scholarly journals Between communism and capitalism: long-term inequality in Poland, 1892–2015

Author(s):  
Paweł Bukowski ◽  
Filip Novokmet

AbstractWe construct the first consistent series on the long-term distribution of income in Poland by combining tax, household survey and national accounts data. We document a U-shaped evolution of inequalities from the end of the nineteenth century until today: (1) inequality was high before WWII; (2) abruptly fell after the introduction of communism in 1947 and stagnated at low levels during the whole communist period; (3) experienced a sharp rise with the return to capitalism in 1989. We find that official survey-based measures strongly under-estimate the rise in inequality since 1989. Our results highlight the prominent role of capital income in driving the U-shaped evolution of top income shares. The unique inequality history of Poland speaks to the central role of institutions and policies in shaping inequality in the long run.

Urban Studies ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1715-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohei Nakamura

Though previous studies have examined how formalising land tenure affects housing improvements in informal settlements, the role of tenure security and its long-term influence remain unclear. In response, this paper quantitatively examines the extent to which formalising land tenure by way of slum declaration has stimulated housing improvements during the last three decades in the slums of Pune, India. Since slum declaration guarantees residents occupancy but not full property rights, this study focuses on how tenure security contributes to housing outcomes, such as materials, size, the number of floors and the amount of money spent for the improvements. Using original household survey data, analysis involving propensity score matching and difference-in-differences methods reveals that slum declaration has tripled a household’s likelihood of having added a second floor and, albeit less clear, increased the average amount of money spent on housing improvements. At the same time, slum declaration has not induced any improvement in housing materials, largely since many residents of non-formalised slums have also replaced materials. These results indicate that slum declaration, even in the long run, has continued to influence housing investments in Pune’s slums, in terms of both type and amount spent, though residents of non-formalised slums have also come to enjoy certain de facto tenure security. Among other implications for policy, these findings underscore that governments should at least provide legal assurance of occupancy rights in informal settlements, even if active interventions such as slum upgrading and titling are currently difficult.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5024
Author(s):  
 Vítor Manuel de Sousa Gabriel ◽  
María Mar Miralles-Quirós ◽  
José Luis Miralles-Quirós

This paper analyses the links established between environmental indices and the oil price adopting a double perspective, long-term and short-term relationships. For that purpose, we employ the Bounds Test and bivariate conditional heteroscedasticity models. In the long run, the pattern of behaviour of environmental indices clearly differed from that of the oil prices, and it was not possible to identify cointegrating vectors. In the short-term, it was possible to conclude that, in contemporaneous terms, the variables studied tended to follow similar paths. When the lag of the oil price variable was considered, the impacts produced on the stock market sectors were partially of a negative nature, which allows us to suppose that this variable plays the role of a risk factor for environmental investment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azza Ramadan ◽  
Mark D. Wheatcroft ◽  
Adrian Quan ◽  
Krishna K. Singh ◽  
Fina Lovren ◽  
...  

Autophagy regulates cellular homeostasis and integrates the cellular pro-survival machinery. We investigated the role of autophagy in the natural history of murine abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). ApoE−/− mice were implanted with saline- or angiotensin II (Ang-II)-filled miniosmotic pumps then treated with either the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ; 50 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1, by intraperitoneal injection) or saline. Ang-II-elicited aneurysmal expansion of the suprarenal aorta coupled with thrombus formation were apparent 8 weeks later. CQ had no impact on the incidence (50% for Ang-II compared with 46.2% for Ang-II + CQ; P = NS) and categorical distribution of aneurysms. The markedly reduced survival rate observed with Ang-II (57.1% for Ang-II compared with 100% for saline; P < 0.05) was unaffected by CQ (61.5% for Ang-II + CQ; P = NS compared with Ang-II). CQ did not affect the mean maximum suprarenal aortic diameter (1.91 ± 0.19 mm for Ang-II compared with 1.97 ± 0.21 mm for Ang-II + CQ; P = NS). Elastin fragmentation, collagen accumulation, and smooth muscle attrition, which were higher in Ang-II-treated mice, were unaffected by CQ treatment. Long-term CQ administration does not affect the natural history and prognosis of experimental AAA, suggesting that global loss of autophagy is unlikely to be a causal factor in the development of aortic aneurysms. Manipulation of autophagy as a mechanism to reduce AAA may need re-evaluation.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Joseph Levy ◽  
Laura Mason ◽  
Joseph F. Hahn

Abstract We reviewed 127 patients who were operated upon for adult presentation Chiari malformation and made six conclusions: (a) The clinical examination remains crucial in the diagnosis. (b) The surgical anatomy is highly varied. (c) Syrinxes can be missed on preoperative contrast studies. (d By a conservative grading system, we determined that 46%; of the patients improved during long term follow-up. One-quarter deteriorated over the long run in spite of any treatment. (e) The overall results did not differ whether the treatment was plugging of the central canal plus decompression or decompression alone. (f) In patients with progression, plugging of the central canal obtained superior results. A review of the literature shows that the natural history of this complex disease process has not been established. This history is needed to identify the course of what may be several important factors that lead to the pathological condition in this disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supriya Mishra ◽  
Vikram Jeet Singh ◽  
Pooja A Chawla ◽  
Viney Chawla

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders belong to different classes of progressive/chronic conditions that affect the peripheral/central nervous system. It has been shown through studies that athletes who play sports involving repeated head trauma and sub-concussive impacts are more likely to experience neurological impairments and neurodegenerative disorders in the long run. Aims: The aim of the current narrative review article is to provide a summary of various nutraceuticals that offer promise in the prevention or management of sports-related injuries, especially concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. Methods: This article reviews the various potential nutraceutical agents and their possible mechanisms in providing a beneficial effect in the injury recovery process. A thorough survey of the literature was carried out in the relevant databases to identify studies published in recent years. In the present article, we have also highlighted the major neurological disorders along with the associated nutraceutical(s) therapy in the management of disorders. Results: The exact pathological mechanism behind neurodegenerative conditions is complex as well as idiopathic. However, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress as well as intracellular calcium overload are some common reasons responsible for the progression of these neurodegenerative disorders. Owing to the multifaceted effects of nutraceuticals (complementary medicine), these supplements have gained importance as neuroprotective. These diet-based approaches inhibit different pathways in a physiological manner without eliciting adverse effects. Food habits and lifestyle of an individual also affect neurodegeneration. Conclusion: Studies have shown nutraceuticals (such as resveratrol, omega-3-fatty acids) to be efficacious in terms of their neuroprotection against several neurodegenerative disorders and to be used as supplements in the management of traumatic brain injuries. Protection prior to injuries is needed since concussions or sub-concussive impacts may trigger several pathophysiological responses or cascades that can lead to long-term complications associated with CNS. Thus, the use of nutraceuticals as prophylactic treatment for neurological interventions has been proposed.


Author(s):  
Christophe Sand

New Caledonia is the southern-most archipelago of Melanesia. Its unique geological diversity, as part of the old Gondwana plate, has led to specific pedological and floral environments that have, since first human settlement, influenced the ways Pacific Islanders have occupied and used the landscape. This essay presents some of the key periods of the nearly 3,000 years of pre-colonial human settlement. After having presented a short history of archaeological research in New Caledonia, the essay focuses first on the Lapita foundation, which raises questions of long-term contacts and cultural change. The second part details the unique specificities developed during the “Traditional Kanak Cultural Complex,” during the millennium predating first European contact, as well as highlighting the massive changes brought by the introduction of new diseases, in the decades before the colonial settlement era. This leads to questions about archaeological history and the role of archaeology in the present decolonizing context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Anindita L. ◽  
Aris Aji K. ◽  
Arcadia Sulistijo J.

Hypertension presents an increase in blood pressure following the oral manifestations, such as gingival enlargement. A 42-year-old woman came to the General Sudirman University Dental and Oral Hospital complaining of enlarged front gums seven years ago. The patient had a history of hypertension and regularly consumed drugs, amlodipine 5 mg. Extraoral examination revealed no lymphadenopathy and no swelling of the head and neck area. Intraoral examination revealed a gingival enlargement involving the papilla to the gingival margin present on the entire upper and lower labial gingival surface. The patient's diagnosis was gingival enlargement caused by gingival enlargement due to the use of amlodipine. Gingival enlargement has been noted with long-term or high-dose amlodipine use. The mechanism of amlodipine in causing gingival enlargement is through the role of fibroblasts with abnormal susceptibility to the drug, resulting in increased levels of protein synthesis, especially collagen. The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines occurs through an increase in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in the inflamed gingival tissue due to the gingival fibrogenic response to drugs. Therapies were DHE and scaling and root planning as phase I in periodontal treatment. Plaque elimination is vital to reduce gingival inflammation that may occur. Substitution of the drug amlodipine may be needed if there is no improvement. Based on case reports, hypertension patients who took amlodipine could have gingival enlargement. The therapy given was plaque elimination in the form of DHE and Scaling and regular check-ups with the dentist.


Author(s):  
Elena A. Schneider

The introduction sketches the contours of the British six-week invasion and eleven-month occupation of Havana in 1762–1763, a major event in the history of the Atlantic world. It describes the framework of the book, “an event history” that relies on multiple, overlapping temporal and spatial frames in order to tie together many different strands of history, historical actors, perspectives, and scales. In giving a long-term history of the causes, central dynamics, and enduring consequences of this event, the book focuses on the crucial role of the slave trade and people of African descent. The actions of people of African descent and imperial rivalry over the slave trade shaped both the invasion and occupation of Havana in ways yet to be fully understood. The rest of the book explores the painful irony that black soldiers’ brave service in Havana during the British siege helped lead to new Spanish policies that endorsed and expanded slavery and the slave trade.


1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 329-331
Author(s):  
William H. Jacobson

The role of the para-professional in the modern orientation and mobility program is discussed. A brief history of the mobility profession is recounted to give a proper perspective in which to view present and future trends. The para-professional is then compared with his professional counterpart, the certified orientation and mobility specialist. The attitudes, duties, and goals of the mobility specialist and his profession are explored in relationship to those of the para-professional. The author concludes that the profession is too young and the historical trend too contradictory to permit acceptance of para-professionals in the mobility program at this time.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kornelia Kończal

In early 2018, the Polish parliament adopted controversial legislation criminalising assertions regarding the complicity of the ‘Polish Nation’ and the ‘Polish State’ in the Holocaust. The so-called Polish Holocaust Law provoked not only a heated debate in Poland, but also serious international tensions. As a result, it was amended only five months after its adoption. The reason why it is worth taking a closer look at the socio-cultural foundations and political functions of the short-lived legislation is twofold. Empirically, the short history of the Law reveals a great deal about the long-term role of Jews in the Polish collective memory as an unmatched Significant Other. Conceptually, the short life of the Law, along with its afterlife, helps capture poll-driven, manifestly moralistic and anti-pluralist imaginings of the past, which I refer to as ‘mnemonic populism’. By exploring the relationship between popular and political images of the past in contemporary Poland, this article argues for joining memory and populism studies in order to better understand what can happen to history in illiberal surroundings.


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