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Socially responsible investments are a significant element of the global capital market and are becoming increasingly important also in the eyes of Polish investors. ESG ratings are a crucial decisive criterion, as they provide information on the corporate governance (G), and social (S) and environmental (E) activities, of companies. Even though the abovementioned areas differ significantly, the use of ESG ratings by investors is often narrowed down to the total ESG score. Additionally, the literature does not provide unambiguous results on whether the impact of total score as well as the individual pillars of E, S and G on the accounting-based financial performance of companies is statistically significant, and positive or negative. Sparse academic studies concentrate mainly on highly developed markets and accounting-based measures of profitability, leaving aside emerging markets, like Poland, and the other main characteristics of financial performance, like liquidity, efficiency, or leverage. The aim of this paper is therefore to fill the above gap by identifying the dependence of ratings in E, S and G areas and the accounting-based financial performance of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Selected financial parameters and company quotations were taken from the Notoria Serwis SA database, while data on ESG ratings from Refinitiv Eikon were used to perform correlation analysis. The analysis covers the years 2013–2022. The findings indicate a significant positive bi-directional impact of corporate governance (G) and efficiency, as well as of controversies score and efficiency. A linkage has also been revealed between controversies score and profitability. However, the hypothesis of an unequivocally positive impact of ESG factors on financial results, or conversely of financial results on ESG aspects, should be rejected., Socially responsible investments are a significant element of the global capital market and are becoming increasingly important also in the eyes of Polish investors. ESG ratings are a crucial decisive criterion, as they provide information on the corporate governance (G), and social (S) and environmental (E) activities, of companies. Even though the abovementioned areas differ significantly, the use of ESG ratings by investors is often narrowed down to the total ESG score. Additionally, the literature does not provide unambiguous results on whether the impact of total score as well as the individual pillars of E, S and G on the accounting-based financial performance of companies is statistically significant, and positive or negative. Sparse academic studies concentrate mainly on highly developed markets and accounting-based measures of profitability, leaving aside emerging markets, like Poland, and the other main characteristics of financial performance, like liquidity, efficiency, or leverage. The aim of this paper is therefore to fill the above gap by identifying the dependence of ratings in E, S and G areas and the accounting-based financial performance of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Selected financial parameters and company quotations were taken from the Notoria Serwis SA database, while data on ESG ratings from Refinitiv Eikon were used to perform correlation analysis. The analysis covers the years 2013–2022. The findings indicate a significant positive bi-directional impact of corporate governance (G) and efficiency, as well as of controversies score and efficiency. A linkage has also been revealed between controversies score and profitability. However, the hypothesis of an unequivocally positive impact of ESG factors on financial results, or conversely of financial results on ESG aspects, should be rejected.

The readiness to sacrifice profit while making socially responsible investments among millennials, as future investors and managers, was examined. Specifically, a multi-level perspective on willingness to pay for socially responsible investment was assumed to understand how nationality, personal values and investment knowledge affect millennials’ readiness to sacrifice profit to achieve sustainability goals. Using survey data of 521 business students from Italy, Poland and Ukraine, it is showed that a considerable share of millennials prefer social and environmental performance of investment over financial return and that their nationality is the most powerful factor in explaining willingness to pay for socially responsible investment along with their sensitivity to environmental issues that takes the leading role among all personal values motivating investors to accept lower rates of return. The results can be relevant for financial institutions aiming at developing socially responsible investment products. Policy implications of the results are insights into nationality-related tensions while Europe-wide regulation of socially responsible investment could enter into force.

Ausgabe 1 der Online-Zeitschrift Textdynamiken

Im Januar 2021 startete eine neue Germanistische Institutspartnerschaft (GIP) zwischen den Instituten für Germanistik der Universität Leipzig und der Universität Krakau. Unter dem Querschnittsthema „Textdynamiken“ werden die Ältere deutsche Literatur, die Neuere deutsche Literatur und die Sprachwissenschaft gemeinsame Lehr- und Forschungs-Projekte umsetzen, um beide Institute darüber ins Gespräch zu bringen. „Textdynamiken“ bezeichnet dabei ein bewusst breites Untersuchungsfeld, das alle Teilfächer der Germanistik betrifft.

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: Establishing the sequence in which risk factors for eating disorders (ED) emerge would enable more effective ED prevention. Thus, in our study we investigated reciprocal and indirect associations between three cognitive and behavioral ED determinants (appearance orientation, appearance worries, and dieting) emphasized in the transdiagnostic model of ED. Methods: Data were collected in a non-clinical group of adolescents at Time 1 (T1),and then 2-months (Time 2, T2) and 13-months later(Time 3, T3). Participants (N=1260) aged 13-19 completed a questionnaire encompassing their nutrition behaviors, beliefs about appearance, health and well-being. Weight and height were measured objectively. Results: Higher levels of appearance orientation (T1) were associated with higher levels of appearance worries (T2) which in turn predicted dieting (T3). Dieting (T1) predicted higher levels of appearance orientation (T2) which in turn predicted higher levels of appearance worries (T3). Higher levels of appearance worries (T1) were associated with higher levels of appearance orientation (T2) which in turn predicted dieting (T3). Also, higher levels of appearance worries (T1) were associated with dieting (T2), and higher levels of appearance orientation (T3). Conclusions: The three transdiagnostic model variables formed a vicious cycle. Therefore, higher levels of one of ED determinants (appearance orientation, appearance worries or dieting) increase the likelihood of the elevated levels of two other ED determinants at follow-ups and thus enhances the risk for ED.

The simulacre lightness of being – aestheticization in documentary photographyThe starting point for analyzing aestheticization processes in contemporary documentary photography in this text are both the “poetic” images of lightness in literature and culture analyzed in a lecture by Italo Calvino (Six Memos for the Next Millennium) and the critical thought of Wolfgang Welsch on intentional aestheticization processes in the real world. According to Welsch, these processes, through specific procedures of “lavishing lightness”, cease to be a binding image of the world and become part of a culture game (Grenzgange der Asthetik). Examples selected for analysis include award-winning documentary photography, including war photography, represented by the work of Georges Merillon, Sebastiao Salgado, Luc Delahaye, Simon Norfolk and Tim Hetherington. These ‘aestheticization procedures’ are outlined in this text in the context of the history of photography perceived as its “struggle” for a place in the history of art, as well as in the context of the theoretical considerations which accompany these processes., The simulacre lightness of being – aestheticization in documentary photographyThe starting point for analyzing aestheticization processes in contemporary documentary photography in this text are both the “poetic” images of lightness in literature and culture analyzed in a lecture by Italo Calvino (Six Memos for the Next Millennium) and the critical thought of Wolfgang Welsch on intentional aestheticization processes in the real world. According to Welsch, these processes, through specific procedures of “lavishing lightness”, cease to be a binding image of the world and become part of a culture game (Grenzgange der Asthetik). Examples selected for analysis include award-winning documentary photography, including war photography, represented by the work of Georges Merillon, Sebastiao Salgado, Luc Delahaye, Simon Norfolk and Tim Hetherington. These ‘aestheticization procedures’ are outlined in this text in the context of the history of photography perceived as its “struggle” for a place in the history of art, as well as in the context of the theoretical considerations which accompany these processes.

Objective: An investigation of the interplay between various types of adolescents’ perceptions of weight status in predicting adolescents’ nutrition behavior and their body mass was conducted. In particular, it was hypothesized that the relationship between parental and peers’ perceptions of their own weight status (reported by adolescents) and objectively measured weight status of adolescents would be mediated by three types of adolescents’ weight status perceptions (adolescents’ own weight perceptions, parental perceptions of adolescents’ weight status perceived by participants, and peers’ perceptions of adolescents’ weight status perceived by participants) and by adolescents’ nutrition behaviors. Design: Data were collected twice, with a 13-month follow-up. Participants (N = 1096) were aged 14–20, with BMI ranging from 16.20 to 41.21. Multiple mediation analysis with two sequential mediators was applied. Main outcome measures: At the baseline adolescents completed the questionnaire assessing their nutrition behaviors and weight status perceptions. Weight and height were measured objectively at baseline and follow-up. Results: Two types of weight perceptions (adolescents’ own weight status perceptions, peers’ perceptions of adolescents’ weight status reported by participants), and adolescents’ nutrition behaviors mediated the relationship between the others’ own weight perceptions and adolescents’ weight status. No indirect effects of others’ own weight perceptions on adolescents’ weight status through parental perceptions were found. Conclusion: Adolescents’ nutrition behaviors and body weight status depend on what they think about their own weight status and what they think of their peers’ perceptions, but do not depend on what adolescents think of their parents’ perceptions.

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Objective: This study investigated whether the relationships between perceived parental behaviors (dietary behaviors, physical activity, and verbal pressure) and changes in adolescents' body mass index (BMI) were mediated by adolescents' physical activity and dietary behaviors. The associations were tested among overweight and obese adolescents. Design: Longitudinal data were collected three times, with a 2-month interval between Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), and a 13-month interval between T2 and Time 3 (T3) in the group of adolescents (. N = 100) aged 13-19. There was no experimental manipulation. Mediation analyses with two sequential mediators were conducted. Main measures: Participants completed the questionnaires assessing their dietary behaviors, physical activity (mediators), perceived parental behaviors, and verbal pressure (independent variables). Adolescents' weight and height were measured objectively (with BMI constituting the outcome variable). Results: Adolescents who perceived that their parents engaged in a healthy diet and frequent physical activity (T1) self-reported a healthier diet (T2 and T3), higher levels of physical activity (T2 and T3), and their combined index of healthy lifestyle was higher (T2 and T3). In turn, adolescents' behaviors (T2 and T3) were related to lower BMI (T3). Perceived behaviors of parents had a significant, indirect effect on a BMI reduction. There were no effects of the perceived parental verbal pressure (T1) through adolescents' behaviors (T2) on adolescents' BMI (T3). Conclusion: Perceived parental modeling of healthy diet and frequent physical activity, but not verbal pressure, predicted adolescents' behaviors (diet, physical activity, and a combined lifestyle index) and, in turn, a reduction in their BMI. The role of parents' health behaviors (diet and physical activity) should be taken into account when considering adolescents' overweight and obesity prevention and treatment programs.

The text is an attempt to analyze the evolution of aesthetic forms and motifs discussed on the example of the so-called “great figure” The Last Supper – the starting point for the analysis of the motif is the photography of David La Chapelle of the series: Jesus is my homeboy. Significant here is the context theory of parody by Linda Hutcheon – understood as a central point overview of contemporary art – a phenomenon combining fidelity to tradition and contemporary ideas of creative freedom, to express, among others, in need of confrontation with the ‘classic’ conventions – encroaching and deconstructive also in our contemporary pop-cultural processes of “image-consumption”., The text is an attempt to analyze the evolution of aesthetic forms and motifs discussed on the example of the so-called “great figure” The Last Supper – the starting point for the analysis of the motif is the photography of David La Chapelle of the series: Jesus is my homeboy. Significant here is the context theory of parody by Linda Hutcheon – understood as a central point overview of contemporary art – a phenomenon combining fidelity to tradition and contemporary ideas of creative freedom, to express, among others, in need of confrontation with the ‘classic’ conventions – encroaching and deconstructive also in our contemporary pop-cultural processes of “image-consumption”.

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The pollen–stigma interaction plays an important role in reproductive process and has been continuously studied in many interspecific and intergeneric crossing experiments. The aim of this study was to investigate stigma receptivity (SR) of willow in order to determine the most suitable period for its pollination with poplar pollen and improve the effectiveness of Salix × Populus crosses. Tissue samples were examined histologically using light, epifluorescent, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Willow SR was determined by stigma morphological traits, test of pollen germination rate, Peroxtesmo test of peroxidase and esterase activity on stigma surface as well as papilla ultrastructure at anthesis. We have ascertained that the SR duration in willow is short, lasting from 1 to 2 DA. The poplar pollen germination rate on willow stigmas on 1 DA ranged from 26.3 to 11.2%.