From Barbie to the oligarchs wife: Reading fantasy femininity and globalisation in post-Soviet Russian womens magazines

This article shows how an analysis of fantasy femininity sheds light on how norms of gender, class and national identity reflect global and local cross-cultural currents in post-Soviet Russia. Drawing on a discourse analysis of women’s magazines and in-depth interviews with readers, it shows how, in the globalized post-Soviet cultural landscape, fantasy femininity represents both change and continuity. Feminine archetypes in women’s magazines, from fairytale princesses to Barbie dolls, reflect a wider post-Soviet cultural hybridisation, and show how Western women’s magazines have adapted to the Russian context. Furthermore, the article highlights readers’ ambiguous attitudes towards post-Soviet cultural trends linked to perceived Westernisation or globalisation, such as individualism, conspicuous consumption, and glamour

Integration of aqueous (micellar) two-phase systems on the proteins separation

A two-step approach combining an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) and an aqueous micellar two-phase system (AMTPS), both based on the thermo-responsive copolymer Pluronic L-35, is here proposed for the purification of proteins and tested on the sequential separation of three model proteins, cytochrome c, ovalbumin and azocasein. Phase diagrams were established for the ATPS, as well as co-existence curves for the AMTPS. Then, by scanning and choosing the most promising systems, the separation of the three model proteins was performed. The aqueous systems based on Pluronic L-35 and potassium phosphate buffer (pH = 6.6) proved to be the most selective platform to separate the proteins (SAzo/Cyt = 1667; SOva/Cyt = 5.33 e SAzo/Ova = 1676). The consecutive fractionation of these proteins as well as their isolation from the aqueous phases was proposed, envisaging the industrial application of this downstream strategy. The environmental impact of this downstream process was studied, considering the carbon footprint as the final output. The main contribution to the total carbon footprint comes from the ultrafiltration (~ 49%) and the acid precipitation (~ 33%) due to the energy consumption in the centrifugation. The ATPS step contributes to ~ 17% while the AMTPS only accounts for 0.30% of the total carbon footprint.publishe

Termination of the leprosy isolation policy in the US and Japan : Science, policy changes, and the garbage can model

BACKGROUND: In both the US and Japan, the patient isolation policy for leprosy /Hansen's disease (HD) was preserved along with the isolation facilities, long after it had been proven to be scientifically unnecessary. This delayed policy termination caused a deprivation of civil liberties of the involuntarily confined patients, the fostering of social stigmas attached to the disease, and an inefficient use of health resources. This article seeks to elucidate the political process which hindered timely policy changes congruent with scientific advances. METHODS: Examination of historical materials, supplemented by personal interviews. The role that science played in the process of policy making was scrutinized with particular reference to the Garbage Can model. RESULTS: From the vantage of history, science remained instrumental in all period in the sense that it was not the primary objective for which policy change was discussed or intended, nor was it the principal driving force for policy change. When the argument arose, scientific arguments were employed to justify the patient isolation policy. However, in the early post-WWII period, issues were foregrounded and agendas were set as the inadvertent result of administrative reforms. Subsequently, scientific developments were more or less ignored due to concern about adverse policy outcomes. Finally, in the 1980s and 1990s, scientific arguments were used instrumentally to argue against isolation and for the termination of residential care. CONCLUSION: Contrary to public expectations, health policy is not always rational and scientifically justified. In the process of policy making, the role of science can be limited and instrumental. Policy change may require the opening of policy windows, as a result of convergence of the problem, policy, and political streams, by effective exercise of leadership. Scientists and policymakers should be attentive enough to the political context of policies

Circumventing 'free care' and 'shouting louder':Using a health systems approach to study eye health system sustainability in government & mission facilities of north-west Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the contributions of faith-based organisations (FBOs) to health systems in Africa. In the specialist area of eye health, international and domestic Christian FBOs have been important contributors as service providers and donors, but they are also commonly critiqued as having developed eye health systems parallel to government structures which are unsustainable. METHODS: In this study, we use a health systems approach (quarterly interviews, a participatory sustainability analysis exercise and a social network analysis) to describe the strategies used by eye care practitioners in four hospitals of north-west Tanzania to navigate the government, church mission and donor rules that govern eye services delivery there. RESULTS: Practitioners in this region felt eye care was systemically neglected by government and therefore was 'all under the NGOs', but support from international donors was also precarious. Practitioners therefore adopted four main strategies to improve the sustainability of their services: (1) maintain 'sustainability funds' to retain financial autonomy over income; (2) avoid granting government user fee exemptions to elderly patients who are the majority of service users; (3) expand or contract outreach services as financial circumstances change; and (4) access peer support for problem-solving and advocacy. Mission-based eye teams had greater freedom to increase their income from user fees by not implementing government policies for 'free care'. Teams in all hospitals, however, found similar strategies to manage their programmes even when their management structures were unique, suggesting the importance of informal rules shared through a peer network in governing eye care in this pluralistic health system. CONCLUSIONS: Health systems research can generate new evidence on the social dynamics that cross public and private sectors within a local health system. In this area of Tanzania, Christian FBOs' investments are important, not only in terms of the population health outcomes achieved by teams they support, but also in the diversity of organisational models they contribute to in the wider eye health system, which facilitates innovation

Finansowanie inwestycji w spółdzielniach mleczarskich stabilizujących rynek mleka po likwidacji systemu kwotowego

The aim of the research was to indicate assets related to the export of dairy products. This was addressed to milk producers, co-operatives and bankers influencing the level of milk prices - after the elimination of the quota system and an indication of desirable investment destinations. The study was based on USDA data for the period 2005-2014. Average purchase prices, expressed in USD, were used for the analysis of the US market. The assumed average annual exchange rate of EUR/USD, calculated on the basis of exchange rates on the interbank market, was applied. Eurostat data were also used; the weight average price was the volume of production in the 25 countries of the EU (new EU countries were omitted). The study used the multiple regression method, t and F tests and coefficients of correlation, regression and determination. It was established that after the removal of the quota system, milk prices may rise due to an increase of prices and export value of hard cheeses traded internationally, especially cheddar cheese and skimmed milk powder.Celem badań było wskazanie producentom mleka, spółdzielcom i bankowcom kluczowych czynników kształtujących poziom cen mleka po likwidacji systemu kwotowego oraz wskazanie pożądanych kierunków inwestycyjnych związanych z eksportem trwałych artykułów mleczarskich. Materiał stanowiły dane USDA za lata 2005-2014. Do analizy rynku amerykańskiego przyjęto średnioroczne ceny skupu wyrażone w USD. Do porównań przyjęto średnioroczne wartości EUR/USD, wyliczone na podstawie kursów na rynku międzybankowym. Wykorzystano także dane Eurostatu, a wagą średniej ceny był wolumen produkcji w 25 krajach UE (pominięto nowe kraju EU). W badaniach wykorzystano metodę regresji wielorakiej, testy t i F oraz przeanalizowano współczynniki korelacji, regresji i determinacji. Ustalono, że po usunięciu systemu kwotowego cena skupu mleka może wzrosnąć m.in. na skutek wzrostu ceny i wartości eksportu serów twardych będących w obrocie międzynarodowym, zwłaszcza sera cheddar oraz odtłuszczonego mleka w proszku

Kosztyochrony srodowiska w polskich spółdzielniach mleczarskich

The paper presents problems related to the costs incurred for environmental protection in Polish dairy cooperatives. It was found, inter alia, that the costs of environmental protection in this industry sector are high and are rising rapidly. The costs of sewage disposal and treatment are of key importance as they represent the largest share in the total costs of environmental protection, i.e. nearly 95%. In 2018, they amounted to approximately PLN 1.5 million per cooperative, which was almost three times more than in 2004. Other environmental protection costs account for approximately 5% of total environmental protection costs. So, the key to environmental success in dairy cooperatives is rational wastewater management. Therefore, it is advisable for managers to consider building their own wastewater treatment plants with sizes and parameters appropriate to the scale of milk processing and the number of finished product ranges produced. The study also found that the costs of training employees and farmers on environmental protection are low, which may suggest the desirability of increasing them according to real needs, so as to ensure an appropriate level of understanding and persuasion of farmers-shareholders for further investments related to environmental protection. It was also found that the scale of milk processing and the number of manufactured assortments strongly affect the total costs of environmental protection of dairy cooperatives in Poland. Legal requirements regarding environmental protection are so restrictive and economically effective that their omission may lead to increasing financial, management, technological and legal difficulties. Therefore, the compliance of dairy cooperatives with legal environmental requirements is a must, which should generally be assessed positively.W artykule zaprezentowano problem dotyczący kosztów ponoszonych na ochronę środowiska w polskich spółdzielniach mleczarskich. Ustalono m.in., że koszty ochrony środowiska w tym sektorze przemysłu są wysokie, a ponadto szybko rosną. Kluczowe znaczenie mają koszty odprowadzania i oczyszczania ścieków, gdyż stanowią one największy udział w kosztach ogółem ochrony środowiska, tj. około 95%. W 2018 roku wynosiły one średnio na jedną spółdzielnię około 1,5 mln zł i było to prawie trzykrotnie więcej niż w 2004 roku. Pozostałe koszty ochrony środowiska to około 5% kosztów ochrony środowiska ogółem. A zatem kluczem do sukcesu w zakresie ochrony środowiska w spółdzielniach mleczarskich jest racjonalna gospodarka ściekami. W związku z tym, celowe jest rozważenie przez zarządzających budowy własnych oczyszczalni ścieków o rozmiarach i parametrach odpowiednich do skali przetwórstwa mleka i liczby produkowanych asortymentów wyrobów gotowych. W toku badań ustalono również, że koszty szkolenia pracowników i rolników w zakresie ochrony środowiska są niskie, co może sugerować celowość ich zwiększania, stosownie do rzeczywistych potrzeb, tak aby zapewnić właściwy poziom zrozumienia i przekonania rolników spółdzielców do dalszych działań zarządów spółdzielni w zakresie inwestycji związanych z ochroną środowiska. Stwierdzono również, że skala przetwórstwa mleka i liczba wytwarzanych asortymentów silnie oddziałują na koszty ogółem ochrony środowiska spółdzielni mleczarskich w Polsce. Wymogi prawne dotyczące ochrony środowiska są tak restrykcyjne i ekonomicznie skuteczne, że ich pomijanie może doprowadzić spółdzielnię mleczarską do coraz większych trudności finansowych, zarządczych, technologicznych i prawnych. Dlatego przestrzeganie wymogów dotyczących ochrony środowiska jest koniecznością, co ogólnie należy ocenić pozytywnie

Efektywność finansowa banków spółdzielczych w Polsce kierowanych przez kobiety

The main objective of the study was to determine whether the fact that the chairpersons of the boards of cooperative banks in Poland are women, it affects the financial performance of these banks. The study used data for the years 2010-2014 from 40 cooperative banks in Poland. In the course of the study, it was found that the banks managed by women are significantly smaller than men’s managed banks, and hence the financial result is generally lower. However, the financial performance ratios in these banks were generally higher. Smaller banks are generally in rural areas, and banks with a larger total balance sheet are usually located in urban areas.Celem głównym badań było ustalenie, czy fakt, że prezesami zarządów banków spółdzielczych w Polsce są kobiety, wpływa na efektywność finansową tych banków. W badaniu wykorzystano dane za lata 2010-2014 z 40 banków spółdzielczych w Polsce. W toku badań ustalono, że banki zarządzane przez kobiety są zdecydowanie mniejsze niż banki zarządzane przez mężczyzn, stąd i wynik finansowy jest na ogół mniejszy. Jednak wskaźniki efektywności finansowej w tych bankach były na ogół wyższe. Mniejsze banki znajdują się zazwyczaj na terenach typowo wiejskich, a banki o większej sumie bilansowej mają siedzibę na terenach miejskich

Development trends of the cooperative banks in the opinion of managers

Celem badań było określenie kierunków rozwoju polskiej bankowości spółdzielczej w opiniach zarządzających bankami spółdzielczymi. Przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczące kierunków rozwoju polskiej bankowości spółdzielczej według opinii zarządzających tymi bankami na koniec 2012 r. Badaniami objęto 133 banki funkcjonujące w ramach gospodarki polskiej. Banki spółdzielcze stają przed koniecznością przyspieszenia rozwoju, bezpieczeństwa oraz wzmacniania pozycji rynkowej. Zarządzający bankami spółdzielczymi powinni podejmować działania zmierzające także do zapewnienia swoim klientom coraz sprawniejszych form obsługi.The aim of the research was to determine the development trends of Polish cooperative banks in the opinion of managers of cooperative banks. The paper presents the results of research on the development trends of Polish cooperative banks in the opinion of the managers. The study involved 133 cooperative banks. Cooperative banks are faced with the need to accelerate the development, to improve the security and to strengthen their market position. Managers of the co-operative banks should take the actions which aims at ensuring more efficient solutions related to the customer services

Effective methods of interval training in the physical preparation of students

The paper describes a method of improving the physical fitness of students in the system interval training Tabata. Presented by monitoring physical qualitiesВ работе описана методика повышения уровня физической подготовленности студенток по системе интервальной тренировки Табата. Представлен мониторинг физических качест