In this work, it was established that the room-temperature thickness (d = 16-207 nm) dependences of the Seebeck coefficient, Hall coefficient, and electrical conductivity in n-Bi
2
(Te
0.9
Se
0.1
)
3
...topological insulator thin films grown on glass substrates, in the thickness range of d = 16-85 nm exhibit an undamped oscillatory behavior with a large amplitude and are well approximated by a harmonic function with a period Δd=(8.0 ± 0.5)nm. The anionic substitution leads to some changes in the quantum size effects manifestation. The experimental results are consistent with theoretical calculations of Δd based on the infinitely deep potential well model. A sustained character of the oscillations is attributed to topologically protected surface states.
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The evolution of CSR is largely the history of reconciling economic goals of business and social goals of society. Relatively recent CSR related concepts “creating shared value” (CSV) and “integrated ...value creation” (IVC) aim at aligning interests of business and society by producing economic and social value simultaneously. The purpose of this article is to compare the CSV and IVC concepts and show their relation to CSR. In particular, we discuss whether CSV and IVC can be regarded as substitutes for CSR, varieties of CSR or completely new paradigms, and come to the conclusion that the positioning of both concepts depends on how broadly CSR is defined. We summarize major criticisms of the CSV concept and provide our own vision of the strengths and limitations of both concepts, showing why at least the CSV concept cannot supplant CSR. Comparing CSV and IVC, we focus on the differences between them and show that IVC represents a more fundamental shift in business philosophy and aims at a deeper and system-wide rather than local and fragmentary integration within society. We maintain that the CSV and IVC ideas can and should be used in strategic planning as inspiration for innovative thinking, as guidelines for increasing business competitiveness and societal well-being. We also point out the need for refining methodological frameworks for the practical implementation of the CSV and IVC ideas.
Interest in social entrepreneurship has been growing over the last two decades among both practitioners and academics. However, despite the numerous studies and a large body of literature on social ...entrepreneurship, the concept remains fuzzy and open to different interpretations. One of the reasons why the concept eludes the grasp is that social entrepreneurship is a multidimensional phenomenon, which can take a great variety of forms. The purpose of this paper is to review the approaches to defining social entrepreneurship, to show the major challenges in drawing the boundaries between social and commercial entrepreneurship as well as between social entrepreneurship and other types of social activities, to identify relevant dimensions for differentiation. Having analyzed different definitions of social entrepreneurship, we have identified eight dimensions of this phenomenon. We have shown that within most of those dimensions the characteristics of social entrepreneurial activities can change along a continuum. The points of contention among researchers of social entrepreneurship are related to the boundaries within which these characteristics can be varied without compromising the social entrepreneurial status of an activity. The proposed dimensions might provide additional insight into the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, help identify different forms of social entrepreneurship and systemize the results of empirical studies. The list of dimensions is not exhaustive, and as empirical evidence accumulates and new types of social entrepreneurship appear, new dimensions can be added.
The paper discusses and clarifies the essence of the rhetorical approach to economics (economic rhetoric). The current trends in comparative studies of socio-economic development in different ...countries are described and some of those trends are analyzed using the rhetorical methodology. It is concluded that the economic rhetoric represents the most adequate and fruitful methodological framework for conducting cross-country comparative studies and interpreting their results.
In the paper, the relevance of using transaction cost theory for analysis of different aspects of business taxation is demonstrated. In particular, the transaction cost framework is used for ...explaining the economic essence of taxes and for analyzing transaction costs arising from the interaction between business and government in the tax sphere. The importance of measuring tax transaction cost is shown and methodological implications are discussed. The results of the Doing Business cross-country surveys related to the relative ease of paying taxes in different economies are analyzed and compared with data of the in-depth country-specific survey «The Costs of Tax Compliance in Ukraine». The relationship between the ease of paying taxes and country’s economic performances is established. Problems underlying the development of a congruent and efficient tax system, meeting the needs and priorities of a certain society are discussed.
The paper discusses the meaning of economic indicators as of a system of quantitative characteristics describing the functioning and development of an economy. The role and significance of economic ...indicators both in the system of economic sciences and in economic, political and socio-cultural practices of a society are revealed. The dual nature of economic indicators is exposed. It is shown that, on the one hand, they constitute the information base for making and implementing economic and political decisions by economic actors, thus representing a factor that reduces uncertainty and minimizes risks of their activities. On the other hand, economic indicators may give a distorted picture of the reality and/or be used as means of external pressure on actors aimed at realizing not the actors' interests but rather the interests of those who generated the information. Based on that, it is suggested that the most productive methodological framework for examining and interpreting economic indicators is a rhetorical approach to economics. Examples of applying the most common rhetorical techniques (devices) for using and interpreting economic indicators are given and discussed.
New tubular conduits have been developed for the regeneration of peripheral nerves and the repair of defects that are larger than 3 cm. The conduits consist of a combination of poly(L-lactide) ...nanofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils. In vitro studies were conducted to assess the biocompatibility of the conduits using human embryonic bone marrow stromal cells (FetMSCs). The studies revealed good adhesion and differentiation of the cells on the conduits just one day after cultivation. Furthermore, an in vivo study was carried out to evaluate motor-coordination disorders using the sciatic nerve functional index (SFI) assessment. The presence of chitosan monofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils in the conduit design increased the regeneration rate of the sciatic nerve, with an SFI value ranging from 76 to 83. The degree of recovery of nerve conduction was measured by the amplitude of M-response, which showed a 46% improvement. The conduit design imitates the oriented architecture of the nerve, facilitates electrical communication between the damaged nerve's ends, and promotes the direction of nerve growth, thereby increasing the regeneration rate.
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We study the effect of the concentration of glutaraldehyde that can cross-link type I collagen molecules on the collagen stability, mechanical strength, and cytotoxicity. It is shown that collagen ...containing 10 and 18% of glutaraldehyde exhibits the highest stability in physiological conditions. The results of rheological analysis demonstrate that, for the minimal concentration of glutaraldehyde (1%), mechanical characteristics of collagen hydrogels are improved significantly. However, the glutaraldehyde concentration higher than 10% reduces the vitality of cells by 50%.
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In the paper, the essence of the tax system of a society is defined within the framework of transaction cost theory. The current state of the Ukrainian tax system is described and selected problems ...in the field of business taxation in Ukraine are analyzed in terms of transaction cost economics and agency theory. The tasks and prospective directions for improving the efficiency of the Ukrainian tax system are identified.
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