The IPO Crisis: Title I of the JOBS Act and Why It Does Not Go Far Enough

This Comment explores the brewing controversy over Title I and assesses the actual impact that it is having (and will have) on investor protection and the IPO market. This Comment argues that Title I has the ability to affect both, but, due to factors outside of Congress\u27s control, will likely have only a minimal effect on either. Part II discusses the objectives of investor protection legislation and how previous legislation regulated the financial markets. Part III explains how these regulations have been changed for emerging growth companies under Title I. Part IV examines what impact Title I will have on investor protection and how this impact may be overstated. Part V discusses Title I\u27s effect on the IPO market and suggests what could be done to improve the JOBS Act and the IPO market. Parts VI and VII conclude this Comment by discussing the changing impact of the JOBS Act from the time this Comment was originally completed in early 2014 to the time it was published in 2015

Utilization of energy crops and sewage sludge in the process of co-gasification for sustainable hydrogen production

The increasing world energy demand driven by economic growth and technical development contributes to the severe depletion of conventional energy resources and various environmental issues. The need for the employment of low-emission, highly efficient technologies of thermochemical conversion, flexible in terms of both raw resources and product applications is declared, when the utilization of solid, alternative fuels is considered. Gasification is the proven technology of lower unit emission of contaminants and higher efficiency than combustion systems, as well as versatile applicability of the synthesis gas, as its main product. While the conversion of fossil fuels in gasification systems is technically mature, the co-utilization of biomass and waste still requires research and optimization in various technical and economic aspects. In this paper, the results of experimental work on co-gasification of energy crops biomass and sewage sludge with steam to produce hydrogen-rich gas are presented. The process is performed at 700, 800 and 900°C under atmospheric pressure. The experimental results are analyzed with the application of the Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. The optimal results in terms of hydrogen production in co-gasification of selected biomass and sewage sludge are observed for Helianthus tuberosus L. blends of 10% w/w of sewage sludge content at 900°C

Wpływ społecznej odpowiedzialności biznesu na lojalność konsumentów wobec marki

Corporate Social Responsibility is based on voluntary business practice taking into account the environmental and social issues, while also forming partnerships, responsible relationships with all stakeholders of company, i.e. customers, investors, employees, suppliers, the media, public administration and the local community. This responsible approach to the wider environment – becomes a standard, imposed enterprises, which changes the functioning of companies. Despite some backlog compared to the more developed economies of Western European countries, among others, in society's attitude towards environmental issues and engage the business sector in the social sphere, this concept is applied in enterprises operating in Poland and relatively well evaluated by potentially interested in its implementation – the consumers. CSR is noticed among others and in advertising and activities at points of sale. In this area, however, there is a deficiency, as respondents in their answers stressed that “do not see” practices of CSR in the market activities of enterprises. Unfortunately, they are not take into account the company's activities in the field of CSR when shopping also. This means that on the one hand, Polish consumers are convinced of the benefits that may give an undertaking after implement CSR, on the other hand – do not choose products (services) socially responsible companies. The aim of this article is to present the perception of Corporate Social Responsibility by Polish consumers and its impact on brand loyalty.Społeczna odpowiedzialność biznesu to dobrowolne uwzględnianie w praktyce gospodarczej ochrony środowiska i spraw społecznych, przy jednoczesnym kształtowaniu partnerskich, odpowiedzialnych relacji ze wszystkimi interesariuszami przedsiębiorstwa, tj. klientami, inwestorami, pracownikami, dostawcami, mediami, administracją publiczną oraz społecznością lokalną. Takie – odpowiedzialne podejście do szeroko pojętego otoczenia – staje się standardem, narzucanym przedsiębiorstwom, standardem – który zmienia dotychczasowe funkcjonowanie przedsiębiorstw. Mimo pewnych zaległości w porównaniu do bardziej rozwiniętych gospodarek państw Europy Zachodniej m.in. w stosunku społeczeństwa do spraw ochrony środowiska czy angażowania się sfery biznesu w sfery społeczne, koncepcja ta jest stosowana w przedsiębiorstwach działających w Polsce i relatywnie dobrze oceniana przez potencjalnie zainteresowanych jej wdrożeniem – czyli konsumentów. CSR jest zauważane m.in. w reklamach oraz działaniach w miejscach sprzedaży. W tym obszarze istnieje jednak pewien niedosyt, gdyż badani w swoich odpowiedziach podkreślili, że „nie dostrzegają” praktyk z zakresu CSR w rynkowej aktywności przedsiębiorstw. Niestety, nie uwzględniają także działań przedsiębiorstwa w obszarze CSR podczas dokonywania zakupów. Oznacza to, że z jednej strony polscy konsumenci przekonani są o korzyściach, jakie może dawać wdrożenie CSR przedsiębiorstwu, z drugiej jednak strony nie wybierają produktów (usług) firm społecznie odpowiedzialnych. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie postrzegania koncepcji społecznej odpowiedzialności biznesu przez polskich konsumentów oraz jej wpływu na lojalność wobec marki/marek przedsiębiorstw

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Changes in the Distribution of Temperature in a Coal Deposit and the Composition of Gases Emitted during Its Heating and Cooling

This article presents the results of tests conducted on a measuring system for monitoring changes in the distribution of temperature in a coal deposit during the heating and cooling phases, and their correlation with the analysis of the concentration of gases. The tests were conducted on five samples of hard coal collected in deposits mined in Poland. Measurements of the changes in temperature and changes in gas concentration were conducted from the temperature of 35 to 300 C, for the heating phase, and from 300 to 35 C, for the cooling phase. The percentage share of coal of given temperatures was calculated. When comparing the percentage share for the same temperature in the hot spot, for the heating and cooling phase, significant differences in the distribution of the given percentages were observed. Changes in gas concentrations during heating and cooling were analyzed and the dynamics of changes in gas concentrations were determined for the coals tested. Changes in the values of fire hazard indices were analyzed. There were significant differences in the concentration of gases and the values of fire hazard indices between the heating and the coolin

Klaster jako instrument rozwoju polsko-słowackiej współpracy transgranicznej

Regiony transgraniczne, czyli jednorodne pod względem geograficzno- przyrodniczym, powiązane historycznie i ekonomicznie, położone w pasie granicznym obszary przekraczające co najmniej jedną granicę, stają się aktualnie areną rozwoju nowatorskich form partnerstwa międzysektorowego. Jednym z instrumentów współpracy transgranicznej są klastry. W poszczególnych częściach pracy omówiono kluczowe zagadnienia dotyczące roli klastrów w rozwoju współpracy transgranicznej na pograniczu polsko-słowackim, ze szczególnym odniesieniem do problematyki partnerstw terytorialnych, kształtowania wizerunku regionu i roli, jaką w tym zakresie mają do odegrania markowe produkty turystyczne. W ostatniej części pracy, na tle charakterystyki uwarunkowań rozwoju współpracy transgranicznej i euroregionalizacji, omówiono dotychczasowy kształt partnerstwa Koalicji Marek Ziem Górskich w Żywcu oraz Klastra Liptov w Liptovskim Mikulasu oraz przedstawiono propozycję strategii współpracy obu organizacji do roku 2020.Honorata HowaniecPublikacja współfinansowana przez Unię Europejską z Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego

Electrochemical corrosion monitoring in low conductive fluid : pilot-scale study on sulfolane corrosion potential

Solvents are a group of chemical compounds that are widely used in organic synthesis. Taking into account the chemical nature, solvents are divided into protic and aprotic ones. An attractive alternative to commonly used industrial extractive liquids is an anthropogenic, organosulfur medium—sulfolane. Sulfolane is a five-membered heterocyclic sulfur–organic compound from the group of sulfones (R-SO2-R’, where R/R’ is alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl), which contains an apolar hydrocarbon backbone and a polar functional group. It is a selective solvent in the liquid–liquid and liquid–vapor extraction processes used for the removal of close-boiling alkanes from cycloalkanes or for the separation of compounds with different degrees of saturation and polarity in the extractive rectification of arenes from non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbon mixtures. In standard conditions sulfolane is not an aggressive solvent for steel, but at higher temperature (170–180 °C) and oxygen availability, it may be decomposed and subsequently some corrosive (by-)products can be formed. The primary purpose of the presented pilot-case examination was to verify applicability of the industrial, multi-electrochemical technique for reliable detection of the corrosion processes in low conductive fluids

Competency gaps of employees in the construction sector in terms of the requirements of a low-carbon economy. Polish and Czech case

Environmental policy obliges modern society to transition to a low-carbon economy. After entering to life, the Paris Agreement obligated the signatories to prepare the first nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The NDCs aim first to reduce greenhouse gas emission targets under the UNFCCC and they apply equally to both developed and developing countries. Countries voluntarily indicate what actions will be taken to achieve the declared goals. The construction sector is an industry that is under scrutiny due to its negative impact on the environment, but it also has the potential to reduce it. Activities that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be carried out at various levels in the construction industry. One of them is the appropriate preparation of the staff, including equipping them with the so-called green skills. This research aimed to determine the competency gaps of people employed in the construction industry, including competencies in the field of low-emission economy. For the purposes of the study, a questionnaire survey was carried out in Poland and the Czech Republic and based on the results obtained the appropriate competencies were determined that should be possessed by people employed in the construction sector, including competencies related to a low-emission economy. Competency profiles for people employed in the construction sector were built and competency gaps of these people were determined. In both countries, no competencies have been identified in any of checked areas that meet or exceed the requirements of managers according to specific competency profiles.Web of Science1423art. no. 786

Real-time corrosion monitoring of AISI 1010 carbon steel with metal surface mapping in sulfolane

Solvents are widely used in organic synthesis. Sulfolane is a five-membered heterocyclic organosulfur sulfone (R-SO2-R’, where R/R’ is alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl) and an anthropogenic medium commonly used as industrial extractive solvent in the liquid-liquid and liquid-vapor extraction processes. Under standard conditions sulfolane is not aggressive towards steel, but at higher temperatures and in oxygen, water, or chlorides presence, it can be decomposed into some corrosive (by-)products with generation of SO2 and subsequent formation of corrosive H2SO3. This pilot-case study provides data from laboratory measurements performed in low conductivity sulfolane-based fluids using an industrial multi-electrochemical technique for reliable detection of corrosion processes. In particular, a comprehensive evaluation of the aqueous phase impact on general and localized corrosion of AISI 1010 carbon steel in sulfolane is presented. Assessment of corrosive damage was carried out using an open circuit potential method, potentiodynamic polarization curves, SEM/EDS and scanning Kelvin probe technique. It was found that an increase in the water content (1–3 vol.%) in sulfolane causes a decrease in the corrosion resistance of AISI 1010 carbon steel on both uniform and pitting corrosion due to higher conductance of the sulfolane-based fluids