International Corporate Governance-A Comparison of the Corporate Governance Systems in Germany and Sweden

The purpose of the study is to investigate how much interest media has shown selected topics in the corporate governance systems in Germany and Sweden. The four selected aspects are: ownership structure, employee representation on the boards, disclosure of board members’ compensation and female directors on the boards. The reasons for and consequences of the similarities and differences will also be discussed. The German and Swedish corporate governance systems construct the key basis of the study, emphasised on the four chosen aspects. Theories and previous research within the subject are presented and the convergence issue is discussed. The quantitative content analysis method is applied when conducting the research of the newspaper articles from Die Welt (Germany) and Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden). Based on the empirical findings of the study could the four hypotheses be accepted, more or less. The topics debated within the aspects were different between the two countries. Cultural and societal differences were central reasons for these results. As the study of the German and Swedish media has been conducted, several interesting differences in the debates on the four aspects have been found. The conclusion drawn based on these results is that the German corporate governance system, compared to the Swedish system, is less flexible and has more problems to be competitive and keep up with the international competition

Osmotic Properties of Polysaccharides Solutions

Osmotic properties of polysaccharides’ solutions and associated biopolymer-solvent and biopolymer-biopolymer type interaction are very important from a technological point of view. The knowledge of osmotic properties of these systems provides the basis to appropriate use of polysaccharides having comply with the relevant technology functions, impart the appropriate texture and forming the sensory properties of the final product. Furthermore, an important issue is the effect of time on the osmotic properties of polysaccharides’, because with time, the aforementioned effects may change. Membrane osmometry is one of the methods used in the studies of synthetic polymers to determine their average molecular mass and the degree of interaction between a polymer and a solvent. This method is successfully applied in the case of biopolymers that include polysaccharides. The existence of the osmotic pressure, formed by diffusion of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane, is the basis of this method. Analysis and interpretation of osmometric research results is based on the van’t Hoff equation dependency of the concentration. The second virial coefficient obtained based on this relation allows characterisation of biopolymer-solvent interactions, and thus biopolymer tendency to solvation. The third virial coefficient provides information on mutual interactions between the biopolymer molecules, as well as its tendency to aggregate

Enhancement of the Electrocatalytic Properties of Prussian Blue Containing Multilayer Films Formed by Reduced Graphene Oxide

AbstractIn our work we focused on the electroactive and electrocatalytic properties of multilayer films formed from polyelectrolytes (PE) and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBn), enhanced by addition of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Films containing poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and PBn were constructed using the layer-by-layer adsorption method. Graphene oxide (GO) was deposited from its aqueous suspension forming additional layers of the film. Then they were exposed to the elevated temperature, 180°C to turn graphene oxide into its reduced form. We demonstrated, by cyclic voltamperometry, that the presence of conductive rGO greatly enhanced the electroactive properties of the PE/PB multilayer films. Simultaneously, they were also up to 40 times more effective for the electrocatalytic redox processes of hydrogen peroxide

Eco-Labelling as a Tool of CSR: Opportunities and Threats

Corporate Social Responsibility is a concept which, although it is developing for many years, it is constantly improved in both terms – theoretical and practical. In theory area are creating new definitions and new areas for action shots and in practice area are sought new instruments that could be used in pro-social activities. In this way, more and more expanding a set of tools that are available for socially responsible companies. In this article will be discuss the eco-labeling, which is an instrument belonging to the traditional set of activities in the framework of CSR. Eco-labeling is relatively poorly described issue in literature. In practical area, we can also find deficiencies. Analyzing the areas of corporate social responsibility calculated by ISO 26000, eco-labeling can be included into the area of the environment, fair operating practices and consumer issues. This shows how multi-dimensional issue is the use of eco-labeling. This fact creates the possibility of assessing this practices of different points of view - companies , consumers and the environment. The purpose of this article is to identify opportunities and risks associated with the use of ecolabelling as a tool of CSR. In this article the authors will show that the activity in the area of eco-labeling not only builds the image of a socially responsible company, but also translates to specific business benefits. In addition, the authors will attempt to assess the proportion of customers for products marked with eco-labeling. Analysis of the problem will be based on the available literature in the field of corporate social responsibility, marketing, sustainable development and environmental protection.Urszula Gołaszewska- Kaczan: [email protected] Kruk: [email protected] Śleszyńska-Świderska: [email protected] hab. Urszula Gołaszewska- Kaczan, prof. UwB – Faculty of Economics and Management, University of BialystokMarek Kruk, Ph.D. – Faculty of Economics and Management, University of BialystokAnna Śleszyńska-Świderska, M.A. – Faculty of Economics and Management, University of BialystokAllaire Y., Firsirotu M. 2000 Myślenie strategiczne, PWN, Warszawa.Atănăsoaie G. S. 2013 Eco-Label and its Role in the Development of Organic Products Mar-ket, “Economy Transdisciplinarity Cognition”, Vol. 16, Issue 1.Bostrom M., Klintman M. 2011 Eco-Standards, Product Labeling and Green Consumerism, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.Canadian Democracy and Corporate Accountability Commission, 2001, An Overview of Issues.Carnegie A. 1933 The Gospel of Wealth, Garden City.Carroll A. B. 1982 A Three-Dimensinal Conceptual Model of Corporate Perfomance, [in:] W. R. Allen, L. K. Bragaw, Social Forces and the Manager. Readings and Cases, John Wiley& Sons, New York (et al.).Cooper T., Ludlow M., Clift T. 2012 Examining the Role of Eco-Labels in Changing the Approach to Sustainability in the Commercial Fisheries, Greener Management Interna-tional, Issue 57.Dočekalová M., Straková J. 2011 The Influence of the Eco-Labelling on Consumer Behavior in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, “Economics and Management”, 16.Electronic document, access mode: [file:///C:/Users/Enigma/Downloads/COM_2013_196_PL_ACTE_f.pdf, retrieved: 14.10. 2014].Electronic document, access mode: [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_367_sum_en.pdf, retrived: 11.10.2014].Electronic document, access mode: [http://ecodialog.pl/sites/default/files/discovering_iso_26000PL.pdf, retrieved: 15.10.2014].Electronic document, access mode: [http://www.26k-estimation.com/html/user_ guides_iso_26000.html#user-guides, retrieved: 15.10.2014].Electronic document, access mode: [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_ autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/swd/2013/0112/COM_SWD(2013)0112_PL.pdf, retrieved; 10.10. 2014].Electronic document, access mode: [http://www.pkn.pl/iso-26000, retrieved: 15.10.2014].Electronic document, access mode: [https://www.iisd.org/business/markets/eco_label_ benefits.aspx, retrieved: 18.09.2104].Electronic document, access mode: [https://www.mos.gov.pl/g2/big/2012_11/037ac15934792054904ccafce588677c.pdf, retrieved: 16.10.2014].Gallastegui I. G. 2012 The Use of Eco-labels: A Review of the Literature, “European Environment”, No. 12.Hancock R., Korsten P., Pohle G. 2003 On Demand Business: the New AGENDA FOR Value Creation, An IBM Institute for Business Value Futures Series, [in:] P. Banaszyk, Zmienność zarządzania strategicznego przedsiębiorstwem, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Poznaniu, Poznań 2011.OECD 1997 Eco-Labelling: Actual Effects of Selected Programmes, Organisation For Economic Co-Operation And Development, Paris.Thogersen J. 2000 Psychological Determinants of Paying Attention to Eco-Labels in Purchase Decisions: Model Development and Multinational Validation, “Journal of Consumer Policy” 23.179-1925(77)17919

Mutation in exon 13 of the TCOF1 gene in patient with Treacher Collins syndrome

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) is associated with an abnormal differentiation of the first and the second pharyngeal arch during fetal development. This causes mostly craniofacial deformities, which require numerous corrective surgeries. TCS is an autosomal dominant disorder and it occurs in general population with the frequency of in 1 in 50,000 live births. TCS is caused by mutations in the TCOF1 gene. This gene encodes the serine/alanine-rich protein named Treacle. TCS can also be caused by mutations in the POLR1C and POLR1D genes.About 70% of recognized mutations of the TCOF1 gene are deletions, which lead to a frame shift,  formation of termination codon and shortening of the protein product of the gene. A heterozygous insertion c.2013_2014insG was described in one patient with TCS. The insertion causes premature termination of translation at 680aa

Examining Predictors of Currency Strength in Developing and Transition Economies

In the globalized world, the strength of a country's currency is paramount, especially for developing and transition economies. This research endeavors to identify the key predictors for currency strength in such countries, with a spotlight on Ukraine, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's invasion. Leveraging cross-country regression analysis, the study examines the factors influencing exchange rates. The findings highlight the role of economic prosperity, import dynamics, and government spending as vital determinants of currency strength, while interest rates, exports, and inflation were found to have less significance. For policymakers, this implies a need to bolster economic growth, manage imports, and ensure prudent fiscal policies. This study not only augments the academic discourse on international finance but also offers actionable insights for economies like Ukraine striving for currency stability

Photoactive protochlorophyllide-enzyme complexes reconstituted with PORA, PORB and PORC proteins of A. thaliana : fluorescence and catalytic properties

Photoactive Pchlide-POR-NADPH complexes were reconstituted using protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) and recombinant light-dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) proteins, His₆-PORA, His₆-PORB and His₆-PORC, from Arabidopsis thaliana. We did not observe any differences in the kinetics of the protochlorophyllide photoreduction at room temperature among the PORA, PORB and PORC proteins. In contrast, the PORC protein showed lower yield of Chlide formation than PORA and PORB when preincubated in the dark for 30 min and then illuminated for a short time. The most significant observation was that reconstituted Pchlide-POR-NADPH complexes showed fluorescence maxima at 77 K similar to those observed for highly aggregated Pchlide-POR-NADPH complexes in prolamellar bodies (PLBs) in vivo. Homology models of PORA, PORB and PORC of Arabidopsis thaliana were developed to compare predicted structures of POR isoforms. There were only slight structural differences, mainly in the organisation of helices and loops, but not in the shape of whole molecules. This is the first comparative analysis of all POR isoforms functioning at different stages of A. thaliana development

Isochorismate synthase 1 is required for thylakoid organization, optimal plastoquinone redox status, and state transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana

Isochorismate synthase 1 (ICS1) is a crucial enzyme in the salicylic acid (SA) synthesis pathway, and thus it is important for immune defences. The ics1 mutant is used in experiments on plant–pathogen interactions, and ICS1 is required for the appropriate hypersensitive disease defence response. However, ICS1 also takes part in the synthesis of phylloquinone, which is incorporated into photosystem I and is an important component of photosynthetic electron transport in plants. Therefore, photosynthetic and molecular analysis of the ics1 mutant in comparison with wild-type and SA-degrading transgenic NahG Arabidopsis thaliana plants was performed. Photosynthetic parameters in the ics1 mutant, when compared with the wild type, were changed in a manner observed previously for state transition-impaired plants (STN7 kinase recessive mutant, stn7). In contrast to stn7, deregulation of the redox status of the plastoquinone pool (measured as 1–q p) in ics1 showed significant variation depending on the leaf age. SA-degrading transgenic NahG plants targeted to the cytoplasm or chloroplasts displayed normal (wild-type-like) state transition. However, ics1 plants treated with a phylloquinone precursor displayed symptoms of phenotypic reversion towards the wild type. ics1 also showed altered thylakoid structure with an increased number of stacked thylakoids per granum which indicates the role of ICS1 in regulation of state transition. The results presented here suggest the role of ICS1 in integration of the chloroplast ultrastructure, the redox status of the plastoquinone pool, and organization of the photosystems, which all are important for optimal immune defence and light acclimatory responses

Dziecko z zespołem Downa w szkole ogólnodostępnej?

The article presents a level of  socio-emotional competences of children with Down Syndrome and with moderate learning difficulties in the period of early stage education. The aim of this article is to answer the question: ‘ How the student with Down syndrome would manage the education in the mainstream settings’? The competences, which 5 years old children typically developed reach, were measured. The research were conducted within 30 children with Down syndrome age 8 to 13. The results of the research shows low level of competences both emotional and social. The research was based on Inventory of Socio-Emotional Competences (IKES) created by J. Kruk-Lasocka and A. Szymajda.Introduction to the article is a theoretical analyze of other researchers who studied development of children with Down syndrome in contexts of their ability to follow educational program in mainstream education.W artykule został omówiony poziom kompetencji emocjonalno-społecznych dziecka z zespołem Downa (ZD) i z umiarkowaną niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w okresie edukacji wczesnoszkolnej w celu udzielenia odpowiedzi na pytanie, jak uczeń z ZD poradzi sobie w szkole ogólnodostępnej. Mierzone były te kompetencje, które dziecko rozwijające się prawidłowo nabywa około 5 roku życia. Badania zostały przeprowadzone wśród 30 dzieci z ZD w wieku 8–13 lat. Wyniki pokazały niski poziom kompetencji zarówno emocjonalnych, jak i społecznych. Badania zostały przeprowadzone na podstawie IKES-u (Inwentarz) autorstwa Joanny Kruk-Lasockiej i Agnieszki Szymajdy. Wprowadzeniem do artykułu jest teoretyczna analiza poglądów badaczy na temat specyfiki rozwoju dziecka z ZD w kontekście jego możliwości edukacji w szkole ogólnodostępnej