bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
American Silver Inflow and the Price Revolution in Qing China
Authors: Zhao Hongjun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEmploying panel data from the Northern China Plain for the period 1736–1911, this paper tests the so‐called price revolution hypothesis. It finds that American silver inflow played an important role in raising grain prices when factors such as weather and population are controlled. This role is verified in two dimensions: the quantity dimension of American silver inflow into China; the value dimension of silver relative to copper coin and to gold. This paper provides the first econometric test of the so‐called price revolution hypothesis in the 18th and 19th century China and deepens our understanding of the role of American silver inflow in late imperial times of China.
Trade Creation Effects of Regional Trade Agreements: Tariff Reduction versus Non‐tariff Barrier Removal
Authors: Hayakawa Kazunobu , Ito Tadashi , Kimura Fukunari 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study uses the most disaggregated tariff line‐level trade data in a large number of countries in the world to empirically decompose the trade creation effects of regional trade agreements (RTAs) into those owing to tariff reduction and those owing to non‐tariff barrier (NTB) removal. Specifically, utilizing our detailed dataset, we employ the standard gravity equation and identify those effects by estimating the trade creation effects of RTAs for ineligible and eligible products for RTA preferential schemes separately. Our major findings are as follows. First, for the whole sample, there are significantly positive trade creation effects owing to tariff reduction while the effects for NTB removal are weak. Second, the trade creation effects of tariff reduction and NTB removal are substantially large in the case of trade among low‐income countries but weak among high‐income countries.
International Technology Transfer and Welfare
Authors: Kuo Ping‐Sing , Lin Yan‐Shu , Peng Cheng‐Hau 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe investigate the welfare effect of international technology transfer in a quality model. A foreign innovator with a new quality product can license its innovation to the domestic firm(s) via a fixed fee. Findings show that the foreign innovator will license exclusively to the high‐quality firm under Bertrand competition, whereas it may exclusively license to the high‐quality firm, the low‐quality firm, or non‐exclusively to both firms under Cournot competition. Non‐exclusive licensing is necessarily welfare‐enhancing whereas exclusive licensing is welfare‐reducing if the quality of the new technology is not sufficiently superior to that of the domestic ones.
Foreign Acquisitions in China and Multinationals’ Global Market Strategy
Authors: Liu Qing , Qiu Larry D. , Li Zhigang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUsing firm‐level data from 2000 to 2006, we find that foreign acquisitions in China change the target firms’ export extensive margins. We develop a three‐country model with cross‐border acquisitions to show that the acquirers can alter the targets’ export decision through three possible channels: fixed‐cost jumping, technology transfer and global market reorganization. We find evidence that foreign acquisitions change the Chinese target firms’ probability of exporting to a third market. Technology transfer is not observed. Evidence implies that fixed‐cost jumping is used to enable the targets to export, while global market reorganization is a key motive for the acquirers to withdraw the targets from the export market.
Congested Export Spillover in China
Authors: Bao Qun , Ye Ninghua , Song Ligang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper uses Chinese firm‐level data to investigate the possible nonlinear spillover caused by export congestion. We argue that there could exist an inverted‐U curve in terms of export spillover effect, resulting from the fact that once exporters become over‐agglomerated, export congestion is likely to cause negative export spillover. The estimation results support the hypothesis of an inverted‐U curve of export spillover effect. Further calculation shows that the degree of Chinese exporters’ congestion approximately ranges around 17–34% and demonstrates an increasing trend over time. The finding suggests that policies aimed at reducing export congestion such as industrial upgrading, improvement of firms’ efficiency and the current shift from export dependence towards domestic demand would be important for a more healthy development of China's exports in the future.
The Impact of Foreign Entry on Chinese Banks
Authors: Li Yuhua , Uchida Konari , Xu Tongsheng , Wu Zhaoyang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUtilizing hand collected data concerning foreign ownership in the Chinese banking sector, we examine whether foreign ownership improves the efficiency of Chinese banks. Foreign banks tend to provide cooperation in retail banking rather than in corporate or private banking. We find no robust evidence of an improvement in the efficiency of an average bank that receives foreign strategic investments. However, the bank cost and profit efficiency significantly improve when foreign strategic investments provide retail banking and internal control assistance respectively to local banks. These findings suggest that foreign investment improves local bank efficiency when it transfers technologies that are lacking in local banks.
A Panel Smooth Transition Approach to Inflation and Relative Price Variability in China
Authors: Gu Biao , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yi David 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between inflation and relative price variability (RPV) by using provincial level data from China. The data contains three different inflation regimes and evidence of smooth transition is statistically prominent and the province‐specific time‐varying marginal impact of inflation on RPV varies substantially across inflation regimes. The inflation–RPV linkage is stronger when inflation is moderately high, but tends to fade out and might eventually disappear when inflation is steadily low. The policy implication of this result is that inflation targets should be set within a range in which the inflation–RPV link is the weakest (i.e. low‐inflation regime) to minimize undesirable price dispersion induced by inflation.
Community‐based intervention for depression management at the primary care level in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam: a cluster‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Niemi Maria , Kiel Simone , Allebeck Peter , Hoan Le Thi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention including psychoeducation and yoga for depression management at the primary healthcare level in one district in the Hà Nam province, Vietnam.MethodThe Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) was used for depression screening and follow‐up. Screened patients were further diagnosed with the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Diagnostic Interview, by a trained general doctor. A linear regression model, adjusted for age, gender and baseline PHQ‐9 score was used to assess whether the intervention leads to decreased depression severity compared to standard care in the control communes.ResultsBoth groups had similar PHQ‐9 scores at baseline. The intervention group had on average significantly lower PHQ‐9 scores after the intervention than the control group. Almost half of the patients in the intervention group recovered from depression, whereas nobody did in the control group.ConclusionThe results indicate that the intervention can be more effective than standard care in treating depression. The mean change of the PHQ‐9 score after the intervention is deemed to be of clinical relevance.
Two‐Way Migration between Similar Countries
Authors: Kreickemeier Udo , Wrona Jens 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe develop a model to explain two‐way migration of high‐skilled individuals between countries that are similar in their economic characteristics. High‐skilled migration results from the combination of workers whose abilities are private knowledge, and a production technology that gives incentives to firms for hiring workers of similar ability. In the presence of migration cost, high‐skilled workers self‐select into the group of migrants. The laissez‐faire equilibrium features too much migration, explained by a negative migration externality. We also show that for sufficiently low levels of migration cost the optimal level of migration, while smaller than in the laissez‐faire equilibrium, is strictly positive. Finally, we extend our model into different directions to capture stylised facts in the data and show that our baseline results also hold in these more complex modelling environments.
An ellipsoid convex enhancement filter for detection of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm candidates in CAD frameworks
Authors: Jin Ze , Arimura Hidetaka , Kakeda Shingo , Yamashita Fumio , Sasaki Makoto , Korogi Yukunori 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:Various kinds of enhancement filters have been developed in computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) frameworks for asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). However, many bending or branching portions on vessels are also enhanced by the conventional filters as false positives in 3.0 T MRA, which can visualize smaller vessels compared with 1.5 T MRA. To overcome this problem, this study focused on developing an ellipsoid convex enhancement (ECE) filter, which can selectively enhance aneurysms while reducing false positive contrasts on bending or branching portions on vessels, for detection of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm candidates in CAD frameworks.Methods:The ECE filter was mathematically designed to enhance various convex regions in the intensity space such as convex aneurysms, in which the ratio of the shortest and longest diameters for aneurysms corresponds to the ratio of reciprocals of the square roots of the first and third eigenvalues of a Hessian matrix. The proposed ECE filter was evaluated by measuring an average contrast for false positive models and free‐response receiver operating characteristic curves between two simple CAD frameworks using the ECE and conventional filters based on a leave‐one‐out‐by‐patient test. MRA images for thirty patients (male: 10, female: 20; age: 48–86 yr, mean: 69.2) with 31 unruptured aneurysms (longest diameter: 2.0–5.5 mm, mean: 3.7 mm) were selected for this study.Results:The average contrast for false positive models was reduced by 51.4% using the ECE filter, compared with the conventional filter for the convex regions with ratios of the shortest and longest diameters less than 0.4. The number of false positives per case was decreased from 41.1 to 22.8 on average at a sensitivity of 87% by using the ECE filter.Conclusions:The ECE filter would be useful for boosting the performance of the CAD framework of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms by providing higher contrast aneurysms and lower contrast false positives such as bending or branching portions on vessels.
Reassessment of the Role of Rapid Antigen Detection Tests in Diagnosis of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections
Authors: Gazzano Vincent , Berger Anne , Benito Yvonne , Freydiere Anne-Marie , Tristan Anne , Boisset Sandrine , Carricajo Anne , Poyart Claire , Vandenesch François , Descours Ghislaine 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for group A streptococci (GAS) are widely used for diagnosing acute pharyngitis, which has led to a considerable reduction in antibiotic prescriptions over the past decade. Beyond this intended use, their reassessment on invasive samples may be relevant in the management of life-threatening GAS infections. To this end, we evaluated the performances of three RADTs, culture, GAS PCR, and 16S rRNA gene PCR assays, and compared them with a composite gold standard (GAS-PCR assay and/or culture) for the diagnosis of severe GAS infection. A total of 192 specimens from deep-tissue (mostly normally sterile) sites enriched for 75 GAS-positive samples were enrolled in the study. The three evaluated RADTs showed sensitivities ranging from 88.0% to 94.7% versus 98.7% for GAS PCR, 84% for 16S rRNA gene PCR, and 77.3% for culture. The sensitivities of the Immuno
Card
STAT! Strep A test (Meridian Bioscience) and the NADAL Strep A strip (Nal Von Minden) were similar to that of GAS PCR (
P
= 0.25 and 0.03, respectively) and higher than that of culture (
P
= 0.001 and 0.006, respectively), whereas the SD Bioline Strep A test strip (Standard Diagnostics) showed a performance similar to that of culture (
P
= 0.02). The three RADTs detected 10 distinct
emm
types, including a predominance of
emm
1 (33.3%),
emm
89 (10.6%), and
emm
12 (7.6%). No false-positive results were observed, leading to a specificity of 100% for all the evaluated RADTs. The GAS RADTs turned out to be sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use tools that may aid in the management of invasive GAS infections in 24/7 point-of-care laboratories by enabling early diagnosis and focused therapy.
Consolidating and Exploring Antibiotic Resistance Gene Data Resources
Authors: Xavier Basil Britto , Das Anupam J. , Cochrane Guy , De Ganck Sandra , Kumar-Singh Samir , Aarestrup Frank Møller , Goossens Herman , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
The unrestricted use of antibiotics has resulted in rapid acquisition of antibiotic resistance (AR) and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. With the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies and their application in understanding MDR pathogen dynamics, it has become imperative to unify AR gene data resources for easy accessibility for researchers. However, due to the absence of a centralized platform for AR gene resources, availability, consistency, and accuracy of information vary considerably across different databases. In this article, we explore existing AR gene data resources in order to make them more visible to the clinical microbiology community, to identify their limitations, and to propose potential solutions.
Is the Presence of Actinomyces spp. in Blood Culture Always Significant?
Authors: Jeffery-Smith Anna , Nic-Fhogartaigh Caoimhe , Millar Michael 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

The isolation of
Actinomyces
spp. from sterile clinical samples is traditionally regarded as significant. We reviewed the demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, and outcomes of patients with
Actinomyces
spp. isolated from blood cultures in our NHS Trust and found that this is not necessarily the case.
Pneumococcus with the “6E”
cps
Locus Produces Serotype 6B Capsular Polysaccharide
Authors: Burton Robert L. , Geno K. Aaron , Saad Jamil S. , Nahm Moon H. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Genetic studies of serogroup 6 isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
identified putative serotype 6E. Although its capsular polysaccharide structure has not been elucidated, putative serotype 6E is described in an increasing number of studies as a potentially new serotype. We show here that SPEC6B, which is widely used as a target strain for serotype 6B opsonophagocytosis assays, has the genetic features of the putative serotype 6E but produces capsular polysaccharide identical to 6B capsular polysaccharide as determined by one-dimensional (1D) and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Thus, putative serotype 6E is a mere genetic variant of serotype 6B. Also, SPEC6B is appropriate as a target strain for serotype 6B opsonophagocytosis assays. This example illustrates the difficulties of assigning new bacterial serotypes based on genetic findings alone.
Chimeric Filoviruses for Identification and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Ilinykh Philipp A. , Shen Xiaoli , Flyak Andrew I. , Kuzmina Natalia , Ksiazek Thomas G. , Crowe James E. , Bukreyev Alexander 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Recent experiments suggest that some glycoprotein (GP)-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) can protect experimental animals against the filovirus Ebola virus (EBOV). There is a need for isolation of MAbs capable of neutralizing multiple filoviruses. Antibody neutralization assays for filoviruses frequently use surrogate systems such as the rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSV), lentiviruses or gammaretroviruses with their envelope proteins replaced with EBOV GP or pseudotyped with EBOV GP. It is optimal for both screening and in-depth characterization of newly identified neutralizing MAbs to generate recombinant filoviruses that express a reporter fluorescent protein in order to more easily monitor and quantify the infection. Our study showed that unlike neutralization-sensitive chimeric VSV, authentic filoviruses are highly resistant to neutralization by MAbs. We used reverse genetics techniques to replace EBOV GP with its counterpart from the heterologous filoviruses Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Sudan virus, and even Marburg virus and Lloviu virus, which belong to the heterologous genera in the filovirus family. This work resulted in generation of multiple chimeric filoviruses, demonstrating the ability of filoviruses to tolerate swapping of the envelope protein. The sensitivity of chimeric filoviruses to neutralizing MAbs was similar to that of authentic biologically derived filoviruses with the same GP. Moreover, disabling the expression of the secreted GP (sGP) resulted in an increased susceptibility of an engineered virus to the BDBV52 MAb isolated from a BDBV survivor, suggesting a role for sGP in evasion of antibody neutralization in the context of a human filovirus infection.

IMPORTANCE
The study demonstrated that chimeric rhabdoviruses in which G protein is replaced with filovirus GP, widely used as surrogate targets for characterization of filovirus neutralizing antibodies, do not accurately predict the ability of antibodies to neutralize authentic filoviruses, which appeared to be resistant to neutralization. However, a recombinant EBOV expressing a fluorescent protein tolerated swapping of GP with counterparts from heterologous filoviruses, allowing high-throughput screening of B cell lines to isolate MAbs of any filovirus specificity. Human MAb BDBV52, which was isolated from a survivor of BDBV infection, was capable of partially neutralizing a chimeric EBOV carrying BDBV GP in which expression of sGP was disabled. In contrast, the parental virus expressing sGP was resistant to the MAb. Thus, the ability of filoviruses to tolerate swapping of GP can be used for identification of neutralizing MAbs specific to any filovirus and for the characterization of MAb specificity and mechanism of action.
ESCRT-0 Component Hrs Promotes Macropinocytosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus in Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Veettil Mohanan Valiya , Kumar Binod , Ansari Mairaj Ahmed , Dutta Dipanjan , Iqbal Jawed , Gjyshi Olsi , Bottero Virginie , Chandran Bala 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) enters human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d), its natural
in vivo
target cells, by lipid raft-dependent macropinocytosis. The internalized viral envelope fuses with the macropinocytic membrane, and released capsid is transported to the nuclear vicinity, resulting in the nuclear entry of viral DNA. The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins, which include ESCRT-0, -I, -II, and -III, play a central role in endosomal trafficking and sorting of internalized and ubiquitinated receptors. Here, we examined the role of ESCRT-0 component Hrs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate) in KSHV entry into HMVEC-d by macropinocytosis. Knockdown of Hrs by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transduction resulted in significant decreases in KSHV entry and viral gene expression. Immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) and plasma membrane isolation and proximity ligation assay (PLA) demonstrated the translocation of Hrs from the cytosol to the plasma membrane of infected cells and association with α-actinin-4. In addition, infection induced the plasma membrane translocation and activation of the serine/threonine kinase ROCK1, a downstream target of the RhoA GTPase. Hrs knockdown reduced these associations, suggesting that the recruitment of ROCK1 is an Hrs-mediated event. Interaction between Hrs and ROCK1 is essential for the ROCK1-induced phosphorylation of NHE1 (Na
+
/H
+
exchanger 1), which is involved in the regulation of intracellular pH. Thus, our studies demonstrate the plasma membrane association of ESCRT protein Hrs during macropinocytosis and suggest that KSHV entry requires both Hrs- and ROCK1-dependent mechanisms and that ROCK1-mediated phosphorylation of NHE1 and pH change is an essential event required for the macropinocytosis of KSHV.

IMPORTANCE
Macropinocytosis is the major entry pathway of KSHV in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, the natural target cells of KSHV. Although the role of ESCRT protein Hrs has been extensively studied with respect to endosomal movement and sorting of ubiquitinated proteins into lysosomes, its function in macropinocytosis is not known. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that upon KSHV infection, the endogenous Hrs localizes to the plasma membrane and the membrane-associated Hrs facilitates assembly of signaling molecules, macropinocytosis, and virus entry. Hrs recruits ROCK1 to the membrane, which is required for the activation of NHE1 and an increase in submembranous intracellular pH occurring during macropinocytosis. These studies demonstrate that the localization of Hrs from the cytosol to the plasma membrane is important for coupling membrane dynamics to the cytosolic signaling events during macropinocytosis of KSHV.
Target prices for mass production of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for global cancer treatment
Authors: Hill Andrew , Gotham Dzintars , Fortunak Joseph , Meldrum Jonathan , Erbacher Isabelle , Martin Manuel , Shoman Haitham , Levi Jacob , Powderly William G , Bower Mark 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo calculate sustainable generic prices for 4 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).BackgroundTKIs have proven survival benefits in the treatment of several cancers, including chronic myeloid leukaemia, breast, liver, renal and lung cancer. However, current high prices are a barrier to treatment. Mass production of low-cost generic antiretrovirals has led to over 13 million people being on HIV/AIDS treatment worldwide. This analysis estimates target prices for generic TKIs, assuming similar methods of mass production.MethodsFour TKIs with patent expiry dates in the next 5 years were selected for analysis: imatinib, erlotinib, lapatinib and sorafenib. Chemistry, dosing, published data on per-kilogram pricing for commercial transactions of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and quotes from manufacturers were used to estimate costs of production. Analysis included costs of excipients, formulation, packaging, shipping and a 50% profit margin. Target prices were compared with current prices. Global numbers of patients eligible for treatment with each TKI were estimated.ResultsAPI costs per kg were $347–$746 for imatinib, $2470 for erlotinib, $4671 for lapatinib, and $3000 for sorafenib. Basing on annual dose requirements, costs of formulation/packaging and a 50% profit margin, target generic prices per person-year were $128–$216 for imatinib, $240 for erlotinib, $1450 for sorafenib, and $4020 for lapatinib. Over 1 million people would be newly eligible to start treatment with these TKIs annually.ConclusionsMass generic production of several TKIs could achieve treatment prices in the range of $128–$4020 per person-year, versus current US prices of $75161–$139 138. Generic TKIs could allow significant savings and scaling-up of treatment globally, for over 1 million eligible patients.