Crossing times: Temporal boundary-spanning practices in interorganizational projects

This paper introduces the notion of “temporal boundary spanning” and highlights the key role of project management in resolving temporal tensions among partners participating in interorganizational projects (IOPs). The present study, which is based on data from 93 IOPs undertaken within a major change program, relies on in-depth, semi-structured interviews, observations, and detailed analyses of written documents and procedures from those IOPs. Based on the data, we inductively develop a practice-based theory that identifies three main practices (framing, synchronizing, hyping) used to resolve the central temporal tensions observed in the studied IOPs. In that respect, the paper offers novel insights into the role and practice of project management in IOPs.     

Acylated ascorbate stimulates collagen synthesis in cultured human foreskin fibroblasts at lower doses than does ascorbic acid

Acylated derivatives of ascorbic acid were found to be active in a number of biochemical and physiological processes. In the present study we investigated the effects of 6-O-palmitoyl ascorbate on collagen synthesis by cultured foreskin human fibroblasts. Our observations indicate a marked stimulatory effect on collagen synthesis by 6-O-palmitoyl ascorbate in the concentration range of 5-20 microM, while the synthesis stimulated by ascorbic acid was maximal at concentrations of 20-100 microM. Cells treated with 10 microM palmitoyl ascorbate for 36 h exhibited a production of collagen threefold greater than those in the presence of 10 microM ascorbic acid, and it was about the same as in cells treated with 100 microM ascorbic acid. By 48 h differences were not significant. Acylated ascorbate impaired vitality of the treated fibroblasts at concentrations exceeding 20 microM in media supplemented with 0.5% FCS. However, most of the cytotoxic effect was neutralized by FCS at a concentration of 10%. The resistance of acylated ascorbate against oxidative degradation as well as the role of free radicals in the modulation of collagen synthesis by ascorbic acid and by its derivatives is discussed.     

Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Are Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Death Due to First-Ever Myocardial Infarction

Patients at a high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) without previous history of cardiovascular disease remain a challenge to identify. Atherosclerosis and prothrombotic states involve inflammation and non-cardiac tissue damage that may play active roles in SCD development. Therefore, we hypothesized that circulating proteins implicated in inflammation and tissue damage are linked to the future risk of SCD. We conducted a prospective nested case–control study of SCD cases with verified myocardial infarction (N = 224) and matched controls without myocardial infarction (N = 224), aged 60 ± 10 years time and median time to event was 8 years. Protein concentrations (N = 122) were measured using a proximity extension immunoassay. The analyses revealed 14 proteins significantly associated with an increased risk of SCD, from which two remained significant after adjusting for smoking status, systolic blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and glucose levels. We identified leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H, odds ratio 1.80, corrected confidence interval (CI_corr) 1.02–3.17) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF; odds ratio 1.81, CI_corr 1.06–3.11) as independent risk markers of SCD. Elevated LTA4H may reflect increased systemic and pulmonary neutrophilic inflammatory processes that can contribute to atherosclerotic plaque instability. Increased HGF levels are linked to obesity-related metabolic disturbances that are more prevalent in SCD cases than the controls.     

Synthesis and polymerization of alkyl halide-functional cyclic carbonates

To increase the diversity in functional aliphatic polycarbonates, a series of novel chloro- and bromo-functional six-membered cyclic carbonate monomers were synthesized. Despite asymmetry in the monomer functionalities, homopolymerization of the monomers afforded semicrystalline polycarbonates with a high tendency to crystallize from the melt and/or on precipitation from a THF solution. Melting points were found in the 90-105 °C or 120-155 °C range for polymers comprising methyl or ethyl moieties, respectively, in the backbone. The monomers were further copolymerized with trimethylene carbonate to form random copolymers. Even among some of these random copolymers elements of semicrystallinity were found as confirmed by melting endotherms in DSC. The results clearly show that the incorporation of alkyl halide functionalities in aliphatic polycarbonates may lead to materials with a high ability to form crystallites, even in random copolymers, likely driven by polar interactions due to the presence of the halide functionalities.     

Curing behavior of a UV-curable inkjet ink: Distinction between surface-cure and deep-cure performance

Safety requirements and the need of low-migration UV inks have received increasing attention in the packaging industry. Crucial for the development and design of low-migration UV inkjet inks for migration-sensitive applications is the polymerization degree. In this study, curing-behavior of a black, high purity packaging ink (HPP-ink) was monitored using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. UV irradiation of HPP-ink led to changes in specific absorption bands of the FTIR spectra due to crosslinking reaction of double bonds. Changes in absorptions bands at 1,408 and 1,321 cm⁻¹ permitted the determination of CC conversion of acrylic and vinyl double bond, independently of one another. In addition, a method was developed which allows the investigation of surface-cure and deep-cure behavior, separately.     

Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis of Sorbicatechol Structural Analogues and Evaluation of Their Antiviral Potential

Sorbicillinoids are fungal polyketides characterized by highly complex and diverse molecular structures, with considerable stereochemical intricacy combined with a high degree of oxygenation. Many sorbicillinoids possess promising biological activities. An interesting member of this natural product family is sorbicatechol A, which is reported to have antiviral activity, particularly against influenza A virus (H1N1). Through a straightforward, one-pot chemoenzymatic approach with recently developed oxidoreductase SorbC, the characteristic bicyclo[2.2.2]octane core of sorbicatechol is structurally diversified by variation of its natural 2-methoxyphenol substituent. This facilitates the preparation of a focused library of structural analogues bearing substituted aromatic systems, alkanes, heterocycles, and ethers. Fast access to this structural diversity provides an opportunity to explore the antiviral potential of the sorbicatechol family.     

Predicting the electrospinnability of polymer solutions with electromechanical simulation

The number of polymers successfully electrospun is increasing, and methods are needed predict the electrospinnability of polymers. With such methods, researchers should consider the polymer solution parameters and perform measurements in conditions that mimic the electrospinning process. A novel test method based on the electromechanical simulation of the fiber formation was developed. We formed fibers by mechanically dragging a conductive ball from the solution at an applied voltage and measuring the electrical current. The changes in the time of the electrical current (the ball current) reflect the fiber‐formation process, which depended on certain polymer solution properties (e.g., viscosity, surface tension, liquid flow) and on the influence of charges on the fiber surface. The data obtained with the proposed method was compared with experimental data from electrospinning trials with the spinneret and bubble electrospinning. The results demonstrate that the ball‐current method made it possible to predict the polymer solution behavior in the electrospinning process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41091.     

Interleukins 6 and 15 Levels Are Higher in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue,but Obesity Is Associated with Their Increased Content in Visceral Fat Depots

Excess adiposity is associated with chronic inflammation, which takes part in the development of obesity-related complications. The aim of this study was to establish whether subcutaneous (SAT) or visceral (VAT) adipose tissue plays a major role in synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins (IL): 1β, 6, 8 and 15 were measured at the protein level by an ELISA-based method and on the mRNA level by real-time PCR in VAT and SAT samples obtained from 49 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m²) and 16 normal-weight (BMI 20–24.9 kg/m²) controls. IL-6 and IL-15 protein concentrations were higher in SAT than in VAT for both obese (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and control individuals (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively), while for IL-1β this was observed only in obese subjects (p = 0.047). What characterized obese individuals was the higher expression of IL-6 and IL-15 at the protein level in VAT compared to normal-weight controls (p = 0.047 and p = 0.016, respectively). Additionally, obese individuals with metabolic syndrome had higher IL-1β levels in VAT than did obese individuals without this syndrome (p = 0.003). In conclusion, concentrations of some pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in SAT than in VAT, but it was the increased pro-inflammatory activity of VAT that was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.