A Comparative Study of Fiscal Decentralization in China and India

This dissertation provides an empirical test of the effects of fiscal decentralization and horizontal fiscal equalization on economic growth and examines the potential trade-off between horizontal fiscal equalization and economic growth in both China and India. Chapter II examines the effects of both fiscal decentralization and horizontal fiscal equalization on economic growth in China, particularly the effect of the Tax Sharing System reform enacted in 1994. Compared with previous studies, using more complete data providing better measures and more econometrically sophisticated instrumental variable procedures, we find that there is no substantial evidence of a trade-off between horizontal fiscal equalization and growth. The 1994 Tax Sharing System reform has positively contributed to both economic growth and horizontal fiscal equalization. In addition, we find that fiscal decentralization (FD) has a non-linear effect on growth. For values of FD less than 21, fiscal decentralization has a negative effect on growth, but for values greater than 21, fiscal decentralization has a positive effect on growth. Chapter III examines the effects of both fiscal decentralization and horizontal fiscal equalization on economic growth in India, particularly the effects of the 1991 economic reforms. Using state-wide data covering the period from 1980 through 2005, we find that fiscal decentralization has a negative effect on economic growth initially but that, beyond a certain value of fiscal decentralization, the effect on growth becomes positive. However, further decentralization could have a negative effect on horizontal fiscal equalization. These results are robust. In the meanwhile, there is no evidence of a trade-off between horizontal fiscal equalization and economic growth; instead, there is evidence of a positive effect of economic growth on equalization. In addition, the 1991 economic reform has contributed to economic growth. A comparative study of China and India has shown that the degree of fiscal decentralization in both countries is far from the point where its effect on economic growth becomes positive. Despite the dangers of widening disparities in terms of interregional fiscal resource distribution from further decentralization, no substantial evidence shows a trade-off between horizontal fiscal equalization and growth in either country. An in-depth and more thorough going fiscal decentralization with greater emphasis on equalization of fiscal disparities are required in order to effect sustainable economic growth as well as social harmony in these two Asian countries

The Evolution of Fiscal Decentralization in China and India: A Comparative Study of Design and Performance

In this article, we compare and contrast the design and performance of China and India’s intergovernmental fiscal systems. We find that there are remarkable similarities in the design and performance of China and India’s intergovernmental fiscal systems. More specifically, both countries have highly decentralized expenditures assignments and highly centralized revenue assignments. As a result, sub-national governments in both countries must rely on fiscal transfers to finance their assigned functions. Finally, there is considerable off the books and hidden borrowing by sub-national governments in both countries. We also find that there are considerable and growing disparities in the rate of expenditure decentralization among sub-national governments within each country. Lack fiscal discipline and growing fiscal disparities among sub-national governments create risks to future economic growth and to social cohesion, absent policy reforms to address these issues

IFN-γ and TNF-α Synergistically Induce Mesenchymal Stem Cell Impairment and Tumorigenesis via NFκB Signaling

An inflammatory microenvironment may cause organ degenerative diseases and malignant tumors. However, the precise mechanisms of inflammation-induced diseases are not fully understood. Here we show that the proinflammatory cytokines interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) synergistically impair self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via nuclear factor κB (NFκB)–mediated activation of Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. More interestingly, a long-term elevated levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α result in significantly increased susceptibility to malignant transformation in MSCs through NFκB–mediated upregulation of the oncogenes c-Fos and c-Myc. Depletion of either IFN-γ or TNF-α in OVX mice abolishes MSC impairment and the tendency toward malignant transformation with no NFκB–mediated oncogene activation. Systemic administration of aspirin, which significantly reduces the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α, results in blockage of MSC deficiency and tumorigenesis by inhibition of NF-κB/SMAD7 and NFκB/c-FOS and c-MYC pathways in OVX mice. In summary, this study reveals that inflammation factors, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, synergistically induce MSC deficiency via NFκB/SMAD7 signaling and tumorigenesis via NFκB–mediated oncogene activation

Preparation and evaluation of tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release pellets modified by two-layered membrane techniques

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to develop tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release pellets using two-layered membrane techniques. Centrifugal granulator and fluidized-bed coater were employed to prepare drug-loaded pellets and to employ two-layered membrane coating respectively. The prepared pellets were evaluated for physicochemical characterization, subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro release of different pH. Different release models and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to analyze the release mechanism of Harnual® and home-made pellets. By comparing the dissolution profiles, the ratio and coating weight gain of Eudragit® NE30D and Eudragit® L30D55 which constitute the inside membrane were identified as 18:1 and 10%–11%. The coating amount of outside membrane containing Eudragit® L30D55 was determined to be 0.8%. The similarity factors (f2) of home-made capsule and commercially available product (Harnual®) were above 50 in different dissolution media. DSC studies confirmed that drug and excipients had good compatibility and SEM photographs showed the similarities and differences of coating surface between Harnual® and self-made pellets before and after dissolution. According to Ritger-Peppas model, the two dosage form had different release mechanism

IFN-γ and TNF-α Synergistically Induce Mesenchymal Stem Cell Impairment and Tumorigenesis via NFκB Signaling

An inflammatory microenvironment may cause organ degenerative diseases and malignant tumors. However, the precise mechanisms of inflammation-induced diseases are not fully understood. Here we show that the proinflammatory cytokines interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) synergistically impair self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via nuclear factor κB (NFκB)–mediated activation of Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. More interestingly, a long-term elevated levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α result in significantly increased susceptibility to malignant transformation in MSCs through NFκB–mediated upregulation of the oncogenes c-Fos and c-Myc. Depletion of either IFN-γ or TNF-α in OVX mice abolishes MSC impairment and the tendency toward malignant transformation with no NFκB–mediated oncogene activation. Systemic administration of aspirin, which significantly reduces the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α, results in blockage of MSC deficiency and tumorigenesis by inhibition of NF-κB/SMAD7 and NFκB/c-FOS and c-MYC pathways in OVX mice. In summary, this study reveals that inflammation factors, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, synergistically induce MSC deficiency via NFκB/SMAD7 signaling and tumorigenesis via NFκB–mediated oncogene activation

Stability of Uncertain Impulsive Stochastic Genetic Regulatory Networks with Time-Varying Delay in the Leakage Term

This paper is concerned with the stability problem for a class of uncertain impulsive stochastic genetic regulatory networks (UISGRNs) with time-varying delays both in the leakage term and in the regulator function. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional which uses the information on the lower bound of the delay sufficiently, a delay-dependent stability criterion is derived for the proposed UISGRNs model by using the free-weighting matrices method and convex combination technique. The conditions obtained here are expressed in terms of LMIs whose feasibility can be checked easily by MATLAB LMI control toolbox. In addition, three numerical examples are given to justify the obtained stability results

Technetium-99 Conjugated with Methylene Diphosphonate Ameliorates Ovariectomy–Induced Osteoporotic Phenotype Without Causing Osteonecrosis in the Jaw

Technetium-99 conjugated with methylene diphosphonate (99Tc-MDP) is a novel bisphosphonate derivative without radioactivity and has been successfully used to treat arthritis in China for years. Since bisphosphonate therapy has the potential to induce bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), we examine whether 99Tc-MDP represents a new class of bisphosphonate for anti-resorptive therapy to ameliorate estrogen deficiency–induced bone resorption with less risk of causing BRONJ. We showed that 99Tc-MDP-treated ovariectomized (OVX) mice had significantly improved bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone volume in comparison to the untreated OVX group by inhibiting osteoclasts and enhancing osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). To determine the potential of inducing BRONJ, 99Tc-MDP/dexamethasone (Dex) or zoledronate/Dex were administered into C57BL/6J mice via the tail vein, followed by extraction of maxillary first molars. Interestingly, 99Tc-MDP treatment showed less risk to induce osteonecrosis in the maxillary bones compared to zoledronate treatment group, partially because 99Tc-MDP neither suppressed adaptive regulatory T cells (Tregs) nor activated the inflammatory T-helper-producing interleukin 17 cells (Th17). Taken together, our findings demonstrate that 99Tc-MDP therapy may be a promising approach in the treatment of osteoporosis with less risk of causing BRONJ

Technetium-99 Conjugated with Methylene Diphosphonate Ameliorates Ovariectomy–induced Osteoporotic Phenotype without Causing Osteonecrosis in the Jaw

Technetium-99 conjugated with methylene diphosphonate (99Tc-MDP) is a novel bisphosphonate derivative without radioactivity and has been successfully used to treat arthritis in China for years. Since bisphosphonate therapy has the potential to induce bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), we examine whether 99Tc-MDP represents a new class of bisphosphonate for anti-resorptive therapy to ameliorate estrogen deficiency–induced bone resorption with less risk of causing BRONJ. We showed that 99Tc-MDP-treated ovariectomized (OVX) mice had significantly improved bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone volume in comparison to the untreated OVX group by inhibiting osteoclasts and enhancing osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). To determine the potential of inducing BRONJ, 99Tc-MDP/dexamethasone (Dex) or zoledronate/Dex were administered into C57BL/6J mice via the tail vein, followed by extraction of maxillary first molars. Interestingly, 99Tc-MDP treatment showed less risk to induce osteonecrosis in the maxillary bones compared to zoledronate treatment group, partially because 99Tc-MDP neither suppressed adaptive regulatory T cells (Tregs) nor activated the inflammatory T-helper-producing interleukin 17 cells (Th17). Taken together, our findings demonstrate that 99Tc-MDP therapy may be a promising approach in the treatment of osteoporosis with less risk of causing BRONJ

Porous Pyrene Organic Cage with Unusual Absorption Bathochromic-Shift Enables Visible Light Photocatalysis

We have constructed a novel porous pyrene-based organic cage, PyTC1, through the condensation reaction of cyclohexanediamine with 5,5&prime;-(pyrene-1,6-diyl)diisophthalaldehyde. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the effective intercage C&ndash;H...&pi; interaction between cyclohexanediimine and pyrene segments. Such a soft intercage C&ndash;H...&pi; interaction, rather than a classic J-aggregate with slipped &pi;&ndash;&pi;-stacking configuration, induced an unusual bathochromic shift of pyrene-based chromophore absorption from an ultraviolet region of PyTC1 in solution to the visible light region of PyTC1 in solid-state. This enabled heterogeneous visible light photocatalysis of aerobic hydroxylation of benzeneboronic acid derivatives. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that represents an absorption bathochromic shift caused by C&ndash;H...&pi; interaction. Such phenomenon could endow visible-light-driven photocatalysis that originally could only be achieved using UV light with the same chromophore. &nbsp;</p

Socioeconomic disparities and regional environment are associated with cervical lymph node metastases in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer: developing a web-based predictive model

PurposeTo establish an online predictive model for the prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer (caDTC). And analyze the impact between socioeconomic disparities, regional environment and CLNM.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and sociodemographic data of caDTC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2019. Risk factors for CLNM in caDTC were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression (LR). And use the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm and other commonly used ML algorithms to build CLNM prediction models. Model performance assessment and visualization were performed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).ResultsIn addition to common risk factors, our study found that median household income and living regional were strongly associated with CLNM. Whether in the training set or the validation set, among the ML models constructed based on these variables, the XGBoost model has the best predictive performance. After 10-fold cross-validation, the prediction performance of the model can reach the best, and its best AUROC value is 0.766 (95%CI: 0.745-0.786) in the training set, 0.736 (95%CI: 0.670-0.802) in the validation set, and 0.733 (95%CI: 0.683-0.783) in the test set. Based on this XGBoost model combined with SHAP method, we constructed a web-base predictive system.ConclusionThe online prediction model based on the XGBoost algorithm can dynamically estimate the risk probability of CLNM in caDTC, so as to provide patients with personalized treatment advice