Ill Fare the Humanities

The starting point of our considerations is the two books published in 2010: “Ill Fares the Land” by the late Tony Judt and “Not for Profit” by Martha Nussbaum. The authors of both books share the conviction that neoliberal changes in the world of global capitalism radically impoverish culture and their consequences may be dramatic and irreversible. In our paper we would like to emphasize the dangers to solidarity and social cohesion posed by neoliberal postulates. We also claim that promoting the neoliberal ideology in the context of higher education and institutions of civic society endangers the very democracy understood as reasonable pluralism (in John Rawls’ terminology), consisting in rationality, plurality of opinions, lifestyles and conceptions of good, as well as consensus as the aim of social and political practices

Diversity on management and supervisory board and accuracy of management earnings forecasts in IPO prospectuses

Motivation: Although the issue of accuracy and bias of earnings forecasts revealed in the IPO prospectuses has attracted attention of many researchers, the literature on the relationship between board characteristics and the quality of such financial projections is still very limited, especially for a two-tier board structure consisting of the management and the supervisory board. The policy of diversity on the boardroom is promoted in many countries and composition of the management and supervisory boards is expected to be comprehensive and diverse, among others, in terms of gender, education, age and professional experience of the members.Aim: The main objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between the accuracy of the earnings forecast disclosed in the IPO prospectus and the diversity of company’s corporate governance institutions. More specifically, we ask a question whether the extent of diversity in the board system features may have an impact on the accuracy of such forward-looking financial information.Results: Using a sample of 104 IPOs from the Warsaw Stock Exchange, we find that certain characteristics of the management and supervisory board enhance the usefulness of forward-looking financial information from a IPO prospectus, as some of boards characteristics are important for the evaluation of the earnings forecasts credibility at the time of IPO. For example, in accordance with our expectations, the age diversity results in more accurate forecasts. This evidence may be seen as an argumen

Zugang zu potenziellen MRT-Kontrastmitteln für die Hyperpolarisation im Ultra-Low-Field Bereich

Zur Erhöhung der Signalintensität von Kernresonanz-Messungen durch Hyperpolarisation werden die Verfahren Signal-Amplification-by-Reversable-Exchange (SABRE) und Overhauser Dynamic-Nuclear-Polarisation (DNP) untersucht. Das SABRE-Verfahren beruht auf der katalytischen Aktivierung von Para-Wasserstoff und eines koordinierenden Substrates an einem Metall-Katalysator unter Polarisations-Transfer. Es wird die Hyperpolarisation von Pyridin unter Laborbedingungen, sowie im Ultra-Low-Field Bereich untersucht. Die Overhauser-DNP beruht auf dem Polarisations-Transfer angeregter, ungepaarter Elektronen auf benachbarte Kerne. Hierfür wird ein hydrophiles, paramagnetisches Hybrid-Material dargestellt und die Hyperpolarisation von Wasser mittels Overhauser-DNP unter Ultra-Low-Field Bedingungen untersucht

Weld Joints Inspection Using Multisource Data and Image Fusion

The problem of inspecting weld joints is very complex, especially in critical parts of machines and vehicles. The welded joint is typically inspected visually, chemically or using radiography imaging. The flaw detection is a task for specialized personnel who analyze all the data on each stage of the inspection process separately. The inspection is prone to human error, and is labor intensive. In the stages of weld joint visual control geometrical measurements are performed, joint alignment, straightness, deformation, as well as the weld\u27s uniformity. Coloration my show the heat impact zone, and melted parts of the base material. Also during this stage the unwanted cracks, pores and other surface defects can be spotted. On the other side during the X-ray inspection other flaws can be discovered. Pores, cracks, lack of penetration and slag inclusions can be observed. The author’s goal was to develop a multisource data system of easier flaw detection, and possibly inspection process automation. The methods consisted of three image sources: X-ray, laser profilometer, and imaging camera. The proposed approach consists combining spatial information in the acquired data from all sources. A novel approach of data mixing is proposed to benefit from all the information. The signal form the profilometer enables geometrical information extraction. Deformation and alignment error assessment. The radiogram provides information about the hidden flaws. The color image gives information about texture and color of the surface as well as helps in combining multiple sources

Indoxyl Sulfate Promotes Arterial Thrombosis in Rat Model via Increased Levels of Complex TF/VII, PAI-1, Platelet Activation as Well as Decreased Contents of SIRT1 and SIRT3

Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a 20-fold higher risk of dying due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), primarily thrombosis following vascular injury. CKD is connected with retention of uremic toxins, especially indoxyl sulfate (IS), which are currently considered as a non-classical CKD-specific risk factor for CVDs. The present study aimed to examine the effect of chronic exposure to IS on the hemostatic system and arterial thrombosis in a model without greater interferences from the uremic milieu consisting of additional uremic toxins. Forty-eight male Wistar Crl:WI (cmdb) rats were divided into three groups: one control group and two experimental groups, which were exposed to 100 or 200 mg/kg of b.w./day of IS in drinking water for a period of 28 days. The control group received water without IS. At the end of the experiment, the induction of arterial thrombosis was performed. We investigated the impact of IS on thrombosis incidence, kinetics and strength of clot formation, platelet activity, aortic contents of sirtuin (SIRT) 1 and sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), hemostatic system, cardiorespiratory parameters, biochemistry of plasma and urine as well as histology of the thrombus, kidney, and liver. Obtained data revealed that chronic exposure to IS promotes arterial thrombosis via increased levels of complex tissue factor/factor VII, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), platelet activation, as well as decreased aortic levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3. Therefore, we hypothesize that IS enhances primary hemostasis leading to augmented formation of platelet plug with increased amounts of fibrin and affects secondary hemostasis through the influence on plasma coagulation and fibrinolysis factors, which results in the increased kinetics and strength of clot formation. The findings described may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to increased thrombotic events in patients with CKD with elevated levels of IS

Seasonal and nutritional changes in the short form of the leptin receptor expression and VEGF system in the choroid plexus, arcuate nucleus, and anterior pituitary in MTS-leptin and resistin-treated sheep

The short form of the leptin receptor (LeptRa) plays a key role in the transport of leptin to the central nervous system (CNS). Here, MTS-leptin and recombinant ovine (ro) leptin-mediated expression of LeptRa and VEGFA and VEGFR2 concentration in selected hypothalamic nuclei, choroid plexus (ChP), and anterior pituitary (AP) were analyzed considering the photoperiod and acute-fasting (experiment 1), and nutritional status (experiment 2) of ewes. In experiment 1, 60 sheep were fed normally or fasted for 72 h and received one injection of saline, MTS-leptin, or roleptin 1 h prior to euthanasia. LeptRa mRNA transcript levels and VEGF system protein concentrations were detected in the ARC, ChP predominantly in the SD, and AP for the LD without detection of LeptRa in the POA and VMH/DMH. In experiment 2, an altered diet for 5 months created lean or fat sheep. Twenty sheep were divided into four groups: the lean and fat groups were given saline, while the lean-R and fat-R groups received resistin 1 h prior to euthanasia. Changes in adiposity influenced the lowering effect of resistin on the expression of LeptRa and VEGF system protein concentrations. Overall, both photoperiodic and nutritional signals influence the effects of MTS-leptin/roleptin and resistin-mediated leptin transport to the CNS via LeptRa. Resistin seems to be another adipokine involved in the adaptive/pathological phenomenon of leptin resistance in sheep

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF THE HISTORIC TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

The National Museum in Stockholm is Sweden’s leading museum of art and design. Behind the now closed doors of the National Museum and its construction coverings a renovation project is taking place, which began in 2014 and will be completed in 2018. The renovation project will create a modern museum, a brighter atmosphere for the arts and for its visitors. Part of the renovation project was to de-sign and upgrade the timber roof structure for new loads according to Eurocode 5. As the roof structure was originally built in 1860, it was important to evaluate the condition and mechanical properties of the original load-bearing timber members. The roof structure, which is of main interest, comprises roof trusses and lantern structures.The main aim of the project regarding the timber roof structure in the National Museum was a safety verification in both the ultimate state (ULS) and the serviceability limit state (SLS). The preliminary capacity calculations for the roof structure showed that the roof members were under the new load conditions (with increased loads due to security and environmental requirements) utilized above 100%. Therefore, an investigation into the properties of the old timber members and connections was of vital importance. The need for non-destructive testing (NDT) of structural timber is well known under the name of strength grading and the concept has been used for many years to classify timber with respect to mechanical performance. The stress wave technique used in the project was based on commercial instruments such as FAKOPP\uae. The timber quality investigation for the attic roof structures showed that the material was generally in very good condition. As a result, according to SS-EN 338-2009, the timber strength could be assigned strength class C27–C30. Based on the results of the investigation, further design of strengthening works and refurbishment of the roof structure were being undertake