Quest for the Best: How to Measure Central Bank Independence and Show its Relationship with Inflation

The objective of this paper is to check measures for explanatory power of central bank independence (CBI) in a series of econometric tests. Measures of central bank autonomy offer a useful expression of the extent to which a central bank is able to keep the government away from influencing a change in the inflation rate. The more a measure represents this idea, the easier one can find a relation between the CBI value and the inflation rate. Results of estimations show that proxies by Grilli et al. (1991) are strong regressors of inflation rate, contrary to those by Cukierman et al. (1992). Moreover, estimation results challenge the belief that divergences in CBI-inflation rate estimations are due to differences in institutional features across samples of countries, not to differences in legal proxies of central bank independence. Already results from a homogenous group of industrial countries indicate that some indices perform “better” than others.Central bank independence, political autonomy, economic autonomy, institution, estimation

Association of adipocyte genes with ASP expression: a microarray analysis of subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue in morbidly obese subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prevalence of obesity is increasing to pandemic proportions. However, obese subjects differ in insulin resistance, adipokine production and co-morbidities. Based on fasting plasma analysis, obese subjects were grouped as Low Acylation Stimulating protein (ASP) and Triglyceride (TG) (LAT) vs High ASP and TG (HAT). Subcutaneous (SC) and omental (OM) adipose tissues (n = 21) were analysed by microarray, and biologic pathways in lipid metabolism and inflammation were specifically examined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>LAT and HAT groups were matched in age, obesity, insulin, and glucose, and had similar expression of insulin-related genes (InsR, IRS-1). ASP related genes tended to be increased in the HAT group and were correlated (factor B, adipsin, complement C3, p < 0.01 each). Differences between LAT and HAT group were almost exclusively in SC tissue, with little difference in OM tissue. Increased C5L2 (p < 0.01), an ASP receptor, in HAT suggests a compensatory ASP pathway, associated with increased TG storage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HAT adipose tissue demonstrated increased lipid related genes for storage (CD36, DGAT1, DGAT2, SCD1, FASN, and LPL), lipolysis (HSL, CES1, perilipin), fatty acid binding proteins (FABP1, FABP3) and adipocyte differentiation markers (CEBPα, CEBPβ, PPARγ). By contrast, oxidation related genes were decreased (AMPK, UCP1, CPT1, FABP7). HAT subjects had increased anti-inflammatory genes TGFB1, TIMP1, TIMP3, and TIMP4 while proinflammatory PIG7 and MMP2 were also significantly increased; all genes, p < 0.025.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, the profile of C5L2 receptor, ASP gene expression and metabolic factors in adipose tissue from morbidly obese HAT subjects suggests a compensatory response associated with the increased plasma ASP and TG.</p

CD55 Deficiency Protects against Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice via C3a Modulation of Lipid Metabolism

Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death in the Western world, is driven by chronic inflammation within the artery wall. Elements of the complement cascade are implicated in the pathogenesis, because complement proteins and their activation products are found in the atherosclerotic plaque. We examined the role of CD55, a membrane inhibitor of the complement component 3 (C3) convertase, which converts C3 into C3a and C3b, in atherosclerosis. CD55-deficient (CD55−/−) mice were crossed onto the atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient (apoE−/−) background. High fat–fed male apoE−/−/CD55−/− mice were strongly protected from developing atherosclerosis compared with apoE−/− controls. Lipid profiling showed significantly lower levels of triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and cholesterol in apoE−/−/CD55−/− mice than that in controls after high-fat feeding, whereas body fat in apoE−/−/CD55−/− mice content was increased. Plasma levels of C3 fell, whereas concentrations of C3adesArg (alias acylation stimulating protein; ASP), produced by serum carboxypeptidase N–mediated desargination of C3a, increased in nonfasted high fat–fed apoE−/−/CD55−/− mice, indicating complement activation. Thus, complement dysregulation in the absence of CD55 provoked increased C3adesArg production that, in turn, caused altered lipid handling, resulting in atheroprotection and increased adiposity. Interventions that target complement activation in adipose tissue should be explored as lipid-decreasing strategies

'OH MY GOD! BUY IT!' A multimodal discourse analysis of the discursive strategies used by Chinese ecommerce live-streamer Austin Li

Ecommerce livestreaming, also known as live commerce or social commerce, has taken off over the past two years in East Asia and is showing the tendency of going global. Intrigued by the phenomenal success of ecommerce livestream, we concentrate on analyzing the most prominent and illustrative ex- ample of Chinese ecommerce live-streamer Austin Li. Through this individual case study, we aim to investigate discursive strategies employed in ecommerce livestreaming and reveal resources specific to this new media genre. Guided by multimodal discourse analysis, our research first accommodates the socio-eco- nomic context of Li’s success to warrant social situatedness in interpreting data. After that we move into analyzing his discourse employed in livestreaming. Re- search findings suggest that in attention economy, Li strategically utilizes his male gender as a resource in trying on lipsticks for female customers. His dis- course in multiple modes serves to build consumer trust and propagate products. An in-depth analysis of his discursive strategies indicates that, ecommerce livestreaming as a new form of advertising not only shares commonalities with traditional advertisement discourse but also embodies affordances that are spe- cific to livestreaming platforms. To be more specific, livestreaming is featured with delimitation of time, real-time interactivity, and video-aided communica- tion. These affordances enable Li to adopt more interactive and personalized per- suasive discourse than conventional advertisement

Relationship between a Novel Polymorphism of the C5L2 Gene and Coronary Artery Disease

C5L2 has been demonstrated to be a functional receptor of acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), which is a stimulator of triglyceride synthesis or glucose transport. However, little is known about the variations in the coding region of the C5L2 gene and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD). = 0.047, OR = 2.602, 95% CI: 1.015–6.671).The 698CT genotype of C5L2 may be a genetic maker of CAD in the Han and Uygur population in western China

Social media marketing strategy: definition, conceptualization, taxonomy, validation, and future agenda

Although social media use is gaining increasing importance as a component of firms’ portfolio of strategies, scant research has systematically consolidated and extended knowledge on social media marketing strategies (SMMSs). To fill this research gap, we first define SMMS, using social media and marketing strategy dimensions. This is followed by a conceptualization of the developmental process of SMMSs, which comprises four major components, namely drivers, inputs, throughputs, and outputs. Next, we propose a taxonomy that classifies SMMSs into four types according to their strategic maturity level: social commerce strategy, social content strategy, social monitoring strategy, and social CRM strategy. We subsequently validate this taxonomy of SMMSs using information derived from prior empirical studies, as well with data collected from in-depth interviews and a quantitive survey among social media marketing managers. Finally, we suggest fruitful directions for future research based on input received from scholars specializing in the field

Ocena zawartosci selenu w naturalnych wodach mineralnych dostepnych na rynku w Polsce

Metodami spektrofluorymetryczną i spektrofotometryczną z wykorzystaniem 3,3’-diaminobenzydyny (DAB) badano zawartość selenu w butelkowanych naturalnych wodach mineralnych dostępnych na rynku krajowym. Badaniom poddano 24 próbki wód mineralnych pochodzących z różnych regionów Polski. Do ekstrakcji utworzonego barwnego piazoselenolu wykorzystano z pomyślnym rezultatem toluen. Wyniki uzyskane metodą spektrofluorymetryczną wykazały, że średnia zawartość selenu w badanych wodach wynosi 0,464 |µg/l, zaś metodą spektrofotometryczną 0,430 µg/1. Przedział ufności (n = 6) uzyskany metodą spektrofluorymetryczną mieści się w granicach 0,008 - 0,094, zaś metodą spektrofotometryczną 0,004 - 0,051. Zawartość selenu w badanych wodach nie przekracza dopuszczalnych norm (0,010 mg/l).The aim of this study was evaluation of the content of selenium in natural, mineral waters using the latest apparatus: spectrophotometer UV-VIS HP 8453 Packard (Germany) and Fluorescence Spectrophoto type F-2000 produced by Hitachi (Japan), by means of spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods selenium was determined in 24 samples of mineral waters coming from different commercial centres in Poland. As the reagent 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) was used. Coloured piazoselenium was extracted by use of toulene. Statistical analysis has shown that the coefficient of variation determined with spectro- fluorometric method varies between 0,71 and 11,37% while determined with spectrophotometric method varies between 0,16 and 13,51%. Average selenium content in mineral waters determined with spectrophotometric method was 0,355 µ.g/1 while determined with spectrofluorometric method was 0,357 µ.g/1. The element levels in the examined waters compared to Polish standards were relatively low and do not exceed the drinkable water standards

Wykorzystanie metody HPLC do oznaczania Se[IV] i Se[VI] w wodach mineralnych

Metodą wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej z odwróconymi fazami (RP-HPLC) badano specjacji selenu w naturalnych wodach mineralnych. Wykresy kalibracyjne były linearne z bardzo dobrym współczynnikiem korelacji. Czas retencji Se(IV) wynosił 2,27 min, a Se(VI) 4,37min. Proponowana metoda RP-HPLC-UV daje odzysk 99,6%. Najwyższą zawartość selenu(IV) stwierdzono w wodach mineralnych: "Oda"; "Nałęczowianka" i "Muszynianka", a najniższą w "Ostromecko citron". Najniższą zawartość Se(VI) stwierdzono w wodzie gazowanej "Galicjanka". Zawartość selenu w badanych próbkach wód mineralnych nie przekraczała dopuszczalnych norm. Proponowana metoda RP-HPLC-UV może być wykorzystana do badania specjacji selenu w wodach mineralnych.The aim of the study was application of a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector for selenium speciation in samples of mineral water. Basic solutions 10000µg/1 SeO32- and SeO42- were prepared by dissolving 2,190 g of Na2SeO3 and 2,393 g Na2SeO4 in 1000 ml of water, respectively. Recent standards SeO32- and SeO42- (single or mixed) were prepared every day from the basic separation of Se(IV) and Se(VI) was obtained using a C18 column (250x4.0mm; 5µm) with mobile phase comprising 5mmol/lphosphate tetrabutylammonium, 50/50 water.methanol at pH 3,4. Flow rate was lml/min. Detector was set at 210 nm. Injection volume was 5 µl. Retention time of selenium(IV) was 2.27 min and of selenium(VI) 4.37 min. Recovery of Se determined using a HPLC method was 99.6 %. The determined content of Se(IV) was 4,10 µg/l and Se(VI) - 4,27 µg/l. The method worked out can be therefore recommended for determination of Se in samples of mineral water