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Success and failure in family firm internationalization: the case of Rothschild
Get PDFIn this study, we examine over 100 years of Rothschild’s international activity: we analyze this multinational enterprise’s (MNE’s) cross-border transfer of family-derived firm-specific advantages (FSAs) and the challenges of recombination thereof with novel resources. Family-derived FSAs hinge on the resources and features of the owning and controlling family. During the period of Rothschild’s international success in 19th century Europe, the family itself served as a recombination mechanism for linking family-derived FSAs with complementary resources across borders. However, deploying family-derived FSAs in the American market and recombining these with nonfamily resources was hindered by bifurcation bias (a dysfunctional, affect-based heuristic characterizing family firms). We trace the manifestations of bifurcation bias over time and investigate its multifaceted impact on Rothschild’s internationalization. We suggest that effective resource recombination in host markets can be constrained by a two-stage authentication process. Here, the bifurcation bias in a first stage can influence which complementary resources in foreign markets will be accessed and how these will be integrated inside the firm. In a second stage, bifurcation bias can affect the functioning of the very actors supposed to be linking the complementary resources to be utilized and the extant, family-derived FSAs
Using MALDI-FTICR mass spectrometry to enhance ZooMS identifications of pleistocene bone fragments showing variable collagen preservation
Get PDFRationale
Recent advances in high-throughput molecular analyses of collagen peptides, especially ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), have permitted breakthroughs in the analysis of archaeological material that is highly fragmented, a factor that hinders morphological identification. Despite these advances, the challenge of successfully analysing archaeological samples with poorer collagen preservation persists. This paper examines the potential of two mass analysers, TOF (Time of Flight) and FTICR (Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance), and addresses how they can be used to optimise the ZooMS workflow.
Methods
Type 1 collagen (COL1) was extracted from 89 archaeological bones from the French Palaeolithic site of Le Piage (37–34 ka cal BP). Three ZooMS extraction protocols were applied, an acid-free buffer method (AmBic), offering rapid and less destructive analysis, and two methods of acid demineralisation (HCl and TFA) that provide higher peptide resolution. After analysing the specimens with MALDI-TOF and MALDI-FTICR, we used bottom-up and PRM (Parallel Reaction Monitoring) LC–MS/MS, and MALDI-CASI-FTICR (Continuous Accumulation of Selected Ions) to verify 26 ambiguous identifications.
Results
Overall, 99% of the samples could be identified to at least family level, with the rate of identification and precision varying by method. Despite challenges in detecting specific biomarkers with MALDI-FTICR—especially peptide A (COL1ɑ2 978–990), which tends to be unstable and poorly ionised—the high resolution of this method allowed the successful identification of more degraded specimens, including burnt bones.
Conclusions
Our work highlights the robustness of traditional MALDI-TOF ZooMS for retrieving collagen and for providing taxonomic identifications with low failure rates, features that are critical when processing large numbers of samples. MALDI-FTICR shows better potential when working with precious samples or degraded collagen. This study advances the analytical detection of peptides by optimising the ZooMS workflow and by tailoring it to specific archaeological contexts showing variation in degree of preservation
High-throughput screen identifies MAS9 as a novel inhibitor of the C-type lectin receptor-2 (CLEC-2)–podoplanin interaction
Get PDFBackground and Purpose
The C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) is a platelet receptor for the endogenous ligand podoplanin. This interaction contributes to a number of (patho)physiological processes, such as lymphangiogenesis, preservation of blood and lymphatic vessel integrity, organ development and tumour metastasis. Activation of CLEC-2 leads to the phosphorylation of its cytoplasmic hemITAM domain and initiates a signalling cascade involving the kinase Syk. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise a novel small molecule inhibitor of CLEC-2.
Experimental Approach
An AlphaScreen-based high-throughput screening identified a small-molecule inhibitor of the CLEC-2-podoplanin interaction. Binding site interactions were assessed using in silico modelling. Functional assays, including light transmission aggregometry, platelet spreading and phosphorylation assays, were used to evaluate the effect of the small molecule on CLEC-2-mediated platelet activation.
Key Results
18,476 small molecules were screened resulting in 14 candidates. Following secondary screening, one novel small molecule, MAS9, was taken forward for further characterisation. The binding sites of MAS9 to CLEC-2 were predicted to share binding sites with the CLEC-2 ligands podoplanin and rhodocytin. MAS9 inhibited CLEC-2 mediated platelet aggregation, spreading and signalling. MAS9 also resulted in inhibited fibrinogen binding.
Conclusion and Implications
MAS9 inhibits CLEC-2-mediated aggregation, platelet spreading and signalling, showing selectivity of CLEC-2 inhibition over GPVI. This study paves the way for future preclinical assays to test the potential of MAS9 as a novel therapeutic tool to treat pathologies such as thromboinflammation and cancer
The modified weight bias internalization scale: psychometric validation of three versions in a sample of university students
Get PDFPurpose: The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is perhaps the most frequently used measure of internalised weight bias and has growing support for its psychometric properties. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding how many items are necessary for adequate interpretation of the WBIS-M and limited study of internalised weight bias in young adults. The aims of this study are to evaluate different versions of the WBIS-M, assessing structural and convergent validity. Methods: The current study recruited 205 university students (aged 18–46, mean body mass index = 22.60kg/m2) in the UK and examined the factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of the WBIS-M, looking at 11-item, 10-item, and 9-item versions. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that a 10-item version of the WBIS-M showed acceptable structural validity and expected correlations with relevant constructs (depression, anxiety, weight status, and eating pathology). Estimates of internal consistency reliability were high for all three versions. Conclusion: Given potential problems with one item, the 10-item WBIS-M presents a measure of internalised weight bias with sound psychometric properties in young adults
CRT: a Convolutional Recurrent Transformer for automatic sleep state detection
Get PDFSleep is a crucial period of rest necessary for optimal cognitive function, psychological well-being, and execution of everyday tasks. In the field of sleep healthcare, the primary objective is to identify and classify the various sleep states. Implementing sleep state detection in a system is problematic and essential for accurate diagnosis. Our study used an integrated framework to recognize sleep states. The dataset contained approximately eight lakh data points sorted into two groups: onset and wake-up. We successfully deployed a cutting-edge Convolutional Recurrent Transformer (CRT) model for sleep state detection. The training accuracy of our detection model was measured at 97.83%, a constant validation accuracy of 97.07%, and a testing measurement accuracy of 97.23%, were maintained. These scores indicate the model’s proficiency in precisely recognizing the sleep states. Our system’s detection capabilities demonstrate the ability to identify different sleep states, enhance the accuracy of diagnoses and increase healthcare outcomes in this specialized field
A framework for implementing the right of the child to play: space, time, acceptance, rights-informed
Get PDFThe child’s right to play is of critical importance to every aspect of a child’s life. Implementation of this right is crucial for the health, development, and wellbeing of the child, and the successful realization of a plethora of other children’s rights. Yet, States continue to fail to prioritize or take steps to implement the right. In part, this is due to difficulties in understanding what measures States should take for its fulfilment. Neglect of the right to play has led to crises in children’s mental and physical health, evident globally. Following doctrinal, empirical, and archival research and interdisciplinary literature analysis into the nature and content of the right to play, a framework for realizing the right emerged able to encompass many of the obligations pertaining to the right to play. This framework includes four core components: space, time, acceptance, and rights-informed. The paper develops each aspect of this framework. Discussions with those involved in play advocacy suggests that such a framework will be
beneficial for supporting greater implementation of the child’s right to play in practice, as well as deeper
understanding of the content of the right
Accurate prediction of ionic liquid density-of-states from low-cost calculations
Get PDFThe electronic structure of ionic liquids (ILs) is a key factor in their chemical reactivity. Experimental techniques provide insight into IL electronic structure (e.g. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS), but are impractical for screening large numbers of potential ILs. Computational screening offers an alternative approach, but current ab initio calculation methods (ion-pairs or large calculations with periodic boundaries) are not suitable for screening. We establish that a simple and computationally low-cost method, lone-ions evaluated at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311+G(d,p) level employing a generalised solvation model SMD (Solvation Model based on Density), captures IL liquid-phase density-of-states (DoS) with good accuracy by validating against XPS data for a wide range of ILs. The additivity of the results from individual lone-ion calculations provides a significant advantage, enabling predictions of the DoS for a large number of ILs and delivering a significant step towards the computational screening of ILs for many applications
Two-phase swirling flow and gas hydrate particle deposition behavior in bending pipelines
Get PDFThe present study employs numerical simulation to analyze the behavior of gas hydrate particles in bending pipelines, focusing on the influence of swirl flow on particle deposition under varying bending angles, pipe-to-diameter ratios, Reynolds numbers, and twist rates. Results indicate that larger bending angles, smaller twist rates, and higher Reynolds numbers produce stronger swirl flows at pipe entry and sustain higher swirl numbers along the pipeline. Conversely, larger pipe-to-diameter ratios result in greater swirl number variations, slower attenuation, and weaker outflow. Moreover, the phenomenon of hydrate particle deposition is more serious in the straight pipe section. Particle retention at the pipe outlet is 1.5 times higher than in the bending section. The bent pipe is more conducive to the flow of particles. For instance, with a bend rate increasing from 1 to 4, the swirl number decreases by 57.49%. Additionally, the deposition rate of particles is reduced at higher Reynolds numbers, with rates falling below 1% at a Reynolds number of 20,000. These findings highlight the need to optimize swirl flow parameters to reduce hydrate deposition, preventing blockages and improving pipeline safety in industrial applications
Sequestering carbon without reducing food production: The role of recirculating aquaculture systems
No full textThe annual creation of 30,000 ha of woodland, a key component of UK's net-zero GHG emissions strategy, may drive countries exporting food to Great Britain (GB) to increase their emissions, an example of international carbon leakage. This can be mitigated by intensifying British domestic food production and our objective is to assess the viability of an intensification based on recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), a land-saving technology recycling its own water. We built a computational partial equilibrium model whose supply side extended positive mathematical programming to aquaculture at grid-cell level. Agricultural censuses were combined with RAS financial data from a British research and business impact project. Results revealed that RAS was viable in 1.6 % of GB's farmland, substituting 28 % of current annual warmwater prawn imports. The implementation of GB's annual woodland creation goal also proved viable for farmers, but it induced, by shifting 0.2 % of agricultural area into woodland, a 0.007 % drop in food production, what would lead to international carbon leakage. RAS mitigated leakage completely and its contribution to food production was even larger when powered by anaerobic digesters. A lower interest rate charged on loans for RAS also boosted food production, which demonstrates financial sector's role in leakage mitigation
Diabatic and frictional controls of an axisymmetric vortex using available potential energy theory with a non-resting state
Get PDFThe concept of thermodynamic efficiency is central to the theoretical understanding of tropical cyclone intensity and intensification, but the issue has remained controversial owing to the existence of distinct and incompatible definitions. Physically, thermodynamic efficiency relates to the fraction of the surface enthalpy fluxes and diabatic processes that contributes to the generation of the potential energy available (APE) for conversions into kinetic energy, so that the main difficulty is how best to define APE. In this study, we revisit the available energetics of axisymmetric vortex motions by redefining APE relative to a non-resting reference state in gradient wind balance instead of a resting state. Our approach, which accounts for both diabatic and frictional effects, reveals that the choice of reference state significantly impacts the prediction of APE generation and its conversion to kinetic energy. By using idealised numerical experiments of axisymmetric tropical cyclone intensification, we demonstrate that the APE production estimated from a non-resting reference state is a much more accurate predictor of APE to KE conversion than those based on other choices of reference states such as initial, mean, and sorted profiles. These findings suggest that incorporating the balanced dynamical structure of tropical cyclones into APE-based theories could lead to improved potential intensity models, with implications for forecasting and understanding cyclone behaviour