Chapter 8 Network Trust

In this chapter we aim to move beyond the extensive focus on relational trust in the organizational literature by broadening the conceptualization of trust to include its inherent generalizability across a network. Specifically, we introduce the concept of network trust. Central to our conceptualization is the idea that apart from forming as a result of direct interaction, trust also flows through the indirect connections linking individuals to one another and emerges from the inherent design features of the network itself. We further conceptualize network trust as comprised of two forms: second-hand trust and prototrust. Secondhand trust refers to the partial spillover of relational trust to socially proximate, indirectly connected actors. Prototrust refers to the latent potential for confident positive expectations to emerge between two actors who are neither directly nor indirectly connected. Drawing on network theory, we articulate the logics (in terms of mechanisms, indicators, and contingencies) by which secondhand trust and prototrust operate. We conclude with a call to treat network trust as a novel form and with an agenda for considering the unique understandings that network trust permits

A case of acanthosis nigricans in a HIV-infected patient

Background: To date, very little information is available concerning the relationship between acanthosis nigricans (AN) and infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Case presentation: Herein, we report the case of a middle-aged man admitted for fever and progressively worsening dyspnea in the context of an opportunistic pneumonia and firstly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). At the time of diagnosis, physical examination revealed the presence of a palpable, hyperpigmented skin lesion on the left areola with surface desquamation and velvety texture consistent with AN. Of note, the most common primary etiologies related to AN were excluded and the complete regression of the skin lesion was observed once antiretroviral therapy was started. Conclusion: This is the second report of AN found in patients with AIDS and apparently responsive to prolonged antiretroviral treatment. Possible explanations of this association are still not completely understood, probably related to virus-induced changes in lipid metabolism. Our experience suggests that HIV testing should always be considered in the setting of apparently idiopathic AN

The organization of R&D work and knowledge search in intrafirm networks

The study investigates the effects of the organization of industrial Research & Development on industrial researchers’ knowledge acquisition behavior. Specifically, we test a model about how the fit of individuals with their research tasks affects whether industrial researchers acquire knowledge from outside their assigned projects. Empirical analyses from the R&D laboratory of a global pharmaceutical company show that person-task-fit has a non-linear effect on the knowledge content exchanged through interpersonal interactions. Implications for the management and organization of R&D activities are discussed

Chapter 8 Network Trust

In this chapter we aim to move beyond the extensive focus on relational trust in the organizational literature by broadening the conceptualization of trust to include its inherent generalizability across a network. Specifically, we introduce the concept of network trust. Central to our conceptualization is the idea that apart from forming as a result of direct interaction, trust also flows through the indirect connections linking individuals to one another and emerges from the inherent design features of the network itself. We further conceptualize network trust as comprised of two forms: second-hand trust and prototrust. Secondhand trust refers to the partial spillover of relational trust to socially proximate, indirectly connected actors. Prototrust refers to the latent potential for confident positive expectations to emerge between two actors who are neither directly nor indirectly connected. Drawing on network theory, we articulate the logics (in terms of mechanisms, indicators, and contingencies) by which secondhand trust and prototrust operate. We conclude with a call to treat network trust as a novel form and with an agenda for considering the unique understandings that network trust permits

A very rare case of adult-type granulosa cell tumor.

Granulosa cell tumor (GST) of the testis is a rare neoplasm. Here we describe a case of an adult type GST. More than a year after surgical treatment, without any other treatment, the patient is alive without sign of disease

MiRNAs as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers for Metastasis in Thin and Thick Primary Cutaneous Melanomas.

Background/Aim: The identification of novel prognostic biomarkers for melanoma metastasis is essential to improve patient outcomes. To this aim, we characterized miRNA expression profiles in relation to metastasis in melanoma and correlated miRNAs expression with clinicalpathological factors. Materials and Methods: MiR-145-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-203-3p, miR-205-5p and miR211-5p expression levels were analyzed in primary cutaneous melanomas, including thin and thick melanomas, and in melanoma metastases by quantitative Real-Time PCR. Results: A significantly lower miR-205-5p expression was found in metastases compared to primary melanomas. Furthermore, a progressive down-regulation of miR-205-5p expression was observed from loco-regional to distant metastasis. Significantly lower miR-145-5p and miR-203-3p expression levels were found in cases with Breslow thickness >1 mm, high Clark level, ulceration and mitotic rate ≥1/mm2. Conclusion: Our findings point to miR-205-5p as potential biomarker of distant metastases and to miR-145-5p and miR-203-3p as markers of aggressiveness in melanoma

Agminated Blue Nevus: Two Case Reports and a Mini-review of the Literature

Agminated blue nevus (ABN) is a melanocytic nevus rarely mentioned in the literature and not well known. The term agminated is used when many blue nevi are clustered together in a sharply demarcated area ≤10 cm. Specific dermatoscopic features have not currently been clearly defined. We describe two cases of ABN and provide a review of the literature, reporting the main points in order to facilitate the diagnosis of this rare entity.  </p

Evaluation of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus DNA in Tissue Samples from italian Patients With Diagnosis of MCC

Because the incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has increased significantly during the last 10 years and it is recognized that Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation represent two different etiological inputs sharing clinical, histopathological, and prognostic similar features, although with different prognosis, this study investigated the detection of MCPyV in skin and lymph nodes with histological diagnosis of MCC. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) were retrieved from archived specimens and MCPyV non-coding control region (NCCR) and viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) sequences were amplified and sequenced. Results provide an interesting observation concerning the discrepancy between the MCPyV DNA status in primary and metastatic sites: in fact, in all cases in which primary and metastatic lesions were investigated, MCPyV DNA was detected only in the primary lesions. Our data further support the “hit-and-run” theory, also proposed by other authors, and may lead to speculation that in some MCCs the virus is only necessary for the process of tumor initiation and that further mutations may render the tumor independent from the virus. Few point mutations were detected in the NCCR and only silent mutations were observed in the VP1 sequence compared to the MCPyV MCC350 isolate. To unequivocally establish a role of MCPyV in malignancies, additional well-controlled investigations are required, and larger cohorts should be examined

Primary Metastatic Neuroendocrine Small Cell Bladder Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (SCCUB) is a rare variant of neuroendocrine nonepithelial tumor. Clinically, SCCUB appears like a flat or ulcerated lesion and microscopically can cause microvascular invasion and necrosis. Small cell cancer, rarely found in the urogenital tract in a primitive form, usually coexists with urothelial bladder cancers. It has an incidence of 0.35–0.7% of all bladder neoplasms and survival at 5 years is estimated to be around 8%. A 60-year-old man who was a smoker was referred to our department with episodes of gross hematuria and pain in the lumbar region. After an extensive transurethral resection of the bladder, including of the muscular layer, the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the bladder was made. The neoplastic cells were positive with immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A, paranuclear reactivity to cytokeratin and neuronspecific enolase. A total-body CT scan revealed lymph node involvement and hepatic, adrenal and lung metastases. Be- cause of the advanced stage it was decided to avoid radical cystectomy and perform chemotherapy. The patient underwent two different cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy following international recommendations, but unfortunately without any response. After palliative therapy, the patient died in January 2010

Exploring the topology of the plausible: Fs/QCA counterfactual analysis and the plausible fit of unobserved organizational configurations

The main aim of this contribution is to expand the dominant rationale of organizational design research by including solutions and possibilities not observed in reality. We believe that the counterfactual approach to configurations responds to an open call in organization theory and strategy to move the modelling of fit towards a more robust and theory-based specification. With this new approach we propose to rediscover the roots of organization design as a distinct normative discipline that ‘should stand approximately in relation to the basic social sciences as engineering stands with respect to physical sciences or medicine to the biological’. At a more general level, our view implies an expansion of the dominant meaning of the concept of ‘relevance’ in management research. While we agree with Gulati (2007: 780) that we as scholars should probe ‘more deeply into the problems and other issues that managers care about’, we also believe that relevance does not necessarily mean that researchers have to use an ex-post rationality by studying only empirically frequent phenomena. In contrast, we think that any management esearcher should bring with her or himself a fragment of the spirit of the great Greek philosopher Anaximander (c. 610–c. 546 BC), who foresaw the concept of the infinite universe without the support of any empirical observation and against the predominant wisdom of the time. Not by chance, Karl Popper (1998) onsidered Anaximander’s intuitions among the most vivid demonstrations of the power of human thought and logic