The S-400 for Turkey The crisis in Turkish-American relations escalates. OSW Commentary Number 305, 12 June 2019

In late May and early June 2019, the contract for Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made missile launchers which make up the S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missile system entered the final stage of its implementation. This has been confirmed by unequivocal statements from the Turkish leadership, the fact that the first group of servicemen (system operators) have undergone training in Russia, and the announced arrival in Turkey of the Russian technical personnel responsible for the system’s assembly. The first S-400 launchers are likely to be dispatched to Turkey as early as July (around six months sooner than the planned supply date). At the same time the US, which has blocked Turkey’s attempts to purchase anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia and China for years, is stepping up its pressure on Turkey; for example, it has announced that the unprecedented sanctions package prepared last year will be imposed if the Russian-Turkish deal is finalised. The crisis around the S-400 is a manifestation of the deep crisis in Turkish-American relations that has been mounting for several years. More broadly speaking, it is an element of the crisis in the relationship between Turkey and the West, and de facto amounts to a major aggravation of the situation. The absence of will to make concessions on both sides makes any compromise between Ankara and Washington unlikely. At stake are the cohesion of NATO, the present and future nature of the US’s leading role, and Turkey’s place in its relations with the West and Russia. To some degree, all this affects the position of Russia, which itself is interested in undermining the positions of NATO and the US

Posture defects of students in grades 1–4 of music oriented classes in Primary School Complex no. 2 in Szczecin

The aim of the research was to establish whether the children between the ages of 7 and 10 years, attending Grades 1-4 of music oriented and general education classes, suffered from posture defects. The research material included 214 children aged 7-11 of the Primary School Complex No. 2 in Szczecin. There were 101 children examined in the music oriented classes, including 51 (50,5 %) girls and 50 (49,5 %) boys. In the school year 2006/2007, the research was conducted twice, including the same research material – first in September 2006, second in June 2007 accordingly. Body surface topography method, based on the technique of spatial photogrammetry, was used to evaluate body posture. The research included the analysis of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angle in the sagittal plane. The results of independent research showed that proper posture in the sagittal plane was present in 62% girls and 71% boys from music oriented classes, as well as 73% and 75% in controls accordingly. Rounded back was characteristic for 31% girls and 25% boys from music oriented classes, as well as 14% and 16% in controls. Flat back was visible in 6% female musicians and 12% controls, with 4% boys and 13% controls accordingly. Based on the conducted research, the following results were formulated: 1. Physiological spinal curvatures of children in music oriented classes were more serious in comparison with peer controls. 2. Posture defects were more common in girls in music oriented classes, compared to controls. 3. The incidence of posture defects in boys in music oriented classes and controls was parallel. 4. The national curriculum program of study for PE in music oriented classes should be modified and complemented with exercises strengthening trunk muscles and increasing the range of motion in shoulder and pelvic girdles

Formalne przesłanki dopuszczalności skargi sądowej wniesionej na decyzję organu podatkowego

The aim of the publication is to present the practical consequences of non-compliance by the taxpayer appellant against the decision of the second instance tax authority with the formal requirements set by the legislator to that procedural document (a complaint). The study used the following test methods: studies of literature, an analysis of national laws and rulings of administrative courts. The analysis – above all of the rulings of administrative courts – allowed to establish that the mere drafting and bringing the taxpayer complaints to court does not guarantee that the court will recognize the merits of the case and issue a ruling. This means that not in every case the court will check the contested decision of the tax authority. If the court finds that the complaint is inadmissible because the applicant did not comply with the formal requirements of complaint, the court will reject the complaint by a decision in closed session.Celem artykułu jest ukazanie praktycznych konsekwencji niespełnienia przez podatnika wnoszącego skargę na decyzję organu podatkowego drugiej instancji wymogów formalnych stawianych przez ustawodawcę temu pismu procesowemu (skardze). Autorzy opracowania podjęli próbę wykazania, że wniesienie przez podatnika skargi zawierającej braki formalne nie pozwala na skuteczne wszczęcie postępowania sądowego. W pracy wykorzystano następujące metody badawcze: studia literatury przedmiotu, analizę przepisów prawa krajowego oraz orzeczeń sądów administracyjnych. W wyniku przeprowadzonej analizy – przede wszystkim orzecznictwa sądów administracyjnych – ustalono, że samo sporządzenie i wniesienie przez podatnika skargi do sądu nie gwarantuje, że sąd rozpozna sprawę pod względem merytorycznym i wyda wyrok. Oznacza to, że nie w każdym przypadku sąd przeprowadzi kontrolę zaskarżonej decyzji organu podatkowego. Jeżeli sąd stwierdzi, że skarga jest niedopuszczalna, ponieważ skarżący nie zachował wymogów formalnych skargi, wówczas skargę odrzuci postanowieniem na posiedzeniu niejawnym

Investigation of an Innovative “Cotton Hollow” Yarn

Cotton is a basic raw material processed in the textile industry all over the world. Some new cotton products have been developed thanks to the inventions and efforts of scientists and engineers dealing with cotton. One of the innovative cotton products is SPINAIR yarn by Kurabo (Japan). It is so called “hollow” yarn made of cotton and PVA fibres. PVA fibres are introduced into the yarn during the spinning process. Next they are dissolved and removed in fabric finishing, thanks to which in the final product the yarn is composed only of cotton fibres. The yarn has been developed to improve the thermal insulation of cotton fabrics. Due to the dissolving of PVA fibres, the structure of yarn and fabrics made of it is loose and porous. The air trapped inside the yarn between the cotton fibres increases the thermal resistance of fabrics. Within the framework of the work presented composite “hollow” yarn 42 tex made of cotton (80%) and modified PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) fibres (20%) was investigated within the range of its structural, mechanical and technological parameters. Woven fabric was then manufactured with the application of the 42 tex CO80/ PVA20 yarn in the weft direction. Investigation of the manufactured woven fabric with Alambeta confirmed that fabric with weft yarn 42 tex CO80/PVA20 is characterised by a higher thermal resistance and warmer sensation while touching than that made of 42 tex cotton rotor yarn in the weft

Overactive bladder – definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis

The overactive bladder is characterized by the following symptoms: frequency, urgency, nocturia and urge incontinence, substantially affecting the quality of life of millions of people throughout the world, with recent findings estimating the prevalence in adults at about 16,4%. The symptoms are associated with significant social, psychological, occupational, domestic, physical, and sexual problems. This article reviews current findings regarding definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of the overactive bladder

Diagnostic and treatment of overactive bladder

The overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by symptoms of frequency, urgency, nocturia, and urge incontinence, substantially affecting the quality of life of millions of people throughout the world. Diagnosis of OAB made on patient history, physical examination, and clinical tests can be used as the basis for treatment in most cases. In cases where there is uncertainty regarding the diagnosis, urodynamic assessment should be carried out. Treatment of OAB includes behavioral therapy, pharmacology and, in some cases, surgery. This article reviews current findings regarding diagnostics and treatment of the overactive bladder

Comparison of gene expression of mitogenic kinin path in adherent and non-adherent CD 34-stem cells using oligonucleotide microarrays.

One of the more interesting cells present in the umbilical cord blood - as far as their potential clinical use is concerned - are stem cells not presenting the CD34 antigen. These are the pluripotential cells with their biological properties similar to mesenchymal stem cells, with the ability to differentiate into such tissue types as bone, cartilage, nervous (to some extent), glia and muscle. The authors compared the activity of genes coding the proteins in mitogenic signal paths activated by kinin receptors using oligonucleotide microarrays in adherent and non-adherent CD 34- cells derived from umbilical cord blood. In the linear regression model with a 95% prognosis area for differentiating genes outside this area, the following genes were selected: c-jun (present in 3 isoforms) and c-fos. The fos and jun genes create the AP-1 transcriptive factor which regulates the expression of genes taking part in numerous cellular processes, including the cell cycle and mitosis. The obtained results shed some light on the molecular processes behind the MSC proliferation and are a starting point for further studies on the mesenchymal stem cell biology

Changes in Motor Skills of Children who Train Sports Swimming at the Initial Stage of School Education (in an Annual Training Cycle)

This paper presents an empirical approach to the changes in motor skills of children who train sports swimming at the initial stage of school education in an annual training cycle. Swimming belongs to the disciplines in which training starts at the age of 6-7. The proper selection of candidates to train certain disciplines is a complex process as they should be chosen from a large population of children, both girls and boys, having specific somatic and motor characteristics which, developed in the long-term, will enable them to achieve sports mastery. The aim of the research was to define which changes in motor skills occur in girls who train sports Aim: swimming in an annual training cycle. The Subject group consisted of 85 girls aged 7 who attended four elementary schools in Szczecin, Poland. 36 of them belonged to the Swimmers group and they were all members of the Municipal Swimming Club (MKP) in Szczecin. The Control group consisted of 49 girls who attended the same elementary schools. All subjects took part in two examinations (carried out in the school year 2009/2010. Physical ability tests were conducted in gyms. Motor skills were assessed with EUROFIT Test Battery which is the most reliable and accurate tool according to scientific research. The research revealed changes in both groups (Sw, C) in terms of all eight tests. Examination II proved statistically significant improvement of results in both groups (Sw, C) in comparison to Examination I. Changes between Examination I and Examination II results were most visible in the Swimmers groups in terms of balance, agility, static strength, functional strength and agility run. Changes between Examination I and Examination II were similar in both groups (Sw, C) in terms of speed of limb movement, explosive strength and torso strength. Progressive changes in motor skill of subjects are a positive phenomenon in the physical development of a child. Swimming training resulted significantly in positive changes in terms of motor skills of subject who were at the initial stage of swimming trainings, compared to their non-training peers. Participation in organized, regular sports classes results in the development of motor (physical) skills of children