Working Hours Reduction and Endogenous Growth

This paper formulates an endogenous growth model and uses it to inquire into the long-run impact of work-sharing arrangements on economic growth. We show that the styles of wage contract, namely salary-style and hourly-style contracts, are a key factor in determining the long-run growth effects of working time reduction. If the labor market is overwhelmingly salaried arrangement, then the extent of wage flexibility is relatively low; as a consequence, a policy of reducing working hours will deteriorate economic growth. On the contrary, if hourly pay predominates, then the wage system tends to increase the degree of wage flexibility. Thus, a cut in working time may favor the economy’s growth rate.Working hours reduction, Endogenous growth

Ediacaran Macro Body Fossils

This paper, Ediacaran Macro Body Fossils, reports a new discovery of well preserved three dimensional macro body fossils of the Ediacaran Period in central YunNan province in the People's Republic of China. These body fossils will enable more detailed and in-depth exploration of the evolution of multi-cellular macro organisms on this planet, whereas in the past, researches could only rely on cast or imprint fossils

Analgesic Effects and the Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammation of Hispolon in Mice

Hispolon, an active ingredient in the fungi Phellinus linteus was evaluated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Treatment of male ICR mice with hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the numbers of acetic acid-induced writhing response. Also, our result showed that hispolon (20 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the formalin-induced pain in the later phase (P<.01). In the anti-inflammatory test, hispolon (20 mg/kg) decreased the paw edema at the fourth and fifth hour after λ-carrageenin (Carr) administration, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRx) in the liver tissue. We also demonstrated that hispolon significantly attenuated the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the edema paw at the fifth hour after Carr injection. Hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) decreased the nitric oxide (NO) levels on both the edema paw and serum level at the fifth hour after Carr injection. Also, hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) diminished the serum TNF-α at the fifth hour after Carr injection. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of hispolon might be related to the decrease in the level of MDA in the edema paw by increasing the activities of SOD, GPx and GRx in the liver. It probably exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of TNF-α and NO

Financial capital of Malawi and Mongolia during 2005-2014

Abstract. Financial capital is among the most critical endowment of a nation. It is a driver of other sorts of capitals (e.g., human, technology, and so on), especially for developing countries. This study collected and analyzed important data for national financial capital through established indicators in two representative countries in Asia and Africa – Mongolia and Malawi. Through the analyses we observe comparable development of both countries’ national financial capital and witness the growth potential of them. Managerial and policy implications are discussed.Keywords. Financial capital, National competitiveness, Malawi, Mongolia.JEL. M10, M11, M14

Construction of Cell–Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments by Conjugating ECM Proteins on Supported Lipid Bilayers

The cell membrane is an organized and fluid structure that modulates cellular activities in response to specific extracellular signals, and maintains the critical communication, integration, and homeostasis between the cytosol and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In recent years, tissue engineering and cell biology research has been rapidly progressed by a remarkable understanding of cell and ECM interfaces. In this review, the design of new biomimetic platforms based on the conjugation of ECM proteins on solid supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) will be summarized. The platforms provide a better system to evaluate cellular responses to specific recognition events, gradient, mechanical property, nanostructures, and inter- and intra-molecular interactions of ECM proteins on a non-fouling and fluid membrane. Moreover, the findings from the molecular interactions and cellular activities will be highlighted to look into the cell-materials mechanisms