bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous impacts of finance on firm exports: Evidence from export deregulation in a large developing country
Authors: Cheng Dong , Hu Zhongzhong , Tan Yong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the heterogeneous effects of finance on firm exports through the lens of differential exporting modes. China's WTO accession leads to an export deregulation, which empowers private domestic firms with low registered capital to export directly. This quasinatural experiment encourages firms switching from indirect to direct exporting, and thus provides an ideal setting to explore the heterogeneous effects of finance on exports among switchers and non‐switchers. Applying the difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach to a comprehensive survey data on Chinese manufacturing firms, we find that finance improves exports more for firms switching from indirect to direct exporting, relative to continuous indirect exporters. Our mechanism analysis shows that finance manifests a more pronounced encouraging effect on firm‐level operation efficiency and productivity among switchers. Moreover, we show that the heterogeneous effects of finance on exports among switchers and non‐switchers are more pronounced in the post‐WTO accession period. The time‐varying heterogeneous impacts suggest an economic loss caused by the export distortion before China's WTO accession because it prevents productive yet financially constrained private domestic firms from direct exporting.
Job creation and job destruction: The effect of trade shocks on U.S. manufacturing employment
Authors: Liang Yang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper studies the effect of export expansion on the US labour market over the last two decades. Exploiting foreign emerging markets’ unilateral liberalisation, this paper provides new empirical evidence for the importance of export expansion to the US labour market at the industry level. Using a novel instrumental variable strategy, the result confirms that US exports played a critical role in supporting manufacturing employment. Reduced‐form estimates imply that US exports to different markets created more than 1.6 million manufacturing jobs between 1991 and 2007, which is comparable to the estimated job losses attributed to the import competition from China. Meanwhile, there is substantial heterogeneity in this positive employment effect across export destinations and industries. Industries not only respond differently to various export shocks, but could also experience differential employment growth facing the same export shock. I find that the job creation effect is larger for industries with a higher initial share of workers who are older, less‐educated or non‐white, and performing routine‐based tasks. In addition, the effect is more pronounced for industries that had higher labour market concentration.
Patterns of red‐cell transfusion use in obstetric practice in Sweden 2003‐2017: A nationwide study
Authors: Brynolf Anne , Zhao Jingcheng , Wikman Agneta , Öberg Sara , Sandström Anna , Edgren Gustaf 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is a paucity of data on patterns of red‐cell transfusions in obstetrical care, but some studies have suggested an increase in transfusion rates during the last decade. The purpose of this study was to investigate maternal characteristics, temporal trends and hospital variations in red‐cell use in a large contemporary obstetric cohort in Sweden.Study design and methodsNationwide observational cohort study of maternal red‐cell transfusions for all deliveries in Sweden between 2003 and 2017.ResultsThe proportion of deliveries that received red‐cell transfusions was stable during the study period, although the number of red‐cell units administered per delivery declined. Among transfused women, most received a low‐volume transfusion of 1 or 2 units. Red‐cell transfusion was more common among the nulliparous, for instrumental and caesarean deliveries, and with increased maternal age. We saw large variations in transfusion rates between hospitals in Sweden, despite adjusting for age and parity.ConclusionsIn comparison to other high‐resource countries we see a high proportion of deliveries with maternal red‐cell transfusions. However, we do not see an increase in red‐cell use over time.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Aggressive Gastric Cancer Phenotypes via Heat Shock Factor 1–Mediated Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Grunberg Nil , Pevsner-Fischer Meirav , Goshen-Lago Tal , Diment Judith , Stein Yaniv , Lavon Hagar , Mayer Shimrit , Levi-Galibov Oshrat , Friedman Gil , Ofir-Birin Yifat , Syu Li-Jyun , Migliore Cristina , Shimoni Eyal , Stemmer Salomon M. , Brenner Baruch , Dlugosz Andrzej A. , Lyden David , Regev-Rudzki Neta , Ben-Aharon Irit , Scherz-Shouval Ruth 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Gastric cancer is the third most lethal cancer worldwide, and evaluation of the genomic status of gastric cancer cells has not translated into effective prognostic or therapeutic strategies. We therefore hypothesize that outcomes may depend on the tumor microenvironment (TME), in particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). However, very little is known about the role of CAFs in gastric cancer. To address this, we mapped the transcriptional landscape of human gastric cancer stroma by microdissection and RNA sequencing of CAFs from patients with gastric cancer. A stromal gene signature was associated with poor disease outcome, and the transcription factor heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) regulated the signature. HSF1 upregulated inhibin subunit beta A and thrombospondin 2, which were secreted in CAF-derived extracellular vesicles to the TME to promote cancer. Together, our work provides the first transcriptional map of human gastric cancer stroma and highlights HSF1 and its transcriptional targets as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the genomically stable tumor microenvironment.

Significance:
This study shows how HSF1 regulates a stromal transcriptional program associated with aggressive gastric cancer and identifies multiple proteins within this program as candidates for therapeutic intervention.
Virus-positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma Is an Independent Prognostic Group with Distinct Predictive Biomarkers
Authors: Harms Kelly L. , Zhao Lili , Johnson Bryan , Wang Xiaoming , Carskadon Shannon , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Rhodes Daniel R. , Mannan Rahul , Vo Josh N. , Choi Jae Eun , Chan May P. , Fullen Douglas R. , Patel Rajiv M. , Siddiqui Javed , Ma Vincent T. , Hrycaj Steven , McLean Scott A. , Hughes Tasha M. , Bichakjian Christopher K. , Tomlins Scott A. , Harms Paul W. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Purpose:
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that can be divided into two classes: virus-positive (VP) MCC, associated with oncogenic Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV); and virus-negative (VN) MCC, associated with photodamage.

Experimental Design:
We classified 346 MCC tumors from 300 patients for MCPyV using a combination of IHC, ISH, and qPCR assays. In a subset of tumors, we profiled mutation status and expression of cancer-relevant genes. MCPyV and molecular profiling results were correlated with disease-specific outcomes. Potential prognostic biomarkers were further validated by IHC.

Results:
A total of 177 tumors were classified as VP-MCC, 151 tumors were VN-MCC, and 17 tumors were indeterminate. MCPyV positivity in primary tumors was associated with longer disease-specific and recurrence-free survival in univariate analysis, and in multivariate analysis incorporating age, sex, immune status, and stage at presentation. Prioritized oncogene or tumor suppressor mutations were frequent in VN-MCC but rare in VP-MCC. TP53 mutation developed with recurrence in one VP-MCC case. Importantly, for the first time we find that VP-MCC and VN-MCC display distinct sets of prognostic molecular biomarkers. For VP-MCC, shorter survival was associated with decreased expression of immune markers including granzyme and IDO1. For VN-MCC, shorter survival correlated with high expression of several genes including UBE2C.

Conclusions:
MCPyV status is an independent prognostic factor for MCC. Features of the tumor genome, transcriptome, and microenvironment may modify prognosis in a manner specific to viral status. MCPyV status has clinicopathologic significance and allows for identification of additional prognostic subgroups.
Rediscovery of Martin’s Duskhawker Anaciaeschna martini (Selys, 1897) (Odonata: Aeshnidae) from Western Ghats, peninsular India, with notes on its current distribution and oviposition behavior
Authors: Sadasivan Kalesh , Sethumadhavan Manoj , Jeevith S. , Kochunarayanan Baiju 
Published: February 2021

Rediscovery and recent distribution records of Anaciaeschna martini (Selys, 1897) (Odonata: Aeshnidae) from Western Ghats of peninsular India is discussed with notes on oviposition behavior. Although mentioned in odonate checklists of the region, there are no recent records or photographic evidence of the species from Western Ghats since its last report and collection by F.C. Fraser from Annamalai Hills in 1933.
Short-Term Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Isolated Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Mediastinal Radiation-Associated Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Nauffal Victor , Bay Camden , Shah Pinak B. , Sobieszczyk Piotr S. , Kaneko Tsuyoshi , O’Gara Patrick , Nohria Anju 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with radiation-associated aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may improve outcomes in this population.

Methods:
We evaluated 1668 TAVR and 2611 patients with SAVR enrolled in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ database between 2011 and 2018. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare 30- day outcomes between TAVR and SAVR. Propensity-matched analysis was performed to confirm results of the overall cohort. Additionally, the cohort was stratified into early (2011–2014) versus contemporary (2015–2018) TAVR eras, and 30-day outcomes for TAVR and SAVR were compared. Finally, outcomes with transfemoral TAVR versus SAVR were compared.

Results:

In the overall cohort, TAVR was associated with significantly reduced 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]
TAVR/SAVR
=0.60 [0.40–0.91]). Postoperative atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, pleural effusion, renal failure, and bleeding also occurred less frequently with TAVR. Stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA; OR
TAVR/SAVR
, 2.03 [1.09–3.77]) and pacemaker implantation (OR
TAVR/SAVR
, 1.62 [1.21–2.17]) were higher with TAVR. Propensity-matched analysis yielded similar results as the overall cohort. Following stratification by era, TAVR versus SAVR was associated with reduced 30-day mortality in the contemporary but not early era (OR
Early
, 0.78 [0.48–1.28]; OR
Contemporary
, 0.31 [0.14–0.65]). Pacemaker implantation was higher with TAVR versus SAVR in both eras (OR
Early
, 1.60 [1.03–2.46]; OR
Contemporary
, 1.64 [1.10–2.45]). There was also a nonsignificant trend towards increased stroke/TIA with TAVR during both eras (OR
Early
, 1.39 [0.58–3.36]; OR
Contemporary
, 2.46 [0.99–6.10]). Finally, transfemoral TAVR (N=1369) versus SAVR revealed similar findings as the overall cohort; however, the association of TAVR with stroke/TIA was not statistically significant (OR
Stroke/TIA
, 1.57 [0.79–3.09]).

Conclusions:
TAVR provides an effective and evolving alternative to SAVR for radiation-associated severe aortic stenosis and was associated with lower 30-day mortality and postoperative complications. TAVR was associated with increased pacemaker implantation and a trend towards increased stroke/TIA. In this unique population with extensive valvular and vascular calcifications, the risk of stroke/TIA with TAVR requires careful consideration and further investigation.
Comparison of Investigator-Reported and Clinical Event Committee–Adjudicated Outcome Events in GLASSY
Authors: Leonardi Sergio , Branca Mattia , Franzone Anna , McFadden Eugene , Piccolo Raffaele , Jüni Peter , Vranckx Pascal , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Serruys Patrick W. , Benit Edouard , Liebetrau Christoph , Janssens Luc , Ferrario Maurizio , Zurakowski Aleksander , Diletti Roberto , Dominici Marcello , Huber Kurt , Slagboom Ton , Buszman Pawel , Bolognese Leonardo , Tumscitz Carlo , Bryniarski Krzysztof , Aminian Adel , Vrolix Mathias , Petrov Ivo , Garg Scot , Naber Cristoph , Prokopczuk Janusz , Hamm Christian , Heg Dik , Windecker Stephan , Valgimigli Marco 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Event adjudication by a clinical event committee (CEC) provides a standardized, independent outcome assessment. However, the added value of CEC to investigators reporting remains debated. GLASSY (GLOBAL LEADERS Adjudication Sub-Study) implemented, in a subset of the open-label, investigator-reported (IR) GLOBAL LEADERS trial, an independent adjudication process of reported and unreported potential outcome events (triggers). We describe metrics of GLASSY feasibility and efficiency, diagnostic accuracy of IR events, and their concordance with corresponding CEC-adjudicated events.

Methods:
We report the proportion of myocardial infarction, bleeding, stroke, and stent thrombosis triggers with sufficient evidence for assessment (feasibility) that were adjudicated as outcome events (efficiency), stratified by source (IR or non-IR). Using CEC-adjudicated events as criterion standard, we describe sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and global diagnostic accuracy of IR events. Using Gwet AC coefficient, we examine the concordance between IR- and corresponding CEC-adjudicated triggers. There was sufficient evidence for assessment for 2592 (98.3%) of 2636 triggers.

Results:
Overall, the adjudicated end point-to-trigger ratio was high and similar between IR- (88%) and non-IR–reported (87%) triggers. The global diagnostic accuracy and concordance between IR-reported and CEC-adjudicated outcome events was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.65–0.74) and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.45–0.62), respectively, for myocardial infarction; 0.77 (95% CI, 0.75–0.79) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.68–0.74) for bleeding; 0.70 (95% CI, 0.62–0.79) and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.43–0.74) for stroke; 0.59 (95% CI, 0.52–0.66) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.25–0.53) for stent thrombosis. For IR bleedings, the concordance with the CEC on type of events was generally weak.

Conclusions:
Implementing CEC adjudication in a pragmatic open-label trial with IR events is feasible and efficient. Our findings of modest global diagnostic accuracy for IR events and generally weak concordance between investigators and CEC support the role for CEC adjudication in such settings.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03231059.
Changing Spatiotemporal Trends in County‐Level Heart Failure Death Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2018
Authors: Vaughan Adam S. , George Mary G. , Jackson Sandra L. , Schieb Linda , Casper Michele 
Published: February 2021

Background
Amid recently rising heart failure (HF) death rates in the United States, we describe county‐level trends in HF mortality from 1999 to 2018 by racial/ethnic group and sex for ages 35 to 64 years and 65 years and older.

Methods and Results
Applying a hierarchical Bayesian model to National Vital Statistics data representing all US deaths, ages 35 years and older, we estimated annual age‐standardized county‐level HF death rates and percent change by age group, racial/ethnic group, and sex from 1999 through 2018. During 1999 to 2011, ~30% of counties experienced increasing HF death rates among adults ages 35 to 64 years. However, during 2011 to 2018, 86.9% (95% CI, 85.2–88.2) of counties experienced increasing mortality. Likewise, for ages 65 years and older, during 1999 to 2005 and 2005 to 2011, 27.8% (95% CI, 25.8–29.8) and 12.6% (95% CI, 11.2–13.9) of counties, respectively, experienced increasing mortality. However, during 2011 to 2018, most counties (67.4% [95% CI, 65.4–69.5]) experienced increasing mortality. These temporal patterns by age group held across racial/ethnic group and sex.

Conclusions
These results provide local context to previously documented recent national increases in HF death rates. Although county‐level declines were most common before 2011, some counties and demographic groups experienced increasing HF death rates during this period of national declines. However, recent county‐level increases were pervasive, occurring across counties, racial/ethnic group, and sex, particularly among ages 35 to 64 years. These spatiotemporal patterns highlight the need to identify and address underlying clinical risk factors and social determinants of health contributing to these increasing trends.
Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Stroke
Authors: Harshfield Eric L. , Georgakis Marios K. , Malik Rainer , Dichgans Martin , Markus Hugh S. 
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose:
Assessing whether modifiable risk factors are causally associated with stroke risk is important in planning public health measures, but determining causality can be difficult in epidemiological data. We evaluated whether modifiable lifestyle factors including educational attainment, smoking, and body mass index are causal risk factors for ischemic stroke and its subtypes and hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods:
We performed 2-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization to assess the causal effect of 12 lifestyle factors on risk of stroke and whether these effects are independent.

Results:
Genetically predicted years of education was inversely associated with ischemic, large artery, and small vessel stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Genetically predicted smoking, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio were associated with ischemic and large artery stroke. The effects of education, body mass index, and smoking on ischemic stroke were independent.

Conclusions:
Our findings support the hypothesis that reduced education and increased smoking and obesity increase risk of ischemic, large artery, and small vessel stroke, suggesting that lifestyle modifications addressing these risk factors will reduce stroke risk.
Plato on Democritean Films
Authors: Hedrick Robert E. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Through close reading, I show that in Plato’s discussion of the lover (erastēs) and beloved (eromenos) at Phaedrus 250d-251c we can recognize an overlooked reference to the theories of the early atomist, Democritus. In particular, Plato borrows Democritus’ term for visual images/films, eidōla, while alluding to Empedocles’ similar theory of vision through effluences, aporroai. I also analyze the repeated stress on the adjective, enargēs, within the same context. Like eidōlon, the term enargēs would be picked up by later Hellenistic philosophers and become vital to their theories on criteria of truth and self-evidence, enargeia. By examining Plato’s usage of Democritus’ eidōla coupled with the adjective enargēs, first employed here in a philosophical context, we can not only better understand how Plato adapts contemporary scientific theories to suit his own philosophical principles, but also see how Democritus’ and Plato’s terminology would eventually influence Epicurus and the Stoa.
Les Aspects Productifs De L’économie Informelle. Recherche des Indicateurs Pour une Réponse au Développement en Afrique
Authors: Muheme Bagalwa Basemake Gaspard 
Published: February 2021

Productive Aspects of the Informal Economy. Research into the Indicators for an Answer to the Development of Africa
This article aims at deepening our understanding of the concept informal economy. It is the case that definitions with regard to the reality of this phenomenon vary in function of the author and the countries studied. Indeed, the concept needs to be discussed right across the countries of the West, the East European countries under the old system, i.e. until 1990, and the countries of Africa.
With regard to the informal economy in Africa, the characteristics of irrationality and the lack of initiative on the pan of economic agents has often been posited. However, this economic phenomenon is neither exclusive to Africa nor is it confined to the present time. Only a comparative approach will enable one to arrive at some precision with regard to the concepts used in the economic literature.
Our primary goal is to place this informal economy within the global perspective of African development. This informal economy sets itself up as a creative attempt, often able to give efficient answers, whether in the field of agriculture or in other forms of activity, to the challenges of badly mismanaged societies.
The article rests on a number of key-terms:
informal economy; plural activities; integrative economy; petty commodity production and consumption; interdependency of sectors.
Kazanga – Ethnicité en Afrique Entre État et Tradition
Authors: van Binsbergen Wim 
Published: February 2021

Kazanga – Ethnicity in Africa Between State and Tradition
The production of cultural forms at the interface between a rural-based tradition and the state is a familiar aspect of ethnicity in contemporary Africa. This paper seeks to identify some of the characteristics of this process, whose products are too often misunderstood, and cherished, as ‘authentic’ forms of ‘tradition’. Highlighting the role of ethnic brokers, of the modem mass media, and of a model of commoditified ‘performance’ as an aspect of contemporary electronic mass culture, the argument explores the production of expressive culture in the context of the Kazanga cultural association and its Kazanga annual festival among the Nkoya people of central western Zambia since the early 1980s, against the background of Nkoya ethnicity and Nkoya expressive and court culture since the 19th century.
Ethnicité, Nourriture et Politique L’exemple des Yasa de la Côte Sud Du Cameroun
Authors: Tiokou Ndonko Flavien 
Published: February 2021

Ethnicity, Food, and Politics: The Example of the Yasa in the Cameroonian South Province
In Cameroon, ethnicity is present in food as well as in anthroponymy. Neighbouring populations use it to auto-identify themselves and to indicate their spatial settlement. The ‘leaves’eaters’, the ‘crabs’eaters’ and the ‘“fruits de l’arbre à pain”-eaters’ live together in peace on the Coast of the country by assuming their ethnicity. They even take over new political and administrative structures as guide mark in self presentation. Even the political power who officially tries to 'erase' ethnicity is not able to compose without it. Ethnicity has become a political strategy and is being mobilized or demobilized to balance or control the power.
De Sacrale Wereld van de Turkana. Ritueel, Symbool en Mythe Bij een Nomadenvolk in Noordwest Kenya.
Authors: Wymeersch Patrick , Berben Patrick , Rogers Koen 
Published: February 2021

The Sacred World of the Turkana
This article was mostly written by the late Patrick Wymeersch and was meant to be the onset to a broader monographical sketch of the religious world of the Turkana, a nomadic group of north-west Kenya. Attention is drawn to the organisation of the Turkana society and to several rituals which form the basis of the daily life environment. Furthermore the authors looked at the phenomena of the “Ngamoritunga” rocks and the position and the role of “Ang’u”. One last word goes to the value of symbols within that society.