Do entry barriers, perceived by SMEs, affect real antry? Some evidence from the Netherlands

The objective of this paper is to analyse the relationship between perceived entry barriers and real entry. Real entry rates are interpreted as an indicator for the dynamics in an industry. The major hypothesis of this paper is that important entry barriers restrict new entry. Real entry rates are provided by a starter ratio for different industrial sectors and provinces in the Netherlands.

How deceptive are microstructures in granitic rocks? Answers from integrated physical theory, phase equilibrium, and direct observations

In this contribution, we address the vexed question of the extent to which microstructures in granitic rocks reflect their igneous histories or have been masked by later events. Previous works have tended to address the problem either using theoretical or modelling considerations, or by interpretation of observed microstructures. Here we use an approach that integrates the theory of microstructural development and the results of experimental phase-equilibrium studies with direct observation of natural examples on a variety of scales. We show that the predictions of the theoretical and experimental approaches agree perfectly with the mesoscopic and microscopic evidence from granitic rocks themselves. Our conclusion is that although, in many cases, granitic rock microstructures have been modified by near-solidus reactions and crystallisation, in the absence of tectonic deformation the fundamental elements of their igneous heritage remain intact. This means that it is perfectly in order to infer aspects of crystallisation sequences, magmatic reactions and magma flow through careful microstructural observations. Thus, our answer to the question of how deceptive granitic textures are is, in most instances, ‘not very’. However, some undeformed plutons have undergone fluid-driven alteration, and others have been affected by contact metamorphism. Thus, each case should be examined on its own merits

Structurele en strategische toetredingsbarrières Nederlandse bedrijven

Dit onderzoek naar toetredingsbarrières laat zien dat ondernemers in Nederland weinig last hebben van de meeste barrières zoals deze in de literatuur naar voren komen. De barrières die er wel toe doen vloeien met name voort uit de structuur van de markten. Vooral toegang tot kapitaal blijkt een probleem en daarmee heeft dit een remmend effect op competitie en ondernemerschap. Het huidige debat over ondernemerschapsbeleid is vooral gericht op regelgeving. Meer ruimte voor ondernemers is zeker wenselijk als regels niet het gewenste effect hebben. Tegelijkertijd lijkt de commotie over regelgeving de aandacht af te leiden van de belangrijkste barrière waar de ondernemer mee geconfronteerd wordt. Het is tijd niet alleen de overheid maar ook de fi nanciële markten (banken, pensioenfondsen en private investeerders) hierop aan te spreken

Test-Retest Reliability and Physiological Responses Associated with the Steep Ramp Anaerobic Test in Patients with COPD

The Steep Ramp Anaerobic Test (SRAT) was developed as a clinical test of anaerobic leg muscle function for use in determining anaerobic power and in prescribing high-intensity interval exercise in patients with chronic heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); however, neither the test-retest reliability nor the physiological qualities of this test have been reported. We therefore, assessed test-retest reliability of the SRAT and the physiological characteristics associated with the test in patients with COPD. 11 COPD patients (mean FEV1 43% predicted) performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on Day 1, and an SRAT and a 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAT) on each of Days 2 and 3. The SRAT showed a high degree of test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.99; CV = 3.8%, and bias 4.5 W, error −15.3–24.4 W). Power output on the SRAT was 157 W compared to 66 W on the CPET and 231 W on the WAT. Despite the differences in workload, patients exhibited similar metabolic and ventilatory responses between the three tests. Measures of ventilatory constraint correlated more strongly with the CPET than the WAT; however, physiological variables correlated more strongly with the WAT. The SRAT is a highly reliable test that better reflects physiological performance on a WAT power test despite a similar level of ventilatory constraint compared to CPET

A method to quantify FRET stoichiometry with phasor plot analysis and acceptor lifetime ingrowth.

FRET is widely used for the study of protein-protein interactions in biological samples. However, it is difficult to quantify both the FRET efficiency (E) and the affinity (Kd) of the molecular interaction from intermolecular FRET signals in samples of unknown stoichiometry. Here, we present a method for the simultaneous quantification of the complete set of interaction parameters, including fractions of bound donors and acceptors, local protein concentrations, and dissociation constants, in each image pixel. The method makes use of fluorescence lifetime information from both donor and acceptor molecules and takes advantage of the linear properties of the phasor plot approach. We demonstrate the capability of our method in vitro in a microfluidic device and also in cells, via the determination of the binding affinity between tagged versions of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase, and via the determination of competitor concentration. The potential of the method is explored with simulations.This work was funded by grants from the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the Alzheimer Research UK Trust, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. W.Y.C. is funded by a China Scholarship Council-Cambridge Scholarship. D.R. is a Principal Research Fellow of the Wellcome Trust.This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006349515000752#