Strategic Orientations of Internationalizing Firms: A Comparative Analysis of Firms Operating in Technology Intensive and Common Goods Industries

The strategic orientations of global integration and local responsiveness (the I-R framework) continue to dominate analyses of internationalization strategies and identify the basic strategy typologies of multinational enterprise. Much effort has been devoted to verify the generic strategies established within the original I-R framework but few studies have investigated their implied performance effects. In conformity with the foundations of the I-R framework we characterize the strategic orientations by their implied corporate decision structures and strategy processes and analyze their performance associations in two distinct industrial environments. The evidence from this analysis contradicts predictions in the conventional I-R framework. We explain this conundrum from a resource-based perspective as firms operating in technology intensive environments outperform when they have access to diverse multinational resources whereas firms in common goods businesses gain economies from global product standards

Učinak ricinoleične kiseline iz ricinusova ulja na proizvodna svojstva i hemato-biokemijski profil krava pasmine Kankrej u laktaciji

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary ricinoleic acid from castor oil on the milk yield, composition, fatty acid profile and haemato-biochemical profile in lactating Kankrej cows. Twenty lactating Kankrej cows were assigned to the following groups: control (CON), basal diet without any additive and treatment (RAS), basal diet with 2 g/animal/day of ricinoleic acid from castor oil. Dietary ricinoleic acid had no (P>0.05) effect on dry matter intake and feed efficiency. Milk yield (milk, 4% fat corrected milk and energy corrected milk) were not affected (P>0.05) by the feeding of ricinoleic acid. The milk composition showed no significant differences between the groups. A significantly (P0.05) in haemato-biochemical profile between the CON and RAS groups. It was concluded that supplementation of 2 g/animal/day ricinoleic acid from castor oil had no effect on milk yield, milk composition and haemato-biochemical profile. However, it increased the milk fat percentages of unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased milk saturated fatty acids, without any adverse effect on the health status of the cows.Cilj istraživanja bio je procijeniti učinak ricinoleične kiseline iz ricinusova ulja na prinos mlijeka, kemijski sastav mlijeka, profil masnih kiselina u mlijeku te na hemato-biokemijski profil krava pasmine Kankrej u laktaciji. Ukupno 20 krava u laktaciji podijeljeno je u: kontrolnu skupinu (CON), skupinu koja je dobivala osnovnu hranu, bez dodataka i pokusnu skupinu (RAS), koja je dobivala osnovnu hranu i 2 g po životinji dnevno ricinoleične kiseline iz ricinusova ulja. Ricinoleična kiselina nije imala učinka (P>0,05) na unos suhe tvari i iskorištavanje hrane. Dodatak ricinoleične kiseline nije utjecao (P>0,05) na prinos mlijeka (mlijeko, obogaćeno mlijeko s 4 % masnoće i energijski obogaćeno mlijeko). Sastav mlijeka nije pokazao znakovite razlike među skupinama. Uočen je znakovito veći postotak C4:0, C6:0 i C8:0 u mlijeku u skupini RAS (P0,05) u hemato-biokemijskom profilu skupina CON i RAS. Zaključeno je da dodatak 2 g ricinoleične kiseline po životinji dnevno ne utječe na prinos i sastav mlijeka te hemato- biokemijski profil, međutim povećava postotak mliječne masti, nezasićenih masnih kiselina i višestruko nezasićenih masnih kiselina, a smanjuje postotak zasićenih masnih kiselina bez posljedica za zdravlje krava

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein is downregulated in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women

Background: Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein (TINAGL1), is a matricellular protein, known to play role in cell adhesion and cell receptor interaction. Research related to TINAGL1 is limited to cell culture and animal models. Demonstration of TINAGL1 as a positive regulator of angiogenesis and its expression in the decidua of postimplantation mouse uterus, prompted us to validate its expression in human placenta during impaired angiogenesis in pre-eclamptic condition. Methods: Placental tissue from normotensive (n = 25) and pre-eclamptic (n = 25) pregnancies were used to study the differentially expressed proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and TINAGL1 protein was validated with Western blotting. Results: A total of 55 protein spots were differentially expressed (fold change >1.5, p < 0.05), of which 27 were upregulated and 28 were downregulated in the pre-eclamptic placenta. TINAGL1 was found to be downregulated in pre-eclamptic compared to normotensive pregnant women. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting TINAGL1 to be present in human placenta and differentially expressed in pre-eclamptic condition. The functional role of TINAGL1 in association to human pregnancy needs to be explored further

Article 4 Usher Syndrome: Case Reports of Two Siblings

ABSTRACT Background: Usher syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital sensory neural deafness and progressive visual loss secondary to retinitis pigmentosa. There are three different types of Usher syndrome. Retinitis pigmentosa is the main ophthalmic manifestation shared by all three. Differences in auditory and vestibular function are the distinguishing feature

Sequence Analysis of Novel Staphylococcus aureus Lineages from Wild and Captive Macaques

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread and common opportunistic bacterium that can colonise or infect humans as well as a wide range of animals. There are a few studies of both methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from monkeys, apes, and lemurs, indicating a presence of a number of poorly or unknown lineages of the pathogen. In order to obtain insight into staphylococcal diversity, we sequenced strains from wild and captive individuals of three macaque species (Macaca mulatta, M. assamensis, and M. sylvanus) using Nanopore and Illumina technologies. These strains were previously identified by microarray as poorly or unknown strains. Isolates of novel lineages ST4168, ST7687, ST7688, ST7689, ST7690, ST7691, ST7692, ST7693, ST7694, ST7695, ST7745, ST7746, ST7747, ST7748, ST7749, ST7750, ST7751, ST7752, ST7753, and ST7754 were sequenced and characterised for the first time. In addition, isolates belonging to ST2990, a lineage also observed in humans, and ST3268, a MRSA strain already known from macaques, were also included into the study. Mobile genetic elements, genomic islands, and carriage of prophages were analysed. There was no evidence for novel host-specific virulence factors. However, a conspicuously high rate of carriage of a pathogenicity island harbouring edinB and etD2/etE as well as a higher number of repeat units within the gene sasG (encoding an adhesion factor) than in human isolates were observed. None of the strains harboured the genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin. In conclusion, wildlife including macaques may harbour an unappreciated diversity of S. aureus lineages that may be of clinical relevance for humans, livestock, or for wildlife conservation, given the declining state of many wildlife populations

Sequence Analysis of Novel Staphylococcus aureus Lineages from Wild and Captive Macaques

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread and common opportunistic bacterium that can colonise or infect humans as well as a wide range of animals. There are a few studies of both methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from monkeys, apes, and lemurs, indicating a presence of a number of poorly or unknown lineages of the pathogen. In order to obtain insight into staphylococcal diversity, we sequenced strains from wild and captive individuals of three macaque species (Macaca mulatta, M. assamensis, and M. sylvanus) using Nanopore and Illumina technologies. These strains were previously identified by microarray as poorly or unknown strains. Isolates of novel lineages ST4168, ST7687, ST7688, ST7689, ST7690, ST7691, ST7692, ST7693, ST7694, ST7695, ST7745, ST7746, ST7747, ST7748, ST7749, ST7750, ST7751, ST7752, ST7753, and ST7754 were sequenced and characterised for the first time. In addition, isolates belonging to ST2990, a lineage also observed in humans, and ST3268, a MRSA strain already known from macaques, were also included into the study. Mobile genetic elements, genomic islands, and carriage of prophages were analysed. There was no evidence for novel host-specific virulence factors. However, a conspicuously high rate of carriage of a pathogenicity island harbouring edinB and etD2/etE as well as a higher number of repeat units within the gene sasG (encoding an adhesion factor) than in human isolates were observed. None of the strains harboured the genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin. In conclusion, wildlife including macaques may harbour an unappreciated diversity of S. aureus lineages that may be of clinical relevance for humans, livestock, or for wildlife conservation, given the declining state of many wildlife populations

Current approaches to soft contact lens handling training - Global perspectives

Purpose All neophyte contact lens wearers require training on how to handle contact lenses. Currently, almost no published information exists describing the most common approaches used by those involved in such training in soft contact lens wearers. This study aimed to gather information on the approaches taken by those conducting this training worldwide. Methods An online survey was created in English and translated to Spanish and distributed internationally via social media, conference attendees, and professional contacts. The anonymous survey included information on workplace setting of respondents, information about the typical approaches used for application and removal of soft contact lenses, length of the appointment, and success rate with their approach. Survey responses were received between May 2021 and April 2022. Results A total of 511 individuals completed the survey and responses were received from 31 countries with 48.7% from the UK. The most common approach taught for application was to have the patient hold the upper eyelashes (84.7%) and to hold the lower eyelid with the same hand as the lens (89.4%). Lenses were applied directly to the cornea by 57.7% of the respondents. The most common approach taught for lens removal was to drag the lens inferiorly from the cornea prior to removal (49.3%). Most respondents did not use videos to aid the teaching appointment (62.0%); however, they felt that their approach was successful in most cases (90). Application and removal training sessions lasted a median of 30 min and contact lenses were typically dispensed after the instructor witnessing successful application and removal three times. Conclusion Various methods are adopted globally for training of application and removal of soft contact lenses, with many advising a patient-specific approach is required for success. The results of this survey provide novel insights into soft contact lens handling training in clinical practice

Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in India: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic diseases are fast becoming the largest health burden in India. Despite this, their management in India has not been well studied. We aimed to systematically review the nature and efficacy of current management strategies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in India. METHODS: We used database searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, IndMED, CENTRAL and CINAHL), journal hand-searches, scanning of reference lists and contact with experts to identify studies for systematic review. We did not review management strategies aimed at chronic diseases more generally, nor management of acute exacerbations. Due to the heterogeneity of reviewed studies, meta-analysis was not appropriate. Thus, narrative methods were used. SETTING: India. PARTICIPANTS: All adult populations resident in India. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1. Trialled interventions and outcomes 2. Extent and efficacy of current management strategies 3. Above outcomes by subgroup. RESULTS: We found information regarding current management - particularly regarding the implementation of national guidelines and primary prevention - to be minimal. This led to difficulty in interpreting studies of management strategies, which were varied and generally of positive effect. Data regarding current management outcomes were very few. CONCLUSIONS: The current understanding of management strategies for COPD in India is limited due to a lack of published data. Determination of the extent of current use of management guidelines, availability and use of treatment, and current primary prevention strategies would be useful. This would also provide evidence on which to interpret existing and future studies of management outcomes and novel interventions