A composite measure to determine a host country's attractiveness for foreign direct investment

We contribute to the question of why some countries are more attractive for foreign direct investment (FDI) than others by constructing a composite measure that describes a host country's attractiveness for receiving FDI. This index considers all identified major, measurable and, for our scope, comparable aspects that affect FDI decisions. As a result, we can rank 127 countries with respect to their FDI attraction. The index provides the possibility of conducting detailed strength and weakness analyses for all of our sample countries and regions. These analyses provide support to policy-makers to improve their country's attractiveness for receiving inward FDI. They also enhance the discussion of why FDI flows still remain concentrated in advanced economies and, additionally, in which areas emerging and developing economies have to improve in order to narrow the existing gap. We provide correlation and sensitivity analyses to test the quality of our composite measure. Additionally, we benchmark our index with several alternative indices. Thereby, we show that no other index tracks actual FDI activity more closely.Country Comparison; Composite Measure; Index; FDI;

Nanovibrational stimulation for 3D osteogenesis in biphasic 3D scaffold; a new option for bone tissue engineering

In our centre, we had developed nanovibrational bioreactor generating nanoscale vibration by piezo actuator for bone tissue engineering. Recently, nanovibrational stimulation (NS; 30 nm at 1000 Hz) showed the success of osteogenic induction in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded collagen hydrogel without chemical supplement. However, culturing MSCs in the collagen hydrogel for long term NS stimulation in NS bioreactor is challenging due to its mechanical properties. The principle aim of this thesis is to develop the scaffold for nanovibrational bioreactor which is suitable for surgical application. Three strategies including ingel scaffolds, collagen concentration optimization and genipin crosslinking were trialled which aimed to improve hydrogel stiffness and handleability, possess biocompatibility and allow NS force transmission. The role of high amplitude stimulation (90 nm at 1000 Hz) on 3D osteogenesis was also studied. Interestingly, increasing NS amplitude successfully enhanced 3D osteogenesis through multiple pathways and it was biologically safe. Metabolomics during NS revealed the evidence of low level of reactive oxygen species production and inflammation which was controlled in physiological level through multiple intracellular signals such as redox balancing, NFkB and MAPK pathways. To propose the technique how to use NS induced MSCs for clinics, MSCs seeded biphasic scaffolds compositing collagen hydrogels and freeze dried collagen sponges were developed. Cell-hydrogel-sponge composite (CHSC) was reproducible, handleable and biologically safe. CHSC allowed a good fidelity of NS. NS with high amplitude stimulation successfully induced 3D osteogenesis. NS protocol in CHSC was optimized in order to identify a stimulating duration which can induce osteogenesis without phenotypic reversibility. Interestingly, two-week stimulation possibly committed MSCs in the preosteoblast stage

Antibacterial surface modification of titanium implants in orthopaedics

The use of biomaterials in orthopaedics for joint replacement, fracture healing and bone regeneration is a rapidly expanding field. Infection of these biomaterials is a major healthcare burden, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the cost to healthcare systems is increasing dramatically. With advances in implant design and production, research has predominately focussed on osseointegration; however, modification of implant material, surface topography and chemistry can also provide antibacterial activity. With the increasing burden of infection, it is vitally important that we consider the bacterial interaction with the biomaterial and the host when designing and manufacturing future implants. During this review, we will elucidate the interaction between patient, biomaterial surface and bacteria. We aim to review current and developing surface modifications with a view towards antibacterial orthopaedic implants for clinical applications

Liber passus Klemensa Stanisława Herki – panegiryk z okazji awansu akademickiego. Problemy komunikacji literackiej poprzez poezję kunsztowną

Udostępnienie publikacji Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego finansowane w ramach projektu „Doskonałość naukowa kluczem do doskonałości kształcenia”. Projekt realizowany jest ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Wiedza Edukacja Rozwój; nr umowy: POWER.03.05.00-00-Z092/17-00

Unambiguous Turn Position and Rational Trace Languages

We show the existence of rational trace languages defined over direct products of free monoids that have inherent ambiguity of the order of log n and n 1/2 . This result is obtained by studying the relationship between trace languages and linear context-free grammars that satisfy a special unambiguity condition on the position of the last step of derivation

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of mezlocillin, piperacillin, their degradation products, and of ioxitalamic acid in plasma and urine of healthy volunteers

In plasma and urine of 10 healthy volunteers after intravenous administration of 4 g mezlocillin and piperacillin, respectively, the parent compounds as well as degradation products were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ioxitalamic acid, a renal contrast medium, was administered simultaneously, in order to measure the glomerular filtration rate, and to control the collection of 24-h urine. As metabolite of mezlocillin the corresponding penicilloic acid only was found, whereas in the case of piperacillin a further degradation product was observed. Half of the doses given was recovered in the urine as unchanged drugs, and in addition 5-10% as metabolites. No differences were found in the pharmacokinetic behaviour of both antibiotics