bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Intellectual Property Tax Regime on FDI in R&D Activities at the City Level
Authors: Falk Martin , Peng Fei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis article investigates the impact of the introduction of the patent box/IP regime on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in R&D and related activities, including design, developing, and testing activities, using city level data. The data are based on approximately 1,200 cities in 80 countries. Results obtained by use of a difference‐in‐differences estimator show that the introduction of the patent/IP box regime in the Netherlands has led to increases in the FDI inflows in R&D and related activities in the subsequent three‐year period. For Spain and Belgium, no significant effects could be found. The results are robust when other important factors are accounted for (capital city, city population, quality of local university, presence of an airport, R&D tax incentives, protection of property rights, and PISA ratings in mathematics and science) and different measures of FDI inflows (number of FDI projects, capital flows, and number of jobs generated).
Nonparametric indices of dependence between components for inhomogeneous multivariate random measures and marked sets
Authors: van Lieshout M. N. M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe propose new summary statistics to quantify the association between the components in coverage‐reweighted moment stationary multivariate random sets and measures. They are defined in terms of the coverage‐reweighted cumulant densities and extend classic functional statistics for stationary random closed sets. We study the relations between these statistics and evaluate them explicitly for a range of models. Unbiased estimators are given for all statistics and applied to simulated examples and to tropical rain forest data.
Comparison of single‐ and dual‐monitor approaches to differentiate sitting from lying in free‐living conditions
Authors: Smits E. J. , Winkler E. A. H. , Healy G. N. , Dall P. M. , Granat M. H. , Hodges P. W. 
Published: April 2018

High levels of sedentary time have been detrimentally linked to health outcomes. Differentiating sitting from lying may help to further understand the mechanisms associated with these health impacts. This study compares the inter‐method agreement between the “single‐monitor” method (thigh‐worn activPAL3TM) and a more robustly validated “dual‐monitor” method (trunk and thigh‐worn activPAL3TM) in their classifications of sitting and lying under free‐living conditions. Thirty‐five participants (20‐50 years) wore two activity monitors (thigh and trunk) for 24 hours. Total time spent lying and sitting was calculated for both methods, and agreement was determined using ICC and Bland‐Altman methods. As there was no gold standard, further data were collected from five participants during structured activities that were designed to challenge classification, to better understand any disagreement between the methods. ICCs were 0.81 for sitting time and 0.64 for lying time. The single‐monitor method detected less lying time than the dual‐monitor method, with a mean difference of −25 minutes (95% agreement limits: −172 to 221 minutes), including three cases with extreme disagreement (mostly in daytime lying classification). The additional data collection suggested a major source of disagreement was failure of the single‐monitor method to identify lying that involved no rotation around the longitudinal axis. In conclusion, there was some agreement between the single‐ and dual‐monitor estimates of lying time under free‐living conditions, but measures were not interchangeable. The main disagreement was in how the methods classified daytime lying and lying tasks involving no lateral movement. Both methods yield promise for measuring time in bed.
Class, culture, and structure: Stratification and mechanisms of omnivorousness
Authors: Ferrant Coline 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this article, I discuss cultural omnivorousness through a structural framework. Omnivorousness is one of two theoretical approaches to class and culture, together with homology. In its original formulation, the omnivore thesis postulates that diversity, rather than exclusion, becomes the principle of cultural distinction: while the upper classes combine legitimate and illegitimate tastes and lifestyles, the lower classes remain restricted to illegitimate culture. The recent literature conceptualizes and operationalizes omnivorousness in two ways: first, as indicators of cultural diversity, second, as the multiplicity of logics structuring cultural fields. Omnivorousness is stratified along lines of class, specifically, education and social mobility, age and generation, and gender. Lastly, omnivorousness is associated with major, yet ambiguous shifts in Western cultural and social structures, including transformations of cultural production, pathways to democratization, normative beliefs about cosmopolitanism, and educational expansion.
Implications of erosion and bedrock composition on zircon fertility: Examples from South America and Western Australia
Authors: Spencer Christopher J. , Kirkland Christopher L. , Roberts Nicholas M. W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIsotopic analysis of zircon has been useful in charting our planet's geological history from the Holocene to the Hadean. Zircon is present in a range of lithologies, yet its yield in sedimentary systems is governed by the zircon fertility of the source rocks and their denudation rate. This interplay is illustrated in South America where rocks exposed in the Amazonia craton have higher Zr concentrations (i.e. greater zircon yield) than the Andes; however, the detrital zircon population of the Amazon River catchment shows more zircon from the Andes given the higher erosion rate. Nonetheless, the observed zircon frequency can be corrected for erosional and fertility biases. Additionally, detrital zircon in fluvial sediment in Western Australia, previously interpreted as quantifying differential erosion, can alternatively be explained as an effect of Zr content (therefore zircon fertility) of the sources. Understanding the variables controlling zircon yield will facilitate accurately interpreting detrital zircon signatures through deep time and their application to crustal evolution questions.
Relationship between Salmonella infection, shedding and serology in fattening pigs in low–moderate prevalence areas
Authors: San Román B. , Garrido V. , Sánchez S. , Martínez‐Ballesteros I. , Garaizar J. , Mainar‐Jaime R. C. , Migura‐Garcia L. , Grilló M. J. 
Published: April 2018

SummarySalmonella is a major foodborne pathogen causing important zoonosis worldwide. Pigs asymptomatically infected in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) can be intermittent shedders of the pathogen through faeces, being considered a major source of human infections. European baseline studies of fattening pig salmonellosis are based on Salmonella detection in MLN. This work studies the relationship between Salmonella infection in MLN and intestinal content (IC) shedding at slaughter and the relationship between the presence of the pathogen and the serologic status at farm level. Mean Salmonella prevalence in the selected pigs (vertically integrated production system of Navarra, Spain) was 7.2% in MLN, 8.4% in IC and 9.6% in serum samples. In this low–moderate prevalence context, poor concordance was found between MLN infection and shedding at slaughter and between bacteriology and serology. In fact, most of shedders were found uninfected in MLN (83%) or carrying different Salmonella strains in MLN and in IC (90%). The most prevalent Salmonellae were Typhimurium resistant to ACSSuT ± Nx or ASSuT antibiotic families, more frequently found invading the MLN (70%) than in IC (33.9%). Multivariable analysis revealed that risk factors associated with the presence of Salmonella in MLN or in IC were different, mainly related either to good hygiene practices or to water and feed control, respectively. Overall, in this prevalence context, detection of Salmonella in MLN is an unreliable predictor of faecal shedding at abattoir, indicating that subclinical infections in fattening pigs MLN could have limited relevance in the IC shedding.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Gibbs Nikki 
Published: April 2018

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 5, Number 3Aaron Morey, University of Melbourne, AustraliaAli Massoud, Sohag University, EgyptAndrey Kudryavtsev, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley Academic College, IsraelAsad K. Ghalib, Liverpool Hope University, UKDilshodjon Rakhmonov, Tashkent State University of Economics, UzbekistanEncarnación Alvarez-Verdejo, University of Granada, SpainEyup Kadioglu, Capital Markets Board, TurkeyFarhat Iqbal, University of Balochistan, Quetta – Pakistan. , Pakistan.He Nie, Jinan University, ChinaIbrahim Baghdadi, Lebanese University, LebanonIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandMarwa Biltagy, Cairo University, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, EgyptMohammed Al-Mahish, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaMojeed Idowu John Odumeso-Jimoh, Noble Integrated Resources & Management, NigeriaNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandProf. Aloysius Ajab AMIN, Institute for Development Solutions, Inc, USARamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USARomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaSherry Jensen, Florida Institute of Technology, USASteven V. Cates, Kaplan University, USASzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com
Commonly Used Oncology Drugs Decrease Antifungal Effectiveness against Candida and Aspergillus Species
Authors: Butts Arielle , Reitler Parker , Ge Wenbo , Fortwendel Jarrod R. , Palmer Glen E. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

The incidence of invasive fungal infections has risen significantly in recent decades as medical interventions have become increasingly aggressive. These infections are extremely difficult to treat due to the extremely limited repertoire of systemic antifungals, the development of drug resistance, and the extent to which the patient's immune function is compromised. Even when the appropriate antifungal therapies are administered in a timely fashion, treatment failure is common, even in the absence of
in vitro
microbial resistance. In this study, we screened a small collection of FDA-approved oncolytic agents for compounds that impact the efficacy of the two most widely used classes of systemic antifungals against
Candida albicans
,
Candida glabrata
, and
Aspergillus fumigatus
. We have identified several drugs that enhance fungal growth in the presence of azole antifungals and examine the potential that these drugs directly affect fungal fitness, specifically antifungal susceptibility, and may be contributing to clinical treatment failure.
Nuts and Grains: Microbiology and Preharvest Contamination Risks
Authors: Brar Pardeepinder K. , Danyluk Michelle D. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Low-water-activity foods have been involved in recalls and foodborne disease outbreaks. Increased consumption; better detection methods and reporting systems; improved surveillance, trace-back, and ability to connect sporadic foodborne illnesses; and inadequate implementation of food safety programs are some of the likely reasons for the increase in frequency of recalls and outbreaks linked to dry foods. Nuts and grains can be contaminated with foodborne pathogens at any stage during production, processing, storage, and distribution. Focusing on preharvest contamination, the various potential sources of contamination include soil, animal intrusion, contaminated harvesting equipment, harvest and preharvest handling, storage conditions, and others. The low water activity of nuts and grains prevents the growth of most foodborne pathogens on their surfaces. The long-term survival of bacterial foodborne pathogens (
Salmonella
,
Escherichia coli
O157:H7, and
Listeria monocytogenes
) on dry foods has been documented in the literature for different nut types. Preventing contamination is the key to avoiding foodborne disease risks linked to dry foods. The implementation of good agricultural practices and other food safety systems provides a proactive approach to address concerns thoroughly. A plethora of research is available on preventing the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi on the surface of nuts and grains. Milling is an effective mechanism to reduce the microbial load on grains. This review focuses on providing information about associated foodborne microorganisms, preharvest contamination sources, and good agricultural practice recommendations for nuts and grains.
Evaluating the long-term consequences of air pollution in early life: geographical correlations between coal consumption in 1951/1952 and current mortality in England and Wales
Authors: Phillips David I W , Osmond Clive , Southall Humphrey , Aucott Paula , Jones Alexander , Holgate Stephen T 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate associations between early life air pollution and subsequent mortality.DesignGeographical study.SettingLocal government districts within England and Wales.ExposureRoutinely collected geographical data on the use of coal and related solid fuels in 1951–1952 were used as an index of air pollution.Main outcome measuresWe evaluated the relationship between these data and both all-cause and disease-specific mortality among men and women aged 35–74 years in local government districts between 1993 and 2012.ResultsDomestic (household) coal consumption had the most powerful associations with mortality. There were strong correlations between domestic coal use and all-cause mortality (relative risk per SD increase in fuel use 1.124, 95% CI 1.123 to 1.126), and respiratory (1.238, 95% CI 1.234 to 1.242), cardiovascular (1.138, 95% CI 1.136 to 1.140) and cancer mortality (1.073, 95% CI 1.071 to 1.075). These effects persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic indicators in 1951, current socioeconomic indicators and current pollution levels.ConclusionCoal was the major cause of pollution in the UK until the Clean Air Act of 1956 led to a rapid decline in consumption. These data suggest that coal-based pollution, experienced over 60 years ago in early life, affects human health now by increasing mortality from a wide variety of diseases.
Should empiric antibiotic therapy be withheld when aetiology of preterm birth is non-infectious? A protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Seliga-Siwecka Joanna , Ansari Mohammed Toseef , Aschner Judy , Sampson Margaret , Romańska Justyna 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionPreterm birth (PTB) at <37 weeks of gestation is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The traditional approach has been based on the assumption that PTB is primarily a result of intrauterine infection, which triggers preterm labour and puts the newborn at risk of early onset sepsis (EOS). We are currently experiencing a rise in prematurity that results from maternal and fetal diseases unrelated to infection. We have designed a systematic review to assess whether chemoprophylaxis should be withheld when the aetiology of preterm birth is non-infectious.Methods and analysisOur study will focus on studies evaluating EOS in preterm infants. We will conduct a comprehensive search of literature available up to 28 February 2018. An information specialist will search for eligible studies in Medline (Ovid interface, 1948 and onwards), Embase (Ovid interface, 1980 onwards) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley interface, current issue). We will search databases and registries including records of ongoing research, conference proceedings and thesis (clinical trials, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform). Two authors will independently extract data from eligible studies and assess risk of bias. For continuous outcomes, which follow discrete distribution, mean difference will be calculated. Dichotomous data will be presented using risk ratios, while count data will be expressed using rate ratios. Time-to-event outcomes will be reported as HRs. All estimates will be presented together with 95% CI. Studies comparable with respect to methodology and reporting the same outcomes will be combined in a meta-analysis.Ethics and disseminationOur systematic review does not require approval from the research and ethics board. We will use the findings to prepare a future multicentre randomised control trial in order to establish safe and adequate antibiotics policies for preterm infants, based on the aetiology of PTB.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016029707.
A modified Delphi study towards developing a guideline to inform policy on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa: a study protocol
Authors: Adebiyi Babatope O , Mukumbang Ferdinand C , Okop Kufre J , Beytell Anna-Marie 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionMaternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in mental and physical birth defects in individuals. These birth defects are usually described as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). With an estimated 183–259 per 1000 children born with FASDs, South Africa is identified to have the highest prevalence of FASDs in the world. Nevertheless, there is a lack of appropriate policies, guidelines and interventions addressing the issues around FASDs. This protocol outlines a proposed process for developing a guideline to inform policies on FASDs.Methods and analysisThis process will have three phases. Phase I will be carried out in three steps; we plan to conduct a document review of available policies on the prevention and management of FASDs and update the existing systematic review on FASDs interventions. The aim of the two reviews is to explore the availability and content of existing policies and global interventions on FASDs. In addition, we will conduct two exploratory qualitative studies to obtain the perspectives of various stakeholders on the existing or possible guidelines and policies for the management of FASDs and available interventions and services. In phase II, we will aggregate the findings of the previous phase to develop a prototype guideline. In phase III, using the developed prototype, we will apply the Delphi approach with experts on FASDs, soliciting their opinions on the nature and content of the proposed guidelines for policies. The information gathered will be used to modify the prototype to formulate a policy guideline on FASDs. The data will be analysed using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis.Ethics and disseminationEthical clearance has been obtained from the ethics committee of the university and governmental departments. The findings will be disseminated through publications and the guideline will be submitted to relevant departments.
Characteristics of value-based health and social care from organisations’ perspectives (OrgValue): a mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Ansmann Lena , Hillen Hendrik Ansgar , Kuntz Ludwig , Stock Stephanie , Vennedey Vera , Hower Kira Isabelle 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionHealth and social care systems are under pressure to organise care around patients’ needs with constrained resources. Several studies reveal that care is constantly challenged by balancing economic requirements against individual patients’ preferences and needs. Therefore, value-based health and social care aims to facilitate patient-centredness while taking the resources spent into consideration. The OrgValue project examines the implementation of patient-centredness while considering the health and social care organisations’ resource orientation in the model region of the city of Cologne, Germany.Methods and analysisFirst, the implementation status of patient-centredness as well as its facilitators and barriers—also in terms of resource orientation—will be assessed through face-to-face interviews with decision-makers (at least n=18) from health and social care organisations (HSCOs) in Cologne. Second, patients’ understanding of patient-centredness and their preferences and needs will be revealed by conducting face-to-face interviews (at least n=15). Third, the qualitative results will provide the basis for a quantitative survey of decision-makers from all HSCOs in Cologne, which will include questions on patient-centredness, resource orientation and determinants of implementation. Fourth, qualitative interviews with decision-makers from different types of HSCOs will be conducted to develop a uniform measurement instrument on the cost and service structure of HSCOs.Ethics and disseminationFor all collected data, the relevant data protection regulations will be adhered to. Consultation and a positive vote from the ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne have been obtained. All personal identifiers (eg, name, date of birth) will be pseudonymised. Dissemination strategies include a feedback report as well as research and development workshops for the organisations with the aim of initiating organisational learning and organisational development, presenting results in publications and at conferences, and public relations.Trial registration numberDRKS00011925.
Human gastric cancer modelling using organoids
Authors: Seidlitz Therese , Merker Sebastian R , Rothe Alexander , Zakrzewski Falk , von Neubeck Cläre , Grützmann Konrad , Sommer Ulrich , Schweitzer Christine , Schölch Sebastian , Uhlemann Heike , Gaebler Anne-Marlene , Werner Kristin , Krause Mechthild , Baretton Gustavo B , Welsch Thilo , Koo Bon-Kyoung , Aust Daniela E , Klink Barbara , Weitz Jürgen , Stange Daniel E 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveGastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the fifth most common malignancy worldwide. In this study, human and mouse gastric cancer organoids were generated to model the disease and perform drug testing to delineate treatment strategies.DesignHuman gastric cancer organoid cultures were established, samples classified according to their molecular profile and their response to conventional chemotherapeutics tested. Targeted treatment was performed according to specific druggable mutations. Mouse gastric cancer organoid cultures were generated carrying molecular subtype-specific alterations.ResultsTwenty human gastric cancer organoid cultures were established and four selected for a comprehensive in-depth analysis. Organoids demonstrated divergent growth characteristics and morphologies. Immunohistochemistry showed similar characteristics to the corresponding primary tissue. A divergent response to 5-fluoruracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, epirubicin and docetaxel treatment was observed. Whole genome sequencing revealed a mutational spectrum that corresponded to the previously identified microsatellite instable, genomic stable and chromosomal instable subtypes of gastric cancer. The mutational landscape allowed targeted therapy with trastuzumab for ERBB2 alterations and palbociclib for CDKN2A loss. Mouse cancer organoids carrying Kras and Tp53 or Apc and Cdh1 mutations were characterised and serve as model system to study the signalling of induced pathways.ConclusionWe generated human and mouse gastric cancer organoids modelling typical characteristics and altered pathways of human gastric cancer. Successful interference with activated pathways demonstrates their potential usefulness as living biomarkers for therapy response testing.