Search results for "65"

What Symbionts Teach us about Modularity

2013

The main goal of Synthetic Biology is to apply engineering principles to biotechnology in order to make life easier to engineer. These engineering principles include modularity: decoupling of complex systems into smaller, orthogonal subsystems that can be used in a range of different applications. The successful use of modules in engineering is expected to be reproduced in synthetic biological systems. But the difficulties experienced up to date with synthetic biology approaches question the short-term feasibility of designing life. Considering the “engineerable” nature of life, here we discuss the existence of modularity in natural living systems, particularly in symbiotic interactions, an…

Obsolescence and intervention: on synthetic-biological entities.

2014

Oftentimes, topics that might fall outside of science’s remit seem to end up becoming a part of it, sooner or later. This appears to be the case of synthetic biology, a new biological science (although some maintain that it is a form of engineering, or treat it as such; Endy, 2005), which seems to have become essential to the understanding of living beings and their extreme manipulation. I believe it to be a new form of biology. In truth, synthetic biology has a long history and, conceptually speaking, may well have formed part of the interests and research efforts of our illustrious predecessors throughout the first half of the twentieth century and even earlier. In any event, and broadly …

Activation of Human Osteoblasts via Different Bovine Bone Substitute Materials With and Without Injectable Platelet Rich Fibrin in vitro

2021

IntroductionThe aim of the in vitro study was to compare the effect of four bovine bone substitute materials (XBSM) with and without injectable platelet-reach fibrin for viability and metabolic activity of human osteoblasts (HOB) as well as expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and osteonectin (OCN).Materials and MethodsCerabone® (CB), Bio-Oss® (BO), Creos Xenogain® (CX) and MinerOss® X (MO) ± i-PRF were incubated with HOB. At day 3, 7, and 10, cell viability and metabolic activity as well as expression of ALP, OCN, and BMP-2, was examined.ResultsFor non-i-PRF groups, the highest values concerning viability were seen for CB at all time points. Pre-t…

Corporate Networks and business influence in Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

2021

Objective/Context: This paper explores the relationship between corporate networks and business influence to figure out the conditions of state capture. Methodology: We analyze corporate networks through interlocking directorates in three Central American countries - Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador - using network analysis, and we pinpoint the relationship between the structure of the corporate network and two corporate political actions: contributions to presidential campaigns and revolving doors. Conclusions: Results show corporate networks were fragmented in the three Central American countries, except for a well-connected business cluster in Panama. The organization of business elit…

EU Eastern Partnership and New Challenges for Europe

2014

Trade Union Practices in the EU and Latvia: Experience for Eastern Partnership Countries

2014

Abstract The article will show major dimensions in the experience of EU Member States that could be shared with the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The framework of the study is the EU concept of trade unions in social dialogue and social partnership in the public sector. This study outlines the concept of social dialogue as a core element of industrial relations and will focus on industrial relations specifically in the public sector. The authors have elaborated the approach to industrial relations and social dialogue taking into account comparative approach to definitions provided by international institutions such as ILO and OECD, as well as institutions in the EU and Latvia. Latvia…

A Place-Based Approach in EU Regional Development and Its Application in Latvia

2014

Abstract The EU’s regional development policy is gradually moving from the redaction of regional disparities towards regional development growth. The role and involvement of regional and local authorities in regional development policy is increasing. Global changes and challenges call for a growing need to develop more efficient regional development policy instruments that would result in growth and increased quality> of life. Place-based approach is a strategic approach aimed at the development of territorial resources. The aim of this research is to evaluate the role of place-based approach in regional development, to identify and assess the main elements and opportunities brought …

The EU-Eastern Partnership Countries: Association Agreements and Transdisciplinarity in Studies, Training and Research

2014

Abstract The European Union (EU) signed Association Agreements on 27 June 2014 with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The Association Agreement (AA) is the EU’s main instrument to bring the countries in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) closer to EU standards and norms. For the citizens of the EaP countries to benefit from these agreements, a more in-depth knowledge of the EU and the EU Member States is required to be reflected in a comparative approach to European Union studies. We examine these implications on the need to expand and adapt, the content and approach to research and teaching European Union studies, with the transdisciplinary approach becoming increasingly dominant, …

Dzieje ludności żydowskiej na terenach latyfundium Zamoyskich za czasów linii kanclerskiej (Jan „Sariusz”, Tomasz, Jan „Sobiepan” Zamoyscy). Przyczyn…

2014

Celem artykułu jest omówienie dziejów ludności żydowskiej na terenach należących do rodziny Zamoyskich w okresie od drugiej połowy XVI do drugiej połowy XVII wieku, w kresie rządów założyciela ordynacji Jana „Sariusza” Zamoyskiego (1542 – 1605), jego syna Tomasza Zamoyskiego (1594 – 1638) oraz wnuka Jana „Sobiepana” Zamoyskiego (1627 – 1665), ostatniego ordynata z tzw. linii starszej, zwanej też „kanclerską”. Zostały w nim omówione warunki polityczne, jakie towarzyszyły osiedlaniu się Żydów w latyfundium Zamoyskich (w szczególności w większych ośrodkach miejskich: Zamościu, Szczebrzeszynie, Tomaszowie, Kraśniku oraz Tarnogrodzie) oraz aspekty społeczne, kulturowe i gospodarcze ich funkcjono…

Patient’s Cross-border Mobility Directive: Application, Performance and Perceptions Two Years after Transposition

2016

Abstract This paper seeks to analyse the directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. Two years after the transposition, it is time for first evaluations of its application, performance and perception. The analysis consists of three major elements: reconstruction of the legal scope and subject matter of the new legislation, conclusions of the evaluative reports monitoring its implementation and performance as well as the public opinion polls revealing the EU citizens’ perception of its details. These three components combined together deliver a picture of the state of play about the pan-European cross-border patients’ mobility. The bottomline conclusions nega…