Emergent knowledge dynamics in innovation: exploring e-business entrepreneurship after the dotcom crash

This thesis explores emergent knowledge dynamics in innovation in the context of ebusiness entrepreneurship. Based on a critique of the dialectic interpretation of knowledge dynamics, it forwards a perspective that stresses the creative force of emergence that disrupts existent meanings and produces new potentialities for innovation. It suggests ways of using such a perspective in policy-targeted research. The first part elaborates on the traditional uses of concepts of knowledge in explanations of entrepreneurial innovation and on the need to account for a dynamic perspective on emergent knowledge. The thesis employs work by Deleuze and Guattari as meta-theoretical vehicle to expand the conceptual potential of social representations theory beyond its traditional focus on a dialectic ontology of becoming. It highlights a dynamic which does not exclusively assume conceptual difference as the source of the novel and which allows for patterns of becoming other than the triadic continuity of dialectics. Together, this provides new possibilities for an understanding of knowledge dynamics taking into account both adaptive and creative dynamics of emergence. The empirical part combines thematic analysis of interviews and a focus group with Deleuzian analysis of participant observation to facilitate an exploration of emergent conditions for innovation in a particular milieu of e-business entrepreneurship. The exploration shows how changes in shared evaluative dimensions guided – and constrained – the creation of new concepts. Simultaneously, distinct assemblages arising from novel connections of affect and technology in networks created the conditions of fluidity and ambiguity required for new knowledge: in the aftermath of the dotcom crash, new concepts of network leadership and trust in business interaction were emerging. This study forwards new insights on the study of emergent knowledge dynamics as oscillating between rhizomic opening and dialectic closure. It is in the disruptive encounters between the two that new conditions for innovation can assemble

Untersuchungen zum Gesamtprotein, Albumin-Quotient und IgG Index im Liquor cerebrospinalis der Katze

Aim of the study was to establish reference values for total protein (TP), albumin-quotient (AQ) and IgG index in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cat. Furthermore, diagnostic value of these parameters for detection of subclinical inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) or dysfunction of the blood brain barrier (BBB) was to be evaluated for the cat. Corresponding CSF and serum samples of 72 cats were evaluated. In detail, 37 neurologically healthy cats (group I, reference group), 23 cats with neurological diseases (group II), including eight cats with intracranial neoplasia (group II a) and 15 cats with CNS manifestation of FIP (group II b) and 12 cats with an exclusively extraneural FIP infection were included in the study. Classification into separate groups was based on results of histopathologic examination of the CNS in each cat. All measurements were done with the Behring Nephelometer 100. TP in CSF was determined after precipitation with trichloroacetic acid; albumin and IgG were measured in CSF and serum (S) by immunonephelometriy using species specific anti-albumin and anti-IgG antibodies. Human CSF-protein, standard cat albumin and standard cat IgG served as controls. Albumin quotient (AQ) and IgG index were calculated utilizing the following formulas: AQ = CSF-albumin / S-albumin; IgG index = (CSF-IgG/S-IgG) / (CSF-albumin/S-albumin). The AQ was used as an indicator for the integrity of the BBB; the IgG index described the intrathecally produced IgG fraction. For the reference group (group I) total protein in CSF was 0,06 - 0,36 g/l (0,15 ± 0,1), albumin quotient was 0,0006 - 0,0057 (0,0024 ± 0,0012), and IgG index was 0,3 - 0,6 (0,43 ± 0,16), respectively. In cats with extra neural FIP (group III) there was no difference in TP, AQ and IgG index compared with the reference group (group I). All measurements were within the reference range. In cats with intracranial neoplasia (group II a) most animals with abnormal CSF protein profile exhibited intrathekal IgG synthesis (n = 5; 62.5 %) and two of these showed a concurrent disturbance of the BBB. An exclusive disturbance of the BBB was only detected in two cats (25 %). In two other cats (25 %) the CSF protein profile was unremarkable. In cats with CNS manifestation of FIP (group II b) 33.3 % (n = 5) demonstrated an increased IgG index, two of these patients also revealed a concurrent disturbance of the BBB. Within this group two cats (13.3 %) had an isolated disruption of the BBB. The protein profile was normal in eight (53.3 %) of the cats. In 21.7 % of all cats with neurological diseases an abnormal protein profile could only be detected by measurement of AQ or IgG index. This equals 29.4 % of the neurologically diseased cats with a normal CSF total protein. In cats with neurological disease, which do not show abnormalities in routine CSF examination, the measurement of the AQ and the IgG index provides a reasonable diagnostic feature. However, the theory postulated in human medicine that tumours are mainly characterised by a change of BBB, and that inflammation is characterised by intrathecal IgG production could not be proven for the cat considering the results of this study. In cats with extra neural FIP AQ and IgG index helped to confirm that no subclinical involvement of the CNS was present in the disease process.Ziel der Arbeit war, Referenzwerte für die Gesamtproteinkonzentration im Liquor, den Albumin-Quotienten und den IgG Index bei der Katze zu etablieren. In einem zweiten Schritt sollte die diagnostische Aussagekraft dieser Messungen für die Erfassung subklinischer Entzündungen im ZNS oder Blut-Hirn Schrankenstörungen bei der Katze bewertet werden. Das Untersuchungsmaterial der Studie umfasste eine Liquorprobe und die korrespondierende Serumprobe von insgesamt 72 Katzen. Diese wurden eingeteilt in 37 neurologisch gesunde Katzen (Gruppe I; Referenzgruppe), 23 neurologisch kranke Katzen (Gruppe II), davon acht Tiere mit Gehirntumoren (Gruppe II a) und 15 Katzen mit der ZNS-Form der felinen infektiösen Peritonitis (Gruppe II b), sowie 12 Katzen mit einer rein extraneuralen Form der FIP. Die Einteilung in die einzelnen Gruppen basierte neben den klinischen Untersuchungsbefunden bei allen Katzen auch auf den Ergebnissen der histopathologischen Untersuchung des ZNS. Alle Messungen wurden am Behring Nephelometer 100 durchgeführt. Das Gesamtprotein wurde nach Fällung mit Trichloressigsäure, Albumin und IgG im Liquor (L) und Serum (S) immunnephelometrisch unter Verwendung von speziespezifischem anti-Albumin und anti-IgG Antikörpern gemessen. Als Kontrollen dienten humanes Liquorprotein, Standard Katzen Albumin und Standard Katzen IgG. Der Albuminquotient (AQ) und der IgG-Index wurden nach folgenden Formeln berechnet: AQ = L-Albumin/S-Albumin. IgG Index = (L-IgG/S-IgG)/(L-Albumin/S-Albumin). Der Albuminquotient wurde zur Beschreibung einer Blut-Hirn Schrankenstörung herangezogen, der IgG-Index diente der Feststellung einer intrathekalen IgG-Synthese. In der Referenzgruppe (Gruppe I) betrug die Gesamtproteinkonzentration 0,06 bis 0,36 g/l (0,15 ± 0,1), der Albuminquotient 0,0006 bis 0,0057 (0,0024 ± 0,0012) und der IgG Index 0,3 bis 0,6 (0,43 ± 0,16). Bei Tieren mit einer extraneuralen FIP (Gruppe III) war im Hinblick auf die Ergebnisse kein Unterschied zur Referenzgruppe (Gruppe I) nachzuweisen. Alle Messungen befanden sich im Referenzbereich. Bei den Katzen mit Gehirntumoren (Gruppe II a) zeigte der überwiegende Anteil der Katzen mit verändertem Liquorproteinprofil eine intrathekale IgG-Synthese (n = 5; 62,5 %), wovon zwei Katzen gleichzeitig eine gestörte Blut-Hirn Schranke aufwiesen. Eine reine Blut-Hirn Schranken-Störung wiesen lediglich zwei Katzen (25 %) auf. Bei zwei Tieren (25 %) war das Liquorproteinprofil nicht verändert. Bei den Katzen mit einer ZNS Form der FIP (Gruppe II b) zeigten 33,3 % (n = 5) einen erhöhten IgG-Index, wovon zwei Katzen auch eine gleichzeitige Blut-Hirn-Schranken-Störung erkennen ließen. Eine reine Blut-Hirn-Schranken-Störung wiesen zwei Katzen dieser Gruppe auf (13,3 %). Bei 53,3 % der Katzen war das Liquorproteinprofil nicht verändert (n = 8). Insgesamt konnte bei 21,7 % der neurologisch kranken Katzen ein pathologisch verändertes Liquorprofil nur anhand des Albumin-Quotienten oder IgG Index erkannt werden. Dies entsprach 29,4 % der neurologisch kranken Katzen mit einem unauffälligen Gesamtproteingehalt im Liquor. Bei neurologisch kranken Katzen, die in der Routineuntersuchung des Liquors keine Abweichung von der Norm zeigen, stellt die Bestimmung des Albumin-Quotient und IgG Index eine sinnvolle diagnostische Ergänzung dar. Allerdings kann das Postulat, das in der Humanmedizin gestellt wurde, dass Tumoren vor allem durch eine Veränderung der Blut-Hirn Schranke und Entzündungen durch eine intrathekale IgG-Synthese charakterisiert sind, anhand dieser Ergebnisse bei der Katze nicht nachvollzogen werden. Bei Katzen mit extraneuraler FIP bestätigten Albuminquotient und IgG Index, dass keine subklinische Beteiligung des ZNS am Krankheitsprozess vorlag

Prospective randomized controlled pilot study on the effects of almond consumption on skin lipids and wrinkles.

ObjectiveAlmonds are a rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants, and their supplementation is known to significantly modulate serum lipids. The effects of almond on the skin's lipid barrier and the appearance of wrinkles have not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of almond consumption on facial sebum production and wrinkles.MethodsThis was a prospective, investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial in which subjects consumed 20% of their daily energy consumption in either almonds or a calorie-matched snack for 16 weeks. This study was completed at the UC Davis Dermatology clinic. Participants were a volunteer sample of generally healthy postmenopausal females with Fitzpatrick skin types 1 and 2. A facial photograph and image analysis system was used to obtain standardized photographs and information on wrinkle width and severity at 0, 8, and 16 weeks. Measurements of transepidermal water loss and sebum production were also completed at 0, 8, and 16 weeks.ResultsFifty healthy postmenopausal females were recruited, 31 participants were enrolled, and 28 completed the study. Under photographic analysis, the almond group had significantly decreased wrinkle severity and width compared with the control group at 16 weeks (p < .02). Changes in skin barrier function were nonsignificant, measured by the transepidermal water loss (p = .65) between the almond and control groups relative to baseline after 16 weeks. No adverse effects were reported.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that daily almond consumption may reduce wrinkle severity in postmenopausal females to potentially have natural antiaging benefits

Back to School: Parental Concerns of Children with Hematological and Oncological Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected the educational system. Historically, children with hematological and oncological conditions have experienced academic challenges. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Charts reviewed included children with oncology or hematology conditions, whose parents expressed educational concerns and were referred to an educational liaison in the Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation Division. The parental concerns for 102 children (M age = 10.03 ± 4.7; 59.8% male; 43.1% Latinx/Hispanic) during the first half of the 2021 to 2022 academic year were extracted. Overall, all parents reported at least one concern with the average reporting 2.24 ± 1.34 (range of 1–6 concerns). The most common general concerns regarded: Individualized Education Programs (IEP) or special education evaluations; 504 accommodations; home instruction; school enrollment. Almost half of the parents had additional concerns they specifically attributed to COVID-19. Children with hematological and oncological conditions were experiencing various needs at this time, which likely have continued implications. It is important for educators, school psychologists, and health care providers to remain cognizant of the educational needs of medically vulnerable populations. Children with hematological and oncological conditions benefit from regular evaluation of their needs, as well as proactive forms of intervention

At risk of being risky: The relationship between "brain age" under emotional states and risk preference.

Developmental differences regarding decision making are often reported in the absence of emotional stimuli and without context, failing to explain why some individuals are more likely to have a greater inclination toward risk. The current study (N=212; 10-25y) examined the influence of emotional context on underlying functional brain connectivity over development and its impact on risk preference. Using functional imaging data in a neutral brain-state we first identify the "brain age" of a given individual then validate it with an independent measure of cortical thickness. We then show, on average, that "brain age" across the group during the teen years has the propensity to look younger in emotional contexts. Further, we show this phenotype (i.e. a younger brain age in emotional contexts) relates to a group mean difference in risk perception - a pattern exemplified greatest in young-adults (ages 18-21). The results are suggestive of a specified functional brain phenotype that relates to being at "risk to be risky.

The responses of brown macroalgae to environmental change from local to global scales: direct versus ecologically mediated effects

In many temperate regions, brown macroalgae fulfil essential ecosystem services such as the provision of structure, the fixation of nutrients and carbon, and the production of biomass and oxygen. Their populations in many regions around the globe have declined and/or spatially shifted in recent decades. In this review we highlight the potential global and regional drives of these changes, describe the status of regionally particularly important brown macroalgal species, and describe the capacity of interactions among abiotic and biotic factors to amplify or buffer environmental pressure on brown macroalgae. We conclude with a consideration of possible management and restoration measures

Developmental lineage of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac fibroblast affects their functional phenotype

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) support heart function by secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) and paracrine factors, respond to stress associated with injury and disease, and therefore are an increasingly important therapeutic target. CFBs are thought to be specialized by region and lineage as identified by recent single cell sequencing studies1,2. Here, we describe how developmental lineage of human pluripotent stem cell-derived CFBs, epicardial (EpiC-FB) and second heart field (SHF-FB) impacts transcriptional and functional properties. Both EpiC-FBs and SHF-FBs exhibited CFB transcriptional programs expressing canonical cardiac fibroblast markers POSTN, COL1A1, VIM, THY1, HAND2, and GATA4. When added to human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes at a ratio of 1:3, both hPSC-CFB subtypes improved aggregate formation and calcium handling of the cardiac tissues. EpiC-FB represent the majority of all CFBs in the adult human heart and are identifiable by expression of epicardial-lineage markers TBX3, TBX18, and TBX203. As expected, hPSC-derived EpiC-FBs similarly expressed these markers. Phenotypically, EpiC-FBs have higher stress-induced activation potential to transition to a myofibroblast-like state than SHF-FBs and they secrete Gremlin-1, epidermal growth factor-like protein 7, and connective tissue growth factor, which have been implicated in fibrosis4,5. Thus, one should consider using EpiC-FBs in modeling cardiac fibrosis and anti-fibrotic drug testing where CFB activation and fibrosis are important. SHF-FBs represent a portion of CFBs which arise from the second heart field and can be identified by expression of lineage markers TBX1 and SALL1. hPSC-derived SHF-FBs also expressed second heart field markers as well as noncanonical WNT signaling pathway factors including WNT5A, which developmentally is secreted from second heart field progenitors and is required for proper outflow tract development6–9. Additionally, they lack expression of factors identified in the EpiC-FBs as associated with fibrosis, and therefore may be ideal for cell therapy into an injured or diseased heart, or for other applications where activation is undesired. These phenotypic differences highlight the diversity and complexity of cardiac cell subtypes and inform CFB in vitro model selection. We expect that hPSC-CFBs will be used in a range of applications spanning drug testing, disease modeling, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine cell therapies. 1. Tucker NR, et al., Circulation. Published online 2020. 2. Asp M, et al., Cell. 2019;179(7):1647-1660.e19. 3. Ali SR, et al., Circ Res. 2014;115(7):625-635. 4. Iwabu A, et al., Basic Res Cardiol. 2002;97(3):214-222. 5. Mueller KAL, et al., J Card Fail. 2013;19(10):678-684. 6. Li D, et al., Dev Biol. 2016;412(1):18-31. 7. Sinha T, et al., Hum Mol Genet. 2015;24(6):1704-1716. 8. Schleiffarth JR, et al., Pediatr Res. 2007;61(4):386-391. 9. Chen L, et al., Genet. 2012;8(3)

Error Signals from the Brain: 7th Mismatch Negativity Conference

The 7th Mismatch Negativity Conference presents the state of the art in methods, theory, and application (basic and clinical research) of the MMN (and related error signals of the brain). Moreover, there will be two pre-conference workshops: one on the design of MMN studies and the analysis and interpretation of MMN data, and one on the visual MMN (with 20 presentations). There will be more than 40 presentations on hot topics of MMN grouped into thirteen symposia, and about 130 poster presentations. Keynote lectures by Kimmo Alho, Angela D. Friederici, and Israel Nelken will round off the program by covering topics related to and beyond MMN

Spatial compositional turnover varies with trophic level and body size in marine assemblages of micro- and macroorganisms

Abstract Aim Spatial compositional turnover varies considerably among co-occurring assemblages of organisms, presumably shaped by common processes related to species traits. We investigated patterns of spatial turnover in a diverse set of marine assemblages using zeta diversity, which extends traditional pairwise measures of turnover to capture the roles of both rare and common species in shaping assemblage turnover. We tested the generality of hypothesized patterns related to ecological traits and provide insights into mechanisms of biodiversity change. Location Temperate pelagic and benthic marine assemblages of micro- and macroorganisms along south-eastern Australia (30–36° S latitude). Time period 2008–2021. Major taxa studied Bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, and macrobenthic groups. Methods Six marine datasets spanning bacteria to fishes were collated for measures of “species” occurrence, with a 1° latitude grain. For each assemblage, ecological traits of body size, habitat and trophic level were analysed for the form and rate of decline in zeta diversity and for the species retention rate. Results Species at higher trophic levels showed two to three times the rate of zeta diversity decline compared with lower trophic levels, indicating an increase in turnover from phytoplankton to carnivorous fishes. Body size showed the hypothesized unimodal relationship with rates of turnover for macroorganisms. Patterns of bacterial turnover contrasted with those found for macroorganisms, with the highest levels of turnover in pelagic habitats compared with benthic (kelp-associated) habitats. The shape of retention rate curves showed the importance of both rare and common species in driving turnover; a finding that would not have been observable using pairwise (beta diversity) measures of turnover. Main conclusions Our results support theoretical predictions for phytoplankton and macroorganisms, showing an increase in turnover rate with trophic level, but these predictions did not hold for bacteria. Such deviations from theory need to be investigated further to identify underlying processes that govern microbial assemblage dynamics