Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring entrepreneurial orientation in family firms: the relevance of social embeddedness in competition

This article investigates the peculiarity of entrepreneurial attitudes in family firms and how they are perceived to impact performance by qualitatively analysing 25 narrative in-depth interviews with family owner-managers in the state of Tyrol, Austria. Contributing to the transmission of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct in family firms, this study adds a thicker description of entrepreneurial attitudes in the family firm context. Findings indicate that aggressive competition contradicts the social embeddedness of family firms and has negative consequences for the family and the firm. The interviewees emphasise non-financial performance goals as drivers of their EO, their social responsibility as a family firm, the embeddedness in regional communities and the importance to be respected by the society.
Firm Pricing with Consumer Search

Economists could not properly capture the impact of internet on markets without a proper theory of consumer search. As a result, this theory has been rediscovered and developed further since the early 2000s. It can address such critical questions as the impact of reduced search cost on prices, variety, and product choice as well as advertising practices (such as search advertising). This theoretical development has also fed into a rich empirical literature exploiting the wealth of data that is now available regarding both consumers' and firms' online activity. The goal of this chapter is to present the basic concepts underpinning the theory of imperfectly competitive markets with consumer search. We stress that appropriate theoretical frameworks should involve sufficient heterogeneity among agents on both sides of the market. We also explain why the analysis of ordered search constitutes an essential ingredient for modeling recent search environments.
Essays on unsecured credit, uncertainty, and learning

If lending contracts in an economy take the form of unsecured, non-state-contingent debt, a recession will often be associated with an increase in defaults and a reduction in the supply of credit, which amplifies the contraction. Within this context, I consider the case when the length of an unfolding recession is not immediately obvious; instead, it takes people time to learn about a persistent recession. I apply this scenario to models where the unsecured credit is represented by mortgage loans extended to households and by sovereign debt extended to an emerging economy. I find that in both cases, accounting for uncertainty and learning has a potential to improve the empirical performance of the models. Chapter 1 explores the U.S. housing market where house prices show a lot of inertia. I develop a general-equilibrium model with the market for housing and mortgages and introduce uncertainty regarding the persistence of business cycles. I show that uncertainty allows the model to better account for the sluggish dynamics of the housing market. In Chapter 2, I use key U.S. macroeconomic data to empirically estimate the structural model developed in Chapter 1. In order to compare the performance of the models with and without uncertainty, I use likelihood-based estimation methods. The model with uncertainty proves to be better capable of mimicking the long-lasting changes in house prices and other observable variables. Chapter 3 contains a theoretical model of a small open emerging economy that looks to refinance its sovereign debt during an unfolding recession of uncertain length. A long
Ring oscillators: The asynchronous alternative

Self-timed rings (STR) are promising approach for designing high-speed serial links and clock generators. Indeed, the architecture of STRs presents well-suited characteristics for managing process variability and offering an appropriate structure to limit the phase noise. Therefore, STRs are considered as promising solution for generating Multiphase clocks. Moreover, Self-Timed Rings can easily be configured to change their frequency by controlling their initialization at reset time. A test chip has been designed and fabricated in STMicroelectonics CMOS65nm technology to verify the theoretical claims and validate the simulation results.
Rearrangements in the 5′ Nontranslated Region and Phylogenetic Analyses of Cucumber Mosaic Virus RNA 3 Indicate Radial Evolution of Three Subgroups

ABSTRACT Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been divided into two subgroups based on serological data, peptide mapping of the coat protein, nucleic acid hybridization, and nucleotide sequence similarity. Analyses of a number of recently isolated strains suggest a further division of the subgroup I strains. Alignment of the 5′ nontranslated regions of RNA 3 for 26 strains of CMV suggests the division of CMV into subgroups IA, IB, and II and suggests that rearrangements, deletions, and insertions in this region may have been the precursors of the subsequent radiation of each subgroup. Phylogeny analyses of CMV using the coat protein open reading frame of 53 strains strongly support the further division of subgroup I into IA and IB. In addition, strains within each subgroup radiate from a single point of origin, indicating that they have evolved from a single common ancestor for each subgroup.
Miscarriage and occupational activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding shift work, working hours, lifting, standing, and physical workload.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have indicated that shift work, long working hours, and prevalent workplace exposures such as lifting, standing, and physical workload increase the risk of miscarriage, but the evidence is conflicting. We conducted a systematic review of original research reports. METHODS A search in Medline and EMBASE 1966-2012 identified 30 primary papers reporting the relative risk (RR) of miscarriage according to ≥1 of 5 occupational activities of interest. Following an assessment of completeness of reporting, confounding, and bias, each risk estimate was characterized as more or less likely to be biased. Studies with equivalent measures of exposure were pooled to obtain a weighted common risk estimate. Sensitivity analyses excluded studies most likely to be biased. RESULTS Working fixed nights was associated with a moderately increased risk of miscarriage (pooled RR 1.51 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.27-1.78, N=5), while working in 3-shift schedules, working for 40-52 hours weekly, lifting >100 kg/day, standing >6-8 hours/day and physical workload were associated with small risk increments, with the pooled RR ranging from 1.12 (3-shift schedule, N=7) to 1.36 (working hours, N=10). RR for working hours and standing became smaller when analyses were restricted to higher quality studies. CONCLUSIONS These largely reassuring findings do not provide a strong case for mandatory restrictions in relation to shift work, long working hours, occupational lifting, standing, and physical workload. Considering the limited evidence base, however, it may be prudent to advise women against work entailing high levels of these exposures and women with at-risk pregnancies should receive tailored individual counseling.
Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 Production and Eosinophil Infiltration in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Objective: Eosinophil recruitment to the nasal mucosa involves a number of chemokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate nasal secretion levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) and MIP-1β and to correlate these levels with clinical characteristics and degree of eosinophilia in nonallergic and allergic patients with nasal polyposis (NP). Methods: Fourteen nonatopic and 14 atopic patients with NP were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Fourteen healthy subjects were included as controls. The concentrations of MIP-1α and MIP-1β in nasal secretions were measured by flow cytometry. Eosinophil counts were performed by cytological examination of the scraped nasal mucosa. We scored each of the 28 patients according to the nasal symptom score, endoscopic score, and computed tomography (CT) score. Results: We found significantly higher concentrations of MIP-1α in nasal fluid of nonallergic and allergic NP patients compared to control subjects. In nonallergic patients, we found positive correlations between MIP-1α levels and endoscopic score, CT score, and the percentage of eosinophils. Conclusion: MIP-1α may play a role in eosinophil recruitment in NP. Our results suggest that the measurement of MIP-1α in nasal secretions could be useful in evaluating the degree of eosinophil inflammation and severity of disease in nonallergic patients.
Delayed Anaphylaxis to Red Meat Associated With Specific IgE Antibodies to Galactose

A novel delayed anaphylactic reaction to red meat, associated with tick bites and IgE antibodies against galactose-α-1, 3-galactose (α-gal), was reported in 2009 in the US, Australia and Europe. In this case, serum specific IgE to galactose-α-1, 3-galactose (>100 kU/L) and IgE to multiple non-primate mammalian proteins were positive. However, the pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. We report the first case in Asia of delayed anaphylactic reaction to red meat, which was induced by bites from the hard tick, Hematophagous ixodidae. We confirmed the increased concentration of IgE reactive epitopes in non-primate mammalian organs, which may be rich in α-gal proteins in lymphatic and endothelial tissues. All confirmed ticks associated with this disorder in the literature and in our case belonged to the hard tick family. We hypothesize that hard tick saliva is enriched with blood-type substances, such as oligosaccharides, from the non-primate mammal victim's blood after days to weeks of blood sucking, which sensitizes humans through the injection route while blood sucking.
Post-treatment/Pre-operative PET Response Is Not an Independent Predictor of Outcomes for Patients With Gastric and GEJ Adenocarcinoma.

In addition, we found the 6-month readmission costs to be $81.5 million, and are in the process of modeling annual costs to account for the incremental reduction in follow-up over the calendar year. Government insurance was responsible for almost 50% of these costs, accounting for $1.9 billion over the study period. Given that less than half of all readmissions over a year occur within 30 days of discharge, we feel the authors are substantially underestimating true readmission costs. Firearm injuries are a longitudinal cost burden on the United States healthcare system. While a large proportion of readmissions within the NRD occur within 30 days, we believe that patients should be studied over a longer time frame because firearm injuries often have lifelong health care consequences.
Expression of calpain small subunit 2 in mammalian tissues

Purpose. The purpose of the current experiments was to more closely define the distribution and the function of calpain small subunit 2 (css2). Css2 is a newly discovered regulatory protein for the calcium activated proteases, μ- and m-calpains. Methods. Tissues from rat, monkey, and man of various ages were used to determine expression patterns of css2 by relative quantitative RT-PCR using 18S rRNA as an endogenous standard. Recombinant css2 and the 80kDa catalytic subunit of m-calpain (80 kDa/css2) were co-expressed in Escherichia coli. Casein zymography was used to measure the enzymatic activity of 80 kDa/css2 proteins. Lens α-crystallin and βB1-crystallin were used as substrates to determine proteolysis by 80 kDa/css2. Computer-based homology modeling was used to predict interactions between the traditional small subunit (css1) or css2 with the 80kDa catalytic subunit. Results. Css2 appears to be a functional equivalent of css1 in vitro in that the calcium-dependent proteolytic activity of 80 kDa/css2 was similar to recombinant m-calpain (80 kDa/css1). In rat and human lens, css2 transcripts increased with age, whereas css1 transcripts decreased with age. Human βB1-crystallin and rat αA-crystallin were cleaved similarly by 80 kDa/css2 and 80 kDa/css1. Interestingly, αA-insert crystallin was not hydrolyzed when css2 was substituted for css1 in the calpain dimer, suggesting that css2 may perform different functions from css1 in terms of proteolysis of lens crystallins during maturational growth of the lens. Css2 may also assist in the proper folding of the 80kDa subunit and regulate protease activity in the absence of calcium. Conclusions. The wide distribution of css2 transcripts in rat and monkey suggested that css2 is a second, widely distributed (rather than tissue-specific) calpain small subunit, in addition to the long-recognized css1. Further studies at the protein level will indicate if css2 has unique functions apart from css1.
Naming and recognizing famous faces in temporal lobe epilepsy

Objective: To assess naming and recognition of faces of familiar famous people in patients with epilepsy before and after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Methods: Color photographs of famous people were presented for naming and description to 63 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) either before or after ATL and to 10 healthy age- and education-matched controls. Results: Spontaneous naming of photographed famous people was impaired in all patient groups, but was most abnormal in patients who had undergone left ATL. When allowed to demonstrate knowledge of the famous faces through verbal descriptions, rather than naming, patients with left TLE, left ATL, and right TLE improved to normal levels, but patients with right ATL were still impaired, suggesting a new deficit in identifying famous faces. Naming of famous people was related to naming of other common objects, verbal memory, and perceptual discrimination of faces. Recognition of the identity of pictured famous people was more related to visuospatial perception and memory. Conclusions: Lesions in anterior regions of the right temporal lobe impair recognition of the identities of familiar faces, as well as the learning of new faces. Lesions in the left temporal lobe, especially in anterior regions, disrupt access to the names of known people, but do not affect recognition of the identities of famous faces. Results are consistent with the hypothesized role of lateralized anterior temporal lobe structures in facial recognition and naming of unique entities.
Quantitative determination of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in marine waters with chromogenic and fluorogenic media

This study compared the performance of LMX® broth (LMX), Chromocult Coliform® agar (CC) and Chromocult Coliform agar plus cefsulodin (10 μg ml−1) (CC‐CFS), with standard methods multiple tube fermentation (MTF), for the enumeration of total coliforms and Escherichia coli from marine recreational waters. LMX and CC are two media designed to concurrently detect total coliform (TC) bacteria and E. coli by the specific action of β‐galactosidase (total coliforms) and β‐glucuronidase (E. coli). Overall results for the TC test showed that LMX, CC and MTF recovered 2.63, 1.95 and 1.90 times as many TCs as CC‐CFS, respectively. Data from the multiple range test showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between TC counts on CC‐CFS and LMX. The traditional MTF was less sensitive for E. coli enumeration. However, there was no statistically significant differences between LMX, CC, CC‐CFS and the MTF method for E. coli enumeration. Background interference was reduced on CC‐CFS and the counts obtained reflected more accurately the number of TCs. Therefore, the contribution of β‐galactosidase positive, non coliform bacteria (Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp.) to TC counts should not be neglected.
Planning of dental implant size with digital panoramic radiographs, CBCT-generated panoramic images, and CBCT cross-sectional images.

OBJECTIVES To compare the implant size (width and length) planned with digital panoramic radiographs, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-generated panoramic views, or CBCT cross-sectional images, in four implant systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy-one patients with a total of 103 implant sites in the upper premolar and/or lower molar regions were examined with digital panoramic radiography (D-PAN) and (CBCT). A metal ball 5 mm in diameter was placed in the edentulous area for the D-PAN. CBCT data sets were reformatted to a 10-mm thick CBCT panoramic view (CBCT-pan) and 1-mm cross-sections (CBCT-cross). Measurements were performed in the images using dedicated software. All images were displayed on a monitor and assessed by three observers who outlined a dental implant by placing four reference points in the site of the implant-to-be. Differences in width and length of the implant-to-be from the three modalities were analyzed. The implant size selected in the CBCT-cross images was then compared to that selected in the other two modalities (D-PAN and CBCT-pan) for each of the implant systems separately. RESULTS The implant-to-be (average measurements among observers) was narrower when measured in CBCT-cross compared with both D-PAN and CBCT-Pan. For premolar sites, the width also differed significantly between D-PAN and CBCT-pan modalities. The implant-to-be was also significantly shorter when recorded in CBCT-cross than in D-PAN. In premolar sites, there were no significant differences in implant length among the three image modalities. It mattered very little for the change in implant step sizes whether CBCT-cross was compared to D-PAN or CBCT-pan images. CONCLUSION Our results show that the selected implant size differs when planned on panoramic or cross-section CBCT images. In most cases, implant size measured in cross-section images was narrower and shorter than implant size measured in a panoramic image or CBCT-based panoramic view.
Selective localization of the parathyroid secretory protein-I/adrenal medulla chromogranin A protein family in a wide variety of endocrine cells of the rat.

Secretory protein-I (SP-I) of parathyroid glands and chromogranin A ( CGA ) of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells are chemically similar if not identical proteins. Both proteins are contained within secretory granules and appear to be cosecreted with granule contents, for example, in the parathyroid with PTH and in the adrenal with epinephrine and dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Antisera to bovine SP-I and porcine CGA , together with antisera to a variety of peptide hormones, were used in an immunofluorescence study of rat tissues in order to determine the probable distribution and cellular localization of these proteins. In addition to their previously demonstrated presence in parathyroid and adrenal cells, the SP-I/ CGA protein family was detected in cells of the thyroid that contained calcitonin and often SRIF but not thyroglobulin; in cells of the anterior pituitary staining for the alpha-subunit of TSH/FSH/LH but not in cells staining for GH, PRL, ACTH, or beta-endorphin; in pancreatic islet cells staining for SRIF and pancreatic polypeptide-related peptides, but not for insulin or glucagon; in the celiac and mesenteric ganglia in cells some of which contained SRIF; and in the gastric antrum in cells containing SRIF, but not gastrin. SP-I/ CGA was not detected in cells of the liver, kidney, parotid gland, or acinar pancreas or in the intermediate or posterior lobes of the pituitary. These results suggest that this protein family enjoys a widespread but highly restricted distribution in many different endocrine-peptide cells of the rat, many that are believed to be of the APUD cell series. The possibility is raised that SP-I/ CGA plays some physiological role in the secretory process or exerts an effect of its own in the periphery after secretion.
Motor speech impairment, activity, and participation in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract The present study used a population-based sample of children with cerebral palsy (CP) to estimate the prevalence of motor speech impairment and its association with activity and participation. A sample of 79 Victorian children aged 4 years 11 months to 6 years 5 months was recruited through the Victorian CP Register. The presence of motor speech impairment was recorded using the Viking Speech Scale (VSS). Activity and participation outcomes included speech intelligibility (the National Technical Institute for the Deaf rating scale, NTID), the Functional Communication Classification System (FCCS) and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). A parent completed rating scale was used to examine the association between motor speech impairment and participation. Ninety per cent (71/79) of children demonstrated a motor speech impairment. Strong associations were found between the VSS and NTID (< .001), CFCS (< .001), and FCCS levels (<.001). VSS levels III–IV were significantly associated with restrictions in home, school, and community-based participation as perceived by parents. Although some diversity in activity and participation outcomes was observed within specific VSS levels, the results of this study suggested that children with mild motor speech impairments are more likely to demonstrate superior activity and participation outcomes compared to children with moderate or severe deficits.
Periodontal maintenance in a specialist periodontal clinic and in general dental practice.

OBJECTIVES To monitor the efficacy of periodontal maintenance whether conducted in a specialist periodontology clinic or in the practice of the referring general dentist. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-five subjects with a diagnosis of moderate-severe chronic periodontitis who were referred to the specialist clinic received periodontal non-surgical therapy. Following a 6-month healing phase, subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups: A (n=18, periodontal maintenance provided within the specialist clinic) or B (n=17, periodontal maintenance provided by the referring general dentist in accordance with written instructions provided by the specialist). All subjects were examined at months 0 (corresponding to 6 months post-completion of non-surgical therapy), 6 and 12. Full-mouth plaque index (PI), % bleeding on probing (%BOP) and probing depth (PD) measurements were recorded. PDs were also recorded at eight test sites which, prior to non-surgical therapy, exhibited PD 5-8 mm, BOP and radiographic alveolar bone loss. Standardized radiographs were exposed at test sites at months 0 and 12, and bone changes assessed using digital subtraction radiography (DSR). RESULTS As a result of the non-surgical therapy, statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters were recorded. In the maintenance period, mean PI increased significantly from months 0 to 12 (p<0.05), but this increase did not differ significantly between groups A and B (p>0.05). No other clinical parameters changed significantly in the maintenance phase of the study. Reductions in %BOP, mouth mean PD and mean test sites PD achieved by the non-surgical therapy were maintained and did not differ significantly whether subjects were allocated to group A or group B (p>0.05). Current smokers had significantly deeper PD than non-smokers and former smokers at all time points (p<0.05), although otherwise, smoking status did not affect the outcomes of the study. DSR analysis identified statistically non-significant, slight, alveolar bone loss in both groups between months 0 and 12. CONCLUSION In the short term, periodontal maintenance can be provided in general dental practice with the same expected outcomes compared with maintenance that is provided in a specialist clinic, providing that general dentists are given specific instructions regarding the maintenance regimen. A strong emphasis on effective plaque control is necessary.