Inductive Metaphysics

This introduction consists of two parts. In the first part, the special issue editors introduce inductive metaphysics from a historical as well as from a systematic point of view and discuss what distinguishes it from other modern approaches to metaphysics. In the second part, they give a brief summary of the individual articles in this special issue.

Sustainability Tourism and Socio-Economic Development

The main purpose of this study is to assess sustainable tourism theoretically and practically in a systematic point of view and to provide guidance for future plans and policies related to sustainable tourism. In accordance with this purpose, firstly, the concepts of sustainability, sustainable tourism, and socio-economic development have been discussed, and secondly, the purpose, the principles, and the tools of sustainable tourism were evaluated. Within the scope of sustainable tourism, carrying capacity, environmental impact assessment, and ecological footprint phenomenon were examined.

Platonisches Denken heute

Is Plato’s philosophy still relevant for current issues in politics and political science? In order to answer this question, the contributions to this volume endeavour to re-read the Platonic dialogues and to interpret them in terms of textual hermeneutics on the one hand. On the other hand, they refer to Plato from a systematic point of view and apply his philosophy, in particular the method of Socratic dialogue, to discussions on contemporary political issues. The volume is dedicated to Barbara Zehnpfennig, whose works aim at making Socratic–Platonic philosophy fruitful for the present on the basis of a new interpretation of Plato’s philosophy. With contributions by Anke Adamik, Sarah Al-Taher, Viktoria Bachmann, Philip Breuer, Johanna Falk-Seifert, Bettina Fröhlich, Benjamin A. Hahn, Hendrik Hansen, Thomas Haslböck, Raul Heimann, Johannes Frank Hoerlin, Vanessa Jansche, Peter Kainz, Christina Kast, Eva-Maria Kaufmann, Ulrich Kühn, Laura Martena, Julian Obenauer, Victor Peneff und Thomas Wimmer.

The anatomical structures of the genus Iberis L. (Brassicaceae) in Turkey

The present study was designed to analyse the anatomy of the vegetative and reproductive parts of Turkish Iberis species from a systematic point of view. Samples of leaves, stems, roots, fruits, and seeds of each species were collected, fixed, and processed according to the paraffin method for light microscopy. The numerical analysis derived from 11 anatomical characteristics showed that the number and dimensions of vessels in the root, presence of aerenchyma in the leaf, number and dimensions of palisade parenchyma, and mesophyll type were useful for grouping the Iberis taxa. The testa was composed of four layers: the epidermis, subepidermis, compact tissue, and parenchyma. The testa thickness was a significant character to distinguish the investigated Iberis species. In this study, the traditional classification of Turkish Iberis species was mostly congruent with the dendrogram generated vegetative anatomical properties. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 27(2): 213-224, 2020 (December)

The critically endangered Saint Helena endemic Plantago robusta (Plantaginaceae): typification, complete morphological account and discussion of knowledge gaps

Plantago robusta is a critically endangered species endemic to Saint Helena Island, a remote British island located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. Despite its already acknowledged considerable importance for biodiversity conservation, the species is notably poorly studied from a systematic point of view. In this work we typify the name P. robusta and present a complete account of the morphology of the species, including illustrations, field photographs and a complete description. Furthermore, we discuss important knowledge gaps concerning the species.

Asymptomatic carriage rates and case fatality of SARS-CoV-2 infection in residents and staff in Irish nursing homes

Background SARS-CoV-2 has disproportionately affected nursing homes (NH). In Ireland, the first NH case COVID-19 occurred on 16 March 2020. A national point-prevalence testing programme of all NH residents and staff took place (18 April 2020 to 5 May 2020). Aims to examine characteristics of NHs across three Irish Community Health Organisations, proportions with COVID-19 outbreaks, staff and resident infection rates symptom profile and resident case fatality. Methods in total, 45 NHs surveyed, requesting details on occupancy, size, COVID-19 outbreak, outbreak timing, total symptomatic/asymptomatic cases and outcomes for residents from 29 February 2020 to 22 May 2020. Results surveys were returned from 62.2% (28/45) of NHs (2,043 residents, 2,303 beds). Three-quarters (21/28) had COVID-19 outbreaks (1,741 residents, 1,972 beds). Median time from first COVID-19 case in Ireland to first case in these NHs was 27.0 days. Resident incidence was 43.9% (764/1,741)—40.8% (710/1,741) laboratory confirmed, with 27.2% (193/710) asymptomatic and 3.1% (54/1,741) clinically suspected. Resident case fatality was 27.6% (211/764) for combined laboratory-confirmed/clinically suspected COVID-19. Similar proportions of residents in NHs with ‘early-stage’ (<28 days) versus ‘later-stage’ outbreaks developed COVID-19. Lower proportions of residents in ‘early’ outbreak NHs had recovered compared with those with ‘late’ outbreaks (37.4 versus 61.7%; χ2 = 56.9, P < 0.001). Of 395 NH staff across 12 sites with confirmed COVID-19, 24.7% (99/398) were asymptomatic. There was a significant correlation between the proportion of staff with symptomatic COVID-19 and resident numbers with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 (Spearman’s rho = 0.81, P < 0.001). Conclusion this study demonstrates the significant impact of COVID-19 on the NH sector. Systematic point-prevalence testing is necessary to reduce risk of transmission from asymptomatic carriers and manage outbreaks in this setting.

The Response of the European Central Bank to the Current Pandemic Crisis: Monetary Policy and Prudential Banking Supervision Decisions

Immediately after the outbreak of the current pandemic crisis, the EU developed a (rather) consistent strategy, by taking measures in order to deal with health emergency needs, support economic activity and employment, preserve monetary and financial stability and prepare the ground for recovery; these contain a combination of government fiscal stimuli (with extensive resort to the principle of solidarity), emergency liquidity and monetary policy measures and measures relating to financial stability. After briefly reviewing all these measures from a systematic point of view, the present article further analyses the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) during the first phase of this crisis, both in its capacity as a monetary authority within the Eurosystem and in its capacity as prudential banking supervisory authority within the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), with particular emphasis on the treatment of non-performing loans (NPLs). Its specific contribution to financial macro-prudential oversight within European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) is also highlighted.

Incumbent Strategies against Collaborative Platforms

The purpose of this article is to analyse the strategies that incumbent market participants are using to fight collaborative platforms. I essentially focus on the battle between taxi drivers and Uber in Spain, because it is a very complete scenario. Traditional operators feel threatened by collaborative platforms due to the greater attractiveness of their business model. Therefore, they implemented t the two classic defence measures: imitation and confrontation. Nonetheless, some references are made to other examples of sharing economy, as “short-term rental market” and other countries. The first strategy is imitation. Established operators try to copy technological advances to increase competitiveness. Others team up with collaborative platforms to take advantage of their power of attraction and gain market share. We believe that it is the most desirable strategy, from a systematic point of view, because it improves competition and encourages innovation. Nonetheless, there are economic, social and legal obstacles that hinder imitation and collaboration. Traditional operators have faced collaborative platforms through different channels. The two most important are judicial and legislative. Regarding the first one, incumbents have grounded the lawsuits on unfair competition. They argued that collaborative platforms took advantage of breaking the laws, misled, sold at a loss and, in general, did not act in good faith. The Spanish experience shows that this strategy is not efficient. Multiple uncertainties condition the result; for instance, the lack of precise knowledge of disruptive technologies. Even when the result is favourable to the plaintiff, winning does not mean necessarily success. The third strategy is regulatory capture. Traditional operators put pressure on Parliaments, Governments and all kinds of administrations to forbid or restrict the activities of collaborative platforms. The Spanish experience is that this strategy can work. Success is not guaranteed as it full of difficulties and uncertainties. The outcome relies heavily on the political conjuncture, that uses to be fluctuating. Besides, it is very detrimental to the economic and legal system.

Realization of Scientific and Technological Capability: Federal, Regional and Production Aspects of Innovative Economic Development

The article examines aspects of the implementation of the Russian economy scientific and technological potential from a systematic point of view. The authors proceed from the hypothesis that the low competitiveness of the Russian economy is determined by the profile of its innovation system. The article examines the dynamics of innovation activity costs and analyzes the reasons for the continuing decline in innovation activity that characterizes the current economic situation in Russia. Economic activity at each level will only be a determinant of the innovation development mechanism when it is aimed at creating and implementing new developments in order to generate higher revenues than those that provided the innovation development. It is pointed out that economic policy focused on building national competitive advantages is inseparable from creating a national innovation system. Ways of influence of innovative activity on the solution of social and economic problems are given. The author substantiates the socio-economic conditions necessary for the innovative development of regions. The importance of exports and the development of the enterprise's export potential for the transition to the phase of active structural transformations is evaluated. It is concluded that the formation of the national innovation system requires a balance of scientific and technical potential built into the framework of the state – industry – region – enterprise.