Night in a big city. Light festivals as a creative medium used at night and their impact on the authority, significance and prestige of a city

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.The publication was co-funded by Culture programme of the European Union as a part of Campus Culturae project (grant No. 2011-1177/001-001)

Mean platelet volume and its prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock

Background: Elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) has been recently discussed as a predictorof death in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the cut-off point of MPV inrelation to poor prognosis has not been estimated so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate MPV and its prognostic value in ACS complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Such an analysisin patients with the most serious and fatal complication of ACS has not been performed inpreviously published research.Methods: Fifty three patients with ACS complicated by CS (age 68.9 ± 11.4, 49% women, 92% STEMI, 55% fatal CS) and 53 age- and gender-matched patients with uncomplicated ACS as a control group (age 69.1 ± 10.6, 49% women, 92% STEMI, 0% fatal) were includedin our prospective study from 2010 to 2012. All the patients underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention. MPV was determined on admission (MPV1) and in consecutive two days of hospitalization (MPV2, MPV3). The blood sample was analyzed immediately after collection in EDTA tubes using an automatic blood counter.Results: MPV1 was similar in both groups (8.91 ± 1.11 fl vs. 8.57 ± 0.74 fl, NS). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in MPV value in fatal and nonfatal CS(8.90 ± 1.18 fl vs. 8.93 ± 1.05 fl, NS).Conclusions: The above results suggest that MPV cannot be considered a predictor of poorin-hospital outcome in patients with ACS complicated by cardiogenic shock

Light pollution from illuminated bridges as a potential barrier for migrating fish–Linking measurements with a proposal for a conceptual model

Illuminated bridges have become important assets to navigable aquatic systems. However, if artificial light at night (ALAN) from illuminated bridges reaches aquatic habitats, such as rivers, it can threaten the river's natural heterogeneity and alter the behavioural responses of migratory fish. Here, via a pilot study, we quantified levels of ALAN at illuminated bridges that cross a river and, propose a conceptual model to estimate its potential implications on two migrating fish species with contrasting life histories. Night-time light measurements on the river Spree in Berlin were performed continuously along a transect and in detail at seven illuminated bridges. Photometric data of the pilot study showed rapidly increased and decreased light levels at several illuminated bridges from which we derived several model illumination scenarios. These illumination scenarios and their potential effect on migrating Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar) and European silver eel (Anguilla anguilla) are presented as a conceptual model, considering illuminated bridges as behavioural barriers to fish migration. ALAN's adverse effects on freshwater habitats must be better researched, understood, managed, and properly communicated to develop future sustainable lighting practices and policies that preserve riverscapes and their biodiversity

Structure of the Homodimeric androgen receptor ligand-binding domain

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role in normal physiology, development and metabolism as well as in the aetiology and treatment of diverse pathologies such as androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS), male infertility and prostate cancer (PCa). Here we show that dimerization of AR ligand-binding domain (LBD) is induced by receptor agonists but not by antagonists. The 2.15-Å crystal structure of homodimeric, agonist- and coactivator peptide-bound AR-LBD unveils a 1,000-Å2 large dimerization surface, which harbours over 40 previously unexplained AIS- and PCa-associated point mutations. An AIS mutation in the self-association interface (P767A) disrupts dimer formation in vivo, and has a detrimental effect on the transactivating properties of full-length AR, despite retained hormone-binding capacity. The conservation of essential residues suggests that the unveiled dimerization mechanism might be shared by other nuclear receptors. Our work defines AR-LBD homodimerization as an essential step in the proper functioning of this important transcription factor

We Do Not Like It: A Likert-Type Scale Survey on the Attitudes of a Young Population towards the Transhumanistic Theory of Education

Transhumanists assume that future education may be purely based on technological stimulation. The question is: Do potential clients of education “like” such vision? In order to check this, we asked over one thousand two hundred young Poles to evaluate their identification with the transhumanistic theory of education. The results are quite surprising: its show that they disagree with the assumptions of this theory, while they rather agree with the postulates of more traditional (and no technology-based) concepts of education

Migration and translocal learning. Poles in Reykjavik

The paper analyses learning from the perspective of migration. It is based on a qualitative study of Polish first-generation migrants in Iceland. The theoretical framework adopted is translocal learning and learning from places – which joins the perspective of social learning with learning from the environment. The empirical material was used to construct eight categories showing translocal learning outcomes: practical skills, communicative competences, analytic competence, assimilation of values, selfconfidence, independence, living with uncertainty and mobility skills. The findings show that translocal learning has a critical potential of challenging the dominant ideology. Some of the learning outcomes help migrants in further migration. Finally, the author suggests a new concept for future research – translocal pedagogy. (DIPF/Orig.

MALARIA PARASITES IN COMBINATION WITH INTERFERON-Γ INDUCE GLUCOCORTICOID RESISTANCE IN PULMONARY ENDOTHELIUM

Due to their anti-inflammatory properties endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) contribute to the control of the immune system. Exogenous GCs are used as anti-inflammatory therapeutics in patients suffering from a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. However, treatment failure due to GC resistance is frequently reported. Preliminary data show prominent GC resistance in a model of malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (MA-ARDS). MA-ARDS causes considerable suffering in patients, often results in death and is characterized by pulmonary edema and abundant inflammatory infiltrates consisting mainly of monocytes and lymphocytes. My project contains four aims: (i) defining the regulation of GC sensitivity in endothelial cells, (ii) defining the regulation of GC sensitivity in leukocytes in MA-ARDS, (iii) obtaining a genome-wide view of the effects of GC resistance in both endothelial cells and leukocytes and (iv) discovery of the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of this resistance. State-of-the-art technologies will be used, including new GC-resistant and GC-sensitive mouse models of MA-ARDS, in vitro and ex vivo GC sensitivity tests, genome-wide approaches (RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq) and specific biochemical assays. Therefore, this project will uncover a new layer in the endogenous regulation of inflammation. We also believe that these new insights will be instrumental for the design of novel therapies aiming at the restoration of GC sensitivity.status: publishe

The value of less Light – Sustainable architectural lighting design

Since its beginning, the art of external illumination has substantially influenced the creation and the perception of architecture and the night-time urban environment. In this paper, the author examines and defines the significant interdisciplinary conditions related to architectural lighting design that have evolved over the years, starting from the first simple exterior lighting projects to the more modern, complex concepts of illumination.Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowsk

Looking Up to the Stars. A Call for Action to Save New Zealand’s Dark Skies for Future Generations to Come

The rapid development of technology coupled with humanity’s desire to reach beyond terra firma, has resulted in more than 60 years of Outer Space activities. Although the exploration of space has provided many advantages and benefits to society so far, including vast, new information that has greatly added to our understanding of our planet and beyond, unfortunately, mankind’s footprint has negative aspects that need to be minimised as much as possible. In recent decades, a major worldwide problem has emerged in regard to the significant increase in light pollution from ground-based illuminations, as well as a lack of proper regulatory frameworks to mitigate the issue in order to protect the night sky and astronomical research. More recently, due to the escalating demand of air space for microsatellites and the rapid development of these new space technologies, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), a new problem has arisen connected to visual light pollution (VLP). New Zealand has been especially affected, as, because of its dark skies, it has the third highest number of astronomical observatories in the world. The aim of this research is to identify critical areas for broader investigation; an action plan to improve the impact of new technologies is urgently required, not only at a national level but also worldwide. This is crucial in order to preserve humanity’s right to access the night sky and to also enable continual professional and amateur night-time observations for the present and the future, as well as for New Zealand to become a Dark Sky Nation