Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keiretsu, Governance, and Learning: Case Studies in Change from the Japanese Automotive Industry

The “keiretsu” structuring of assembler-supplier relations historically enabled Japanese auto assemblers to remain lean and flexible while enjoying a level of control over supply akin to that of vertical integration. Yet there is much talk currently of breakdown in keiretsu networks. This paper examines some recent developments in Japanese parts supply keiretsu. We argue that keiretsu relationships are drifting from “hybrid” or “network” (i.e., keiretsu) governance modes toward the extremes of arms-length contracting and top-down administration. These changes are best understood through a combination of transaction cost and learning perspectives on alliance. Consistent with transaction cost economics, the shift in purchase - supply relationships can be traced to changes in the nature of parts transactions and keiretsu governance structures. A learning perspective on alliance complements and extends transaction cost theory, providing additional explanation of the sources of change and the specific governance choices being made. Our first two cases document a drift in Toyota’s keiretsu supply network toward hierarchical form in the management of parts supply transactions. Toyota has effectively internalized its transactions with Daihatsu by taking a controlling interest. Toyota’s strategy toward long-term partner Denso, on the other hand, was very different. Toyota built from the ground up an in-house capability in electronic components—thus (particularly at the high end) buying less from and scaling down its dependence on Denso. A third case considers a general trend in the Japanese auto industry toward greater standardization of parts. With the routinization of quality, reliability, and speed in supply management the need for keiretsu-style governance has declined. The withering of keiretsu obligations is also traceable to globalization and the continuing weakness of the Japanese economy, which have prompted Japanese firms to question received business practice.
Discourse on migration and ethnic identity: interviews with professionals in Hong Kong.

"This paper has revealed a complex set of relationships between migration, place and ethnic identity [in Hong Kong]. On the one hand, ethnic identity is shaped by the places where people have lived, particularly the places where they have spent the early years of their life; on the other [hand], places--being the context for socialization--provide the milieux where people learn who and what they are and how to act. " The authors note that "while legislation clearly regulates levels of immigration, international migration is also self-regulated by potential migrants in relation to interpretations of their ethnic identities and their perceptions of 'other' places. "
The role of holistic care culture in mitigating burnout and enhancing engagement: A study among elderly service workers in Hong Kong

Objectives: Elderly service work is a labor intensive and emotion demanding occupation. Workers in this field are prone to burnout, a form of emotional exhaustion at work. While their job well-being is associated with a number of job demands, little research has been done in exploring job resources to promote their well-being. Holistic care culture (HCC) was proposed as an organizational culture of holistic caring. This study explored the role of HCC in predicting job well-being and moderating the impact of perceived stress on job well-being. Method: A large-scale questionnaire survey was conducted among 992 elderly service workers of a major social service organization in Hong Kong, with a 93% response rate. Participants completed a standardized self-report questionnaire. Results: Structural equation modeling found HCC negatively predicted burnout (β = −0.32, p < 0.01) and positively predicted engagement (β = 0.36, p < 0.01). HCC showed significant moderating on the relationship between perceived stress and job well-being in expected directions. The model explained 53.7% and 35.8% of variance in burnout and engagement. Conclusion: Findings from this study provides supportive evidence for HCC as a moderator to ameliorate burnout and facilitate engagement among elderly service workers. Further studies of rigorous design on HCC are recommended. Implication of this study for organizational practice was discussed.
Association of the antibodies against human papillomavirus 16 E4 and E7 proteins with cervical cancer positive for human papillomavirus DNA

Occurrence of the antibodies against human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 proteins E4 and E7 is specifically but independently associated with cervical cancer. To correlate HPV DNA and antibody data, we examined the biopsy specimens and sera, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by ELISA, respectively, from 51 patients with cervical cancer (including 3 recurrent cases) and 22 with cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia. Consensus primers for the LI region were used for PCR and bacterially expressed, purified fusion protein HPV‐16 E4 and non‐fusion protein HPV‐16 E7 were used for ELISA. HPV‐16 DNA and other HPV types were detected in 17 and 25, respectively, out of 51 cases of cervical cancer. Ten out of the 17 HPV‐ 16‐DNA‐ positives were positive either for anti‐E4 or for anti‐E7: positivities for anti‐E4, for anti‐E7, and for both were 6/17, 5/17 and 1/17 respectively. Three anti‐E7‐positives consisted of those for HPV‐33, ‐52 and ‐58 DNA, suggesting that limited cross‐reaction occurred between the HPV types. Among the HPV‐ 16‐DNA‐positive cases of cancer, lymph‐node or distant metastasis was recorded more frequently in the seropositives than in the seronegatives. Our results show that the HPV‐16 anti‐E4 or anti‐E7 occurs in some, but not in all, of the HPV‐16‐DNA‐positive cases, and support the hypothesis that the presence of the HPV‐16 antibodies can be used as a marker for possible metastasis.
Efficiency in treatment discussions: A field study of time related aspects in multi-disciplinary team meetings

We present a field study of multi-disciplinary team meetings where decisions on treatment of patients with diseases in the upper part of the abdomen are made. These meetings are important for knowledge dissemination and learning. We have studied how different time related aspects affect the efficiency during these meetings. Time is relevant because several physicians attend these meetings, and they have tight schedules as it is. Our analysis focuses on the conversation during the team meetings, and on how aspects such as indistinct discussions, lack of relevant competence and information, and the structuring of medical information affect time efficiency.
Transoral lateral oropharyngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region: I. Technique, complications, and functional results.

OBJECTIVES To describe the surgical technique for transoral lateral oropharyngectomy (TLO) and its safety, postoperative management, complications, and functional outcomes. DESIGN A 20-year retrospective case series review. Mean follow-up was 10 years. All but 10 patients were followed up until the fifth postoperative year or death. SETTING Academic, tertiary referral center. PATIENTS A total of 191 patients who underwent TLO for selected invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and/or tonsillar fossa. INTERVENTIONS Ten patients had received preoperative radiation therapy. Induction chemotherapy was used in 153 patients (80.3%). An associated neck dissection was performed in 148 patients (77.5%). Postoperative radiation therapy was administered to 52 patients (28.7%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Overall survival rate, intraoperative mortality, and perioperative mortality were determined. The need for and length of nasogastric tube feeding and tracheotomy were calculated. The incidence of significant postoperative surgical and medical complications was recorded. RESULTS No intraoperative mortality occurred, but 5 patients (2.6%) died in the immediate postoperative period, 3 from medical complications and 2 from unknown causes. In this series, the internal carotid artery was never injured, and no cutaneous-oropharyngeal fistulas were apparent. The incidence of significant surgical complications from the oropharynx was 6.3%. Nasopharyngeal reflux and severe rhinolalia were the most common complications, occurring in 9 patients. Increasing tobacco use was statistically correlated with an increase in postoperative pneumonia from aspiration (P = .05) but no surgical complications. Seven patients (3.7%) had a temporary tracheotomy for a mean of 5 days. One hundred twelve patients (58.6%) had a nasogastric tube inserted for a mean of 6 days. No patients had a permanent gastrostomy or tracheotomy tube. The mean duration of hospitalization was 9 days. The duration of hospitalization was statistically correlated with the need for nasogastric tube placement and its duration (P<.001) or tracheotomy (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS From a functional standpoint, the TLO is a safe surgical approach for treating selected carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa. It is a reliable technique that should be considered for treatment of appropriate squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.
A Novel Role of the Actin-nucleating Arp2/3 Complex in the Regulation of RNA Polymerase II-dependent Transcription*

It has been well documented that actin is present in the nucleus and involved in numerous nuclear functions including regulation of transcription. The actin-nucleating Arp2/3 complex is an essential, evolutionarily conserved seven-subunit protein complex that promotes actin cytoskeleton assembly in the cytoplasm upon stimulation by WASP family proteins. Our recent study indicates that the nuclear localized neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) can induce de novo actin polymerization in the nucleus, and this function is important for the role of N-WASP in the regulation of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Here, we have presented evidence to show that the Arp2/3 complex is also localized in the nucleus and plays an essential role in mediating nuclear actin polymerization induced by N-WASP. We have also demonstrated that the Arp2/3 complex physically associates with RNA polymerase II and is involved in the RNA polymerase II-dependent transcriptional regulation both in vivo and in vitro. Together, these data provide strong support for the hypothesis that N-WASP and the Arp2/3 complex regulate transcription, at least in part, through the regulation of nuclear actin polymerization in a manner similar to their function in the cytoplasm.
The role of occupation in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Where do we stand? At the beginning of the 20th century, farmers were believed to be healthier than the general population. Exposure to fresh countryside air and physical work were thought to be the source of this improved health. During the 20th century this agrarian myth was shown to be incorrect—farmers not only had significantly higher rates of mortality from occupational injuries, but they also had higher rates of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.1 Higher rates of chronic diseases were observed despite the generally lower rates of cigarette smoking among farmers, suggesting that workplace exposures were contributing factors.2 In the 1980s and 1990s there was markedly increased attention to the occupational health of farmers, and to respiratory effects of agricultural exposures. These studies confirmed that farming causes a wide range of respiratory diseases, including airway diseases such as asthma and COPD, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, interstitial fibrosis, infectious pneumonias, and toxic injuries such as silo filler’s disease and tracheo-bronchitis from numerous irritant chemicals.3 Indeed, the spectrum of respiratory diseases from agricultural exposures reads like a textbook of occupational lung disease, and is very different from many classic occupational lung diseases such as asbestosis that are associated with a narrow pulmonary response.4 The range of lung diseases resulting from agricultural work is not surprising when one looks at the breadth and high concentration of toxic exposures on the farm. Pulmonary toxins include organic dusts …
Susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens to C2–C18 fatty acids

Aims: To determine susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens strains CCM 4435T and CNCTC 5459 to C2–C18 fatty acids, and evaluate influence of pH in cultures grown on glucose. Straw particles were added to cultures to simulate the presence of solid phase of the digestive tract milieu.
Extraversion, Empathy, and Humor Style: An Investigation of the Introverted Sense of Humor

5 Introduction and Literature Review . 6 Methods.21 Results.24 Discussion.30 Conclusion.35 References.36 Tables.46 Figures.48 Appendices.49 EXTRAVERSION, EMPATHY, AND HUMOR STYLE 5 Abstract The present study assesses the effects of extraversion, empathy, and humor style on humor score, while specifically focusing on the introverted sense of humor. 129 participants recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk took a survey consisting of the extraversion subscale of the Ten Item Short Version of the Big Five Inventory, the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The study supportedThe present study assesses the effects of extraversion, empathy, and humor style on humor score, while specifically focusing on the introverted sense of humor. 129 participants recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk took a survey consisting of the extraversion subscale of the Ten Item Short Version of the Big Five Inventory, the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The study supported previous findings in which extraversion positively relates to humor such that extraverts reported a greater usage of humor than did introverts. More specifically, both extraverts and introverts use adaptive humor styles (i.e. affiliative and self-enhancing humor) more than they use maladaptive humor styles (i.e. aggressive and self-defeating humor). Additionally, empathy and humor style interact such that empathetic individuals favor adaptive humor styles while unempathetic individuals have relatively heightened usage of the maladaptive humor styles while still primarily using the adaptive humor styles, no matter the level of extraversion.
Detection of visuoperceptual deficits in preclinical and mild Alzheimer's disease

Exhaustive neuropsychological assessment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects frequently identifies cognitive deficits other than memory. However, visuoperception has rarely been investigated in MCI. The 15-Objects Test (15-OT), a visual discrimination task based on the Poppelreuter Test, consists of 15 overlapping objects. Poppelreuter-type tests are frequently used to detect visual agnosia. However, more complex tests, such as the 15-OT, are required to detect visuoperceptual signs in those patients who perform correctly on simple tests. The aim of the present study was to investigate visuoperceptual deficits in MCI patients and to assess the usefulness of the 15-OT to discriminate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and MCI patients from controls. The 15-OT, and a neuropsychological battery included in the diagnostic assessment, was administered to 44 healthy controls, 44 MCI patients, and 44 mild AD patients. Performance on the 15-OT was significantly different between groups. MCI scored between AD and controls. When MCI and AD patients had relatively normal performance on simple tests (Poppelreuter), increased significant abnormalities were found by a more difficult visuoperceptual test (15-OT). Regression analyses showed that the 15-OT was a significant predictor of group membership, but the Poppelreuter Test did not significantly contribute to the models. Visuoperceptual processing is impaired early in the clinical course of AD. The 15-OT allows detection of visuoperceptual deficits in the preclinical and mild AD stages, when classical tests are still unable to detect subtle deficits. So, its inclusion in neuropsychological batteries that are nowadays used in the clinical practice would allow increasing their diagnostic potential.
Dynamics of Apparent and Event Horizons.

The dynamics of apparent and event horizons of various black hole spacetimes, including those containing distorted, rotating and colliding black holes, are studied. We have developed a powerful and efficient new method for locating the event horizon, making possible the study of both types of horizons in numerical relativity. We show that both the event and apparent horizons, in all dynamical black hole spacetimes studied, oscillate with the quasinormal frequency.
The Advantages of Inquiry-Based Laboratory Exercises within the Life Sciences

There has been a recent and strong advocacy to introduce inquiry-based laboratory instruction into biological science courses. Traditional life science curriculum taught basic biological concepts that utilized “cookbook” type experimental procedures in which students follow a pre-described methods resulting in well established and validated results (Domin 1999). Clearly execution of these types of laboratory exercises enforced lessons learned in the classroom but did very little to enhance critical thinking skills. It is believed that developing laboratory exercises that have a research orientated focus will not only teach science, but will develop students to think like a scientist. There is no clear consensus on the function and purpose of laboratory instruction within an academic curriculum (Russell 2008). Leading purposes include: bridging the gap between theory and practice, illustrate material taught in lecture, increase enthusiasm and foster scientific attitudes, and to develop skills of observation, reasoning and critical thinking. Additionally, the perceptions on the importance of laboratory exercises differ greatly between professors and students (Hofstein 2003).
Lymphocyte sub‐populations in patients with allergic and non‐allergic asthma

The subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes were identified using monoclonal antibodies specific for T lymphocytes (T11 antibodies), B lymphocytes (B1 antibodies), helper/inducer T cells (T4 antibodies) and suppressor/cytotoxic cells (T8 antibodies). Ninety‐six subjects, including twenty‐five patients with allergic asthma, nineteen patients with non‐allergic asthma and fifty‐two controls without asthma, were studied. There was no significant difference in the lymphocyte subsets between the allergic and non‐allergic asthmatics. When comparing patients with asthma as a group with the controls, a decrease in the number of T8‐positive suppressor cells and therefore, an increase in the helper/suppressor cell ratio were demonstrated in the asthamtics. A relative deficiency of suppressor T cells may represent another immunological marker of bronchial asthma.
Dangers, Diversions, and Decisions: The Process of Criminal Desistance Among Formerly Incarcerated Young Men

Young adult men (ages 18-24) who exit the juvenile justice system are at high risk for repeat offending. However, little is known qualitatively about the strategies that they use to navigate criminal influences, crime temptations, and the possibility of getting “caught. ” To address this gap, the authors used narrative methods involving 30 in-depth qualitative interviews with 15 formerly incarcerated young men between the ages of 19 and 24. Coding and memoing were used to identify major themes and data patterns. Results indicated two distinct groups; one group engaged in a series of micro-level decision-making processes to navigate challenges in their everyday living environments, which helped to facilitate their gradual abstinence from crime. The second group was equally tested by contextual challenges, but they made decisions to minimize their criminal involvement to avoid the risk of repeat incarceration, which negatively influenced their desistance patterns. The results lend themselves to better understanding how decision making, internal motivation, and external factors can influence the desistance processes of transition-age urban young men.
Elevated Serum Neopterin is Associated with Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Acute Coronary Syndromes

BACKGROUND: Neopterin is a soluble biomarker of monocyte activation and its increased concentration might be expressed in atherosclerosis. Until recently, there has been lacking of information on the prognostic role of neopterin in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The study was aimed at measuring the associations between elevated serum neopterin and increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in ACS. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, recruited 71 ACS patients from January 31 through August 31, 2007 in Sanglah Hospital of Udayana School of Medicine, Denpasar – Bali. Cardiovascular events, such as: CV death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke and recurrent myocardial ischemia were previously defined. Relative risk and survival rate were measured successively by Cox proportional model and Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Of 71 ACS patients aged 56.8 ± 9.5 years, 21 (29.5%) subjects underwent CV events. Overall mean followup was 151.6 (95% CI: 129.7 – 173.5) days. Baseline characteristic were similarly distributed between groups with the highest quartile neopterin level (≥ 14.7 nmol/L) than those with lowest quartile (≤ 6.2 nmol/L). Patients with the highest quartile had the worst survival curve than those with the lowest quartile (log-rank test; P = 0.047). On Cox proportional model, relative risk of highest quartile group was 5.84 (95% CI: 1.19 – 28.47; P = 0.029) compared to lowest quartile, after being adjusted with other predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum neopterin is associated with increased risk of CV events in acute coronary syndromes. KEYWORDS: neopterin, cardiovascular events, acute coronary syndromes
VIABILITY AND FECUNDITY OF ALATE ALIENICOLAE OF APHIS FABAE SCOP. AFTER FLIGHTS TO EXHAUSTION

1. Laboratory-reared 24 hr. -old alate alienicolae of A. fabae were flown for variable periods, but all to apparent exhaustion; their subsequent longevity and fecundity on broad beans, or their survival times during starvation, were compared with controls. 2. Adult longevity, reproductive rate and capacity, and nymph viability were similar in exhausted and control aphids that settled on host plants after flight. Mean adult life was 31 days in exhausted aphids and 32 days in the controls. Both exhausted and control aphids produced an average of 84 larvae per adult. 3. The only major difference noted between exhausted and control aphids that fed after flight was a reluctance, or inability, of exhausted aphids to fly on the following day. 4. Exhausted aphids starved after flight lived for a significantly shorter time (mean of 30 hr.) than control aphids starved without flight (55 hr.). 28% of the exhausted and 88% of the control aphids could take-off on the next day. 5. The results indicate that long migratory flights are unlikely to affect the reproductive potential of aphids, and that alate alienicolae of A. fabae , having settled on a suitable host after an exhaustive flight, are unlikely to fly again.