Nurturing International Business research through Global Value Chains literature: A review and discussion of future research opportunities

This article offers a comprehensive and systematic review of the literature on Global Value Chains (GVCs). The GVC framework has received growing attention in the last decade, providing theoretical concepts and analytical tools to understand and assess patterns of value creation in view of the new international division of labour. In this area, a broad overlap of research interest exists with the international business (IB) literature. Yet, few interactions between the two fields of study have been recorded so far. Performing a quantitative content analysis on all academic publications on GVCs in the period 1994−2018, this paper describes the evolution of GVC studies, emphasizing points of contact and potential synergies with the IB literature. It also identifies research opportunities along the four key dimensions of the GVC framework: geographical and industrial scope, governance, upgrading, and institutional context

Effect of a pparγ synthetic agonist associated with retinoic acid on 24-hour rhythms in the hippocampus of an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia in the older adults. The main pathogenic mechanism in sporadic AD is the decreasein amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) clearance. It is known that Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) modulates Aβ deposition and clearance. ApoE expression istranscriptionally induced by PPARγ in coordination with RXRs. Previously, we found that an intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ(1-42) modifiedthe daily rhythms of Apo E, Bmal 1, and Aβ in the rat hippocampus. Taking into account those observations, the objective of this work was toinvestigate the effects of synthetic PPARγ agonist, pioglitazone, and retinoic acid (Pio-RA) on the 24-h rhythms of Apo E, BMAL1 and Aβ proteinlevels, as well as on the daily rhythms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and its receptor (TrkB) expression in the rat hippocampus. In thisstudy, male Holtzman rats from control, Aβ-injected (Aβ) and Aβ-injected treated with Pio-RA groups were euthanized throughout a 24-h period andhippocampus samples were isolated every 6 h. Apo E, BMAL1 and Aβ proteins levels were analyzed by immunoblotting and Bdnf and TrkB mRNAlevels were determined by RT-PCR. Regulatory regions of Apo E and clock genes were scanned for E-box, RORE, RXRE and PPRE sites. Weobserved that the treatment of Pio-RA reestablished the daily rhythms of Apo E, Aβ, BMAL1 protein, and Bdnf mRNA levels. This treatment alsoincreased Bdnf and TrkB levels. We found E-box, RXRE, and PPRE sites on regulatory regions of Apo E and Bmal1 genes. The results of thepresent study could suggest that the treatment of Pio-RA would not only restore the altered rhythmic patterns of the clock genes and their target genesobserved in animals injected with Aβ aggregates, but also, interestingly, would increase the levels of cognition-related genes, which are decreased inAlzheimer's patients.Fil: Castro, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Mazaferro, P.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Golini, Rebeca Laura Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Navigatore Fonzo, Lorena Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Anzulovich Miranda, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaXXXVII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Tucumán Biology Association XXIII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Córdoba Biology Society XXXVIII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cuyo Biology Society Argentine Biology SocietyArgentinaSociedades de Biología de la República Argentin

Multiscale and multicycle instrumented indentation to determine mechanical properties: Application to the BK7 crown borosilicate

In this work, nano, micro, and macro-indentation tests under standard or multicycle loading conditions were performed for studying the mechanical behavior of a crown borosilicate glass sample with the objective to study the scale effect in indentation and the influence of cracks formation on the assessment of mechanical properties. When no cracks were initiated during the indenter penetration, especially for low indentation loads, the mechanical properties were deduced by applying different methodologies, (i) Standard (or monocyclic) loading, (ii) Continuous Stiffness Measurement mode, (iii) Constant and progressive multicycle loading, and (iv) Dynamic hardness computation. It has been found independently of the loading conditions, Martens hardness and elastic modulus are approximately 3.3 and 70 GPa, respectively. However, when cracking and chipping are produced during the indentation test, two damage parameters related to hardness and elastic modulus can be used for representing the decrease of the mechanical properties as a function of the relative penetration depth

Imprinting continuously varying topographical structure onto large-aperture optical surfaces using magnetorheological finishing

Over the past four years we have advanced Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF) techniques and tools to imprint complex continuously varying topographical structures onto large-aperture (430 x 430 mm) optical surfaces. These optics, known as continuous phase plates (CPPs), are important for high-power laser applications requiring precise manipulation and control of beam-shape, energy distribution, and wavefront profile. MRF's unique deterministic-sub-aperture polishing characteristics make it possible to imprint complex topographical information onto optical surfaces at spatial scale-lengths approaching 1 mm and surface peak-to-valleys as high as 22 {micro}m. During this discussion, we will present the evolution of the MRF imprinting technology and the MRF tools designed to manufacture large-aperture 430 x 430 mm CPPs. Our results will show how the MRF removal function impacts and limits imprint fidelity and what must be done to arrive at a high-quality surface. We also present several examples of this imprinting technology for fabrication of phase correction plates and CPPs for use in high-power laser applications

Social distancing in chronic migraine during the covid-19 outbreak: Results from a multicenter observational study

Background: The restrictions taken to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 resulted in a sudden, unprecedented change in people’s lifestyle, leading to negative consequences on general health. This study aimed to estimate the impact of such changes on migraine severity during 2020 March–May lockdown. Methods: Patients affected by migraine with or without aura, diagnosed by expert physicians, completed a detailed interview comprehensive of: assessment of migraine characteristics; measure of physical activity (PA) levels; measure of the intake frequency of main Italian foods; the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire investigating sleep disorders. Results: We included 261 patients with a mean age of 44.5 ± 12.3 years. During social distancing, 72 patients (28%) reported a headache worsening, 86 (33%) an improvement, and 103 (39%) a stable headache frequency. A significant decrease of the PA levels during COVID-19 quarantine in the whole study sample was observed (median total metabolic equivalent task (METs) decreased from 1170 to 510; p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was reported on median ISI scores (from 7 to 8; p < 0.001), which were increased in patients who presented a stable or worsening headache. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that the restrictions taken during the pandemic have affected the practice of PA levels and sleep quality in migraine. Hence, PA and sleep quality should be assessed to find strategies for an improvement in quality of life

The legacy of Corrado Gini in population studies

This volume contains 12 papers that range over many different research subjects, taking in many of the population questions that, directly or indirectly, absorbed Corrado Gini as demographer and social scientist over several decades. They vary from the analysis of the living conditions and behaviours of the growing foreign population (measurements and methods of analysis, socio-economic conditions and health, ethnic residential segregation, sex-ratio at birth), to studies on the homogamy of couples; from population theories (with reference to the cyclical theory of populations) to the modelling approach to estimating mortality in adult ages or estimating time transfers, by age and sex, related to informal child care and adult care; from historical studies that take up themes dear to Gini (such as the estimates of Italian military deaths in WWI), to the application of Gini’s classical measurements to studying significant phenomena today (transition to adulthood and leaving the parental home, health care, disabled persons and social integration). The subjects and measurements that appear here are not intended to exhaust the broad spectrum of Gini’s research work in the demographic and social field (nor could they), but they can make up a part of the intersection between his vast legacy and some interesting topics in current research, some of which were not even imaginable in the mid twentieth century. Looking at the many contributions that celebrated Gini in Treviso and thinking about his legacy, it seems possible to identify at least two typologies of approach, to be found in this issue of the journal, too. On the one hand, there are contributions that aim to retrieve and discuss themes, methodologies and measurements dealt with or used by Gini so as to evaluate their present relevance and importance in the current scholarly debate. On the other, there are contributions that deal with topics that are far from Gini’s work, as they study very recent phenomena, but actually, among other things, make use of methods and indicators devised by Gini that are now so much part of the common currency of methodology, so they don’t require explicit reference to their Author

A large scale hearing loss screen reveals an extensive unexplored genetic landscape for auditory dysfunction

The developmental and physiological complexity of the auditory system is likely reflected in the underlying set of genes involved in auditory function. In humans, over 150 non-syndromic loci have been identified, and there are more than 400 human genetic syndromes with a hearing loss component. Over 100 non-syndromic hearing loss genes have been identified in mouse and human, but we remain ignorant of the full extent of the genetic landscape involved in auditory dysfunction. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, we undertook a hearing loss screen in a cohort of 3006 mouse knockout strains. In total, we identify 67 candidate hearing loss genes. We detect known hearing loss genes, but the vast majority, 52, of the candidate genes were novel. Our analysis reveals a large and unexplored genetic landscape involved with auditory function

Engineered Picornavirus VPg-RNA Substrates: Analysis of a Tyrosyl-RNA Phosphodiesterase Activity

Using poliovirus, the prototypic member of Picornaviridae, we have further characterized a host cell enzymatic activity found in uninfected cells, termed “unlinkase,” that recognizes and cleaves the unique 5′ tyrosyl-RNA phosphodiester bond found at the 5′ end of picornavirus virion RNAs. This bond connects VPg, a viral-encoded protein primer essential for RNA replication, to the viral RNA; it is cleaved from virion RNA prior to its engaging in protein synthesis as mRNA. Due to VPg retention on nascent RNA strands and replication templates, but not on viral mRNA, we hypothesize that picornaviruses utilize unlinkase activity as a means of controlling the ratio of viral RNAs that are translated versus those that either serve as RNA replication templates or are encapsidated. To test our hypothesis and further characterize this enzyme, we have developed a novel assay to detect unlinkase activity. We demonstrate that unlinkase activity can be detected using this assay, that this unique activity remains unchanged over the course of a poliovirus infection in HeLa cells, and that unlinkase activity is unaffected by the presence of exogenous VPg or anti-VPg antibodies. Furthermore, we have determined that unlinkase recognizes and cleaves a human rhinovirus-poliovirus chimeric substrate with the same efficiency as the poliovirus substrate