Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge transfer in collaborations between foreign and indigenous firms in the Nigerian oil industry: The role of partners' motivational characteristics

Previous empirical studies on determinants of inter-firm knowledge transfer have been largely focused on knowledge transfer between symmetrical partners, where there are relatively similar levels of knowledge sophistication and complementary knowledge transfer motives. Determinants of knowledge transfer between partners in asymmetric “market-exploitation” alliances, where there are large differences in capabilities, and in motives, of the collaborating partners, have been understudied. This paper presents a qualitative case-study-research of knowledge transfer in such collaborations in the Nigerian oil industry. Four cases of inter-firm collaborative arrangements between foreign and local indigenous firms in the industry were studied and analysed. Based on the results of the case-study research, this paper highlights the dominant role of partners’ motivational characteristics, as against, their cognitive characteristics in knowledge transfer process of asymmetric market-exploitation alliances. It develops set of theoretical propositions to expand understanding of the key determinants of learning/knowledge transfer.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) ameliorates chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in children with solid tumors.

Neutropenia is one of the risk factors for severe therapy-related morbidity in childhood malignancies. We have studied the potential of GM-CSF to shorten the neutropenic period after normal-dose chemotherapy in children who were treated for solid tumors. Patients with osteosarcomas, with Ewing sarcomas, or with rhabdomyosarcomas received 10 daily subcutaneous doses GM-CSF (Leucomax, 5 micrograms/kg) after a course of normal-dose chemotherapy in an open-label study. Because these patients were treated with different combinations of chemotherapeutic agents, they were randomized before each pair of identical courses of chemotherapy to receive GM-CSF after the first or after the second course. Fourteen such combinations could be evaluated in eight patients. The results show that GM-CSF significantly reduced the mean duration of the chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (mean reduction +/- SEM in days: 2.2 +/- 0.6, P = .003). There was no significant difference between the mean number of days with fever in either group. GM-CSF was well tolerated by all patients. We conclude that GM-CSF reduced the mean neutropenic period in children with solid tumors who were treated with standard-dose chemotherapy.
Step count accuracy and reliability of two activity tracking devices in people after stroke

ABSTRACT Background/Purpose: The increasing popularity of activity tracking devices presents an opportunity to monitor physical activity in patients after stroke. We sought to determine the reliability and accuracy of the Garmin Vivofit and Fitbit Zip for adults after stroke. Methods: Twenty-four participants with stroke-induced hemiparesis wore a Fitbit Zip on the nonparetic hip and Garmin Vivofits on both wrists during a 6-minute walk test to determine the accuracy of the devices against video-determined step counts. Participants also wore the devices during two trials of exactly 50 steps to determine the reliability of the devices. Results: Fitbit Zip showed excellent reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.974) and accuracy (4.2% error) for participants who walked faster than 0.35 m/s. Garmin Vivofit (nonparetic side) had excellent reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.964) but poor accuracy (≤−16.0%) for all participants. Garmin Vivofit (paretic side) had excellent reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.858) and accuracy (−4.0% error) for faster walkers (>0.48 m/s) but poor accuracy (−68.2%) for slower walkers. Conclusion: Fitbit Zip was more accurate and reliable for persons with stroke than Garmin Vivofit, but slower walking speeds were associated with greater undercounting of steps for both devices. The Fitbit Zip is appropriate for counting steps in adults poststroke who range from household to community ambulators.
China's Outward-Oriented Higher Education Internationalization: A Multidimensional Analysis and an Empirical Inquiry into the Views of International Students

This study investigates China’s present situation of shifting from a mainly inward-oriented higher education internationalization to a more balanced approach, and the existing gaps between China’s goals of using outward-oriented higher education internationalization to enhance its international influence and status in the world knowledge system, also the challenges it faces in the response to this approach. According to a new typology proposed by the author, “outward-oriented higher education internationalization” refers to the process of exporting/introducing domestic knowledge, culture, higher education models and norms, and educational philosophies to the world through higher education internationalization primarily for the sake of enhancing worldwide influence. This study examines the three major dimensions of China’s outward-oriented HE internationalization: 1) Cultural diplomacy based on Sino-foreign higher education collaboration (i.e. the Confucius Institute program), 2) international development aid for higher education in developing countries, and 3) international student recruitment at the higher education level.
Sexuality in the Workplace: Where Do We Stand?

Increasingly, organizational leaders must face the perplexing problem of dealing with sexual relationships in the workplace. Given recent changes in the composition of our workforce, there is a critical need for leaders to manage sexual workplace relationships and to do so in a way that acknowledges both individual and organizational needs. As a result, organizations must distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviors. For organizations to set effective and realistic behavioral guidelines, it is imperative that leaders gain a clearer understanding of the issues that surround sexuality in the workplace. In response to this need, this article discusses the characteristics of sexual workplace relationships, explain the individual and organizational factors that encourage these relationships to form, and outline the individual and organizational consequences that are likely to ensue. Lastly, this article evaluates some contemporary approaches to managing sexual workplace behaviors so that organizational leaders can gain some insight on how to manage interpersonal attractions among employees in a positive, productive, and nonthreatening manner.
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport: A Role for Nonspecific Competition in Karyopherin-Nucleoporin Interactions*

Nucleocytoplasmic transport occurs through the nuclear pore complex (NPC), which in yeast is a ∼50 MDa complex consisting of ∼30 different proteins. Small molecules can freely exchange through the NPC, but macromolecules larger than ∼40 kDa must be aided across by transport factors, most of which belong to a related family of proteins termed karyopherins (Kaps). These transport factors bind to the disordered phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat domains in a family of NPC proteins termed FG nups, and this specific binding allows the transport factors to cross the NPC. However, we still know little in terms of the molecular and kinetic details regarding how this binding translates to selective passage of transport factors across the NPC. Here we show that the specific interactions between Kaps and FG nups are strongly modulated by the presence of a cellular milieu whose proteins appear to act as very weak competitors that nevertheless collectively can reduce Kap/FG nup affinities by several orders of magnitude. Without such modulation, the avidities between Kaps and FG nups measured in vitro are too tight to be compatible with the rapid transport kinetics observed in vivo. We modeled the multivalent interactions between the disordered repeat binding sites in the FG nups and multiple cognate binding sites on Kap, showing that they should indeed be sensitive to even weakly binding competitors; the introduction of such competition reduces the availability of these binding sites, dramatically lowering the avidity of their specific interactions and allowing rapid nuclear transport.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression and gene alterations in glioblastoma: correlations with clinical outcome

Aims To study anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression and possible underlying gene alterations in glioblastoma (GBM), correlating them with clinical outcome. Methods We studied ALK immunohistochemical expression and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)-detected ALK gene alterations in 51 GBMs (46 isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1)R132H-negative and 5 IDH-mutant (IDH1R132H-positive)). We compared two anti-ALK antibodies and immunohistochemical detection systems (5Α4/Nichirei Biosciences, D5F3/Ventana). The results were correlated with tumour cell proliferation and clinical outcome. Results Intense granular cytoplasmic ALK immunostaining was observed in 10/51 (19.61%) GBM and correlated with high Ki67 proliferation index; only 1 in 10 ALK-positive cases displayed multiple alk gene signals by FISH. Moderate ALK immunostaining was observed in 21 (41.17%), weak immunostaining in 5 (9.80%) while 15 (29.42%) cases were negative. p53 was expressed in 26/51 GBM (50.9%) (10% cut-off). IDH1R132H-negative GBM showed higher ALK expression compared with IDH-mutant GBM (65.2% vs 20%). ALK overexpression was more common in older patients but did not correlate with other clinicopathological variables or patient overall survival. Conclusions ALK overexpression can be identified in up to 70% of GBMs and does not correlate with underlying alk gene amplification. Despite being more common in rapidly growing, clinically aggressive GBM, ALK overexpression did not show correlation with prognosis in this study.
Collaborative Care Model to Improve Outcomes in Major Depression

OBJECTIVE: To develop a pharmacist intervention to improve depression care and outcomes within a primary care setting. METHODS: Pragmatic, randomized trial of a clinical pharmacist collaborative care intervention versus usual care in a busy, academic family practice clinic. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with a new episode of major depression and started on antidepressant medications were randomized to enhanced care (EC) or usual care (UC) groups. EC consists of a clinical pharmacist collaborating with primary care providers (PCPs) to facilitate education, initiation, and titration of acute-phase antidepressant treatment to monitor treatment adherence and to prevent relapse. Control patients receive UC by their PCP. The main end point is reduction of depression symptoms over time as measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-20). Other outcomes include the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression, health-related quality of life measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF-12), medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and healthcare utilization. The main end point and the cost of treating major depression will be used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the collaborative care model. CONCLUSIONS: The study is a unique, ongoing trial that may have important implications for the treatment of depression in primary care settings as well as new roles for clinical pharmacists.
Micro‐encapsulation of ozonated red pepper seed oil with antimicrobial activity and application to nonwoven fabric

In recent years, functional fabrics possessing antimicrobial activity have drawn significant interest because antibiotic resistance is becoming widespread among pathogenic micro‐organisms. The aim of this study was to produce microcapsules incorporating ozonated red pepper seed oil (ORPSO) with antimicrobial properties and apply them to nonwoven fabrics to prepare functional textiles. Red pepper seed oil (RPSO) was ozonated and micro‐encapsulated via a complex coacervation method using gelatin (GE) and gum arabic (GA) as wall materials. While micro‐encapsulation yield and oil loading decreased with increases in the amount of surfactant, the mean particle size increased. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested via the disc diffusion method. The microcapsules were also tested using the agar well method. While RPSO had no effect on the test micro‐organisms, the ORPSO and microcapsules containing ORPSO were found to be active against the test micro‐organisms. The microcapsules were then applied to nonwoven fabric using the padding method to produce a disposable functional textile. The microcapsule‐impregnated functional fabrics provided a 5 log decrease in 1 h. It is therefore possible to functionalize nonwoven fabrics to have antimicrobial activity against antibiotic‐resistant micro‐organisms, using microcapsules containing ORPSO.
Prolonged lactation reduces ovarian cancer risk in Chinese women

To investigate the effect of lactation on the risk of ovarian cancer for Chinese women, a case–control study was conducted in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, China. Cases were 275 patients with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer. Controls were 623 women without neoplasm. All participants were parous women who had given at least one live birth and had been residents of Zhejiang province for at least 10 years. Information was collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire on total months of lactation, number of children breastfed, and average duration of lactation per child. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between ovarian cancer risk and lactation variables, accounting for age, locality, full-term pregnancy, oral contraceptive use and family history of the cancer. The adjusted odds ratios were 0.51 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3–0.9) and 0.44 (95% CI 0.2–0.9) respectively for women with over 12 months of lactation and at least three children breastfed, compared with those with 4 months or less lactation and one child breastfed. The corresponding dose–response relationships were also significant (P<0.05). Therefore, prolonged lactation could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer for Chinese women.
Political Instability and Herding Behaviour: Evidence from Egypt’s Stock Market

This article examines the existence of herding behaviour in the Egyptian stock market during the 2011 revolution period. Using daily and monthly data, we test for the existence of herding for the whole period, as well as for the pre- and post-revolution phases. For the whole period, our results fail to provide evidence of herding behaviour in the Egyptian stock market, but do provide evidence of adverse herding behaviour that exhibits non-linearity. The results also fail to provide evidence of herding behaviour during bull and bear markets, and show that herding behaviour is a short-lived phenomenon. When the pre- and post-revolution phases are considered separately, the results provide evidence of weak adverse herding for both phases and of adverse herding in bullish markets, but they are inconclusive regarding bearish markets. JEL Classification: G10, G15
A simple model for DNA bridging proteins and bacterial or human genomes: bridging-induced attraction and genome compaction

We present computer simulations of the phase behaviour of an ensemble of proteins interacting with a polymer, mimicking non-specific binding to a piece of bacterial DNA or eukaryotic chromatin. The proteins can simultaneously bind to the polymer in two or more places to create protein bridges. Despite the lack of any explicit interaction between the proteins or between DNA segments, our simulations confirm previous results showing that when the protein-polymer interaction is sufficiently strong, the proteins come together to form clusters. Furthermore, a sufficiently large concentration of bridging proteins leads to the compaction of the swollen polymer into a globular phase. Here we characterise both the formation of protein clusters and the polymer collapse as a function of protein concentration, protein-polymer affinity and fibre flexibility.
Do board characteristics affect bank performance? Evidence from the Bahrain Islamic banks

Purpose Although most previous studies interested in Islamic banks have focused on quantitative aspects such as performance, risk and stability, this paper aims to deal with the institutional dimension and focus precisely on the link between board characteristics and bank performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on a data related to 13 banks in Bahrain observed over the period of 2005-2011, this study investigates the impact of board directors on the level of performance. To this end, the authors have used two empirical approaches. The first one is the panel data analysis with regard to random effect (RE) regression. The second one is the generalized method of moments (GMM) in system, which checked the soundness of the first result. Findings The result of RE regression indicates that the board duality is positively and significantly correlated with the bank performance for both ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity). However, the board size exerts a positive and significant impact only when profitability is measured by ROE. The authors find that regression with GMM in system confirms the RE result exclusively for ROE. Findings also indicate that a financial crisis exerts a negative but not significant effect on bank performance. Practical implications These findings are relevant to both policymakers and regulators. Islamic banks in Bahrain should grant more importance to the structure and the quality of the board to improve their performance. Originality/value This study aims to extend the existing literature by focusing about the role of the Shariah board in bank performance.
Predictors of outcome in a primary care depression trial

OBJECTIVE: Previous treatment trials have found that approximately one third of depressed patients have persistent symptoms. We examined whether depression severity, comorbid psychiatric illness, and personality factors might play a role in this lack of response.DESIGN: Randomized trial of a stepped collaborative care intervention versus usual care.SETTING: HMO in Seattle, Wash.PATIENTS: Patients with major depression were stratified into severe (N=149) and mild to moderate depression (N=79) groups prior to randomization.INTERVENTIONS: A multifaceted intervention targeting patient, physician, and process of care, using collaborative management by a psychiatrist and primary care physician.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with more severe depression had a higher risk for panic disorder (odds ratio [OR], 5.8), loneliness (OR, 2.6), and childhood emotional abuse (OR, 2.1). Among those with less severe depression, intervention patients showed significantly improved depression outcomes over time compared with those in usual care (z=−3.06, P<.002); however, this difference was not present in the more severely depressed groups (z=0.61, NS). Although the group with severe depression showed differences between the intervention and control groups from baseline to 3 months that were similar to the group with less severe depression (during the acute phase of the intervention), these differences disappeared by 6 months.CONCLUSIONS: Initial depression severity, comorbid panic disorder, and other psychosocial vulnerabilities were associated with a decreased response to the collaborative care intervention. Although the intervention was appropriate for patients with moderate depression, individuals with higher levels of depression may require a longer continuation phase of therapy in order to achieve optimal depression outcomes.
Sirolimus and non-melanoma skin cancer prevention after kidney transplantation: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Whether sirolimus is useful in the prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) remains unclear and we therefore performed this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to test the hypothesis that Sirolimus-based immunosuppression is associated with a decrease in NMSC. METHODS The main outcomes were NMSC, squamous-cell carcinoma and basal-cell carcinoma. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the effects. RESULTS 5 randomized trials involving a total of 1499 patients receiving kidney transplantation were included. Patients undergoing Sirolimus-based immunosuppression had much lower risk of NMSC (RR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.32-0.76, P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses by tumor type showed that Sirolimus-based immunosuppression significantly decreased risk of both squamous-cell carcinoma (RR = 0.58, 95%CI 0.43-0.78, P < 0.001) and basal-cell carcinoma (RR = 0.56, 95%CI 0.37-0.85, P = 0.006). The quality of evidence was high for NMSC, and moderate for squamous-cell carcinoma and basal-cell carcinoma. No evidence of publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION High quality evidence suggests that Sirolimus-based immunosuppression decreases risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, and Sirolimus has an antitumoral effect among kidney-transplant recipients.
Validation of increasing prostate specific antigen as a predictor of prostate cancer death after treatment of localized prostate cancer with surgery or radiation.

PURPOSE Many patients who undergo surgery or radiation therapy to treat localized prostate cancer experience an increase in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) after treatment. This study documents patterns of PSA recurrence after surgery or radiation to treat localized prostate cancer and quantifies the extent to which an increasing PSA predicts death from prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Posttreatment PSA levels were measured on a population based cohort of 1136 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer in community practice in Connecticut between 1990 and 1992, and treated within 6 months of diagnosis with surgery or radiation with or without androgen withdrawal therapy. The major outcome measure was death from prostate cancer. RESULTS PSA recurrence followed a log-linear pattern over time. Patients who died of prostate cancer had a median PSA doubling time of 0.8 years (25th and 75th percentiles 0.5 to 1.4 years). Patients who did not die of prostate cancer within 10 years of diagnosis had either no posttreatment increase in serum PSA (40%) or had a PSA doubling time longer than 1 year (44%). CONCLUSIONS Patients whose posttreatment PSA doubling times before the initiation of androgen withdrawal therapy are less than 1 year are at high risk of dying of prostate cancer within 10 years of diagnosis. Men with PSA recurrences that are doubling at rates greater than 1 year are at low risk of death from prostate cancer within 10 years of diagnosis.
Childhood Obesity, Sustainable Development, and Behavioral Economics

To understand the rising prevalence of obesity in affluent societies, it is necessary to take into account the growing obesity infrastructure, which over past decades has developed into an obesogenic environment. This infrastructure is a direct reflection of the mainstream economic growth paradigm that the literature on consumer culture characterizes as chronic overconsumption. This study examines the effects of one of the constituent factors of consumer societies and a key contributory factor to childhood obesity: commercial food communication targeted to children and its impact on their food knowledge and food preferences. Because evaluations of traditional informationand education-based interventions suggest that they may not sustainably change food patterns, we combine insights from behavioral economics and traditional consumer behavior theory to formulate seven hypotheses, which we then test using a subsample from the IDEFICS study. The results reveal not only that advertising has divergent effects on children’s food knowledge and preferences but that food knowledge is unrelated to food preferences, a finding that has important implications for future research and public policy.