Squamous head and neck cancers include cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx are the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, resulting in more than 350,000 deaths annually. Intake of fruit and vegetables may protect against head and neck cancer incidence, although few prospective studies have examined this association. We investigated this relation in 490,802 United States participants of the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health cohort using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounders. During 2,193,751 person years of follow‐up from 1995/1996–2000, 787 participants were diagnosed with head and neck cancer. We found an inverse association between total fruit and vegetable intake and head and neck cancer risk (per serving/day/1,000 calories, Hazard Ratio, 95% Confidence interval: 0.94, 0.89–0.99). In models mutually adjusted for fruit and vegetable intake, the association was stronger for vegetables (fifth vs. first quintile: 0.65, 0.50–0.85) than for fruits (fifth vs. first quintile: 0.87, 0.68–1.11). When further subclassified into botanical groups, those in the highest tertile of leguminosae (dried beans, string beans and peas, 0.80, 0.67–0.96), rosaceae (apples, peach, nectarines, plums, pears and strawberries, 0.60, 0.49–0.73), solanaceae (peppers and tomatoes, 0.82, 0.69–0.98) and umbelliferae (carrots, 0.73, 0.60–0.89) had decreased risk of head and neck cancer, but no significant associations were seen for 9 other botanical groups. Results from this large prospective observational study are consistent with previous case‐control studies and support the hypothesis that total fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of head and neck cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.