bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diplomacy at the End of the World: Theoderic’s Letters to the Warni and Hesti
Authors: Cristini Marco
Published: June 2021

Theoderic’s diplomacy with distant peoples has often been considered as a kind of ‘Realpolitik’ chiefly aimed at military or strategical purposes, but the symbolic importance of two embassies from the Warni and Hesti should be taken into consideration more carefully. The king aimed to convince his subjects and neighbours that he was the rightful heir of the Roman emperors by following a subtle policy ofimitatio Imperii. He also used diplomacy to achieve this goal and took advantage of two embassies from remote peoples of Northern Europe in order to imitate both Augustus and contemporary emperors, who prided themselves upon receiving envoys from far-away lands.
Rituali per i fondatori. Callimaco (fr. 43 Pf. = 50 Mass.) e le norme rituali da Selinunte (CGRN 13 A 9–15)
Authors: Giangiulio Maurizio
Published: June 2021

Riassunto

L’articolo prende in esame un ben noto frammento degli «Aitia» di Callimaco che offre la più importante testimonianza del culto dell’ecista nelle colonie siciliane. Una più approfondita indagine dei vv. 40–41 consente di istituire un parallelo con le norme rituali concernenti i Tritopatreis nella lex sacra di Selinunte (A 9–15). In entrambi i casi a un sacrificio animale con sversamento del sangue segue una libazione senza vino e un banchetto sacro. La sequenza rituale è inusuale e la sua diffusione nel mondo coloniale siciliano mette in luce sia la complessità del culto dell’ecista dal punto di vista religioso, sia l’intimo nesso che lo connette con la memoria sociale e l’identità della comunità politica.
The Date of the Athenian-Romanfoedus
Authors: Worthington Ian
Published: June 2021

This paper argues that the Tacitean passage (Annales2.53.3) referring to an actualfoedusbetween Rome and Athens should be accepted, and that the date for this treaty may be assigned to 191 BC.
The Time of Composition of Cassius Dio’s “Roman History”: a Reconsideration
Authors: Lindholmer Mads Ortving
Published: June 2021

The question of Cassius Dio’s time of writing is characterised by scant evidence and a lack of consensus. This article will present a highly significant correction to our understanding of the most important passage for this question, as well as two passages that have not generally been taken into consideration. The article will argue that Dio finished his main work in the late 210s and thereby support a so-called ‘early dating’. This is central for the current re-evaluation of Dio since it gives a clearer picture of the background against which Dio conceived his work and his many sophisticated interpretations.
Fyn Knock-Down Prevents Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Bordone Melina P. , Damianich Ana , Bernardi Alejandra , Eidelman Tomas , Sanz-Blasco Sara , Gershanik Oscar S. , Avale M. Elena , Ferrario Juan E.
Published: June 2021

Dopamine replacement by levodopa (L-DOPA) is the most widely used therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD), however patients often develop side effects, known as L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), that usually need therapeutic intervention. There are no suitable therapeutic options for LID, except for the use of the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist amantadine, which has limited efficacy. The NMDA-R is indeed the most plausible target to manage LID in PD and recently the kinase Fyn, one of its key regulators, became a new putative molecular target involved in LID. The aim of this work was to reduce Fyn expression to alleviate LID in a mouse model of PD. We performed intrastriatal delivery of a designed micro-RNA against Fyn (miRNA-Fyn) in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice treated with L-DOPA. The miRNA-Fyn was delivered either before or after L-DOPA exposure to assess its ability to prevent or revert dyskinesia. Preadministration of miRNA-Fyn reduced LID with a concomitant reduction of FosB-ΔFosB protein levels, a marker of LID, as well as decreased phosphorylation of the NR2B-NMDA subunit, which is a main target of Fyn. On the other hand, post-L-DOPA delivery of miRNA-Fyn was less effective to revert already established dyskinesia, suggesting that early blocking of Fyn activity might be a more efficient therapeutic approach. Together, our results provide proof of concept about Fyn as a plausible therapeutic target to manage LID, and validate RNA silencing as a potential approach to locally reduce striatal Fyn, rising new perspectives for RNA therapy interventions in PD.
Influence of Logistics Competitiveness and Logistics Cost on Economic Development: An FsQCA Qualitative Approach
Authors: Saini Mohan , Hrušecká Denisa
Published: June 2021

Logistics is an important sector that determines a country’s economic strategy while attaining higher impetus in terms of globalization and competitiveness. Infrastructure along with trade friendly government policies are the key important parameters for a competitive logistics sector. One such method to evaluate competency is the logistics performance index (LPI) by the World Bank. This index evaluates the logistics performance of the economies of the world and rank them on the basis of six parameters (customs, infrastructure, timeliness, tracking & tracing, logistics competence and international shipments). This research study illustrates the impact of logistics costs (LC) and logistics competency parameters (LPI) on the economic development. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodology is applied to identify the causal configuration relations for higher values of economic development (GDP per capita). Eight major economies across Asia (China, India, Japan, Singapore), Europe (Germany, France), the UK and the USA have been studied for the analysis. The Czech Republic and Slovenia are also included to the list of countries to have a perspective of mid-sized economies. These mid-size economies are landlocked countries (Czech Republic) and a smaller port sector (Slovenia) for logistics. The results indicate two configurations of LPI and LC that lead to higher values of GDP per capita. The major contribution to the existing literature is in identifying the influence of LPI index parameters along with LC on the economic development. The associated results illustrate that logistics competence, infrastructure and tracking & tracing of LPI index are identified as the core parameters, resulting in the higher values of GDP per capita. The results offer various insights into future area of research for evaluating new parameters such a LC to be inducted in LPI for evaluating logistics performance.
The Politics of Chinese and US Foreign Direct Investment in the Developing World
Authors: Biglaiser Glen , Lu Kelan (Lilly)
Published: June 2021

In the foreign direct investment (FDI) literature, studies show that investors prefer low-risk host states. However, the research focuses on investors from developed country democracies, such as the United States, ignoring the rise of China, an authoritarian developing country that engages in public and private investment. This paper investigates Chinese state and private FDI in 127 developing countries from 2003 to 2017 to determine the effects of political risk on FDI. We find that, as with US FDI, low-risk developing countries attract more Chinese state FDI, except in the case of natural resource investment, where Chinese investors appear to disregard risk concerns. For Chinese private FDI, on the other hand, political institutions seem to play no significant role, but political affiliations matter. Our work suggests that similarities between US and Chinese state FDI are increasing, while the investment strategies of Chinese private and state firms appear to be growing farther apart.
Clinical features and complications of acromegaly at diagnosis are not all the same: data from two large referral centers
Authors: Varlamov Elena V , Niculescu Dan Alexandru , Banskota Swechya , Galoiu Simona Andreea , Poiana Catalina , Fleseriu Maria
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The number of international acromegaly related registries is increasing; however, heterogeneity of acromegaly symptoms and signs across countries is not well described. We compared clinical disease manifestations at diagnosis between two large University referral centers from two continents.

Methods

Retrospective, comparative epidemiological study of acromegaly patients at two centers: (i) C. I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania (Parhon), and (ii) Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States (OHSU) from approved data repositories was undertaken. Data were extracted from medical charts and questionnaires. Binary logistic regression analysis was undertaken for the most frequently noted symptoms and clinical signs.

Results

The study included 216 patients (87 Parhon, 129 OHSU). Age, sex, and median delay in diagnosis were similar between centers. IGF-1 index was higher in patients at Parhon (3.3 vs 2.1, P < 0.001). The top five symptoms at both centers were enlarged hands/feet, headache, arthralgia, fatigue, and irregular menses in women. A significant difference was noted for multiple signs and symptoms frequency, often > 20 percentage points between centers. Center was a predictor of many signs and symptoms, independent of acromegaly biochemical severity or disease duration.

Conclusion

We show in the first comparative study that differences in medical practice, documentation, and likely cultural differences can influence patients’ symptom(s) reporting and screening patterns in geographically different populations. Pooling data into large multicenter international registry databases may lead to loss of regional characteristics and thus a mixed overall picture of combined cohorts.
CRISPR/Cas13d-mediated efficient KDM5B mRNA knockdown in porcine somatic cells and parthenogenetic embryos
Authors: Bi Dengfeng , Yao Jing , Wang Yu , Qin Guosong , Zhang Yunting , Wang Yanfang , Zhao Jianguo
Published: June 2021

An efficient mRNA knockdown strategy is needed to explore gene function in cells and embryos, especially to understand the process of maternal mRNA decay during early embryo development. Cas13, a novel RNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein, could bind and cleave complementary single-strand RNA, which has been employed for mRNA knockdown in mouse and human cells and RNA-virus interference in plants. Cas13 has not yet been reported to be used in pigs. In the current study, we explored the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas13d-mediated endogenous RNA knockdown in pigs. KDM5B, a histone demethylase of H3K4me3, was downregulated at the transcriptional level by 50% with CRISPR/Cas13d in porcine fibroblast cells. Knockdown of KDM5B-induced H3K4me3 expression and decreased the abundance of H3K27me3, H3K9me3, H3K4ac, H4K8ac, and H4K12ac. These changes affected cell proliferation and cell cycle. Furthermore, stable integration of the CRISPR/Cas13d system into the porcine genome resulted in the continuous expression of Cas13d and persistent knockdown of KDM5B. Finally, the RNA-targeting potential of Cas13d was further validated in porcine parthenogenetic embryos. By microinjection of Cas13d mRNA and gRNA targeting KDM5B into porcine oocytes, the expression of KDM5B was downregulated, the abundance of H3K4me3 increased as expected, and the expression of embryonic development-related genes was changed accordingly. These results indicate that CRISPR/Cas13d provides an easily programmable platform for spatiotemporal transcriptional manipulation in pigs.
Significance of differential allelic expression in phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary potential of microbial eukaryotes
Authors: Tatman Ben P. , Mock Thomas , Wu Taoyang , van Oosterhout Cock
Published: June 2021

Background

Differential allelic expression (DAE) plays a key role in the regulation of many biological processes, and it may also play a role in adaptive evolution. Recently, environment‐dependent DAE has been observed in species of marine phytoplankton, and most remarkably, alleles that showed the highest level of DAE also showed the fastest rate of evolution.

Methods

To better understand the role of DAE in adaptive evolution and phenotypic plasticity, we developed a 2‐D cellular automata model “DAEsy‐World” that builds on the classical Daisyworld model.

Results

Simulations show that DAE delineates the evolution of alternative alleles of a gene, enabling the two alleles to adapt to different environmental conditions and sub‐functionalize. With DAE, the build‐up of genetic polymorphisms within genes is driven by positive selection rather than strict neutral evolution, and this can enhance phenotypic plasticity. Moreover, in sexually reproducing organisms, DAE also increased the standing genetic variation, augmenting a species’ adaptive evolutionary potential and ability to respond to fluctuating and/or changing conditions ( cf. genetic assimilation). We furthermore show that DAE is likely to evolve in fluctuating environmental conditions.

Conclusions

DAE increases the adaptive evolutionary potential of both sexual and asexually reproducing organisms, and it may affect the pattern of nucleotide substitutions of genes.
Omic tools to study enzyme production from fungi in the Pleurotus genus
Authors: Téllez-Téllez Maura , Díaz-Godínez Gerardo
Published: June 2021

Fungi from the Pleurotus genus secrete different enzymes, including laccases, manganese peroxidases, versatile peroxidases, glycosyl hydrolases, peptidases, and esterases/lipases. This genus contains white-rot fungi, which degrade the components of plant materials. The secreted enzymes have great application in the biotechnology field. The general conditions of a fungal culture have a direct effect on the regulation of protein expression, which changes the composition of the transcriptome, proteome, and secretome. Studies have shown that the culture type, either solid or submerged, also changes the transcriptional profiles. The knowledge of the transcriptome and proteome allows one to find valuable enzymes to obtain portable fuels from lignocellulosic materials and provide information oriented to improve the enzymes production through different culture conditions. Additionally, research has been conducted on the Pleurotus genus to better understand its biology. Numerous tools have been used for this purpose, such as classical recombination, genetic engineering, and omic tools. The information generated by the omic sciences (comparative genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) and through bioinformatics (massive data analysis), among other things, can greatly contribute to improving production processes and the use of metabolites. This review discussed some works where omic tools have been used to study enzyme production of fungi of the Pleurotus genus.
Mass-timber construction in Australia: Is CLT the only answer?
Authors: McGavin Robert L. , Dakin Tony , Shanks Jon
Published: June 2021

Wood-based mass-panels (WBMP) are emerging as an attractive construction product for large-scale residential and commercial construction. Australia is following the lead of Europe and North America with several recent projects being completed using predominately cross-laminated timber panels (CLT). These sawn timber-based panels offer some key advantages to the construction and sawmilling industry. However, veneer-based mass-panel (VBMP) systems could offer additional benefits including the more efficient use of the available forest resources to produce WBMPs that have equivalent to superior performance to CLT. Research to confirm the expected technical viability of veneer-based systems is required. VBMPs could provide a valuable contribution, alongside CLT, to the Australian timber products market.
Preparation and characterization of polydimethylsiloxane-based paper transparentizing agent and its application in paper coating
Authors: Ma Haoran , Gao Yujie , Tian Longgan
Published: June 2021

A new type of polydimethylsiloxane-based paper transparentizing agent was prepared via a combined method. The performance of the transparentizing agent was investigated systematically by adding and dipping, with use of the surface sizing device of a paper machine. Optimum performance was found at 30% concentration of the transparentizing agent and 30 to 45 °C of dipping temperature. Under the optimal conditions, the transparentizing t agent achieved a rapid penetration in the base paper and filled in the pores of the paper, to be further effectively adsorbed and retained on the fiber surface. The transparency of test paper reached as high as 76±0.97 %, which was 37±1.4% higher than that of the control. However, the addition of transparentizing agent reduced the mechanical strength of paper slightly. The as-prepared transparentizing agent was found to exhibit excellent application stability and biodegradability when applied in the paper machine，When used as plastic film, the transparent paper would lose its strength completely after eight weeks. The resulting transparent paper can be used to develop paper-based film and other related plant based transparent/ translucent paper, which has great potential in replacing plastic products and eliminating white pollution.
The influence of mechanical surface preparation method, adhesive type, and curing temperature on the bonding of Darwin stringybark
Authors: Leggate William , McGavin Robert L. , Outhwaite Andrew , Dorries Jack , Robinson Rhianna , Kumar Chandan , Faircloth Adam , Knackstedt Mark
Published: June 2021

Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) is one of Northern Australia’s most important commercial forest resources. The wood exhibits desirable wood properties including high strength, natural durability, and visual appeal. The production of engineered wood products (EWPs) such as glulam from this resource represents a significant commercial opportunity for the timber industry in northern Australia. However, a major challenge to overcome is the achievement of satisfactory glue bond performance. This study evaluated the effects of different surface machining preparations, adhesive types, and curing temperatures on the bonding characteristics of Darwin stringybark. The pre-gluing surface machining method significantly influenced the timber wettability, roughness, permeability and tensile shear strength of adhesive bonds. Planing resulted in the lowest wettability, roughness, and permeability, while bonded planed samples produced the poorest tensile shear strength. Alternative surface machining methods including face milling and sanding post-planing were shown to significantly improve the timber wettability, roughness, and permeability, and also to increase the tensile shear strength of bonded samples. The resorcinol formaldehyde adhesive resulted in slightly improved tensile shear strength in most cases compared to the polyurethane adhesive. There was no significant improvement in tensile shear strength with the use of elevated temperature curing.
Effectiveness of online teaching and learning of wood science and technology courses during the COVID-19 pandemic: Early evidences from a survey of Malaysian universities
Authors: Ratnasingam Jegatheswaran , Jegathesan Natkuncaran , Ab Latib Hazirah , Yi Lee Yan , Mariapan Manohar , Ioras Florin , Abdul Azim Amir Affan
Published: June 2021

Wood Science and Technology (WST) courses have been traditionally taught face-to-face in most of the universities worldwide, but the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted classroom lessons, replacing them with online teaching and learning methods. To assess the effectiveness of these online methods, a survey of students and academics were carried out in several Malaysian universities offering the WST programs. The survey revealed that students were mostly challenged by the problems related to access to internet, computer hardware, and lack of communication. Further, the student-centered learning method was preferred, while non-technical courses were the most suited for online teaching and learning. In contrast, academics appear to prefer pre-recorded lectures and recorded videos as the most common method for teaching online, while continuous assessment of the student’s progress found limited application. The results found that to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning online of WST courses, factors such as connectivity, student’s preparedness, content design, pedagogical approach, peer communication, and the teacher’s presence, must be taken into consideration and improved.
VALUE OF ACTIVE COMPASSION IN THE HEROIC EPIC: RUSSIAN EPIC CONCEPT
Authors: Mironov Arseny
Published: June 2021

The article uses the comparative historical method to analyze epic folklore from around the world with regard to the functioning of the concept of active compassion. Proceeding from extensive factual material, the author demonstrates that different national and civilizational traditions imply various interpretations of this concept. While The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer’s Iliad, and medieval Western European epic songs don’t treat mercy as an axiologically important principle, the folk epics created by the Orthodox peoples maintain its value in accordance with the Christian ideal of sacrificial love. This interpretation is clearly presented in the Byzantine epic poem Digenes Akritas, in Serbian heroic songs, and, especially, in Russian bylinas, where one of the main heroes, Ilya Muromets, is very often motivated precisely by compassion. The author’s observations suggest that the concept of mercy, organically inherent in Russian folk epics, influenced the subsequent literary tradition as well, being reflected, for instance, in the poetics of the Russian psychological novel.
Steel with control austenitic transformation during operation
Authors:   I. M. Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Sydorchuk O. M.
Published: June 2021

The intermediate class of steels, which at room temperature belong to the ferritic state, and at operating temperature pass into the austenitic region, are called steels with control of austenitic transformation during operation. The possibility of increasing the service life of such intermediate steels at high temperatures (above the critical point A3) is shown. For the first time, the cast structure and phase-structural state of steel (grade 4Kh3N5М3F) obtained by electroslag remelting were studied. An improved composition of steel (4Kh4N5М3F) for the production of stamping tools for hot pressing of copper, copper and aluminum alloys is proposed. When setting the critical points (A1 and A3) of the investigated steel, which was confirmed by the results of high-temperature X-ray phase analysis, it was possible to optimize the heat treatment (annealing) of steel 4Kh3N5M3F and 4Kh4N5M4F2 in cast and forged condition, which facilitated processing tool. The results of researches on optimization of modes of heat treatment (hardening, tempering) of steel are given. The mechanical properties (strength, toughness, heat resistance) of steel in cast and forged state depending on the tempering and tempering temperature are determined. The tempering brittleness of the experimental steel is determined. An experimental-industrial test of a stamping tool (die dies, extruder parts) made of the investigated steel was carried out. The possibility of using stamped steel with adjustable austenitic transformation for a wide range of operating temperatures of hot deformation of aluminum alloy AK7h (450-500 ºC), copper M1 (600-630 ºC) and copper-nickel alloy MNZh 5-1 (900-950 ºC) with increased service life in comparison with steels of ferrite class 4Kh5МF1S and 3Kh3М3F. Keywords: die steel, composition, thermal treatment, structure, mechanical properties.
Transformacja cyfrowa z punktu widzenia samorządu terytorialnego – wybrane zagadnienia
Authors:   dr, Katedra Finansów Publicznych, Instytut Finansów, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Poznaniu, Polska, Kaczyńska Aneta , Kańduła Sławomira ,   dr hab., prof. UEP, Katedra Finansów Publicznych, Instytut Finansów, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Poznaniu, Polska, Przybylska Joanna ,   dr, Katedra Finansów Publicznych, Instytut Finansów, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Poznaniu, Polska
Published: June 2021

The article presents selected issues related to the digital transformation of Poland from the perspective of local government. It poses the following questions: How should we understand the digital transformation in general and the digital transformation of local government? Why should local government choose this path for transformation and what impact does it have? The article uses the method of analysis and criticism of the literature. The conclusions drawn from the research are as follows: the digital transformation of local government is the entirety of the changes taking place in it in terms of the services, processes, resources, organizational culture and competences using digital technologies. The purpose of these changes is to improve the quality of life and achieve the goals of sustainable development. Each local government unit must enter the path of digital transformation. It is an objective of necessity resulting mainly from social needs (expectations) for which the local government has been appointed. These needs can be divided into several categories. Residents require easier shopping and handling of administrative matters, as well as access to information and efficient communication. They also report the need for improving the conditions of work, maintaining employment, and accessing professional development. The expectation of reduced social inequalities remains valid. Residents and entrepreneurs expect Internet access and free mobility, and the latter also require support in optimizing business processes. In the conditions of developing the digital economy, we also expect the creation of an efficient system of warnings about threats and ensuring safety on the Internet. All aspects cause changes in the economy and the financing of local government. These mainly concern its functions and scope of performed tasks, the how social needs are satisfied and the tools used.
Normalizacja zmiennych a porządkowanie krajów Unii Europejskiej pod względem stopnia wykorzystania technologii ICT w przedsiębiorstwach
Authors:   mgr, Instytut Ekonomii i Finansów, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Polska, Wieczorek Patrycja , Frejtag-Mika Eliza ,   dr hab., prof. UR, Instytut Ekonomii i Finansów, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Polska
Published: June 2021

The main issue of multivariate comparative analysis is the normalization of variables. The literature offers various procedures for data normalization, and therefore the researcher has to choose between them. The article presents and discusses the most commonly used normalizing formulas. The article assesses the impact of data normalization procedures on the results of the linear ordering of European Union countries in terms of the level of ICT usage in enterprises. A hypothesis was formulated that the method of data normalization influenced the position of the objects in the ranking. The study is based on statistical data from Eurostat for the year 2018. Based on the selected diagnostic variables, values for a synthetic measure have been determined for individual countries. The synthetic measure was calculated according to the model-less method of linear ordering using four types of normalization. The method used in the research allowed the creation of rankings for the countries. The compliance of the orders thus obtained was compared using the Spearman’s coefficient of range correlation and the measure of similarity of rankings. As the study shows, the choice of normalization formula influences the result of linear ordering, which is not due to any change in the data structure. It was proven that the quotient transformation with the normalization base equal to the maximum value allowed the most similar ranking to be obtained of the examined objects in relation to the Rother rankings. The results of the study show that Denmark, Sweden and Finland had the highest positions in each ranking while Bulgaria, Romania and Latvia had the lowest positions.
Metody taksonomiczne w badaniu podobieństwa województwa lubuskiego do innych regionów Unii Europejskiej
Authors:   dr, Katedra Przedsiębiorczości i Innowacji, Akademia im. Jakuba z Paradyża w Gorzowie Wlkp., Polska, Szczuciński Przemysław
Published: June 2021

In the territorial profile of the European Union, large differences may be observed between economically better and less developed regions. Therefore, in its policy, much attention is focussed on the less developed regions. Such regions include disadvantaged, remote, sparsely populated and border regions. The Lubuskie voivodeship examined in the article should be included among them. This paper attempts to define the similarities and differences of this province in comparison to other regions of the European Union on the basis of typical features such as its geographical location and area, population density, land use and climatic conditions. For this purpose, 266 EU regions were studied, of which a group of 33 similar regions was identified by means of the complete linkage method. Next, these regions were analysed to indicate which of them, with similar geographical and natural conditions, could constitute a model for it, achieving more favourable economic results measured by the level of GDP per capita. The similarity between regions was examined by applying the Gower distance measure for quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The test results were visualised using a dendrogram and a taxonomic chart of the object under study. The data for the research was taken from the databases of Eurostat, the European Statistical Office, and Climate-Data.org. The collected data define the situation in EU regions as of 2017 or the last year available. Based on the conducted research, 9 EU regions can be selected as model regions for the Lubuskie voivodeship. These are regions from the following countries: Germany (5 regions), as well as France, Austria, Belgium, and the Czech Republic (1 region each). More closely examining the management methods of the regions from the above-mentioned countries, the functioning of industry, agriculture and transport in their area, and the promotion of regionally produced products would be reasonable for the needs of the regional policy of the Lubuskie voivodeship.
Badanie spójności przestrzennej regionalnych rynków pracy na obszarze oddziaływania Portu Lotniczego Katowice-Pyrzowice
Authors:   dr, Zakład Metod Ilościowych, Wydział Zarządzania, Politechnika Rzeszowska, Polska, Surówka Agata
Published: June 2021

Spatial autocorrelation is the correlation between the values of the same variable at different points in space. This method enables a more complete analysis than is traditionally used as it specifies the spatial structures and relationships between adjacent elements. Analyses of phenomena using this tool is helpful in identifying areas that have different or similar values. Thanks to it, is possible to assess and control the studied phenomenon, as well as identify differences between the areas and their surroundings. The issue discussed in the article stemmed from the fact that recently research on the impact of air transport on regional labour markets has been of great importance. The aim of the article is to present the method of spatial autocorrelation to determine the degree of concentration and spatial connections of the situation on local labour markets in poviats located within the Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport isochrone area. The analysis took into account 27 indicators characterising the labour market. The research period was 2011–2015. In the course of the research, the goal was achieved. The obtained results made it possible to evaluate and notice the degree of concentration of the neighbouring poviats in terms of the adopted measures. In the course of the research, the research hypothesis was positively verified as follows: poviats located in the area of gravity of the examined object are characterised by a spatial autocorrelation of the situation in regional labour markets and cause spatial inequalities.
Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of safflower with contrasting seed coat colors
Authors: Tayebeh Basaki , Soraya Karami , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: June 2021

The present study aimed to investigate total flavonoid (TFC), cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cyd-3-glu) content, and anti-oxidant and antibacterial activities of ethanolic seed coat extract of two safflower genotypes (genotype C111 and A82) with contrasting seed coat colors. Despite the absence of Cyd-3-glu in seed coat extracts of white-seeded genotype C111 versus black-seeded genotype A82 and equal TFC index between the two genotypes, there was no significant difference in their antioxidant activity. Also, the ethanolic extract has growth inhibitory properties in pathogenic bacteria. It seems that differences in type and level of secondary metabolites of the seed coat with different color patterns can result in the ethanolic extract’s antioxidant activity. In addition, the results confirmed that seed coat color has not effect on the level (or severity) of the antibacterial properties of ethanolic seed coat extract.
Święty Jan Sarkander
Authors: Kracik Jan
Published: June 2021

The article recounts the life and work of  Jan Sarkander.
Święty Melchior Grodziecki
Authors: Grzebień Ludwik
Published: June 2021

The article recounts the life and work of  Saint Melchior Grodziecki.
Święta Faustyna
Authors: Witko Andrzej
Published: June 2021

The article presents the life and work of Saint Faustina.
Sobre la iconografía de Jesús Nazareno rescatado en los siglos XVII - XX (O ikonografii Jezusa Nazareńskiego Wykupionego w wiekach XVII-XX)
Authors: Witko Andrzej
Published: June 2021

The art of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity attaches special importance to the motif of Ransomed Jesus of Nazareth; the theme is exclusive to works by the Discalded Trinitarians. It is refers to a wooden statue from Seville (second or third decade of the 17th century), attributed to Francisco de Ocampo or Luis de la Pena.
Ksiądz Jakub Janidło - wybitny przedstawiciel profesury krakowskiej XVII stulecia
Authors: Bieniarzówna Janina
Published: June 2021

W historii Akademii Krakowskiej wiek XVII nie należy do okresów najlepiej opracowanych. Wystarczy powiedzieć, że w wydanych z okazji wielkiego jubileuszu "Dziejach Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w latach 1364-1764" /Kraków 1964/ całkowicie został pominięty okres 1633-1648, że nie doczekała się naukowej monografii walka Akademii z jezuitami, że wiele postaci zasłużonych w dziejach naszej kultury nie posiada szerszych aniżeli encyklopedyczne biografie. Napotyka na spore trudności ustalenie obsady poszczególnych katedr, a dzieje Wydziału Prawa nie stanowią w tym zakresie wyjątku. W drugiej połowie XVI w. Wydział ów przeżywał okres zastoju i dezorganizacji. Dopiero pod koniec lat siedemdziesiątych zaczynają władze uniwersyteckie podejmować próby jego reformy, na razie bez większych rezultatów.  W samym końcu stulecia wchodzi do Wydziału Prawa wybitna osobistość: Jakub Janidło z Bodzentyna, trzykrotny rektor w latach 1614-1619, który w pierwszym dwudziestoleciu XVII wieku odegrał ważną rolę w walce z jezuitami, przeciwstawiając się założeniu ich akademii w Poznaniu i kolegium, prowadzonego przez zakon, w Krakowie. On też miał niemałe zasługi przy organizacji Szkół Nowodworskich.
Kult św. Stanisława w diecezji krakowskiej w świetle patrociniów do roku 1529
Authors: Spórna Marcin
Published: June 2021

Like cults of other saints, the worship of St Stanislaus may be studied in many aspects. One of those are patrocinia, i.e. the summoning of the patron saints of churches, chapels and altars. The reference date is the date of the canonization of St Stanislaus (17 September 1253), since from that day onwards we may speak of his patrocinia.
Krzyżacka fundacja klasztoru Brygidek wobec nastrojów religijnych gdańszczan w końcu XIV wieku
Authors: Sadowski Maciej
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the Teutonic Order's foundation of the Bridgettine monastery and its political connotations against the backdrop of the monastic life in 14th century Gdańsk.
Początki biblioteki konwentu krakowskiego p.w. św. Bernardyna ze Sieny
Authors: Murawiec Wiesław Franciszek
Published: June 2021

The Order of Friars Minor's passion for books and libraries ever since its beginnings in the 13th century grew particularly in convents located in university towns.  No monk was allowed to own books, although he could lend them out from the convent library. At the monastery's first library and archive there was a monastic scriptorium, which prospered and functioned on a high level. Monastic writers from the Krakow convent enjoyed special privileges concerning the use the local library and archive.
Memoriały Episkopatu Polski do władz państwowych w sprawach szkolnych (1930-1936)
Authors: Szczepaniak Jan
Published: June 2021

Contrary to popular belief, the relations between the Church and the state following the May coup (1926) were far from good. A particular bone of contention was the issue of teaching and religious education in schools. The article discusses the complex subject of mutual relations in the light of extant documents.
Koronacja nowego obrazu Matki Boskiej Szkaplerznej w Berdyczowie na Ukrainie
Authors: Wanat Benignus Józef
Published: June 2021

This article concerns the coronation of a new painting of Our Lady of the Scapular in Berdychiv (Ukraine). After 65 years of absence, the once famous Sanctuary of Our Lady of Berdychiv was returned to the possession of discalded Carmelites on 15th November 1991.
Annuario Pontificio per Panno 2000
Authors: Prokop Krzysztof
Published: June 2021

Review: Annuario Pontificio per Panno 2000
Krakowskie duchowieństwo parafialne przy końcu średniowiecza
Authors: Przybyszewski Bolesław
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the subject of Krakow clergy in the late Middle Ages.
Kult Matki Bożej Loretańskiej w Polsce
Authors: Marecki Józef
Published: June 2021

The cult of the Virgin Mary of Loreto began to grow in Italy together with the emergence of the Holy House in the vicinity of the town Recanati. The cult reached the territory of the Republic of Poland in the early 15th century, brought home by Polish pilgrims to Loreto. The worship of the Virgin Mary of Loreto was popularised for good by Jesuits, Franciscans and Bernardines.
Ikonografia trynitarska
Authors: Witko Andrzej
Published: June 2021

The Trinitarian Order, Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis de Redemptione Captivorum, was founded by St. John de Matha (d. 1213) with the participation of St. Felix de Valois (d. 1212). The first abode was located in Cerfroid, in the diocese of Meaux in France. Pope Innocent III approved the Order in his bull Operante divine dispositionis of December 17, 1198 and ratified the Rule written by St. John de Matha who described the aim of the Trinitarian mission as ransoming captives from pagans as well as providing hospital care to the sick and the poor.
Błogosławiony arcybiskup Jerzy Matulaitis-Matulewicz
Authors: Janicki Jan Józef
Published: June 2021

The article presents the life and work of Archbishop Jerzy Matulaitis-Matulewicz.
Błogosławiona Franciszka Siedliska
Authors: Wróbel Elżbieta Elena
Published: June 2021

The article presents the life and work of Franciszka Siedliska.
Męczennicy z Pratulina
Authors: Szczepaniak Jan
Published: June 2021

The article presents the life and death of 13 martirs of Pratulin.
Augusta Czartoryskiego wytrwałość w rozeznawaniu zamiarów Boga
Authors: Szczurowski Rafał
Published: June 2021

The article recounts the life and work of August Czartoryski.
The Oil-Flower Unfurling Its Petals: The Phenomenological Aesthetics of Tom McCarthy’s Satin Island
Authors: Wrethed Joakim Hans
Published: June 2021

The article analyses Tom McCarthy’s novel Satin Island as giving literary form to the aesthetics of materiality. Acknowledging the work’s function as philosophical cognition, the investigation utilises the concept of Einfühlung (empathy) as the ‘feeling-into’ of aesthetic experience, while concomitantly determining that ordinary empathy as fellow-feeling is lacking. Combining that ahuman aspect with Husserlian time constituting flow, underlying time consciousness, as another aspect of the ahuman, the thesis argues that the novel stages the mattering of matter and the patterning of patterns as surface phenomena that constitute the aesthetics of this particular fictional world. The aesthetics appears as a near-metaphysical phenomenon in manifesting an instantiation of Nietzsche’s concept of the human only being eternally justified as an aesthetic phenomenon. As such a phenomenon, the human amalgamates with matter and is dead. However, the world can be said to harbour ‘A LIFE’ in the sense of the Deleuzean concept of pure immanence. Moreover, as an avant-gardist artwork, the novel may provoke an ethical counter-reaction in the reader, inducing an ecocritically grounded ethics that would empathise with the planet earth as a manifestation of life itself.
THE INFLUENCE OF POPULISM ON DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Agaev Mirilias Azad ogly
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the impact of populism on democracy. To investigate the impact of populism on democracy, the author explores key approaches to the populism notion: political, socio-cultural and ideological. The article notes that populism studies lack a single definition and emphasizes there are negative, positive and neutral evaluations of the nature of this phenomenon. These conclusions are used for further assumptions about the impact on liberal democratic institutions. After analyzing the works on the populism of such scholars as B. Arditi, H.-G. Betz, M. Canovan, E. Laclau, K. Mudde, S. Mouffe, K. Rovira Kaltwasser, N. Urbinati, and others, the article draws conclusions about the multidimensionality of influence on liberal democracy and, in particular, about the fallacy of solely negative assessments of this impact. The author underlines the presence of both positive aspects (providing the interests of the “silent majority”, mobilizing excluded groups and integrating them into the political sphere), and negative aspects (rejection of representative democracy and parliamentarism) of populism.
ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FAILURE: RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE FOR THE COMPARATIVE FEDERALISM RESEARCH
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics (St. Petersburg), Busygina I. M. , Filippov M. ,   State University of New York at Binghamton
Published: June 2021

In the 1990s, Russian federalism was the pride of Russian reforms, a convincing proof of the irreversibility of democratization. Today, only the formal shells of federal institutions remain. However, the lessons of Russian federalism have greatly enriched research on comparative federalism: for the first time, a country of such territorial scale and diversity consciously built federal relations, while in the conditions of an extremely unfavorable heritage, the presence of an ethnic "component" and pronounced asymmetries. The Russian case showed that federalism significantly complicates the transition to democracy if democratic and federal insti-tution-building develop simultaneously. In addition, the case of Russia once again confirmed that federalism could not survive without being supported by other institutions; a necessary condition for the survival of fed-eralism is the development of democratic competition in the direction of strengthening the role of political parties interested in federalism. The lessons of the 90s in Russia may prove useful both to other countries that have chosen federalism and to Russia itself, since any significant reforms will inevitably lead to a change in the nature of relations between the center and the regions.
Experience in developing a methodology for analyzing the decision-making process in the field of digital economy regulation in Russia
Authors:   Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Teteryuk Alexey S. , Lialikov Aleksandr A. ,   Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Published: June 2021

Introduction: due to the active development of information technologies and the growth of their application in market relations, the issue of legislative regulation of the rules of interaction between participants in the emerging digital economy in Russia is becoming more and more relevant, as evidenced by the existence of the corresponding federal project within the national program “Digital economy of the Russian Federation”. At the same time, the creation of new regulations has a direct impact on the business environment, which forces companies to take an active part in the discussion of mechanisms for developing and implementing state policies in this area. Objectives: to analyze the decision-making process in the field of digital economy regulation through the proposed comprehensive methodology, which involves the study of formal procedures, state institutions and decision-making actors in the field of digital economy regulation in Russia. Methods: methods of applied analysis from the neoinstitutional, stadium-cyclical, and network directions of the political and managerial decision-making theory. Results: the main advisory, coordination and subordination institutions in the sphere of emerging regulation of the digital economy are systematized; the formal cycle of decision-making stages is modeled; the degree of influence of decision-making actors and network communities formed within institutional environments is assessed. Conclusions: the analysis shows that there is an imbalance of state decisions taken on a parity basis, depending on the stage of discussion and passage of the draft regulatory and legislative act. In the process of discussing and preparing draft decisions in the field of digital economy, state corporations take priority in comparison with private sector entities. Business representatives, as well as experts and development institutions, are largely focused on the initial stages of the decision-making cycle. In turn, the network analysis shows that the Ministry of digital development and the Ministry of economic development of the Russian Federation, responsible for the implementation of this national program, can play an important role as a conductor of industry interests.
Presidential campaign of Volodimir Zelensky: Usage of Donald Trump’s experience
Authors:   Stolypin Volga Region Institute of Administration, the branch of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Kosyakov Vladimir E.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: the article contains the analysis of the unique features of Volodimir Zelensky’s presidential election campaign, the success of which is based on the image of a political leader deliberately built as totally different from the one traditional for the Ukraine’s political elite. Objectives: studying the main political trends in presidential campaigns of Volodimir Zelensky and Donald Trump, to identify common elements of their image-building strategies. Methods: comparative analysis. Results: the study verifies the effectiveness of building the counter-culture image of a political leader in the conditions of high levels of political cynicism and citizens’ distrust to their government. Conclusions: the tactics used by Donald Trump and Volodimir Zelensky during the 2016 US elections and 2019 Ukrainian elections respectively are similar at their core. The difference manifests itself in the types of political images used, as formed with respect to the candidates’ previous careers.