Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of knowledge processing systems in firms’ absorptive capacity

We rely on a qualitative study of three industrial firms to investigate the role of knowledge recombination capabilities in the absorptive process. We compare two firms aiming at “new-to-the-world” innovation with a firm aiming at producing “new-to-the-firm” innovation. We find that the formers resort to formal, codified, controlled knowledge processing systems, while the latter rather makes use of informal, loosely defined processing systems. We interpret this rather counter intuitive result by the necessity for firms engaged in radical innovation to take risk into account. We advocate taking risk into account when dealing with absorptive capacity and invite to rethink the link between knowledge management and types of innovation.JEL Codes: O32, O32, O31, D81, O32
Tensile Forces Stimulate Vascular Remodeling and Epidermal Cell Proliferation in Living Skin

Objectives:To quantify tissue remodeling induced by static and cyclical application of tensional forces in a living perfused tissue. Background:Cells are able to respond to mechanical cues from the environment and can switch between proliferation and quiescence. However, the effects of different regimens of tension on living, perfused skin have not been characterized. Methods:The ears of living rats were mechanically loaded by applying tensile forces (0.5 Newtons) either statically or cyclically and then analyzing tissue responses using in vivo microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and corrosion casting. Results:Quantitative immunohistochemistry showed that in the static group (4-day continuous tension) there was up to 4-fold increase in cellular proliferation in the epidermis after 4 days and a 2.8-fold increase in the vascularity in the dermis that peaked after 2 days. Comparable effects could be achieved in just 8 hours using a cyclic loading protocol. We also modeled the resultant stress produced in the ear using a linear finite element model and demonstrated a correlation between the level of applied stress and both epidermal cell proliferation and blood vessel density. Conclusions:Mechanical forces stimulate cell proliferation and vascular remodeling in living skin. As cell growth and vascular supply are critical to wound healing and tissue expansion, devices applying controlled mechanical loads to tissues may be a powerful therapy to treat tissue defects.
IL-2 and Related Cytokines Can Promote T Cell Survival by Activating AKT1

The regulated elimination of T cells serves to maintain normal immune function and prevents autoimmune responses. IL-2 family cytokines play an important role in controlling the survival of immature and mature T cells. These molecules activate the protein kinase, AKT/PKB. AKT has been shown to transduce an antiapoptotic signal in numerous cell types. In this study, we show that an active form of AKT can protect T cells from apoptosis following growth factor withdrawal and that IL-2 family cytokines can promote T cell survival by activating this kinase. We also provide evidence that AKT does not block death receptor-mediated killing of lymphocytes. These data suggest that AKT may serve as a common signaling element by which members of the IL-2 family of cytokines promote T cell survival.
The Paradox of Poverty in a Paradise of Plenty: A gender perspective on chronic poverty in Binga, Zimbabwe.

The connection between poverty, gender and development continues to attract universal interest in development theory, policy and practice. Part of this interest focuses on the perpetuation of poverty, which is manifest in the socio-economic and political inequalities between the two sexes, mainly as a consequence of viewing men and women as a homogenous social entity. This paper presents results from a study which investigated the gendered perspective on the persistence of chronic poverty in Binga District, northwestern Zimbabwe. The findings reinforce the position that poverty in Binga is mainly as a result of the Kariba Dam resettlement of 1957-8. Coupled by the patriarchal system of the Tonga society, the research findings show that there is a gender imbalance (which favours men) in terms of access and control of reources such as land in Binga. This is contrary to the situation before the relocation process which also allowed women to control and access land. The results also show that although women and men have options for poverty reduction, these options are also gendered. I conclude that unless (a) men and women are given equal opportunities in all spheres of life (b) power relations between men and women in terms of resource access and control are addressed (c) roles and activities become ungendered and (d) development agencies engage the Tonga in the project cycles of poverty reduction programmes, poverty reduction in Binga District will remain a dream.
Walking Trajectory Planning on Stairs Using Virtual Slope for Biped Robots

In this paper, a “virtual slope method” for walking trajectory planning on stairs for biped robots is proposed. In conventional methods for walking on stairs, there are two problems about the zero-moment point (ZMP). One is a ZMP equation problem, and the other is a ZMP definition problem in a double-support phase. First, a ZMP equation on stairs is different from that on flat ground. Therefore, the same trajectory generation as flat ground cannot be implemented. This problem is defined as a “ZMP equation problem. ” Second, the ZMP cannot be defined in the double-support phase on stairs because contact points of the feet do not constitute a plane. The ZMP can be defined only on the plane. This problem is defined as a “ZMP definition problem. ” These two problems are solved concurrently by the virtual slope method. It is the method that regards the stairs as a virtual slope. In walking trajectory planning on a slope of the constant gradient, the two problems about the ZMP do not exist. Additionally, a trajectory planning procedure based on the virtual slope method is explained. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by some simulations and experiments.
Ketamine PCA for Treatment of End-of-Life Neuropathic Pain in Pediatrics

Control of neuropathic pain (NP) for children at end of life is challenging. Ketamine improves control of NP, but its use in children is not well described. We describe a retrospective case review of 14 children with terminal prognoses treated with ketamine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for management of opioid-refractory NP at the end of life. Median ketamine dose was 0.06 mg/kg/h (range 0.014-0.308 mg/kg/h) with a 0.05 mg/kg (range 0.03-0.5mg/kg) demand dose available every 15 minutes (range 10-60 minutes). All patients noted subjective pain relief with ketamine, and 79% had no adverse effects. Benzodiazepines limited neuropsychiatric side effects. Ketamine treatment arrested dose escalation of opioids in 64% of patients, and 79% were discharged to home hospice. Ketamine PCA is an effective, well-tolerated therapy for opioid-refractory NP in pediatric end-of-life care.
Cloning and Characterization of the GNA11 Promoter and its Regulation by Early Growth Response 1

GNAQ and GNA11, encoding the G‐proteins Gαq and Gα11, are members of the Gαq/Gα11 subfamily, which transmits signals from the cell surface to intracellular signalling cascades. The GNAQ promoter was already characterized, and regulation by the transcription factor early growth response 1 (Egr‐1) was demonstrated. Interestingly, in silico analysis revealed putative Egr‐1 binding sites in sequences potentially representing the GNA11 promoter. However, the GNA11 promoter has not been characterized so far. Therefore, the purpose of the study was the characterization of the GNA11 promoter and investigation of its potential regulation by Egr‐1. The putative GNA11 promoter was cloned, and deletion constructs were generated. Luciferase assays were performed, and essential regulatory regions identified between nt‐805/‐177. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), one specific Egr‐1 binding site at nt‐475/‐445 was identified. An Egr‐1 expression plasmid was generated, which evoked increased Egr‐1 content in nuclear extracts and a > 2‐fold increase in GNA11 promoter activity in construct nt‐805/+54 (p = 0.035). Finally, real‐time PCR analysis was performed, and an increased Gα11 mRNA (p = 0.035) expression induced by Egr‐1 was found. Here, we characterize for the first time the GNA11 promoter and its specific interaction with Egr‐1. Both the GNAQ and the GNA11 promoter appear to be regulated by the same transcription factor, Egr‐1, which may be a molecular mechanism leading to Gαq‐/Gα11‐associated phenotypes.
Exponential mixing properties for time inhomogeneous diffusion processes with killing

We consider an elliptic and time-inhomogeneous diffusion process with time-periodic coefficients evolving in a bounded domain of $\mathbb{R}^d$ with a smooth boundary. The process is killed when it hits the boundary of the domain (hard killing) or after an exponential time (soft killing) associated with some bounded rate function. The branching particle interpretation of the non absorbed diffusion again behaves as a set of interacting particles evolving in an absorbing medium. Between absorption times, the particles evolve independently one from each other according to the diffusion semigroup; when a particle is absorbed, another selected particle splits into two offsprings. This article is concerned with the stability properties of these non absorbed processes. Under some classical ellipticity properties on the diffusion process and some mild regularity properties of the hard obstacle boundaries, we prove an uniform exponential strong mixing property of the process conditioned to not be killed. We also provide uniform estimates w.r. t. the time horizon for the interacting particle interpretation of these non-absorbed processes, yielding what seems to be the first result of this type for this class of diffusion processes evolving in soft and hard obstacles, both in homogeneous and non-homogeneous time settings.
Any Role for Mean Reversion in Short Term Asset Allocation?

This paper investigates whether improving the estimation of the expected returns from simple historical moments to the use of predictable variables, mean reversion or both, mean-variance optimal portfolio strategies are able to perform statistically better than the 1/N portfolio. Our analysis shows that, even for the short term horizon, exploiting the mean reversion and predictability feature present in some of the datasets allow mean variance strategies to perform statistically better than the 1/N strategy.
Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling Human Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α) (nuclear receptor 2A1) is an essential regulator of hepatocyte differentiation and function. Genetic and molecular evidence suggests that the tissue-restricted expression of HNF-4α is regulated mainly at the transcriptional level. As a step toward understanding the molecular mechanism involved in the transcriptional regulation of the human HNF-4α gene, we cloned and analyzed a 12.1-kb fragment of its upstream region. Major DNase I-hypersensitive sites were found at the proximal promoter, the first intron, and the more-upstream region comprising kb −6.5, −8.0, and −8.8. By the use of reporter constructs, we found that the proximal-promoter region was sufficient to drive high levels of hepatocyte-specific transcription in transient-transfection assays. DNase I footprint analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift experiments revealed binding sites for HNF-1α and -β, Sp-1, GATA-6, and HNF-6. High levels of HNF-4α promoter activity were dependent on the synergism between either HNF-1α and HNF-6 or HNF-1β and GATA-6, which implies that at least two alternative mechanisms may activate HNF-4α gene transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments with human hepatoma cells showed stable association of HNF-1α, HNF-6, Sp-1, and COUP-TFII with the promoter. The last factor acts as a repressor via binding to a newly identified direct repeat 1 (DR-1) sequence of the human promoter, which is absent in the mouse homologue. We present evidence that this sequence is a bona fide retinoic acid response element and that HNF-4α expression is upregulated in vivo upon retinoic acid signaling.
Design of biologically active, conformationally constrained GnRH antagonists

The introduction of conformational constraints into a flexible peptide hormone can be exploited to develop models for the conformation required for receptor binding and activity. In this review, we illustrate this approach to analog design using our work on antagonists of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). Design of a conformationally constrained, competitive antagonist of GnRH, cyclo[Δ3,4 Pro‐D4ClPhe‐DTrp‐Ser‐Tyr‐DTrp‐NMeLeu‐Arg‐Pro‐βAla], led to the prediction of its bioactive conformation. Template forcing experiments show that this conformation is accessible to other active GnRH analogs. Two‐dimensional NMR studies verified the predicted conformation in solution. The predicted binding conformation has recently been used to design two new analogs incorporating side chain–side chain linkages suggested by the conformational model: These analogs were synthesized and the one predicted to be most similar to the parent conformation had equivalent potency while the second, designed to refine the conformational hypothesis, was found to exhibit enhanced potency, thus confirming the original binding conformation hypothesis. These compounds and their derivatives now provide a new class of GnRH antagonists possessing both high biological potency and limited conformational flexibility, thus making them ideal for both biophysical and structure–activity studies.
A patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures

To the Editor: Bone lesions and hypercalcemia are rare in most hematologic malignancies except in patients with multiple myeloma and adult T-cell leukemia/ lymphoma associated with infection due to HTLV-l(1-3). In adults bone changes have been reported rarely in hair-cell leukemia, in chronic myeloid leukemia and in acute leukemia (1, 9). In general (1 0, 1 1 ) skeletal manifestations occur more commonly in children (12) than in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These manifestations include metaphaseal bands, periosteal new bone formation, lytic lesions, sclerosis, mixed lysis, isclerosis and permeative destruction (1 2-14). Generalised osteopenia and vertebral complications are less common manifestations (1 5). Hypercalcemia has been documended occasionally (16). An adult patient with ALL and osteoporosis is reported here. We present the case of a 22-yr-old patient who was admitted to the hospital in October 1995 because of back bone pain. He was an Albanian immigrant who had been experiencing progressive bone pain in his legs and back for four months before admission. He had no fever or any other complaint except anorexia and fatigue. On clinical examination the patient was ill and pale without any remarkable pathologic finding except tenderness in his back and legs. Laborator data revealed: Ht 20%, Hb 7g/dl, WBC 2.4 x 10 /pl, Plt 142 x 103/pl, Ca2+ 11 mg/dl (normal6 10.2), PO 2 mg/dl, Mg 1.8 mg/dl, ALP 280 (normald310). The PTH, T3, T4, TSH, 1,25 (OH)2D, testosterone and cortizole levels were normal. Other biochemical tests were also normal. He was a HB,Ag carrier. A serologic test for HTLV-1 antibodies was negative. Severe osteoporosis and vertebral collapses in lumbar spine (Fig. 1) were seen on X-ray films. The patient had not taken steroids before admission or drugs which cause hypercalcemia. The peripheral blood and bone marrow aspiration substantiated a diagnosis of B-ALL. The morphology according to the FAB classification was L1 . The leukemic cells coexpressed
Sociotropy-Dependency and Autonomy as Predictors of Eating Disturbance Among Canadian Female College Students

Abstract The authors (a) tested the generalizability of A. Sugarman, D. Quinlan, and L. Devenis's (1982) psychodynamic account of eating disturbances, which posits that overt autonomy strivings associated with eating problems are a defense against unconscious dependency concerns, and (b) evaluated the degree to which autonomy and sociotropy had unique associations with eating disturbances. Canadian female college students (N = 286) completed self-report measures of autonomy, sociotropy, depression, and bulimia as well as the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Findings suggest, contrary to Sugarman and colleagues' psychodynamic account, that experiences of dependency related to self-reported eating pathology do not necessarily lie outside of conscious awareness. Moreover, reported bulimic symptoms were uniquely associated with sociotropy but not autonomy-self-criticism among the participants.
The Value of Risk Reduction

The relationship between willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce the probability of an adverse event and the degree of risk aversion is ambiguous. The ambiguity arises because paying for protection worsens the outcome in the event the adverse event occurs, which influences the expected marginal utility of wealth. Using the concept of downside risk aversion or prudence, we characterize the marginal WTP to reduce the probability of the adverse event as the product of WTP in the case of risk neutrality and an adjustment factor. For the univariate case (e.g., risk of financial loss), the adjustment factor depends on risk aversion and prudence with respect to wealth. For the bivariate case (e.g., risk of death or illness), the adjustment factor depends on risk aversion and cross-prudence in wealth.
Critical Care staffs’ attitudes, confidence levels and educational needs correlate with countries’ donation rates: data from the Donor Action® database

To investigate on the impact of Critical Care (CC) staffs’ attitudes to donation, their acceptance of the brain death (BD) concept, their confidence with donation‐related tasks and educational needs on national donation rates. Donor Action (DA) Hospital Attitude Survey (HAS) data were collected from 19 537 CC staff in 11 countries, including personal attitudes to donation, self‐reported knowledge, involvement and comfort levels with donation‐related tasks and educational requirements. Countries’ donation performance was expressed as Procurement Efficiency Index (PEI) (organs procured and transplanted/deaths from eligible causes). National PEI rates correlated well with CC staffs’ average support to donation (R = 0.700, P = 0.014), acceptance of the BD concept (R = 0.742, P = 0.007), confidence levels (R = 0.796, P = 0.002) and average educational requirements with donation‐related tasks (R = −0.661, P = 0.025). Nurses reported significantly lower positive attitudes (P < 0.0001), acceptance of the BD concept (P < 0.0001), comfort levels (P < 0.0001) and requested more education (P = 0.0025) than medical staff members. DA’s HAS is a powerful, standardized tool to assess CC staffs’ attitudes and donation‐related skills in different environments. Measures to improve countries’ donation performance should focus on guidance and education of CC staff so as to ensure that all practitioners have sufficient knowledge and feel comfortable with donation‐related issues.
Scrapie prions alter receptor‐mediated calcium responses in cultured cells

The molecular basis of neurologic dysfunction in prion diseases is unknown. Spongiform degeneration of neurons is the most characteristic neuropathologic change which raises the possibility of abnormal ion channel function. Here we examined the regulation of Ca2+ fluxes in two cell lines chronically infected with scrapie prions, designated ScN2a (scrapie-infected mouse neuroblatoma) and ScHaB (scrapie-infected hamster brain) cells. In uninfected HaB cells, bradykinin caused increases in iritracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by release of Ca2+ from internal stores and influx of extracellular Ca2+ whereas, in N2a cells, bradykinin increased [Ca2+]i exclusively from internal stores. Prion infection of both cell lines markedly reduced or eliminated bradykinin-activated increases in [Ca2+]i, whether driven by internal or extracellular sources. Stressing the cells with high extracellular [Ca2+], 8 to 20 mM, led to cytopathologic changes in ScHaB but not in ScN2a cells. Cytopathology was not preceded by an increase in [Ca2+]i. These findings indicate that scrapie infection induces abnormalities in receptor-mediated Ca2+ responses and raise the possibility that nerve cell dysfunction and degeneration in prion diseases is related to ion channel aberrations.
Kinetic Mechanism of Non-muscle Myosin IIB

Besides driving contraction of various types of muscle tissue, conventional (class II) myosins serve essential cellular functions and are ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells. Three different isoforms in the human myosin complement have been identified as non-muscle class II myosins. Here we report the kinetic characterization of a human non-muscle myosin IIB subfragment-1 construct produced in the baculovirus expression system. Transient kinetic data show that most steps of the actomyosin ATPase cycle are slowed down compared with other class II myosins. The ADP affinity of subfragment-1 is unusually high even in the presence of actin filaments, and the rate of ADP release is close to the steady-state ATPase rate. Thus, non-muscle myosin IIB subfragment-1 spends a significantly higher proportion of its kinetic cycle strongly attached to actin than do the muscle myosins. This feature is even more pronounced at slightly elevated ADP levels, and it may be important in carrying out the cellular functions of this isoform working in small filamentous assemblies.
White Collar: The American Middle Classes.

In print for fifty years, White Collar by C. Wright Mills is considered a standard on the subject of the new middle class in twentieth-century America. This landmark volume demonstrates how the conditions and styles of middle class life-originating from elements of both the newer lower and upper classes-represent modern society as a whole. By examining white-collar life, Mills aimed to learn something about what was becoming more typically "American" than the once-famous Western frontier character. He painted a picture instead of a society that had evolved into a business-based milieu, viewing America instead as a great salesroom, an enormous file, and a new universe of management. Russell Jacoby, author of The End of Utopia and The Last Intellectuals, contributes a new Afterword to this edition, in which he reflects on the impact White Collar had at its original publication and considers what it means to our society today. "A book that persons of every level of the white collar pyramid should read and ponder. It will alert them to their condition for their better salvation. "-Horace M. Kaellen, The New York Times (on the first edition)
Constituents and Characteristics of Hybrid Businesses: A Qualitative, Empirical Framework

Despite mounting research on hybrid businesses that deliver value beyond financial goals, little is known about their nature. We assess what characterizes hybrid businesses and drives their founders by means of an abductive analysis of 18 ventures. Findings are discussed for the outcome of business models, organization of business model, and underlying aims of hybrid entrepreneurs building an empirical framework of constituents and characteristics. Results show participatory patterns of organization and emphasis on knowledge sharing about sustainability. The general profit and growth orientation is often a means to the end of achieving sustainability goals. Entrepreneurs are driven by nonmaterial motives.