CONCEPTUALIZING CREATIVE ECONOMY

In the present papers, the authors analyse the new phenomenon in the global economy, which is creative economy. It is only since 1998, when the Ministry of Culture of Great Britain announced “the map” of creative industries in Great Britain, the world-wide professional economic literature has launched intensive studies over the entirety of creative economy, the foundation of which were cultural industries. Creative industries constitute a sharply delineated economic structure, referred to by the authors as a structural entity which yield itself to structural analysis. The aim of the paper is an attempt to define creative economy as a structural entity, which would entail certain consequences in an economic theory as well as in the practices of both domestic and global economy

Impact of graphene-based surfaces on the basic biological properties of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells : implications for ex vivo cell expansion aimed at tissue repair

The potential therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and biomaterials have attracted a great amount of interest in the field of biomedical engineering. MSCs are multipotent adult stem cells characterized as cells with specific features, e.g., high differentiation potential, low immunogenicity, immunomodulatory properties, and efficient in vitro expansion ability. Human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) are a new, important cell type that may be used for therapeutic purposes, i.e., for autologous and allogeneic transplantations. To improve the therapeutic efficiency of hUC-MSCs, novel biomaterials have been considered for use as scaffolds dedicated to the propagation and differentiation of these cells. Nowadays, some of the most promising materials for tissue engineering include graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Due to their physicochemical properties, they can be easily modified with biomolecules, which enable their interaction with different types of cells, including MSCs. In this study, we demonstrate the impact of graphene-based substrates (GO, rGO) on the biological properties of hUC-MSCs. The size of the GO flakes and the reduction level of GO have been considered as important factors determining the most favorable surface for hUC-MSCs growth. The obtained results revealed that GO and rGO are suitable scaffolds for hUC-MSCs. hUC-MSCs cultured on: (i) a thin layer of GO and (ii) an rGO surface with a low reduction level demonstrated a viability and proliferation rate comparable to those estimated under standard culture conditions. Interestingly, cell culture on a highly reduced GO substrate resulted in a decreased hUC-MSCs proliferation rate and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, our analysis demonstrated that hUC-MSCs cultured on all the tested GO and rGO scaffolds showed no alterations of their typical mesenchymal phenotype, regardless of the reduction level and size of the GO flakes. Thus, GO scaffolds and rGO scaffolds with a low reduction level exhibit potential applicability as novel, safe, and biocompatible materials for utilization in regenerative medicine

Gradient chitosan hydrogels modified with graphene derivatives and hydroxyapatite : physiochemical properties and initial cytocompatibility evaluation

In this study, we investigated preparation of gradient chitosan-matrix hydrogels through a novel freezing–gelling–thawing method. The influence of three types of graphene family materials (GFM), i.e., graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and poly(ethylene glycol) grafted graphene oxide (GO-PEG), as well as hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the physicochemical and biological properties of the composite hydrogels was examined in view of their potential applicability as tissue engineering scaffolds. The substrates and the hydrogel samples were thoroughly characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, digital and scanning electron microscopy, rheological and mechanical analysis, in vitro chemical stability and bioactivity assays, as well as initial cytocompatibility evaluation with human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). We followed the green-chemistry approach and avoided toxic cross-linking agents, using instead specific interactions of our polymer matrix with tannic acid, non-toxic physical cross-linker, and graphene derivatives. It was shown that the most promising are the gradient hydrogels modified with GO-PEG and HAp

Complex characterization of oat (Avena sativa L.) lines obtained by wide crossing with maize (Zea mays L.)

Background. The oat×maize addition (OMA) lines are used for mapping of the maize genome, the studies of centromere-specific histone (CENH3), gene expression, meiotic chromosome behavior and also for introducing maize C4 photosynthetic system to oat. The aim of our study was the identification and molecular-cytogenetic characterization of oat × maize hybrids. Methods. Oat DH lines and oat × maize hybrids were obtained using the wide crossing of Avena sativa L. with Zea mays L. The plants identified as having a Grande- 1 retrotransposon fragment, which produced seeds, were used for genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Results. A total of 138 oat lines obtained by crossing of 2,314 oat plants from 80 genotypes with maize cv. Waza were tested for the presence of maize chromosomes. The presence of maize chromatin was indicated in 66 lines by amplification of the PCR product (500 bp) generated using primers specific for the maize retrotransposon Grande-1. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) detected whole maize chromosomes in eight lines (40%). All of the analyzed plants possessed full complement of oat chromosomes. The number of maize chromosomes differed between the OMA lines. Four OMA lines possessed two maize chromosomes similar in size, three OMA-one maize chromosome, and one OMA-four maize chromosomes. In most of the lines, the detected chromosomes were labeled uniformly. The presence of six 45S rDNA loci was detected in oat chromosomes, but none of the added maize chromosomes in any of the lines carried 45S rDNA locus. Twenty of the analyzed lines did not possess whole maize chromosomes, but the introgression of maize chromatin in the oat chromosomes. Five of 66 hybrids were shorter in height, grassy type without panicles. Twenty-seven OMA lines were fertile and produced seeds ranging in number from 1-102 (in total 613). Sixty-three fertile DH lines, out of 72 which did not have an addition of maize chromosomes or chromatin, produced seeds in the range of 1-343 (in total 3,758). Obtained DH and OMA lines were fertile and produced seeds. Discussion. In wide hybridization of oat with maize, the complete or incomplete chromosomes elimination of maize occur. Hybrids of oat and maize had a complete set of oat chromosomes without maize chromosomes, and a complete set of oat chromosomes with one to four retained maize chromosomes

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Clinical course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies — the Polish experience

Introduction. The aim of this study was to report the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. A major concern for neurologists worldwide is the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with MS treated with different DMTs. Although initial studies do not suggest an unfavourable course of infection in this group of patients, the data is limited.Materials and methods. This study included 396 MS patients treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 28 Polish MS centres. Information concerning patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical course of MS, current DMT use, as well as symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, need for pharmacotherapy, oxygen therapy, and/or hospitalisation, and short-term outcomes was collected up to 30 January 2021. Additional data about COVID-19 cases in the general population in Poland was obtained from official reports of the Polish Ministry of Health.Results. There were 114 males (28.8%) and 282 females (71.2%). The median age was 39 years (IQR 13). The great majority of patients with MS exhibited relapsing-remitting course (372 patients; 93.9%). The median EDSS was 2 (SD 1.38), and the mean disease duration was 8.95 (IQR 8) years. Most of the MS patients were treated with dimethyl fumarate (164; 41.41%). Other DMTs were less frequently used: interferon beta (82; 20.70%), glatiramer acetate (42; 10.60%), natalizumab (35;8.84%), teriflunomide (25; 6.31%), ocrelizumab (20; 5.05%), fingolimod (16; 4.04), cladribine (5; 1.26%), mitoxantrone (3; 0.76%), ozanimod (3; 0.76%), and alemtuzumab (1; 0.25%). The overall hospitalisation rate due to COVID-19 in the cohort was 6.81% (27 patients). Only one patient (0.3%) died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and three (0.76%) patients were treated with mechanical ventilation; 106 (26.8%) patients had at least one comorbid condition. There were no significant differences in the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection regarding patient age, duration of the disease, degree of disability (EDSS), lymphocyte count, or type of DMT used.Conclusions and clinical implications. Most MS patients included in this study had a favourable course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The hospitalisation rate and the mortality rate were not higher in the MS cohort compared to the general Polish population. Continued multicentre data collection is needed to increase the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact on the course of MS in patients treated with DMTs

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

The ideal of feminine beauty presented in classical Arabic poetry and its implementation in the image of the modern Muslim woman

W niniejszej pracy postawiono następującą hipotezę badawczą: Opiewany od czasów przedmuzułmańskich ideał kobiecego piękna jest wciąż obecny w wizerunku współczesnej muzułmanki. Na podstawie zebranych materiałów udowodniono jej prawdziwość. Na ów ideał składają się czarne oczy, włosy w tym samym kolorze, jasna cera oraz kształtna kobieca sylwetka. Jednak na ten kanon zostały nałożone wartości i zalecenia islamu, które znacząco ograniczyły możliwość eksponowania urody. Kwestię sporną wciąż stanowią tzw. kobiece ozdoby, które można pokazywać niespokrewnionym mężczyznom. Odpowiedzi na to pytanie udziela m.in. znany egipski teolog Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, którego fatwę zamieszczono w aneksie pracy. Z czasem, kiedy nowa religia rozprzestrzeniała się poza granice Półwyspu Arabskiego, obowiązujące wzorce zostały wzbogacone lokalnymi tradycjami i ideałami. W toku rozwoju historycznego czynniki polityczne także zaczęły mieć duży wpływ na kształtowanie się wizerunku zewnętrznego muzułmanki, czego dowodem są następujące po sobie okresy liberalizacji i powrotu do surowych zasad religii. Aby udowodnić, iż prezentowany od czasów przedmuzułmańskich ideał urody wciąż jest aktualny przeanalizowano wybrane kobiece czasopisma oraz strony internetowe poświęcone modzie i urodzie. Choć od najdawniejszych czasów uznaniem cieszyła się kształtna, krągła sylwetka z wyraźnie zarysowaną talią, to właśnie ten element kobiecości ugiął się pod wpływem światowych trendów, czego dowodem jest rosnąca popularność klubów sportowych w krajach muzułmańskich. Nieodłącznym elementem kobiecego wizerunku jest noszony strój, który na przestrzeni wieków przeszedł największe przeobrażenia. Dla wielu, ten tradycyjny jest symbolem opresji i męskiej dominacji. Jednakże dla samych muzułmanek jest to nie tylko symbol ich religijności (rzeczywistej lub pozornej), ale także element podkreślający ich status, pochodzenie etniczne, kobiecość oraz dorosłość. Ponadto, poprzez odpowiedni dobór tkanin, wzorów i dodatków, kobieta może podkreślić własny styl i indywidualną kreatywność. Warto przytoczyć opinię I. Kończak, która twierdzi, iż strój tradycyjny jest „miernikiem nastrojów”. Kiedy poglądy społeczności muzułmańskich się radykalizują, kobiety chętniej i częściej sięgają po tradycyjne nikaby czy burki.The purpose of this study was to investigate the following hypothesis: The ideal of feminine beauty presented in classical Arabic poetry is still present in the image of a modern Muslim woman. On the base of the collected material the hypothesis has been proved. There are several elements which every woman has to have if she wants to be called a beauty: black eyes, hair in the same color, pale skin and shapely feminine silhouette. However, on this canon there were imposed values and recommendations of Islam, which significantly reduced the possibility of showing off the beauty. The so-called “feminine embellishments” which can be shown to unrelated men still pose a controversial issue. A famous Egyptian theologian Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī answers in his fatwa to this question. The Polish translation of the fatwa is attached in the appendix of this study. For the time being, when the new religion spread beyond the borders of the Arabian Peninsula, the existing ideals were enriched by local traditions and conceptions of beauty. In the course of the historical development the political factors have also begun to have a major impact on the external image of Muslim women. This can be proved by observing periods of liberalization and return to strict religious principles. To make the hypothesis stick several women's magazines and websites concerning on fashion and beauty have been analyzed. Although, since times of ǧāhiliyya shaped, round silhouette was preferred, it can be said that this is the element of femininity which changed under the influence of global trends. The inherent part of the female image is her outfit, which has developed and changed through centuries. For many, the traditional clothes are a symbol of oppression and male domination. However, for Muslim women this is not only a symbol of their religiosity (real or apparent), but also an element of emphasizing their status, ethnicity, femininity and adulthood. Moreover, by choosing appropriate materials, patterns and accessories, a woman can express her own style and individual creativity. In addition, it is worth quoting the opinion of I. Kończak, who says that traditional outfits are a kind of "measure of moods." When the views of the Muslim communities radicalize, Muslim women wear traditional clothes like niqab or burqa more often and willingly

The importance of Islamic banking in the modern world

Tematem niniejszej pracy jest próba oceny znaczenia bankowości islamskiej we współczesnym świecie. W przeciągu czterdziestu lat stała się nieodłączną częścią światowych finansów i wciąż rośnie w siłę ze względu na zainteresowanie odmiennymi sposobami finansowania rządów wielu państw i inwestorów. W pracy przedstawiono rozwój, podstawowe założenia i perspektywy na przyszłość bankowości bezodsetkowej. Ponadto przedstawiono najważniejsze instrumenty finansowe, jakie są wykorzystywane przez te instytucje. Opisano również obecność banków bezodsetkowych w wybranych krajach europejskich i muzułmańskich, aby zobrazować ich rozwój w różnych częściach świata. Zanalizowano też sytuację sektora bankowości islamskiej podczas globalnego kryzysu finansowego z lat 2007-2009, w celu oceny jego obecnej kondycji. W ostatniej części przedstawiono przemyślenia autora na temat obecności i znaczenia bankowości bezodsetkowej. W celu znalezienia odpowiedzi na postawione pytania badawcze w pracy posłużono się analizą porównawczą dostępnej literatury oraz danych statystycznych.The subject of this paper is an attempt to assess the importance of Islamic banking in the modern world. Through the last forty years, it has become an integral part of global finances and still continues to grow due to the interest in the different ways of financing of countries’ governments and investors. This work focuses on the development of the interest-free system, its main foundations and perspectives for the future. Moreover, the most important financial instruments in use are also described. It also shows the presence of non-interest institutions in chosen European countries and Muslim communities in order to illustrate their development in different parts of the world. The situation of the Islamic banking sector during the global financial crisis in 2007-2009, due to assess its present condition is also analyzed in this paper. The final section presents the author's thoughts on the presence and soundness of interest-free banking. The comparative analysis of available literature and statistics was used in order to found the answers for the questions

A view of the 20th-century Europe by Witold Gombrowicz on the basis of Diary and Andrzej Bobkowski on the basis of Sketched with the quill.

Celem mojej pracy jest przedstawienie wizji Europy XX wieku ukształtowanej na podstawie Dzienników Witolda Gombrowicza i Szkiców Piórkiem Andrzeja Bobkowskiego. Obydwaj autorzy empirycznie zrewidowali dziewiętnastowieczny mit Europy jako kolebki kultury i cywilizacji, a powstałe na tym tle przemyślenia i prognozy zawarli w swoich utworach diarystycznych. Zarówno Gombrowicz, jak i Bobkowski stworzyli charakterystykę Starego Kontynentu analizując jej ówczesne problemy, takie jak: materializm, masowość, postęp, jałowość inteligencji.Moja praca składa się z trzech rozdziałów. W pierwszym z nich poddaje analizie kondycję Europy XX wieku tworząc syntezę wydarzeń historycznych, myśli politycznej, socjologicznej i filozoficznej. Druga część dotyczy Witolda Gombrowicza i jego percepcji dwudziestowiecznej Europy zawartej w Dziennikach. Trzeci rozdział traktuje o Andrzeju Bobkowskim, nakreślonej przez niego wizji zdegradowanej kultury i cywilizacji Starego Kontynentu opisanej w okupacyjnym dzienniku z Francji lat 1940-1944.The aim of this paper is to present Witold Gombrowicz and Andrzej Bobkowski's view of the 20th-century Europe on the basis of their literary works Diary and Sketched with the quill. The authors revised the 19th-century myth of Europe as the cradle of culture and civilization in an empirical manner, and provided the resulting reflections and projections in their diary works. Both Gombrowicz and Bobkowski came up with the characteristics of the Old Continent, analyzing its problems at that time, such as materialism, mass culture, development, idleness of elites.The present paper consists of three chapters. In the first one I examine the condition of the 20th-century Europe providing a synthesis of historical events, and political, sociological and philosophical thought. In the second part, I presented Witold Gombrowicz's view of the 20th-century Europe included in Diary. The third chapter regards Andrzej Bobkowski's vision of the Old Continent's degraded culture and civilization from the perspective of the occupied France presented in the diary from the years 1940-1944