Seeking ‘the New Normal’? Troubled spaces of encountering visible differences in Warsaw

In times of globalisation and super-mobility, ideas of normality are in turmoil. In different societies in, across and beyond Europe, we face the challenge of undoing specific notions of normality and creating more inclusive societies with an open culture of learning to live with differences. The scope of the paper is to introduce some findings on encounters with difference and negotiations of social values in relation to a growing visibility of difference after 1989 in Poland, on the background of a critique of normality/ normalisation and normalcy. On the basis of interviews conducted in Warsaw, we investigate how normality/ normalisation discourses of visible homosexuality and physical disability are incorporated into individual self-reflections and justifications of prejudices (homophobia and disabilism). More specifically we argue that there are moments of ‘cultural transgressions’ present in everyday practices towards ‘visible’ sexual and (dis)ability difference

CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INFORMATIONAL METROPOLITAN REGIONS

Due to the growing importance of metropolitan regions for the economy this work aims at analyzing what fosters economic prosperity. We propose the theory that creativity generates new ideas and enhances the entrepreneurship level in the city. In this research the focus lies on metropolitan regions, located around 30 Informational World Cities, which are prototypical cities of the knowledge society. Referring to Friedmann, we extended our focus to regions (surrounding the cities) and went beyond administrative boundaries for the purpose of economic integration and commuting flows to be included. The main task entails finding a possible correlation between creativity, entrepreneurship and economic prosperity. In order to do so, we had to determine adequate indicators describing these aspects. Regarding the economic prosperity we elaborated the GDP per capita. As for entrepreneurship, we focused on the self-employment rate and establishment of new firms. For the purpose of measuring the creativity we had to define it first, namely as constructiveness and innovative problem solving. This means creativity is not only to be found in the field of arts, but also in the fields of science, technology and research. Therefore, we chose the following four indicators to measure the level of creativeness: the Bohemian Index according to Florida which measures the amount of creative people within the city, the creative infrastructure, the scientific (publications) and the technological output (patents). To sum up, our research questions are: Can it be stated that in the informational metropolitan regions the more creative the city is, the more entrepreneurs it has? And, is there any correlation between creativity, economic prosperity, and entrepr eneurship

International Society of Biomechanics in Sport March Newsletter 2015

IN THIS ISSUE: Message from the Editor, Preview of ISBS 2015, Poitiers, ISBS Student Mentor Program 2015,ISBS Student Mini Research Grant, ISBS Student Development Profile, Call for ISBS Awards, Hans Gros Emerging Researcher 2015, ISBS Practitioner Profile, ISBS Membership Renewal, Call for bids for hosting ISBS, ISBS Lab Profile, Call for ISBS Election, ISBS Sponsors, ISBS Officer

Arabidopsis CULLIN3 Genes Regulate Primary Root Growth and Patterning by Ethylene-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

CULLIN3 (CUL3) together with BTB-domain proteins form a class of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (called CRL3s) that control the rapid and selective degradation of important regulatory proteins in all eukaryotes. Here, we report that in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, CUL3 regulates plant growth and development, not only during embryogenesis but also at post-embryonic stages. First, we show that CUL3 modulates the emission of ethylene, a gaseous plant hormone that is an important growth regulator. A CUL3 hypomorphic mutant accumulates ACS5, the rate-limiting enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis and as a consequence exhibits a constitutive ethylene response. Second, we provide evidence that CUL3 regulates primary root growth by a novel ethylene-dependant pathway. In particular, we show that CUL3 knockdown inhibits primary root growth by reducing root meristem size and cell number. This phenotype is suppressed by ethylene-insensitive or resistant mutations. Finally, we identify a function of CUL3 in distal root patterning, by a mechanism that is independent of ethylene. Thus, our work highlights that CUL3 is essential for the normal division and organisation of the root stem cell niche and columella root cap cells

Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Education: Promoting Family Mindfulness During the Perinatal Period

We present the conceptual and empirical foundation and curriculum content of the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) program and the results of a pilot study of n = 27 pregnant women participating in MBCP during their third trimester of pregnancy. MBCP is a formal adaptation of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program and was developed and refined over the course of 11 years of clinical practice with 59 groups of expectant couples. MBCP is designed to promote family health and well-being through the practice of mindfulness during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. Quantitative results from the current study include statistically significant increases in mindfulness and positive affect, and decreases in pregnancy anxiety, depression, and negative affect from pre- to post-test (p < .05). Effect sizes for changes in key hypothesized intervention mediators were large (d > .70), suggesting that MBCP is achieving its intended effects on maternal well-being during pregnancy. Qualitative reports from participants expand upon the quantitative findings, with the majority of participants reporting perceived benefits of using mindfulness practices during the perinatal period and early parenting. Our future research will involve conducting a randomized controlled trial of MBCP to test effects on psychophysiological stress mechanisms and to examine effects on birth outcomes, family relationship quality, and child development outcomes

Methodology of calculation of construction and hydrodynamic parameters of a foam layer apparatus for mass-transfer processes

Промислова реалізація методу стабілізації газорідинного шару дозволяє значно розширити галузь застосування пінних апаратів і відкриває нові можливості інтенсифікації технологічних процесів з одночасним створенням маловідходних технологій. У статті встановлені основні параметри, що впливають на гідродинаміку пінних апаратів, розглянуті основні конструкції та режими роботи пінних апаратів. Виявлено зв'язок гідродинамічних параметрів. Розглянуто гідродинамічні закономірності пінного шару. Вказані фактори, що впливають на процес масообміну, як в газовій, так і в рідкій фазах. Проведений аналіз ряду досліджень показав, що перспективним напрямком інтенсифікації процесу масообміну є розробка апаратів з трифазним псевдозрідженим шаром зрошуваної насадки складних форм із сітчастих матеріалів. Отже, необхідне проведення спеціальних досліджень гідродинамічних режимів роботи апарату з сітчастою насадкою і визначенням параметрів, що впливають на швидкість переходу насадки з одного режиму в інший.Industrial implementation of the stabilization method of the gas-liquid layer can significantly expand the field of use of foaming apparatus and opens up new opportunities for intensifying technological processes with the simultaneous creation of low-waste technologies. The article establishes the basic parameters influencing the hydrodynamics of foam apparatus, considers the basic constructions and operating modes of foam apparatus. The connection of hydrodynamic parameters is revealed. The hydrodynamic laws of the foam layer are considered. The indicated factors affecting the process of mass transfer, both in the gas and in the liquid phases. The conducted analysis of a number of studies showed that the perspective direction of intensification of the mass transfer process is the development of apparatuses with a three-phase fluidized bed of an irrigated nozzle of complex forms with mesh materials