The Impact of EMNEs' Home Country Learning on Their Internationalization: Evidence from SAIC

As companies from emerging market countries increasingly participate in international competition, international business scholars have begun to pay attention to the international operations of emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs). Multinational companies from emerging market countries are often considered to lack competitive advantages during internationalization and rely more on the policy support of their home countries to explore markets in other countries. However, the fact that these companies can also accumulate the experience and capabilities required for internationalization through practice, development, and learning in their home countries is overlooked by many scholars. By reviewing previous theoretical and empirical studies on EMNEs internationalization, this research develops several propositions from the perspective of institution-based view and organizational learning, pointing out the effects of the different home country learning on EMNEs’ internationalization. Taking the development history of SAIC as a case, it was used to analyzes the link between home country learning and internationalization: the experience and capabilities acquired by EMNEs in the process of interacting with their home countries and institutions (especially intellectual property protection regimes) can help them operating in other emerging market countries; the characteristics of EMNEs' joint ventures in home countries and foreign capital may make them seek similar cooperation when internationalizing; EMNEs' experience in building complex and well-established business networks in home countries help them operate internationally

Retraction: the “other face” of research collaboration?

The last two decades have witnessed the rising prevalence of both co-publishing and retraction. Focusing on research collaboration, this paper utilizes a unique dataset to investigate factors contributing to retraction probability and elapsed time between publication and retraction. Data analysis reveals that the majority of retracted papers are multi-authored and that repeat offenders are collaboration prone. Yet, all things being equal, collaboration, in and of itself, does not increase the likelihood of producing flawed or fraudulent research, at least in the form of retraction. That holds for all retractions and also retractions due to falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism (FFP). The research also finds that publications with authors from elite universities are less likely to be retracted, which is particularly true for retractions due to FFP. China stands out with the fastest retracting speed compared to other countries. Possible explanations, limitations, and policy implications are also discussed

Synthetic, non-intoxicating 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol for the mitigation of seizures

There can be a fine line between therapeutic intervention and substance abuse, and this point is clearly exemplified in herbal cannabis and its products. Therapies involving cannabis have been the treatment of last resort for some cases of refractory epilepsy, and this has been among the strongest medical justifications for legalization of marijuana. In order to circumvent the narcotic effects of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), many studies have concentrated on its less intoxicating isomer cannabidiol (CBD). However, CBD, like all natural cannabinoids, is a controlled substance in most countries, and its conversion into THC can be easily performed using common chemicals. We describe here the anticonvulsant properties of 8,9-dihydrocannibidiol (H2CBD), a fully synthetic analogue of CBD that is prepared from inexpensive, non-cannabis derived precursors. H2CBD was found to have effectiveness comparable to CBD both for decreasing the number and reducing the severity of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats. Finally, H2CBD cannot be converted by any reasonable synthetic route into THC, and thus has the potential to act as a safe, noncontroversial drug for seizure mitigation

Relationship between high dose intake of vitamin B12 and glaucoma: Evidence from NHANES 2005–2008 among United States adults

ObjectiveGlaucoma has currently become the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Serum vitamin B12 level has been found to be involved in the development and progression of glaucoma. We performed the present study to confirm this association.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 594 participants aged 40 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2008. Retinal imaging was performed using the Ophthalmic Digital Imaging system (Retinography) to assess the retina for the presence of features of glaucomatous lesions. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between dietary vitamin intake and glaucoma.ResultsAfter screening, 594 subjects were finally included. Among all vitamin intakes, we observed significant differences between the two groups for vitamin B12 intake (5.93 vs. 4.77 mg, p = 0.033). According to the logistic regression results, the intake of vitamin B12 was significantly positively associated with glaucoma (model 1: OR = 1.078, 95% CI = 1.019–1.141; model 2: OR = 1.092, 95% CI = 1.031–1.158; model 3: OR = 1.092, 95% CI = 1.029–1.158). After performing a quantile regression, we observed a significant positive association between vitamin B12 intake and incident glaucoma in the fourth quartile (model 1: OR = 1.133, 95% CI = 1.060–1.210; model 2: OR = 1.141, 95% CI = 1.072–1.215; model 3: OR = 1.146, 95% CI = 1.071–1.226).ConclusionsTherefore, the above results, high-dose intake of vitamin B12 may promote the development of glaucoma