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Businesses have taken the opportunities, made possible by information and communications technology (ICT), to develop and use digital platform services and other digital tools to support sales. This paper estimates a model of U.S. business sales and uses the estimated model to assess the economic impact of the digital commercial revolution of the first two decades of the twenty-first century. The estimations show that the entrepreneurial initiatives—that drove the digital revolution in commerce by capitalizing on the new technologies made available by the ICT revolution—came to fruition in the wake of the Great Recession. For 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital commercial revolution's contribution to value added in the U.S. manufacturing, wholesale trade, and retail trade sectors alone has an estimated expected value that is 4.0–5.9% of GDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With only a few exceptions, U.S. copyright law does not allow copyrights for software created by the U.S. federal agencies' government-operated laboratories. This paper explains the public policy concern that the inability to copyright the software causes a barrier to the transfer of government software to the private sector. Using a survey of developers and managers of custom software developed within the federal agencies, the paper presents and interprets new evidence supporting the view that allowing copyright protection would dramatically increase the transfer of the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the historical context of biological invasions can improve weed management outcomes. In this study, we aim to identify the introduction pathway of bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata) into Australia and its biogeographical origin in southern Africa by combining multiple lines of evidence from genomic tools and historical documentation. Geographic structure of genomic diversity based on SNPs supported the previous analysis of the invasion pathway of bitou bush between the two countries and within Australia, namely that all Australian material originated from the southern part of the South African distribution. Our synthesis of historical records points to the introduction of this plant into eastern Australia in Newcastle, New South Wales, from its native range in South Africa, via dry shipping ballast in about 1900. Variation in the chloroplast genome was also informative as to the biogeographical origin of Australian material and the context of the introduction. Ten unique haplotypes were discovered in South Africa with only one occurring throughout Australia, indicating an introduction from a single source population to eastern Australia. The matching haplotype was from East London, a port in South Africa with documented shipping connections to Newcastle in eastern Australia, where the weed was first recorded. Historical records suggest that the most plausible explanation for the origins of the isolated bitou bush population in Western Australia is via the shipping of steel billets or landscape plantings associated with shipping companies. The most likely introduction pathway linked the eastern Australian steel processing ports of Newcastle or Port Kembla to the Western Australian port of Kwinana in 1995. Discovering the origin and pathway of bitou bush invasions in Australia opens new opportunities for sourcing biological control agents with a higher chance of impact as well as identifying additional quarantine measures to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs to management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been leaders in protecting and promoting the U.S. public health by helping to ensure that safe and effective drugs and biological products are available in the United States for those who need them. The null hypothesis significance testing approach, along with other considerations, is typically used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a drug or biological product. The Bayesian framework presents an alternative approach to demonstrate the effectiveness of a treatment. This article discusses the Bayesian framework for drug and biological product development, highlights key settings in which Bayesian approaches may be appropriate, and provides recent examples of the use of Bayesian approaches within CDER and CBER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains that when there is great uncertainty about which elements of knowledge must be combined to make an invention, the likelihood of invention increases markedly—by many orders of magnitude—when there are numerous diverse research organizations, rather than just a few. The paper examines the possibility that competition (antitrust) policy toward mergers would be improved if enforcement efforts placed more emphasis on protecting the diversity that is provided by numerous research rivals in a market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroic domain dynamics, as a function of external stimuli, can be collectively described as scale-invariant avalanches characterised by a critical exponent that are sensitive to the complexity of the domain microstructure. The understanding and manipulation of these avalanches lies at the heart of developing novel applications such as neuromorphic computing. Here we combine in situ heating optical observations and mean-field analysis to investigate the collective domain behaviour in pure-ferroelastic lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO 3 ) as a function of aspect ratio, the ratio of sample length to width, where the movement of the domains is predominantly driven by thermal stresses via thermal expansion/contraction during heat cycling. Our observations demonstrate that the aspect ratio induces (1) distinctive domain microstructures at room temperature, (2) a deviation of dynamical behaviour at high temperatures and (3) critical exponent mixing in the higher aspect ratio samples that accompanies this behaviour. While the critical exponents of each aspect ratio fall within mean-field predicted values, we highlight the effect that the aspect ratio has in inducing exponent mixing. Hence, furthering our understanding towards tuning and controlling avalanches which is crucial for fundamental and applied research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the importance of foreign patents for the technology transfer of inventions created in the laboratories of the U.S. federal agencies. First, we describe the patent portfolios of the 11 federal agencies with 98 percent of the research performed within the laboratories of all U.S. federal agencies. Second, we estimate the distributed lag function showing the effects on license revenue of an agency's history of patent applications for inventions granted U.S. patents. The estimation shows that those effects depend on whether the agency also obtained foreign patent protection for its inventions. Third, we estimate a dynamic panel data model of license revenues as a function of the history of applications and granted patents. The evidence supports the view that an agency that obtains U.S. patents for its technologies but does not obtain foreign patent protection disadvantages the corporations that license the agency's technologies and then face international competition from firms that copy those technologies and compete with lower costs because they do not incur full development costs or pay royalties for licensing the technologies. An increase in foreign patents would increase the willingness of companies to undertake the development costs necessary to have successful commercial products, and technology transfer—with more remuneration to U.S. taxpayers via license royalties—of inventions from the laboratories of U.S. federal agencies would increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Metal ore smelters have significant environmental footprints due to very high energy consumption and the resulting large quantities of waste heat. The industry recognizes, therefore, the need for implementation of changes to improve process economics by reducing primary energy consumption through recovery and repurposing of waste heat. However, when deciding the merit of a process modification, it should not only be based on economic gains (which have previously been highlighted), but also on environmental impacts. For the latter, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a well-established and useful tool. But across the mineral processing industry, LCA is not commonly incorporated into decision-making processes. Methods: We have investigated the environmental gains from introducing low-grade heat recovery and repurposing within a smelters' sulphuric acid plant. An LCA model was developed to first assess the environmental impact of existing sulphuric acid making processes across four standard potentials (global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and relative human toxicity). The model was then used to examine the potential of installing heat pumps to capture waste heat from water cooling towers associated with sulphuric acid production and repurposing it to replace existing on-site electric heaters. Results and discussion: The study found that replacing electric heaters made significant improvements in a range of environmental impacts. The results of the model show a potential 13% reduction in electricity consumption, with a 53% reduction from the mist precipitators in global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and relative human toxicity potential. Conclusion: The LCA comparison showed a potential 13% reduction in overall electricity consumption through the addition of low-grade heat capture using heat pumps, as well as a 5% reduction in heat load on the cooling towers. Together, this would lead to a 21% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the mist precipitators and cooling towers, as well as acidification, eutrophication, and relative human toxicity potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a policy of royalties paid to the government on the sales of biomedical products developed with public funds. The proposed policy would increase the incentives to create and to transfer to the private sector useful biomedical inventions from the research done in federal laboratories and in universities. The royalties policy would also address the concern that taxpayers pay prices perceived to be unreasonable for biomedical products developed with substantial taxpayer funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, institutions were tasked with developing individualized pre-procedural testing strategies that allowed for re-initiation of elective procedures within national and state guidelines. This report describes the experience of a single US children's hospital (Children's Wisconsin, CW) in developing a universal pre-procedural COVID-19 testing protocol and reports early outcomes.Methods: The CW pre-procedural COVID-19 response began with the creation of a multi-disciplinary taskforce that sought to develop a strategy for universal pre-procedural COVID-19 testing which (1) maximized patient safety, (2) prevented in-hospital viral transmission, (3) conserved resources, and (4) allowed for resumption of procedural care within institutional capacity.Results: Of 11,209 general anesthetics performed at CW from March 16, 2020 to October 31, 2020, 11,150 patients (99.5%) underwent pre-procedural COVID-19 testing. Overall, 1.4% of pre-procedural patients tested positive for COVID-19. By June 2020, CW was operating at near-normal procedural volume and there were no documented cases of in-hospital viral transmission. Only 0.5% of procedures were performed under augmented COVID-19 precautions (negative pressure environment and highest-level personal protective equipment).Conclusion: CW successfully developed a multi-disciplinary pre-procedural COVID-19 testing protocol that enabled resumption of near-normal procedural volume within three months while limiting in-hospital viral transmission and resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: This review summarizes HIV care delivered via telemedicine before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights areas of study to inform optimal usage of telemedicine in HIV clinical practice in the future. Recent Findings: To address barriers to care created by the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory agencies and payors waived longstanding restrictions, which enabled rapid expansion of telemedicine across the country. Preliminary data show that providers and persons with HIV (PWH) view telemedicine favorably. Some data suggest telemedicine has facilitated retention in care, but other studies have found increasing numbers of PWH lost to follow-up and worsened virologic suppression rates despite offering video and/or telephone visits. Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated gaps in the HIV care continuum. To help mitigate the impact, most clinics have adopted new virtual care options and are now evaluating usage, impact, and concerns. Further research into the effects of telemedicine on HIV care and continued work towards universal access are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For mass culture of photosynthetic green microalgae, industrial flue gases can represent a low-cost resource of CO2. However, flue gases are often avoided, because they often also contain high levels of SO2 and/or NO2, which cause significant acidification of media to below pH 3 due to production of sulfuric and nitric acid. This creates an unsuitable environment for the neutrophilic microalgae commonly used in large-scale commercial production. To address this issue, we have looked at selecting acid-tolerant microalgae via growth at pH 2.5 carried out with samples bioprospected from an active smelter site. Of the eight wild samples collected, one consisting mainly of Coccomyxa sp. grew at pH 2.5 and achieved a density of 640 mg L−1. Furthermore, three previously bioprospected green microalgae from acidic waters (pH 3–4.5) near abandoned mine sites were also re-acclimated down to their in-situ pH environment after approximately 4 years spent at neutral pH. Of those three, an axenic culture of Coccomyxa sp. was the most successful at re-acclimating and achieved the highest density of 293.1 mg L−1 and maximum daily productivity of 38.8 mg L−1 day−1 at pH 3. Re-acclimation of acid-tolerant species is, therefore, achievable when directly placed at their original pH, but gradual reduction in pH is recommended to give the cells time to acclimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we focus on scientific publications as an innovative output from the research efforts at U.S. federal laboratories. The data used relate to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). The relationship between R&D expenditures at these federal laboratories and their peer-reviewed scientific publications allows us to make inferences about the return to public-sector R&D. We examine two complementary statistical models. From the first model, we find that a 10% increase in constant dollar public-sector R&D is associated with between a 15.5 and 21.5% increase in scientific publications. From the second model, we find that the annual rate of return generated by an additional $1 million of R&D-based knowledge stock varies across the FFRDCs, averaging about 93 additional scientific publications, with the statistically significant values ranging from about 1 to as many as about 400 additional scientific publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates gene therapies, among other products. The approval of four gene therapy products since 2017 represents a significant milestone for a new class of treatments with the potential to treat or cure diseases, particularly rare diseases, that were previously considered incurable. Several factors have contributed to the recent rapid development of gene therapies including advances in genetics to facilitate target-detection, advances in vectors, and regulatory incentives such as breakthrough therapy designation, priority review and market exclusivity. The patient population affected by a rare disease is typically small, heterogeneous and geographically dispersed. As a result, clinical trials on a rare disease have unique features in terms of study design, subject enrollment, data analyses and interpretation of study results. Given that the patient population affected is small for rare diseases, providing substantial evidence of effectiveness and evidence of safety in trials for rare disease presents challenges. In this paper, we share our experiences in the statistical review of three gene therapy products that have been approved by FDA CBER. Our motivation in writing this paper is to encourage the use of appropriate analysis strategies for other similar small trials, with a focus on data visualization strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The L-type Ca2+ channel CaV1.2 is essential for arterial myocyte excitability, gene expression and contraction. Elevations in extracellular glucose (hyperglycemia) potentiate vascular L-type Ca2+ channel via PKA, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we find that cAMP synthesis in response to elevated glucose and the selective P2Y11 agonist NF546 is blocked by disruption of A-kinase anchoring protein 5 (AKAP5) function in arterial myocytes. Glucose and NF546-induced potentiation of L-type Ca2+ channels, vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow are prevented in AKAP5 null arterial myocytes/arteries. These responses are nucleated via the AKAP5-dependent clustering of P2Y11/ P2Y11-like receptors, AC5, PKA and CaV1.2 into nanocomplexes at the plasma membrane of human and mouse arterial myocytes. Hence, data reveal an AKAP5 signaling module that regulates L-type Ca2+ channel activity and vascular reactivity upon elevated glucose. This AKAP5-anchored nanocomplex may contribute to vascular complications during diabetic hyperglycemia. Molecular mechanisms by which glucose modulates L-type Ca2+ channel activity and vascular reactivity are unclear. Here the authors report a nanocomplex orchestrated by AKAP5 that facilitates local purinergic stimulation of L-type Ca2+ channels and vasoconstriction during diabetic hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS®) is a synthetic ligament consisting of fibres made of polyethylene terephthalate. Despite the LARS being used as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) device for nearly 30 years and the well-documented complications from earlier synthetic ligament designs, there is a paucity of published medium- to long-term results. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction using the LARS at a minimum follow-up of 6 years.Methods: Results of a single surgeon's entire cohort of 55 patients who underwent primary LARS ACL surgery were reviewed at a median of 7.8 years (6.0-9.4). Patient-reported outcome measures including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were collected and clinical assessment consisted of range of motion (ROM) and the KT-1000 arthrometer to assess the side-side difference in the operative and non-operative knee. Mechanical failures of the graft were confirmed at revision surgery and a survivorship analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: The overall mechanical failure rate was 17/51 (33.3%) with ruptures occurring at a median 3.9 years (0.6-8.8 years) following primary LARS ACL surgery. Secondary operative procedures were performed in 39.2% of patients. For intact grafts, there was no statistically significant difference is side-to-side ROM or anterior knee laxity and subjective scores revealed a median IKDC subjective score of 85.1 (26.4-100) and SF-36 physical component score of 94.1.Conclusion: The rates of LARS ACL construct failure (33.3%) in this cohort are high and based on these results the LARS should not be considered as a graft option for primary ACL reconstruction.Level Of Evidence: III, cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we review the legislative emphasis on technology transfers from U.S. federal laboratories, and we present a framework to describe how private sector firms benefit from the adoption of technologies from federal laboratories. We conclude that if a federal laboratory can provide the technology being transferred more efficiently than the private sector can develop it, there is a social gain from the federal laboratory doing so. The social gain will be realized in part by increased profits for the private firms using the technology and in part by consumers who have higher reservation prices for higher quality products and services and who pay lower prices because firms' costs are lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bariatric surgery (BAR) has become a popular treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus which is among the most critical obesity-related comorbidities. Patients who have bariatric surgery, are exposed to complications after surgery. Furthermore, the mid- to long-term complications after bariatric surgery can be deadly and increase the complexity of managing safety of these operations and healthcare costs. Current studies on BAR complications have mainly used risk scoring for identifying patients who are more likely to have complications after surgery. Though, these studies do not take into consideration the imbalanced nature of the data where the size of the class of interest (patients who have complications after surgery) is relatively small. We propose the use of imbalanced classification techniques to tackle the imbalanced bariatric surgery data: synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), random undersampling, and ensemble learning classification methods including Random Forest, Bagging, and AdaBoost. Moreover, we improve classification performance through using Chi-squared, Information Gain, and Correlation-based feature selection techniques. We study the Premier Healthcare Database with focus on the most-frequent complications including Diabetes, Angina, Heart Failure, and Stroke. Our results show that the ensemble learning-based classification techniques using any feature selection method mentioned above are the best approach for handling the imbalanced nature of the bariatric surgical outcome data. In our evaluation, we find a slight preference toward using SMOTE method compared to the random undersampling method. These results demonstrate the potential of machine-learning tools as clinical decision support in identifying risks/outcomes associated with bariatric surgery and their effectiveness in reducing the surgery complications as well as improving patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing need to understand demographic change to improve management outcomes for controlling invasive alien species. We applied three emerging techniques for recreating past population dynamics—high resolution aerial photography time series, stem growth ring analysis and population level field surveys—to recreate the introduction and invasion history for bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata) in Western Australia. We also compared across dating techniques to test the validity of using stem rings produced by successive cambia for dating purposes, and analysed for the influence of ontogenetic, environmental and morphological factors on stem ring formation. Aerial photography allowed for an accurate recreation of plant presence over time and individual plant age for 18 plants. In a sample of over 500 plants with up to 42 rings, canopy area was related to plant age and ring number, while stem diameter was related to canopy size and ring number. However, stem rings were not produced in a temporally consistent manner and could not be predicted reliably. Up to eight stem rings were produced in younger plants, for which the rate of ring production was greatest. While there was an ontogenetic growth pattern for ring width, no inter-plant synchronisation of ring size was detected, as would be expected if ring size were a response to landscape level climate factors. With aerial imagery and stem ring analysis providing new ways to recreate plant population dynamics at the individual plant level, managers can use this insight to refine conservation and invasion management programs. For bitou bush, such information will focus the duration and location of the current eradication program in Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS®) has been at the forefront of a recent revival in the use of synthetic ligaments for ACL reconstruction. However, despite promising short-to-mid-term results its role has been approached with caution due to a high number of major complications in previous synthetic graft designs including mechanical failures, synovitis and osteoarthritis. This study aims to report on the incidence of synovitis in a series of patients undergoing second-look surgery following LARS ACL reconstruction.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of a single surgeon's series of 12 patients that underwent second-look arthroscopic surgery following primary LARS ACL surgery for indications including mechanical symptoms (meniscal tears/cyclops lesions/chondral flaps) and/or symptomatic instability secondary to LARS failure. In all cases an examination under anaesthesia (EUA) was performed, and a qualitative assessment of the synovium was carried out and graded as normal, reactive or inflammatory. A synovial biopsy was performed in all knees with visible evidence of synovitis and in all cases of LARS failure.Results: The second-look arthroscopy was performed at a mean of 23 months (7-66) after the index surgery. In 6 (50%) knees the LARS device had failed necessitating removal and revision ACL reconstruction, while in the remaining 6 knees the LARS was still intact. Arthroscopic evaluation of the synovium revealed a normal appearance in 8 knees (67%) and reactive synovitis in 4 knees (23%); of these 4 knees, one had an intact LARS device and 3 had failed LARS. Histological examination from these 4 knees and the 3 knees with graft failures without visible synovitis revealed chronic hypertrophic synovitis (moderate 2, mild 5) in all cases with rare giant cells, consistent with a reaction to foreign body material.Conclusions: Foreign body synovitis is a common finding in our series of patients undergoing a repeat arthroscopy following a LARS ACL reconstruction. The histological diagnosis of synovitis was more frequently encountered than an arthroscopic appearance of synovitis. Whilst the results of this case series cannot support a direct causative link between LARS failure and the development of synovitis, this study highlights the need to remain vigilant about the risk of reactive synovitis following LARS ACL reconstruction due to exposure of the knee to foreign body material.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated manure treatment system, including a mixed algal-bacterial bioreactor (MABB) and hydrothermal processing of biomass solids, was found to remove 76.4–97.0% of the total estrogenic hormones (estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3)) from the liquid portion of animal manure (LPAM). The mixed biomass was converted into either biocrude oil with a yield up to 40% via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) or syngas with a yield up to 54% yield via catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG). Adding granular activated carbon (GAC) in the MABB enhanced the removal of estrogenic hormones (+ 7.2%), cytotoxicity (+ 58%), and heavy metals (+ 10.5%). After the integrated system with the MABB, HTL, and CHG processes, the overall percent removal of heavy metals from the LPAM ranged from 27.1 to 40.3%. The concentrations of potentially toxic heavy metals (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr)) in the aqueous phase after HTL and CHG tests ranged from 0.01 to 25.3 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Ty-6 is a major resistance gene on chromosome 10 of tomato that provides resistance against monopartite and bipartite begomoviruses and complements resistance conferred by the known Ty-3 and ty-5 genes. Resistance to monopartite and bipartite begomoviruses is an important breeding objective for cultivated tomato. Several begomovirus resistance genes have been introgressed from related Solanum species and are available for breeding purposes. In the present study, we mapped an additional locus, Ty-6, to chromosome 10 of tomato. Ty-6 is effective against both monopartite Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and bipartite Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV). Gene action is incomplete dominance, with an intermediate resistance response when Ty-6 is heterozygous. Analysis of populations segregating for Ty-6 along with Ty-3 or ty-5 indicates that the highest level of resistance against TYLCV is attained when Ty-6 is combined with an additional resistance allele. Our results also demonstrate that ty-5 is ineffective against ToMoV. Although multiple SNPs linked to Ty-6 were identified and can be used for breeding purposes, none of these were consistently polymorphic between Ty-6 and ty-6 breeding lines. Further research is underway to generate resequencing data for several Ty-6 inbred lines for the discovery of additional sequence polymorphisms that can be used for fine mapping and characterizing the Ty-6 locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the radiographic dental phenotype of individuals with SATB2-associated syndrome (SAS).Materials and methods: Participants were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team during a concurrent clinic conducted during the 1st international SAS family meeting held in 2017 at a single institution. Whenever possible, panoramic and/or periapical radiographs were obtained in clinic or previously obtained and provided by the caregiver.Results: Of the 37 individuals evaluated, 18 (12 males, median age 8.5 years) underwent radiographic examination. Dental radiographs revealed anomalies in all individuals starting at 2 years of age. The most consistent finding was delayed development of the mandibular second bicuspids (83%) with other common radiographic findings including delayed development of the roots of the permanent teeth (78%), severely rotated (56%) or malformed teeth (44%), and taurodontism (44%).Conclusions: Dental anomalies are fully penetrant and can be documented radiographically in all individuals with SAS.Clinical relevance: Dental radiographic findings of delayed second premolar development and delayed development of permanent root formation, especially concurrent with findings of taurodontism and malformed teeth, support a clinical suspicion for SAS and should help differentiate SAS from other neurodevelopmental syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Raewyn Connell’s Southern Theory (2007), Carrington et al. (British Journal of Criminology, 56(1), 1-20, 2015) have called for a de-colonization and democratization of criminological knowledge, which, they argue, has privileged the epistemologies of the global North. Taking up the challenge of “southern criminology,” in this paper we examine the concept of race as a political artifact of northern thinking. The idea of race is durable in criminology. To illustrate this, we examine the racialization of Aboriginal Australians. Given the relationship between processes of racialization and criminalization, criminology should avoid engaging in practices which produce or reinforce racial schema. Further, with reference to southern epistemologies, we offer an alternative construct of human difference and diversity grounded in discourses of belonging specific to Australasian cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Schumpeterian hypothesis about the effect of firm size on research and development (R&D) output is studied for a sample of R&D projects for R&D-intensive firms that are small but have substantial variance in their sizes. Across the distribution of firm sizes, the elasticity of patenting with respect to R&D ranged from 0.41 to 0.55, with the elasticities being largest for intermediate levels of firm size and also varying directly with the extent to which the projects are Schumpeterian in the cost or value senses. The paper’s findings at the R&D project level are compared with the literature’s findings at the line of business, firm, and industry levels, and the findings are consistent with the literature’s findings for small firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introduction to the special issue of the Review of Industrial Organization in honor of Frederic M. Scherer provides an overview of his many seminal contributions to the scholarly literature about industrial organization, his enthusiastic service and support of the industrial organization community and its scholars, and his leadership and service within the economics profession more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The development of interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) has significantly improved rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), shortened treatment duration, and improved drug tolerability across genotypes. While SVR rates now exceed 95% among treatment-naïve patients, there are a growing number of patients who have experienced DAA treatment failure and represent an emerging clinical challenge. This review discusses recent data on sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for the treatment of DAA-experienced patients, as well as updated American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.Recent Findings: Data from phase 3 randomized clinical trials show that retreatment of DAA failures is successful in > 90% of patients using the above three regimens. The preferred retreatment regimen is dependent on HCV genotype, possible drug-drug interactions, prior treatment experience, and host factors such as the presence of cirrhosis and renal failure. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is a reasonable option for DAA-experienced genotype 1b and genotype 2 patients, but has been shown to be inferior to sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in genotype 1a and genotype 3 patients. Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is a very attractive option for treatment of DAA-experienced genotype 1 and 2 patients, but it is not approved for treatment of DAA-experienced patients with genotype 3, and data is lacking to support its use in DAA treatment-experienced patients with genotypes 4-6.Summary: The potency and high barrier to resistance of newer DAA regimens create an opportunity to cure most people with chronic hepatitis C, regardless of prior treatment failures. It is now possible to consider elimination of hepatitis C; the remaining barriers are the cost of therapy and access to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress-sensing enzyme responsible for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis. Activation of AMPK by salicylate and the thienopyridone A-769662 is critically dependent on phosphorylation of Ser108 in the β1 regulatory subunit. Here, we show a possible role for Ser108 phosphorylation in cell cycle regulation and promotion of pro-survival pathways in response to energy stress. We identify the autophagy initiator Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) as a β1-Ser108 kinase in cells. Cellular β1-Ser108 phosphorylation by ULK1 was dependent on AMPK β-subunit myristoylation, metabolic stress associated with elevated AMP/ATP ratio, and the intrinsic energy sensing capacity of AMPK; features consistent with an AMP-induced myristoyl switch mechanism. We further demonstrate cellular AMPK signaling independent of activation loop Thr172 phosphorylation, providing potential insight into physiological roles for Ser108 phosphorylation. These findings uncover new mechanisms by which AMPK could potentially maintain cellular energy homeostasis independently of Thr172 phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sonchus species (Sowthistles) have a world-wide distribution and are serious weeds of crops and the environment. We assessed the suitability of the rust, Miyagia pseudosphaeria, for use in biological control of Sonchus species in Australia and elsewhere. Testing of a limited range of plant species showed the host-range of the rust to be restricted to Sonchus species. We measured spore germination and development of the rust on the host plant in relation to temperature. These measurements, the biology and distribution of the rust, and that of the host S. oleraceus, were used to model the potential world distribution of the rust in CLIMEX. The model indicated that there was limited potential for further spread in Australia; the rust already being widespread. The rust is not present in Canada, but the CLIMEX model indicated that cold temperature will be the main limiting factor for the rust should it be introduced, compromising its suitability as a biological control agent. In South America the rust could potentially be introduced as a biological control agents in areas with Mediterranean and subtropical climate. Molecular studies in combination with more comprehensive inoculation and temperature studies are needed to establish if there are pathotypes of the rust that might be more suitable for use in biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Footnote 19 of the landmark U.S. antitrust decision in Continental T.V. v. GTE Sylvania, Inc. 433 U.S. 36 (1977) declares that 'Interbrand competition ... is the primary concern of antitrust law.' We trace the antecedents and influence of this declaration, argue that it is inappropriate, and conclude that it should be abandoned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a generalized model of US university science and technology parks, and we identify covariates that might serve as target variables not only to perpetuate the growth of existing parks but also to provide information for those nations, regions, and universities starting new parks. Relevant covariates are the distance between the park and the university and if the park was founded during the information and communications technology (ICT) revolution (post-2000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the extant literature on science and technology parks in an effort to provide a foundation to stimulate additional research in this globally important topic. We find from our review of published scholarship over the past 30 years that attention to science and technology parks has indeed increased, but it has not yet exploded. We also find that the current distribution of the country focus of this research is skewed toward China, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States. Emphasis on studies related to UK and US parks has been primarily due to data availability; in China and Spain the emphasis has been primarily on case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adds to the nascent economics literature about nanotechnology by estimating industry's benefits and costs for the early investments in documentary standards that support the commercialization of nanotechnology, by identifying barriers to the successful development and use of the nanotechnology documentary standards, and by providing public policy recommendations to overcome the barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]