Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tackling Design Anew: Getting Back to the Heart of Organizational Theory

Executive OverviewWe propose that the study of organization design has been unduly neglected in recent years despite its critical importance for organizational performance. We point to the daunting complexity of the subject matter as a pivotal reason why researchers have turned to other questions. In this paper, we argue that the complexity of design can be successfully approached through the conjoint application of theories from strategic management and organization theory to types of organizations. We elaborate on this approach using transnational professional service firms as an illustrative example.
The SCR1 gene from Schwanniomyces occidentalis encodes a highly hydrophobic polypeptide, which confers ribosomal resistance to cycloheximide

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the SCR1 gene from Schwanniomyces occidentalis is known to induce ribosomal resistance to cycloheximide (cyh). A 2.8 kb DNA fragment encoding this gene was sequenced. Its EMBL Accession No. is AJ419770. It disclosed a putative tRNAAsn (GUU) sequence located downstream of an open reading frame (ORF) of 1641 nucleotides. This ORF was shown to correspond to SCR1. It would encode a highly hydrophobic polypeptide (SCR1) with 12 transmembrane domains. SCR1 is highly similar to a variety of yeast proteins of the multidrug‐resistance (MDR) family. However, SCR1 only conferred resistance to cyh but not to benomyl or methotrexate. The cyh‐resistance phenotype induced by SCR1 was confirmed in several S. cerevisiae strains that expressed this gene to reside at the ribosomal level. In contrast, a β‐galacosidase‐tagged SCR1 was found to be integrated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It is proposed that the ribosomes of yeast cells expressing SCR1 undergo a conformational change during their interaction with the ER, which lowers their affinity for cyh‐binding. If so, these findings would disclose a novel ribosomal resistance mechanism. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global approaches to the service business in manufacturing companies

Purpose – The article aims to investigate how product manufacturing firms can configure their global service approach.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative, multi‐case research design was employed.Findings – The following four global service approaches could be identified: integrated and ethnocentric; integrated and polycentric; separated and polycentric; and separated and geocentric.Research limitations/implications – The research findings are limited in generalizability because of the qualitative research approach.Practical implications – Exploring global forms of and supply chain configurations for services supports the efforts of manufacturing firms in developing new service‐based and relationship‐based value propositions.Originality/value – The study contributes to the debate on integrating versus separating the service organization. It offers a complementary explanation on integrating and separating the service business, through a differentiation into central and local (market) organizations.
Mutual Fund Liquidity and Fiduciary Conflicts of Interest

Open-end mutual funds allow purchases and redemptions of shares daily at the closing net asset value. This practice imposes costs upon the mutual fund for portfolio adjustments and maintaining cash balances to handle inflows and redemptions. The cost of providing liquidity falls disproportionately on nontrading investors. This paper proposes charging fees for purchasing mutual fund shares and for redeeming mutual fund shares. The fees collected will become part of the assets of the fund and compensate nontrading investors for providing liquidity. This procedure reduces the incentives for the use of mutual funds as short-term trading vehicles.
Carbon monoxide: A new player in the redox regulation of connexin hemichannels

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous transmitter that is known to be involved in several physiological processes, but surprisingly it is also becoming a promising molecule to treat several pathologies including stroke and cancer. CO can cross the plasma membrane and activate guanylate cyclase, increasing the cGMP concentration and activating some kinases, including PKG. The other mechanism of action involves induction of protein carbonylation. CO is known to directly and indirectly modulate the function of ion channels at the plasma membrane, which in turn have important repercussions in the cellular behavior. One group of these channels is hemichannels, which are formed by proteins known as connexins (Cxs). Hemichannel allows not only the flow of ions through their pore but also the release of molecules such as ATP and glutamate. Therefore, their modulation not only impacts cellular function but also cellular communication, having the capability to affect tissular behavior. Here, we review the most recent results regarding the effect of CO on Cx hemichannels and their possible repercussions on pathologies. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(6):428–437, 2015
Three Case Studies from Finland

Internationalization among both small and largefirms has been steadily increasing in recent years.In order to competewith larger firms, small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have hastened theprocess of gaining the resources and skills to operate internationally. This research examines the changes made by SMEs in order to compete on aninternational level, andexamines previous research regardingmodifications in SME internationalization.The researchers conductedsemi-structured, face-to-face interviews with representatives of three Finnishmanufacturing firms.Following a description of each company'sproducts, networking, international business activity, organizationalstructure, and firm changes, the similarities and differences between firms arerecognized and discussed.All three companies are experienced ininternational business and at operating in a variety of worldmarkets.However, the companies differ in terms of the internal andexternal changes they have experienced and the catalysts for thesechanges. The overall findings of the case studies indicate that SMEsenter the international market through a variety of paths. (AKP)
Corporate Characteristics and Voluntary Carbon Disclosure:A Perspective of Legitimacy Theory

The paper selects A-share companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in 2011 as samples.Based on the content analysis of annual reports,voluntary carbon disclosure indexes are designed to examine the relationship between corporate characteristics and carbon information voluntary disclosure.It's found that firm size,financial risks and the fixed assets ratio are positively correlated with voluntary carbon information disclosure,and that the sales growth or the listed life is negatively correlated with voluntary carbon information disclosure.The results demonstrate that voluntary carbon disclosure has served as one type of management for listed firms to maintain and enhance their legitimacy status,and that firms with greater(smaller) legitimacy pressure provide more(less) carbon information voluntary disclosure.
HUMAN THYROID ADENYLATE CYCLASE IN NON‐TOXIC GOITRE: SENSITIVITY TO TSH, FLUORIDE AND THYROID STIMULATING IMMUNOGLOBULINS

Homogenates prepared from human thyroid tissue obtained at operation for non‐toxic goitre were separated by differential centrifugation into 1000 g, 5000 g, 10,000 g and 37,000 g fractions. The fractions showed varying amounts of TSH (12.5 mu/ml) and fluoride (10 mmol/1) sensitive adenylate cyclase activity. The 5000 g pellet contained the highest amount of TSH‐sensitive adenylate cyclase activity calculated per mg protein. Of other potential activators tested only fluoride, immunoglobulins from patients with Graves' disease and adrenaline (10−6 mol/l) caused significant stimulation in this fraction, which was selected for further studies.
EFFECTS OF HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALED ENTERPRISES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF NIGERIA

Human capital is the most critical agent of small and medium enterprise (SME) performance. To this extent, a survey approach was adopted in investing the effect of human capital development on the performance of SMEs. Fifty (50) entrepreneurs operating around the Aba SME cluster, located in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria were interviewed as it relates to their quantity of output, quality of output, revenue generated, and profits as indices of performance, while formal education from educational institutions, on-the-job training, and participation in seminars and trade fairs by SME employees were used as indices of human capacity development. The Likert 5-point scale was used in the quantification of responses. The multiple regression tool was used in analyzing the effect of human capacity development indices on the performance index. The result of the analysis shows that increased human capital development by sampled SMEs leads to significant improvements in their performances. However, on-the-job training was identified as the most significant option for developing the human capital of SMEs for enhanced performance.
Northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) as biomonitors of environmental metal contamination

We live‐trapped 40 northern pocket gophers across two years from the Anaconda Smelter Superfund Site, Anaconda, Montana, USA, to determine their exposure to five metal contaminants and effects of exposure on selected measurements. Soil, gopher blood, liver, kidney, and carcass samples were analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc. Hematological parameters, kidney and liver porphyrins, and red blood cell δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity were also measured. Micronutrients Cu and Zn were detected in all tissues analyzed, and Cd, Pb, and As were detected less frequently. We report differences in metal distribution among different tissues and differences in bioaccumulation for different metals within the same tissue. No significant differences were observed in concentrations of Zn or Cu in any tissue across the study site, but relationships between lead in soil and lead in carcass proved especially strong (r2 = 0.80; p < 0.001; n = 18). Among biomarker data, we observed a negative relationship between concentration of lead in the soil and ALAD activity in gophers with detectable concentrations of lead in their blood (r2 = 0.45; p = 0.006; n = 15). Results of this study suggest that northern pocket gophers are useful biomonitors of environmental Pb, Cd, and As contamination, and their broad geographic range across North America could allow them to be an important component of site‐specific metals assessments.
CFD investigation of the flow characteristics of a plug flow anaerobic digester for lignocellulosic biomass methanisation

For the anaerobic conversion of plant biomass to biogas several different types of digester have been installed in practise in recent years. Plug flow digesters are often used when the feedstock treated has high solids content or high viscosity, as this is the case for agricultural lignocellulosic biomass. This study evaluates the flow characteristics of a horizontal digester by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The simulation results showed that the fermenter content is under typical operation conditions to a considerable degree mixed in the axial direction and hence plug flow behaviour cannot be expected. The model indicated that axial mixing is mainly caused by the vertical directed paddles of the agitator, which were arranged in an offset pattern of 120 degrees. Different agitator layouts were evaluated by CFD simulations towards their resultant flow patterns in the fermenter. Although real plug flow behaviour did not appear for any improved arrangement of the mixing system, the optimized configuration exhibited significant lower fluid velocity components along the horizontal fermenter axis. Methanisation of lignocellulosic biomass has recently been promoted as a resource of renewable energy production, but it still lacks practical experience in respect to the efficient design of the anaerobic reactor. CFD simulation can represent a powerful tool for the optimisation of anaerobic digesters treating biomass at high-solids content.
Neuron-Specific Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor–Associated Factor 3 Is a Central Regulator of Neuronal Death in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Neuronal death after ischemic stroke involves multiple pathophysiological events, as well as a complex molecular mechanism. Inhibiting a single therapeutic target that is involved in several ischemic signaling cascades may be a promising strategy for stroke management. Here, we report the versatile biological roles of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 3 (TRAF3) in ischemic stroke. Using several genetically manipulated mouse strains, we also demonstrated that TRAF3 inhibition can be neuroprotective. TRAF3 expression, which is robustly induced in response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, was detected in neurons. Overexpression of TRAF3 in neurons led to aggravated neuronal loss and enlarged infarcts; these effects were reversed in TRAF3-knockout mice. Neuronal TRAF3 also contributed to c-Jun kinase–, nuclear factor &kgr;B– and Rac-1–induced neuronal death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, we showed that TRAF3 interacts with transforming growth factor-&bgr;–activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and potentiates phosphorylation and activation of TAK1. Phosphorylated TAK1 sequentially initiated activation of nuclear factor &kgr;B, Rac-1/NADPH oxidase, and c-Jun kinase/c-Jun signaling cascades. Using a combination of adenoviruses encoding dominant-negative TAK1 and the TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, we demonstrated that the TRAF3-mediated activation of ischemic cascades was TAK1-dependent. More importantly, the adverse phenotypes observed in TRAF3-overexpressing mice were completely reversed when the TRAF3–TAK1 interaction was prevented. Therefore, we have shown that TRAF3 is a central regulator of ischemic pathways, including nuclear factor &kgr;B, Rac-1, and c-Jun kinase signaling, via its interaction with and activation of TAK1. Furthermore, certain components of the TRAF3–TAK1 signaling pathway are potentially promising therapeutic targets in ischemic stroke.
Investigating ultrasonic positioning on mobile phones

In this paper we evaluate the innate ability of mobile phone speakers to produce ultrasound and the possible uses of this ability for accurate indoor positioning. The frequencies in question are a range between 20 and 22 KHz, which is high enough to be inaudible but low enough to be generated by standard sound hardware. A range of tones is generated at different volume settings on several popular modern mobile phones with the aim of finding points of failure. Our results indicate that it is possible to generate the given range of frequencies without significant distortions, provided the signal volume is not excessively high. This is preceded by the discussion of why such ability on off-the-shelf mobile devices is important for Location Based Services (LBS) applications research. Specifically, this ability could be used for indoor sound trilateration positioning. Such an approach is uniquely characterized by the high accuracy inherent to sound trilateration, with little computational burden on the mobile device, and no specialized hardware or audible noise. Combined with a fast internet connection and other sensors present in modern smartphones, such as accelerometers and magnetometers, our approach confirms mobile phones as a suitable platform for indoor LBS applications.
LEAPS Vaccine Incorporating HER-2/neu Epitope Elicits Protection That Prevents and Limits Tumor Growth and Spread of Breast Cancer in a Mouse Model

The prototype J-LEAPS T cell vaccine for HER-2/neu breast cancer (J-HER) consists of the murine HER-2/neu66–74 H-2d CD8 T cell epitope covalently attached through a triglycine linker to the J-immune cell binding ligand (ICBL) (human β2 microglobulin38–50 peptide). The J-ICBL was chosen for its potential to promote Th1/Tc1 responses. In this proof-of-concept study, the ability of J-HER to prevent or treat cancer was tested in the TUBO cell-challenged BALB/c mouse model for HER-2/neu-expressing tumors. The J-HER vaccine was administered as an emulsion in Montanide ISA-51 without the need for a more potent adjuvant. When administered as a prophylactic vaccination before tumor challenge, J-HER protected against tumor development for at least 48 days. Despite eliciting protection, antibody production in J-HER-immunized, TUBO-challenged mice was less than that in unimmunized mice. More importantly, therapeutic administration of J-HER one week after challenge with TUBO breast cancer cells limited the spread of the tumors and the morbidity and the mortality in the challenged mice. The ability to elicit responses that prevent spread of the TUBO tumor by J-HER suggests its utility as a neoimmunoadjuvant therapy to surgery. Individual or mixtures of J-LEAPS vaccines can be readily prepared to include different CD8 T cell epitopes to optimize tumor therapy and customize treatment for individuals with different HLA types.
Developing MR reporter genes: promises and pitfalls

MR reporter genes have the potential to monitor transgene expression non‐invasively in real time at high resolution. These genes can be applied to interrogate the efficacy of gene therapy, to assess cellular differentiation, cell trafficking, and specific metabolic activity, and also assess changes in the microenvironment. Efforts toward the development of MR reporter genes have been made for at least a decade, but, despite these efforts, the field is still in its early developmental stage. This reflects the fact that there are potential pitfalls, caused by the low sensitivity of detection, the need for substrates with their associated undesirable pharmacokinetics, and/or the difficult and, in some cases, delayed interpretation of signal changes. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made during the last few years. Whereas enzyme‐based reporters were initially applied to NMR spectroscopic monitoring of changes in phosphor and fluorine metabolism, MRI‐based approaches are now emerging that rely on: (1) enzyme‐based cleavage of functional groups that block water (proton) exchange or protein binding of MR contrast agents; (2) expression of surface receptors that enable binding of specific MR contrast agents; (3) expression of para‐ and anti‐ferromagnetic (metallo)proteins involved with iron metabolism, such as tyrosinase, transferrin receptor, and ferritin. After an introduction to the basic principles of designing promoters, expression vectors, and cloning of transgenes, a fresh look is provided on the use of reporter genes for optical (including bioluminescent) and nuclear imaging, with which MR reporter genes compete. Although progress in the use of MR reporter genes has been slow, newer strategies that use metalloproteins or alternative contrast mechanisms, with no need for substrates, promise rapid growth potential for this field. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of an Frs2α conditional null allele

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling family controls a broad spectrum of cellular processes in development and adult tissue homeostasis and function, which is expressed in almost all tissues at all stages. FGF receptor substrate 2 alpha (FRS2α) is an adaptor protein that recruits downstream substrates to the FGF receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase. Disruption of Frs2α gene in mice abrogates activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway by the FGFR and leads to embryonic lethality at day E7.5 post copulation. To circumvent the embryonic lethality resulting from disruption of the Frs2α gene, which hinders further characterization of the role of FRS2α in adult tissue function and homeostasis, we generated an Frs2α conditional null allele for temporally‐ and tissue‐specific disruption of the Frs2α gene. Using gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells, we introduced two loxP sites flanking the largest coding exon, exon 5, in the Frs2α allele. Our results indicate that the floxed Frs2α (Frs2αflox) allele is a true conditional null allele that encodes wildtype activity and is converted to a null allele after Cre recombinase mediated recombination. genesis 45:554–559, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability of gyroscopes based on piezoresistive nano-gauges against shock and free-drop tests

Piezoresistive sensing through Si gauges of sub-micrometric cross-section represents an alternative to capacitive sensing in MEMS inertial sensors, potentially advantageous from a miniaturization point of view. Nevertheless, no reliability data against mechanical shocks and drops were presented for such type of technology so far. This work performs an experimental characterization campaign which includes shock tests up to 3400 g (gravity units) and free-drop tests in ceramic package, for 10 Z-axis plus 10 Y-axis gyroscopes based on nano-gauge readout. The results indicate 100% survivability rate to these experiments, verified through comparative modal analyses before and after the test. The results further demonstrate rate sensitivity changes after 10 free drops (onto marble surface) lower than 0.8%, a value within the characterization setup accuracy.
Sustainability and management in fashion, design and culture

Abstract This special issue of Journal of Global Fashion Marketing is titled “Sustainability and Management in Fashion, Design, and Culture”. Sustainability is a multi-dimensional issue that requires a more complex and holistic understanding of humans and their lives. Since the early 1990s, sustainability has been included in studies of fashion, design and culture in various ways. These four articles represent the broad range of research being conducted by global researchers who focus on sustainability. The articles, providing insights into consumers’ knowledge, attitude, behavior and perceptions toward sustainable products, will increase practitioners’ and academic researchers’ understanding of effective marketing and merchandising practices related to sustainable products.
Limits to estimation to stochastic ill-conditioned inverse problems

Using information-theoretic methods we develop simple results quantifying a lower bound for minimax estimation, a kind of infinite-dimensional Cramer-Rao lower bound, for signal estimation in possibly nonlinear, ill-conditioned, inverse problems. Our results reduce calculation to a geometric computation based on a modulus of continuity and make explicit connections with results in the literature on deterministic ill-conditioned inverse problems. Several applications are discussed.