bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic roles of PIWI proteins and piRNAs in lung cancer
Authors: Fathizadeh Hadis , Asemi Zatollah
Published: December 2019

Lung cancer is one of very important malignancies which are related to high mobility and mortality in the world. Despite several efforts for improving diagnosis and treatment strategies of lung cancer, finding and developing new and effective therapeutic and diagnostic are needed. A variety of internal and external factors could be involved in lung cancer pathogenesis. Among internal factors, epigenetic mechanisms have been emerged as very important players in the lung cancer. Non-coding RNAs is known as one of epigenetic regulators which exert their effects on a sequence of cellular and molecular mechanisms. P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs or piR) is one of small non-coding RNAs that the deregulation of these molecules is associated with initiation and progression of different cancers such as lung cancer. Several activities are related to PIWI/piRNA pathway such as suppression of transposons and mobile genetic elements. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the upregulation or downregulation of PIWI proteins and piRNAs could lead to the increasing of cell proliferation, apoptosis reduction and promoting tumor growth in the lung cancer. Hence, PIWI proteins and piRNA could be introduced as new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the lung cancer therapy. Herein, we have focused on PIWI proteins and piRNA functions and their impact on the progression of lung cancer.
SBF-1 inhibits contact hypersensitivity in mice through down-regulation of T-cell-mediated responses
Authors: Chen Wei , Fang Xianying , Gao Yuan , Shi Ke , Sun Lijun , Yu Biao , Luo Qiong , Xu Qiang
Published: December 2019

Background

T lymphocytes play an important role in contact hypersensitivity. This study aims to explore the immunosuppressive activity of SBF-1, an analog of saponin OSW-1, against T lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Proliferation of T lymphocytes from lymph nodes of mice was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to assess T cell activation and apoptosis. Levels of cytokines were determined by PCR and ELISA. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with picryl chloride and thickness of left and right ears were measured.

Results

SBF-1 effectively inhibited T lymphocytes proliferation induced by concanavalin A (Con A) or anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 at a very low dose (10 nM) but exhibited little toxicity in non-activated T lymphocytes at concentrations up to 10 μM. In addition, SBF-1 inhibited the expression of CD25 and CD69, as well as he phosphorylation of AKT in Con A-activated T cells. SBF-1 also induced apoptosis of activated T cells. In addition, SBF-1 also downregulated the induction of the T cell cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SBF-1 significantly suppressed ear swelling and inflammation in a mouse model of picryl chloride-induced contact hypersensitivity.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that SBF-1 has an unique immunosuppressive activity both in vitro and in vivo mainly through inhibiting T cell proliferation and activation. Its mechanism appears to be related to the blockage of AKT signaling pathway.
Curie temperature of weakly shocked target basalts at the Lonar impact crater, India
Authors: Agarwal A. , Alva-Valdivia L. M.
Published: December 2019

The study investigates Curie temperature (TC), bulk magnetic susceptibility, hysteresis, and X-ray diffraction pattern of in situ target basalts of Lonar impact crater, India. The main magnetic phase in the target basalt is low-Ti titanomagnetite. This study reveals an increase inTCand decrease in magnetic susceptibility and in full width at half maxima of the 311 peaks of titanomagnetite with distance from the crater center. Changes in crystal lattice of titanomagnetite, such as straining of 311 peaks, decrease in apparent crystallite size, and grain fragmentation may be among the possible reasons for the observed trends inTCand magnetic susceptibility. However, they both do not show any correlation between each other, indicating that different shock-induced processes affect them.
Diagnosis and treatment of rotatory knee instability
Authors: Hughes Jonathan D. , Rauer Thomas , Gibbs Christopher M. , Musahl Volker
Published: December 2019

Background

Rotatory knee instability is an abnormal, complex three-dimensional motion that can involve pathology of the anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral ligaments, bony alignment, and menisci. To understand the abnormal joint kinematics in rotatory knee instability, a review of the anatomical structures and their graded role in maintaining rotational stability, the importance of concomitant pathologies, as well as the different components of the knee rotation motion will be presented.

Main Body

The most common instability pattern, anterolateral rotatory knee instability in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient patient, will be discussed in detail. Although intra-articular ACL reconstruction is the gold standard treatment for ACL injury in physically active patients, in some cases current techniques may fail to restore native knee rotatory stability. The wide range of diagnostic options for rotatory knee instability including manual testing, different imaging modalities, static and dynamic measurement, and navigation is outlined. As numerous techniques of extra-articular tenodesis procedures have been described, performed in conjunction with ACL reconstruction, to restore anterolateral knee rotatory stability, a few of these techniques will be described in detail, and discuss the literature concerning their outcome.

Conclusion

In summary, the essence of reducing anterolateral rotatory knee instability begins and ends with a well-done, anatomic ACL reconstruction, which may be performed with consideration of extra-articular tenodesis in a select group of patients.
Age- and sex-dependence of five major elements in the development of human scalp hair
Authors: Ha Byeong-Jo , Lee Ga Yun , Cho Il-Hoon , Park Sangsoo
Published: December 2019

Background

Human scalp hair is composed of bio-synthesized protein that stores and excretes excess elements from the body. Thus, the concentration of major and trace elements in the hair may provide insight into both the physiology and health status of humans. Monitoring of health status by hair analysis is limited by the uncertainty surrounding natural changes in composition based on age and sex parameters.

Methods

A total of 322 hair samples from subjects aged 0–89 years were collected and analyzed to determine their sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The age- and sex-dependence of the concentrations of these elements within scalp hair was evaluated. Age-dependence was analyzed by least squares fitting of the data from young people (up to 25 years old). Sex-dependence was evaluated by comparing the average element concentrations of males and females in each age groups.

Results

The concentration of mineral elements increased with age up to 25 years old. Calcium and magnesium contents were strongly affected by age, whereas the effects were weaker for zinc and copper. In participants over 20 years old, sex and the concentrations of calcium and magnesium were significantly associated. The concentrations of these elements were higher in most of the subgroups of adult women. The concentrations of sulfur, zinc, and copper were not significantly associated with age or sex.

Conclusions

The concentrations of major inorganic elements in scalp hair showed an increasing trend up to 25 years of age, and a strong sex dependence of calcium and magnesium concentrations in the subjects older than 20 years. More research is needed to understand the physiology of calcium and magnesium excretion though scalp hair.
BOMET-QoL-10 questionnaire for breast cancer patients with bone metastasis: the prospective MABOMET GEICAM study
Authors:   On behalf of GEICAM, Spanish Breast Cancer Group, Barnadas A. , Muñoz M. , Margelí M. , Chacón J. I. , Cassinello J. , Antolin S. , Adrover E. , Ramos M. , Carrasco E. , Jimeno M. A. , Ojeda B. , González X. , González S. , Constenla M. , Florián J. , Miguel A. , Llombart A. , Lluch A. , Ruiz-Borrego M. , Colomer R. , Del Barco S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Bone metastasis (BM) is the most common site of disease in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. BM impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We tested prospectively the psychometric properties of the Bone Metastasis Quality of Life (BOMET-QoL-10) measure on MBC patients with BM.

Methods

Patients completed the BOMET-QoL-10 questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and a self-perceived health status item at baseline and at follow-up visits. We performed psychometric tests and calculated the effect size of specific BM treatment on patients´ HRQoL.

Results

Almost 70% of the 172 patients reported symptoms, 23.3% experienced irruptive pain, and over half were receiving chemotherapy. BOMET-QoL-10 proved to be a quick assessment tool performing well in readability and completion time (about 10 min) with 0–1.2% of missing/invalid data. Although BOMET-QoL-10 scores remained fairly stable during study visits, differences were observed for patient subgroups (e.g., with or without skeletal-related events or adverse effects). Scores were significantly correlated with physician-reported patient status, patient-reported pain, symptoms, and perceived health status. BOMET-QoL-10 scores also varied prospectively according to changes in pain intensity.

Conclusions

BOMET-QoL-10 performed well as a brief, easy-to-administer, useful, and sensitive HRQoL measure for potential use for clinical practice with MBC patients.

Trial registration

NCT03847220. Retrospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (February the 20th 2019).
Productivity, pathogenicity, host range, and spore mass-propagation of local strain of Mattesia sp. isolated from insect cadavers of certain stored grain pests in Egypt
Authors: Alfazairy Ahlam Ahmed , El-Abed Yasien Mohamed Gamal Zedan , Ramadan Hanan Mohamed , Karam Hedaya Hamza
Published: December 2019

Average yields of Mattesia spores (spore productivity) had varied from a minimum yield (0.17 × 107 spores) for Laemophloeus turcicus adult to a maximum yield (7.46 × 107 spores) for Plodia interpunctella larva. Comparatively, the highest increase in Mattesia spore yield, recorded from P. interpunctella larva (7.46 × 107 spores) over the lowest one, estimated for L. turcicus adult (0.17 × 107 spores), was nearly 44-fold. The increase in Mattesia spore yields that calculated from the other hosts (P. interpunctella pupa or moth; Galleria mellonella larva; Rhyzopertha dominica adult; Sitophilus zeamais), over that estimated for L. turcicus adult, was less than 10-fold (6–9-fold). Based on the weight of 1 g of the insect host infected with Mattesia sp., small stored grain insect hosts (e.g. L. turcicus, S. zeamais, and R. dominica) seemed to achieve Mattesia spore yields more than the larger ones (e.g. P. interpunctella). The increase in spore yields over that used for the inoculum, based on an average of 25 P. interpunctella larvae per bioassay container, was ca. 2 to 31-fold. These results revealed that the Indianmeal moth, P. interpunctella, could serve as a potential host for mass propagating the isolated entomopathogenic protozoan, Mattesia sp. Besides Mattesia larval mortality, survivors of Mattesia infection suffered deformities and noticeable undersized pupae or adults than the control ones. Also, many copulated moths (ca.46%) were unable to become separated after copulation until they had died. Bioassay of siftings, obtained from L. turcicus-protozoan-infected stock cultures, was carried out in order to emphasize the suppressive potent role of such protozoan entomopathogens in long-term storage. With the highest tested concentration of the studied siftings (10%), mortality responses due to Mattesia infection ranged from 13 to 68% at 14–169 days post-treatment. The corresponding figures for Adelina infection were 7–42%.
Electrochemical study of TiO2 in aqueous AlCl3 electrolyte via vacuum impregnation for superior high-rate electrode performance
Authors: Holland A. W. , Cruden A. , Zerey A. , Hector A. , Wills R. G. A.
Published: December 2019

This communication elucidates the charge storage mechanism of a TiO2 electrode in 1 mol dm− 3 AlCl3 for use in aqueous-ion batteries. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggest a surface contribution to charge storage and that cycle life can be improved by limiting the potential ≥ − 1.0 V vs SCE. In order to enhance this surface contribution, a simple vacuum impregnation technique was employed to improve electrode-electrolyte contact. This resulted in a significant improvement in the high rate performance of TiO2, where a capacity of 15 mA h g− 1 was maintained at the very high specific current of 40 A g− 1, a decrease of only 25% from when the electrode was cycled at 1 A g− 1. The vacuum impregnation process was also applied to copper-hexacyanoferrate, envisaged as a possible positive electrode, again resulting in significant improvements to high-rate performance. This demonstrates the potential for using this simple technique for improving electrode performance in other aqueous electrolyte battery systems.
Composite cuticle with heterogeneous layers in the leaf epidermis of Ficus elastica
Authors: Kim Ki Woo
Published: December 2019

Two distinct layers in terms of texture and electron density were observed in the leaf cuticle of Ficus elastica using transmission electron microscopy. As depicted in a model, an inner polysaccharide-rich layer and an outer cutin (or cutan)-rich layer may support the composite, heterogeneous concept of the leaf cuticle.
Maternal-neonatal transmission of Enterococcus strains during delivery
Authors: Bhagwat Ashlesha , Annapure Uday S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Cesarean delivery (c-section) is on the rise globally. C-section is generally preferred if complications prevail in a vaginal delivery. Some private institutions conduct it unnecessarily for economic gains. This has led to a severe risk to a child’s health. The neonate’s gut microbiota has been observed to be influenced by the mode of delivery. Lactobacilli and other bacteria are very vital for developing healthy gut flora. An attempt has been made to investigate the passage of lactic acid bacteria to the infant via delivery. The vaginal swabs of the mothers and fresh meconium samples of the newborns post-delivery were examined for the presence of lactobacilli through culture techniques.

Results

The present investigation revealed that c-section-delivered infants lacked these bacteria in comparison with vaginally delivered infants. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing showed similarity with groups 1, 2, 3, and 5 ofEnterococcusgenus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed more than 98% similarity with severalEnterococcusspecies.E. canintestini,E.rivorum, andE. disparwere transferred frequently from mother to infants born via vaginal delivery. The strains were submitted to the NCBI GenBank database under accession numbers KX830968–KX830982.

Conclusion

The study supports the hypothesis of maternal-neonatal transmission of bacteria during delivery and also possibilities of isolating newer strains for probiotic use.
Hypothyroidism, Sex, and Age Predict Future Thromboembolic Events Among Younger People
Authors: Martinez Jay A , Qeadan Fares , Burge Mark R
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Aberrant thyroid function causes dysregulated metabolic homeostasis. Literature has demonstrated hypercoagulability in hypothyroidism, suggesting a risk for thromboembolic events (TEE). We hypothesize that individuals with hypothyroidism will experience more clinically-diagnosed TEE than euthyroid individuals.

Methods

De-identified patient data from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center were retrieved using thyrotropin (TSH; thyroid-stimulating hormone) for case-finding from 2005 to 2007 and ICD billing codes to identify TEE during the follow-up period of 10 to 12 years. Diagnoses affecting coagulation were excluded and 12 109 unique enrollees were categorized according to TSH concentration as Hyperthyroid (n = 510), Euthyroid (n = 9867), Subclinical Hypothyroid (n = 1405), or Overtly Hypothyroid (n = 327). Analysis with multiple logistic regression provided the odds of TEE while adjusting for covariates.

Results

There were 228 TEEs in the cohort over 5.1 ± 4.3 years of follow-up. Risk of TEE varied significantly across study groups while adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, levothyroxine, oral contraceptive therapy, and visit status (outpatient vs non-outpatient), and this risk was modified by age. Overt Hypothyroidism conferred a significantly higher risk of TEE than Euthyroidism below age 35, and Hyperthyroidism conferred an increased risk for TEE at age 20. Analysis also demonstrated a higher age-controlled risk for a subsequent TEE in men compared with women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.81). Subanalysis of smoking status (n = 5068, 86 TEE) demonstrated that smokers have 2.21-fold higher odds of TEE relative to nonsmokers (95% CI, 1.41–3.45).

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, Overt Hypothyroidism conferred increased risk of TEE over the next decade for individuals younger than 35 years of age, as compared with Euthyroidism.
Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 is Altered in Growth Discordant Dichorionic, but not in Monochorionic Twins
Authors: Schrey-Petersen Susanne , Bäumer Saskia , Lössner Ulrike , Stepan Holger
Published: December 2019

Context

The fetal period has a critical and long-lasting impact on the regulation of metabolic processes and a life-long predisposition for obesity and metabolic syndrome. The exact mechanisms are unknown, but epigenetic regulation likely plays a major role. Twins represent an excellent model to study these mechanisms, as they share the same intrauterine environment and similar or even the same genetic information. We examined cord blood levels of adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein 4 (A-FABP or FABP4), a novel adipokine correlated with obesity and metabolic disease in children and adults.

Objective

To examine A-FABP levels in the cord blood of twins with concordant and discordant growth and in singletons with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Design

Cohort study of 36 twin pairs (25 growth concordant and 11 growth discordant), and 42 singleton pregnancies (28 IUGR and 13 normally grown controls, 1 HELLP).

Outcome Measures

Cord blood A-FABP levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A-FABP levels were higher in the smaller of growth discordant dichorionic (DC) twins versus their co-twins (109.46 ± 62.80 ng/mL vs. 72.93 ± 36.66 ng/mL, P = 0.028). A-FABP was negatively correlated with birth weight and gestational age (P < 0.001), but not with birth weight z-score (P = 0.37).

Conclusions

Increased A-FABP levels might be associated with an increased metabolic risk in growth-restricted (twins) and prematurely born infants.
Stage 1 Registered Report: How subtle linguistic cues prevent unethical behaviors
Authors: Guo Wen , Liu Huanxu , Yang Jingwen , Mo Yuqi , Zhong Can , Yamada Yuki
Published: December 2019

Different ways of description can easily influence people’s evaluations and behaviors. A previous study by Bryan and colleagues suggested that subtle linguistic differences in ethical reminders can differentially prevent readers’ unethical behavior. The present study aims to replicate the previous finding in the Japanese context, additionally exploring the influence of unfamiliar instruction words that capture participants’ attention. In two experiments, which are planned to be conducted online, participants are asked to make 10 coin-tosses and report the number of “heads” results, indicating the amount of money that they can earn. We will manipulate instructions (“Don’t cheat” vs. “Don’t be a cheater” vs. no instruction as a control) for each participant group, including nearly 270 participants (Experiment 1). Next, we will conduct an extended experiment with an additional task in which more attention is directed toward the text (Experiment 2). Through these registered experiments, we examine the credibility of the previous finding that type of instruction affects the occurrence of unethical behaviors.
Information and analytical work
Authors: Mishenin Sergey
Published: December 2019

In the textbook the basic concepts concerning the organization and technology of information work of the student-historian are considered. It includes four sections: the first determines the place of the course's problems in the process of historical knowledge; the second tracks the principal features of facts, sources and research, which can potentially be the sphere of historical research; the third introduces the reader to the principles, conceptual apparatus, laws, methods and judgments as means of knowledge.; the fourth introduces the experience of constructing the text of the study, which sums up a certain result of the work done and allows you to " translate the process of learning a new state of relative knowledge."
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
It is intended for undergraduate students studying the discipline "Information and analytical work". It can be useful to persons preparing for admission to the master's degree in the areas of training "History" and "International relations", as well as all those interested in working with documents and other media.
PRÁTICAS MONOCULTORAS E TENSÕES SÓCIOTERRITORIAIS NO DISTRITO DE MIRAPORANGA – UBERLÂNDIA – MG
Authors: Santos Rosselvelt Jóse , Santos Nathália Ohana Ferreira
Published: December 2019

No município de Uberlândia-MG, localizado na mesorregião do Triângulo Mineiro, os capitais investidos na agroindústria se reproduzem de forma intensa e acelerada. A partir do ano de 2008, mesmo o município não abrigando em seu território usinas processadoras de álcool e açúcar, as extensas lavouras de cana passaram a redefinir as paisagens rurais no distrito de Miraporanga. O cultivo dessas lavouras afetam as relações sociais dos antigos produtores rurais do lugarejo, introduzindo novas dinâmicas sócioterritoriais. Na divisa com o referido distrito, no município de Uberaba-MG encontra-se instalada uma planta de usina sucroenergética/sucroalcooleira. Para suprir as suas necessidades de matéria prima, áreas do referido distrito foram sendo capturadas para abrigar os enormes canaviais, compelindo os camponeses a conviver com essa nova dinâmica a qual afeta seus vínculos com o lugar e, até mesmo, seu modo de vida. No lugar, as tensões vão sendo fabricadas pelo próprio otimismo do capital. Assim, este trabalho aborda as tensões e reações dos sujeitos envolvidos.
DA NOVA MALHA URBANA AO TECIDO CONSOLIDADO: A EXPANSÃO URBANA ATRAVÉS DA PRODUÇÃO IMOBILIÁRIA EM JOÃO PESSOA – PB
Authors: Martins Paula Dieb , Maia Doralice Sátyro
Published: December 2019

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar mudanças recentes na configuração do espaço intraurbano de uma cidade por meio da análise da atuação do setor imobiliário, de modo a caracterizar o processo de expansão urbana em seu território no início do século XXI. O objeto empírico da pesquisa é João Pessoa, cidade do Nordeste brasileiro que apresentou célere e intenso aumento da produção imobiliária na última década. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica, acerca dos referenciais teóricos e conceituais, e pesquisa documental, que levantou legislações urbanas referentes à expansão do perímetro urbano de João Pessoa, dados econômicos das Relações Anuais de Informações Sociais e informações da “Pesquisa de Mercado do Setor de Lançamentos Imobiliários” contratada pelo Sindicato da Construção Civil de João Pessoa, no período compreendido entre os anos 2006  e 2015. As informações coletadas foram sistematizadas em mapas, gráficos e tabelas que embasaram as análises acerca da expansão urbana em João Pessoa, cuja dinâmica apresentou mudanças e permanências, ao passo que a atuação do setor imobiliário expandiu o tecido urbano para áreas caracteristicamente rurais e, ao mesmo tempo, atuou em espaços consolidados da cidade, intensificando a ocupação do solo e diferenciando seus usos.
We are the champions!
Authors: Marsh Sian , Mason Gill
Published: December 2019

PANCos have an exciting remit to enhance the health and well-being of staff and children. Discover how a new training programme is helping one nursery to maximise their effectiveness in the role.
Let children be the teachers
Authors: Yates David
Published: December 2019

When children are listened to and respected they will have the confidence to reveal their unique cultural capital, and this then gives them a powerful disposition to learn, says David Yates.
Support, not punish
Authors: Fallon Kate
Published: December 2019

Wales is currently proposing to make the defence of reasonable punishment towards children a thing of the past. Early years practitioners have an important role to play in advising parents who may be confused or anxious about the change.
Sharing traditions
Authors: Davies Sarah
Published: December 2019

Sarah Davies urges settings to celebrate ‘International Mother Language Day’ on 21 February. Its a great excuse to bring children, families and the wider community together to share their cultures, songs, stories and rhymes.
Stress and anxiety implications on long-term patients — nursing considerations
Authors: Vine Katherine
Published: December 2019

The implications of stress and anxiety in long-term inpatients requires further investigation in the veterinary setting. The requirement for further evaluation of how to reduce patient stress is imperative to positive patient outcomes.
Investigating the Development of Pre-Service Teachers’ Problem-Solving Strategies via Problem-Solving Mathematics Classes
Authors: Barham Areej Isam
Published: December 2019

This study investigated the development of problem-solving strategies demonstrated by 42 elementary pre-service mathematics teachers in problem-solving mathematics classes. The study used a mixed methods approach of quantitative and qualitative research by analyzing the collected data.. The quantitative portion calculates the frequencies and percentage of the participants’ responses to the problems posed in three different phases of the intervention: before, during, and after receiving the mathematics lessons. The qualitative approach was used for in-depth investigation to describe various mathematical problem-solving strategies demonstrated by participants across the three different research phases. Findings of the study indicated a limited number of problem-solving strategies present during the first phase of research such as “use arithmetic operation strategy,” and “make a drawing strategy,”. During the implementation of the problem-solving lessons and classroom discussion, the participants began to develop more strategies such as  “use logical reasoning,” “solve a simpler problem,” “guess and check,” “organize data in a table or a list,” “look for a pattern,” “work backwards,” and “solve an equation,”. However, the research findings nonetheless revealed participants’ weakness in applying the variety of skills required for success in problem solving, such as interpreting information, mathematical working, and logical thinking. Results also demonstrated a limited and incorrect use of mathematical terminology, as well as a lack of problem comprehension. The discussion of the study addresses different features and issues related to mathematical problem-solving strategies. In light of its findings, this study presents recommendations and suggestions for the future development of pre-service teachers’ problem-solving strategies.
Il miglioramento dell'efficienza del settore pubblico attraverso il controllo microeconomico dell'offerta pubblica
Authors: Seldon Arthur
Published: December 2019

Much of the public services of the Western industrial nations have developed for reasons that have little or nothing to do with the technical necessity of financing them by taxation. They mostly do not create joint benefits. They may confer external benefits for which third parties cannot be compensated, but this is not a sufficient ground for tax financing, since taxes also create detriments.

Public services can be financed by pricing, both technically and economically.

This article shows the unreality of measuring public preferences without introducing pricing, and reports an attempt to create an embryo hypothetical demand curve for public supply in education and medical care. Besides, some reasons are outlined for the superiority of micro over macro-controls on public supply. An argument is also indicated for using micro-controls to ease the use of macro-controls where they are indispensable.
Constitutional Constraints on the Monetary Powers of Government
Authors: Leijonhufvud Axel
Published: December 2019

Gli effetti degli interventi di politica monetaria dipendono dalle aspettative del pubblico. Ne discende che le conseguenze dello stesso provvedimento monetario potranno essere diverse a seconda del contesto in cui si opera.

Ciò provoca gravi danni all'economia, in considerazione del fatto che, da un lato, gli operatori economici devono basare le loro decisioni su congetture improbabili circa l'andamento delle variabili monetarie, mentre, dall'altro lato, gli stessi responsabili della politica monetaria, dovendosi basare a loro volta sulle aspettative degli operatori, rischiano di commettere errori.

Un regime « costituzionale » è un sistema in cui il potere discrezionale delle autorità responsabili delle decisioni è vincolato, almeno in breve periodo, in modo da far sì che il modello di comportamento delle autorità sia più semplice e, quindi, più facilmente comprensibile agli operatori.
M. Olson, The Rise and Decline of Nations
Authors: Di Pierro Alberto
Published: December 2019

M. OLSON, The Rise and Decline of Nations, New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1982, pp. 273, $ 14.95.
A. Tasgian, L'imposta e il deposito previo sugli acquisti di valuta e la crisi della lira del 1976
Authors: Fausto Domenicantonio
Published: December 2019

A. TASGIAN, L'imposta e il deposito previo sugli acquisti di valuta e la crisi della lira del 1976, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1983, pp. 139, L. 10.000.
L'equità nelle scelte collettive: filosofia ed economia in una prospettiva rawlsiana
Authors: Maffettone Sebastiano
Published: December 2019

Since Adam Smith's and David Hume's days there has never been so much interaction between philosophy and economics. A theory of distributive justice, from J.S. Mill to John Rawls, concerns the rationale of public decisions. Economists see distributive justice as a branch of welfare economics; philosophers, after Rawls and Nozick, pay attention to the definition of ethical constraints within the range of collective decision-making. What comes out is a normative political theory, based on the intersection between «utility» and «rights».

Philosophers and social scientists often discussed this matter as an ordering (a function) of social alternatives. Before Rawls, there were two main research programs in this area, Harsanyi's and Arrow's. This paper considers just the second one, Arrow's, that concerns the construction of a social welfare function from a set of individual orderings (or utilities) to a unique social ordering (or social utility index). One refers to Arrow's program as «collective choice*, and one makes an attempt to show how Rawlsian argument can interfer with the main result of collective choice theory, that is as well-known an impossibility theorem.

The discussion is based on the following assumptions:

(i) Arrow's impossibility theorem captures fundamental features of a liberaldemocratic position;

(ii) at least from the justification point of view, the Arrovian impossibility represents a difficulty for liberal-democracy;

(iii) a Rawlsian argument is shown to be able to overcome Arrovian impossibility;

(iv) it follows that Rawls’ principles of justice imply a radical shift in our conception of liberal-democracy.
«Identità personale” e «scambio politico» nel processo di decisione sociale
Authors: Martelli Paolo
Published: December 2019

Individual choices and the method to aggregate them in such a way to make public decisions are the basic elements of public decision-making models.

Aggregation rules can be derived either from the "Welfare*, or from the "Contractarian" models. The basic problem is the one to put forward an integrated and consistent model describing the working of collective organizations.

The "Constitutional Perspective* presented by the Public Choice School is a serious attempt to analyse the political system by armonizing both the "Contractarian* and the "Utilitarian* approaches.

Public choice scientists have provided an interpretation of the shift from the «Non-cooperative” to the «Cooperative* version of the prisoner's dilemma.
Una lettera italiana di J.A. Schumpeter
Authors: da Empoli Domenico
Published: December 2019

This article refers to a letter written in 1931 by J. A. Schumpeter to an Italian professor, Celestino Arena, on the subject of the Italian edition of the Theory of Economic Growth.

1931 was the last year spent by Schumpeter in Europe. The year after, he moved from Germany to the United States, where the New Deal environment would have profoundly changed his views about the role of the entrepreneur in modern society and, by consequence, about the future of capitalism.
A. H. Metzler (ed.), International Lending and the IMF - A Conference in Memory of Wilson E. Schmidt
Authors: da Empoli Domenico
Published: December 2019

A. H. METZLER (ed.), International Lending and the IMF - A Conference in Memory of Wilson E. Schmidt, Washington, The Heritage Foundation, 1983, pp. 89, $ 2.00.
A New View of Economics: Comparative Analysis of Institutions*
Authors: Frey Bruno S.
Published: December 2019

Negli ultimi anni è emersa nell'ambito della teoria economica una nuova impostazione talmente diversa da quella tradizionale da far parlare di un « nuovo paradigma ». Caratteristica essenziale di questo nuovo orientamento è quella di consentire un awicinamento della teoria economica alia realtà.

Sono tre le componenti principali di quest'impostazione: l'aspetto istituzionale (meccanismi decisionali, organizzazioni - economiche, politiche e amministrative - leggi e norme), quello analitico (basato sul modello di comportamento individualistico dell'homo oeconomicus, ma modificato in modo da mettere in evidenza la base motivazionale delle preferenze individuali ed introducendo aspetti morali, come I'altruismo) e quello comparativo (basato sul confronto tra istituzioni diverse, nell'ipotesi che non soltanto l'organizzazione privata, ma anche quella pubblica, possa presentare inadeguatezze).
Elasticity and Public Consumption Growth: the Case of the U.K. ana Italy
Authors: Fossati Amedeo
Published: December 2019

L'idea generale sottostante alia c.d. «legge di Wagner» è piuttosto semplice: il settore pubblico si sviluppa più rapidamente del settore privato.

Le misurazioni empiriche di questo fenomeno basate sul calcolo dell'elasticità della spesa pubblica rispetto al reddito non sono, però, soddisfacenti, sia perché i prezzi relativi della spesa pubblica e del reddito nazionale si modificano nel tempo, sia perché nell'ambito della spesa pubblica è necessario distinguere tra

quella per trasferimenti e quella per consumi pubblici, che presenta un saggio d'incremento molto più elevato della prima.

La presente indagine, limitata alia spesa per consumi pubblici, fornisce un metodo per valutare 1'elasticità rispetto al reddito della produzione pubblica quando i prezzi siano mantenuti costanti.

L'applicazione di questa metodologia al Regno Unito ed all'Italia per il periodo dal 1960 al 1981, dimostra che i consumi pubblici, nel Regno Unito, presentano una maggiore sensibilità alle variazioni del prodotto interno lordo rispetto ai consumi pubblici italiani, sia in termini di valore che di quantità. In ambedue i paesi, il rapporto tra consumi pubblici e prodotto interno lordo in termini reali è diminuito.
Schumpeter as Precursor to Non-Constitutional Public Choice
Authors: Buchanan James M.
Published: December 2019

Nella sua analisi positiva dei sistemi democratici contenuta in Capitalismo, Socialismo e Democrazia, J. A. Schumpeter ha delineato molti dei concetti che sono successivamente divenuti parte fondamentale della teoria positiva della Public Choice.

Peraltro, l'influenza direttamente esercitata dal pensiero schumpeteriano sugli sviluppi moderni della Public Choice appare molto modesta. La ragione di ciò dev'essere rinvenuta nel fatto che l'analisi schumpeteriana era essenzialmente priva di contenuto normativo e, quindi, di qualsiasi proposta costruttiva per il miglioramento del funzionamento del sistema democratico.

In contrapposizione a Schumpeter, il vero «padre» della moderna Public Choice dovrebbe essere considerato Knut Wicksell, la cui analisi del sistema democratico non si è limitata agli aspetti positivi, ma ha anche condotto a suggerimenti diretti ad accrescere l'efficienza del sistema istituzionale, nel senso di renderlo in grado di soddisfare i bisogni dei membri della collettività.
Federalismo fiscale e finanza locale
Authors: Stefani Giorgio
Published: December 2019

The «fiscal crisis» cannot be solved on the simple basis of principles of economic rationality, without taking account of the institutional mechanisms. Politicians, bureaucrats, voters, do have a role in public decision-making and their behavior cannot be ignored.

According to a generally shared view, local finance looks as an interesting field of research for Public Choice scientists since at local level the voter’s ability to control the institutions is higher than at national level.

This is true, however, only if we limit our attention to the relationship between local administrators and citizens. When the analysis includes the competition for funds among local governments, we have to deal with national problems, requiring the inclusion of variables whose behaviour is uneasy to predict.
La giustizia sociale nello Stato liberale
Authors: Barone Francesco
Published: December 2019

The main purpose of B.A. Ackerman’s book on social justice in a Liberal State is the one to propose a model of State able to overcome both the capitalistic and the marxian models, on the basis of a truly rational and scientific approach to Liberalism.

The new model certainly deserves attention, though Mr. Ackerman’s views seem sometimes to suffer from a scientist illusion.
Tax Policy for Economic Progress*
Authors: Harriss C. Lowell
Published: December 2019

Una delle principali fonti di entrate per le finanze pubbliche dovrebbe essere costituita da prelievi sul reddito personale, rappresentati sia da imposte sul reddito personale, sia da imposte sul reddito e la ricchezza consumati.

L’imposizione sul reddito dovrebbe, tuttavia, essere riesaminata al fine di ridurre gli oneri sulle attività economiche non in forma societaria.

Per quanto riguarda l’imposizione dei consumi, le imposte generali sulle vendite sembrano preferibili ai prelievi selettivi. Un’imposta sul valore aggiunto, tuttavia, sarebbe la soluzione migliore.

Per il finanziamento degli enti locali, il valore del suolo sembra la base imponibile più indicata, specie se si tiene conto del fatto che I’espansione urbana, mentre genera costi di congestione che richiedono crescenti spese locali, fa anche aumentare il valore dei suoli. Non si deve dimenticare che l’offerta di suolo è fissa e che l’imposta sui terreni è l’unica che, per quanto elevata, non riduce l’entità del bene tassato.
A proposito di «Moneta pontificia»*: due concezioni della storia monetaria
Authors: Martino Antonio
Published: December 2019

Economists make use of monetary history to evaluate the effects of monetary policies, with the aim to establish «rules» of monetary conduct and to identify institutions able to enforce such rules, in a world without any objective standards and, by consequence, without any external constraints. In comparison with the actual arbitrary powers of the policy-maker, during the past, whatever the arrogance of the authorities, the monetary systems had always constraints such to limit arbitrary behavior by the policy-maker. Historians, in principle, investigate the past system. Economists, by contrary, have to study the actual one.
Cesare Cosciani
Authors: da Empoli Domenico
Published: December 2019

Cesare Cosciani, the leading Italian public finance scientist recently passed over, is the author of numerous publications (about two hundred, among books and articles) covering many subjects. This paper refers to some contributions given by him to the theory of public finance, as well as to the fiscal reform in Italy. Finally, Cosciani’s remarkable activity as a professor is mentioned with reference to both his successful textbook and the influence exercised by him on his students.
L’economia dell’equilibrio
Authors: Beltratti Andrea
Published: December 2019

The new classical macroeconomists have widely criticized Keynesian economics during the last fifteen years; most of all, on the basis of a lack of microfoundations to Keynesian models and theories.

The rational expectations hypothesis is necessary but not sufficient, by itself, to deny the policy effectiveness results advocated by Keynesian theorists; the most important hypothesis, and the most characteristic feature, of the new classical school is continuous market-clearing on each market. Rational expectations can be used also in disequilibrium models, and can even strengthen policy effectiveness results.

This paper considers some interesting points made by the equilibrium theorists, such as the Lucas critique and the equilibrium business cycles, and also tries to show some limits of the models.

The debate between Keynesians and New Classical Economists is very useful; both schools are able to benefit from the valuable insights of the last few years, which allow theorists to hope in a substantial improvement of macroeconomics as a science and as a tool to understand the working of today’s economic systems.
Teoria neo-keynesiana e aspettative razionali in economia aperta
Authors: Colombatto Enrico
Published: December 2019

The introductory paragraph is devoted to the outline of the role of the rational expectations (r.e.) element within the Keynesian, the Monetarist and the New-Classical-Economics framework; in all such cases the closed-economy version only is taken into account.

The second part of the article, on the other hand, is devoted to the analysis of an open-economy framework, where the consequences of the r.e. hypothesis are analysed in greater depth. In short, two groups of aspects are stressed: on the one hand, considerable attention is given to the importance and the analysis of the velocity of anticipation and of adjustment, both on the goods market and on the capital market; on the other, the dimensions and the frequence of the eventual distortions which arise in the neo-Keynesian and in the Monetarist cases are examined. The results yielded by the analysis carried out within both groups of aspects are then compared with the results obtained from a New-Classical viewpoint. The role of the alternative classes of expectations - apart from the r. e. case - is taken into account as well.
Where Are We in the Economic Theory of Constitutions?*
Authors: Blankart Charles B.
Published: December 2019

Sebbene gli economisti siano generalmente d’accordo sulla definizione di « costituzione », i loro punti di vista al riguardo sono divergenti: secondo i sostenitori delle teorie contrattualistiche, le decisioni di carattere costituzionale sono effettuate in modo discontinuo, mentre secondo coloro che condividono l’indirizzo evoluzionista tutto il sistema giuridico è il risultato di un lungo processo storico svoltosi senza soluzione di continuità.

Queste due impostazioni, peraltro, malgrado la loro diversità, non si escludono reciprocamente. La visione contrattualistica è utile per fornire criteri di valutazione delle scelte politiche. Il concetto di contratto, d’altra parte, è spesso presente, anche se non in modo esplicito, nell’indirizzo evoluzionista.
La Comunità economica europea, a trent’anni dalla Conferenza di Messina
Authors: Martino Antonio
Published: December 2019

The reason legitimating the existence of a political institution is the one that some decisions cannot be taken so efficiently at a different decision level. Basically, the countries taking part into the Conference held in Messina on June 1954 had a special interest in the provision of two «European public goods»: political union (requiring common defense and a common foreign policy) and economic advancement (through a common monetary policy and free trade). The actual crisis in the European Community is due to the fact that both these «public goods» are now out of sight. To overcome the actual difficulties, Member States should return to the «spirit of Messina».
Product Dififerentiation and Competitive Structures
Authors: Di Pierro Alberto
Published: December 2019

Negli anni recenti è divenuto sempre più evidente che il modello di concorrenza monopolistica è essenziale per l’interpretazione delle economie di mercato contemporanee. Il progresso negli studi a questo riguardo è dovuto soprattutto alle analisi svolte sul comportamento del consumatore con un’impostazione in cui (come nel noto modello di Lancaster) le caratteristiche qualitative dei beni sono incorporate in un modello di scelta teoricamente coerente.

Sviluppando queste teorizzazioni, nel presente scritto se ne valuta la rilevanza per quanto riguarda la diversificazione dei prodotti, giungendo alla conclusione che i consumatori, in un sistema in cui i produttori sono incerti circa le reazioni della domanda, svolgono un ruolo importante in questo processo.
J.M. Buchanan: the 1986 Nobel Prize in Economics
Authors: _ _
Published: December 2019

L’Accademia Reale Svedese delle Scienze ha conferito il Premio Nobel 1986 per le Scienze Economiche al Prof. James M. Buchanan per i suoi contributi alio sviluppo «delle basi contrattuali e costituzionali della teoria delle scelte economiche e politiche».

Il Premio Nobel è un importante riconoscimento non soltanto per colui cui è stato attribuito, ma per l’intero gruppo di studiosi che si dedicano alio studio delle Scelte Pubbliche.

James Buchanan ha apportato un contributo fondamentale alla comprensione dei principali problemi economici del nostro tempo. In un suo scritto, pubblicato proprio sul primo numero (1983-1) di questa Rivista, James Buchanan ha esposto in modo essenziale il suo pensiero, ponendo in evidenza i due fondamentali aspetti della Public Choice: l’idea della politica come «scambio» e quella secondo cui i partecipanti alle scelte pubbliche operino con l’intendimento di massimizzare la propria utilità.

Il Prof. Buchanan ha anche pubblicato su questa rivista una nota su Schumpeter come precursore della Public Choice non costituzionale. Un suo terzo scritto, inviatoci qualche mese fa, sulle conseguenze economiche del deficit pubblico, appare in questo numero, nel quale viene anche pubblicata la bibliografia dell’opera scientifica di James Buchanan.
Culture and Economics
Authors: van Meerhaeghe M.A.G.
Published: December 2019

Sulla definizione di «cultura» vi è una completa mancanza di consensi. Eppure, è da essa che gli studiosi possono dedurre gli elementi necessari per fare proposte sulla politica culturale dei governi. A seconda, infatti, che si abbia una visione elistica della cultura, o invece una concezione più comprensiva, saranno diverse le proposte degli economisti circa le possibilità d’intervento pubblico.

I sussidi sono lo strumento della politica culturale. La loro influenza è, tuttavia, incerta e non quantificabile. Inoltre, il loro uso è solitamente distorto, dato che tende a favorire alcune attività e scoraggiarne altre. Il solo caso in cui il sussidio dovrebbe essere sostenuto è quello in cui sia riposta maggiore fiducia nelle decisioni governative che nei meccanismi di mercato.