Basic and Experimental Science Cellular-and tissue-based products (CTPs) are used in the treatment of wounds of various etiologies. 1-3 CTPs are typically decellularized and virally inactivated, leaving behind the structural elements of connective tissue, mainly collagens. Most CTPs are composed of type I collagen, but some CTPs also contain other collagen types. One CTP example is porcine urinary bladder matrix that contains numerous collagens. 4 The majority of contemporary CTPs are mammalian in origin. Concerns exist regarding collagen's potential to provoke autoimmune responses. 5-10 In addition to possible autoimmune responses, other disadvantages associated with mammalian-derived matrices are the potential of transmission of prion and viral diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, 11 as well as cultural and religious objections. 12,13 Fish skin grafts from the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) do not pose a risk of disease transmission as do mammalian CTPs. 14 Because of the use of fish skin products in the food industry, there is an abundance of studies on the specific allergens contained in fish skin and on the composition of extracted collagens. 15-17 The introduction of foreign proteins in a test subject can trigger an immune system response that normally results in the transient production of antibodies. The induction of an
The Icelandic economy was hit hard by the global economic and financial crisis that started in the fall of 2008. During this crisis the three largest banks all collapsed and many other smaller banks and companies went bankrupt in the aftermath of the crisis with severe consequences for the economy and the people. Prior to the crisis, Iceland, a high income economy, had experienced strong growth rates and unprecedented expansion in overseas investment and activities, especially in the financial sector. This article focuses on action by top government officials during this expansion as well as during and after the collapse of the Icelandic banks. The findings of the study are that the government showed negligence and made mistakes by not taking credible action to manage risks following a rapid cross border expansion of the Icelandic banking system. This had severe consequences and resulted in the collapse of the Icelandic economy in October 2008. The discussion can have a wider relevance than that for Iceland only. This is especially true for small countries with a large banking sector, using their own currency, and with limited fiscal space to support their banks during a crisis.
Cohesion is one of the most studied group phenomena and there is an agreement among scholars today that cohesion is a key contributor to team functioning and performance. A large body of research has shown that cohesion has several positive effects on psychological, social, and behavioral outcomes. Since research on cohesion has increased significantly in recent decades there is a need for an updated overview of research regarding antecedents and outcomes of cohesion in a military context. In this paper, a systematic literature review is conducted. The paper adheres to suggestions by scholars, relating the results in accordance with the dimensionality (i.e. social, task, or general) and organizational level of the construct (i.e. horizontal, vertical, or organizational) as well as focusing exclusively on studies with a longitudinal design. The paper highlights gaps in the literature and provides direction for future research.
Many non-DAC donors, including the Baltic States, have both growing development assistance programs and valuable transition experiences to share. On the other hand, DAC countries have decades of experience in developing good practices in aid delivery and can support other donors such as the Baltic States in improving their development co-operation programs. This article argues that the Baltic States can potentially better share their transition experience and increase their development impact by engaging in development cooperation in partnership with other donors and by participating in policy dialogue and budget support when possible and appropriate. The international community, including international financial institutions and DAC countries, should make more effort in utilizing the transition experience of the Baltic States when assisting less advanced transition countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
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