bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Labor Demand and Unequal Payments: Does Wage Dispersion Matter? Using German Employer-Employee Data to Analyze the Influence of Intra-Firm Wage Inequality on Labor Demand
Authors: Koelling Arnd 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA theoretical analysis examines the relationship between intra-firm wage dispersion and employment at establishments. The analysis relies on the absence of a theoretical consensus regarding the influence of wage dispersion on labor demand. To prove the theoretical considerations, regressions were conducted on German linked employer-employee data from the Institute for Employment Research (LIAB) for 1996 through 2008. More specifically, fractional probit models for the panel data and a fixed effects regression with a log-odds transformation of the dependent variable were used to estimate the share equations of a labor demand model, including different measures of wage dispersion. The results illustrate a negative influence of the residual wage inequality that takes into account the composition of the workforce in the establishment. In addition, an increasing wage dispersion at the lower end of the wage distribution decreases the labor demand of the establishment; however, this leads to the estimates of the overall wage dispersion becoming insignificant.
Global Derivatives Market
Authors: Stankovska Aleksandra 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Globalization of financial markets led to the enormous growth of volume and diversification of financial transactions. Financial derivatives were the basic elements of this growth. Derivatives play a useful and important role in hedging and risk management, but they also pose several dangers to the stability of financial markets and thereby the overall economy. Derivatives are used to hedge and speculate the risk associated with commerce and finance.
When used to hedge risks, derivative instruments transfer the risks from the hedgers, who are unwilling to bear the risks, to parties better able or more willing to bear them. In this regard, derivatives help allocate risks efficiently between different individuals and groups in the economy. Investors can also use derivatives to speculate and to engage in arbitrage activity. Speculators are traders who want to take a position in the market; they are betting that the price of the underlying asset or commodity will move in a particular direction over the life of the contract.
In addition to risk management, derivatives play a very useful economic role in price discovery and arbitrage. Financial derivatives trading are based on leverage techniques, earning enormous profits with small amount of money.
The International Humanitarian Response to the Refugee Crisis Along the Balkan Route in the View of Strategies of International Organizations
Authors: Latifi Veton 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Being one of the largest movements of displaced people through European borders since World War Two, the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015 and 2016, tested the coordination of the states and international organizations, and as well as the strategies for response of the latter to such enormous fluxes of displaced people along the Balkan corridor. The quick on-time reaction of the specialized humanitarian international organizations made significant achievements by the international organizations in terms of humanitarian assistance for the refugees and support for the governments of the region. Their approach mainly sought to create a partnership with the governments of the Balkan route in handling the serious humanitarian challenges (with a different strategy compared to other experiences, mainly this time through providing assistance and protection to the refugees throughout the corridor of the refugee crisis), it showed how important is such coordination at the end, with an aim to avoid further human catastrophes along refugee routes, and to avoid major security repercussions for the countries of the region.
With a comparative approach, the paper analyzes the response of the international organizations in terms of the strategies they have applied along the Balkan human corridor and their new innovative approaches used in terms of the coordination with the local authorities and governments of the Balkan route. Different to previous forms of humanitarian interventions and dynamics of the refugee crisis (dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1990s), the roles of the international organizations along the Balkan human corridor following the Syrian war of 2015 and 2016 have shaped many innovative dimensions, including firstly their advising orientation and support for refugees and local authorities (mainly through providing help on legal issues). Apart from humanitarian activities for delivering direct aid, the major intergovernmental organizations (most of them operating under the umbrella of the UN) following the implementation of border controls from very beginning of the refugee crisis have been focused in supporting the local authorities as well as on regulating the flow of migrants. The strategies of response by the international organizations in the latest case of the Balkan human corridor notably shifted from the classical humanitarian dimension of their reactions. These strategies have played as well an important role in advising, and especially in developing a partnership with the local authorities capacity building and legal support for both local institutions and refugees. However, through the comparative approaches the paper identifies that there are different models of management roles played by the specialized international organizations in various countries of the Balkan route and its frontiers.
Low genetic diversity in the endangeredTaxus yunnanensisfollowing a population bottleneck, a low effective population size and increased inbreeding
Authors: Miao Y. C. , Zhang Z. J. , Su J. R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTaxus yunnanensis,which is an endangered tree that is considered valuable because it contains the effective natural anticancer metabolite taxol and heteropolysaccharides, has long suffered from severe habitat fragmentation. In this study, the levels of genetic diversity in two populations of 136 individuals were analyzed based on eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our results suggested that these two populations were characterized by low genetic diversity (NE= 2.303/2.557;HO= 0.168/0.142;HE= 0.453/0.517), a population bottleneck, a low effective population size (Ne = 7/9), a high level of inbreeding (FIS= 0.596/0.702), and a weak, but significant spatial genetic structure (Sp = 0.001,b= −0.001*). Habitat fragmentation, seed shadow overlap and limited seed and pollen dispersal and potential selfing may have contributed to the observed gene tic structure. The results of the present study will enable development of practical conservation measures to effectively conserve the valuable genetic resources of this endangered plant.
Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers for Taxus mairei (Taxaceae) and their transferability across species
Authors: Wu X. , Wen Y. , Ueno S. , Tsumura Y. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Taxus is an important genus which is well-known for Taxol. Its genetic analyses were lagged behind those of other conifers due to lack of suitable molecular markers. In this paper, we explored polymorphic loci for Taxus mairei and tested their transferability across species based on 150 EST-SSR loci already developed for Taxus cuspidata previously. The results showed that 103 loci were polymorphic, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 over 16 individuals. The observed heterozygosity (Ho
) and expected heterozygosity (He
) varied from 0 to 1 and 0.0625 to 0.891, respectively. The PIC values ranged from 0.11 to 0.754 with an average of 0.453. The average cross-species transferability was 96.07% among 5 species. Most of these loci can be used as universal markers in Taxus genus. The PCA results showed these markers have strong power to identify different species. These markers will be useful for further studies on genetic analysis and conversation of Taxus mairei.
Slovenian Communist Legacy: After 25 Years of Independence of Slovenian Nation
Authors: Prijon Lea 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIt has been 25 years since Slovenia’s independence from Yugoslavia, but nevertheless it seems that Slovenia can not break its ties with the communist tradition, which for decades dictated and limited the life of Slovenians and hindered Slovenia’s development in general. Even transition (on economic and political filed) has failed, although in its beginnings it seemed that Slovenia would be a story of success. The paper deals with the rise of the Communist Party and the Communist regime and its impact on Slovenian developments till nowadays.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Populism: A Comparative Analysis of the U.S. and Slovakia
Authors: Walter Aaron T. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
The dynamics of political campaigning is as unique as the people and party platforms that inhabit the campaign period. The progress of certain political personalities or of political parties themselves insure a positivity to the political process in contrast to statism. Not all change is welcome surely, but the fact that such activity occurs within pluralist democracy is a sign of vitality in both practice and principle. One such change in recent political campaigns has been the increased popularity of candidates and parties espousing populist platforms and rhetoric. While in the United States, such represented interest is historically based from the late nineteenth century, in Slovakia it is more recent, but no less significant in its historical roots. In the following paper the methodology of a comparative analysis is employed to investigate populism within the United States and Slovakia while utilizing the theoretical context of neoclassical realism that has populism in the national context: personalization of politics, catch-all policies, media centricity, professionalization and political marketing.
Determinants of Access to Formal Credit by the Poor Households
Authors: Biyase Mduduzi , Fisher Bianca 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
This paper investigates the determinants of access to formal credit by poor households in South Africa. Despite some progress in poverty reduction in the recent years, it remains astonishingly high by historical and international standards. Access to credit is believed by some scholars to be a primary means to address poverty and improve the standards of living of poor households. Thus, it is necessary to identify the determinants of the propensity to borrow and of the amount that is borrowed. Using 2008-2012 data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), a Heckman Selection model was estimated. The results from this study suggest that age of the household head, race, educational level, gender, employment, geographic location of households affect the propensity to borrow by poor households in South Africa.
Comparison of two inference approaches in Gaussian graphical models
Authors: Purutçuoğlu Vilda , Ayyıldız Ezgi , Wit Ernst 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Introduction
The Gaussian Graphical Model (GGM) is one of the well-known probabilistic models which is based on the conditional independency of nodes in the biological system. Here, we compare the estimates of the GGM parameters by the graphical lasso (glasso) method and the threshold gradient descent (TGD) algorithm.

Methods
We evaluate the performance of both techniques via certain measures such as specificity, F-measure and AUC (area under the curve). The analyses are conducted by Monte Carlo runs under different dimensional systems.

Results
The results indicate that the TGD algorithm is more accurate than the glasso method in all selected criteria, whereas, it is more computationally demanding than this method too.

Discussion and conclusion
Therefore, in high dimensional systems, we recommend glasso for its computational efficiency in spite of its loss in accuracy and we believe than the computational cost of the TGD algorithm can be improved by suggesting alternative steps in inference of the network.
Molecular structure of a brominated 2-benzazepinone – a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of novel chemokine CCR2 receptor antagonists
Authors: Kokornaczyk Artur K. , Thum Simone , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Junker Anna , Wünsch Bernhard 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Chemokines (chemoattractant cytokines) together with their receptors represent key players in inflammatory processes. In order to develop novel chemokine CCR2 and CCR5 receptor antagonists, 2-benz-azepin-1-one 5 was prepared, which showed promising CCR2 affinity. During the synthesis, regioisomeric bromo substituted β-keto esters 4a and 4b had to be separated. A crystal structure determination of the regioisomer 4b displayed unequivocally the bromine atom in the 7-position and the existence of 4b as the enol ester tautomer. Although the 7-membered azepine ring is rather flat, it is distorted around the 3-methylene moiety.
Synthesis, biological activity and molecular modeling study of new Schiff bases incorporated with indole moiety
Authors: Halawa Ahmed H. , El-Gilil Shimaa Mohamed Abd , Bedair Ahmed H. , Shaaban Mohamed , Frese Marcel , Sewald Norbert , Eliwa Essam M. , El-Agrody Ahmed M. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
A new series of heterocyclic Schiff bases 2–9 containing indole moiety were synthesized by facile and efficient condensation of indole-3/2/5-carboxaldehyde (1a/1b/1c) with different aromatic and heterocyclic primary amines using conventional and/or microwave irradiation methods. The structures of the obtained compounds were assigned by sophisticated spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS). The synthesized compounds were screened for their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities. In vitro cytotoxicity screening revealed that compound 5 exhibited moderate activity against KB-3-1 cell line (IC50=57.7 μM) while 5-indolylimino derivative 7 indicated close to the activity (IC50=19.6 μM) in comparison with the positive control (+)-Griseofulvin (IC50=19.2 μM), while the tested compounds 5, 6b, 7 and 9 revealed good or moderate antibacterial activity. In addition, molecular docking study of Schiff bases 2–9 was performed by Molecular Operating Environment (MOE 2014.09) program on the matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) (Protein Data Bank (PDB) ID: 1MNC) in an attempt to explore their mode of action as anticancer drugs.
MR spectroscopy of hepatic fat and adiponectin and leptin levels during testosterone therapy in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Magnussen L V , Andersen P E , Diaz A , Ostojic J , Højlund K , Hougaard D M , Christensen A N , Nielsen T L , Andersen M 
Published: May 2017

Background
Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) often have lowered testosterone levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Ectopic fat increases the risk of CVD, whereas subcutaneous gluteofemoral fat protects against CVD and has a beneficial adipokine-secreting profile.

Hypothesis
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may reduce the content of ectopic fat and improve the adipokine profile in men with T2D.

Design and methods
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 39 men aged 50–70 years with T2D and bioavailable testosterone levels <7.3 nmol/L. Patients were randomized to TRT (n = 20) or placebo gel (n = 19) for 24 weeks. Thigh subcutaneous fat area (TFA, %fat of total thigh volume), subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT, % fat of total abdominal volume) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT, % fat of total abdominal volume) were measured by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Hepatic fat content was estimated by single-voxel MR spectroscopy. Adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by in-house immunofluorometric assay. Coefficients (b) represent the placebo-controlled mean effect of intervention.

Results
TFA (b = −3.3 percentage points (pp), P = 0.009), SAT (b = −3.0 pp, P = 0.006), levels of adiponectin (b = −0.4 mg/L, P = 0.045), leptin (b = −4.3 µg/mL, P < 0.001), leptin:adiponectin ratio (b = −0.53, P = 0.001) and HDL cholesterol (b = −0.11 mmol/L, P = 0.009) decreased during TRT compared with placebo. Hepatic fat content and VAT were unchanged.

Conclusions
The effects of TRT on cardiovascular risk markers were ambiguous. We observed potentially harmful changes in cardiovascular risk parameters, markedly reduced subcutaneous fat and unchanged ectopic fat during TRT and a reduction in adiponectin levels. On the other hand, the decrease in leptin and leptin:adiponectin ratio assessments could reflect an amelioration of the cardiovascular risk profile linked to hyperleptinaemia in ageing men with T2D.
PRKAR1A mutation causing pituitary-dependent Cushing disease in a patient with Carney complex
Authors: Kiefer Florian W , Winhofer Yvonne , Iacovazzo Donato , Korbonits Márta , Wolfsberger Stefan , Knosp Engelbert , Trautinger Franz , Höftberger Romana , Krebs Michael , Luger Anton , Gessl Alois 
Published: May 2017

Context
Carney complex (CNC) is an autosomal dominant condition caused, in most cases, by an inactivating mutation of the PRKAR1A gene, which encodes for the type 1 alpha regulatory subunit of protein kinase A. CNC is characterized by the occurrence of endocrine overactivity, myxomas and typical skin manifestations. Cushing syndrome due to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is the most frequent endocrine disease observed in CNC.

Case description
Here, we describe the first case of a patient with CNC and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing disease due to a pituitary corticotroph adenoma. Loss-of-heterozygosity analysis of the pituitary tumour revealed loss of the wild-type copy of PRKAR1A, suggesting a role of this gene in the pituitary adenoma development.

Conclusion
PRKAR1A loss-of-function mutations can rarely lead to ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas in CNC patients. Pituitary-dependent disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome in CNC patients.
Maternal Use of Opioids During Pregnancy and Congenital Malformations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lind Jennifer N. , Interrante Julia D. , Ailes Elizabeth C. , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Khan Sara , Frey Meghan T. , Dawson April L. , Honein Margaret A. , Dowling Nicole F. , Razzaghi Hilda , Creanga Andreea A. , Broussard Cheryl S. 
Published: May 2017

CONTEXT:
Opioid use and abuse have increased dramatically in recent years, particularly among women.

OBJECTIVES:
We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between prenatal opioid use and congenital malformations.

DATA SOURCES:
We searched Medline and Embase for studies published from 1946 to 2016 and reviewed reference lists to identify additional relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION:
We included studies that were full-text journal articles and reported the results of original epidemiologic research on prenatal opioid exposure and congenital malformations. We assessed study eligibility in multiple phases using a standardized, duplicate review process.

DATA EXTRACTION:
Data on study characteristics, opioid exposure, timing of exposure during pregnancy, congenital malformations (collectively or as individual subtypes), length of follow-up, and main findings were extracted from eligible studies.

RESULTS:
Of the 68 studies that met our inclusion criteria, 46 had an unexposed comparison group; of those, 30 performed statistical tests to measure associations between maternal opioid use during pregnancy and congenital malformations. Seventeen of these (10 of 12 case-control and 7 of 18 cohort studies) documented statistically significant positive associations. Among the case-control studies, associations with oral clefts and ventricular septal defects/atrial septal defects were the most frequently reported specific malformations. Among the cohort studies, clubfoot was the most frequently reported specific malformation.

LIMITATIONS:
Variabilities in study design, poor study quality, and weaknesses with outcome and exposure measurement.

CONCLUSIONS:
Uncertainty remains regarding the teratogenicity of opioids; a careful assessment of risks and benefits is warranted when considering opioid treatment for women of reproductive age.
Radiation Induced Microstructural Evolution in Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Authors: Odette G. R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe evolution of the fine scale microstructural features leading to irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel steels is described. Copper rich phases undergo accelerated precipitation from supersaturated solution due to radiation enhanced diffusion. In steels with significant trace quantities of copper the precipitates, characterized by high concentrations and small sizes, are the dominant embrittling feature. Precipitate concentrations, sizes, volume fractions and compositions are consistent with thermodynamic and kinetic models that rationalize the effects of a number of irradiation and metallurgical variables. Phosphide and carbonitride phases may also develop along with new manganese nickel rich precipitates, promoted by high nickel contents. These features may lead to severe embrittlement at high fluence even in low copper steels. While their detailed identity and characteristics are not known, defect cluster-solute complexes with a range of thermal stability are important both directly and indirectly; for example, in mediating flux and temperature effects. In conjunction with the application of state-of-the-art characterization methods, development of advanced modeling tools will be needed to address a number of outstanding issues.
Optoelektronic Properties of CuGaSe2 Thin Films Studied by Time-resolved Microwave Conductivity
Authors: Meeder A. , Marrón D. Fuertes , Lux-Steiner M. Ch. , Kunst M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractApplying the (contactless) time-resolved microwave conductivity technique (TRMC) to CVD- and PVD-grown device grade CuGaSe2 thin films experimental data of hole mobility and lifetime are obtained. TRMC data of stoichiometric and Gallium-rich, front and back side illuminated thin films are presented. In the Gallium-rich samples an extended decay over several orders of magnitude is observed. In the stoichiometric samples the majority of excess carriers decays nearly instantaneously. Differences in charge carrier transport at the front and the back side are discussed in the framework of a two layer defect model, previously reported in such absorber layers.
Fabrication and Characterization of Wafer-Bonded GaInAsSb Epitaxy for Monolithically Interconnected Thermophotovoltaic Devices
Authors: Wang C.A. , Shiau D.A. , Murphy P.G. , O'Brien P.W. , Huang R.K. , Connors M.K. , Anderson A.C. , Depoy D.M. , Nichols G. , Palmisiano M.N. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe fabrication, characterization, and performance of wafer-bonded (WB) GaInAsSb thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices for monolithically series-interconnected cells are reported. TPV epilayers were bonded to GaAs handle wafers with SiOx/Ti/Au. This dielectric/metal layer is multi-functional in that it is used as the adhesive to bond the epilayers; it provides electrical isolation; and it is an internal back surface reflector. Considerations were made to minimize residual stress and provide high reflectivity. Excellent structural and optical properties of WB TPV structures are observed. The external quantum efficiency of WB and unbonded TPV cells is comparable. TPV cells were monolithically series interconnected, and a 10-junction device exhibited linear voltage building with an open-circuit voltage of 1.8 V.