The Impact of Socialist Imprinting and Search for Knowledge on Resource Change: An Empirical Study of Firms in Lithuania

In this paper we examine how firms change their resources in response to exogenous shocks in their business environment. Building on core ideas from the literatures on organizational imprinting and firm resources, we suggest that founding conditions differentially imprint firm resources. These initial imprinting differentials in turn influence the search for knowledge required to adapt or change firm resources in the face of external change in their business environment. We also suggest that the level of imprinting and the location of search independently and jointly influence the success with which firms are able to change their resources. We use survey-based data from a set of firms in Central Europe that experienced an exogenous shock in 1989-1991 to test our arguments. We develop a measure of pre-shock imprinting (called socialist imprinting) on resources and use it to predict where firms will search for knowledge to undertake change in the post-shock period and how successful that change will be. We find that the level of socialist imprinting influences the search location for knowledge to change key resources and activities following the shock. In terms of the success of change undertaken, we see that distant search for knowledge is positively linked to it. We also observe that the level of imprinting and search location jointly impact the success of change; for resources with higher socialist imprinting, distant search was more effective than local search. This research makes three important contributions in the context of existing research on organizational imprinting and firm level change. One, it focuses on firm-level resources to examine the impact of imprinting. Two, we examine how differences in resource level imprinting influence the search for new knowledge required to transform these resources. Three, we demonstrate that the interaction between the level of imprinting and the nature of search has important influences on firm performance. Our findings also provide insights to practitioners and policy makers who deal with firms in transitional economies. Practitioners can better understand how to undertake firm level change more effectively in the context of sudden exogenous shock. For policy makers, both of domestic and international institutions, understanding the change process can help formulate assistance programs more effectively.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39830/3/wp446.pd

The Impact of Socialist Imprinting and Search for Knowledge on Resource Change: An Empirical Study of Firms in Lithuania

In this paper we examine how firms change their resources in response to exogenous shocks in their business environment. Building on core ideas from the literatures on organizational imprinting and firm resources, we suggest that founding conditions differentially imprint firm resources. These initial imprinting differentials in turn influence the search for knowledge required to adapt or change firm resources in the face of external change in their business environment. We also suggest that the level of imprinting and the location of search independently and jointly influence the success with which firms are able to change their resources. We use survey-based data from a set of firms in Central Europe that experienced an exogenous shock in 1989-1991 to test our arguments. We develop a measure of pre-shock imprinting (called socialist imprinting) on resources and use it to predict where firms will search for knowledge to undertake change in the post-shock period and how successful that change will be. We find that the level of socialist imprinting influences the search location for knowledge to change key resources and activities following the shock. In terms of the success of change undertaken, we see that distant search for knowledge is positively linked to it. We also observe that the level of imprinting and search location jointly impact the success of change; for resources with higher socialist imprinting, distant search was more effective than local search. This research makes three important contributions in the context of existing research on organizational imprinting and firm level change. One, it focuses on firm-level resources to examine the impact of imprinting. Two, we examine how differences in resource level imprinting influence the search for new knowledge required to transform these resources. Three, we demonstrate that the interaction between the level of imprinting and the nature of search has important influences on firm performance. Our findings also provide insights to practitioners and policy makers who deal with firms in transitional economies. Practitioners can better understand how to undertake firm level change more effectively in the context of sudden exogenous shock. For policy makers, both of domestic and international institutions, understanding the change process can help formulate assistance programs more effectively.organizational imprinting, transitional economies, change, Lithuania

Awareness of carcinoma cervix in nursing personnel of a tertiary care institute, Mumbai, India

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common cancer of women all over the world and commonest cancer among Indian women. Awareness about cervical cancer and its prevention low amongst Indian women. The Pap test is a simple cost-effective technique for screening to help early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Nursing staff should be made aware of cervical cancer, so that they can spread the knowledge to the general public. Objectives of present study were to assess the knowledge level regarding symptoms, risk factors, prevention and screening of cervical carcinoma among nursing staff and to find out the behaviour of respondents regarding prevention and screening of cervical carcinomaMethods: A cross-sectional interview-based survey regarding knowledge of cervical carcinoma was conducted among the nursing staff of a tertiary care institutes of Mumbai.A structured questionnaire with multiple choices was used as a tool for data collection. Provision for open-ended responses was also made in the questionnaire. 100 nurses participated in the current study. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel. SPSS statistical software was used to generate statistical parameters like proportion, mean, standard deviation, etc. The test of significance used was the Z test and a P value of <0.05 was considered as the level of significance.Results: We lack an organized opportunistic screening program for cervical cancer in India. Data indicates a slow, but steady, decline in the incidence of cervical cancer. However, the rates are still too high, particularly in the rural areas. It is extremely essential to screen eligible women when they come to health units for other services. Studies have shown it is possible to train nurses to screen for cervical cancer. Attitudes that screening is to be done by doctors or gynaecologists only needs to change. The survey revealed that the hospital played a limited role as a source of information on Pap smear. This calls for a re-orientation of nurses, paramedicals and health workers and a need for introduction of simpler cervical cancer screening methods such as visual inspections that are more sustainableConclusions: Awareness about cervical cancer has to be improved. Education of the nursing personel will strongly contribute to strengthen cervical cancer screening programs. Nursing staff can and should educate the masses to help increase health awareness in women

Placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: Placenta is a predictor of outcome of pregnancy. Placental examination holds an important role in improving outcome of pregnancy. It is strategically located at feto-maternal interface and it acts like a record of pregnancy in which the cumulative effects of pregnancy related events and changes reflecting the intrauterine environment can be scrutinized. Objective of present study was to diagnose presence, if at all, of lesions of placenta and their nature in cases of pregnancy induced hypertension specifically in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and to classify the lesions based on clinical presentation and to compare the results.Methods: This study is based on histopathological examination of placenta in cases of PIH over a period of three years, from May 2011 to April 2014. The study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital.Results: There were 280 (19.4%) cases of PIH amongst a total of 1440 cases. In these 280, 170 (60.72%) cases had severe PIH, 110 (39.28%) cases had mild PIH. Also, 180 (16.28%) cases revealed increased morbidity and mortality.Conclusions: Evaluation of placenta is an extremely important predictor, that helps to improve the outcome of pregnancy

Ayurveda Interpretation of Kalpana: A Classical Review

Kalpana (formulations) is a method or process of drug preparation and these specific formulations meant for particular purposes. The knowledge of drug preparation or Kalpana helps to enhancing potency and palatability of drug. The particular dosage forms and processing techniques employed for definite purposes. Charaka Samhita mentioned concept of Samskaras (fortifications) that helps to increase potency and qualities of drugs. Acharya Harita described different types of Kashaya (Saptavidha Kashaya); similarly other ayurveda texts also mentioned various types of classical Ayurveda formulations. Present article explored Ayurvedic interpretation of Kalpana and utility of this concept

DETERMINATION OF TRAZODONE IN HUMAN PLASMA BY REVERSED-PHASE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH ELECTROSPRAY IONISATION

Objective: The development and validation of LC-MS/MS method for quantification of Trazodone (a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI), which is a second generation antidepressant compound belonging to the class of phenyl piperazine) in human plasma is described. Methods: The method involves protein precipitation (extraction) using Trazodone d6 as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation is achieved on Zorbax eclipse XDB C8 150×4.6 mm, 5 μm column with a mobile phase consisting of 2 mM ammonium formate (pH 3.0) and methanol (30:70 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL / min and the total run time was 2.5 minute. Detection was carried out by AB Sciex API 3200 tandem mass spectrometer using positive electro-spray ionization mode by multiple reactions monitoring method at m/z 372.00→176.10 and 378.20→182.10 for Trazodone and Trazodone d6 (ISTD) respectively with dwell times of 300 msecs for each of the transitions. Results: The standard curve was linear from 5.203 ng / mL to 3025.166 ng / mL with goodness of fit (r2) greater than 0.990 observed during the method validation batches. This assay allows quantification of Trazodone at a concentration as low as 5 ng / mL in human plasma. The observed mean recovery was 88% for the drug. Conclusions: The method described here is found to be simple, cost effective and suitable for the use in bioequivalence and bioavailability studies

A Method for Amplicon Deep Sequencing of Drug Resistance Genes in Plasmodium falciparum Clinical Isolates from India.

A major challenge to global malaria control and elimination is early detection and containment of emerging drug resistance. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods provide the resolution, scalability, and sensitivity required for high-throughput surveillance of molecular markers of drug resistance. We have developed an amplicon sequencing method on the Ion Torrent PGM platform for targeted resequencing of a panel of six Plasmodium falciparum genes implicated in resistance to first-line antimalarial therapy, including artemisinin combination therapy, chloroquine, and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. The protocol was optimized using 12 geographically diverse P. falciparum reference strains and successfully applied to multiplexed sequencing of 16 clinical isolates from India. The sequencing results from the reference strains showed 100% concordance with previously reported drug resistance-associated mutations. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clinical isolates revealed a number of known resistance-associated mutations and other nonsynonymous mutations that have not been implicated in drug resistance. SNP positions containing multiple allelic variants were used to identify three clinical samples containing mixed genotypes indicative of multiclonal infections. The amplicon sequencing protocol has been designed for the benchtop Ion Torrent PGM platform and can be operated with minimal bioinformatics infrastructure, making it ideal for use in countries that are endemic for the disease to facilitate routine large-scale surveillance of the emergence of drug resistance and to ensure continued success of the malaria treatment policy