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The purpose of this study was to understand the varied importance of critical factors (CFs) that affect foreign direct investment (FDI) and optimize the allocation of limited resources to the CFs to increase chances for international business success. We used eclectic theory as a framework. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and the concept of the Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) acceptable advantage were used to obtain the weights of the CFs and to identify the CFs objectively. Sensitivity analysis was performed to optimize the CFs. With the derivation of the CF weights, Taiwanese catering firms (i.e., the focal sample) can improve the allocation of their resources to the CFs to reduce the risk of FDI failure. Management implications, factor path analysis, and study contributions are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a major structural protein of caveolae, is an integral membrane protein which plays an important role in the progression of carcinoma. However, whether Cav-1 acts as a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor still remains controversial. For example, the tumorpromoting function of Cav-1 has been found in renal cancer, prostate cancer, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), lung SCC and bladder SCC. In contrast, Cav-1 also plays an inhibitory role in esophagus adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma and cutaneous SCC. The role of Cav-1 is still controversial in thyroid cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, pancreas cancer, oral SCC, laryngeal SCC, head and neck SCC, esophageal SCC and cervical SCC. Besides, it has been reported that the loss of stromal Cav-1 might predict poor prognosis in breast cancer, gastric cancer, pancreas cancer, prostate cancer, oral SCC and esophageal SCC. However, the accumulation of stromal Cav-1 has been found to be promoted by the progression of tongue SCC. Taken together, Cav-1 seems playing a different role in different cancer subtypes even of the same organ, as well as acting differently in the same cancer subtype of different organs. Thus, we hereby explore the functions of Cav-1 in human adenocarcinoma and SCC from the perspective of clinical significances and pathogenesis. We envision that novel targets may come with the further investigation of Cav-1 in carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This study proposes an integrated collaborative web site among government agencies to enhance customer satisfaction with the service quality of government agencies. Design/methodology/approach — The present authors invited all involved public-sector agencies to integrate their service processes into a model of one-stop shopping and established collaborative mechanism for providing customized service. Findings — The present study has identified five factors that were critical for success in such an undertaking. These factors included: establishing appropriate regulations for the implementation process; designing a viable collaborative-service system; establishing a closely connected virtual organization; ensuring the participation of senior managers from all agencies; and obtaining the cooperation of the facilitators from various agencies (including appropriate merit and bonus incentives). Practical implications — The real challenge for establishing the collaborative-service web site was managerial — in combining the service processes of a dozen or more agencies to make the model work. Managerial issues that need to be addressed were the design of service processes, the overall organizational structure, the establishment of audit and supervision procedures, and the establishment an operational model for the web site. Originality/value — This web site serves as a successful "one-stop-shopping" model that increases customer satisfaction with the service quality of government agencies. This study provides information for other government agencies that might wish to establish similar collaborative models to enhance service in the public sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the mobile storage system (MSS) makes better use of available space, it has the disadvantage of requiring complete manual operation. This leads to slow storage and retrieval speed, high costs, and frequent error. To overcome the problems inherent in manual operation in existing MSSs, this paper proposes an innovative mobile automated storage/retrieval system (M-AS/RS) using an integrated multi-level conveying device (IMCD) for automated item-picking operation. Through appropriate sequencing, the paper simulates the picking of items in batch orders. The paper then presents a comparative analysis of the proposed M-AS/RS model with existing MSS models concluding that the former has a better performance than the latter. The M-AS/RS model proposed by this paper can provide a practical solution to overcome the deficiencies in existing MSS models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An incentive spirometer (IS) is a mechanical device that promotes lung expansion. It is commonly used to prevent postoperative lung atelectasis and decrease pulmonary complications after cardiac, lung, or abdominal surgery. This study explored its effect on lung function and pulmonary complication rates in patients with rib fractures.Methods: Between June 2014 and May 2017, 50 adult patients with traumatic rib fractures were prospectively investigated. Patients who were unconscious, had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into a study group (n = 24), who underwent IS therapy, and a control group (n = 26). All patients received the same analgesic protocol. Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on the 5th and 7th days after trauma.Results: The groups were considered demographically homogeneous. The mean age was 55.2 years and 68% were male. Mean pretreatment ISSs and mean number of ribs fractured were not significantly different (8.23 vs. 8.08 and 4 vs. 4, respectively). Of 50 patients, 28 (56%) developed pulmonary complications, which were more prevalent in the control group (80.7% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.001). Altogether, 25 patients had delayed hemothorax, which was more prevalent in the control group (69.2% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.005). Two patients in the control group developed atelectasis, one patient developed pneumothorax, and five patients required thoracostomy. PFT results showed decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in the control group. Comparing pre- and posttreatment FVC and FEV1, the study group had significantly greater improvements (p < 0.001).Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of an IS reduced pulmonary complications and improved PFT results in patients with rib fractures. The IS is a cost-effective device for patients with rib fractures and its use has clinical benefits without harmful effects.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04006587. Registered on 3 July 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from the mesoderm and have the self-renewal capacity and multi-directional differentiation potential of adult stem cells. Stem cells from different sources have different molecular and growth characteristics; therefore, the mechanisms and effects of stem cell-mediated repair and tissue regeneration may be different. The aim of the present study was to compare the biological characteristics of MSCs derived from the umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) and MSCs derived from the decidua parietalis (DP-MSCs), and to provide new evidence for the selection of seed cells in regenerative medicine. Growth curves, cell doubling times, colony formation rates, immunophenotypes, differentiation capacities and secretion-factor levels of MSCs derived from the two sources were analysed. UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs exhibited similar properties with regards to morphology, spiral growth, immunophenotype, and potential to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. For each cell type, the positive rates of the cell surface markers CD73, CD90 and CD105 were >95%, whereas CD34 and CD45 positive rates were <1%. Analyses of in vitro growth kinetics revealed shorter cell-doubling times, and higher proliferative rates and colony formation rates of UC-MSCs compared with DP-MSCs (P<0.05). The concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor in the supernatant from UC-MSCs was higher compared with that from DP-MSCs (P<0.05). However, UC-MSC supernatants exhibited lower levels of of keratinocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and stem cell factor compared with DP-MSCs (P<0.05). In conclusion, in vitro characterization of MSCs from these tissue sources revealed a number of common biological properties. However, the results also demonstrated clear biological distinctions and suggested that UC-MSCs may have more effective application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT-4) serves a key function in transporting lactate across the plasma membrane in various types of human cancer. Evidence indicates that MCT-4 expression is associated with non-small cell lung cancer; however, the distribution and clinical significance of MCT-4 in the lung adenocarcinoma (AC) subtype remain unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the clinicopathological significance and prognostic values of MCT-4 expression in lung AC. Quantum dots-based immunofluorescence histochemistry was performed to observe the expression of MCT-4 in 146 specimens of lung AC and corresponding normal lung tissues. MCT-4 protein and mRNA were detected by western blotting and reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction from 30 fresh samples of lung AC and corresponding normal lung tissues. Of the 146 samples, 25 (17.1%) exhibited high and 121 (82.9%) exhibited low MCT-4 expression. MCT-4, at the protein and mRNA level, was significantly increased in tumor specimens compared with corresponding normal lung tissue (P<0.05). MCT-4 protein expression was significantly associated with depth of invasion (P=0.034). A survival curve analysis indicated that high MCT-4 expression in lung AC was associated with a decreased overall survival rate (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high MCT-4 level was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 3.192; 95% confidence interval, 1.804-5.646; P=0.001) for patients with lung AC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To assess whether the visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 10 years after diagnosis. Methods. The electronic medical records of 825 patients, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during 2000–2002 and regularly followed for 10 years, were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 53,284 clinic visit records, including analysis of BP, BMI, serum glycohemoglobin, and lipid profile, were analyzed. Results. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their visit-to-visit variability in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP, resp.). The high-risk group included patients with high SBP and DBP visit-to-visit variability; this group had a 1.679-fold (95% CI: 1.141–2.472, P=0.009) increased risk of PAD compared with patients in the low-risk group. Cox regression analysis also demonstrated that the age at which the patients were diagnosed with T2DM, smoking status, and mean creatinine level was significantly associated with increased risk of PAD with a hazard ration of 1.064 (95% CI: 1.043–1.084, P<0.001), 1.803 (95% CI: 1.160–2.804, P=0.009), and 1.208 (95% CI: 1.042–1.401, P=0.012), respectively. Conclusions. High SBP and DBP visit-to-visit variability is correlated with PAD in the first decade following a diagnosis of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Museums provide important avenues for lifelong learning, and using information and communication technology to maximize a museum’s lifelong learning potential is a recognized issue. This study proposed a human–computer–context interaction (HCCI) framework as a guide for designing a mobile electronic guidebook for a history museum. To fulfill the goals of the HCCI framework, two strategies, problem-based inquiry and historical-context-embedded visiting, were used to implement a HCCI guidebook. To evaluate the effects of the HCCI guidebook, this study conducted an experiment to compare three visiting modes: Visiting with the HCCI guidebook; visiting with a worksheet; and visiting without any supplementary tools. Sixty-two college students participated in the evaluation of the HCCI guidebook in the Tang dynasty tri-color glazed pottery exhibition at the National Museum of History. The results showed that the students with the HCCI guidebooks had, on average, a longer holding time with exhibits than either students with paper-based worksheets or students without supplementary materials. However, there were no significant differences in the knowledge gained about exhibits among the three modes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]