Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of relationships on changes in internationalisation strategies of SMEs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how existing relationships influence changes in SMEs' internationalisation strategies in terms of markets and modes.Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a detailed examination of the dynamics of 116 strategy changes, which are influenced by a firm's relationships in 20 New Zealand and Swedish internationalising SMEs. It uses the qualitative research method to develop theory. A conceptual model with eight categories relating to relationships and strategic change during the internationalisation process of the firm is developed.Findings – Using the conceptual model as a framework to analyse the data, it was found that existing relationships play an important role in 59 market strategy changes and 57 mode strategy changes. The main findings are that business relationships are more influential in internationalisation strategy changes than social relationships, especially with regard to mode changes in foreign markets. Most mode changes are reactive.
Two views on plaque rupture.

Plaque rupture probably is the most important cause of myocardial infarction. Plaque rupture is thought to be precipitated by proteases that attack a weakened fibrous cap overlying an inflamed atherosclerotic plaque. Obviously, plaque rupture is of major interest for atherosclerosis researchers and a major target for development of therapy in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. See pages 705 and 714 There is an urgent need for good models to study plaque rupture in our laboratories. Studies of gene-targeted mice that model atherosclerosis in humans have led to in-depth understanding regarding the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In contrast, studies of plaque activation, rupture, and …
Proteins Associated with Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells Identified by Quantitative Proteomic Technology and Integrated with mRNA Expression Levels*S

Nearly all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer receive combination chemotherapy including cis- or carboplatin. Despite high initial response rates, resistance to cisplatin develops in roughly one-third of women during primary treatment and in all women treated for recurrent disease. ICAT coupled with tandem MS is a quantitative proteomic technique for high throughput protein expression profiling of complex protein mixtures. Using ICAT/MS/MS we profiled the nuclear, cytosolic, and microsomal fractions obtained from IGOV-1 (cisplatin-sensitive) and IGOV-1/CP (cisplatin-resistant) ovarian cancer cell lines. The proteomes of cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant ovarian cancer cells were compared, and protein expression was correlated with mRNA expression profiles. A total of 1117 proteins were identified and quantified. The relative expression of 121 of these varied between the two cell lines. Sixty-three proteins were overexpressed in cisplatin-sensitive, and 58 were over expressed in cisplatin-resistant cells. Examples of proteins at least 5-fold overexpressed in resistant cells and with biological relevance to cancer include cell recognition molecule CASPR3 (13.3-fold), S100 protein family members (8.7-fold), junction adhesion molecule Claudin 4 (7.2-fold), and CDC42-binding protein kinase β (5.4-fold). Examples of cancer-related proteins at least 5-fold overexpressed in sensitive cells include hepatocyte growth factor inhibitor 1B (13.3-fold) and programmed cell death 6-interacting protein (12.7-fold). The direction of changes in expression levels between proteins and mRNAs were not always in the same direction, possibly reflecting posttranscriptional control of protein expression. We identified proteins whose expression profiles correlate with cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells. Several proteins may be involved in modulating response to cisplatin and have potential as markers of treatment response or treatment targets.
Electroreception in Elasmobranchs: Sawfish as a Case Study

The ampullae of Lorenzini are the electroreceptors of elasmobranchs. Ampullary pores located in the elasmobranch skin are each connected to a gel-filled canal that ends in an ampullary bulb, in which the sensory epithelium is located. Each ampulla functions as an independent receptor that measures the potential difference between the ampullary pore opening and the body interior. In the elasmobranch head, the ampullary bulbs of different ampullae are aggregated in 3–6 bilaterally symmetric clusters, which can be surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. Each cluster is innervated by one branch of the anterior lateral line nerve (ALLN). Only the dorsal root of the ALLN carries electrosensory fibers, which terminate in the dorsal octavo-lateral nucleus (DON) of the medulla. Each ampullary cluster projects into a distinctive area in the central zone of the DON, where projection areas are somatotopically arranged. Sharks and rays can possess thousands of ampullae. Amongst other functions, the use of electroreception during prey localization is well documented. The distribution of ampullary pores in the skin of elasmobranchs is influenced by both the phylogeny and ecology of a species. Pores are grouped in distinct pore fields, which remain recognizable amongst related taxa. However, the density of pores within a pore field, which determines the electroreceptive resolution, is influenced by the ecology of a species. Here, I compare the pore counts per pore field between rhinobatids (shovelnose rays) and pristids (sawfish). In both groups, the number of ampullary pores on the ventral side of the rostrum is similar, even though the pristid rostrum can comprise about 20% of the total length. Ampullary pore numbers in pristids are increased on the upper side of the rostrum, which can be related to a feeding strategy that targets free-swimming prey in the water column. Shovelnose rays pin their prey onto the substrate with their disk, while repositioning their mouth for ingestion and thus possess large numbers of pores ventrally around the mouth and in the area between the gills.
Successful Export Marketing Management: Some Empirical Evidence

This article shows the main results of a survey of 134 export activities in manufacturing firms in Denmark. It analyses the association between export performance on the one hand and export marketing policy, firm characteristics and market characteristics on the other hand. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are performed with the purpose of identifying critical export marketing success factors. Links to previous research are discussed and implications for export marketing management considered. The article concludes by discussing future research on successful export marketing management.
Differences in the mechanisms of uptake and endocytosis of small and large chylomicron remnants by rat liver

Initial binding and subsequent endocytosis of small and large chylomicron remnants by rat liver were compared. Small and large chylomicrons were obtained from mesenteric lymph of glucose‐ or fat‐fed rats, respectively. The low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor was up‐ and down‐regulated as shown by LDL receptor messenger RNA (mRNA). The rate of removal of small chylomicron remnants by isolated perfused rat livers followed closely the activity of the LDL receptor. When mRNA was undetectable, the uptake was as low as that of lymphatic small chylomicrons. In contrast, the uptake of large chylomicron remnants into perfused rat livers was unaffected by changes of the LDL‐receptor activity, but significantly reduced after livers were flushed with heparin or heparinase. Large chylomicron remnants were cleared from plasma much faster than small chylomicron remnants, but were more slowly internalized into hepatocytes. Both, small and large chylomicron remnants entered the pathway of receptor‐mediated endocytosis as shown by electron microscopy and analysis of isolated endosomes. Yet, large chylomicron remnants were taken up into the compartment of uncoupling of receptors and ligands and multivesicular bodies at a much slower rate. This was independent of the activity of the LDL receptor and the heparin‐releasable binding site. From these findings it is concluded that large chylomicron remnants initially bind rapidly to surface components other than the LDL receptor, one of which may be hepatic lipase. Yet, the consecutive internalization is slow. In contrast, small chylomicron remnants are removed at a slower rate from plasma, binding predominantly to the LDL receptor, but are more readily taken up into endosomes.
Hairs of the cochlear sensory cells and their attachment to the tectorial membrane.

The hairs of the sensory cells in the cochleae were studied with emphasis on their attachment to the tectorial membrane. So far we have observed that the peripheral row of tall hairs of the W form and a few inner rows at its base were shallowly but firmly embedded in the tectorial membrane. The hair tops were more electron dense and delimited from the tectorial membrane by the unit membrane of the sensory cell. The hairs of the inner sensory cells were likewise arranged in a W form with the tallest hairs in the peripheral row. Modified cilia and numerous short hairs or microvilli were demonstrated at the base of the W in the sensory cells of the undifferentiated organ of Corti, but were lacking in the specimens of older animals.This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Grant NB 03932-03.Der Verfasscr untersuchte die Haare tier akustisclien Sinneszellen und widmete besondere Aufmerksamkeit ihrer Beziehung zur Membrana tectoria. Die Reihe der peripheren hohen Haare, die einen W-formigen Saum bilden, sow.
Regulation and evolution of chlorophyll metabolism

Chlorophylls are the most abundant tetrapyrrole molecules essential for photosynthesis in photosynthetic organisms. After many years of intensive research, most of the genes encoding the enzymes for the pathway have been identified, and recently the underlying molecular mechanisms have been elucidated. These studies revealed that the regulation of chlorophyll metabolism includes all levels of control to allow a balanced metabolic flow in response to external and endogenous factors and to ensure adaptation to varying needs of chlorophyll during plant development. Furthermore, identification of biosynthetic genes from various organisms and genetic analysis of functions of identified genes enables us to predict the evolutionary scenario of chlorophyll metabolism. In this review, based on recent findings, we discuss the regulation and evolution of chlorophyll metabolism.
The Effect of Multipath on the Detection of Symbol-Rate Spectral Lines by Delay and Multiply Receivers

The effect of a secondary path signal on the detectability of the symbol rate spectral line of a binary phase-shift keyed (BPSK) signal by a delay and multiply receiver is investigated. The measure of detectability used is the rate line signal-to-noise ratio. The parameters that define the secondary path signal are initially modeled as deterministic quantities; the phase of the secondary path signal is then taken to be a random variable independent and uniform on (0, 2 pi ). It is found that, with deterministic path parameters, the presence of a secondary path can seriously affect the detectability of BPSK rate lines. When the phase is taken to be uniform on (0, 2 pi ) over the receiver observation time, then the delay and multiply receiver performs as if no multipath is present. In this case, a noncoherent power addition of the primary and secondary path signals occurs. >
Fine structural and enzyme histochemical observations on the respiratory epithelium of the caecilian lungs and gills. A contribution to the understanding of the evolution of the vertebrate respiratory epithelium.

The alveolar epithelium of larval and adult caecilians is composed of one cell type only, the cytoplasm of which, however, is divided into two divisions: an organellerich part containing the nucleus and a flattened peripheral part which covers the blood capillaries. Apically the cells bear variously shaped microvilli, which are sparse on the flattened areas of the cells. Among the cytoplasmic structures electron-dense bodies and lamellated bodies are prominent. Morphological observations suggest that in the adult the lamellated bodies are derived from the dense ones, which presumably represent lysosomes. Acid phosphatase and unspecific esterase are present in the entire alveolar epithelium. The lamellar material is extruded by exocytosis. A close structural relation between lamellated bodies and multivesicular bodies-as to be found in many mammalsdoes not exist. In the larvae among others there exists an extensive lateral labyrinth between neighboring alveolar cells and a considerable variability of the lamellated bodies. The latter frequently arise within or near fields of glycogen or presumably also within membrane systems.
The Establishment-Size Wage Premium in Greece

In this paper we examine the establishment-size wage premium in Greece using a matched employee-employer dataset. The results of the econometric estimation suggest that indeed such a premium is present in the Greek market sector, too. Its magnitude is in line with those reported in other economies. Human capital, compensating wage differentials/incentive payment schemes and internal labor markets seem to be primarily responsible for the presence of the premium in question. Furthermore, the premium in manufacturing is substantially higher than the one in the services sector, indicating that employers in the former enjoy economics of scale, which eventually lead to higher wages, ceteris paribus. Nevertheless, a sizeable part of the premium remains unexplained.
Human ZNF312b oncogene is regulated by Sp1 binding to its promoter region through DNA demethylation and histone acetylation in gastric cancer

In a previous study, human ZNF312b was identified as a cell proliferation‐associated oncogene via the K‐ras/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase cascade in gastric cancer. However, the mechanism concerning its transcriptional activation remains unknown. Here, we show that DNA methylation and histone acetylation of the ZNF312b promoter function as a switch for ZNF312b transcriptional activation in gastric cancer. The transcription level of ZNF312b was increased by treatment with a demethylating agent, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate, in several human cancer cell lines including gastric cancer. Consistent with these results, epigenetic analysis, such as pyrosequencing, bisulfate sequencing and methyl‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), showed that the expression level of ZNF312b is highly dependent on the degree of DNA methylation in gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, by ChIP assay using anti‐acetyl/methyl H3K9 antibodies, histone acetylation was shown to mediate the expression of the ZNF312b gene. Interestingly, ChIP assay using the Sp1 antibody revealed that the binding of transcription factor Sp1 to the ZNF312b promoter for its transcriptional activation requires DNA demethylation and histone acetylation. Moreover, a knockdown of Sp1 resulted in a decrease in ERK‐mediated proliferation via downregulation of the ZNF312b gene in gastric cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the aberrant expression of ZNF312b promotes gastric tumorigenesis through epigenetic modification of its promoter region and provides a molecular mechanism for ZNF312b expression to contribute to the progression of gastric cancer.
Do VCs matter? the importance of owners on performance variance in start‐up firms

Adding to the corporate effect literature, we study the effect of owners on firm performance in a new context, that of venture capital firms (VCs) and the start-up firms in which they invest. After discussing the effect that VC ownership can have on start-ups, we estimate that start-up-specific, owner (VC), and year effects account for significant variance in performance (26.3 percent, 11.2 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively). The effects of industry and investment stage are not statistically different from zero. We also provide an analysis that separates the owner effect into two components: a selection component—which impacts investment—and a management component—which explains significant variance in performance. By examining the owner effect in a different institutionalized form of governance—that of the start-up and its relationship to VC owners—our study also contributes to an understanding of the ‘ownership’ effect in the strategy literature more generally. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in incidence and age distribution of oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas, kingston and st andrew, Jamaica, 1978-2007.

OBJECTIVE Several countries have reported increasing incidence of oral cavity and oropharyngeal (OCOP) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over recent years, particularly among young men and primarily in tongue and tonsil subsites, attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This study examines trends in incidence and age distribution of OCOP SCC in Jamaica over a 30-year period. METHODS We extracted all cases of OCOP SCC archived in the Jamaica Cancer Registry files over the 30 year-period from 1978 to 2007 and grouped them according to anatomical site (International Classification of Diseases; ICD-9), age and gender. The data were used to calculate age standardized rates (ASRs) and age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs). RESULTS There were 384 patients (age range 21 to 94 years; male to female ratio 2.6:1) with OCOP SCC; the majority (85.4%) was > 50 years. Age standardized rates of all OCOP SCC combined were higher in males than in females and there was a decrease in both genders over the study period. Tongue and tonsil were the commonest subsites, and males showed decreasing ASR in both. Females showed decreasing ASR in tongue and fluctuation in tonsil SCCs. The highest ASIRs for tongue and tonsil SCC were consistently seen in patients older than 50 years of age. CONCLUSION The incidence of OCOP SCC is decreasing and continues to predominate among older men. The decreasing trend in incidence of tongue and tonsil SCC is unlike that reported elsewhere. This may be due to differences in sexual practices, small size of this study, or a lag time in emergence of a new trend.
Performance of mycology and histopathology tests for the diagnosis of toenail onychomycosis due to filamentous fungi: Dermatophyte and non‐dermatophyte moulds

Improvement of laboratory diagnosis of onychomychosis is important so that adequate treatment can be safely implemented. To evaluate and compare the performance of mycological and histopathological examinations in onychomycoses caused by dermatophyte and non‐dermatophyte moulds. Patients with lateral/distal subungual onychomycosis in at least one hallux were enrolled in the protocol and assessed via mycological and histopathological tests. The isolation of filamentous fungi was considered the gold standard. Test performance was evaluated through sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. A total of 212 patients were enrolled in the study. Direct microscopy (DM) was positive in 57.5% patients, and cultures in 34.4%. Among these patients, 23.3% were positive for dermatophytes, with Trichophyton rubrum the most frequently isolated, and 86.3% were positive for non‐dermatophytes, with Neoscytalidium dimidiatum predominance. Histopathology was positive in 41.0% samples. Direct microscopy showed better sensitivity for non‐dermatophyte moulds (P=.000) and nail clipping was more specific for dermatophyte (P=.018). Histopathology of the distal nail plate is a valuable complementary tool for the diagnosis of onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes and direct microscopy is especially useful for non‐dermatophyte molds.
Epigenetic mechanism causes Wnt9b deficiency and nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate in the A/WySn mouse strain.

BACKGROUND The heritable multifactorial etiology of human nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL ± P) is not understood. CL ± P occurs in 15% of neonates in the homozygous A/WySn mouse strain, with a multifactorial genetic etiology, the clf1 and clf2 variant genes. Clf1 acts as a mutant allele of Wnt9b but its coding sequence is normal. An IAP (intracisternal A particle) retrotransposon inserted near the Wnt9b gene is associated with clf1. METHODS Transcription of noncoding sequence between the IAP and the Wnt9b gene was examined in A/WySn embryos. The levels of Wnt9b transcript and of an "IAP antisense" transcript initiated in the IAP and extending into the noncoding interval were assayed in A/WySn and C57BL/6J whole embryos or heads across embryonic days 8 to 12. Methylation of the 5' LTR of the IAP was examined in E12 A/WySn embryo heads. RESULTS Mean Wnt9b transcript levels were lower in A/WySn than in C57BL/6J at all ages examined and lower in CL ± P embryos than in their normal littermates. The "IAP antisense" transcript was found in all A/WySn embryos and was highest in CL ± P embryos. The IAP at Wnt9b was generally unmethylated in CL ± P embryos and approximately 50% methylated in normal littermates. CONCLUSION The clf1 mutation in A/WySn is a "metastable epiallele", in which stochastic deficiency in some individuals of DNA methylation of a retrotransposon uniquely inserted near the Wnt9b gene allows transcriptional activity of the retrotransposon and interference with transcription from Wnt9b. Methylation of metastable epialleles should be investigated in human nonsyndromic CL ± P.
Alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio reversal and prolonged prothrombin time: a specific indicator of hepatic cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND Both ALT/AST ratio reversal (AST/ALT > 1) and prolonged prothrombin time are separately related to hepatic cirrhosis. Ratio reversal means that in normal individuals ALT is more than AST and thus ALT/AST > 1 but with development of cirrhosis AST becomes > ALT and so AST/ALT > 1 or ALT/AST < 1. This study was conducted with the idea that prolonged prothrombin time and reversed (AST/ALT > 1) ratio together can prove a more specific indicator with a high positive predictive value for the detection of hepatic cirrhosis in patients of chronic liver disease than either of the two alone. METHOD This is a comparative cross sectional study. The data of hepatitis B & C patients was collected from the general medical ward and medical out patient department. Clinical and Ultrasonographic features, detected by a single ultrasonologist, were used to diagnose cirrhosis. Patients who were alcoholic were excluded from the study as alcohol itself causes ALT/AST ratio reversal. To avoid laboratory errors and variations the facilities of only a single specific laboratory were used for this study. The sensitivity and specificity of ALT/AST ratio reversal along with positive predictive value were calculated. Then prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and reversed ratio together were used and the results of these two groups were compared. RESULTS It was found that the reversal of ratio alone is 88% specific as an indicator of hepatic cirrhosis and almost 70% sensitive and have a positive predictive value of 94.5%. The statistical significance test based on z-test for difference of proportion yields: z = 6.96 with ap value = 0.0000. On the other hand, the prolonged PT and ratio reversal are 98% specific and 53.9% sensitive with a positive predictive value of 98.2%. z-test for difference of proportion yields here: z = 6.23 with ap value = 0.0000. CONCLUSION ALT/AST ratio reversal alone has a high sensitivity and the combined effect of these two parameters increases the specificity as compared to either of the two alone. The high positive predictive value here shows that almost all the patients with reversed ratio and prolonged PT will have cirrhosis.