Search

While there is a large body of literature on the benefits of open innovation, little is known about the knowledge flows and the interrelationship of the purposeful and serendipitous spillover of knowledge flows that deliver value from international open innovation (IOI) collaborations. This study examines these knowledge flows occurring from IOI and the extent to which the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) context, knowledge management (KM) capabilities of the firm, and knowledge spillovers (KS), nurture IOI engagement. A quantitative study is adopted where data on 98,809 firms from 15 European Union countries to empirically tested a proposed model through multiple linear regressions of logit models. The results highlight the positive effect of KS on IOI engagement, and the positive mediating effect of KM capability on the relationship between KS and IOI. Additionally, the results show a positive moderating effect of the EE on the relationship between the firm's KM capability and IOI engagement. Additionally, the findings emphasize the beneficial nature of the EE on nurturing KM capabilities within firms located in the ecosystem and its impact on nurturing KS within the network.

AIMS To compare the dental caries prevalence using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and the caries risk by Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and normoactives (NAs). METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty children and adolescents aged 6-12 years (30 CP/30 NA) were clinically evaluated by one calibrated examiner using two-digit ICDAS criteria and converted into components of dmf/DMF indices: d2mf2/D2MF2 (enamel and dentin lesions) and d3mf3/D3MF3 (dentin lesions). An adapted CAMBRA was used for risk classification. The mean d2mf2s/d2mf2t and D2MF2S/D2MF2T for CP were 17.0 �� 16.8/7.5 �� 4.3 and 10.7 �� 17.6/5.3 �� 5.8, respectively, and for NA were 17.2 �� 16.9 /6.9 �� 4.8 and 11.1 �� 11.7/5.5 �� 4.7, respectively. The mean d3mf3s/d3mf3t and D3MF3S/D3MF3T for CP were 10.1���� 16.7/3.0 �� 4.1 and 4.9 �� 15.6/0.2 �� 0.4, respectively, while for NA the mean values were 9.8 �� 13.0/3.5 �� 3.8 and 2.1 �� 5.7/0.9 �� 2.0, respectively. There were no statistically differences for caries prevalence and risk in both groups (p��>��0.05). CONCLUSIONS Dental caries was highly prevalent in CP and NA children and adolescents. Enamel and dentin lesions and high caries risk were the most common condition.

BACKGROUND Cerebral palsy (CP) individuals present with epilepsy, which requires the use of antiepileptic drug (AED). HYPOTHESIS Since an inflammatory response may contribute to epileptogenesis, the hypothesis tested was that constipation would be associated with gingivitis and the use of AED in children and adolescents (CA) with CP. DESIGN A comparative study was conducted with 101 CA aged 5-17 years (10.8 ± 4.9), classified as constipated (G1; n = 57) or not constipated (G2; n = 44). Clinical patterns, AED used, body mass index (BMI), fluid intake, toilet transfer, and gingival condition were evaluated. Student's t test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were performed (α = 0.05). RESULTS There were no differences between groups regarding gender (P = 0.531), age (P = 0.227), BMI (P = 0.437), and fluid intake (P = 0.346). G1, however, presented a higher percentage of quadriplegic individuals (P

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and its receptor IGF1R regulate normal cell growth and contribute to cell transformation through activation of downstream signaling pathways. In fibroblast cells, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), through IGF1 signaling, was found to be the key protein for nuclear translocation of β-catenin and MYC transcription activation. We herein investigated the IRS1/β-catenin axis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Samples were obtained from 45 patients with ALL and 13 healthy donors. ALL cell lines were used. Gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR. Protein expression, associations, and cellular localization were evaluated by immunoprecipitation, subcellular fractionation, and confocal microscopy. Cells were submitted to IGF1 stimulation and/or IGF1R pharmacological inhibition (OSI-906). IRS1, β-catenin, and MYC mRNA expression were significantly elevated in ALL patients, compared to normal controls. MYC mRNA expression positively correlated with β-catenin and IRS1. Increased age and MYC expression negatively affected overall survival by univariate analysis. Total and phospho-IGF1R and IRS1, MYC and β-catenin protein expression were higher in ALL cells, compared to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IRS1 and β-catenin were found to be colocalized in the nuclei and the cytoplasm of ALL cell lines, whereas both proteins were only slightly detected in the cytoplasm of normal PBMC. In Jurkat cells, a constitutive IRS1 and β-catenin protein interaction were observed; OSI-906 treatment decreased IGF1R tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS1 expression and phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of β-catenin, IRS1 and β-catenin association, and MYC protein expression. In conclusion, the IRS1/β-catenin axis is activated in ALL cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1774-1781, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The bone marrow aspiration procedure is used in hematological diseases and consists of a painful, invasive procedure causing anxiety-associated symptoms. The present study assessed the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on the treatment of anxiety, in the moment that precedes the collection of medullary material in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Volunteers from both sexes were divided into groups receiving either the C. aurantium essential oil through inhalation, diazepam (10 mg), or the placebo. The evaluation was performed through psychometric scales [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)] and physiological measurements (blood pressure and cardiac and respiratory frequency). Inhalation of C. aurantium was associated with a decrease in the STAI-S scores, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. In support of these results, a change in all the physiological measurements was observed in the group exposed to C. aurantium. In the diazepam group, only the diastolic pressure decreased, and no effect was observed in the placebo group. Therefore, the results showed that C. aurantium exhibits an anxiolytic effect and reduces the signs and symptoms associated with anxiety in patients with CML.

The flavonoids are mainly present in Citrus fruits as their glycosyl derivatives. This study was conducted comparing in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the aglycone hesperetin and its glycosylated forms (hesperidin and G-hesperidin) and their effects on the plasma lipid profile and the oxidative-antioxidative system (TBARS and antioxidant enzymes) in rats. The concentrations of the major conjugated metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of these compounds were also determined. Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=6) supplemented for 30 days with 1 mmol/kg body mass of hesperetin, hesperidin or G-hesperidin. Hesperetin was a stronger xanthine oxidase inhibitor (IC50=53 μM and Ki=17.3 μM) than the glycosylate derivatives. Supplementation with the three compounds led to a lower (more favorable) atherogenic index, and an antioxidant preventive effect from the increase of hepatic superoxide dismutase was observed associated to HT supplementation, possibly because of the higher level of hesperetin-glucuronide in rat plasma.

Summary Dispersions of 10% wt hydrotalcite were prepared by mixing using an ultrasound probe and then incorporated into NBR latex for the purpose of evaluating the influence of the surfactant presence and dispersion stability of the hydrotalcite, both in water and in latex. The surfactant used was Pluronic F-127 and its influence was determined on the size of the agglomerates, the degree of sedimentation and the viscosity of water/LDH dispersions and latex/LDH suspensions. Preliminary results showed the efficiency of the surfactant in promoting dispersion of water/LDH, presenting lower agglomerate diameter values and increased stability of the dispersion. For the latex/LDH suspension, the viscosity of the system containing surfactant was significantly greater due to a better dispersion of LDH. After coagulation, the systems were examined in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the results did not show differences in the degree of intercalation, but XRD pattern of LDH was not observed, indicating the breakdown of crystallinity and ordering of the clay crystallites. The ash content showed that the presence of surfactant was an important factor to optimize the incorporation of the clay during coagulation. The estimation of Payne effect from shear modulus indicated a better filler dispersion in NBR matrix when using Pluronic F-127, this behavior was also confirmed by FESEM micrographs.

Summary: Using controlled shear-rate testing ramps, this study investigates the rheological properties of carboxymethycellulose (CMC)/starch blends, with and without zinc oxide (ZnO). Viscosity decreased as the amount of starch increased and after adding 1% ZnO. The creep and recovery tests indicated that, with increasing starch content, there was a decrease in elasticity and the viscosity zero shear rate. The results also showed, in the temperature range between 25 and 70 °C, an inversion occurred in the elastic and viscous moduli behavior, obeying the Arrhenius equation. The addition of ZnO affects the viscoelastic behavior and the morphology of the blends. The best survival results were obtained for samples 50/50 and 60/40 wt% (CMC/starch).

This essay explores the reasons for the reduced negative effects of the 2008 globalfinancial crisis on Brazil and its cities by applying an analysis that connects these urbaneffects with the national dynamics. Despite substantial variation within the country,reduced impact can be credited to the response to the crisis by the current Lulaadministration and to features of the country’s urbanization process. First, universalredistributive social programmes, together with an enlarged domestic market, betterinsertion in the global economy, prudential regulation and a stable fiscal situation,have put the country in a comfortable position to react to the crisis by adoptingcountercyclical policies. Second, given the advanced urbanization in Brazil, social andactive macroeconomic policies have produced decisive and specific effects on the urbanfabric. Recent processes of inland urbanization have created new areas of regional andurban dynamics, thus the impact of the crisis on cities has not only been mild, affectingthe most industrialized and internationally oriented metropolises hardest, but has alsobecome an opportunity for strengthening urban areas through active macroeconomicand social policies and helping foster a more decentralized national urban network,thereby leading to stronger links between social inclusion and territorial cohesion.

Coatings prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering of approximately equal thermal transport properties but differing coating thicknesses are analyzed by means of non-contact non-destructive modulated IR radiometry. For the quantitative interpretation, the measured thermal wave signals are calibrated, using the signals measured for a homogenous opaque solid of smooth surface. The relative minima of the inverse calibrated phase lag signals are interpreted with respect to the effective thermal transport properties and to the coating thickness using an inverse solution of the two-layer thermal wave problem. Based on measurements of various coatings, the limitations of this thermal wave method and the errors of measurement for the coating thickness are discussed by comparing with microscopic measurements.

Modulated IR radiometry, based on intensity-modulated laser beam heating of the coatings and IR detection of the thermal response, has been found to be the most suited to characterize coatings and thin films with respect to thickness, thermal properties, and layer structure. The potential of this non-contact and non-destructive measuring technique for the on-line control of coatings and deposition processes in closed vessels is analyzed here.

The main purpose of this work was to prepare of single layered TiCxOy thin films. The depositions were carried out from a TiC target by DC reactive magnetron sputtering, varying the oxygen flow. The presence of oxygen changes the film properties between those of titanium carbide and those of the corresponding titanium oxide. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed the occurrence of a face-centered cubic (TiC-type) phase, with a clear tendency toward amorphization at the highest oxygen contents. Chemical and structural features strongly influence the film properties, which were analyzed in detail as a function of the preparation conditions. Results indicate a systematic increase in resistivity and a decrease in hardness with the increase in the film's oxygen content.

(TiSi)N and TiCO thin films deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering on steel are analyzed here with regard to their thermal properties by means of modulated IR radiometry, a measurement method especially suited to analyze thin films and coatings. By varying the modulation frequency of intensity-modulated laser beam heating, this method allows to control the thermal waves' penetration depth, thus controlling the depth profile of the thermal properties beneath the sample surface. At high modulation frequencies, corresponding to small penetration depths, surface roughness effects are sensed, and at low modulation frequencies, corresponding to large penetration depths, the transition between film and substrate is sensed. The measured thermal parameters are compared with structural/morphological data obtained by techniques such as XRD and AFM. Several systematic correlations have been found between deposition conditions, structural-physical features, and surface roughness, on the one hand, and the thermal parameters on the other hand.

The effect of of hesperetin (HT), hesperidin (HG) and G-hesperidin (GHD) on oxidative-antioxidative system and lipid profile in rats was evaluated and correlated to their in vitro antioxidant activity. Twenty-four macho wistar (n=6) fed with standard rat chow diet were supplemented with each flavonoid (1mmol/Kg) and saline solution (control group). TBARS, GPx, SOD and CAT levels were measured in hepatic tissue. The levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and lipoprotein fraction cholesterol levels were measured in plasma. In vitro antioxidant was evaluated by DPPH radical-scavenging and the kinetic parameters of xanthine oxidase inhibition were determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots. GPx and SOD levels were significantly higher in HT and HD groups than those in control group. Both groups treated showed atherogenic index levels significantly lower compared to the control group. Hesperetin showed a greater in vitro antioxidant activity and was stronger xanthine oxidase inhibitor with IC50 value of 53µM and K...

Fatty acids (FAs) are essential components of lipids and exhibits important biological functions. The analysis of FAs profiles in tissues has become increasingly important as end points in understa...

We have studied the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of TiCxOy, using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory and pseudopotential method, within the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation functional. These calculations provide the lattice parameter, density of states, cohesive energy, elastic constants, and moduli as a function of carbon and oxygen content. The calculated values of lattice parameters and elastic moduli are generally in good agreement with experiments and compare well with other theoretical results.