bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of soft ICT capital on innovation performance of Greek firms
Authors: Arvanitis Spyros , Loukis Euripidis , Diamantopoulou Vasiliki 
Published: September 2013

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of four types of “soft” information and communication technologies (ICT) capital related to ICT knowledge and skills (ICT personnel, ICT training of ICT personnel and users, ICT unit) on the innovation performance of Greek firms. Furthermore, the paper compares these effects with the ones of the hard ICT capital and also of four important “traditional” innovation determinants identified from previous research in this area (demand expectation, price and non-price competition, market concentration).Design/methodology/approach– A quantitative methodology has been adopted for investigating the above effects, based on the estimation of regression models. Using data collected through a survey based on a structured questionnaire from 271 Greek firms, innovation models have been estimated, having as independent variables measures of hard ICT capital, the examined four types of soft ICT capital and also the above traditional innovation determinants.Findings– The paper has been concluded that in the innovation averse Greek national context the examined traditional innovation determinants have very low impact on firms’ innovation performance, however, on the contrary both hard ICT capital, and three out of the four examined types of soft ICT capital (ICT personnel, ICT training of ICT personnel and users) have positive impact on both process and product/services innovation. Furthermore, it has been found that the total effect of these three knowledge and skills related types of soft ICT capital on innovation performance is stronger than the effect of the hard ICT capital.Research limitations/implications– The main limitations of the paper are that it uses simple innovation performance measures (not distinguishing between different types of innovations), and also is based on firm-level data collected from a single country. The paper has interesting implications for future research on the impact of the relation between ICT and innovation, which should not any more neglect the soft ICT capital, but consider various types of both hard and soft ICT capital.Practical implications– The results of the paper can be useful to firms’ chief information officers and chief executive officers and also to consultants and practitioners interested in maximizing the exploitation of the innovation potential of ICT, in order to understand the hard and soft aspects of ICT that have to be developed for this purpose and optimize firms’ ICT-related investment.Originality/value– The limited previous empirical literature concerning the effect of ICT on innovation focus on the hard ICT capital (mainly on ICT equipment) and neglect the role of the soft ICT capital. The paper contributes to fill this research gap, by examining the effects of three types of ICT capital, and also – for comparison and regression models’ completeness purposes – of hard ICT capital and of four traditional innovation determinants, on firms’ innovation performance.
Agricultural R&D and Food Security of the Poor
Authors: Alston Julian M. , Pardey Philip G. 
Published: September 2013

Agricultural R&D accomplished a great deal in the 20th century, especially during the past 50 years. The resulting innovations have reduced poverty and improved the food security of the poor by helping to make food much more abundant and cheaper and reducing the vulnerability of the poor to food price shocks. Slower agricultural productivity growth, combined with a continuing rise in population and per capita incomes, plus the added demand from biofuels, portends a reversal of the past trend of increasing food abundance, and a corresponding increase in vulnerability of a greater number of poor to price variability and its causes. Enhanced growth in funding for public agricultural R&D in rich and poor countries alike is justified by continuing high rates of return and would also help enhance a restoration of farm productivity growth rates with salutary effects on food security of the poor over the coming decades.
Effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial function, endogenous fibrinolysis and platelet activation in patients with a previous myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Din Jehangir N , Sarma Jaydeep , Harding Scott A , Lyall Karin , Newby David E , Flapan Andrew D 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveThe mechanisms through which ω-3 fatty acids reduce adverse cardiac events remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate the effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial vasomotor function, endogenous fibrinolysis, and platelet and monocyte activation in patients with coronary heart disease.DesignRandomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.SettingAcademic cardiac centre.Participants20 male patients with a previous myocardial infarction.Interventionω-3 Fatty acid supplementation (2 g/day for 6 weeks) versus olive oil placebo.Outcome measuresPeripheral blood was taken for analysis of platelet and monocyte activation, and forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed in a subset of 12 patients during intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine, substance P and sodium nitroprusside. Stimulated plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) concentrations were measured during substance P infusion.ResultsAll vasodilators caused dose-dependent increases in FBF (p<0.0001). ω-3 Fatty acid supplementation did not affect endothelium-dependent vasodilation with acetylcholine and substance P compared with placebo (p=0.5 and 0.9). Substance P caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma t-PA concentrations (p<0.0001), which was not affected by ω-3 fatty acid supplementation (p=0.9). ω-3 Fatty acids did not affect platelet–monocyte aggregation, platelet P-selectin or CD40L, or monocyte CD40.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids does not affect endothelial vasomotor function, endothelial t-PA release, or platelet and monocyte activation in patients with coronary heart disease. Cardiac benefits conferred by ω-3 fatty acids in coronary heart disease are unlikely to be mediated through effects on these systems.
Depression and blood pressure in high-risk children and adolescents: an investigation using two longitudinal cohorts
Authors: Hammerton Gemma , Harold Gordon , Thapar Anita , Thapar Ajay 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between blood pressure and depressive disorder in children and adolescents at high risk for depression.DesignMultisample longitudinal design including a prospective longitudinal three-wave high-risk study of offspring of parents with recurrent depression and an on-going birth cohort for replication.SettingCommunity-based studies.ParticipantsHigh-risk sample includes 281 families where children were aged 9–17 years at baseline and 10–19 years at the final data point. Replication cohort includes 4830 families where children were aged 11–14 years at baseline and 14–17 years at follow-up and a high-risk subsample of 612 offspring with mothers that had reported recurrent depression.Main outcome measuresThe new-onset of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth edition defined depressive disorder in the offspring using established research diagnostic assessments—the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment in the high-risk sample and the Development and Wellbeing Assessment in the replication sample.ResultsBlood pressure was standardised for age and gender to create SD scores and child's weight was statistically controlled in all analyses. In the high-risk sample, lower systolic blood pressure at wave 1 significantly predicted new-onset depressive disorder in children (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.96; p=0.029) but diastolic blood pressure did not. Depressive disorder at wave 1 did not predict systolic blood pressure at wave 3. A significant association between lower systolic blood pressure and future depression was also found in the replication cohort in the second subset of high-risk children whose mothers had experienced recurrent depression in the past.ConclusionsLower systolic blood pressure predicts new-onset depressive disorder in the offspring of parents with depression. Further studies are needed to investigate how this association arises.
Pregnancy e-health: a multicenter Italian cross-sectional study on internet use and decision-making among pregnant women
Authors: Bert Fabrizio , Gualano Maria Rosaria , Brusaferro Silvio , De Vito Elisabetta , de Waure Chiara , Torre Giuseppe La , Manzoli Lamberto , Messina Gabriele , Todros Tullia , Torregrossa Maria Valeria , Siliquini Roberta 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundOur study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy e-health seekers in a large Italian sample; to explore the factors influencing the choices of the childbearing women regarding their lifestyles after internet consultation; and finally to investigate potential differences between primiparous and multiparous women in internet use to find information about pregnancy.MethodsA multicentre survey was carried out in seven Italian cities. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire administered in waiting rooms of outpatient departments by medical doctors. Respondents were questioned about their sociodemographic status, their use of the internet to seek pregnancy information and their consequent choices to modify their lifestyles. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsAlmost all women were pregnancy e-health seekers (95%), including those who also received information from healthcare professionals. Indeed, the main reason for searching the web was the need of further knowledge on pregnancy-related topic, over and beyond other key advantages of the net such as anonymity, simplicity and rapidity. A higher likelihood of changing lifestyle after pregnancy e-health was observed among the women who searched institutional websites; declared more confidence in the information retrieved; participated into pregnancy-centred forum online; and were residents in Italy.ConclusionsTo reduce the likelihood for women of both finding erroneous information or misinterpreting correct ones, healthcare professionals should commit to fill the information gap and guide pregnant women in the online searches. Also, future studies are strongly needed to analyse the quality and accuracy of health information found on the web.
Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in the Arobes section, northern Spain: nannofossil fluctuations and isotope events
Authors: Melinte-Dobrinescu Mihaela C. , Bernárdez Enrique , Kaiho Kunio , Lamolda Marcos A. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

The Cenomanian–Turonian boundary interval of the Arobes section, northern Spain, represents the maximum depth of a relatively shallow succession. The investigated section extends within the
Rotalipora cushmani
and
Whiteinella archaeocretacea
planktonic foraminiferal zones, and from UC3 up to UC8 nannofloral zones, respectively. The Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) is about 16 m thick and includes a positive δ
13
C excursion, from 3 up to 5.5‰. The first peak of δ
13
C is situated towards the upper part of the
Rotalipora cushmani
planktonic foraminiferal zone, while the second peak of δ
13
C is situated in the lower part of the
Whiteinella archaeocretacea
planktonic foraminiferal zone. The plateau, the youngest phase of OAE2, ends slightly above the first occurrence (FO) of the nannofossil
Quadrum gartneri
. Based on nannofloral fluctuation, an unstable environment is recognized from the last occurrence (LO) of the nannofossil
Axopodorhabdus albianus
up to the FO of the nannofossil
Quadrum gartneri
. Mesotrophic, eutrophic and oligotrophic nannofossils have successive peaks throughout the OAE2. In the lower part of OAE2, especially in the trough phase and second build-up, productivity increased. The calcareous dinoflagellate
Thoracosphaera
spp. peaks up to almost 30% in the lower part of the second build-up phase. The critical nannofloral turnover episode is characterized by impoverished calcareous nannofossil assemblages and temporary disappearances of high-fertility taxa, such as
Biscutum constans
and
Zeugrhabdotus erectus
. This shift in nannofloral assemblages starts in the last stages of OAE2; that is, towards the top of the second build-up phase and also covers the main part of the plateau phase of δ
13
C.
Geochemical evolution of Caledonian volcanism recorded in the sedimentary rocks of the eastern Baltic region
Authors: Kiipli T. , Soesoo A. , Kallaste T. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
This article describes the occurrence, bulk geochemistry and phenocryst compositions of Caledonian volcanic ash beds (bentonites) in the sedimentary sections of the Palaeozoic Baltic sedimentary basin. Four periods of volcanism are recognized in the eastern Baltic region: (a) Late Sandbian with sources derived from the convergent margin between Avalonia and Baltica; (b) Late Katian with sources from the margin of the Iapetus Ocean (Norwegian Caledonides); (c) Aeronian (with extension into Telychian and Sheinwoodian) with sources in the Central European Caledonides; and (d) Telychian to Early Ludlow with sources derived from the convergent margin between Laurentia and Baltica (Norwegian Caledonides). Trace element compositions in bentonites indicate mostly evolved source magmas of rhyolitic and dacitic composition. The volcanism in the Aeronian is characterized by less evolved basaltic and trachyandesitic compositions. Sanidine compositions indicate the existence of potassium-dominated (over sodium) source magmas in Late Sandbian and from the late Homerian to Early Ludlow. During other periods both potassium- and sodium-dominated source magmas occur. The presence of sodium-rich sanidine in many bentonites combined with the scarcity of biotite suggests that the source magmas were water-undersaturated. Biotite phenocrysts are mostly Mg-rich, but Fe-rich varieties occur in the Late Sandbian and Early Telychian.
A Small-Molecule Blocking Ribonucleotide Reductase Holoenzyme Formation Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Overcomes Drug Resistance
Authors: Zhou Bingsen , Su Leila , Hu Shuya , Hu Weidong , Yip M.L. Richard , Wu Jun , Gaur Shikha , Smith D. Lynne , Yuan Yate-Ching , Synold Timothy W. , Horne David , Yen Yun 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is an attractive target for anticancer agents given its central function in DNA synthesis, growth, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. The current clinically established RNR inhibitors have the shortcomings of short half-life, drug resistance, and iron chelation. Here, we report the development of a novel class of effective RNR inhibitors addressing these issues. A novel ligand-binding pocket on the RNR small subunit (RRM2) near the C-terminal tail was proposed by computer modeling and verified by site-directed mutagenesis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A compound targeting this pocket was identified by virtual screening of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) diverse small-molecule database. By lead optimization, we developed the novel RNR inhibitor COH29 that acted as a potent inhibitor of both recombinant and cellular human RNR enzymes. COH29 overcame hydroxyurea and gemcitabine resistance in cancer cells. It effectively inhibited proliferation of most cell lines in the NCI 60 human cancer panel, most notably ovarian cancer and leukemia, but exerted little effect on normal fibroblasts or endothelial cells. In mouse xenograft models of human cancer, COH29 treatment reduced tumor growth compared with vehicle. Site-directed mutagenesis, NMR, and surface plasmon resonance biosensor studies confirmed COH29 binding to the proposed ligand-binding pocket and offered evidence for assembly blockade of the RRM1-RRM2 quaternary structure. Our findings offer preclinical validation of COH29 as a promising new class of RNR inhibitors with a new mechanism of inhibition, with broad potential for improved treatment of human cancer. Cancer Res; 73(21); 6484–93. ©2013 AACR.
Resveratrol and P-glycoprotein Inhibitors Enhance the Anti-Skin Cancer Effects of Ursolic Acid
Authors: Junco Jacob J. , Mancha Anna , Malik Gunjan , Wei Sung-Jen , Kim Dae Joon , Liang Huiyun , Slaga Thomas J. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Ursolic acid, present in apples, rosemary, and other sources, is known to inhibit tumor formation and tumor cell viability in multiple systems, including skin. However, various cancers are resistant to ursolic acid treatment. Herein, skin carcinoma cells (Ca3/7) as compared with skin papilloma cells (MT1/2) displayed more resistance to ursolic acid-induced cytotoxicity. Interestingly, Ca3/7 cells had elevated levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-dependent efflux pump that mediates resistance to chemotherapy in preclinical and clinical settings, and not only accumulated less but also more rapidly expelled the P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 (Rh123) indicating ursolic acid is transported by P-gp. To determine whether P-gp inhibition can enhance ursolic acid-mediated cytotoxicity, cells were challenged with P-gp inhibitors verapamil or cyclosporin A. Alternatively, cells were pretreated with the natural compound resveratrol, a known chemotherapy sensitizer. Verapamil and resveratrol enhanced the effects of ursolic acid in both cell lines, whereas cyclosporin A only did so in Ca3/7 cells. Similarly, verapamil inhibited Rh123 efflux in both lines, whereas cyclosporin A only inhibited Rh123 efflux in Ca3/7 cells. Resveratrol did not inhibit Rh123 efflux in either line, indicating the synergistic effects of resveratrol and ursolic acid are not manifest by inhibition of P-gp–mediated efflux of ursolic acid. These results indicate that the anti-skin cancer effects of ursolic acid are enhanced with P-gp inhibitors. In addition, resveratrol and ursolic acid interact synergistically, but not through inhibition of P-gp.
Implications: Resveratrol and/or p-glycoprotein inhibitors in combination with ursolic acid are an effective anti-skin cancer regimen. Mol Cancer Res; 11(12); 1521–9. ©2013 AACR.
Combination of Chemopreventive Agents in Nanoparticles for Cancer Prevention
Authors: Yang Chung S. , Wang Hong , Hu Bing 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCarcinogenesis involves multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations, and a single chemopreventive agent may not be sufficient to prevent these events. Therefore, the use of a combination of agents is an attractive approach for cancer chemoprevention. In this issue of the journal, Prabhu and colleagues examined a combination of aspirin, curcumin, and sulforaphane for the prevention of pancreatic cancer in hamsters (beginning page 1015). The novelty of this work is that when aspirin and curcumin were incorporated in nanoparticles and administered orally, in combination with sulforaphane, the effective dosages were decreased by 10-fold in comparison with the free form mixture. In this commentary, the possible mechanisms of synergistic action among multiple chemopreventive agents and the use of stable nanoparticles for oral delivery are discussed. Also discussed is the importance of measuring tissue levels of the chemopreventive agents to understand the mode of action of these nanoparticles and to avoid toxicity. Cancer Prev Res; 6(10); 1011–4. ©2013 AACR.
Hypoxia Induces Metalloproteinase-9 Activation and Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration Through Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Related Protein 1–Mediated Pyk2 Phosphorylation
Authors: Revuelta-López Elena , Castellano José , Roura Santiago , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Nasarre Laura , Benitez Sonia , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Badimon Lina , Llorente-Cortés Vicenta 
Published: September 2013

Objective—
Hypoxia disturbs vascular function by promoting extracellular matrix remodeling. Extracellular matrix integrity and composition are modulated by metalloproteinases (MMPs). Our aim was to investigate the role of low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP1) in regulating MMP-9/MMP-2 activation and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration in response to hypoxia, and to elucidate the LRP1-signaling pathways involved in this process.

Approach and Results—
Western blot analysis showed that hypoxia induced a sustained phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 concomitantly with LRP1 overexpression in human VSMCs (hVSMCs). Deletion of LRP1 using small-interfering RNA technology or treatment of hVSMCs with the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 impaired hypoxia-induced phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 levels. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that the higher amounts of phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2/LRP1β immunoprecipitates in hypoxic hVSMCs were abolished in PP2-treated hVSMCs. Both LRP1 silencing and PP2 treatment were highly effective in the prevention of hypoxia-induced MMP-9 activation and hVSMC migration. Cellular subfractionation experiments revealed that PP2 effects may be caused by impairment of hypoxia-induced nuclear factor-κβ translocation to the nucleus. ELISA measurements showed that LRP1 silencing but not PP2 treatment increased interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion by hypoxic hVSMCs.

Conclusions—
Our findings determine a crucial role of LRP1-mediated Pyk2 phosphorylation on hypoxia-induced MMP-9 activation and hVSMC migration and therefore in hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling. Both LRP1 silencing and PP2 treatments also influence hypoxia-induced proinflammatory effects in hVSMCs. Therefore, further studies are required to establish therapeutical strategies that efficiently modulate vascular remodeling and inflammation associated with hypoxia-vascular diseases.