Intellectual Property Rights Protection and FDI: Some Correlational Evidence

In this study, we contribute to the existing literature on the FDI by exploring the effect of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection on economic growth. Using data for 120 countries for the period of 2010-2015 we find that IPR index is non-linearly associated with the FDI. For example, in countries with low levels of IPR protection, increase in IPR is associated with more FDI. However, in countries with established IPR protection further strengthening of IPR discourages investment. This model explains nearly 17% of cross-country variations in FDI

Does Stronger Protection of Intellectual Property Have Effect on Trade?

 In this study we explore the association between patent protection and international trade, using data for 114 countries for the 2010-2015 years. Our results suggest non-linear (inverted U shape) link between IPR protection index and trade as a share of GDP. 

Patent Protection, Intelligence and Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Empirical Investigation

Extant literature on the link between patent protection and economic growth have yielded inconclusive results. In this study, we aim to engage in this debate by conjecturing that intelligence moderates the effect of patent protection on economic growth. Using annual data of 88 nations from 1970 to  2013 we find that patent protection has positive effect on growth only after accounting for the interaction between IQ and IPR. Indeed, we find that the interaction term is negative and statistically significant suggesting that countries with higher level of intelligence (above 90 points) can offset the negative effect of weak IPR protection. The results remain robust for a battery of robustness tests.

IPR protection, intelligence and economic growth: a cross-country empirical investigation

Extant literature on the link between patent protection and economic growth have yielded inconclusive results. In this study, we aim to engage in this debate by conjecturing that intelligence moderates the effect of patent protection on economic growth. Using annual data of 88 nations from 1970 to 2013 we find that patent protection has positive effect on growth only after accounting for the interaction between IQ and IPR. Indeed, we find that the interaction term is negative and statistically significant suggesting that countries with higher level of intelligence (above 90 points) can offset the negative effect of weak IPR protection. The results remain robust for a battery of robustness tests

IPR protection, intelligence and economic growth: a cross-country empirical investigation

Extant literature on the link between patent protection and economic growth have yielded inconclusive results. In this study, we aim to engage in this debate by conjecturing that intelligence moderates the effect of patent protection on economic growth. Using annual data of 88 nations from 1970 to 2013 we find that patent protection has positive effect on growth only after accounting for the interaction between IQ and IPR. Indeed, we find that the interaction term is negative and statistically significant suggesting that countries with higher level of intelligence (above 90 points) can offset the negative effect of weak IPR protection. The results remain robust for a battery of robustness tests

Conformal Three-Dimensional Interphase of Li Metal Anode Revealed by Low Dose Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, we revealed three dimensional (3D) structural details of the electrochemically plated lithium (Li) flakes and their solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), including the composite SEI skin-layer and SEI fossil pieces buried inside the Li matrix. As the SEI skin-layer is largely comprised of nanocrystalline LiF and Li2O in amorphous polymeric matrix, when complete Li stripping occurs, the compromised SEI three-dimensional framework buckles, forming nanoscale bends and wrinkles. We showed that the flexibility and resilience of the SEI skin-layer plays a vital role in preserving an intact SEI 3D framework after Li stripping. The intact SEI network enables the nucleation and growth of the newly plated Li inside the previously formed SEI network in the subsequent cycles, preventing additional large amount of SEI formation between newly plated Li metal and the electrolyte. In addition, cells cycled under the accurately controlled uniaxial pressure can further enhance the repeated utilization of the SEI framework and improve the coulombic efficiency (CE) by up to 97%, demonstrating an effective strategy of reducing the formation of additional SEI and inactive dead Li. The identification of such flexible and porous 3D SEI framework clarifies the working mechanism of SEI in lithium metal anode for batteries. The insights provided in this work will inspire researchers to design more functional artificial 3D SEI on other metal anodes to improve rechargeable metal battery with long cycle life

Phyllanthus emblica aqueous extract retards hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD mice in association with the reshaping of intestinal microecology

Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of the intestinal flora potentially contributes to the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Phyllanthus emblica (PE), an edible and medicinal natural resource, exerts excellent effects on ameliorating NAFLD, but the potential mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, a mouse NAFLD model was established by administering a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD). The protective effects of the aqueous extract of PE (AEPE) on the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in NAFLD mice were detected by performing 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. The administration of middle- and high-dose AEPE decreased the levels of ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and Hyp and increased HDL-C levels in CDAHFD-fed mice. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), Oil Red O, and Masson’s trichrome staining indicated that AEPE treatment attenuated hepatic steatosis and fibrotic lesions. Moreover, the disordered intestinal microflora was remodeled by AEPE, including decreases in the abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae, Faecalibaculum, and Romboutsia. The untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that AEPE restored the disturbed glutathione metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis of the gut bacterial community in NAFLD mice, which strongly correlated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Collectively, AEPE potentially ameliorates NAFLD induced by a CDAHFD through a mechanism associated with its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota and microbial metabolism

Analysis of Major Aroma Compounds in Fermented and Prepared Hawthorn Wine

In this study, liquid-liquid extraction-solvent assisted flavor evaporation (LLE-SAFE), headspace solid phase microextraction extraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography-quadrupole-mass spectrometry (GC-Quadrupole-MS), gas chromatography-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) were used in combination to identify the volatile components in a fermented hawthorn wine (SBL-J) and a prepared hawthorn wine (FS), and the results of sensory analysis, modified frequency (MF) and odor activity value (OAV) were used to determine the key aroma compounds. Totally 89 aroma compounds were identified by LLE-SAFE/GC-O-MS. In addition, 29 and 38 aroma compounds with MF values of more than 20% were found in SBL-J and FS, respectively. A total of 123 volatile components were detected by HS-SPME/GC-Quadrupole-MS and HS-SPME/GC-Orbitrap-MS and there were 29 and 33 aroma compounds with OAV of greater than 1 (0.1 for esters) identified in SBL-J and FS, respectively. 2-Methybutyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate and phenylethyl alcohol were the key aroma compounds in the two samples. To our knowledge, 2-methybutyl acetate, ethyl isovalerate, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid ethyl ester and ethyl butyrate, were identified for the first time as the key aroma components of hawthorn wine