CURRENT PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN POLAND

Internationalization of universities is one of the most important processes which development can be observed in the first decade of the 21st century. This process existed all over the world  for many years, and it always was one of the engines which stimulated development of research as well as education. Many European countries entered the international market of higher education just about 30 years ago when some European projectsstarted. It boomed especially after the enlargement of EU in 2004 and participation of many countries in the creation of EHEA and ERA. However, despite many activities and programmes performed, the level of internationalization of higher education institutions in Poland is still disappointing. Effective methods of increasing internationalization of HEIs should therefore be sought. The paper presents an approach to the intensification of the internationalization process. The main goals for the activities in this field were determined. The current state of existing programs of international exchange available for students and some other activities as summer schools, double diploma programmes, foreign language courses and international accreditations were also discussed. Current national and university programmes aiming in intensification of development of the international exchange were also described. Among operational goals of these strategies the following needs were indicated: increasing attractiveness of different universities as partners in international educational and research fields; giving international character for educational and research activities; improving the image of European higher education.

Construction History as a Part of Assessment of Heritage Buildings

AbstractIssues related to the processes of maintenance and ensure the continued serviceability of heritage buildings and civil engineering structures are closely related to the processes of assessment of their technical state, repair and strengthening procedures. One extremely important element for a proper diagnosis of the technical condition of historic buildings and also for the adequate design of the actions associated with prolonging their service life should be to perform architectural and structural historical survey. This analysis must be related to the following aspects of construction history occurring during the design and the construction of such objects: design solutions, methods of structural analysis and dimensioning of structural components, properties of building materials, technologies of their production and also the technology of construction. These studies, supported of course by the use of the full range of modern material examination techniques and computational simulations, allow a more complete understanding of analyzed structures. Furthermore, such a program should also contain a prediction of the development of existing or creation of new damages and degradation of the material, as well as guidelines for repair and renovation works in order to ensure structure's further safe operation. From the point of view of the completeness of such a program and with regards to architecture and structural design, its indispensable elements should be both the historical analysis of the design and the construction of the building, as well as of the entire course of its exploitation

Aqua Tower w Chicago – nieenergooszczędny ekologiczny wieżowiec (ikona modernistycznej architektury)

The aim of the paper is to present and analyze the ecological skyscraper Aqua Tower, icon of modernist architecture. The main idea of development of Aqua Tower concept was creation of ecological building with original architecture used for residential and hotel purposes. Chicago skyscraper is equipped with irregularly spaced balconies forming a „shell” which cover the main orthogonal core structure. Designed shape of the building significantly reduces its vulnerability and inadequate damping of vibrations caused by the impact of the wind which is typical for high-rise buildings. In the first part of the paper various geometric forms of modern high-rise buildings are analyzed. Subsequently was characterized Aqua Tower skyscraper in terms of architecture and design, taking into account the effect of wind and aspect of ecology and energy efficiency. The Aqua Tower building is an amazing masterpiece that shows how concrete can be creatively used to get outstanding architecture and extremely strength construction. The whole set of environmental solutions which include, among other things, a system of rainwater storage and energy efficient lighting was employed. Green vegetation placed between the horizontal divisions clearly marked façade and gives the impression of strong coupling, so contrasting are concrete and greenery. Greene roof terrace on the three-floor podium creates an image of „geometric naturalism”, which not only gives aesthetic effect, but also lowers the ambient temperature.W artykule przedstawiono elementy analizy architektonicznej i konstrukcyjnej „ekologicznego” wieżowca Aqua Tower w Chicago – ikony architektury modernistycznej. Myślą przewodnią opracowania koncepcji budynku Aqua Tower było stworzenie budynku ekologicznego o oryginalnej formie, pełniącego funkcję hotelowo-mieszkalną. Chicagowski wieżowiec został wyposażony w nieregularnie rozmieszczone balkony, tworzące „powłokę” pokrywającą prostopadłościenną bryłę główną. Zaprojektowany kształt budynku znacząco zmniejsza jego podatność i niedostateczne tłumienie drgań, spowodowane oddziaływaniem wiatru, które jest charakterystyczne dla budynków wysokich. W części pierwszej artykułu przeanalizowano różne formy geometryczne współczesnych budynków wysokich. Następnie scharakteryzowano wieżowiec Aqua Tower pod względem architektonicznym i konstrukcyjnym, biorąc pod uwagę oddziaływanie wiatru oraz aspekt ekologiczno-energooszczędny.Budynek Aqua Tower jest zadziwiającym dziełem, pokazującym jak można kreatywnie zastosować beton, żeby uzyskać wybitną architekturę i wytrzymałą konstrukcję. W wieżowcu wykorzystano cały zestaw proekologicznych rozwiązań, do których należą między innymi system magazynowania wody deszczowej oraz energooszczędne oświetlenie. Roślinność umieszczona pomiędzy wyraźnie zaznaczonymi poziomymi podziałami elewacyjnymi sprawia wrażenie silnego sprzężenia tak kontrastujących ze sobą betonu i zieleni. Roślinny taras dachowy na trójkondygnacyjnym podium tworzy obraz„geometrycznego naturalizmu”, który nie tylko daje efekt estetyczny, ale także pozwala obniżyć temperaturę otoczeni

Effect of aliskiren on post-discharge outcomes among diabetic and non-diabetic patients hospitalized for heart failure: insights from the ASTRONAUT trial

Aims The objective of the Aliskiren Trial on Acute Heart Failure Outcomes (ASTRONAUT) was to determine whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, would improve post-discharge outcomes in patients with hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) with reduced ejection fraction. Pre-specified subgroup analyses suggested potential heterogeneity in post-discharge outcomes with aliskiren in patients with and without baseline diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods and results ASTRONAUT included 953 patients without DM (aliskiren 489; placebo 464) and 662 patients with DM (aliskiren 319; placebo 343) (as reported by study investigators). Study endpoints included the first occurrence of cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 and 12 months, all-cause death within 6 and 12 months, and change from baseline in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 1, 6, and 12 months. Data regarding risk of hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, and hypotension, and changes in additional serum biomarkers were collected. The effect of aliskiren on cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 months (primary endpoint) did not significantly differ by baseline DM status (P = 0.08 for interaction), but reached statistical significance at 12 months (non-DM: HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; DM: HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.91-1.47; P = 0.03 for interaction). Risk of 12-month all-cause death with aliskiren significantly differed by the presence of baseline DM (non-DM: HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.94; DM: HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.15-2.33; P < 0.01 for interaction). Among non-diabetics, aliskiren significantly reduced NT-proBNP through 6 months and plasma troponin I and aldosterone through 12 months, as compared to placebo. Among diabetic patients, aliskiren reduced plasma troponin I and aldosterone relative to placebo through 1 month only. There was a trend towards differing risk of post-baseline potassium ≥6 mmol/L with aliskiren by underlying DM status (non-DM: HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.71-1.93; DM: HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.30-4.42; P = 0.07 for interaction). Conclusion This pre-specified subgroup analysis from the ASTRONAUT trial generates the hypothesis that the addition of aliskiren to standard HHF therapy in non-diabetic patients is generally well-tolerated and improves post-discharge outcomes and biomarker profiles. In contrast, diabetic patients receiving aliskiren appear to have worse post-discharge outcomes. Future prospective investigations are needed to confirm potential benefits of renin inhibition in a large cohort of HHF patients without D

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure &lt; 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt; 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Structural condition assessment of a reinforced concrete driveway

The reinforced concrete structure of a driveway built in the eighties of the 20th century is under consideration. It is a single-storey structure with a length of approx. 66.00 m, made in the form of a reinforced concrete skeletal structure, consisting of 7 frames with cantilevers, spaced at 9.00 m: 3 frames in the horizontal part of the driveway are three-span ones, and 4 in the sloping part are single-span frames. The driveway frame main beams have a rectangular cross-section and are based on pillars that have been placed on the spread footing these elements form a monolithic structure. Prefabricated reinforced concrete hollow floor plates were laid on them in the central part of the driveway, and in the outer parts the driveway floor was made of hollow clay slab blocks (Ackerman type). At the time of investigation, the upper layers of the driveway consisted of a surface waterproofing layer, a concrete slab of approx. 10 cm thickness made on a 1 cm sand layer. However, no internal waterproofing layer was found as was in the original design. The paper describes the process of determining the current technical condition of the reinforced concrete driveway structure, paying attention to the design and construction of the object, its operation (including the issues of durability of concrete under the conditions of possible impacts of the marine environment). Static and strength calculations were also performed (supported by concrete and reinforcement tests) and the conditions for further operation of the driveway were analyzed as well as concepts of rehabilitation

Structural failure of old reinforced concrete river wharf

According to the archival documentation the river harbour wharf was constructed around 1912. The quay was divided into 6 separated segments with a length of 32.0 m each. The structure of the wharf consists of the reinforced concrete frames situated perpendicularly to the riverbed. At ground level, the frames are connected by a reinforced concrete deck and longitudinal beams, located along the side of the river and the quay. The frames are also connected along the riverside by the concrete cap situated at the top of the retaining wall made of prefabricated panels and embedded in the bottom of the river. That wall constitutes a direct strengthening and protection of the embankment against the influence of the flowing river water. Basing on the performed inventory inspections, material examination, structural calculations and hydro-geotechnical analyses, the main reasons for the failure of the reinforced concrete wharf of the Odra River were defined. They were: very poor technical condition of the structure, lack of stabilizing anchors at the level of the wharf structure frames, and sudden fluctuations in water level in the river and their impact on the structure of the wharf. Moreover, from a static point of view, the embankment under the wharf was in an unstable equilibrium and at any time it could be damaged if additional horizontal forces were applied to it. Additionally, the possible impact of anchoring to the piers of the wharf of two river barges on wharf structure capacity was also analyzed

Structural and material assessment of historic reinforced brick masonry elevator for grain – a study case

The grain elevator was erected around 1940 and is situated at the Odra River embankment. It has a rectangular plan with the longer side perpendicular to the former port wharf. The structure of the building is mixed, made of reinforced concrete and brick masonry. The entire facility was founded on a reinforced concrete foundation slab. The ground floor columns, supporting the silos, the walls of the ground floor, the floor above the ground floor with silo drainage funnels, the inter-story ceilings of the technical route, the roof concrete frames and the attic ceiling are made of reinforced concrete. The main part of the structure consists of 74 interlocked grain silos, with a square cross-section. The walls of the silo chambers are brick, reinforced with steel bars in each joint. The article presents the results of diagnostics of the technical condition of the assessed object, including material analyses (concrete, brick, steel), as well as the results of static and strength calculations of the main load-bearing elements of the object conducted in order to verify the possibility of its adaptation to new housing functions

The Construction History and Assessment of Two Heritage Industrial Buildings in Wrocław

Industrial buildings from the beginning of the 20th century can still be found in Polish cities. Some of them have already been listed as heritage objects. Those structures where new technical solutions and materials were used, for example concrete, are especially interesting. Some of those objects are currently under a process of restoration with the aim to reconstruct and adapt them for completely new and different utility functions but without losing their important heritage value. In this paper, elements of the assessment procedure of the technical state regarding a historical survey, material examination and structural analysis, are presented on the example of two selected industrial buildings in which reinforced concrete was used as the main structural material. The main aim of the performed diagnostic procedure was verification of the load-bearing capacity of structures of the examined buildings. The calculation made confirmed that in case of not damaged concrete elements they have enough capacity to carry on newly designed loads. That confirmed that old concrete structures, especially in industrial buildings, sometimes have capacity reserves. On the other hand it allows to perform the design of less invasive renovation works or strengthening solutions with the aim to respect their industrial heritage value