Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and Consequences of Business Model Innovation: The Role of Industry Structure

Abstract What makes firms innovate their business models? Why do they engage in innovating how they create, deliver, and capture value? And how does such innovation translate into innovation performance? Despite the importance of business model innovation for achieving competitive advantage, existing evidence seems to be confined to firm-level antecedents and pays little attention to the impact of industry structure. This study investigates how different stages of an industry’s life cycle and levels of industry competition affect firms’ business model innovation, and how such innovation translates into innovation performance. Based on a cross-industry sample of 1,242 Austrian firms, we introduce a unique measure for the degree of innovation in a firm’s business model. The results indicate that the degree of business model innovation is highest toward the beginning of an industry life cycle, that is, in the emergent stage. Competitive industry pressures turn out to be negatively related to the degree of business model innovation. Moreover, we find that the degree of a firm’s business model innovation, conditional on it having introduced a new product or process recently, positively influences innovation performance. Our findings contribute to the ongoing dialog on the role of industry structure in business model innovation, and provide implications for the management of business model innovation.
Isolation and identification of two novel SDS‐resistant secreted chitinases from Aeromonas schubertii

Two SDS‐resistant endochitinases, designated as ASCHI53 and ASCHI61, were isolated from Aeromonas schubertii in a soil sample from southern Taiwan. MALDI‐TOF mass measurement indicates the molecular weights of 53,527 for ASCHI53 and 61,202 for ASCHI61. N‐terminal and internal amino acid sequences were obtained, and BLAST analysis of the sequences and MS/MS peptide sequencing showed that they were novel proteins. Degradation of chitin by these two endochitinases gave rise to hexameric chitin oligosaccharide, a compound known to have several potent biomedical functions. ASCHI53 and ASCHI61 retained, respectively, 65% and 75%, of their chitinase activity in the presence of 5% SDS and 100% of their activity in the presence of 10% β‐mercaptoethanol. These results demonstrate that they are SDS‐resistant endochitinases and probably have a rigid structure. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2009
Subjective visual acuity with simulated defocus

Citation information: Dehnert A, Bach M & Heinrich SP. Subjective visual acuity with simulated defocus. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 625–631. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011. 00857.x
Patient Satisfaction With Healthcare Services A Critical Review

As healthcare systems shift from fee-for-service to alternate payment models, and consumers gain access to more healthcare options, patient satisfaction is becoming increasingly important for the financial performance of healthcare providers and for patient well-being. However, patient satisfaction is a complex construct. To assist researchers and practitioners, the authors provide a critical review of articles published in the Quality Management Journal (QMJ) on the topic of patient satisfaction. The authors employ Golder, Mitra, and Moorman's (2012) seminal integrative framework of quality as a lens through which to evaluate the studies' contributions and shortcomings. They find that prior QMJ research has focused on patient satisfaction from the perspective of the healthcare delivery system. However, less attention has been given to: 1) understanding patients' perceptions of their experiences and how these perceptions affect satisfaction and perceived quality, and 2) identifying patients' expectations of what attributes should be provided during healthcare services. Consequently, widely used measures of satisfaction, including the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys, may be inadequate. The authors' review provides direction for researchers in developing a more comprehensive research agenda for understanding patient satisfaction.
Risk factors in facial hyperpigmentation in Maghrebian population – a case–control study

Triggering factors seem to be multiple in the pathogenesis of facial hyperpigmentation (FH), as dark skin types, pregnancy, sun exposure… The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for FH in Maghrebian population. Patients with FH were included in a case‐controlled study. Following data were recorded: age, sex, parity, phototype, FH and hormonal‐related history, endocrinological features, sunlight exposure, specific cultural behaviours, use of topic corticosteroids and sunscreens. One hundred women (mean age 29.5 ± 13.7 years) were included with 200 age‐matched controls. Duration of FH was 32.9 ± 42.2 months. There was a statistically significant relation between FH and hirsutism (P = 0.009), troubles of menstruations (P = 0.008), but not with acne (P = 0.23) and contraceptive oral (P = 0.06) drugs or with history of thyroid disorders (P = 0.13). For cultural factors, there were a statistical significant relation with rubbing by flannel glove (P < 0.05), use of dark soap (P = 0.009) and traditional masks (P < 0.05) but both groups were used to go to hammam. A strong relation was observed between FH and use of topical corticosteroids: 40% in the FH group vs. 5% in the control group (P < 0.05). Both groups used to apply sunscreens: 70% in the FH group and 67% in the control group where as there were no differences in the two groups for sun exposure. No statistical differences were observed regarding to age, phototypes and grade of parity. Our study demonstrated a relation between FH and hyperestrogenemia, rubbing with a friction glove, use of moroccan traditional masks and application of topical steroids. The eviction of all these triggering factors could be an adjuvant recommendation in the assessment of FH.
Ribonucleotide reductases: radical enzymes with suicidal tendencies.

Ribonucleotide reductases are uniquely responsible for the production of the deoxynucleotides that are required for all DNA biosynthesis and for the fidelity of DNA replication [ 1, 21. All of the reductases examined to date catalyse the cleavage of the 2’carbon-hydroxyl bond, which is replaced with a hydrogen that is derived from solvent, with retention of the configuration. Each reduction event is accompanied by the oxidation of two cysteines within the active site to a disulphide. Subsequent turnovers require reducing equivalents that can be provided by thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase and NADPH, or by dithiothreitol. One intriguing aspect of reductase enzymology is that neither the quaternary structures nor the cofactor requirements for nucleotide reduction have been conserved evolutionarily. Recent studies of Sun et al. [ 3 ] and of Hooker and Stubbe [4] indicate that their primary structures have not been conserved either. The Escherichia coli reductase is composed of a putative 1 : 1 complex of two homodimeric subunits, R1 and R2. We have proposed that R1 is the business end of the molecule. It provides a binding site for the NDP substrates and for the allosteric effectors, and has five cysteines that are thought to be required for nucleotide reduction. R2 contains the dinuclear iron centre and the tyrosyl-radical cofactor that is also essential for nucleotide reduction, the function of which is to generate a protein radical on R1 by long-range electron transfer [ 5, 61. The Lactobacillus leichmannii reductase is a monomer. This monomer provides a binding site for the NTP substrates and the allosteric effectors, and has five cysteines, as will be described subsequently, that appear to be required for reduction. It also contains the binding
Does obligational contracting lead to better performance? A comparison of global carmakers’ supply chain management approaches in Australia

ABSTRACT Supply chain management (SCM) has been recognised as key to automobile manufacturers’ (‘buyers’) competitive advantage. However, the performance implication of two different approaches towards SCM, obligational contracting (OCR) vs. arm’s length contracting (ACR), remains inconclusive in the current literature. By focusing on examining how multiple global automobile manufacturers’ SCM practices result in different performance outcomes in the one-country setting of Australia, we are able to ascertain the direct impact of SCM approaches on buyers’ performance. We also provide detailed analysis on the specific influence of each distinguishing feature of the OCR/ACR approaches on different aspects of performance. Through a more nuanced investigation of the links between SCM approaches and automobile manufacturers’ performance at the firm level, this research contributes to a better understanding of the topic with managerially applicable insights.
Continuous negative chest wall pressure in hyaline membrane disease: one year experience.

Application of a continuous positive transpulmonary pressure by producing a continuous negative chest wall pressure (CNP) was utilized in the treatment of 49 infants with severe hyaline membrane disease (HMD). In 23 infants in whom spontaneous alveolar ventilation was adequate, CNP was associated with an average elevation in arterial Po2 of over 40 mm Hg while inspired oxygen concentration remained unchanged. Alveolar-arterial O2 tension difference (A-aDo2) decreased significantly. All of these infants survived. In 26 infants with severe alveolar hypoventilation, CNP was used in conjunction with artificial ventilation. Arterial Po2 increased significantly and A-aDo2 decreased. Twelve of these infants survived (46%). The overall survival rate was 71.5%. CNP appears to be an important adjunct to the therapy of severe HMD.
Epidemiologic Assessment of Sugars Consumption Using Biomarkers: Comparisons of Obese and Nonobese Individuals in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Norfolk

We have previously shown that urinary sugars excretion in 24 h urine collections can serve as an independent biomarker of sugars consumption. In the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) Norfolk study of nutrition and cancer, this biomarker in spot urines has been assessed in a cross-sectional comparison of 404 obese individuals aged 45 to 75 years with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m2 and 471 normal weight individuals aged 45 to 75 years with a BMI of <25 kg/m2. In individuals of normal weight, sucrose, protein, and vitamin C intake were positively and highly significantly related to biomarkers in spot urine or plasma (P < 0.001), but there were no significant associations between biomarkers and food intake reports in the obese. Odds ratios for a BMI of >30 were significantly elevated for urinary sucrose [trend per milligram per liter quintile, 1.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.02-1.25; P = 0.016], and the odds ratio for urinary sucrose/fructose ratio was highly significant (trend per quintile, 1.264; 95% CI, 1.142-1.401; P < 0.001). No associations for sugars intake and obesity were found using a food frequency questionnaire, and dietary vitamin C was apparently associated with increased risk (P < 0.001) despite an inverse association for plasma vitamin C. Nutritional biomarkers of consumption can complement existing methods for assessing cancer risk from diet in epidemiologic studies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(8):1651–4)
Expanded modeling of temperature-dependent dielectric properties for microwave thermal ablation

Microwaves are a promising source for thermal tumor ablation due to their ability to rapidly heat dispersive biological tissues, often to temperatures in excess of 100 °C. At these high temperatures, tissue dielectric properties change rapidly and, thus, so do the characteristics of energy delivery. Precise knowledge of how tissue dielectric properties change during microwave heating promises to facilitate more accurate simulation of device performance and helps optimize device geometry and energy delivery parameters. In this study, we measured the dielectric properties of liver tissue during high-temperature microwave heating. The resulting data were compiled into either a sigmoidal function of temperature or an integration of the time–temperature curve for both relative permittivity and effective conductivity. Coupled electromagnetic–thermal simulations of heating produced by a single monopole antenna using the new models were then compared to simulations with existing linear and static models, and experimental temperatures in liver tissue. The new sigmoidal temperature-dependent model more accurately predicted experimental temperatures when compared to temperature–time integrated or existing models. The mean percent differences between simulated and experimental temperatures over all times were 4.2% for sigmoidal, 10.1% for temperature–time integration, 27.0% for linear and 32.8% for static models at the antenna input power of 50 W. Correcting for tissue contraction improved agreement for powers up to 75 W. The sigmoidal model also predicted substantial changes in heating pattern due to dehydration. We can conclude from these studies that a sigmoidal model of tissue dielectric properties improves prediction of experimental results. More work is needed to refine and generalize this model.
Do adhocracy and market cultures facilitate firm-wide integrated marketing communication (IMC)?

The conceptualization of integrated marketing communication (IMC) has evolved from the marketing communications-centered approach (in the early 1990s) to a broader, firm-wide organizational perspective. The latter is adopted in this research to define IMC as a multidimensional concept. This study was conducted to develop a measurement instrument to assess IMC and examine the role of organizational culture in IMC implementation. Data were gathered via an online survey conducted among CEOs and other senior managers. The findings provide evidence of the reliability and validity of the proposed IMC scale and demonstrate that the dominance of an adhocracy (vs. market) culture contributes to building a more IMC-friendly organizational environment.
A Comparison of the Use of Home Care Services by Anglo-American and Mexican American Elders

Elders' use of home care services varies globally. The authors tested the relationship of cultural/ethnic, contextual, and social structural factors with elders' use of home care services in the United States. Fifty-seven non-Hispanic White or “Anglo” and 56 Mexican American elders participated. Use of services significantly correlated with Anglo and Mexican American elders' cultural/ethnic and contextual factors. Perceived need and service awareness were the two factors that were significant for both groups and that the authors believe would be amenable to change in future transcultural nursing interventions to decrease use of services disparities.
Method for detection and reconstruction of gravitational wave transients with networks of advanced detectors

We present a method for detection and reconstruction of the gravitational-wave (GW) transients with the networks of advanced detectors. Originally designed to search for transients with the initial GW detectors, it uses signicantly improved algorithms, which enhances both the low-latency searches with rapid localization of GW events for the electro-magnetic followup and high condence detection of a broad range of the transient GW sources. In the paper we present the analytic framework of the method. Following a short description of the core analysis algorithms, we introduce a novel approach to the reconstruction of the GW polarization from a pattern of detector responses to a GW signal. This polarization pattern is a unique signature of an arbitrary GW signal that can be measured independent from the other source parameters. The polarization measurements enable rapid reconstruction of the GW waveforms, sky localization and helps identication of the source origin.
Investigating ocular movements and Vestibular Evoked Potentials for a vestibular neuroprosthesis: Response to pulse trains and baseline stimulation

No adequate treatment currently exists for bilateral vestibulopathy, which can result in significant decreases of social and physical functioning. To improve patients' quality of life, vestibular neuroprostheses are being developed. Efficacy of current prototypes is evaluated by recording reflexive eye movements (vestibular ocular reflex, VOR). Vestibular Evoked Potentials (VEPs) provide real-time feedback about peripheral efficacy that could be used to adapt a closed-loop neuroprosthesis to improve performance (e.g., eye movement magnitude and direction). A key building block is the prediction of VOR with VEP. In earlier work, we correlated both in response to single stimulation pulses. While impulse responses are interesting, they do not reflect a typical operating mode. To learn more about VEP at expected modulations, we studied the impact of pulse trains and baseline stimulation on VEP here. At 250 pulses per second, VEP did neither change significantly for pulse trains nor over the course of 30-minute baseline stimulation. VOR, on the other hand, changed with the number of pulses, and was also influenced by baseline stimulation.
Biological effects of low level exposures to ionizing radiation: Theory and practice

This paper briefly reviewed recent reports on the epidemiological and experimental data on low dose radiation effects that support the concept of radiation hormesis. These reports point to the possibility of existence of a threshold dose in cancer induction by ionizing radiation and in some cases the occurrence of hormetic effects with stimulation of host defense mechanisms. The possibility of the use of low dose radiation in cancer treatment to improve the outcome of conventional radiotherapy was raised by citing previous reports on experimental studies, which showed increased efficacy in tumor control with significant reduction of total dose of radiation when low dose radiation was used in the combined treatment protocol.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Oman using the International Diabetes Federation's Criteria.

everal epidemiological studies reported high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Arab populations of the Middle East, 1,2 and elsewhere. 3 In Oman, the age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Omanis was shown to be 21% using the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. 4 However, in their pursuit to standardize the data reporting, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) adopted a worldwide consensus definition of the metabolic syndrome. 5 To determine the effect of the new definition on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Oman, we reanalyzed data of a cross- sectional survey of the Nizwa Healthy Lifestyle Project. The survey was conducted in 2001 and contained a probability random sample of Omani adults aged ≥20 years living in the city of Nizwa (180 km south to the capital of Muscat). The overall response rate for the survey was 75.5%. After excluding pregnant women (n=72) and individuals with missing data on various components of the metabolic syndrome (n=20), 1,419 subjects' data were analyzed. Details of sampling methods, laboratory specimens collection, and analysis were given elsewhere. 4 Intercooled Males (n=695) 95% CI Females (n=724) 95% CI Total (n=1419) 95% CI n (%) n (%) n (%)
Electromyographic analysis of lower limb muscles during the golf swing performed with three different clubs

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe and compare the EMG patterns of select lower limb muscles throughout the golf swing, performed with three different clubs, in non-elite middle-aged players. Fourteen golfers performed eight swings each using, in random order, a pitching wedge, 7-iron and 4-iron. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded bilaterally from lower limb muscles: tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gluteus maximus, vastus medialis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. Three-dimensional high-speed video analysis was used to determine the golf swing phases. Results showed that, in average handicap golfers, the highest muscle activation levels occurred during the Forward Swing Phase, with the right semitendinosus and the right biceps femoris muscles producing the highest mean activation levels relative to maximal electromyography (70–76% and 68–73% EMGMAX, respectively). Significant differences between the pitching wedge and the 4-iron club were found in the activation level of the left semitendinosus, right tibialis anterior, right peroneus longus, right vastus medialis, right rectus femuris and right gastrocnemius muscles. The lower limb muscles showed, in most cases and phases, higher mean values of activation on electromyography when golfers performed shots with a 4-iron club.
Sleep Regulates Incubation of Cocaine Craving

After withdrawal from cocaine, chronic cocaine users often experience persistent reduction in total sleep time, which is accompanied by increased sleep fragmentation resembling chronic insomnia. This and other sleep abnormalities have long been speculated to foster relapse and further drug addiction, but direct evidence is lacking. Here, we report that after prolonged withdrawal from cocaine self-administration, rats exhibited persistent reduction in nonrapid-eye-movement (NREM) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, as well as increased sleep fragmentation. In an attempt to improve sleep after cocaine withdrawal, we applied chronic sleep restriction to the rats during their active (dark) phase of the day, which selectively decreased the fragmentation of REM sleep during their inactive (light) phase without changing NREM or the total amount of daily sleep. Animals with improved REM sleep exhibited decreased incubation of cocaine craving, a phenomenon depicting the progressive intensification of cocaine seeking after withdrawal. In contrast, experimentally increasing sleep fragmentation after cocaine self-administration expedited the development of incubation of cocaine craving. Incubation of cocaine craving is partially mediated by progressive accumulation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). After withdrawal from cocaine, animals with improved REM sleep exhibited reduced accumulation of CP-AMPARs in the NAc, whereas increasing sleep fragmentation accelerated NAc CP-AMPAR accumulation. These results reveal a potential molecular substrate that can be engaged by sleep to regulate cocaine craving and relapse, and demonstrate sleep-based therapeutic opportunities for cocaine addiction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sleep abnormalities are common symptoms in chronic drug users long after drug withdrawal. These withdrawal-associated sleep symptoms, particularly reduction in total sleep time and deteriorating sleep quality, have been speculated to foster relapse and further drug addiction, but direct evidence is lacking. Here we show in rats that the sleep pattern was persistently changed long after withdrawal from cocaine self-administration, and demonstrate that sleep interventions can bidirectionally regulate cocaine craving and seeking after withdrawal. We further demonstrate that glutamatergic synapses in the nucleus accumbens are potential neuronal targets for sleep intervention to influence cocaine craving after withdrawal. These results provide a strong rationale supporting sleep-based therapies for cocaine addiction.