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This paper uses a new comprehensive cross-state panel for the United States over the 1945-2004 period to reassess the relationship between income inequality and economic development. By employing the pooled mean group estimator of Pesaran, Shin, and Smith (1999), it detects a long-run cointegrating association between inequality and development (as well as its squared term). Moreover, their relationship is better characterized by a U shape rather than the inverted-U profile asserted by Kuznets (1955). The evidence is robust to a variety of sensitivity tests. (JEL C14, C21, O11, 015), I. INTRODUCTION The Kuznets hypothesis, Simon Kuznets' classic prediction for long-term evolution of income inequality, remains to date the most significant dictum in the development literature. Based on time-series observations [...]

The impact of trade openness in the long-run economic development is examined through a threshold regressions approach. Benefits are shown to exist above a certain income threshold, while negative outcomes are heightened below the threshold. Details on the effects of integration and international trade are discussed.

Nanoscale defects in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) alter their intrinsic optical and electronic properties, and such defects require investigation. Atomic-resolution techniques such as transmission electron microscopy detect nanoscale defects accurately but are limited in terms of clarifying precise chemical and optical characteristics. In this study, we investigated nanoscale heterogeneous defects in a single-crystalline hexagonal WS2 monolayer using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). We observed the Raman properties of heterogeneous defects, which are indicated by the shifted A1′(Γ) modes appearing on the W- and S-edge domains, respectively, with defect-induced Raman (D) mode. In the edge region, various Raman features occur with nanoscale defects. In addition, the TERS signals from single-crystalline WS2 indicate the existence of two majority defects in each domain, which imply S- and W-dominated vacancies. Quantum mechanical computations were performed for each majority defect and demonstrated the defect-induced variation in the vibrational phonon modes. TERS imaging promises to be a powerful technique for determining assorted nanoscale heterogeneous defects as well as for investigating the properties of other nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcutaneous infliximab recently received approval for the treatment of various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in Europe, following pivotal clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Subcutaneous infliximab demonstrated an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared with intravenous infliximab: the more stable exposure and increased systemic drug concentrations mean it has been cited as a biobetter. Alongside the pharmacokinetic advantages, potential benefits for efficacy, immunogenicity, and health-related quality-of-life outcomes have been suggested with subcutaneous infliximab. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the benefits of subcutaneous over intravenous therapies became apparent: switching from intravenous to subcutaneous infliximab reduced the hospital visit-related healthcare resource burden and potential viral transmission. Clinical advantages observed in pivotal trials are also being seen in the real world. Accumulating experience from four European countries (the UK, Spain, France, and Germany) in patients with rheumatic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease supports clinical trial findings that subcutaneous infliximab is well tolerated, increases serum drug concentrations, and offers maintained or improved efficacy outcomes for patients switching from intravenous infliximab. Initial evidence is emerging with subcutaneous infliximab treatment after intravenous infliximab failure. High patient satisfaction and pharmacoeconomic benefits have also been reported with subcutaneous infliximab. Treatments aligned with patient preferences for the flexibility and convenience of at-home subcutaneous administration could boost adherence and treatment outcomes. Altogether, findings suggest that switching from intravenous to subcutaneous infliximab could be advantageous, and healthcare professionals should be prepared to discuss supporting data as part of shared decision making during patient consultations. Plain Language Summary: The tumor necrosis factor inhibitor infliximab is one treatment option that may be appropriate for patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Patients may prefer tumor necrosis factor inhibitors administered via the subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) route, with preferences influencing treatment satisfaction and outcomes. In 2019, CT-P13 SC became the first SC infliximab product to receive regulatory approval in Europe, based on pivotal clinical studies that compared SC infliximab to IV infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Subcutaneous infliximab is now approved in Europe for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Patients began to switch from IV to SC infliximab outside clinical trials in March 2020, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Switching from IV to SC infliximab allowed patients to self-administer treatment at home rather than attend hospital for infusions, reducing potential hospital-acquired infections and lessening the strain on healthcare systems during the pandemic. Clinical trial evidence and growing real-world experience demonstrate that SC infliximab offers clinical advantages in terms of an improved pharmacokinetic profile and potential efficacy, immunogenicity, and health-related quality-of-life benefits compared with IV infliximab. Patients have also reported increased satisfaction with SC infliximab after switching from IV infliximab. Together with the long-standing flexibility and convenience benefits of SC administration, the clinical advantages of SC infliximab make it a valid therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. This warrants discussion with appropriate patients as part of shared treatment decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: No previous studies have investigated the relationship between the optic nerve sheath diameter and raised intracranial pressure in pediatric patients or have evaluated the usefulness of optic nerve sheath diameter in ocular ultrasound and brain computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging. This study aimed to meta-analyze the diagnostic performance of optic nerve sheath diameter for the diagnosis of raised intracranial pressure in pediatric patients. Methods: A database search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed to identify relevant studies. Bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics modeling were performed to evaluate diagnostic performance. A pooled diagnostic odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, not including 1, was considered informative. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the modality (ocular ultrasound vs brain computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging). We performed meta-regression analyses for heterogeneity exploration. Results: Eleven studies involving 546 patients were included. According to pooled diagnostic odds ratios, optic nerve sheath diameter was informative for the evaluation of raised intracranial pressure (diagnostic odds ratio, 47; 95% confidence interval, 11–206). Optic nerve sheath diameter showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.94), a pooled specificity of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.95), and an area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.91–0.95) for the diagnosis of raised intracranial pressure. According to the subgroup analysis, ocular ultrasound (sensitivity, 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.96); specificity, 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.96)) showed higher sensitivity and comparable specificity than optic nerve sheath diameter measured on brain computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (sensitivity, 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.51–0.99); specificity, 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.74–1.00)). On meta-regression analysis, the study design, number of patients, and reference standard were the sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: Optic nerve sheath diameter may be a useful method for predicting raised intracranial pressure in pediatric patients. We recommend that the measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter should be performed using ocular ultrasound for a more accurate diagnosis of raised intracranial pressure in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper empirically examines whether and how political institutions shape the nexus between finance and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In a sample of developing and developed countries, it finds that financial development impedes green technology development and thus raises energy use and CO2 emissions, the effects that moderate with improvements in institutional quality. Despite so, there are differences between banks and stock markets, banking competition and concentration, and household and firm credit. Specifically, a more concentrated, less competitive bank-based financial system that lends more to households hinders green technology development and exaggerates energy use and CO2 emissions, and the impacts diminish when institutional quality enhances. Conversely, a more market-oriented financial system with a more competitive and less concentrated banking sector that lends more to private non-financial enterprises promotes green technology development and decreases energy use and CO2 emissions, the effects that weaken when the quality of political institutions betters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]