Experimental transmission of Zika virus by mosquitoes from central Europe

Mosquitoes collected in Germany in 2016, including Culex pipiens pipiens biotype pipiens, Culex torrentium and Aedes albopictus, as well as Culex pipiens pipiens biotype molestus (in colony since 2011) were experimentally infected with Zika virus (ZIKV) at 18 degrees C or 27 degrees C. None of the Culex taxa showed vector competence for ZIKV. In contrast, Aedes albopictus were susceptible for ZIKV but only at 27 degrees C, with transmission rates similar to an Aedes aegypti laboratory colony tested in parallel.Peer reviewe

The Impact of Corruption on Economic Growth and Innovation in an Economy in Developed European Countries

Theoretical background: The article explores the relationship between corruption and innovation in an economy and between corruption and economic growth. The multi-faceted and complex nature of corruption means that the impact of corruption on innovation and economic growth is unidirectional. There are arguments in the literature for both positive and negative effects of corruption on macroeconomic figures. Most empirical research confirms the linear negative impact of corruption on economic growth. These results are the opposite of theoretical arguments that there may be both positive and negative consequences of corruption.Purpose of the article: The research aim is to analyse the theoretical aspects of the impact of corruption on selected macroeconomic variables. This goal was achieved by analysing the most significant arguments describing the relationships between chosen variables. Based on the literature analysis, research hypotheses were developed, and they were verified in an empirical study. The results were analysed in the discussion section.Research methods: The study is based on a set of data on economically developed countries in Europe from 1996 to 2017. The empirical study was conducted using basic statistical measures – descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient, whereas econometric models were based on the GMM system (Generalized Method of Moments).Main findings: The results of this research show that the relationships between corruption and the measure of innovation, and corruption and economic growth are not linear. They take the form of a parabola. This means that the influence of corruption on innovation and economic growth is not the same for all levels of the corruption indicator. The relationship between corruption and economic growth is specific enough to show that a low level of corruption is economically justified from the point of view of empirical research. This is possible because corruption solves other economic problems, such as bureaucracy, which limits development. Corruption will support economic growth if the state does not work properly.Theoretical background: The article explores the relationship between corruption and innovation in an economy and between corruption and economic growth. The multi-faceted and complex nature of corruption means that the impact of corruption on innovation and economic growth is unidirectional. There are arguments in the literature for both positive and negative effects of corruption on macroeconomic fiures. Most empirical research confirms the linear negative impact of corruption on economic growth. These results are the opposite of theoretical arguments that there may be both positive and negative consequences of corruption. Purpose of the article: The research aim is to analyse the theoretical aspects of the impact of corruption on selected macroeconomic variables. This goal was achieved by analysing the most signifiant arguments describing the relationships between chosen variables. Based on the literature analysis, research hypotheses were developed, and they were verifid in an empirical study. The results were analysed in the discussion section. Research methods: The study is based on a set of data on economically developed countries in Europe from 1996 to 2017. The empirical study was conducted using basic statistical measures – descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient, whereas econometric models were based on the GMM system (Generalized Method of Moments). Main findings: The results of this research show that the relationships between corruption and the measure of innovation, and corruption and economic growth are not linear. They take the form of a parabola. This means that the influence of corruption on innovation and economic growth is not the same for all levels of the corruption indicator. The relationship between corruption and economic growth is specific enough to show that a low level of corruption is economically justified from the point of view of empirical research. This is possible because corruption solves other economic problems, such as bureaucracy, which limits development. Corruption will support economic growth if the state does not work properly

To Build on the Past: A Foundational Database of the Vermont Marble Company Archives

This thesis took advantage of the rare opportunity to look into the business records of the Vermont Marble Company. A study period of 1924-1927, and about 1,000 contracts from the company were first recorded in a digital database and then examined. As a preliminary study of this material, this thesis suggests future uses of the Vermont Marble Company archive and recounts the information gathered from this venture. Architectural trends related to the Beaux-Arts, City Beautiful, and Art-Deco movements were observed, as were trends related to specific marble types and building project locations

VAT gap determinants in the European Union and Poland

Motivation: VAT revenues constitute a significant part of the budgets of EU countries and Poland. Both the EU and Poland are taking steps to reduce the VAT gap. To define the areas influencing the size of the VAT gap, its determinants should be indicated. Aim: The study aims to identify the determinants of the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. By comparing the impact of individual determinants on the VAT Gap in the EU and Poland, it will be possible to identify common factors shaping the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. Results: Based on the econometric study, it was indicated that growth, trade, consumption, and corruption are significant determinants of the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. However, it has been shown that the impact of consumption and corruption on the VAT gap in Poland is different from that in the EU

PECAM-1 engagement counteracts ICAM-1-induced signaling in brain vascular endothelial cells

Interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells are mediated by a complex set of membrane adhesion molecules which transduce bi-directional signals in both cell types. Endothelium of the cerebral blood vessels, which constitute the blood–brain barrier, strictly controls adhesion and trafficking of leukocytes into the brain. Investigating signaling pathways triggered by the engagement of adhesion molecules expressed on brain endothelial cells, we previously documented the role of ICAM-1 in activation of the tyrosine phosphorylation of several actin-binding proteins and subsequent rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. In the present study, we show that, whereas PECAM-1 is known to control positively the trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes via homophilic interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells, PECAM-1 engagement on brain endothelial surface unexpectedly counteracts the ICAM-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin and rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. We present evidence that the PECAM-1-associated tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 is required for ICAM-1 signaling, suggesting that its activity might crucially contribute to the regulation of ICAM-1 signaling by PECAM-1. Our findings reveal a novel activity for PECAM-1 which, by counteracting ICAM-1-induced activation, could directly contribute to limit activation and maintain integrity of brain vascular endothelium

Uneven Processes of Rural Change – XXVII European Society for Rural Sociology Congress in Cracow

The aim of the article is to present the main issues discussed at the XXVII European Society for Rural Sociology Congress “Uneven Processes of Rural Change”, held on 24–27 July 2017 in Cracow, Poland. Both the title of the Congress and its keynote speakers focused on rural communities and different ways in which they respond to and cope with new social, demographic and economic challenges, depending on their varied potential across rural areas in different parts of Europe. The paper offers a review of the Congress speeches and may therefore serve as a pretext to analyze participants’ interest in rural community resilience and resilience of social systems as part of grassroots processes aimed at dealing with new challenges

Mental resilience and professional burnout among teachers

The article attempts to present the relationship between psychological resilience and professional burnout of primary, secondary and university teachers. The first part introduces the issues of mental resilience and occupational burnout. The study used the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP-26) and the LBQ Questionnaire assessing the level of occupational burnout. The rest of the article presents the results of research in the area of ​​the relationship between mental resilience and its components (personal competences, family relations and social competences) and the burnout syndrome. The teachers showed significant differences in terms of the level of mental resilience and differed in the degree of occupational burnout. A strong correlation was found between mental resilience and teacher burnout. There was no higher degree of burnout among teachers at lower stages of education. University teachers were characterized by a slightly higher degree of occupational burnout. Moreover, it has been shown that family support has a significant relationship in reducing occupational burnout. The conclusions indicate the need to introduce the prevention of burnout among teachers through psychoeducation in the field of skills that make up individual elements of mental resilience and a separate deepening of research among teachers at each level of education.W artykule podjęto próbę przedstawienia zależności między prężnością psychologiczną, a wypaleniem zawodowym nauczycieli szkół podstawowych, ponadpodstawowych oraz uczelni wyższych. W pierwszej części zostały przybliżone zagadnienia prężności psychicznej oraz wypalenia zawodowego. Do przeprowadzenia badania wykorzystano Kwestionariusz Oceny Prężności (KOP-26) i Kwestionariusz LBQ, który ocenia poziom wypalenia zawodowego.  Dalsza część artykułu przedstawia wyniki badań w obszarze zależności między prężnością psychiczną i jej składowymi (kompetencjami osobistymi, relacjami rodzinnymi oraz kompetencjami społecznymi) a syndromem wypalenia zawodowego. Nauczyciele  wykazali istotne różnice pod względem poziomu prężności psychicznej i  różnili się stopniem wypalenia zawodowego. Wykazano silną korelację pomiędzy prężnością psychiczną a wypaleniem zawodowym nauczycieli. Nie zauważono wyższego stopnia wypalenia zawodowego wśród nauczycieli niższych etapów nauczania.  Nauczyciele uczelni wyższych charakteryzowali się minimalnie wyższym stopniem wypalenia zawodowego. Ponadto wykazano, że wsparcie rodziny ma znaczący związek w niwelowaniu wypalenia zawodowego. We wnioskach wskazano potrzebę wprowadzenia profilaktyki wypalenia zawodowego wśród nauczycieli poprzez psychoedukację w zakresie umiejętności składających się na poszczególne elementy prężności psychicznej oraz pogłębienie badań wśród konkretnej grupy nauczycieli