bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix astragali on the TGF-Î²/Smad/Wnt pathway and the pathological process of liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Cao Tingting , Lu Yuan , Zhu Minwei , Cheng Jiafei , Ye Bai , Fang Nanyuan , Cui Yueping , Xue Boyu , Lari Najafi Moslem , Kazemi Elham
Published: October 2020

Traditional Chinese medicine has made some progress in the study of liver fibrosis, and provides valuable experience for clinical treatment of liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the rationality of compatibility use of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix astragali on liver fibrosis in rats. For this purpose, the rat model of liver fibrosis was treated with single or different compatibilities of herbals extracts for 4 weeks. Saline and colchicine were set as a negative and positive control, respectively. Liver histopathology, liver function, and expressions of key proteins in the TGF-Î²/Smad/Wnt pathway were assessed. Results showed that compared with colchicine, herbal extracts showed better ability to reduce deposition of Î±-SMA and type I collagen, and improve liver function. The effect of R. astragali extracts and 1:1 compound on improving liver fibrosis and liver function was relatively better than other treatment options. The compound groups showed a particularly significant effect on reducing Cyclin D1 expression. It was concluded that the 1:1 compatibility use of S. miltiorrhiza extracts and R. astragali extracts can preferably attenuate liver fibrosis by regulating the expression of TGF-Î²1 and Cyclin D1.
Localized Prediction of Glutamate from Whole-Brain Functional Connectivity of the Pregenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Martens Louise , Kroemer Nils B. , Teckentrup Vanessa , Colic Lejla , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola , Li Meng , Walter Martin
Published: October 2020

Local measures of neurotransmitters provide crucial insights into neurobiological changes underlying altered functional connectivity in psychiatric disorders. However, noninvasive neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may cover anatomically and functionally distinct areas, such asp32andp24of the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC). Here, we aimed to overcome this low spatial specificity of MRS by predicting local glutamate and GABA based on functional characteristics and neuroanatomy in a sample of 88 human participants (35 females), using complementary machine learning approaches. Functional connectivity profiles of pgACC areap32predicted pgACC glutamate better than chance (R2= 0.324) and explained more variance compared with areap24using both elastic net and partial least-squares regression. In contrast, GABA could not be robustly predicted. To summarize, machine learning helps exploit the high resolution of fMRI to improve the interpretation of local neurometabolism. Our augmented multimodal imaging analysis can deliver novel insights into neurobiology by using complementary information.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMagnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measures local glutamate and GABA noninvasively. However, conventional MRS requires large voxels compared with fMRI, because of its inherently low signal-to-noise ratio. Consequently, a single MRS voxel may cover areas with distinct cytoarchitecture. In the largest multimodal 7 tesla machine learning study to date, we overcome this limitation by capitalizing on the spatial resolution of fMRI to predict local neurotransmitters in the PFC. Critically, we found that prefrontal glutamate could be robustly and exclusively predicted from the functional connectivity fingerprint of one of two anatomically and functionally defined areas that form the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. Our approach provides greater spatial specificity on neurotransmitter levels, potentially improving the understanding of altered functional connectivity in mental disorders.
Astrocytes Protect Human Dopaminergic Neurons from α-Synuclein Accumulation and Propagation
Authors: Tsunemi Taiji , Ishiguro Yuta , Yoroisaka Asako , Valdez Clarissa , Miyamoto Kengo , Ishikawa Keiichi , Saiki Shinji , Akamatsu Wado , Hattori Nobutaka , Krainc Dimitri
Published: October 2020

The pathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the accumulation of α-synuclein-containing Lewy bodies/neurites almost exclusively in neurons, and rarely in glial cells. However, emerging evidence suggests that glia such as astrocytes play an important role in the development of α-synuclein pathology. Using induced pluripotent stem-derived dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes from healthy subjects and patients carrying mutations in lysosomalATP13A2, a monogenic form of synucleinopathy, we found that astrocytes rapidly internalized α-synuclein, and exhibited higher lysosomal degradation rates compared with neurons. Moreover, coculturing astrocytes and neurons led to decreased accumulation of α-synuclein in neurons and consequently diminished interneuronal transfer of α-synuclein. These protective functions of astrocytes were attenuated by ATP13A2 deficiency, suggesting that the loss of ATP13A2 function in astrocytes at least partially contributes to neuronal α-synuclein pathology. Together, our results highlight the importance of lysosomal function in astrocytes in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhile most neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated mutant proteins exclusively in neurons, the contribution of glial cells in this process remains poorly explored. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes contribute to the removal of extracellular α-synuclein and that disruption of this pathway caused by mutations in the Parkinson's disease-linked geneATP13A2result in α-synuclein accumulation in human dopaminergic neurons. We found that astrocytes also protect neurons from α-synuclein propagation, whereas ATP13A2 deficiency in astrocytes compromises this protective function. These results highlight astrocyte-mediated α-synuclein clearance as a potential therapeutic target in disorders characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein, including Parkinson's disease.
Associations between Vascular Function and Tau PET Are Associated with Global Cognition and Amyloid
Authors: Albrecht Daniel , Isenberg A. Lisette , Stradford Joy , Monreal Teresa , Sagare Abhay , Pachicano Maricarmen , Sweeney Melanie , Toga Arthur , Zlokovic Berislav , Chui Helena , Joe Elizabeth , Schneider Lon , Conti Peter , Jann Kay , Pa Judy
Published: October 2020

Tau pathology and vascular dysfunction are important contributors to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but vascular–tau associations and their effects on cognition are poorly understood. We investigated these associations in male and female humans by conducting voxelwise comparisons between cerebral blood flow (CBF) and tau positron emission tomography (PET) images in independent discovery [cognitively normal (CN), 19; mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk, 43; MCI, 6] and replication (CN,73; MCI, 45; AD, 20) cohorts. In a subgroup, we assessed relationships between tau and soluble platelet-derived growth factor β (sPDGFRβ), a CSF marker of pericyte injury. We tested whether CBF/sPDGFRβ–tau relationships differed based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) global cognition performance, or based on amyloid burden. Mediation analyses assessed relationships among CBF/sPDGFRβ, tau, and cognition. Negative CBF–tau correlations were observed predominantly in temporal-parietal regions. In the replication cohort, early negative CBF–tau correlations increased in spatial extent and in strength of correlation with increased disease severity. Stronger CBF–tau and sPDGFRβ–tau correlations were observed in participants with greater amyloid burden and lower MoCA scores. Importantly, when stratifying by amyloid status, stronger CBF–tau relationships in individuals with lower MoCA scores were driven by amyloid+participants. Tau PET was a significant mediator CBF/sPDGFRβ–MoCA relationships in numerous regions. Our results demonstrate vascular–tau associations across the AD spectrum and suggest that early vascular–tau associations are exacerbated in the presence of amyloid, consistent with a two-hit model of AD on cognition. Combination treatments targeting vascular health, as well as amyloid-β and tau levels, may preserve cognitive function more effectively than single-target therapies.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTEmerging evidence demonstrates a role for vascular dysfunction as a significant contributor to Alzheimer's pathophysiology. However, associations between vascular dysfunction and tau pathology, and their effects on cognition remain poorly understood. Multimodal neuroimaging data from two independent cohorts were analyzed to provide novelin vivoevidence of associations between cerebral blood flow (CBF), an MRI measure of vascular health, and tau pathology using PET. CBF–tau associations were related to cognition and driven in part by amyloid burden. Soluble platelet-derived growth factor β, an independent CSF vascular biomarker, confirmed vascular–tau associations in a subgroup analysis. These results suggest that combination treatments targeting vascular health, amyloid-β, and tau levels may more effectively preserve cognitive function than single-target therapies.
Efficient Low-Pass Dendro-Somatic Coupling in the Apical Dendrite of Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Marti Mengual Ulisses , Wybo Willem A.M. , Spierenburg Lotte J.E. , Santello Mirko , Senn Walter , Nevian Thomas
Published: October 2020

Signal propagation in the dendrites of many neurons, including cortical pyramidal neurons in sensory cortex, is characterized by strong attenuation toward the soma. In contrast, using dual whole-cell recordings from the apical dendrite and soma of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adult male mice we found good coupling, particularly of slow subthreshold potentials like NMDA spikes or trains of EPSPs from dendrite to soma. Only the fastest EPSPs in the ACC were reduced to a similar degree as in primary somatosensory cortex, revealing differential low-pass filtering capabilities. Furthermore, L5 pyramidal neurons in the ACC did not exhibit dendritic Ca2+spikes as prominently found in the apical dendrite of S1 (somatosensory cortex) pyramidal neurons. Fitting the experimental data to a NEURON model revealed that the specific distribution ofIleak,Iir,Im, andIhwas sufficient to explain the electrotonic dendritic structure causing a leaky distal dendritic compartment with correspondingly low input resistance and a compact perisomatic region, resulting in a decoupling of distal tuft branches from each other while at the same time efficiently connecting them to the soma. Our results give a biophysically plausible explanation of how a class of prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons achieve efficient integration of subthreshold distal synaptic inputs compared with the same cell type in sensory cortices.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUnderstanding cortical computation requires the understanding of its fundamental computational subunits. Layer 5 pyramidal neurons are the main output neurons of the cortex, integrating synaptic inputs across different cortical layers. Their elaborate dendritic tree receives, propagates, and transforms synaptic inputs into action potential output. We found good coupling of slow subthreshold potentials like NMDA spikes or trains of EPSPs from the distal apical dendrite to the soma in pyramidal neurons in the ACC, which was significantly better compared with S1. This suggests that frontal pyramidal neurons use a different integration scheme compared with the same cell type in somatosensory cortex, which has important implications for our understanding of information processing across different parts of the neocortex.
Long non‐coding RNA ELDR enhances oral cancer growth by promoting ILF3‐cyclin E1 signaling
Authors: Sur Subhayan , Nakanishi Hiroshi , Steele Robert , Zhang Dapeng , Varvares Mark A , Ray Ratna B
Published: October 2020

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer with a 5‐year overall survival rate of 50%. Thus, there is a critical need to understand the disease process, and to identify improved therapeutic strategies. Previously, we found the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) EGFR long non‐coding downstream RNA (ELDR) induced in a mouse tongue cancer model; however, its functional role in human oral cancer remained unknown. Here, we show that ELDR is highly expressed in OSCC patient samples and in cell lines. Overexpression of ELDR in normal non‐tumorigenic oral keratinocytes induces cell proliferation, colony formation, and PCNA expression. We also show that ELDR depletion reduces OSCC cell proliferation and PCNA expression. Proteomics data identifies the RNA binding protein ILF3 as an interacting partner of ELDR. We further show that the ELDR‐ILF3 axis regulates Cyclin E1 expression and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein. Intratumoral injection of ELDR‐specific siRNA reduces OSCC and PDX tumor growth in mice. These findings provide molecular insight into the role of ELDR in oral cancer and demonstrate that targeting ELDR has promising therapeutic potential.
Topachevsky Vadym Oleksandrovych — an outstanding figure in the history of mammalogy of Ukraine (to the 90th anniversary of his birth)
Authors:   National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Rekovets Leonid I.
Published: October 2020

This analytical research is devoted to the life, but mainly creative path of the outstanding scientist of the XX century, zoologist and palaeomammalogist Vadym Oleksandrovych Topachevsky. Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, professor, honored worker of science and technology of Ukraine – these are only formal titles without an in-depth analysis of his essence as a scientist, leader or just a person. His life motto – to leave the maximum possible trace in science, constantly filled the atmosphere of realization of his aspirations, expressed in publications, speeches at conferences, scientific and organizational affairs. The fundamental, truly academic directions of scientific research, which he always defended at different levels of the organization of academic science in Ukraine, have always been a priority in his scientific activity, to which Vadym Oleksandrovych aspired and always encouraged his students. The factual basis of his scientific work has always been the original materials and data obtained by him in the field. Those materials formed the core of scientific beliefs of Vadym Topachevsky and became an invaluable asset of the NMNH collections. The basics of morpho-functional analysis of fossil remains, which he elaborated in depth, are not simply the assertion of V. O. Kovalevsky’s principles; hypothesis about the phylogeny of cricetid-arvicolid branch among small mammals substantiated and confirmed by him is accepted among leading palaeomammalogists. Vadym Oleksandrovych successfully applied the approach of historical and faunal analysis of groups in characterizing the dynamics of natural processes of the late Cenozoic natural regions of eastern Europe. Morphology, systematics and phylogeny, palaeoecology and palaeogeography, stratigraphy and historical faunistics are those areas of Vadym Topachevsky’s scientific achievements that have been recognized today and are being developed by his students and followers. The scientific ideas of I. G. Pidoplichko, V. O. Topachevsky and O. L. Korotkevich with the active participation of museum staff (V. I. Svistun, Yu. O. Semenov, V. I. Bibikova, L. I. Rekovets) formed the basis for the creation of the exposition of the palaeontological museum NMNH NAS of Ukraine, built on a systematic and stratigraphic basis.
Antibacterial cellulose-based aerogels for wound healing application: A review
Authors: Yahya Esam Bashir , Alzalouk Marwa Mohammed , Alfallous Khalifa A. , Abogmaza Abdullah F.
Published: October 2020

Aerogels have been steadily developed since its first invention to become one of the most promising materials for various medical and non-medical applications. It has been prepared from organic and inorganic materials, in pure forms or composites. Cellulose-based aerogels are considered one of the promising materials in biomedical applications due to their availability, degradability, biocompatibility and non-cytotoxicity compared to conventional silica or metal-based aerogels. The unique properties of such materials permit their utilization in drug delivery, biosensing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and wound dressing. This review presents a summary of aerogel development as well as the properties and applications of aerogels. Herein, we further discuss the recent works pertaining to utilization of cellulose-based aerogels for antibacterial delivery.
Transitional Care Interventions for Youth With Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Levy Ben B. , Song Jessica Z. , Luong Dorothy , Perrier Laure , Bayley Mark T. , Andrew Gail , Arbour-Nicitopoulos Kelly , Chan Brian , Curran Cynthia J. , Dimitropoulos Gina , Hartman Laura , Huang Lennox , Kastner Monika , Kingsnorth Shauna , McCormick Anna , Nelson Michelle , Nicholas David , Penner Melanie , Thompson Laura , Toulany Alene , Woo Amanda , Zee Joanne , Munce Sarah E.P.
Published: October 2020

CONTEXT:

Transition from the pediatric to the adult health care system is a complex process that should include medical, psychosocial, educational, recreational, and vocational considerations.

OBJECTIVE:

In this systematic review, we aim to synthesize the evidence on transitional care interventions (TCIs) to improve the quality of life (QoL) for adolescents and young adults with childhood-onset disabilities, including neurodevelopmental disorders.

DATA SOURCES:

Four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched.

STUDY SELECTION:

In the included studies, researchers examined TCIs for adolescents and young adults (12–24 years of age) with childhood-onset disabilities. Studies were experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies published in the last 26 years.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Two reviewers independently completed study screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment.

RESULTS:

Fifty-two studies were included. Five studies reported on QoL, but statistically significant improvements were noted in only 1 of these studies. Significant improvements were also found in secondary outcomes including disability-related knowledge and transitional readiness. TCIs targeted patients, families and/or caregivers, and health care providers and exhibited great heterogeneity in their characteristics and components.

LIMITATIONS:

Inconsistent reporting on interventions between studies hindered synthesis of the relationships between specific intervention characteristics and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although there is limited evidence on the impact of TCIs on the QoL for youth with childhood-onset disabilities, there is indication that they can be effective in improving patient and provider outcomes. The initiation of transition-focused care at an early age may contribute to improved long-term health outcomes in this population.
Web-Based Tailored Messaging to Increase Vaccination: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Glanz Jason M. , Wagner Nicole M. , Narwaney Komal J. , Pyrzanowski Jennifer , Kwan Bethany M. , Sevick Carter , Resnicow Kenneth , Dempsey Amanda F.
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND:

To increase vaccine acceptance, we created a Web-based the “Vaccines and Your Baby” intervention (VAYB) that provided new parents with vaccine information messages tailored to vaccine beliefs and values. We evaluated the effectiveness of the VAYB by comparing timely uptake of infant vaccines to an untailored version of the intervention (UT) or usual care intervention (UC) only.

METHODS:

Between April 2016 and June 2019, we conducted a randomized clinical trial. Pregnant women and new parents were randomly assigned to the VAYB, UT, or UC arms. In the VAYB and UT arms, participants were exposed to interventions at 4 time points from pregnancy until their child was 15 months of age. The primary outcome was up-to-date status for recommended vaccines from birth to 200 days of age. A modified intent-to-treat analysis was conducted. Data were analyzed with logistic regression to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS:

We enrolled 824 participants (276 VAYB, 274 UT, 274 UC), 143 (17.4%) of whom were lost to follow-up. The up-to-date rates in the VAYB, UT, and UC arms were 91.44%, 92.86%, and 92.31%, respectively. Infants in the VAYB arm were not more likely to be up to date than infants in the UC arm (OR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.45–1.76) or in the UT arm (OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.42–1.63). The odds of being up to date did not differ between UT and UC arms (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 0.54–2.18).

CONCLUSIONS:

Delivering Web-based vaccine messages tailored to parents’ vaccine attitudes and values did not positively impact the timely uptake of infant vaccines.
Effect of a Video-Based Case Presentation Educational Intervention Anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior on Adoption of Oral Health Behaviors Among Dental Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Macapagal Joshua , Calimag Maria Minerva
Published: October 2020

Objective: The integration of video technology in case-based presentations are useful approaches in teaching real-world problems that ultimately improves an individual’s ability to reflect, analyze, and decide regarding any circumstance leading to change in behavior. Anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of an online case-based video patient education tool on the adoption of oral health behaviors by patients in the dental setting. Materials and Methods: The study was carried on 74 dental patients who were selected using simple sampling (37 patients each in Groups I and II). The two groups differed in presence (Group I-Control) or absence (Group II–Experimental) of prior exposure to professional oral care before Patient Educational Intervention through video-based case presentation was performed in the control and experimental groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 software at 0.05 significance level. Results: A total of 37 participants per group in Groups I and II (N=74) responded to the pre-test phase and post-test phase. The pre-test mean scores of Groups I and II were 11.43 and 15.05, respectively. The post-test mean score of Groups I and II were 10.81 and 12.76, respectively. There is no statistical significance seen in the pre-test mean score and the post-test mean score of the patients who experienced professional oral health care (Group I) (p=0.113). However, there is a statistical significance in the mean pre-test score and the mean post-test score among patients who never experienced professional oral health care (Group II) (p=0.032). Conclusion: The study revealed that the video-based case presentations is an effective patient education strategy for dental patients who have never experienced professional oral health care manifested as a decline in the degree of dental neglect.
The integraton by trade and FDI of emerging economies: The ASEAN example
Authors: Magasházi Anikó
Published: October 2020

The paper investigates the role of regionalization and regional identity in the endeavours of emerging economies to connect successfully to the global world economy. It addresses the question of whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with its loose institutional integration framework, has contributed to the global integration of its very heterogenous members in the first decade of the 21st century — and, if so, what are the drivers behind this. The paper summarizes connecting theories, using a multidisciplinary approach, and uses descriptive statistical analysis to identify the achievements of the ASEAN-6 countries within global trade and foreign direct invesment (FDI) flows in the given time period. We suggest that ASEAN countries, with their efforts to initiate interconnecting regional organizations in Asia, most specifically the ASEAN+3 (APT) construction, did contribute to greater integratedness of member countries; and they have created a regional image with a common market and production base. Such achievements, however, can be in great part attributed to the micro-level activities of international and regional firms wishing to establish cross-border production networks in these countries.
Measurement, incorporation and use of performance information in the budget
Authors: Bleyen Pieter , Lombaert Stijn , Bouckaert Geert
Published: October 2020

In search for efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal sustainability, governments gather more performance information than ever before. As many of them have sought to incorporate and use this kind of information in budgeting and planning documents, the main goal of this article is to discover how local government performance budgeting practices can be mapped by a survey in a way that enables international comparison. Three previous mapping endeavors served as preliminary guidelines to develop a refined index based on the dimensions measurement, incorporation and use of performance information which form a generally accepted logical sequence in the public management literature. Results for the case of 304 Flemish local governments show a huge variation in the way performance budgeting is practiced, as index scores vary from nearly zero to more than 76 percent. Although it seems that available performance information is incorporated fairly well, measurement and use are lacking. It can be concluded that measuring performance budgeting offers interesting insights in the way this kind of budgeting is practiced in local governments. Although, from an analytical point of view, it is not sufficient to fully grasp performance budgeting and this for several reasons discussed in the article.
Is more always good? Over-education, job satisfaction and wages on the Czech labor market
Authors: Salahodjaev Raufhon
Published: October 2020

The notion of over-education has drawn considerable research attention since the work of Freeman (1976). This study provides evidence that education match matters for labor market outcomes. Using data from the REFLEX survey, we find that over-education and over-skilling has a significant negative impact on wages and job satisfaction in the Czech labor market. Secondly, we find that the wage penalty is stronger for female respondents. In contrast, overskilled and overeducated men are more dissatisfied than women.
The law-finance-technology nexus in the 21ST century. Is there a need to rethink the limits of law?
Authors: Tajti Tibor
Published: October 2020

As readily proven by the Credit Crunch and the consequent 2008 Global Financial Crisis, our perception of what law and regulation can achieve to forestall financial calamities and to protect the integrity of the system was seriously mistaken. Besides the misjudged risks generated by financial innovation as well as financial pathology and general incomprehension of finance as such, two further misconceptions are of interdisciplinary nature. On the one hand, the risk-type that was brought to the surface by the Credit Crunch was systemic risk; a risk of complexity and dimensions that was corollary only to the Great Depression erupting in 1929. From a legal perspective, this meant unprecedented interpenetration of various branches of law, from mortgage and corporate to securities law. The central piece in the puzzle – asset securitization – was a synergic product of these. The first conclusion the paper draws is that in the light of this there is a need for a new legal discipline – the law of finance – that would spread over all these branches of law (internal inter-disciplinarity). On the other hand, both the Credit Crunch as well as the subsequent developments on financial markets show that understanding finance and the risks inherent to it are not only becoming increasingly problematic (not only for lawyers) but that some of the risks are unidentifiable (“unknown unknowns”). Finance is inherently complex, yet further exacerbating factors are the growing presence of technology, mathematization of finance (and economics) and the possible synergic effects of various, often seemingly not linked, financial products. The second claim this paper makes consequently is that legal scholarship should face, comprehend and reckon with the roles other disciplines increasingly play in finance (external inter-disciplinarity) and the fundamentally altered nature of finance. Subscribing to the conclusion – on an abstract and theoretical level – that the looming crises should be perceived as multi-disciplinary phenomena that as such require multi-disciplinary panacea and more cooperation from the affected disciplines would be easy. In reality, however, little seems to have changed. Suffice to take a look at law school curricula to realize that actually few have recipes for such seemingly simple but practical questions as how to teach the law of finance, especially where consensus has not been reached even on whether teach it at all. Equally heavy dilemmas are already presented for regulators or judges when deciding on issues from the realms of finance law.
Normative stakeholder management orientation: Business vs. non-business students
Authors: Godos-Diez Jose-Luis , Fernández-Gago Roberto , Cabeza-García Laura
Published: October 2020

Using a sample of Spanish undergraduate students, this research contributes to stakeholder theory by developing empirical testing of normative stakeholder management orientation. It also offers empirical evidence on how the type of higher education received affects how individuals assess stakeholders’ interests. The results show that, in general, business students give less importance to the normative approach and consider it less necessary to take secondary stakeholders into account for a normative reason than their non-business counterparts do. Therefore, this study raises awareness on the influence of business education on individuals’ ethical decision-making process and suggests some possible changes for business teaching.
Interpretation of ‘time’ and ‘future’ in strategy research
Authors: Gáspár Judit
Published: October 2020

Time is in constant motion: the present, the future and the past, although they are not concepts having a fixed meaning, they are present in everyday life both at the conscious and the unconscious levels. The author’s intention in this paper is to grasp the relationship of companies to time and to the future in the mature and nascent states of their life cycles. As discussed in this paper, this relationship may appear with little reflection in the form of assumptions in the eyes of strategy researchers and practitioners. At first the interrelatedness of theory and practice is discussed in order to focus on the role of scholars and practitioners in creating theory and putting it to practice or vice versa. This general introduction will lay the ground for the study of interpretations of the future and time from the perspective of strategy research and strategy practice, respectively.
Tax evasion and the shadow economy in Hungary
Authors: Balog Ádám
Published: October 2020

The fight against the shadow economy and tax evasion is among priority policy objectives in most developed countries. In addition to causing significant budget revenue shortfalls, the shadow economy and tax evasion distort the quality of statistics and market competition. Based on the theoretical and empirical literature, this paper presents the underlying reasons behind the shadow economy and estimates on the size of the shadow economy in Hungary. Furthermore, it draws conclusions on the whitening effects of recent policy measures, based on the most recent statistics of the National Labour Office and the retail sales statistics.
Hungarian small business tax and possibilities to minimize distortions from capital income taxation
Authors: Nobilis Benedek , Svraka András
Published: October 2020

Governments throughout the EU and OECD countries rely on revenues raised on capital income. Albeit several arguments can be made for keeping these taxes, in their widespread form they hinder capital accumulation and significantly lower potential growth due to their savings and investment distorting nature. At the same time, the actual economic impact of tax types is largely influenced by their structure. An elegant method, which is also simple in its concept, for eliminating the economic distortions of profit taxes is cash-flow taxation which moves income taxes closer to the more growth-friendly value-added taxes. The small business tax, which was introduced in Hungary in 2013, was designed along these principles. In this paper we review the theoretical literature on cash-flow taxation and discuss the main regulatory elements of the small business tax, as well as the solutions elaborated for working out the challenges related to its implementation.
Determinants of capital structure choice: Empirical evidence from Vietnamese listed companies
Authors: Nha Bui Duc , Bich Loan Nguyen Thi , Nhung Nguyen Thi Tuyet
Published: October 2020

This paper examines the impact of firm-specific and industry characteristics on capital structure during a sample period spanning from 2007 to 2013. We used panel regression with fixed effects and found strong evidence that capital structure is most affected by firm-specific factors such as tangibility, non-debt tax shields, liquidity, firm size, taxes paid, profitability, Tobin’s Q ratio, and growth assets. In addition, the empirical results indicate that firms operating in different industries have dissimilar capital structures.
Land policy and farm structure: Challenges and opportunities for agriculture in the Western Balkan
Authors: Mizik Tamás
Published: October 2020

Although Western Balkan countries are quite different, they can all be characterised by their one shared goal, to achieve the quickest possible accession to the European Union. Even though agriculture plays an important key role within all Western Balkan states, it’s share is the highest in Albania and only Serbia has a trade surplus. Land is a key production factor but all the analysed countries can be characterised by fragmented land structure and low average farm sizes. Mostly based on land ownership issues, a land reform index can be calculated. The major contribution of this paper to the literature is the reevaluated land reform index for the Western Balkans.
“Rentier states” or the relationship between regime stability and exercising power in post-Soviet Central Asia
Authors: Gyene Pál István
Published: October 2020

The paper intends to give an insight into the relations of the economic and political systems of the Central Asian republics using the theoretical framework of the “rentier economy” and “rentier state” approach. The main findings of the paper are that two (Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) of the five states examined are commodity export dependent “full-scale” rentier states. The two political systems are of a stable neo-patrimonial regime character, while the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, poor in natural resources but dependent on external rents, may be described as “semi-rentier” states or “rentier economies”. They are politically more instable, but have an altogether authoritarian, oligarchical “clan-based” character. Uzbekistan with its closed economy, showing tendencies of economic autarchy, is also a potentially politically unstable clan-based regime. Thus, in the Central Asian context, the rentier state or rentier economy character affects the political stability of the actual regimes rather than having a direct impact on whether power is exercised in an autocratic or democratic way.
The relationships between foreign direct investment, domestic savings, domestic investment, and economic growth: The case of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Abu Nurudeen , Karim Mohd Zaini Abd
Published: October 2020

Despite the large body of research on foreign direct investment, domestic savings, domestic investment and economic growth, little has been done to investigate the relationships among them. This paper examines the relationships among foreign direct investment, domestic savings, domestic investment, and economic growth in 16 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from 1981 to 2011, using various techniques. The results of VAR estimation and Granger causality tests demonstrate that there is a unidirectional causality from foreign investment to growth and domestic investment, savings to growth, and a bidirectional causality between growth and domestic investment as well as savings and domestic investment. The results of the variance decomposition analysis reveal that foreign investment exerts more influence on growth. Savings are more important in explaining domestic investment, growth is more important in explaining foreign investment, and domestic investment is more important in explaining savings. Based on the results of the impulse response analysis, there is a positive unidirectional causality from foreign investment to growth and domestic investment, savings to growth, and a positive bidirectional causality between savings and domestic investment, both in the short and long-run. Although there is feedback causality between domestic investment and growth, the impact from investment is negative in the short-run and positive in the long-run. Thus, policies that encourage foreign investment and savings are required to boost domestic investment and promote growth, and policies that raise domestic investment will lead to higher savings and growth in SSA.
Impact of R&D subsidies on enterprise performance in the Czech Republic
Authors: Čadil Jan , Mirošník Karel , Petkovová Ludmila
Published: October 2020

The attention and support that R&D receives from economists and politicians reflects its importance as a key element of competitiveness and growth in advanced economies. But the real effect of policy upon public support depends on the technological level and structure of the economy and on the ability of beneficiaries to use the support effectively. We should also ask whether the current measurement of R&D outcomes and their subsequent assessment actually reflects real-world situations. The paper presents results of a research focused on the effectiveness of R&D subsidies on the performance of private enterprises in the Czech Republic. We deliberately focus on financial data and compare beneficiaries with unsuccessful applicants using techniques of counterfactual analysis. Although supported actors exhibit higher values of certain variables like assets, personnel expenditures or value added, these cannot be claimed to be the result of R&D support. These findings suggest the very limited effectiveness of R&D support to private actors in the Czech Republic, at least in the short run.
Local Self-Government as a Problem of Political Theory
Authors:   University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce, Święcicki Łukasz
Published: October 2020

The article aims at restoring local self-government as a research problem of political theory. In contemporary political science literature, local self-government is not treated as one of its normal, standard research problems. The main obstacle of its ambiguous position within political theory is, as I argue, the forced and imposed apolitical character of local self-government considered as a part of public administration. Despite some degree of organizational, especially institutional and legal, self-determination, the local self-government is not a political, i.e. sovereign entity. However, its non-sovereign status, which is legally established, does not exclude the existence of political potency in it.
The State and Local Self-Government. Territorial Organization of the State
Authors:   Instytut Nauk Społeczno-Humanistycznych, Kamiński Radosław
Published: October 2020

Local self-government constitutes a part of executive power in the state, with the state’s law underlying its functioning. Local government remains under the state’s supervision, representing a form of the political system within the decentralized public administration. 2018 marks 20 years of the functioning of local self-government based on a three-tier structure. The aim of the paper is an attempt at finding the answer to the question whether or not the organizational solutions adopted by the legislator and established in practice need to undergo reforms and if so, to what extent? The question thus formulated relates directly to the argument that the organization of local government system is not sound while the criteria assumed in the territorial breakdown of the local government organization do not correspond to the conditions in which those units operate, and therefore what appears necessary is for the system to be reorganized and the number of units at individual tiers to be reduced. The paper presents selected problems of the local administration in the context of a systemic organization and suggest possible (or necessary) changes which, in the author’s view, should become a subject of discussion (and in practice are such) between local selfgovernment and government administration.
Selection of somaclonal variants of the cultivar ‘Prata-Anã’ for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1
Authors: Ferreira Mileide dos Santos , Moura Érica Rodrigues de , Lino Lucymeire Souza Morais , Amorim Edson Perito , Santos-Serejo Janay Almeida dos , Haddad Fernando
Published: October 2020

Abstract The banana tree is one of the most cultivated fruit globally; however, some diseases significantly affect its production, such as Fusarium wilt. The most appropriate measure for controlling this disease in areas with inoculum pressure is the use of resistant cultivars. Therefore, this study aimed to generate banana somaclones of the cultivar ‘Prata-Anã’ resistant to Fusarium wilt by inducing somaclonal variation. ‘Prata-Anã’ stem apexes were established in vitro in MS culture medium and, on a monthly basis, subcultivated in AIA and adenine sulfate supplemented MS medium with added plant regulators: 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP, 4 ml L-1), Thidiazuron (TDZ, 1 ml L-1), and Paclobutrazol (PBZ, 10 ml L-1). The treatments were: T0: no regulator, T1: BAP, T2: TDZ, T3: PBZ, T4: BAP + TDZ, T5: BAP + PBZ, T6: TDZ + PBZ, and T7: BAP + TDZ + PBZ. After the twelfth subculture, the regenerated plants were planted in boxes containing sterile soil infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, and evaluated after 90 days for resistance to the pathogen. Somaclonal variants T2-1 and T2-2, generated in Treatment 2, with TDZ, were selected as resistant. This result is promising for the launch of a new Fusarium race 1-resistant banana variety.
ELSI-COVID-19 initiative: methodology of the telephone survey on coronavirus in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Macinko James , Andrade Fabiola Bof de , Souza Júnior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Vasconcellos Maurício Teixeira Leite de , Oliveira Cesar Messias de
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2) is a public health emergency of international concern that particularly affects older people. Brazil is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, ranking second with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide as of mid-June 2020. The ELSI-COVID-19 initiative is based on telephone interviews with participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted on a nationally representative sample of the population aged 50 or older. This initiative aims to provide information on adherence to preventive measures (social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing/hygiene); reasons for leaving the house, when that was the case; difficulties obtaining medications, medical diagnosis of COVID-19, and receipt of confirmatory results; use of health-care services (recent care-seeking, care-seeking location, care receipt, among other aspects); and mental health (sleep, depression, and loneliness). The first round of telephone interviews was conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020. The second and third rounds are expected to occur within the coming months. This article presents this initiative methodology and some sociodemographic characteristics of the 6,149 participants in the survey first round, relative the Brazilian population within the same age group.
Distanciamento social, uso de máscaras e higienização das mãos entre participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros: iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19
Authors: Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Mambrini Juliana Vaz de Melo , Andrade Fabiola Bof de , Peixoto Sérgio William Viana , Macinko James
Published: October 2020

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência do distanciamento social, do uso de máscaras e da higienização das mãos ao sair de casa entre adultos brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 6.149 entrevistas telefônicas, conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 junho de 2020 dentre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). O distanciamento social foi definido por não ter saído de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Somente 32,8% dos participantes do estudo não saíram de casa no período considerado, 36,3% saíram entre 1 e 2 vezes, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 vezes e 15,7% saíram todos os dias. As principais razões para sair de casa foram comprar remédios ou alimentos (74,2%), trabalhar (25,1%), pagar contas (24,5%), atendimento dem saúde (10,5%), fazer exercícios (6,2%) e encontrar familiares ou amigos (8,8%). Entre os que saíram de casa, 97,3% usaram sempre máscaras faciais e 97,3% sempre higienizaram as mãos. As mulheres saíram menos de casa que os homens. Esses saíram com mais frequência para trabalhar e fazer exercícios. Elas saíram mais para atendimento em saúde. Os homens (odds ratio - OR =1,84) aqueles com escolaridade mais alta (OR = 1,48 e 1,95 para 5-8 e 9 anos, respectivamente) e os residentes em áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) saíram mais para realizar atividades essenciais, independentemente da idade e de outros fatores relevantes. Os resultados mostram baixa adesão ao distanciamento social, mas altas prevalências nos usos de máscaras e higienização das mãos.
“Lucro cesante y daño emergente”: Los fondos de capellanías en el financiamiento de los mercaderes de la Ciudad de México a fines del siglo XVIII
Authors: PAVÓN Guillermina del VALLE
Published: October 2020

Resumen En este ensayo abordamos de manera general las principales prácticas crediticias que permitieron a los grandes mercaderes del consulado de la ciudad de México imponer su dominio sobre los mercados de Nueva España, en particular, a fines del siglo XVIII. Exponemos cómo generaron sus fuentes de financiamiento mediante el establecimiento de un creciente número de capellanías, cuyos caudales dotales prestaron a los miembros de sus redes de negocios. Nos centramos en el estudio de las capellanías fundadas por dichos actores económicos y examinamos la forma en que invirtieron sus fondos dotales mediante el uso creciente del depósito irregular, lo cual fue posible por el fortalecimiento del estamento mercantil. El análisis que realizamos permite observar, además, la compleja articulación que había entre la cultura católica y la reproducción social de las redes de negocios en el Antiguo Régimen novohispano.