Stanisław Barańczak: Between autonomy and support

Stanisław Barańczak (1946-2014), a leading poet of the Polish ‘New Wave’ formation, dissident intellectual, prolific translator and, from the early 1980s until his recent death, an émigré and professor at Harvard University, remains one of the most prominent translation critics and literary figures in Poland. This article attempts to revisit his first theoretical paper on literary translation entitled ‘Przekład jako “samoistny” i “związany” obiekt interpretacji’ [The Translation as a 'Self-sufficient' and 'Integrated' Object of Interpretation] ([1972] 1974) and to present his early scholarship within the Structuralist framework of literary communication. In academic criticism this particular text has generally been misinterpreted: it has usually been deemed analytically unhelpful and believed to reiterate some of the clichés of Translation Studies. This article will attempt to discard those oversimplified interpretations by establishing a bridge between Barańczak’s theoretical claims and his own translation practice. The concept of translation as a “self-sufficient” and “integrated” object of interpretation will be discussed with special reference to the way Barańczak himself later constructed and published his own literary translations, his ethical approach to autonomy and support in translation, as well as the general intellectual and literary context of that time

Effect of irradiated dib-cAMP on the tonic and phasic activity of human myometrium.

Cyclic AMP, used as dibutyryl derivative for better permeability, has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle preparations from human uterine tissue (surgical material). The observed decrease of tonus and frequency depends on the concentration applied, shown in the range between 50 and 300 μM. cAMP looses its physiological activity by irradiation in vitro; in addition an inhibitory action of the irradiation products on uterine tissue could be proved. From the data of the Lineweaver-Burk plots, showing the competition between non-irradiated and irradiated cAMP, a ten- to twentyfold higher affinity of the irradiation products to the receptor compared to that of this transmitter could be calculated. The results show that preparations of human origin with β-receptors behave similarly to animal tissues with β-receptors. They are further discussed with respect to a better understanding of dose-response curves for chemical and physiological inactivation

Effect of ionizing irradiation on the physiological activity of cyclic adenosinemonophosphate on smooth muscle preparations.

The effect of ionizing irradiation on the physiological activity of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in smooth muscle preparations from frog lung was studied. cAMP, given as dibutyryl salt (dib-cAMP) inhibited the radiation induced contractions of the muscle in a manner similar to the action of theophylline. In vitro irradiation of dib-cAMP resulted in an alteration of the chemical structure of this substance, i.e., formation of monobutyryl-cAMP and further derivatives as well as a decomposition of the purine structure. There was also a loss of the relaxing activity of irradiated cAMP on the muscle tone of frog lung preparations. The physiologically measured inactivation of dib-cAMP was far more pronounced than the chemical alteration. An inhibitory effect of the reaction products is postulated

Failure mechanisms and mechanical characterization of reactive bonded interfaces

This study presents results of microstructure diagnostics and mechanical strength investigations for reactive bonded components. For this purpose silicon (Si) test specimen were bonded by using commercially available 40 µm thick nickel/aluminum (Ni/Al) NanoFoils{copyright} with a 10 µm thick tin (Sn) solder layer on both sides. Scanning electron (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) at the bond interface showed the formation of silver-copper-tin (Ag-Cu-Sn) and tin-silver (Sn-Ag) intermetallics within the Sn solder matrix. The hardness and modulus of the solder layer were characterized by Berkovich nanoindentation testing. Results from strength investigations using tensile and micro chevron testing revealed a strong bonding strength of the interface. SEM analyses of the fracture surfaces showed both, cohesive failure through the solder layer and adhesive failure between the silicon substrate and the gold-chrome coating layer

Contrasting Internet and Face-to-Face Focus Groups for Children with Chronic Health Conditions: Outcomes and Participant Experiences

In this study the authors examined Internet-mediated qualitative data collection methods among a sample of children with chronic health conditions. Specifically, focus groups via Internet technology were contrasted to traditional face-to-face focus groups. Internet focus groups consisted of asynchronous text-based chat rooms lasting a total of one week in duration. Participants comprised 23 children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or cystic fibrosis, who were assigned to either an Internet or face-to-face focus group. Focus group analysis and follow-up participant interviews identified a range of content outcomes and processes as well as participant experiences and preferences. Findings yielded differences in terms of the volume and nature of online and face-to-face data, and participants' affinity to focus group modality appeared to reflect differences in participant expectations for social engagement and interaction. This study identifies both benefits and limitations of asynchronous, text-based online focus groups. Implications and recommendations are discussed