THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMPETITION IN POLAND AND THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND RESEARCH: THE CASE OF ECONOMIC AND LAW STUDIES

        Universities compete for candidates for studies. This phenomenon should be particularly evident in the case of popular mass study programs like economics or law. The choice of a university and the study programs is affected by the level of perceived quality of education and the tuition paid. Therefore using measures of competition similar to the law of universal gravitation we measure the competition pressure exercised on each study program by other programs. Subsequently we assess whether there is interdependence between quality of education and research, taking into account the intensity of competition between studies offered by different universities in Poland. The quality of education is taken from Polish Accreditation Committee resolutions and the research quality data is based on scientific categorization. It can be assumed that the highest quality of education and research prevails only in the most competitive environment. In this way we can determine whether the competition pressure is sufficient to improve the quality of education and research and whether there is a need to impose special regulations ensuring external supervision over the quality of education and research activities in higher education sector

Klauzula przeciwko unikaniu opodatkowania – ujęcie ekonomiczne

The article reviews the economic literature about general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR). In particular it pinpoints such issues as: the reasonability of standard-based approach against the rules-based approach in anti–avoidance regulation, the role of the legal system in which the clause is used and the weaknesses associated with the application of the clause in practice. In subsequent part, the results of a limited number of quantitative studies are presented with special focus on: the choice of court premises in assessing the merits of the GAAR and the impact of such regulation on foreign investment and the formation of subsidiaries in other countries. The final part concludes with an analysis of factors conducive to the introduction of the GAAR in a tax system.Artykuł obejmuje przegląd wniosków z analiz ekonomicznych dotyczących klauzuli przeciwko unikaniu opodatkowania. Wskazano w nim w szczególności takie zagadnienia, jak: sensowność regulacji opartej na standardach zamiast na regułach, rolę systemu prawa w jakim klauzula jest wykorzystywana oraz słabości, które wiążą się z wykorzystywaniem klauzuli wpraktyce. W dalszej części opisano wyniki nielicznych badań o charakterze ilościowym, które koncentrowały się na: sposobie doboru przesłanek przez sądy przy ocenie zasadności zastosowania klauzuli przeciw unikaniu opodatkowania, oraz na wpływie tego typu regulacji na inwestycje i tworzenie spółek zależnych w innych krajach. Artykuł kończy analiza czynników sprzyjających wprowadzeniu tej klauzuli do systemu podatkowego danego państwa

Konstytucyjna zasada autonomii uniwersytetów na przykładzie Hiszpanii

This paper focuses on the autonomy of universities in Spain. Research on this subject is justified as the Spanish higher education model is a good illustration of a decentralised education system and, as such, may be used to analyse the links between the constitutional autonomy of universities and the practical implementation of this guarantee. In the Spanish case, the constitutional guarantee of autonomy as well as freedom of science and teaching at universities does not mean that universities in that country enjoy fuli and unconstrained autonomy. There are two underlying reasons for this situation. Firstly, the Spanish Constitution guarantees autonomy under principles specified in law, thus signalling that certain constraints are permissible. Secondly, the Spanish higher education system developed from the French model, with the governmental authority prevailing over universities. Although the legislation was modified quite frequently, thus changing the boundaries of autonomy and the mutual relations between universities and central government, the Spanish system still displays many characteristics of the French model.Przedmiotem artykułu jest autonomia uniwersytetów w Hiszpanii. Podjęcie badań naukowych tej kwestii jest zasadne, ponieważ hiszpański model szkolnictwa wyższego dobrze ilustruje zdecentralizowany system edukacji oraz może stanowić przedmiot analizy związków między konstytucyjnie zagwarantowaną zasadą autonomii uniwersytetów a jej realizacją. Konstytucyjna gwarancja autonomii uniwersytetów oraz wolności nauki i nauczania w przypadku Hiszpanii nie oznacza, że uniwersytety cieszą się pełną i nieograniczoną autonomią. Dzieje się tak z dwóch względów. Po pierwsze, Konstytucja Hiszpanii stwierdza gwarancję autonomii szkół wyższych na zasadach określonych w ustawie, sygnalizując w ten sposób dopuszczalność pewnych ograniczeń. Po drugie, system szkolnictwa wyższego w Hiszpanii wyrasta z modelu francuskiego, z przewagą władzy państwa nad szkołami wyższymi. Mimo że ustawodawstwo zmieniało się dość często - a tym samym zmieniał się zakres autonomii uniwersytetów oraz wzajemne relacje między nimi a władzą centralną - hiszpański system szkolnictwa wyższego wciąż ma wiele cech charakterystycznych dla tego modelu

Letter to Readers

Dear Colleagues, Dear Readers, In the middle of the sunny summer, we would like to give you the opportunity to gain new knowledge useful for all endocrinologists, both those focused on research and clinical practitioners. Our journal is increasingly useful and recognizable, which is reflected by an increase in the International Impact Factor for Endokrynologia Polska (EP), which currently is 1,341. We are happy to inform you that this is the highest score in the last 5 years and we thank all those who contributed to this success.

Spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in evaluation of advanced neuroendocrine tumours

Introduction: 4D Ultrasound technology merging the Power Doppler option called High-Definition Flow (HDF) with Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation (STIC) is used in gynaecology and obstetrics. It seems to be a promising tool in assessing tissue vascularisation. The aim of the paper was to assess whether HDF STIC technique could be a useful tool for the evaluation of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN) advancement. Material and methods: Forty-eight patients [mean age 57.7 ± 10.3 years; male 40.9% (n = 18)] diagnosed with metastatic GEP-NENs were included in the analysis. All subjects were enrolled in the Department of Endocrinology and Neuroendocrine Tumours, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. We analysed liver metastases. Patients with G3 grading or faintly vascularised lesions were excluded. HDF STIC volumes were acquired during USG examination. 4D indices [volumetric pulsatility index (vPI) and volumetric systolic/diastolic index (vS/D)] were calculated using dedicated software. Results: There were no correlations between vS/D and Ki-67 [p = 0.67; r = –0.19; (–0.28–0.19)], CgA [p = 0.47; r = –0.11; (–0.38–0,19)], 5-HIAA [p = 0.52; r = –0.09 (–0.37–0.2)], serotonin [p = 0.83; r = –0.03 (–0.32–0.26)], and VCAM-1 (p = 0.62; r = 0.09 (–03–0.47)]. The were no correlations between vPI and Ki-67 [p = 0.29; r = –0.16 (–0.45–0.14)], CgA (p = 0.46; r = –0.11 (–0.39–0.19)], 5-HIAA [p = 0.52; r = –0.09 (–0.37–0.2)], serotonin [p = 0.82; r = –0.03 (–0.32–0.26)], and VCAM-1 (p = 0.62; r = –0.09 (–03–0.47)]. There was no significant difference between carcinoid versus non-carcinoid patients if compared by vS/D and vPI (p = 0.62, p = 0.61, respectively). Conclusions: HDF STIC seems not to be an efficient marker to assess advancement of NENs, due to lack of correlation with widely used and approved markers of progression.

Polypeptide growth factors in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

Polypeptide growth factors form a potent class of extracellular signal molecules in the regulation of cellular differentiation and proliferation. Disturbances in the expression of growth factors influence the normal pathway of differentiation and lead to cellular transformation and tumour progression. Contemporary medical studies report that various growth factors such as those for platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and insulin-like growth factor are expressed in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP/NET). Polypeptide growth factors have great significance in the growth, progression and development of metastases by various tumours. We describe the role of growth factors in GEP/NET on the basis of the available reports of medical research.Czynniki wzrostu tworzą liczną klasę cząsteczek biorących udział w przekazywaniu sygnału zewnątrzkomórkowego, regulując różnicowanie i wzrost komórek. Zaburzenia w ekspresji czynników wzrostu wpływają na zakłócenie prawidłowej drogi różnicowania komórkowego, prowadząc do komórkowej transformacji i progresji guza. W najnowszych badaniach wykazano, że różne czynniki wzrostu, takie jak: płytkopochodny czynnik wzrostu, czynnik wzrostu śródbłonka naczyń, nabłonkowy czynnik wzrostu, czynnik wzrostu hepatocytów i insulinopodobny czynnik wzrostu (IGF, insulin-like growth factor) wykazują ekspresję w guzach neuroendokrynnych układu pokarmowego (GEP/NET). Polipeptydowe czynniki wzrostu odgrywają istotne znaczenie w rozwoju i wzroście przerzutów w różnych typach nowotworów. W niniejszej pracy opisujemy ich rolę w GEP/NET na podstawie dostępnej literatury medycznej

Zmiany w europejskim systemie podatkowym w czasie gospodarczego spowolnienia

The article includes an analysis of relative changes in tax structure during the period between 2007-2008, based on data of tax revenues from 27 countries of EU and short requests for discretionary tax rates changes occurring in 2009-2010. For the quantitative analysis we used k-mean cluster analysis procedure identifying relatively homogeneous groups of European states based on selected tax structure features. Thus the basic patterns of tax systems had been distinguished for the period before the economic downturn (by convention in 2006) and then we were looking for trends in tax systems’ structure. Changes in taxation, both in terms of tax burden, as well as changes in tax rates are mainly concentrated in the European peripheries, which are accompanied by heterogeneous changes in production. This arrangement supports theories of tax competition stemming from the new economic geography. Member countries of EU experiencing deep economic downturn alter their tax structure, rather by the types of tax than by economic functions of taxes. Countries are trying to raise the taxes which were previously the main basis of their tax revenues or raise those which revenues decrease the most.Artykuł zawiera analizę względnych zmian w strukturze podatków w okresie 2007-2008 na podstawie danych o przychodach podatkowych 27 krajów Unii Europejskiej i krótką próbę omówienia dyskrecjonalnych zmian podatków mających miejsce w latach 2009-2010. Dla celów analizy ilościowej użyto metody grupowania wedle procedury k-średnich, co pozwoliło zidentyfikować relatywnie homogeniczne grupy krajów europejskich pod względem wybranych cech struktury podatkowej. W ten sposób rozróżniono podstawowe wzorce systemów podatkowych dla okresu przed załamaniem ekonomicznym (zasadniczo dla roku 2006), by następnie prześledzić trendy w strukturach systemów podatkowych. Zmiany w opodatkowaniu zarówno w sensie obciążenia podatkowego, jak również zmian stóp opodatkowania były głównie skoncentrowane na peryferiach Europy, a towarzyszyły im różnorodne zmiany w produkcji. To zjawisko wspiera teorię konkurencji podatkowej mającej swe źródło w nowej geografii ekonomicznej. Kraje członkowskie Unii Europejskiej dotknięte głęboką recesją dopasowują swoją strukturę podatkową raczej poprzez typy podatków niż poprzez zmianę ich ekonomicznych funkcji. Kraje starają się podnieść te podatki, które poprzednio stanowiły główne źródło ich przychodów podatkowych lub te, w przypadku których przychody spadły najbardziej

Pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of acute radiation syndrome

Introduction: The use of radiation sources in various areas of life generates the risk of accidents and radiation disasters. The increase in terrorist threats as well as the risk of an outbreak of new armed conflicts carries the risk of using radioactive materials by terrorist groups and the military. Exposure to high doses of radiation and absorbing above-threshold doses by victims may cause acute radiation syndrome (ARS), as well as some distant effects. Personnel of the State Emergency Medical System (EMS) will be the first professional medical team in the process of providing assistance to such victims. The effects of further medical treatment in the hospital will depend on EMS’s first response, radiological triage and initial interventions taken. The aim: To present pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of acute radiation syndrome in the context of the medical practice of the EMS. Material and methods: For the purpose of this publication, an analysis of literature on the subject of the mechanism of ionizing radiation and its effects on the human body was performed. The work is focused on the interpretation of research results and their presentation from the EMS’s perspective. Results: The publication presents the impact of ionizing radiation on the body, the mechanism of damage to cellular structures and its consequences for individual organs and systems. ARS’s clinical (hematopoietic, intestinal, cerebrovascular) syndromes were discussed in detail, paying attention to radiation doses, the sensitivity of individual systems and organs, the dynamics of individual phases, as well as the ability to recognize and assess the severity of their progression by EMS personnel. Conclusions: The knowledge of pathophysiology, and ARS’s symptoms and dynamics is important to respond correctly to radiation incidents. This knowledge allows for efficient organization and emergency management during rescue operations. The increase in the risk of radiation incidents and radiation disasters generates the need for appropriate preparation of emergency rescuers, in particular, of the medical personnel of the State Emergency Medical Services