Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Editors' Comment on Research Platforms: Point-Counterpoint on Multinationalization and Performance

With this issue, Global Strategy Journal introduces a new format for articles that will be offered across the Strategic Management Society family of journals. The society’s publications committee has chosen to call these invited articles ‘research platforms. ’ Research platform content in the SMS journals provides a base for identifying and opening up new areas of research that involve multiple potential research questions. The goal of research platform content is to help scholars identify opportunities to advance the discipline of scholarship in strategic management and in global strategic management in the specific case of GSJ. The research platform concept is explained in more detail in the next section, but as applied in this issue, it supports the Point-Counterpoint discussion between two outstanding scholars of global strategy and international business, Farok Contractor and Alain Verbeke, that follows this comment. In this case, the topic is multinationalization and performance (alternatively internationalization and performance—we use the terms interchangeably in this comment), one of the mainstays of studies of multinational enterprises and their strategies. GSJ has previously published on the topic (Wiersema and Bowen, 2011; Hennart, 2011; Kirca et al., 2012; Oh and Contractor, 2012) and includes an independently submitted and blindreviewed article on the topic in this issue (Fisch, 2012). However, a complete list of articles on the topic across all strategy and international business journals would undoubtedly run into the hundreds— hence, this seems a good topic to discuss as a research platform. We offer our editorial thoughts on M-P research at the end of this comment.
Quantitative PET studies in pretreated melanoma patients: a comparison of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa with 18F-FDG and (15)O-water using compartment and noncompartment analysis.

UNLABELLED The purpose of the study was to evaluate the 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa (FDOPA) kinetics with PET in patients with treated melanoma metastases and to compare it with the standard tracer 18F-FDG as well as with the perfusion tracer (15)O-water in selected cases. METHODS The study included 11 patients (22 lesions) with pretreated metastatic melanomas. Dynamic studies with FDG and in selected cases with (15)O-water (eight patients) preceded the FDOPA study. A one-tissue-compartment model was used for the evaluation of the FDOPA and (15)O-water studies, and a two-tissue-compartment model and Patlak analysis were used for the FDG data. A noncompartment model based on chaos theory was used for calculating fractal dimension, which is a parameter for heterogeneity. RESULTS The FDG studies showed a 1.5-fold increased uptake in comparison with surrounding tissue in 19 of 22 metastatic lesions (sensitivity of 86.4%). False-negative FDG results were obtained in 2 patients (three lesions). FDOPA uptake was enhanced in 14 of 22 metastatic lesions (sensitivity of 64%). FDG uptake was 1.5-fold higher than FDOPA uptake in 18 of 22 metastases from melanoma, whereas FDOPA uptake was 1.5-fold higher than FDG uptake in 2 patients with liver metastases. The data did not show a statistically significant correlation between the transport constant (K1) for FDOPA and that for FDG or between the standardized uptake value for FDOPA and FDG in metastases. No statistically significant correlation was found between K1 for FDOPA and that for (15)O-water. The data show that FDOPA uptake is not perfusion dependent and provides different information from FDG. The fractal dimension was similar for all tracers within the tumor region. Detectability of metastases was enhanced when both tracers were used (sensitivity of 95%). CONCLUSION In patients with negative FDG findings, FDOPA can help to identify viable melanoma metastases and thus may help to select patients who would benefit from further treatment.
Vibrotactile feedback as a tool to improve motor learning and sports performance: a systematic review

Background Evidence concerning the use of vibrotactile feedback for acquiring and learning new motor skills is limited. Although various concepts and applications for tactile feedback have been proposed, little is known about the suitability of this feedback mechanism in sports training. Aim The goal of this systematic review was to gather knowledge on the efficacy of the use of vibrotactile feedback in improving sports performance skills. Design Systematic review. Methods Comprehensively searched databases were: PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science. Studies investigating the effects of using vibrotactile feedback in sports training in healthy subjects were included in this review. Results No consensus was found regarding the positive effectiveness on performance using vibrotactile feedback in a sports context. No evidence was found that the addition of tactile feedback is effective for acquiring new motor skills. None of the studies show a significant learning effect.
Oddities, Biases, and Strengths of U.S. Presidential Nomination Politics

1. Happenstance and Reforms 2. Presidential Nomination Politics at the Dawn of the 21st Century 3. Is This a Fair Way to Select a Presidential Nominee? 4. Alternative Methods for Nominating Presidents 5. Oddities, Biases, and Strengths of U.S. Presidential Nomination Politics
Fibrinogen in massive haemorrhage – when and how should we replace it?

Management of bleeding is rather like home baking; the recipe varies widely and depends on the cook, local ingredients and taste. Evidence on which to base practice is limited and even the role of the staple ingredient, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), is unclear (Stanworth et al., 2004). However, with the evolution of point of care testing, demonstration of the benefits of fibrinogen-containing products (FFP and cryoprecipitate) in the management of trauma haemorrhage, both on the battle field and in the hospital setting (Stinger et al., 2008; Rourke et al., 2012) and the increasing availability of lyophilised fibrinogen concentrate there is increased interest in the management of major haemorrhage, with the recognition that ‘one size does not fit all’. In this edition of Transfusion Medicine, the roles of cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate in the management of major haemorrhage are reviewed (Yang et al., 2012). Fibrinogen is essential for clot formation and is depleted early and critically in major haemorrhage (Fries & Martini, 2010). Measurement of Clauss fibrinogen in standard coagulation screens better enables clinicians to assess haemostatic competence. In massive obstetric haemorrhage, for example, both APTT and PT may be normal in the presence of undetectable fibrinogen levels (De Lloyd et al., 2011). BCSH guidelines recommended transfusion of FFP when the APTT is 1·5 times the upper limit of normal (BCSH, 2004) which would be totally inappropriate in such a setting. More recent guidelines recognise that prolongation of the APTT or PT >1·5 times normal or a fibrinogen level <1 g L−1 represents haemostatic failure (AAGBI, 2010). Management of bleeding should aim to prevent, rather than wait for these parameters before replacing coagulation factors. In any major bleeding event management must be multidisciplinary. Management of coagulation abnormalities should be timely but targeted in an effort to avoid circulatory overload and to minimise the risk of transfusion-related complications. Attention should be paid to maintaining platelet count, above a minimum of 50 × 109 L−1, but ideally closer to 100 × 109 L−1 in massive haemorrhage (AAGBI, 2010; Rossaint et al., 2010). The
Quality of breast cancer care: what do we know?

PURPOSE To critically review studies that describe patterns of care for breast cancer patients and to examine the data sources used for case identification and determining patterns of care. METHODS We searched the MEDLINE database (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD) in August 2001 for studies of breast cancer care published from January 1985 to June 2001. Thirty-eight articles, describing 32 studies, met the inclusion criteria for this review. RESULTS According to the patterns of care literature, approximately 10% of women do not have an axillary lymph node dissection, 11% to 26% do not have their hormone receptor status reported, 20% do not receive radiation after breast-conserving surgery, and 30% to 70% of women with lymph node-positive breast cancer are not prescribed tamoxifen. Twenty-five (78%) of the studies relied on cancer registries for case identification. Cancer registries (47%) and the medical record (38%) were the most frequent sources of data on process of care. Twenty percent of the articles reported using more than one data source to determine patterns of care. CONCLUSION Although more patterns of care research has taken place in breast cancer than in any other oncologic condition, we found the available data had many limitations. These limitations highlight the challenges of quality-of-care research. To track changes in the quality of cancer care that may result from our rapidly transforming health care system, we need reliable data on the quality of current practice.
A Closed-Form Expression for Minimum Operating Voltage of CMOS D Flip-Flop

In this paper, a closed-form expression for estimating the minimum operating voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of D flip-flops (FFs) is proposed. <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is defined as the minimum supply voltage at which the FFs are functional without errors. The proposed expression indicates that <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of FFs is a linear function of the square root of logarithm of the number of FFs, and its slope depends on the within-die variation of the threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ TH}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and its intercept depends on the balance between nMOS and pMOS, which is mainly due to the die-to-die <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ TH}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> variation. The proposed expression of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is validated by the simulation results as well as the silicon measurements. Finally, we discuss the dependence of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> on the device parameters.
White Matter Microstructural Similarity and Diversity of Functional Constipation and Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background/Aims The Rome III criteria separated chronic constipation into functional constipation (FC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), but some researchers questioned the partitioning and treated both as distinct parts of a continuum. The study aims to explore the similarity and diversity of brain white matter between FC and IBS-C. Methods The voxel-wise analysis of the diffusion parameters was used to quantify the white matter changes of female brains in 18 FC patients and 20 IBS-C patients compared with a comparison group with 19 healthy controls by tract-based spatial statistics. The correlations between diffusive parameters and clinical symptoms were evaluated using a Pearson’s correlation. Results In comparison to healthy controls, FC patients showed a decrease of fractional anisotropy (FA) and an increase of radial diffusivity (RD) in multiple major fibers encompassing the corpus callosum (CC, P = 0.001 at peak), external capsule (P = 0.002 at peak), corona radiata (CR, P = 0.001 at peak), and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF, P = 0.002 at peak). In contrast, IBS-C patients showed FA and RD aberrations in the CC (P = 0.048 at peak). Moreover, the direct comparison between FC and IBS-C showed only RD differences in the CR and SLF. In addition, FA and RD in the CC were significantly associated with abdominal pain for all patients, whereas FA in CR (P = 0.016) and SLF (P = 0.040) were significantly associated with the length of time per attempt and incomplete evacuation separately for FC patients. Conclusion These results may improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying different types of constipation.
From Hero-Innovators to Distributed Heroism: An in-depth analysis of the role of individuals in public sector innovation

Building on the literature on collaborative leadership, this paper explores the roles of individual persons in processes of public innovation. On the basis of a literature review, a heuristic model is developed that consists of roles at different levels (entrepreneurial leadership versus innovation realization) and in different phases (idea generation, selection, testing, scaling-up, and diffusion). The value of this model is explored through an in-depth, longitudinal analysis of a police innovation in the Netherlands. The empirical study underlines the value of the model and shows that, although individual hero-innovators may not exist, distributed heroism does.
Extracting users' interest from book-browsing behaviors recorded with RFID

Methods for extracting users' interests from their behaviors in the real world and on the Web have been studied. Radio Frequency Identification RFID is a sensor which has been employed in logistics for tracing the movements of products, and can be extended to a tool for obtaining the behavioral data of humans. If RFID is used in a bookstore, pick-up behaviors and browsing time are to be obtained. In this paper, we hypothesize that the longer a book is picked and read, the stronger the user is interested in the book. We propose a system for extracting keywords representing user's interests from his/her behavioral data, i.e., the history of browsing books stored in bookshelves. The proposed system identifies books that have been browsed by a user, and extracts keywords that appear frequently in the books. Then the system weights each keyword using the browsing time of books including the keyword. The system finally outputs keywords of high weights as the indices of the user's interest. The experimental results support our hypothesis, i.e. the keywords obtained by the proposed system represent users' interests more precisely than previous indexing methods.
Comparison of murine cirrhosis models induced by hepatotoxin administration and common bile duct ligation.

AIM To build up the research models of hepatic fibrosis in mice. METHODS Inbred wild-type FVB/N mice were either treated with alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT), allyl alcohol (AA), carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC), and silica, or subjected to common bile duct ligation (CBDL) to induce hepatic injury. Liver biopsies were performed every 4 wk to evaluate hepatic fibrosis over a period of 6 mo. Cumulative cirrhosis and survival curves were constructed by life table method and compared with Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Under the dosages used, there was neither mortality nor cirrhosis in AA and silica-treated groups. DDC and ANIT caused cirrhosis within 4-12 and 12-24 wk, respectively. Both showed significantly faster cirrhosis induction at high dosages without significant alteration of survival. The duration for cirrhosis induction by CCl(4) ranged from 4 to 20 wk, mainly dependent upon the dosage. However, the increase in CCl(4) dosage significantly worsened survival. Intraperitoneal CCl(4) administration resulted in better survival in comparison with gavage administration at high dosage, but not at medium and low dosages. After CBDL, all the mice developed liver cirrhosis within 4-8 wk and then died by the end of 16 wk. CONCLUSION CBDL and administrations of ANIT, CCl(4), and DDC ensured liver cirrhosis. CBDL required the least amount of time in cirrhosis induction, but caused shortened lives of mice. It was followed by DDC and ANIT administration with favorable survival. As for CCl(4), the speed of cirrhosis induction and the mouse survival depended upon the dosages and the administration route.
Durable-Goods Monopoly with Discrete Demand

We analyze a dynamic game between consumers and the sole seller of a durable good. Unlike previous analyses, we assume that there exists a finite collection of buyers rather than a continuum. None of the main conclusions of the literature on durable-goods monopoly survives this change in assumption. Coase's conjecture that a durable-goods monopolist cannot earn supracompetitive profits in the continuous-time limit, Bulow's proposition that renting a durable is always more profitable than selling it, and Stokey's proposition that precommitting to a time path of prices is always optimal are all false when the set of buyers is finite. Thus the assumption of a continuum of consumers--so innocuous and useful a simplification in other contexts--has proved misleading in the context of durable-goods monopoly.
Clustering methods applied in the detection of Ki67 hot‐spots in whole tumor slide images: An efficient way to characterize heterogeneous tissue‐based biomarkers

Whole‐slide scanners allow the digitization of an entire histological slide at very high resolution. This new acquisition technique opens a wide range of possibilities for addressing challenging image analysis problems, including the identification of tissue‐based biomarkers. In this study, we use whole‐slide scanner technology for imaging the proliferating activity patterns in tumor slides based on Ki67 immunohistochemistry. Faced with large images, pathologists require tools that can help them identify tumor regions that exhibit high proliferating activity, called “hot‐spots” (HSs). Pathologists need tools that can quantitatively characterize these HS patterns. To respond to this clinical need, the present study investigates various clustering methods with the aim of identifying Ki67 HSs in whole tumor slide images. This task requires a method capable of identifying an unknown number of clusters, which may be highly variable in terms of shape, size, and density. We developed a hybrid clustering method, referred to as Seedlink. Compared to manual HS selections by three pathologists, we show that Seedlink provides an efficient way of detecting Ki67 HSs and improves the agreement among pathologists when identifying HSs. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Comparative Approaches for Assessing Network Vulnerability

A common theme in analysis and evaluation of network-based critical infrastructure is the assessment of system vulnerability. Graph theoretic, simulation, and optimization-based techniques have played a significant role in examining potential network vulnerabilities given the insights they can provide for mitigating facility loss and prioritizing fortification efforts. Central to these approaches is the concept of facility (arc—node) importance or criticality to system survivability. Assessments of network vulnerability can dramatically differ based on how facility importance is characterized. In this review, various approaches for assessing facility importance and network vulnerability are examined. The key differences in these approaches are the ways in which a facility's role in maintaining network operability is evaluated given arc—node disruption. Comparative results suggest significant differences exist among measures of facility importance and network performance. Furthermore, the subsequent incongruities in these measures and their implications need to be clearly understood to support interdiction risk and vulnerability assessment for critical infrastructures.
Current share in multiphase SMPCs by digital filtering

This paper introduces a new method of passive current balancing for digital control based upon the duty-cycle matching principle. The method does not rely on a current balancing loop and therefore the stability and performance concerns associated with the traditional current balance loop are obviated. Being sensorless, it is insensitive to current measurement inaccuracies caused by noise, component value tolerance or variation. It will be shown that effective current balancing can be achieved via some simple modifications to standard voltage mode control laws, allowing current balancing to be achieved with minor additional complexity.
Ineffective erythropoiesis with reduced red blood cell survival in serotonin-deficient mice

Serotonin (5-HT) has long been recognized as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, where it modulates a variety of behavioral functions. Availability of 5-HT depends on the expression of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and the recent discovery of a dual system for 5-HT synthesis in the brain (TPH2) and periphery (TPH1) has renewed interest in studying the potential functions played by 5-HT in nonnervous tissues. Moreover, characterization of the TPH1 knockout mouse model (TPH1−/−) led to the identification of unsuspected roles for peripheral 5-HT, revealing the importance of this monoamine in regulating key physiological functions outside the brain. Here, we present in vivo data showing that mice deficient in peripheral 5-HT display morphological and cellular features of ineffective erythropoiesis. The central event occurs in the bone marrow where the absence of 5-HT hampers progression of erythroid precursors expressing 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors toward terminal differentiation. In addition, red blood cells from 5-HT–deficient mice are more sensitive to macrophage phagocytosis and have a shortened in vivo half-life. The combination of these two defects causes TPH1−/− animals to develop a phenotype of macrocytic anemia. Direct evidence for a 5-HT effect on erythroid precursors is provided by supplementation of the culture medium with 5-HT that increases the proliferative capacity of both 5-HT–deficient and normal cells. Our thorough analysis of TPH1−/− mice provides a unique model of morphological and functional aberrations of erythropoiesis and identifies 5-HT as a key factor for red blood cell production and survival.
DC/DC Conversion Systems Consisting of Multiple Converter Modules: Stability, Control, and Experimental Verifications

This paper investigates DC/DC conversion systems constructed from connecting multiple converter modules in series and/or parallel at both the input and output sides. Control strategies aiming at achieving proper sharing of the voltage and/or current at the input or output sides are studied in detail. The relationship between sharing of input voltages/currents and that of output voltages/currents is studied. In particular, the inherent stability of control operations applied at the input side and the output side is analyzed. Based on the analysis, a general control strategy for series-parallel systems, which decouples the output voltage control loop and the sharing control loop, is proposed. Furthermore, three modularization architectures are proposed for input-series-output-parallel (ISOP), input-parallel-output-series (IPOS), and input-series-output-series (ISOS) connected systems. These architectures enjoy full advantages of modularization and no external controller is needed to coordinate the sharing control for the individual modules. Experimental prototypes are built and tested to validate the general control strategy and the proposed modularization architectures.