Institutional effects on the ownership in cross-border acquisitions by African firms

Research suggests that context matters for MNEs’ international business strategy. MNEs’ strategies vary when different intertwined contexts interact with each other. While International Business scholars understand well the influence of the institutional environments on firms’ international strategies and operations, some contextual differences are less understood as is the case involving African countries and firms. In this study I investigate how different institutional contexts and legitimacy challenges combine to impact ownership strategic choices of African firms in their cross-border acquisitions (CBAs). Specifically, I study the influence of the host country institutional development and two institutional dimension distances: administrative distance and knowledge distance. Methodologically, I use a sample of 314 CBAs made by acquirers from 24 African countries in 71 host countries worldwide to test a number of theoretically driven hypotheses. This study contributes to our understanding of how foreign investors from less institutionally developed countries that are more likely to face higher legitimacy barriers use ownership strategies to achieve legitimacy abroad

Efeito da hipóxia sobre a gliconeogênese muscular em caranguejo Chasmagnathus granulata alimentados com dieta rica em proteína ou carboidrato

47

Measuring valley polarization in two-dimensional materials with second-harmonic spectroscopy

A population imbalance at different valleys of an electronic system lowers its effective rotational symmetry. We introduce a technique to measure such imbalance - a valley polarization - that exploits the unique fingerprints of this symmetry reduction in the polarization-dependent second-harmonic generation (SHG). We present the principle and detection scheme in the context of hexagonal two-dimensional crystals, which include graphene-based systems and the family of transition metal dichalcogenides, and provide a direct experimental demonstration using a 2H-MoSe$_{2}$ monolayer at room temperature. We deliberately use the simplest possible setup, where a single pulsed laser beam simultaneously controls the valley imbalance and tracks the SHG process. We further developed a model of the transient population dynamics which analytically describes the valley-induced SHG rotation in very good agreement with the experiment. In addition to providing the first experimental demonstration of the effect, this work establishes a conceptually simple, com-pact and transferable way of measuring instantaneous valley polarization, with direct applicability in the nascent field of valleytronics

Exergoeconomic analysis of a lean burn engine operating with ethanol and hydrogen addition

This research applies exergy and exergoeconomic analyses to a turbocharged ethanol-fuelled engine enriched with hydrogen to operate in lean mixture conditions. Utilizing simulation data, the study examines the impacts of up to 6% of hydrogen fraction in the fuel for engine operation in the lean range from stoichiometric to fuel/air mixture equivalence ratio 0.7 are investigated. The exergy analysis revealed that hydrogen enrichment in lean operation can improve global exergy efficiency by nearly 30%. This improvement in efficiency was accompanied by significant reductions in exergy destruction and heat-based exergy transfer. The exergoeconomic evaluation indicated that hydrogen energy density and lean operation can reduce the fuel cost rate by up to 23%. The best operational scenario produced 29% decrease in specific exergoeconomic cost of electricity generation and 31% reduction in total losses

Direct resin composite restoration of endodontically-treated permanent molars in adolescents: bite force and patient-specific finite element analysis

Objective: To evaluate the influence of three levels of dental structure loss on stress distribution and bite load in root canal-treated young molar teeth that were filled with bulk-fill resin composite, using finite element analysis (FEA) to predict clinical failure. Methodology: Three first mandibular molars with extensive caries lesions were selected in teenager patients. The habitual occlusion bite force was measured using gnathodynamometer before and after endodontic/restoration procedures. The recorded bite forces were used as input for patient-specific FEA models, generated from cone-beam computed tomographic (CT) scans of the teeth before and after treatment. Loads were simulated using the contact loading of the antagonist molars selected based on the CT scans and clinical evaluation. Pre and post treatment bite forces (N) in the 3 patients were 30.1/136.6, 34.3/133.4, and 47.9/124.1. Results: Bite force increased 260% (from 36.7±11.6 to 131.9±17.8 N) after endodontic and direct restoration. Before endodontic intervention, the stress concentration was located in coronal tooth structure; after rehabilitation, the stresses were located in root dentin, regardless of the level of tooth structure loss. The bite force used on molar teeth after pulp removal during endodontic treatment resulted in high stress concentrations in weakened tooth areas and at the furcation. Conclusion: Extensive caries negatively affected the bite force. After pulp removal and endodontic treatment, stress and strain concentrations were higher in the weakened dental structure. Root canal treatment associated with direct resin composite restorative procedure could restore the stress-strain conditions in permanent young molar teeth

Muscle strength training is better than the use of growth hormone (GH) in bone health of wistar rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of growth hormone (GH) and muscle strength training (ST) on the composition of bone tissue of Wistar rats through Raman spectroscopy. In total, 40 male rats were randomly distributed into four groups: (N = 10) control (C), control with the application of GH (GHC), strength training (T), and strength training with the application of GH (GHT). The training consisted of four series of 10 water jumps, performed three times a week, with an overload corresponding to 50 % of body weight and duration of four weeks. GH was applied at a dose of 0.2 IU / kg in each animal three times a week and every other day. After four weeks, the animals were euthanized and the right femurs collected for analysis of the bone structure. Raman spectroscopy (FR) was used to observe the following compounds from their respective bands: Calcium Carbonate-Triglycerides (fatty acids) 1073 cm(-1), Collagen type I 509 cm(-1), Bone-DNA Phosphate (Protein) 589 cm(-1), Phosphate Phospholipids 1078 cm(-1). For the statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk and ANOVA One-Way variance analysis normality tests were performed, followed by the Tukey post-test The results showed an increase in the concentrations of calcium carbonate-triglycerides (fatty acids), type I collagen, bone phosphate-DNA (protein), and phosphate phospholipids in all experimental groups, with or without ST and/or GH , But only the isolated training group differed significantly from the control group (P <0.05). It was concluded that all treatments could promote bone tissue gain, however, only the T group demonstrated a significant difference in the mineral compounds analyzed371104110COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESSem informaçã

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective study that included 398 patients admitted to a tertiary center for percutaneous coronary intervention within 3 to 24 hours after thrombolysis with tenecteplase. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01791764 RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. Compared with patients who survived, patients who died were more likely to be older, have higher rates of diabetes and chronic renal failure, have a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and demonstrate more evidence of heart failure (Killip class III or IV). Patients who died had significantly lower rates of successful thrombolysis (39% vs. 68%; p = 0.005) and final myocardial blush grade 3 (13.0% vs. 61.9%; p<0.0001). Based on the multivariate analysis, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.09; p = 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio 0.9, 95% CI 0.89-0.97; p = 0.001), and final myocardial blush grade of 0-2 (odds ratio 8.85, 95% CI 1.34-58.57; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study that evaluated patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by a pharmacoinvasive strategy, the in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial blush were independent predictors of mortality in this high-risk group of acute coronary syndrome patients.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of CardiologySecretaria de Saude do Municipio de São PauloHospital Municipal TatuapeUNIFESP, Department of CardiologySciEL

Arcuate AgRP, but not POMC neurons, modulate paraventricular CRF synthesis and release in response to fasting

Background: The activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is essential for metabolic adaptation in response to fasting. However, the neurocircuitry connecting changes in the peripheral energy stores to the activity of hypothalamic paraventricular corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRFPVN) neurons, the master controller of the HPA axis activity, is not completely understood. Our main goal was to determine if hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) POMC and AgRP neurons can communicate fasting-induced changes in peripheral energy stores, associated to a fall in plasma leptin levels, to CRFPVN neurons to modulate the HPA axis activity in mice. Results: We observed increased plasma corticosterone levels associate with increased CRFPVN mRNA expression and increased CRFPVN neuronal activity in 36 h fasted mice. These responses were associated with a fall in plasma leptin levels and changes in the mRNA expression of Agrp and Pomc in the ARC. Fasting-induced decrease in plasma leptin partially modulated these responses through a change in the activity of ARC neurons. The chemogenetic activation of POMCARC by DREADDs did not affect fasting-induced activation of the HPA axis. DREADDs inhibition of AgRPARC neurons reduced the content of CRFPVN and increased its accumulation in the median eminence but had no effect on corticosterone secretion induced by fasting. Conclusion: Our data indicate that AgRPARC neurons are part of the neurocircuitry involved in the coupling of PVNCRF activity to changes in peripheral energy stores induced by prolonged fasting.Fil: Alves Fernandes, Alan Carlos. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Pereira de Oliveira, Franciane. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; BrasilFil: Fernandez, Gimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular; ArgentinaFil: da Guia Vieira, Luane. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Gugelmin Rosa, Cristiane. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: do Nascimento, Taís. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: de Castro França, Suzelei. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Donato Jr, Jose. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Departamento de Fisiología; BrasilFil: Vella, Kristen R.. Weill Cornell Medical College; Estados UnidosFil: Antunes Rodrigues, Jose. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Mecawi , André. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; BrasilFil: Perello, Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular; ArgentinaFil: Leico Kagohara Elias, Lucila. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Rorato, Rodrigo. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; Brasi

Correction of bifid nose with tongue-in-groove technique in patient with Tessier fissure 0-14

Madelung’s disease (MD) or Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis is a condition characterized by the accumulation of unencapsulated adipose tissue deposited symmetrically around the neck and upper trunk (type I - most common form). Its etiology is still unclear, but it is clearly associated with chronic excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Physical deformities lead the patient to seek medical care, along with possible symptoms of cervical involvement such as reduced mobility and respiratory disorders. Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis diagnosis is clinical and can be complemented with imaging to rule out other diagnostic hypotheses and assess the extent of involvement. Treatment can be performed in two ways: clinical or surgical (lipectomy or liposuction). We report the case of a patient with Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis type I surgically treated with both techniques: cervical lipectomy and abdominal liposuction. The patient evolved satisfactorily, with a reduction in complaints and no recurrences so far