Growth Stimuli Research Articles

The monetization of economy: An indicator that indicates nothing

The indicator of monetization of the economy; equal to the ratio of nominal money supply to nominal GDP; is very popular among Russian economists and is used to assess the effectiveness of the monetary policy pursued and is often employed in cross-country comparisons. Many economists believe that the monetization of the Russian economy is excessively low; which reflects the underdevelopment of the national financial system and requires steps towards monetary expansion. According to this view insufficient monetization of the Russian economy is as an obstacle to its rapid development; therefore increase in monetization should be made a key priority of the Bank of Russia’s policy. Although widely accepted; the complex of theories; ideas and assumptions behind these recommendations; however; has never been adequately empirically tested. In this paper we formulate several statements that are shared by the majority of economists in this area; based on a review of relevant publications; and then test the statements on cross-country data. As a result of empirical testing; it was shown that most of the statements are not supported by evidence. The monetization indicator does not carry any additional relevant information about the macroeconomics conditions; having other indicators considered. High monetization does not create additional stimulus for economic growth; and the ability of central banks to affect monetization is limited significantly. In countries with low monetization; inflationary risks of monetary expansion are sharply higher. The conducted empirical study provides arguments against the broad use of the monetization indicator in macroeconomic analysis and casts doubt on the idea of laying responsibility for increasing the level of Russian economy monetization on the Bank of Russia.

The Role of E-Government as a Stimulus for Economic Growth

The Role of E-Government as a Stimulus for Economic Growth

Portfolio Allocation Optimization with US Equities

As a result of the worldwide pandemic, many industries are in need of growth stimuli, and the US equity markets, as the main growth engine, have intrigued investor interest. This article renders a performance analysis using the weights portfolio optimization given as a focal process that is skillfully implemented by financial practitioners. Each portfolio which includes Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Home Depot, Starbucks, NIKE, P&G, QUALCOMM, and JPM, gathers weekly return data from January 2017 to December 2020 and performs a Monte Carlo simulation. The amount of portfolio alternatives will be defined by the strategies being utilized, and it will choose ten stocks from a pool of 100 stocks to form a portfolio. Asset allocation strategies with Mean-Variance and Minimum Variance were constructed using the efficient frontier. Comparing a portfolio's asset allocation performances to that of the benchmark, the S&P 500 index, and an equally weighted strategy portfolio, with respect to asset allocation, the portfolio with the highest Sharpe ratio is the most optimal. The results in this study benefit investors and industry stakeholders in the post-covid era.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Polyamine Uptake Transporter (Put) Gene Family in Tomatoes and the Role of Put2 in Response to Salt Stress

The polyamine uptake transporter (Put), an important polyamines-related protein, is involved in plant cell growth, developmental processes, and abiotic stimuli, but no research on the Put family has been carried out in the tomato. Herein, eight tomato Put were identified and scattered across four chromosomes, which were classified into three primary groups by phylogenetic analysis. Protein domains and gene structural organization also showed a significant degree of similarity, and the Put genes were significantly induced by various hormones and polyamines. Tissue-specific expression analysis indicated that Put genes were expressed in all tissues of the tomato. The majority of Put genes were induced by different abiotic stresses. Furthermore, Put2 transcription was found to be responsive to salt stress, and overexpression of Put2 in yeast conferred salinity tolerance and polyamine uptake. Moreover, overexpression of Put2 in tomatoes promoted salinity tolerance accompanied by a decrease in the Na+/K+ ratio, restricting the generation of reactive oxygen and increasing polyamine metabolism and catabolism, antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, APX, and POD), and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity (GSH/GSSG and ASA/DHA ratios, GABA, and flavonoid content); loss of function of put2 produced opposite effects. These findings highlight that Put2 plays a pivotal role in mediating polyamine synthesis and catabolism, and the antioxidant capacity in tomatoes, providing a valuable gene for salinity tolerance in plants.

Clearance of p16Ink4a-positive cells in a mouse transgenic model does not change β-cell mass and has limited effects on their proliferative capacity

Type 2 diabetes is partly characterized by decreased β-cell mass and function which have been linked to cellular senescence. Despite a low basal proliferative rate of adult β-cells, they can respond to growth stimuli, but this proliferative capacity decreases with age and correlates with increased expression of senescence effector, p16Ink4a. We hypothesized that selective deletion of p16Ink4a-positive cells would enhance the proliferative capacity of the remaining β-cells due to the elimination of the local senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We aimed to investigate the effects of p16Ink4a-positive cell removal on the mass and proliferative capacity of remaining β-cells using INK-ATTAC mice as a transgenic model of senolysis. Clearance of p16Ink4a positive subpopulation was tested in mice of different ages, males and females, and with two different insulin resistance models: high-fat diet (HFD) and insulin receptor antagonist (S961). Clearance of p16Ink4a-positive cells did not affect the overall β-cell mass. β-cell proliferative capacity negatively correlated with cellular senescence load and clearance of p16Ink4a positive cells in 1-year-old HFD mice improved β-cell function and increased proliferative capacity in a subset of animals. Single-cell sequencing revealed that the targeted p16Ink4a subpopulation of β-cells is non-proliferative and non-SASP producing whereas additional senescent subpopulations remained contributing to continued local SASP secretion. In conclusion, deletion of p16Ink4a cells did not negatively impact beta-cell mass and blood glucose under basal and HFD conditions and proliferation was restored in a subset of HFD mice opening further therapeutic targets in the treatment of diabetes.

The Role of Some Growth Stimuli on Mango Growth Performance

The Role of Some Growth Stimuli on Mango Growth Performance

Foreign Direct Investment and Labour Productivity: Relationship and Interconnection

The article aims to define the interconnection and interdependence of foreign direct investment (FDI) and labour productivity. The contributing factors of economic modernization, R&D spending, and production cost reduction to labour productivity growth are defined. The comparison analysis of FDI inflow, outflow, and labour productivity in the European Union countries is provided. The paper contributes to the empirical explanation of the relationship between labour productivity and FDI outflow and wage growth in certain sectors of the economy. The existence of higher wages in industries with a higher presence of joint venture foreign investments and industries with greater foreign participation was analysed. Greenfield investments are considered a stimulus for economic growth by the supply increase of both national and companies controllable by foreign proprietors. The sources of enhancing investment in R&D released by labour from economic sectors are proposed.

Inter-set stretch: A potential time-efficient strategy for enhancing skeletal muscle adaptations.

Time is considered a primary barrier to exercise adherence. Therefore, developing time-efficient resistance training (RT) strategies that optimize muscular adaptations is of primary interest to practitioners. A novel approach to the problem involves combining intensive stretch protocols with RT. Conceivably, integrating stretch into the inter-set period may provide an added stimulus for muscle growth without increasing session duration. Mechanistically, stretch can regulate anabolic signaling via both active and passive force sensors. Emerging evidence indicates that both lengthening contractions against a high load as well as passive stretch can acutely activate anabolic intracellular signaling pathways involved in muscle hypertrophy. Although longitudinal research investigating the effects of stretching between RT sets is limited, some evidence suggests it may in fact enhance hypertrophic adaptations. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to review how the active force of a muscle contraction and the force of a passive stretched are sensed; (2) to present evidence for the effectiveness of RT with inter-set stretch for muscle hypertrophy (3) to provide practical recommendations for application of inter-set stretch in program design as well as directions for future research.

Scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies for soft-hard interface regeneration.

Repairing injured tendon or ligament attachments to bones (enthesis) remains costly and challenging. Despite superb surgical management, the disorganized enthesis newly formed after surgery accounts for high recurrence rates after operations. Tissue engineering offers efficient alternatives to promote healing and regeneration of the specialized enthesis tissue. Load-transmitting functions thus can be restored with appropriate biomaterials and engineering strategies. Interestingly, recent studies have focused more on microstructure especially the arrangement of fibers since Rossetti successfully demonstrated the variability of fiber underspecific external force. In this review, we provide an important update on the current strategies for scaffold-based tissue engineering of enthesis when natural structure and properties are equally emphasized. We firstly described compositions, structures and features of natural enthesis with their special mechanical properties highlighted. Stimuli for growth, development and healing of enthesis widely used in popular strategies are systematically summarized. We discuss the fabrication of engineering scaffolds from the aspects of biomaterials, techniques and design strategies and comprehensively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. At last, this review pinpoints the remaining challenges and research directions to make breakthroughs in further studies.

A topical platelet-independent multilevel clotting initiator for intraoperative hemostasis

Quick and stable clotting is essential in topically controlling intraoperative hemorrhage for patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Here, we proposed and validated a kind of vesicle originated from gene-engineering cell membrane to manage uncontrolled bleeding with double clotting-triggering strategy. The vesicle constitutively exhibited truncated tissue factor (tTF) protein and phosphatidylserine (PS), thus function as a fibrin growth stimulus and erythrocyte attractant initiator in vitro and in vivo. Erythrocytes assembled in blood clot protected formed fibrin from fibrinolysis while the grown fibrin network enhanced erythrocyte aggregation in situ. Notably, these double clotting-triggering processes worked synergistically to constitute a positive feedback effect to quickly and potently form fibrinolysis-resisted erythrocyte-modified fibrin structures and achieve more stable clotting than the commonly used thrombin and gelatin coagulant. Furthermore, FDA-approved biocompatible Pluronic F127 hydrogel was rationally introduced to assist vesicles depositing onto the wound, thereby maximizing the hemostatic activity and minimizing the postoperative adhesion in a hemorrhage model with cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. This multi-level coagulant method reported here sheds new light on controlling bleeding when patients with myelosuppression undergo surgery.

COVID-19 as a stimulus for growth? The Spanish journalistic treatment of tourism during confinement

COVID-19 has had a negative effect on tourism activity, highlighting the dependence that many places have on it. Planners and managers have denounced the situation and have addressed it according to their interests: for or against regrowth as a means to overcome this crisis. The academic debate is focused on this polarisation and the possibility that this crisis constitutes an opportunity for change towards a degrowth approach in tourism. However, this approach is not adopted by politicians, entrepreneurs or the media. To confirm this hypothesis, we conducted a study focused on Spain, as it is an important international destination. We have used qualitative analysis tools in order to measure frequencies and construct semantic networks. We have analysed 2,440 written press articles on tourism in Spain, published in newspapers between 1st March and August 31st, 2020. The results confirm that the news items provide an x-ray of the events and constitute a means for transmitting the economic and reactivation discourse pro-re-growth defended by the interest groups.

Rising Longevity, Increasing the Retirement Age, and the Consequences for Knowledge‐based Long‐run Growth

We assess the long‐run growth effects of rising longevity and increasing the retirement age when growth is driven by purposeful research and development. In contrast to economies in which growth depends on learning‐by‐doing spillovers, raising the retirement age fosters economic growth. How economic growth changes in response to rising life expectancy depends on the retirement response. Employing numerical analysis, we find that the requirement for experiencing a growth stimulus from rising longevity is fulfilled by the USA, nearly met by the average OECD economy, but missed by the European Union and by Japan.

Teacher reflection – call for a transformative mindset

ABSTRACT The main objective of this paper is to examine how teacher reflection could result in possible change in practice. The essential value of teacher reflection is to think about improvements to be made for practice. This paper adapted Ward and McCotter’s reflection rubric into a Teacher Reflection survey scale to explore and examine the varying years of teaching experience, teaching level and designation on teachers’ teaching practices. A total of 436 primary and secondary school mathematics teachers took part in an online survey. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the survey instruments. Findings suggest that there were no major differences in teacher reflection based on their years of teaching experience, designation, and teaching levels. Correlational, regression, and path analyses of the three dimensions of teacher reflection (i.e. Focus, Inquiry, and Change) and teacher Change Practise revealed interesting associations among these variables. Findings indicate that the Focus dimension is the basis of teacher reflection and from there it extends to the Inquiry and Change dimensions and ultimately to Change Practise. This study suggests that the focus on a transformative mindset based on intentional reflection is a powerful stimulus for change and growth in teaching practice.

Potential benefits of climate change for potatoes in the United States

Potatoes are a mainstay of human diets and 4 million metric tons are produced annually in the United States. Simulations of future crop production show that climate change is likely to reduce the yields of the major grain crops around the world, but the impacts on potato production have yet to be determined. A model ensemble consisting of five process-based and one statistical model was used to estimate the impact of climate change on fully irrigated, well-fertilized potato crop across the USA under the RCP 8.5 scenario of high emissions. Results indicate that increasing temperature will reduce potato yields, but this will be mostly compensated by elevated atmospheric CO2. Yields are predicted to decline with climate change in the current highest-yielding areas, which might experience the highest rises in growing season temperature during short hot summers. Simulated yields increase slightly elsewhere in the southern regions of the USA. Planting potatoes earlier as adaptation to avoid hot summers might improve yields in most regions. Water use by the potato crop is predicted to decline despite higher temperatures, due to a shorter growing season and increased water use efficiency under elevated atmospheric CO2. With higher yields in many regions, crop uptake for (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium) NPK fertilizer will increase, despite the reduced concentration of nutrients in potatoes due to a growth stimulus from elevated atmospheric CO2. With earlier planting, by 2050 water use will decline by 11.7%, NPK fertilizer uptake will increase by 10.4%, and yields of slightly less nutritious potatoes will increase by 14.9% nationally.

Multi-transcriptome analysis following an acute skeletal muscle growth stimulus yields tools for discerning global and MYC regulatory networks

Myc is a powerful transcription factor implicated in epigenetic reprogramming, cellular plasticity, and rapid growth as well as tumorigenesis. Cancer in skeletal muscle is extremely rare despite marked and sustained Myc induction during loading-induced hypertrophy. Here, we investigated global, actively transcribed, stable, and myonucleus-specific transcriptomes following an acute hypertrophic stimulus in mouse plantaris. With these datasets, we define global and Myc-specific dynamics at the onset of mechanical overload-induced muscle fiber growth. Data collation across analyses reveals an under-appreciated role for the muscle fiber in extracellular matrix remodeling during adaptation, along with the contribution of mRNA stability to epigenetic-related transcript levels in muscle. We also identify Runx1 and Ankrd1 (Marp1) as abundant myonucleus-enriched loading-induced genes. We observed that a strong induction of cell cycle regulators including Myc occurs with mechanical overload in myonuclei. Additionally, in vivo Myc-controlled gene expression in the plantaris was defined using a genetic muscle fiber-specific doxycycline-inducible Myc-overexpression model. We determined Myc is implicated in numerous aspects of gene expression during early-phase muscle fiber growth. Specifically, brief induction of Myc protein in muscle represses Reverbα, Reverbβ, and Myh2 while increasing Rpl3, recapitulating gene expression in myonuclei during acute overload. Experimental, comparative, and in silico analyses place Myc at the center of a stable and actively transcribed, loading-responsive, muscle fiber–localized regulatory hub. Collectively, our experiments are a roadmap for understanding global and Myc-mediated transcriptional networks that regulate rapid remodeling in postmitotic cells. We provide open webtools for exploring the five RNA-seq datasets as a resource to the field.

Pemanfaatan Alokasi Dana Desa dalam Pembangunan Infrastruktur di Desa Pandu Kecamatan Cerme Kabupaten Gresik

National development is an effort made by the government to develop the overall process of the state administration system and all aspects of people's lives to realize national goals. To help accelerate rural development, the government then provided the Village Fund Allocation (ADD) assistance program. The provision of Village Fund Allocations aims to be a stimulant and a stimulus for village growth. ADD assistance was also given to Pandu Village, Come District, Gresik Regency. The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of Village Fund Allocation in Infrastructure Development in Pandu Village, Cerme District, Gresik Regency, using a qualitative descriptive approach, using the theory of Rahardjo (2006) about the principle of village development. The results of this study indicate that infrastructure development in Pandu Village has been going well, but there are certain indicators that are still not optimally implemented, such as transparency indicators that have not been carried out by the village government to the community evenly. Indicators of participation are also not maximized in its implementation due to the desire of the people who do not participate in village development. Therefore, it is necessary to hold active socialization in the village community so that the community knows the activities carried out and the budget funds that have been issued, and it is necessary to evaluate each implementation of infrastructure development programs in order to increase community participation in Pandu Village so that it has a positive impact on the quality of community groups. in Pandu Village.

THE IMPORTANCE AND EVOLUTION OF FDI INFLOWS IN CHINA

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) produce a plethora of positive direct effects on the host countries, such as additional resources and capabilities, added tax revenues, and GDP growth. Furthermore, they link the host economy to the global marketplace and improve the balance of payment. Apart from these direct effects, there are also many indirect consequences that must be taken into consideration, such as new management styles, new work culture, and more dynamic competitive practices. The sustained flow of FDI into developing nations is without a doubt an important stimulus for economic growth. In the present paper, the main objective is to present the inward FDI in China over the last 5 years, while highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the investment inflow. To achieve this goal, I have explained the importance of FDI inflows in the economic development of a country, I presented China s macroeconomic performance in recent years, and finally, I performed an analysis of the evolution of FDI inflows in China for the period 2017 – 2021. Regarding the methodology used, I have elaborated quantitative research, by collecting information and data from China s national statistics, international statistics, and from specialized literature. The hypothesis of the research is that despite being the country where the pandemic broke out, China managed to remain an attractive place for foreign investors.

Management of Chiari 1 Malformation and Hydrocephalus in Syndromic Craniosynostosis

Chiari 1 malformation and hydrocephalus are frequent findings in multi-suture and syndromic craniosynostosis patients. In this article, we review the pathogenesis, clinical significance, and management options for these conditions with comments from our own experience. The role of premature fusion of skull base sutures leading to a crowded posterior fossa and venous outflow obstruction resulting in impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption is highlighted. Management options are unique in this group and we advocate early (prior to 6 months of age) posterior vault expansion by distraction osteogenesis (DO) in the management of Chiari 1 malformation. Foramen magnum decompression is recommended for a select few either as part of posterior vault expansion or at a later date. Treatment of hydrocephalus, utilizing a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt with preferably a programmable high-pressure valve and anti-siphon device, is required in a small percentage of cases despite successful posterior vault expansion. Patients need to be carefully selected and managed as hydrocephalus often serves as an important cranial vault growth stimulus. Further, they require careful monitoring and thought to ensure the management of these conditions and the timing of any intervention provides the optimal long-term outcome for the patient.

Parental Practices and Environmental Differences among Infants Living in Upper-Middle and High-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Parental practices and environmental factors can impact a child’s development and, consequently, functionality. The objective is to assess the parental practices and environmental differences in healthy and at-risk infants at 3–6 months of age living in upper-middle (Brazil) and high-income (Italy) countries. A total group of 115 infants was identified and classified into four groups: healthy Italian infants (H_IT); Italian infants exposed to biological risk factors (R_IT); healthy Brazilian infants (H_BR); and Brazilian infants exposed to environmental risk factors (L_BR). The dependent variables were parental practices and environmental factors, which were assessed through a semi-structured interview and the “variety of stimulation dimension” from the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development—Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS) questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and correlation tests were applied. Regarding the environment and parental practices, the mother’s age, maternal and paternal education, civil status, and variety of stimulation showed significant differences among the infants living in Brazil or in Italy. There were strong dissimilarities in parental practices and environmental factors among infants living in low/upper-middle and high-income countries. Since the home environment is the main stimulus for infant growth and development, our results are meaningful for providing knowledge about these two different cultures.

Untangling leaf expansion triggers: A new experimental study with Epipremnum aureum (Araceae)

Allomorphic aroid vines exhibit a distinct morphology compared to the typical “sun and shade” leaf pattern. Their leaves exposed to high light irradiance at canopies are up to 30 times larger in area compared to leaves in the forest understory. Growth axis direction, contact with the host, and canopy light are morphogenesis-inducing factors for these aroids. While the first two factors are directly related to growth, the light obtained at canopies is associated with foraging and reproduction. In previous studies, the stimulus of light or the simultaneous application of contact and growth axis direction was not able to induce intense changes in leaf, petiole, and stem dimensions, as seen in nature. In this study, we tested the simultaneous interaction of light intensity, growth axis direction, and contact as inducing factors of morphological shoot development in the allomorphic aroid vine, Epipremnum aureum. An experiment with 60 cuttings was established, which included three growth conditions (horizontal, hanging, and climbing) and two light conditions (low light and high light). After 10 months, the leaf, petiole, and internode dimensions and dry mass allocation were compared. In both the horizontal and hanging treatments, the presence of high light doubled the individual leaf area to approximately 60 cm2. However, when high light was combined with vertical growth and contact stimuli in the climbing treatment, this increase was 20-fold, producing leaves up to 1,000 cm². Dry mass allocation followed the same pattern. This result shows that the enormous leaf area expansion of E. aureum is a synergistic effect of the simultaneous application of light, growth axis direction, and contact. The increase in light interception by wider leaves is an advantage to the maintenance of allomorphic aroid vines in a variable light environment such as in canopies.