Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opportunities and Entrepreneurship

This article extends and elaborates the perspective on entrepreneurship articulated by Shane and Venkataraman (2000) and Venkataraman (1997) by explaining in more detail the role of opportunities in the entrepreneurial process. In particular, the article explains the importance of examining entrepreneurship through a disequilibrium framework that focuses on the characteristics and existence of entrepreneurial opportunities. In addition, the article describes several typologies of opportunities and their implications for understanding entrepreneurship.
Wine tourism in the Mediterranean: A tool for restructuring and development

Mediterranean countries have long been associated with wine production. However, only recently, as regions come to face the implications of global rural restructuring, have wine and tourism been utilized for regional development and re-imaging strategies. This article provides a review of the concept of wine tourism and its development. Using a number of case studies, the article then examines how the relationship between wine and tourism is being encouraged through European Union development programs and national and provincial government policies, and evaluates their relative success. The article concludes that wine and tourism are becoming increasingly integrated in tourist promotion and product-development activities in the Mediterranean. However, their contribution to solving problems of rural restructur-ing may be more problematic, and greater attention needs to be given to establishing stronger links between industry stakeholders and in adding greater value to the wine and food product in rural areas. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A 1-Mb/s Visible Light Communications Link With Low Bandwidth Organic Components

This letter presents new experimental results on a 1-Mb/s organic visible light communications system. These results are the first demonstration of a fully organic free space optical communications system. Due to low charge transport characteristics, organic devices are typically highly band limited in the hundreds of kilohertz region (up to 135 kHz in this letter). Therefore, an artificial neural network (ANN) equalizer is required to undo the effects of intersymbol interference. Without the ANN, the maximum link performance corresponds to a data rate of 350 kb/s; however, with the ANN, a transmission speed of 1.15 Mb/s could be supported.
Adolescents Seeking Nutrition Information: Motivations, Sources and the Role of the Internet

Much research exploring the potential of the internet for providing effective nutrition information to adolescents focuses on the design of websites and uses of the internet. This study takes a step back to investigate the specific reasons adolescents do and do not use the internet to learn about nutrition. This paper asks, "What motivates adolescents to select the internet when learning about nutrition? " Using in-depth interviews and a survey, two stages of the information-seeking process are examined: initiation and selection. Results reveal that because school classes are serving as a primary entry point for learning about this topic, even personal nutrition needs are often conceptualized as formal and education-related. The internet is less appealing than books and teachers for fulfilling those needs because adolescents primarily use it for social, not formal tasks. The paper concludes that educators should incorporate more directed use of the internet into nutrition classes and assignments.
Adipic acid dihydrazide treated partially oxidized alginate beads for sustained oral delivery of flurbiprofen

In this study, periodate oxidation of sodium alginate was controlled such that the oxidized alginate could form isolatable beads with Ca+2 ions. The beads of oxidized alginate having a degree of oxidation 1 mol%, entrapped 89% flurbiprofen and released almost all of its content within 1.5 h in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer solution. The beads were covalently crosslinked with adipic dihydrazide (ADH) in addition to ionic crosslinks and were characterized. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the beads were spherical having smooth surfaces. The drug entrapment efficiency decreased (90–86%) with increasing concentration of ADH (2–6% w/v) in the gelation medium. However, the beads prolonged the drug release in alkaline dissolution medium up to 8 h depending upon the concentration of ADH. The beads prepared with 2% ADH swelled more rapidly and led to faster drug release in either pH 1.2 HCl solution or pH 7.2 phosphate buffer solution. The swelling tendencies were reduced and the drug release became slower with higher concentrations in either fluid. The drug diffusion from the beads followed super case II transport mechanism. FTIR spectroscopy indicated stable nature of flurbiprofen in the beads and therefore had potential as sustained oral delivery system for the drug.
Complimentary and alternative medicine use among patients starting warfarin

The use of complimentary and alternative medicines (CAM) among the UK population is on the increase. For patients requiring warfarin therapy, it is important to maintain an adequate and safe level of anticoagulation. As some forms of CAM can interact with warfarin, it is imperative that any patient considered for warfarin, is asked about their use of CAM. Our report describes the incidence and type of CAM usage among patients about to start or recently commenced on warfarin therapy attending our outpatient anticoagulant clinic. All patients attending clinic for the first time were seen by a pharmacist. A retrospective analysis of the pharmaceutical care plans for all patients seen during 2003 were analysed regarding the degree of CAM usage. Of 631 care plans reviewed, 170 (26·9%) patients were taking some form of CAM. Ninety‐nine (58% of all CAM users) were taking a CAM that could interact with warfarin; the commonest forms were cod‐liver oil capsules and garlic capsules. We conclude that many patients new to warfarin therapy were significant users of CAM, many of which had the potential to interact with warfarin. By taking a full drug history, potential CAM/warfarin interactions could be avoided.
The Taxonomic Status of Genetically Divergent Populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) Based on the Distribution of Mitochondrial and Isozyme Variation

Abstract The sand fly, Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) reputedly is a complex of cryptic species; however, there is currently no consensus as to the number of species in the complex or their geographic distributions. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of 31 populations from throughout the species range, using seven isozyme loci and genes in the mitochondrial genome. Analyses of these two independent sets of markers were largely concordant and revealed four distinct clades that support the existence of four species. The four clades have distinct geographic ranges: (1) Brazil (Species A = Lu. longipalpis sensu stricto), (2) Laran (Species B = Lu. pseudolongipalpis), (3) cis-Andean (Species C), and (4) trans-Andean (Species D). The cis-Andean clade may be subdivided further into two groups, one in Colombia and one in northwestern Venezuela, but their taxonomic status remains unresolved. Knowledge that Lu. longipalpis is a complex of species may ultimately shed light on anomalies in the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in the New World.
Rapid maturation of the muscle biochemistry that supports diving in Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

ABSTRACT Physiological constraints dictate animals’ ability to exploit habitats. For marine mammals, it is important to quantify physiological limits that influence diving and their ability to alter foraging behaviors. We characterized age-specific dive limits of walruses by measuring anaerobic (acid-buffering capacity) and aerobic (myoglobin content) capacities of the muscles that power hind (longissimus dorsi) and fore (supraspinatus) flipper propulsion. Mean buffering capacities were similar across muscles and age classes (a fetus, five neonatal calves, a 3 month old and 20 adults), ranging from 41.31 to 54.14 slykes and 42.00 to 46.93 slykes in the longissimus and supraspinatus, respectively. Mean myoglobin in the fetus and neonatal calves fell within a narrow range (longissimus: 0.92–1.68 g 100 g−1 wet muscle mass; supraspinatus: 0.88–1.64 g 100 g−1 wet muscle mass). By 3 months post-partum, myoglobin in the longissimus increased by 79%, but levels in the supraspinatus remained unaltered. From 3 months post-partum to adulthood, myoglobin increased by an additional 26% in the longissimus and increased by 126% in the supraspinatus; myoglobin remained greater in the longissimus compared with the supraspinatus. Walruses are unique among marine mammals because they are born with a mature muscle acid-buffering capacity and attain mature myoglobin content early in life. Despite rapid physiological development, small body size limits the diving capacity of immature walruses and extreme sexual dimorphism reduces the diving capacity of adult females compared with adult males. Thus, free-ranging immature walruses likely exhibit the shortest foraging dives while adult males are capable of the longest foraging dives. Summary: Age-specific muscle biochemistry of the major locomotor muscles in walruses enables estimates to be made of their aerobic dive limits and theoretical bottom times relative to age and dive depth.
The other side of quality: 'soft' issues and the human resource dimension

This article discusses the implications of total quality management (TQM) for the management of human resources. It argues that the dominance of operations management writers amongst the leading proponents of total quality management has led to insufficient attention being paid to this area. While lip service is paid to human resource considerations there is little detailed examination of such issues. The article further suggests there may be tensions between the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ sides of TQM. It also points to the need for the personnel function to provide greater input into TQM processes but recognizes this is problematic.
Nutritional vitamin D status during pregnancy: reasons for concern

In this issue of CMAJ , Mannion and colleagues[1][1] report that women who restricted their intake of milk and vitamin D during pregnancy had smaller babies. In fact, each additional cup of milk per day was associated with a 41-g increase in birth weight; furthermore, each additional daily microgram
Party Competition and European Integration in the East and West

How does the ideological profile of a political party affect its support or opposition to European integration? The authors investigate this question with a new expert data set on party positioning on European integration covering 171 political parties in 23 countries. The authors’ findings are (a) that basic structures of party competition in the East and West are fundamentally and explicably different and (b) that although the positions that parties in the East and West take on European integration are substantively different, they share a single underlying causality.
Price Differentials between Dual-Class Stocks: Voting Premium or Liquidity Discount?

A series of papers suggest that private benefits can explain the price differentials between stock classes carrying different voting rights. However, in Denmark the premium is negative for several firms over long periods. This indicates that in the absence of takeover contests, where the voting right becomes crucial in a transfer of corporate control, the price differential in stock classes with identical dividend rights is more likely to reflect investors' liquidity risks. Whereas the existing literature tends to focus primarily on corporate control-related explanations, this paper documents the impact of liquidity on price spreads between dual-class shares. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2003.
Prenatal growth and development of the modern human labyrinth

The modern human bony labyrinth is morphologically distinct from that of all other primates, showing derived features linked with vestibular function and the overall shape of the cranial base. However, little is known of how this unique morphology emerges prenatally. This study examines in detail the developing fetal human labyrinth, both to document this basic aspect of cranial biology, and more specifically, to gain insight into the ontogenetic basis of its phylogenetically derived morphology. Forty‐one post‐mortem human fetuses, ranging from 9 to 29 weeks gestation, were investigated with high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Quantitative analyses of the labyrinthine morphology revealed a number of interesting age‐related trends. In addition, our findings show that: (1) the prenatal labyrinth attains an adult equivalent size between 17 and 19 weeks gestation; (2) within the period investigated, shape changes to all or most of the labyrinth cease after the 17–19‐week size maturation point or after the otic capsule ossifies; (3) fetal cochlea development correlates with the surrounding petrosal morphology, but not with the midline basicranium; (4) gestational age‐related rotations of the ampullae and cochlea relative to the lateral canal, and posterior canal torsion are similar to documented phylogenetic trends whereas other trends remain distinct. Findings are discussed in terms of the ontogenetic processes and mechanisms that most likely led, in part, to the emergence of the phylogenetically derived adult modern human labyrinth.
To what extent do line managers play a role in modern industrial relations

Despite significant changes in industrial relations (IR) legislation in recent decades, research has failed to place the line manager at the centre of analysis on IR performance. There is much published about their HR role, but both HRM and IR relate directly to managing people in the workplace. This means that line managers’ IR role is also important to understand. This paper asks does the line manager play a role in modern industrial relations and how organisations can support line managers in their IR role. While aspects of IR have been transformed in Australia to a very legalistic process, data from three Australian cases indicate that the training and skills of line managers has a strong impact on their performance in workplace-level IR matters. Furthermore, their level within the corporate hierarchy determines the type of IR activities in which they are involved.
Permeability and single channel conductance of human homomeric ρ1 GABAC receptors

1 Homomeric human ρ1 GABAC receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) in order to examine their conductance and permeability. 2 Reversal potentials of currents elicited by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) were measured in extracellular solutions of various ionic composition to determine relative permeability of homomeric ρ1 receptors. The rank order of anionic permeability was: SCN− > I− > NO3− > Br− > Cl− > formate (For−) > HCO3− > acetate (Ac−) ≈ proprionate (Prop−) ≈ isethionate (Ise−) ≈ F−≈ PO4−. 3 In the oocyte expression system, relative permeabilities to SCN−, I−, NO3−, Br− and HCO3− were higher for ρ1 GABAC receptors than α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors. 4 Expression of ρ1 GABAC receptors in Xenopus oocytes and in HEK293 cells gave similar relative permeabilities for selected anions, suggesting that the expression system does not significantly alter permeation properties. 5 The pore diameter of the homomeric ρ1 GABAC receptor expressed in oocytes was estimated to be 0.61 nm, which is somewhat larger than the 0.56 nm pore diameter estimated for α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors. 6 Homomeric ρ1 GABA receptors expressed in oocytes had a single channel chord conductance of 0.65 ± 0.04 pS (mean ±s.e.m.s) when the internal chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) was 20 mm. With a [Cl−]i of 100 mm, the single channel chord conductance was 1.59 ± 0.24 pS. 7 The mean open time directly measured from 43 GABA‐induced channel openings in six patches was 3.2 ± 0.8 s. The mean open time in the presence of 100 μm picrotoxin was 0.07 ± 0.01 s (77 openings from 3 patches). 8 The differences observed in ionic permeabilities, pore size, single channel conductance and mean open time suggest that the ρ1 homomeric receptor may not be the native retinal GABAC receptor reported previously.
Chemotherapy triggers HIF-1–dependent glutathione synthesis and copper chelation that induces the breast cancer stem cell phenotype

Significance We demonstrate that glutathione biosynthesis is controlled by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and is critical for chemotherapy-induced enrichment of breast cancer stem cells, making it an attractive therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer, which is the only subset of breast cancers for which there is no available targeted therapy. We also delineate a molecular mechanism in which glutathione functions as a signaling molecule to activate the breast cancer stem cell phenotype, establishing cross-talk between cancer metabolism and signal transduction. We also demonstrate that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-ERK inhibitors and copper chelators have the countertherapeutic effect of inducing breast cancer stem cell enrichment. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10–15% of all breast cancer but is responsible for a disproportionate share of morbidity and mortality because of its aggressive characteristics and lack of targeted therapies. Chemotherapy induces enrichment of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which are responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis. Here, we demonstrate that chemotherapy induces the expression of the cystine transporter xCT and the regulatory subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCLM) in a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1–dependent manner, leading to increased intracellular glutathione levels, which inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) activity through copper chelation. Loss of MEK-ERK signaling causes FoxO3 nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of the gene encoding the pluripotency factor Nanog, which is required for enrichment of BCSCs. Inhibition of xCT, GCLM, FoxO3, or Nanog blocks chemotherapy-induced enrichment of BCSCs and impairs tumor initiation. These results suggest that, in combination with chemotherapy, targeting BCSCs by inhibiting HIF-1–regulated glutathione synthesis may improve outcome in TNBC.
Cysteine 38 in p65/NF-κB Plays a Crucial Role in DNA Binding Inhibition by Sesquiterpene Lactones*

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) have potent anti-inflammatory properties. We have shown previously that they exert this effect in part by inhibiting activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, a central regulator of the immune response. We have proposed a molecular mechanism for this inhibition based on computer molecular modeling data. In this model, SLs directly alkylate the p65 subunit of NF-κB, thereby inhibiting DNA binding. Nevertheless, an experimental evidence for the proposed mechanism was lacking. Moreover, based on experiments using the SL parthenolide, an alternative mode of action has been proposed by other authors in which SLs inhibit IκB-α degradation. Here we report the construction of p65/NF-κB point mutants that lack the cysteine residues alkylated by SLs in our model. In contrast to wild type p65, DNA-binding of the Cys38 → Ser and Cys38,120 → Ser mutants is no longer inhibited by SLs. In addition, we provide evidence that parthenolide uses a similar mechanism to other SLs in inhibiting NF-κB. Contrary to previous reports, we show that parthenolide, like other SLs, inhibits NF-κB most probably by alkylating p65 at Cys38. Although a slight inhibition of IκB degradation was detected for all SLs, the amount of remaining IκB was too low to explain the observed NF-κB inhibition.
Analysis of murein and murein precursors during antibiotic-induced lysis of Escherichia coli

Lysis of Escherichia coli induced by either D-cycloserine, moenomycin, or penicillin G was monitored by studying murein metabolism. The levels of the soluble murein precursor UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl-m-diaminopimelyl-D-alanyl- D-alanine (UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide) and the carrier-linked MurNAc-(pentapeptide)-pyrophosphoryl-undecaprenol as well as N-acetylglucosamine-beta-1,4-MurNAc-(pentapeptide)-pyrophosphoryl- undecaprenol varied in a specific way. In the presence of penicillin, which is known to interfere with the cross-linking of murein, the concentration of the lipid-linked precursors unexpectedly decreased before the onset of lysis, although the level of UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide remained normal. In the case of moenomycin, which specifically blocks the formation of the murein polysaccharide strands, the lipid-linked precursors as well as UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide accumulated as was expected. D-Cycloserine, which inhibits the biosynthesis of UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide, consequently caused a decrease in all three precursors. The muropeptide composition of the murein showed general changes such as an increase in the unusual DL-cross bridge between two neighboring meso-diaminopimelic acid residues and, as a result of uncontrolled DL- and DD-carboxypeptidase activity, an increase in tripeptidyl and a decrease in tetrapeptidyl and pentapeptidyl moieties. The average length of the glycan strands decreased. When the glycan strands were fractionated according to length, a dramatic increase in the amount of single disaccharide units was observed not only in the presence of penicillin but also in the presence of moenomycin. This result is explained by the action of an exo-muramidase, such as the lytic transglycosylases present in E. coli. It is proposed that antibiotic-induced bacteriolysis is the result of a zipperlike splitting of the murein net by exo-muramidases locally restricted to the equatorial zone of the cell.
Inflammatory response in 85 patients with loosened hip prostheses: A prospective study comparing inflammatory markers in patients with aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening

Background The most common complications of prosthetic hip joints are aseptic mechanical failure and infection. Delayed low-grade infections are seen most often, and they are also most difficult to distinguish from aseptic mechanical failures. Methods We conducted a prospective study to compare inflammatory markers in patients diagnosed with aseptic or septic prosthetic loosening. The diagnostic criteria were based on the decisions of experienced orthopedic surgeons and microbiological analysis of periprosthetic tissue samples taken perioperatively. Results Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the commonest pathogens in the infected patients. Pre- or perioperative elevation of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly greater in the infection group, as were white blood cell count and levels of cytokines in synovial fluid. The patterns of infiltration of inflammatory cells in periprosthetic tissue were also significantly different between the groups. Interpretation A combination of clinical judgment and multiple tissue samples constitutes a good platform for distinguishing between septic and aseptic loosening of prostheses. Moreover, the combined use of several laboratory and histopathological markers of inflammation, especially infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, further helps the diagnosis.