The financial and prudential performance of Chinese banks and Fintech lenders in the era of digitalization

The years 2013 to 2019 marked an explosion in Fintech in China. We analyze the financial and prudential performance of 40 exchange-traded banks and 25 listed Fintech lenders in China during this watershed period. Among other things, traditional banks experienced rising operating costs, declining profit margins and softening loan quality. Consistent with a process of adaptation, traditional bank performance stabilized in the latter part of the study period (2018-19) after an initial period of decline. Study findings also highlight rising business and regulatory costs for Fintech providers over the course of the study frame. A marked deterioration in online lenders’ Special Mention and Non-Performing Loan (SML & NPL) positions arose during the period. Within the traditional bank group, smaller entities with fewer growth options and greater foreign ownership fared worst in prudential terms. Traditional banks’ financial and prudential performance also declines with time since IPO. Relative to joint stock commercial, city and rural banks, state-owned lenders registered more resilient performance, especially in relation to asset quality. In a final area, we construct a categorical Fintech proficiency variable for China's established banks. Our preliminary evidence suggests such proficiencies help stabilize SML and NPL rates and support financial returns. Overall, we offer major contribution to the banking literature by analyzing the financial and prudential performance of both incumbent and emerging lenders in one of the world’s most dynamic Fintech settings.

Tannins as Hemostasis Modulators

The hemostasis system is often affected by complications associated with cardiovascular diseases, which results in thromboembolic events. Compounds of plant origin and plant extracts are considered as a promising source of substances that could modulate the functioning of the hemostasis system and thus reduce the risk of thromboembolism. Among them, tannins, which are plant-origin compounds with potential effects in hemostasis, deserve a special mention. This paper describes the hemostasis-modifying ability of three groups of tannins, namely ellagitannins, gallotannins, and procyanidins. The review highlights the desirable as well as undesirable influence of tannins on specific components of hemostasis, namely platelets, coagulation system, fibrinolysis system, and endothelium, and the multidirectional effect of these compounds on the thrombotic process. Studies performed under normal and pathological conditions such as diabetes or hypercoagulation are described, and the pathophysiology-dependent action of tannins is also highlighted. Most of the studies presented in the paper were performed in vitro, and due to the low bioavailability of tannins more studies should be conducted in the future to understand their actual activity in vivo.

Trained Immunity-Based Vaccines: A Ready-to-Act Strategy to Tackle Viral Outbreaks

Viral outbreaks have become significant threats to global human public health. New emerging viruses, pathogen mutations, and even the progressive loss of efficacy in some existing vaccines are behind this problem, which is amplified by the rapid virus spread given the ease of current mobility. Taking into account that these outbreaks arise in the absence of conventional effective vaccines, alternative approaches based on trained (innate) immunity are being considered. This immunity is dependent on a functional reprogramming of innate immune cells, leading to an enhanced nonspecific response towards different pathogens, including viruses. Trained immunity-based vaccines (TIbVs), defined as vaccine formulations containing trained immunity inducers, could be used during viral outbreaks to confer non-specific protection but also to enhance adaptive specific immune responses. In this chapter, we aim to illustrate how TIbVs could tackle the above-mentioned situations derived from viral outbreaks, reviewing the potential of available TIbVs in such urgent situations with a special mention to COVID-19.

Conceptual framework of a Global Yacht Positioning System in Poland

The sailing market continues to develop rapidly and has a high growth potential. Sailing is one of the most popular types of recreational activity in Poland due to an abundance of lakes, including the Great Masurian Lakeland Trail which received a special mention from UNESCO. The development of nautical tourism requires effective organizational and technical solutions. The absence of a public mooring information system in Poland’s inland harbors has prompted the development of the Global Yacht Positioning System (GYPS) for mobile devices. The design process was preceded by a survey of sailors and marina operators to identify their needs and expectations, as well as an inventory of marinas in the Polish region of Masuria. The developed prototype system is a mobile application that relies on data transmission, communication and satellite technologies. The proposed solution is a convenient tool that will facilitate the operations of inland harbors and improve navigation safety.

Laboulbeniomycetes (Fungi, Ascomycota) of Denmark

In this study, the thallus-forming Laboulbeniomycetes (Herpomycetales and Laboulbeniales) from Denmark are presented as an illustrated monograph. Sixteen species and one genus are newly described based on morphology and ecology (host association). The new genus is named Tanmaurkiella Santam. gen. nov. and includes two species: T. pselaphi Santam. gen. et sp. nov. (type species) and T. huggertii Santam. gen. et sp. nov., both on Pselaphus heisei Herbst, 1792 (Col. Staphylinidae Pselaphinae). The other 14 new species are Amorphomyces ventricosus Santam. sp. nov. on Myrmecocephalus concinnus (Erichson, 1839) (Col. Staphylinidae Aleocharinae), Cantharomyces papillatus Santam. sp. nov. on Bledius terebrans (Schiødte, 1866) (Col. Staphylinidae Oxytelinae), Cryptandromyces cryptophagi Santam. sp. nov. on Cryptophagus distinguendus Sturm, 1845 (Col. Cryptophagidae), Cryptandromyces danicus Santam. sp. nov. on Euconnus wetterhallii (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Col. Staphylinidae Scydmaeninae), Dimeromyces oculatus Santam. sp. nov. on Longitarsus luridus (Scopoli, 1763) (Col. Chrysomelidae), Euphoriomyces enghoffii Santam. sp. nov. on Leiodes rugosa Stephens, 1829 (Col. Leiodidae), Euphoriomyces smicri Santam. sp. nov. on Smicrus filicornis (Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1855) (Col. Ptiliidae), Laboulbenia inexpectata Santam. sp. nov. on Acupalpus exiguus Dejean, 1829 (Col. Carabidae), Laboulbenia pygidicola Santam. sp. nov. on Syntomus truncatellus (Linnaeus, 1761) (Col. Carabidae), Monoicomyces brachiatus Santam. sp. nov. on Atheta sodalis (Erichson, 1837) and Ocyusa picina (Aubé, 1850) (Col. Staphylinidae Aleocharinae), Monoicomyces crassicaulis Santam. sp. nov. on Oxypoda elongatula Aubé, 1850 (Col. Staphylinidae Aleocharinae), Monoicomyces reboleirae Santam. sp. nov. on Gnypeta carbonaria (Mannerheim, 1830) (Col. Staphylinidae Aleocharinae), Monoicomyces validus Santam. sp. nov. on Atheta vestita (Gravenhorst, 1806), Aleochara grisea Kraatz, 1856, and Geostiba circellaris (Gravenhorst, 1806) (Col. Staphylinidae Aleocharinae), and Stigmatomyces thoracochaetae Santam. sp. nov. on Thoracochaeta brachystoma (Stenhammer, 1855) (Diptera Sphaeroceridae). The total number of laboulbeniaceous species from Denmark rises from 29 to 195, which means that 166 are here reported as new country records. Among these, Kainomyces isomali Thaxt. deserves special mention as it is a new European record. The same applies to nine species which are reported here for the first time after their original description. For this study, an intensive sampling programme has been realized, with 429 Danish localities screened including around 1900 collections with fungi. Two new synonymies are established: Laboulbenia acupalpi Speg. (Spegazzini 1915a) syn. nov. for Laboulbenia stenolophi Speg. (Spegazzini 1914), and Monoicomyces oxytelis Huldén (Huldén 1983) syn. nov. for Monoicomyces invisibilis Thaxt. (Thaxter 1900). The new combination Peyritschiella oxyteli (Cépède & F.Picard) Santam. comb. nov. is proposed for Rheophila oxyteli Cépède & F.Picard including neotypification, and delimitation of Peyritschiella protea Thaxt. is incorporated. Lectotypes for Laboulbenia polyphaga Thaxt. and Symplectromyces vulgaris (Thaxt.) Thaxt. are designated. Nineteen species are illustrated here with photographs for the first time. Three species: Eumonoicomyces papuanus Thaxt., Peyritschiella protea, and Stigmatomyces euconni F.Picard, which were reported from Denmark in the literature should be removed from the Danish Funga. We have examined the following types of Thaxter from FH (Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria): Asaphomyces cholevae Thaxt., Dimorphomyces myrmedoniae Thaxt., Eumonoicomyces papuanus, Laboulbenia polyphaga, Peyritschiella protea, Rhadinomyces pallidus Thaxt., and Symplectromyces vulgaris. Ceratomyces pyrenaeus Santam. is newly recorded from USA, and this is also a new record from the American continent. Description of the genus Cryptandromyces Thaxt. has been emended to incorporate the new species here described. Morphology of the antheridium in Eumonoicomyces papuanus is studied, and the status of the genus Eumonoicomyces Thaxt. vis-à-vis Monoicomyces Thaxt. is discussed. Identification keys are provided for genera and species. In support of the additional aim of this work to serve as a reference for the study of Laboulbeniomycetes fungi in Europe, we include maps and the Appendix 1 for comparison of the known species in the ten most diverse, better studied, European countries.

Nexus Unclassified Loans, Classified Loans, and Profitability

This study investigates the impact of some variables such as total revenue, total assets, total liabilities, total deposits, total unclassified loans, total classified loans, standard loans, special mention account loans, sub-standard loans, doubtful loans, and bad and loss loans on profit before tax. Unbalanced Panel Data were collected from the website of 45Commercial Bank of Bangladesh from the year 2010 to 2018. Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Pooled Ordinary Least Square (POLS), Driscoll-Kraay (DK), Second Stage Least square (2SLS), Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) methods are used in this study. This research found that total revenue had a significant positive relationship with profit before tax in all the models except DK and GMM models. Total unclassified loans had a significant positive relationship and total liabilities had a significant negative relationship with profit before tax in all the models. Special mention account loans had a significant positive relationship with profit before tax in OLS and DK models and total classified loans had a significant positive relationship with profit before tax in GMM model.

Sinonasal Tissue Remodelling during Chronic Rhinosinusitis

The purpose of this review is to summarise contemporary knowledge of sinonasal tissue remodelling during chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a chronic disease involving long-term inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and nasal passage. The concept of tissue remodelling has significant clinical relevance because of its potential to cause irreversibility in chronic airway tissues. Recent studies have indicated that early surgical treatment of CRS may improve clinical outcome. Tissue remodelling has been described in the literature extensively with no consensus on how remodelling is defined. This review describes various factors implicated in establishing remodelling in sinonasal tissues with a special mention of asthma as a comorbid condition. Some of the main histological features of remodelling include basement membrane thickening and collagen modulation. This may be an avenue of research with regard to targeted therapy against remodelling in CRS.

Considering Ethics in Agricultural Experimental Research with Special Mention to Agricultural Biotechnology Research

Ethics in experimental research equals scientific integrity, a notion principle particularly stressing honesty while implementing discipline concepts on what is excellent and terrible. Some moral responsibility is defined through specifically agreed standards in doing experimental research. Ethics of experimental research in agriculture involves all activities done before, during, and after the study, consisting of personal, research, and social ethics. Ethical code and policy include, but are not limited to, honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, openness, intellectual right recognition, confidentiality, responsible publication, social responsibility, competency, legality, and protecting research object/subject (plant, animal, human) from possible unfair manipulation. One development triggering the controversy of agriculture’s experimental ethics is the progress of agricultural biotechnology which resulted in genetic engineering products. Rules, regulations, and laws concerning the use and development of genetic engineering in agriculture to avoid adverse effects of these products, such as rising environmental hazards, increasing human health degradation, and unfair economic competition, should be considered and implemented.

Trainee Handbook 2021

I am delighted to welcome you to the 13th edition of the Association of Anaesthetists’ Trainee Handbook. The main objective of the handbook is to offer trainees a comprehensive resource as you navigate your way through your career. A vast array of high-quality authors have been commissioned to write about their specialist field or area of knowledge. Whatever path you choose to take, I believe you will find useful sections within this handbook. Training within anaesthesia is constantly evolving. As I write this foreword, a new training curriculum is being implemented. To reflect the changes ahead, this handbook is not only fully interactive but also a live document. Thus, it will be updated at regular intervals to ensure information remains accurate and relevant. Although this handbook is designed for you to dip in and out of, I strongly encourage you to read the chapters about taking care of yourself. Training is a challenging time, but here at the Association of Anaesthetists we are dedicated to supporting our trainee members. I would like to personally thank all the authors who contributed to this handbook. A special mention of thanks to my fellow Trainee Committee members, Sally El-Ghazali and Rhys Clyburn, as well as the countless Association staff who have made this publication possible. I welcome any feedback you may have, therefore please feel free to contact the Trainee Committee via email [email protected] or Twitter @Anaes_Trainees Finally, good luck in your career – I hope this handbook helps you along the way! Satinder Dalay Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists Trainee Co