Practical application of selected methods of intellectual capital valuation : a research study

Purpose: Reports on non-financial data include elements identified in the structure of intellectual capital, whose proper valuation is a challenge for business. The purpose of this study is to show the legal framework of the analysis, reporting and valuation of intangible assets and practical applications of selected methods of intellectual capital valuation on the example of the brewing industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methods selected for the purposes of this case study are the market value to book value ratio, the calculated intangible value index, the Tobin’s q ratio and the value-added intellectual coefficient. Calculations were made based on data from reports of a selected joint-stock company from the brewing industry. Findings: The carried out intellectual capital valuation has confirmed that applying only one valuation method does not give a fair view of intangible assets, and the lack of considering context in the valuation makes the obtained data lose its decision-making value. Practical Implications: A new approach to the process of intellectual capital valuation, based on long-term integration of selected valuation methods as well as on consideration the context of the analyzed numbers, has been proposed. Originality/Value: The results are original because they can be used to develop future intellectual capital valuation scenarios. They constitute a kind of "guide" for intellectual capital managers.peer-reviewe

Fibrinogen Beta-Chain -C148T Polymorphism is Associated with Increased Fibrinogen, C-Reactive Protein, and Interleukin-6 in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The fibrinogen beta-chain (FGB) -C148T polymorphism is linked with plasma fibrinogen concentration in the general population. We examined whether the -C148T polymorphism is associated with pre- and early postoperative levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 243 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Plasma inflammatory markers were measured prior to and 5–7 days after surgery. The -C148T polymorphism was analyzed with the restriction fragment-length polymorphism method. The genotype distribution was as follows: CC—142 (58%), CT—85 (35%), and TT—16 (7%). Carriers of the -148T allele had higher preoperative plasma fibrinogen (4.42 ± 0.14 vs. 4.07 ± 0.11 mg/L, p = 0.04) and CRP levels (7.49 ± 1.2 vs. 4.26 ± 1.0 mg/L, p = 0.04) compared with non-carriers; 5 to 7 days after CABG, patients carrying -148T allele had increased CRP (70.4 ± 5.0 vs. 51.6 ± 4.25 mg/L, p = 0.005) and IL-6 levels (22.34 ± 2.64 vs. 15.53 ± 2.28 pg/L, p = 0.05), but not fibrinogen, compared with the remaining subjects. In-hospital nonfatal stroke occurred more frequently in -148T allele carriers (4% vs. 0%, p = 0.02). No genotype-associated differences were found in the occurrence of postoperative myocardial infarction and death. Presence of the -148T allele has also been associated with longer intensive care stay and intubation time (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis identified the CT+TT genotype as an independent predictor of pre- and postoperative CRP levels. The results indicate that the presence of the -148T FGB allele determines higher pre- and postoperative levels of inflammatory markers, which might be associated with in-hospital clinical outcomes

Willingness to vaccinate among adults, and factors associated with vaccine acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in a nationwide study in Poland between March 2021 and April 2022

IntroductionDespite the availability, safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, Poland remains one of the six countries of the European Union with the lowest cumulative uptake of the vaccine's primary course in the general population. This study examined willingness to vaccinate and the associated factors in samples of unvaccinated and vaccinated adults between March 2021 and April 2022.MethodsData were collected using OBSER-CO, a nationwide, repeated cross-sectional study, conducted at four different time points (rounds). Data on willingness to vaccinate among the unvaccinated (at all rounds) and willingness to receive another dose in the vaccinated (at 2 rounds-after booster introduction), reasons for reluctance, sociodemographic, health, and behavioral factors were collected using a uniform questionnaire via computer-assisted telephone interviewing. In each round, more than 20,000 respondents were interviewed. To assess associations between factors and willingness to vaccinate, separate multivariable logistic regression models were fitted for each factor at each round and adjusted for confounders.ResultsBetween rounds 1 and 4 (March 2021–April 2022), in the unvaccinated, willingness to vaccinate declined from 73 to 12%, whereas in the vaccinated, willingness to receive another dose declined from 90 to 53%. The highest magnitude of decline between subsequent rounds occurred during the Omicron wave. Overall, concerns about side effects, effectiveness, and vaccine adverse effects were common but decreased over time. Age, gender, employment, place of residence, COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure, hospitalization, and participation in social activities were among the factors associated with willingness. However, associations changed over rounds highlighting the influence of different pandemic waves and variants.ConclusionWe observed a declining and multifactorial willingness to vaccinate in Poland, with vaccine attitudes dynamically changing across subsequent rounds. To address vaccine concerns, sustained health communication about COVID-19 vaccines is essential, especially after the emergence of new variants

China in the Arctic; and the Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese-Finnish Arctic Co-operation

The Arctic region is rapidly transforming from a peripheral region to a global theatre with an increasing number of non-Arctic stakeholders. One illustration of this transformation process is the growing presence of China in the Arctic. This report first discusses China’s changing role in global affairs (Chapter 1). This provides background for exploring China’s interests, role and presence in the Arctic. The study of China’s presence in the region is carried out through the lens of the Chinese government’s four priority areas towards the region as expressed in the country’s first official Arctic statement – the White Paper – from January 2018 (Chapter 2). Further, Chinese interests and actions in the Arctic are studied from the viewpoint of one particular Arctic State, Finland. The authors provide an overview of a broad spectrum of Chinese-Finnish interactions in different contexts, including investments in Northern Finland and co-operation within the areas of Finnish Arctic expertise and research. In addition, concerns and risks related to interaction with Chinese actors are discussed (Chapter 3). Over the past decade, China has undertaken an effort to demonstrate its growing knowledge of, and commitment to, the Arctic region. Some actors and experts are concerned about China’s aims and actions in the region, while others express hope for Chinese institutions, investors and companies to contribute to regional development and knowledge-building. The report presents a balanced and multifaceted, although necessarily not fully comprehensive, picture of China’s rise as an actor in the Arctic.</p

China in the Arctic; and the Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese-Finnish Arctic Co-operation

The Arctic region is rapidly transforming from a peripheral region to a global theatre with an increasing number of non-Arctic stakeholders. One illustration of this transformation process is the growing presence of China in the Arctic. This report first discusses China’s changing role in global affairs (Chapter 1). This provides background for exploring China’s interests, role and presence in the Arctic. The study of China’s presence in the region is carried out through the lens of the Chinese government’s four priority areas towards the region as expressed in the country’s first official Arctic statement – the White Paper – from January 2018 (Chapter 2). Further, Chinese interests and actions in the Arctic are studied from the viewpoint of one particular Arctic State, Finland. The authors provide an overview of a broad spectrum of Chinese-Finnish interactions in different contexts, including investments in Northern Finland and co-operation within the areas of Finnish Arctic expertise and research. In addition, concerns and risks related to interaction with Chinese actors are discussed (Chapter 3). Over the past decade, China has undertaken an effort to demonstrate its growing knowledge of, and commitment to, the Arctic region. Some actors and experts are concerned about China’s aims and actions in the region, while others express hope for Chinese institutions, investors and companies to contribute to regional development and knowledge-building. The report presents a balanced and multifaceted, although necessarily not fully comprehensive, picture of China’s rise as an actor in the Arctic

Genetic Profile and Clinical Implications of Hepatoblastoma and Neuroblastoma Coexistence in a Child

The aim of the following case report is to provide a description of the coexistence of two independent tumors in a child. A 9-month-old male was referred to Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology with hepatic tumor present on ultrasound imaging and symptoms of enlarged abdominal circumference. Physical examination revealed a palpable epigastric mass and the imaging techniques showed a tumor of the left hepatic lobe measuring 11 × 6.5 × 8.9 cm with pancreas infiltration, distant metastases in both lungs and abnormal lesion in the left adrenal gland. Basing on histopathological examination, after a core-needle biopsy, hepatoblastoma (HBL) (mixed epithelial-mesenchymal subtype) was diagnosed. The α-fetoprotein level was 112 993 ng/ml. Elevated values of normetanephrine, 3-methoxytyramine as well as neuron-specific enolase were observed. Due to the clinical picture and diagnosis, the patient was qualified to preoperative chemotherapy according to the SIOPEL-3 protocol, followed by SIOPEL-4 protocol for the high-risk patients. After undergoing preoperative chemotherapy, imaging tests revealed regression of hepatic tumor and no focal pulmonary masses, while regression of adrenal gland mass was not completed. The patient was qualified for left hemihepatectomy with left adrenalectomy. Histopathological examination of liver specimen confirmed the HBL diagnosis. However, in left adrenal gland and paraaortic lymph nodes the residual neuroblastoma (NBL) cells were detected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was utilized to identify disease-associated germline mutations. WES revealed a novel germline insertion variant in TWIST1 (p.Gly86dup), along with the potentially pathogenic non-synonymous variants in NF1 (p.Val2511Ile), RAF1 (p.Leu445Arg), and WHSC1 (p.Ser4Asn) genes. Currently, 6 months after completion of treatment according to the SIOPEL-4 protocol, the patient is in good general condition, without any signs, and symptoms of relapse of both neoplasms. The coexistence of two different primary childhood malignancies is rarely seen. So far, only one case of synchronous HBL and NBL has been reported. However, for the first time therapeutic process was successful. A specific signature of rare germline mutations can be proposed as a predisposing factor to synchronous HBL and NBL occurrence

Fast Track Integration of Computational Methods with Experiments in Small Wind Turbine Development

In general, standard aerodynamic design is divided into two paths&#8212;numerical analysis and empirical tests. It is crucial to efficiently combine both approaches in order to entirely fulfill the requirements of the design process as well as the final product. An effective use of computational analysis is a challenge, however it can significantly improve understanding, exploring and confining the search for optimal product solutions. The article focuses on a rapid prototyping and testing procedure proposed and employed at the Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology (IMP TUL). This so called Fast Track approach combines preparation of numerical models of a wind turbine rotor, manufacturing of its geometry by means of a 3D printing method and testing it in an in-house wind tunnel. The idea is to perform the entire procedure in 24 h. The proposed process allows one to determine the most auspicious sets of rotor blades within a short time. Owing to this, it significantly reduces the amount of individual subsequent examinations. Having fixed the initial procedure, it is possible to expand research on the singled-out geometries. The abovementioned observations and the presented overview of the literature on uses of 3D printing in aerodynamic testing prove rapid prototyping as an innovative and widely-applicable method, significantly changing our approach to experimental aerodynamics

China’s Arctic Policy

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