Examining financial literacy and the financial aspects of Hofstede's four-factor culture model in Hungary

The paper examines the financial culture and the use of financial knowledge of the Hungarian population based on Hofstede’s four-factor cultural dimension theory. Three research questions (financial application of Hofstede’s cultural model, testing it among the Hungarian population, and examining the relationship between financial knowledge and application) were investigated using a questionnaire-based quantitative research method on a representative sample. To answer the research questions, variables were grouped using principal component analysis, cluster analysis was performed to typify the population, and correlation analysis was carried out for financial knowledge and application. Based on the study, we recommended that financial education is important. A limitation of the study is that it is not representative in terms of educational attainment, but it is suitable for describing the financial characteristics of the Hungarian population. The study found that the Hungarian population can be characterized by applying Hofstede’s cultural model of finance. A significant part of the population holds collectivist views. It is also important to note that financial self-confidence and success orientation are not related to financial knowledge and its successful application.Examinando la educación financiera y los aspectos financieros del modelo de cultura de cuatro factores de Hofstede en HungríaEste artículo examina la cultura financiera y el uso de los conocimientos financieros de la población húngara basándose en la teoría de la dimensión cultural de cuatro factores de Hofstede. Se investigaron tres cuestiones de investigación (la aplicación financiera del modelo cultural de Hofstede, su comprobación entre la población húngara y el examen de la relación entre los conocimientos financieros y su aplicación) utilizando un método de investigación cuantitativa basado en cuestionarios sobre una muestra representativa. Para responder a las preguntas de la investigación, se agruparon las variables mediante un análisis de componentes principales, se realizó un análisis de conglomerados para tipificar a la población y se llevó a cabo un análisis de correlación para los conocimientos financieros y la aplicación. Basándonos en el estudio, recomendamos que la educación financiera es importante. Una limitación del estudio es que no es representativo en términos de nivel educativo, pero es adecuado para describir las características financieras de la población húngara. El estudio reveló que la población húngara puede caracterizarse aplicando el modelo cultural de las finanzas de Hofstede. Una parte significativa de la población tiene opiniones colectivistas. También es importante señalar que la autoconfianza financiera y la orientación al éxito no están relacionadas con los conocimientos financieros y su aplicación con éxito

Inputs and outputs of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation: Relevance to oxidative stress

AbstractOxidative stress can cause DNA breaks which induce activation of the DNA nick sensor enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), part of the 17 member PARP enzyme family. PARP-1 modifies target proteins by attaching to them several NAD-derived ADP-ribose units forming poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymers. PARylation controls many cellular processes while intense PARylation may also lead to cell death by various mechanisms. Here we summarize the modes of activation, inhibitors and modulators of PARP-1 and review the cellular functions regulated by the enzyme

Comparative Analysis of Budgetary Indicators of European Municipal Subsystems in the Post-Crisis Term between 2009–2018

The aim of our research was to analyse trends in the fiscal indicators of municipalities in the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area. To that end, we examined the municipal fiscal indicators between 2009 and 2018 across 31 European countries that report regularly to Eurostat. In our research, we sought answers to three main yet related research questions. Ad 1. How has the crisis affected the operation of European municipal systems? Ad 2. In which way has it influenced the different groups of countries defined in public law and European regional context? Ad 3. How did the characteristics of the local authorities governed by public law changed, that is, how did the classical system characteristics change evaluated by fiscal indicators in the light of the crisis and the crisis management measures made in response to it? We used methods of descriptive statistics, as well as cluster analysis and variance analysis to verify our hypotheses. In our study, we concluded that the crisis has made a significant impact on local government fiscal indicators, however, it had a different impact on the post-Soviet region, the Mediterranean region and the Scandinavian countries. The Rhine (public law) model has proved to be the most crisis-resistant. It has been proved that the specifics described by fiscal indicators do not fully correspond to the municipal system models under public law. At the end of our research, the characteristics of the Hungarian local governmental system following the municipal reform were presented

Enhanced physicochemical and biological properties of ion-implanted Titanium using Electron Cyclotron Resonance ion sources

The surface properties of metallic implants play an important role in their clinical success. Improving upon the inherent shortcomings of Ti implants, such as poor bioactivity, is imperative for achieving clinical use. In this study, we have developed a Ti implant modified with Ca or dual Ca + Si ions on the surface using an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS). The physicochemical and biological properties of ion-implanted Ti surfaces were analyzed using various analytical techniques, such as surface analyses, potentiodynamic polarization and cell culture. Experimental results indicated that a rough morphology was observed on the Ti substrate surface modified by ECRIS plasma ions. The in vitro electrochemical measurement results also indicated that the Ca + Si ion-implanted surface had a more beneficial and desired behavior than the pristine Ti substrate. Compared to the pristine Ti substrate, all ion-implanted samples had a lower hemolysis ratio. MG63 cells cultured on the high Ca and dual Ca + Si ion-implanted surfaces revealed significantly greater cell viability in comparison to the pristine Ti substrate. In conclusion, surface modification by electron cyclotron resonance Ca and Si ion sources could be an effective method for Ti implants

A megfelelőség értékelésének átalakítása a bizonytalanságok és kockázatok figyelembevételével

The fierce competition for customers gives a double pressure onto companies: to reduce costs, to keep or to improve quality. Right decisions on product conformity are vital for profitability. Widely used classical conformity assessment and process control techniques alone are not able to meet these requirements. One of their drawbacks is that they neglect the uncertainty of measurements. Variance of measure is added to the variance of the process resulting a greater fluctuation of data. In this case variance related calculations lead to poor acceptance decisions, especially close to the tolerance limits. In this paper a new risk-based approach is presented and particular techniques are proposed for taking measurement uncertainty and consequences of the decision into consideration hence critical values for acceptance decisions can be optimized. The proposed method gives the optimal results even if the normality criteria of the probability distribution is violated. Application of the technique is illustrated on a small practical problem

Past and Future: New Ways in Municipal (Property) Management After Debt Consolidation : In Focus: Towns with County Rights

The indebtedness of local municipalities is of high concern all over the world. In Hungary, after the beginning of the regime change and especially after the 2004 EU accession, when they were used as own contribution for accessing community investment development resources, bank loans and municipal bonds significantly deteriorated the financial stability of the local governmental system. After the review of the process of the accumulation and consolidation of debts, the study explores, through the example of towns with county rights, the state funding regime, which has replaced the formerly passive, debt-accumulating management and has provided stability and predictability, and the Modern Cities Programme, which is now the mainstay of development policy. Another unique feature of the paper is that it also provides numerical indicators to substantiate the improvement of the revenue structure, profitability, liquidity and capitalisation of towns with county rights. The most important result of the study is that it presents the evolution of the Hungarian local government system, the changes in the regulatory environment, and the changes in the institutional system since 2010. In the empirical research part of the study, towns with county rights are under scrutiny. In the study, we explored the positive effects on asset management, the improving situation, and expected future trends in development policy