Does trade openness increase firm-level volatility?

From a theoretical point of view, greater trade openness affects firm-level volatility by changing the exposure and the reaction of firms to macroeconomic shocks. The net effect is ambiguous, though. This paper provides firm-level evidence on the link between openness and volatility. Using two novel datasets on German firms, we analyze the evolution of firm-level output volatility and the link between volatility and trade openness. We find that firm-level output volatility displays patterns similar to those found in aggregated data for Germany. Also, smaller firms and firms that grow faster are more volatile. Increased trade openness tends to lower volatility. --firm-level volatility,trade openness

Olfactory discrimination largely persists in mice with defects in odorant receptor expression and axon guidance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The defining feature of the main olfactory system in mice is that each olfactory sensory neuron expresses only one of more than a thousand different odorant receptor genes. Axons expressing the same odorant receptor converge onto a small number of targets in the olfactory bulb such that each glomerulus is made up of axon terminals expressing just one odorant receptor. It is thought that this precision in axon targeting is required to maintain highly refined odor discrimination. We previously showed that β3GnT2^−/− mice have severe developmental and axon guidance defects. The phenotype of these mice is similar to adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3) knockout mice largely due to the significant down-regulation of AC3 activity in β3GnT2^−/− neurons.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microarray analysis reveals that nearly one quarter of all odorant receptor genes are down regulated in β3GnT2^−/− mice compared to controls. Analysis of OR expression by quantitative PCR and <it>in situ</it> hybridization demonstrates that the number of neurons expressing some odorant receptors, such as mOR256-17, is increased by nearly 60% whereas for others such as mOR28 the number of neurons is decreased by more than 75% in β3GnT2^−/− olfactory epithelia. Analysis of axon trajectories confirms that many axons track to inappropriate targets in β3GnT2^−/− mice, and some glomeruli are populated by axons expressing more than one odorant receptor. Results show that mutant mice perform nearly as well as control mice in an odor discrimination task. In addition, <it>in situ</it> hybridization studies indicate that the expression of several activity dependent genes is unaffected in β3GnT2^−/− olfactory neurons.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results presented here show that many odorant receptors are under-expressed in β3GnT2^−/− mice and further demonstrate that additional axon subsets grow into inappropriate targets or minimally innervate glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. Odor evoked gene expression is unchanged and β3GnT2^−/− mice exhibit a relatively small deficit in their ability to discriminate divergent odors. Results suggest that despite the fact that β3GnT2^−/− mice have decreased AC3 activity, decreased expression of many ORs, and display many axon growth and guidance errors, odor-evoked activity in cilia of mutant olfactory neurons remains largely intact.</p

Differences in Fabry Cardiomyopathy Between Female and Male Patients Consequences for Diagnostic Assessment

ObjectivesWe hypothesized that Fabry cardiomyopathy in female patients might differ substantially from that in male patients and sought to prove this hypothesis in a large cohort consisting of 104 patients with Fabry disease.BackgroundFabry cardiomyopathy in male patients is characterized by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, impaired myocardial function, and subsequent progressive myocardial fibrosis. In contrast, the occurrence of these 3 cardiomyopathic hallmarks in female patients remains unknown.MethodsIn 104 patients (58 females, age 42 ± 16 years; 46 males, age 42 ± 13 years) with genetically proven Fabry disease, LV hypertrophy, regional myocardial deformation and myocardial fibrosis were assessed by standard echocardiography, strain rate imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging–guided late enhancement (LE).ResultsIn men, end-diastolic left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) ranged from 6 to 19.5 mm (LV mass CMR 55 to 200 g/m2), and LE was never seen with LVWT <12 mm (LV mass <99 g/m2). In contrast in female patients, LVWT ranged from 5 to 15.5 mm, LV mass ranged from 39 to 146 g/m2, and LE was already detectable with an LVWT of 9 mm (LV mass 56 g/m2). When LV mass was examined in CMR, LE was detected in 23% of the female patients without hypertrophy (n = 9), whereas LE was never seen in male patients with normal LV mass. LE was always associated with low systolic strain rate, but the severity of impairment was independent of LVWT in female patients (lateral strain rate in patients with LV hypertrophy with LE −0.7 ± 0.2 s−1; patients without LV hypertrophy with LE −0.8 ± 0.2 s−1; p = 0.45).ConclusionsIn contrast to male patients, the loss of myocardial function and the development of fibrosis do not necessarily require myocardial hypertrophy in female patients with Fabry disease. Thus, in contrast to actual recommendations, initial cardiac staging and monitoring should be based on LV hypertrophy and on replacement fibrosis in female patients with Fabry disease

Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Fabry Disease Natural History Data From the Fabry Registry

ObjectivesThese analyses were designed to determine the incidence of major cardiovascular (CV) events and the natural history of CV complications in patients with Fabry disease.BackgroundFabry disease, a genetic disorder caused by deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A activity, is associated with CV dysfunction.MethodsMajor CV events (myocardial infarction, heart failure, or cardiac-related death) were analyzed in 2,869 Fabry Registry patients during the natural history period (i.e., before enzyme replacement therapy or among patients who never received therapy). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of CV events.ResultsEighty-three of 1,424 men (5.8%) and 54 of 1,445 women (3.7%) experienced CV events at mean ages of 45 and 54 years, respectively. Heart failure was the most common first CV event, reported by 50 men (3.5%) and 33 women (2.3%). Hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were the risk factors most strongly associated with CV events. When these parameters were used as covariates in logistic regression analyses, the odds ratio (OR) for hypertension in men was 7.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 28.6, p = 0.0019), and the OR for hypertension in women was 4.5 (95% CI: 1.6 to 12.3, p = 0.0037). The OR for left ventricular hypertrophy was 4.8 in men (95% CI: 1.03 to 22.2, p = 0.0463) and 8.2 in women (95% CI: 2.6 to 26.0, p = 0.0003).ConclusionsMajor CV events occurred in approximately 5% of Fabry Registry patients during the natural history period. All patients with Fabry disease should be monitored for possible CV risk factors, particularly hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy

Olfactory Performance as an Indicator for Protective Treatment Effects in an Animal Model of Neurodegeneration

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are often accompanied by olfactory deficits. Here we use a rare neurovisceral lipid storage disorder, Niemann–Pick disease C1 (NPC1), to illustrate disease-specific dynamics of olfactory dysfunction and its reaction upon therapy. Previous findings in a transgenic mouse model (NPC1-/-) showed severe morphological and electrophysiological alterations of the olfactory epithelium (OE) and the olfactory bulb (OB) that ameliorated under therapy with combined 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPßCD)/allopregnanolone/miglustat or HPßCD alone.Methods: A buried pellet test was conducted to assess olfactory performance. qPCR for olfactory key markers and several olfactory receptors was applied to determine if their expression was changed under treatment conditions. In order to investigate the cell dynamics of the OB, we determined proliferative and apoptotic activities using a bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) protocol and caspase-3 (cas-3) activity. Further, we performed immunohistochemistry and western blotting for microglia (Iba1), astroglia (GFAP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH).Results: The buried pellet test revealed a significant olfactory deterioration in NPC1-/- mice, which reverted to normal levels after treatment. At the OE level, mRNA for olfactory markers showed no changes; the mRNA level of classical olfactory receptor (ORs) was unaltered, that of unique ORs was reduced. In the OB of untreated NPC1-/- mice, BrdU and cas-3 data showed increased proliferation and apoptotic activity, respectively. At the protein level, Iba1 and GFAP in the OB indicated increased microgliosis and astrogliosis, which was prevented by treatment.Conclusion: Due to the unique plasticity especially of peripheral olfactory components the results show a successful treatment in NPC1 condition with respect to normalization of olfaction. Unchanged mRNA levels for olfactory marker protein and distinct olfactory receptors indicate no effects in the OE in NPC1-/- mice. Olfactory deficits are thus likely due to central deficits at the level of the OB. Further studies are needed to examine if olfactory performance can also be changed at a later onset and interrupted treatment of the disease. Taken together, our results demonstrate that olfactory testing in patients with NPC1 may be successfully used as a biomarker during the monitoring of the treatment

Planning of organizational changes

This article examines the importance of planning the activity to the head, especially during periods of active changes of operating principles in all possible company existence stages. A logical link is carried out between specific changes within the selected process: either with related activities or with the whole company structure organization. The author argues that the effective communication should be in the company and outside it to build a successful business.Данная статья показывает важность планирования своей деятельности как руководителя, особенно в периоды проведения активных изменений принципов работы, на всех возможных этапах существования компании, а также проводится логическая связь между конкретными изменениями внутри выбранного процесса не только со смежными направлениями деятельности, но и со организацией структуры компании в целом. Речь также идет о влиянии эффективных коммуникаций, внутри компании и за ее пределами, для построения успешного бизнеса и карьеры менеджера в целом. Данная статья будет полезна для начинающих руководителей всех типов компаний

Die Bibliothek als Erfolgsfaktor - 10 Jahre danach

Im Jahr 2022 feiert die Universitätsbibliothek Bochum ihr 60. Jubiläum. Die UB Bochum ist auf dem Campus der Ruhr-Universität Bochum neben ihrer Rolle als professionelle Dienstleisterin für Studium, Lehre und Forschung längst ein attraktiver Lern- und Begegnungsort, geographisch zentral und in Sachen Digitalisierung sowie Vernetzung und Kooperationen zukunftsweisend

Crack control for repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete structures using the multi-cracking behaviour of Ultra-high Performance Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete (UHPFRSC)

Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is an innovative material for the repair and/or strengthening of reinforced concrete structures. In the field of traffic infrastructure, the outstanding mechanical properties are used as a protective surface layer and to increase the load capacity of the structure. UHPFRC is characterised by a dense granular structure and correspondingly high resistance against chloride attack. The material is typically applied as cast in-situ concrete. To optimise implementation of the strengthening and repair method, the UHPFRC is applied as sprayed concrete, so-called Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete (UHPFRSC). The research aims to increase the service life of damaged and/or overloaded structures. Crack widths in the UHPFRSC layer must be limited to avoid migration of chlorides. The thin UHPFRSC layer provides crack distribution and control of localised macro cracks in the existing reinforced concrete structure. The fibres in the Ultra-High Performance Shotcrete (UHPSC) allows for limiting the crack width to 50 µm. When the UHPFRSC is applied on cracked reinforced concrete, it can be assumed that multi-cracking in the UHPFRSC surface layer will provide a chloride-dense layer equivalent to a coating. Under load, the two layers - UHPFRC and RC - act as a composite. For structural analysis, a particular focus must be placed on the interaction between cementitious materials. In addition, the pre-damage and pre-loading of the existing structure will influence the structural behaviour and crack formation. The paper presents the results of bending tests of UHPFRC - RC composite elements. The investigation shows the outstanding crack control behaviour of UHPFRSC. Based on this investigation, an analytical model will be provided, and a calculation of the crack widths will be derived. The research presents a central aspect of a large interdisciplinary research project at Munich University of Applied Science, called i-SCUP

Structural Features of an OR37 Glomerulus: A Comparative Study

In the olfactory bulb (OB) a sophisticated neuronal network mediates the primary processing of sensory information and extensive investigations over the past decades have greatly improved our understanding of the morphology and neuronal organization of the OB. However, efforts have mostly been focused on the different radial layers, typical for the OB and little attention has been paid to individual odorant receptor specific glomeruli, the first relay station of sensory information. It has been assumed that glomeruli processing odorant information out of different contextual fields might require accordingly specialized neuronal networks. In this study, we have analyzed and compared the structural features as well as cell types in the periglomerular (PG) region of three odorant receptor specific glomeruli. The investigations were focused on glomeruli of the receptor type OR37A, a member of the unique OR37 subsystem, in comparison to glomeruli of OR18-2, a class I odorant receptor and OR256-17, a class II receptor. Each of the odorant receptor types is known to be activated by distinct odorants and their glomeruli are located in different regions of the bulb. We found significant differences in the size of the glomeruli as well as in the variability of the glomerulus size in individual mice, whereby the OR37A glomeruli featured a remarkably stable size. The number of cells surrounding a given glomerulus correlated strongly with its size which allowed comparative analyses of the surrounding cell types for individual glomeruli. The proportion of PG cells labeled by NeuN as well as putative GABAergic neurons labeled by GAD65 was quite similar for the different glomerulus types. However, the number of cells expressing distinct calcium-binding proteins, namely parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB) or calretinin (CR) varied significantly among the three glomerulus types. These data suggest that each odorant receptor specific glomerulus type may be surrounded by a unique network of PG cells