Think Tanks in Poland: Policy Experts at the Crossroads

Development of the think tank sector in post-communist states is, at times, regarded as a self-evident consequence of the processes of democratization. However, the specific “environment of obstacles and opportunities” makes it neither automatic, nor easy for think tanks of the region to join the policy game. In particular, it is not clear to what extent the think tanks in transition democracies can or should engage in strictly political disputes. The alleged shift from academic towards advocacy profiles that is said to characterize Western think tanks evokes numerous questions in post-communist settings. The paper provides an analysis of the development of the think tank sector in Poland and the challenges it faces on its way towards "maturity". It aims at getting some insights into perspectives of think tanks themselves. Building on a qualitative analysis of think tanks’ mission statements, survey data and interviews with think tank managers, it analyses how they construct their positions of policy experts at the crossroads between politics, science, business and the media

Białka oraz frakcje proteinowe osocza krwi sarny europejskiej Capreolus capreolus L.

The aim of the research was to investigate some selected biochemical blood parameters in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The experiment covered 15 from 2 to 3-year-old bucks from Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The animals were shot by individual hunters on the shooting grounds during the hunting season of 2008/2009 (in the accordance with the Journal of Laws No 48). The material for the research was blood plasma obtained after centrifuging full, nonhemolyzed blood. The blood was collected from the zygomatic vein directly to the test tubes with EDTA and transported in cooling conditions to the laboratory. After transporting the samples of blood to a certified analytical laboratory, the following elements of the obtained blood plasma were examined: ceruloplasmin – using turbidimetric method; transferrin – using immunoturbimetric method; troponin- using a third generation assay on an Elecsys; total protein, albumin, globulin – using spectrophotometric method and total iron – using colorimetric method. The results were statistically analyzed, i.e. the correlation between the parameters was measured by means of Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The analysis of the results revealed a number of statistically significant relations between the parameters under the investigation, especially among the compounds directly responsible for metabolism of iron and copper. A statistically important positive correlation was observed between ceruloplasmin and ferritin (r = 0.563; P≤0.05) and a negative one between transferrin and troponin (r = -0.609; P≤0.05). Moreover, the content of transferrin – an iron-binding protein – was 0.17 g/l, while the concentration of iron was 58 μmol/l. The content of ceruloplasmin – a protein responsible for metabolism of copper – was very low (0.036 g/l). The level of proteins in the blood plasma of the animals under the research was approximately 72 g/l, with the share of albumins about 46%. The albumin-globulin ratio was 0.86.Celem pracy było zbadanie wybranych parametrów biochemicznych krwi sarny europejskiej (Capreolus capreolus L.). Badaniami objęto 15 (2÷3 letnich) kozłów z regionu kujawsko-pomorskiego. Zwierzęta zostały odstrzelone przez indywidualnych myśliwych polujących w obwodach łowieckich w sezonie łowieckim 2008/2009 (zgodnie z zapisem w Dz. U. Nr 48). Materiał do badań stanowiło osocze krwi uzyskane po odwirowaniu pełnej, niezhemolizowanej krwi. Krew została pobrana z żyły jarzmowej bezpośrednio do probówek z EDTA i w warunkach chłodniczych przewieziona do laboratorium. Po przewiezieniu próbek krwi do certyfikowanego laboratorium analitycznego, w pozyskanym osoczu oznaczono: ceruloplazminę – metodą turbidymetryczną, transferynę – metodą immunoturbidymetryczną, troponinę – przy użyciu testu trzeciej generacji (Elecsys); białko całkowite, albuminy, globuliny – metodą spektrofotometryczną oraz żelazo całkowite – metodą kolorymetryczną. Wyniki opracowano statystycznie tzn. do zbadania współzależności między cechami zastosowano korelację Pearsona. Analiza wyników wykazała wiele istotnych statystycznie zależności pomiędzy badanymi parametrami głównie w obrębie związków bezpośrednio odpowiedzialnych za metabolizm żelaza i miedzi w organizmie. Odnotowano dodatnią istotną statystycznie korelację pomiędzy ceruloplazminą a ferrytyną (r = 0,563; P≤0,05) i ujemną pomiędzy transferyną i troponiną (r = -0,609; P≤0,05). Ponadto zawartość transferryny-białka wiążącego żelazo-kształtowała się na poziomie 0,17 g/l, natomiast poziom żelaza wynosił 58umol/l. Z kolei zawartość ceruloplazminy- białka odpowiedzialnego za metabolizm miedzi-była na bardzo niskim poziomie (0,036 g/l). Poziom protein w osoczu badanych zwierząt wynosił w przybliżeniu 72g/l, z czego albuminy stanowiły około 46%. Natomiast stosunek zawartości albumin do globulin wynosił 0.86

Insulin-like growth factor system in remission and flare of inflammatory bowel diseases

Insulin‑like growth factor 1 (IGF‑1) is involved in the modulation of immunity and inflammation. It also plays a role in regulating the migration of endothelial cells and production of vasoactive agents. This study assessed the concentrations of IGF‑1 and insulin‑like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP‑3) and their relationships to disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A total of 129 adult patients with IBD (69 with Crohn disease [CD] and 60 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) were involved in the study. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers. Biochemical serum analyses were performed and the associations of IGF‑1 and IGFBP‑3 with inflammatory markers and disease activity were assessed. IGF‑1 levels were decreased in patients with active UC compared with those with nonactive UC (mean [SD], 78.3 [22.7] ng/ml and 96.2 [24.5] ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.02) and controls (94.5 [26.5] ng/ml; P = 0.03). The IGF‑1 level was lower in patients with active CD compared with those with nonactive CD (mean [SD], 79.2 [24.9] ng/ml and 110.1 [43.4] ng/ml, respectively; P <0.001). The IGFBP‑3 level was lower in patients with active UC compared with those with nonactive UC (P = 0.04) and controls (P = 0.04). IGF‑1 correlated negatively with C‑reactive protein (CRP) levels (P <0.01), disease activity (P <0.05), and disease duration (P <0.05). IGFBP‑3 levels correlated negatively with CRP levels (P <0.05). The IGF system is disrupted in patients with IBD. Systemic levels of the IGF axis components are related to disease activity and duration

Enabling new mindsets and transformative skills for negotiating and activating climate action: Lessons from UNFCCC conferences of the parties

Technological and policy solutions for transitioning to a fossil-free society exist, many countries could afford the transition, and rational arguments for rapid climate action abound. Yet effective action is still lacking. Dominant policy approaches have failed to generate action at anywhere near the rate, scale or depth needed to avoid potentially catastrophic futures. This is despite 30 years of climate negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and wide-ranging actions at national, transnational and sub-national levels. Practitioners and scholars are, thus, increasingly arguing that also the root causes of the problem must be addressed – the mindset (or paradigm) out of which the climate emergency has arisen. Against this background, we investigate decision-makers’ views of the need for a different mindset and inner qualities that can support negotiating and activating climate action, along with factors that could enable such a mindset shift. Data were collected during participatory workshops run at the 25th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP25) in 2019, and comprise surveys, as well as social media communication and semi-structured interviews with COP attendees. Our results underline vast agreement among participants regarding the need for a mindset shift that can support new ways of communication and collaboration, based on more relational modes of knowing, being and acting. They also suggest the emergence of such a mindset shift across sectors and contexts, but not yet at the collective and systems levels. Finally, they highlight the importance of transformative skills and the need for experimental, safe spaces. The latter are seen as a visible manifestation and enabler that can support agency for change through shared self-reflection, experience and practice. We present a transformative skills framework, and conclude with further research needs and policy recommendations

Blood plasma proteins and protein fractions in roe deer Capreolus capreolus L. Białka oraz frakcje proteinowe osocza krwi sarny europejskiej Capreolus capreolus L

Abstract The aim of the research was to investigate some selected biochemical blood parameters in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The experiment covered 15 from 2 to 3-year-old bucks from Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The animals were shot by individual hunters on the shooting grounds during the hunting season of 2008/2009 (in the accordance with the Journal of Laws No 48). The material for the research was blood plasma obtained after centrifuging full, nonhemolyzed blood. The blood was collected from the zygomatic vein directly to the test tubes with EDTA and transported in cooling conditions to the laboratory. After transporting the samples of blood to a certified analytical laboratory, the following elements of the obtained blood plasma were examined: ceruloplasmin -using turbidimetric method; transferrin -using immunoturbimetric method; troponin-using a third generation assay on an Elecsys; total protein, albumin, globulin -using spectrophotometric method and total iron -using colorimetric method. The results were statistically analyzed, i.e. the correlation between the parameters was measured by means of Pearson&apos;s correlation coefficient. The analysis of the results revealed a number of statistically significant relations between the parameters under the investigation, especially among the compounds directly responsible for metabolism of iron and copper. A statistically important positive correlation was observed between ceruloplasmin and ferritin (r = 0.563; P≤0.05) and a negative one between transferrin and troponin (r = -0.609; P≤0.05). Moreover, the content of transferrin -an iron-binding protein -was 0.17 g/l, while the concentration of iron was 58 μmol/l. The content of ceruloplasmin -a protein responsible for metabolism of copper -was very low (0.036 g/l). The level of proteins in the blood plasma of the animals under the research was approximately 72 g/l, with the share of albumins about 46%. The albumin-globulin ratio was 0.86. . Materiał do badań stanowiło osocze krwi uzyskane po odwirowaniu pełnej, niezhemolizowanej krwi. Krew została pobrana z żyły jarzmowej bezpośrednio do probówek z EDTA i w warunkach chłodniczych przewieziona do laboratorium. Po przewiezieniu próbek krwi do certyfikowanego laboratorium analitycznego, w pozyskanym osoczu oznaczono: ceruloplazminę -metodą turbidymetryczną, transferynę -metodą immunoturbidymetryczną, troponinę -przy użyciu testu trzeciej generacji (Elecsys); białko całkowite, albuminy, globuliny -metodą spektrofotometryczną oraz żelazo całkowite -metodą kolorymetryczną. Wyniki opracowano statystycznie tzn. do zbadania współzależności między cechami zastosowano korelację Pearsona. Analiza wyników wykazała wiele istotnych statystycznie zależności pomiędzy badanymi parametrami głównie w obrębie związków bezpośrednio odpowiedzialnych za metabolizm żelaza i miedzi w organizmie. Odnotowano dodatnią istotną statystycznie korelację pomiędzy ceruloplazminą a ferrytyną (r = 0,563; P≤0,05) i ujemną pomiędzy transferyną i troponiną (r = -0,609; P≤0,05). Ponadto zawartość transferryny-białka wiążącego żelazo-kształtowała się na poziomie 0,17 g/l, natomiast poziom żelaza wynosił 58umol/l. Z kolei zawartość ceruloplazminy-białka odpowiedzialnego za metabolizm miedzi-była na bardzo niskim poziomie (0,036 g/l). Poziom protein w osoczu badanych zwierząt wynosił w przybliżeniu 72g/l, z czego albuminy stanowiły około 46%. Natomiast stosunek zawartości albumin do globulin wynosił 0.86. Wyniki opracowano statystycznie tzn. do zbadania współzależności między cechami zastosowano korelację Pearsona. Analiza wyników wykazała wiele istotnych statystycznie zależności pomiędzy badanymi parametrami głównie w obrębie związków bezpośrednio odpowiedzialnych za metabolizm żelaza i miedzi w organizmie. Odnotowano dodatnią istotną statystycznie korelację pomiędzy ceruloplazminą a ferrytyną (r = 0,563; P≤0,05) i ujemną pomiędzy transferyną i troponiną (r = -0,609; P≤0,05). Ponadto zawartość transferryny-białka wiążącego żelazo-kształtowała się na poziomie 0,17 g/l, natomiast poziom żelaza wynosił 58umol/l. Z kolei zawartość ceruloplazminy-białka odpowiedzialnego za metabolizm miedzi-była na bardzo niskim poziomie (0,036 g/l). Poziom protein w osoczu badanych zwierząt wynosił w przybliżeniu 72g/l, z czego albuminy stanowiły około 46%. Natomiast stosunek zawartości albumin do globulin wynosił 0.86. Stężenie ferrytyny we krwi sarn kształtowała się na poziomie 0,37 ng/l, zaś zawartość troponiny wynosiła 0,043 ng/l. Nie ulega wątpliwości, że wszystkie poddane analizie parametry mają znaczący wpływ na ogólny stan zdrowia osobników z gatunku Capreolus capreolus L., a co za tym idzie mogą mieć wpływ na preferencje siedliskowe tych zwierząt

Wpływ regionu i sezonu na zawartość wybranych składników mineralnych w sierści krów

The aim of the research was to analyze the effect of the season and the breeding region on the content of selected minerals (Ca, Mg, Na and K) in the hair of dairy cows. The research material was made up of 114 polish Holstein-Friesians breed cows from three breeding centres in Poland: Kombinat Rolny Sp. z o. o. - Kietrz (the opolskie province), Hodowla Zarodowa Zwierząt Sp. z o.o. - Knyszyn (the podlaskie province) and Ośrodek Hodowli Zarodowej Sp. z o.o. - Osięciny (the kujawskopomorskie province). The cows were kept in freestanding cowsheds with den boxes. The animal nutrition involved the use of the TMR system, considering the division into nutrition groups. The hair was sampled in summer and in the period of winter and spring from the side of the body, right behind the coastal arch. Determination of Ca, Mg, Na and K was performed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The study revealed seasonal variations in the content of mineral elements in the hair of dry cows and a region-dependent differentiation. The highest content of the quantity elements in question was found in the hair of the cows from Osięciny. The mean concentration of Ca, Mg, Na and K in the hair of cows from Osięciny was statistically significantly higher than in the hair collected in winter from the animals from Knyszyn and Kietrz. The lowest values of the determined elements were noted in the hair of cows bred in Knyszyn. The investigation of the correlation between the amounts of the elements, based on an analysis of all samples of hair, revealed a positive correlation between Na and K cations, as well as between Mg and Ca cations.Celem pracy była analiza wpływu sezonu oraz regionu hodowli na zawartość wybranych składników mineralnych (Ca, Mg, Na i K) w sierści mlecznych krów. Materiał do badań pozyskano od 114 krów rasy Holsztyńsko-Fryzyjskiej hodowanych w trzech ośrodkach w Polsce: Kombinat Rolny Sp. z o.o. - Kietrz (województwo opolskie), Hodowla Zarodowa Zwierząt Sp. z o.o. - Knyszyn (województwo podlaskie) and Ośrodek Hodowli Zarodowej Sp. z o.o. - Osięciny (województwo kujawskopomorskie). Krowy utrzymywano w oborach wolnostanowiskowych z boksami legowiskowymi. W żywieniu zwierząt stosowano system TMR, z uwzględnieniem podziału na grupy żywieniowe. Sierść pobrano w okresie letnim i zimowo-wiosennym z boku ciała, tuż za łukiem żebrowym. Oznaczenie Ca, Mg, Na i K wykonano przy użyciu spektrofotometru absorpcji atomowej (AAS). Badania wykazały sezonowe różnice w zawartości składników mineralnych w sierści krów zasuszonych i zróżnicowanie zależne od regionu hodowli. Najwyższą zawartość badanych makroelementów stwierdzono w sierści krów z Osięcin. Średnia zawartość Ca, Mg, Na i K w sierści krów z Osięcin była statystycznie istotnie wyższa od ich zawartości w sierści krów pobranej zimą od zwierząt z Knyszyna i Kietrza. Najniższe ilości oznaczanych składników mineralnych stwierdzono w sierści krów pochodzących z hodowli w Knyszynie. Badania współzależności między ilością składników, oparte o analizę wszystkich próbek sierści, wykazały na istnienie dodatniej korelacji między kationami Na i K oraz Mg i Ca

Influence of rearing system and sex on carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chickens

The trial was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of the rearing system and sex on live body weight, daily weight gain, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chickens. Sixty 1-d-old Ross 308 chickens (males and females) were randomly divided, according to the sex, into 2 experimental groups based on rearing system: intensive system (IS; n = 30), birds reared till 42 d of age and semi-intensive system (SIS; n = 30), birds reared till 56 d of age. Compared with SIS group, IS group had higher (P < 0.01) daily weight gain, weight and yield of pectoral muscle (PM). Differently, SIS group had higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight and carcass yield. Males have usually a better performance than females. In comparison with IS, SIS exhibited a lower (P < 0.01) breast meat pH and higher (P < 0.01) lightness and yellowness values. Pectoral muscle from IS broiler chickens showed a greater (P < 0.01) fibre diameter and significantly higher shear force values than PM from SIS chicken. PM from IS chicken group had higher (P < 0.01) dry matter and protein content and slight fat content than PM from SIS chickens. The sex influence was not observed on physicochemical characteristics of PM in chickens reared in both system

Support received by women with breast cancer in the event of side effects of chemotherapy

Admission. Correct chemotherapy introduces many side effects. These effects, spread over time and in connection with a chronic disease such as breast cancer, put the patient in a crisis situation, which verifies the needs in terms of social support. Goal: Showing the type of social support expected and received by women treated with cytostatics for breast cancer. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 110 women - patients of oncology departments of two Lublin hospitals diagnosed with breast cancer and during chemotherapy. The research tool was the author's questionnaire. The results from the obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Patients expect information support about their illness and treatment from a doctor. In some respects, most of them receive such support. The respondents receive emotional support from their families, more than half of them received an offer of material support. There is a statistically significant relationship between education and the need for material assistance, and a relationship between the next cycle of chemotherapy and the demand for spiritual support. Conclusions: Patients treated with cytostatics, regardless of their level of education, expect information support from professionals. Such support cannot be provided by family or friends. They receive emotional support from loved ones, but during chemotherapy, the demand for spiritual and material support increases, regardless of education