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While the video gaming training may enhance visual working memory (VWM), at the same time VWM is a key cognitive function in effective video gaming. In our study we examined the relationship between EEG data obtained during the visual working memory task and a real-time strategy (RTS) video game performance. The training lasted 30 hour, during which participants played StarCraft II, in either a fixed (FEG) or variable environment (VEG) training model, which were made to explore the role of a training complexity as an important factor. An EEG measurement took place before and after the training while performing a visual working memory task. Initial (pre-training) posterior alpha and frontal midline theta power have been specified as predictors of players' in-game advancement. Using a logistic regression model we determined telemetric variables predictive of game output. It turned out that both oscillatory bands were predictive of values of the four of the previously determined telemetric variables, but only in the FEG. Moreover we have seen differences between FEG and VEG in telemetry as well as in the neurophysiological data. Our results show how important is the complexity of the training regimen for observing the predictive power of VWM’s EEG oscillatory indicators.

Visual working memory (VWM) is the ability to actively maintain visual information over short periods of time and is strongly related to global fluid intelligence and overall cognitive ability. In our study, we used two indices of visual working memory capacity: the behavioral estimate of capacity (K) and contralateral delay activity (CDA) in order to check whether training in a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) video game StarCraft II can influence the VWM capacity measured by the change detection task. We also asked a question whether individual differences in behavioral and psychophysiological indices of VWM can predict the effectiveness of video game training. Sixty-two participants (non-players) were recruited to the experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to either experimental (Variable environment), active control (Fixed environment), and passive control groups. Experimental and active control groups differed in the type of training received. Training consisted of 30 h of playing the StarCraft II game. Participants took part in two EEG sessions (pre- and post-training) during which they performed the VWM task. Our results showed that working memory capacity (K calculated according to Pashler’s formula) increases after training in both experimental groups, but not in a control group. We have also found a correlation between average visual working memory capacity (calculated as K) and mean CDA amplitude no matter which group we are looking at. And, last but not least, we have found that we can predict the amount of improvement in the RTS video game by looking at the psychophysiological indices (CDA amplitude) recorded at baseline (before training), but only in the experimental group. We think that the strength of the psychophysiological indicator of VWM capacity might be a marker of the future success in video game acquisition.

The impact of action videogame playing on cognitive functioning is the subject of debate among scientists, with many studies showing superior performance of players relative to non-players on a number of cognitive tasks. Moreover, the exact role of individual differences in the observed effects is still largely unknown. In our Event-Related Potential (ERP) study we investigated whether training in a Real Time Strategy (RTS) video game StarCraft II can influence the ability to deploy visual attention measured by the Attentional Blink (AB) task. We also asked whether individual differences in a psychophysiological response in the AB task predict the effectiveness of the video game training. Forty-three participants (non-players) were recruited to the experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to either experimental (Variable environment) or active control (Fixed environment) group, which differed in the type of training received. Training consisted of 30 h of playing the StarCraft II game. Participants took part in two EEG sessions (pre- and post-training) during which they performed the AB task. Our results indicate that both groups improved their performance in the AB task in the post-training session. What is more, in the experimental group the strength of the amplitude of the P300 ERP component (which is related to a conscious visual perception) in the pre training session appeared to be predictive of the level of achievement in the game. In the case of the active control group in-game behaviour appeared to be predictive of a training-related improvement in the AB task. Our results suggest that differences in the neurophysiological response might be treated as a marker of future success in video game acquisition, especially in a more demanding game environment., Attentional blink, Video games, Real-time strategy, Cognitive training, Individual differences, Event-related potentials (ERPs).

We provide a comprehensive list of microorganisms (algae, Archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and Protista) inhabiting cryoconite holes on glaciers throughout the world, giving an updated taxonomy accompanied by geographic coordinates and localities. The list consists of 370 taxa reported from cryoconite holes (mostly from Arctic and Antarctic regions and European Alps). However, most of the taxa were not identified to the species level. Until now only 39 identified species or subspecies of bacteria and Archaea, 11 fungi, 17 cyanobacteria, 62 algae, and 13 Protista are known from cryoconite holes, which are only about 38% of total number of taxa reported from these ephemeral environments. Almost 62% of the taxa were marked ascf.(confer) or were identified only to the genera or even to the higher taxonomic units (such as families or orders). This wide and detailed review assists other scientists to identify the gaps in our knowledge about cryobionts and indicates directions for further zoogeographical and taxonomical studies in this unique freshwater habitat.

Cyanobacteria of a picoplanktonic cell size (0.2 to 2.0 µm) are common organisms of both freshwater and marine ecosystems. However, due to their small size and relatively short study history, picoplanktonic cyanobacteria, in contrast to the microplanktonic cyanobacteria, still remains a poorly studied fraction of plankton. So far, only little information on picocyanobacteria toxicity has been reported, while the number of reports concerning their presence in ecosystems is increasing. Thus, the issue of picocyanobacteria toxicity needs more researchers’ attention and interest. In this report, we present information on the current knowledge concerning the picocyanobacteria toxicity, as well as their harmfulness and problems they can cause.

Domaniów is a small town in the Oławski region in Lower Silesia. After the Second World War a large group of former residents of Usznia, a small village in the Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic, settled down in Domaniów. The author presents the accounts of five people who participated in the relocation process. The memories also include the time of their childhood and teenage years. The interviewees described how they remembered their family village, the most significant events from the time of war (German and Russian occupation), the preparation for relocation and the journey to the West – into the unknown. The accounts also show why Domaniów, which was known as Domajewice at that time, was selected as the settlement place, how it looked and what were the relationships with the Germans who still lived there. The author also describes the culture and traditions brought from the East and how they are continued to this day. The memories were set in a historical context based on the subject literature and archival materials.

In sixteen moss, lichen and mixed (moss/lichen) samples, collected from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, 291 specimens, 48 simplexes, including one exuvium with 6 eggs, and 8 free-laid eggs of eutardigrades were found. In total, 17 species, together with one new to science, were identified (all are new records for the Baltic states): Astatumen bartosi, Diphascon (Adropion) prorsirostre, D. (Diphascon) bullatum, D. (D.) pingue pingue, D. (D.) recamieri, D. (D.) rugosum, Hypsibius convergens, H. dujardini, H. cf. scabropygus, Isohypsibius ronsisvallei, I. sattleri, Macrobiotus harmsworthi harmsworthi, M. hufelandi hufelandi, Milnesium asiaticum, Milnesium tardigradum tardigradum, Minibiotus formosus sp. n. and Paramacrobiotus richtersi. The new species is most similar to Minibiotus gumersindoi, but differs from it mainly by the presence of two types of cuticular pores, the absence of a triangular or pentagonal arrangement of pores above a single large pore on legs, the presence of granulation on all legs and a different macroplacoid length sequence. In this paper we also provide photographs and morphometrics of H. cf. scabropygus.

In this study, stir-bar sorptive extraction and thermal desorption followed by gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry was applied for determination of halo-organic compounds (bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform, and tetrachloroethylene) in water and human urine samples. Time of extraction and stirring speed were optimized. The results show that the optimum extraction time is 30 min with 600 rpm of stirring speed with Twister of 20 mm in length and 1.0-mm film thickness of PDMS (126 microL). The calibration curves, limits of detection and quantification for all compounds were calculated. This procedure is characterized by very low limits of detection and quantitation: lower than 0.0017 microg/L and good repeatability for all four volatile compounds. This new analytical procedure was identified to be easy, reliable, sensitive, and requires only small amounts of sample. It can constitute a good alternative to well-known procedures based on application of head space and gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection.

The analysis of volatile organic compounds in samples of biological fluids characterized by complex matrices is highly challenging. This paper presents a comparison of the results obtained in this field using three solvent-free techniques: thin-layer headspace with autogenous generation of liquid sorbent (TLHS) and membrane separation of the trace substances (pervaporation, PV), both of which are coupled to direct aqueous injection gas chromatography-electron capture detection (TLHS-DAI-GC-ECD and PV-DAI-GC-ECD), as well as conventional static headspace analysis followed by GC analysis with ECD detection (HS-GC-ECD). Basic validation parameters of the HS-GC-ECD, TLHS-DAI-GC-ECD and PV-DAI-GC-ECD procedures were calculated for water and urine samples. The calibration curves for all procedures were linear within the concentration range examined. The intermediate precisions of the procedures were good and reached about 10% (for all analytes) for HS-GC-ECD and TLHS-DAI-GC-ECD. The poorest results were obtained for PV-DAI-GC-ECD: about 20% for all analytes. The lowest method detection limits were obtained for the TLHS-DAI-GC-ECD procedure: below 0.0022 microg/L for all analytes. The enrichment factors did not differ significantly between water and urine samples, indicating little or no matrix effect in all procedures.

A review of the membrane extraction methods used in determination of various organic compounds in liquid environmental matrices and biological fluids is presented. Theory and principles, possibility of combining membrane extraction methods with methods of final determination, and applications are discussed in detail.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents are often used for dry-cleaning clothes in the laun- dry industry. The object of this study was to monitor the occupational exposure of dry-clean employees coming into contact with VOXs. Twenty five workers collected their urine samples before the work shift, after 4 h of work and after the work shift. The analyses of urine sam- ples and solvents used in dry-cleaning were performed using TLHS-DAI-GC-ECD. Chloroform was detected in all urine samples, and dichloromethane and tetrachloroethene in nearly all urine samples collected before and after the work shift. The concentrations of the compounds determined in urine samples were higher at the end of the workday in directly exposed indi- viduals. Concentrations of the compounds determined in urine samples depended mainly on the type of activities carried out at the dry-cleaning establishments.

In this review, the wide spectrum of the techniques of isolation and/or preconcentration and final determination of halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) in water, air, soil, sediment and biological fluids are presented and discussed. The techniques discussed are solvent microextraction, solid phase extraction, gas extraction (static and dynamic techniques), membrane processes and passive sampling. Also, direct techniques, such as direct aqueous injection into gas chromatography (GC) column and membrane inlet mass spectrometry, are presented. Main attention is paid to the practical application of these techniques during all HVOCs determination.

In two moss samples collected from Turkey four tardigrade species, including a species new for science and a new recordfor the country, were found. The new species, Milnesium beasleyi sp. nov., differs from other known species of the gran-ulatum group by having sparsely distributed cuticular depressions (pseudopores) that do not form an apparent reticulum.In addition to the unique cuticular sculpturing, the new species differs from other congeners also by some morphometriccharacters. Macrobiotus reinhardti Michalczyk & Kaczmarek, 2003 is a new record for Turkey and it is also the first re-cord of this species outside its type locality on Cyprus. The new records raise the number of known Turkish water bearspecies to 50. In this paper, we provide a full list of the known Turkish tardigrade species with their localities. Moreover, we present some zoogeographical and taxonomic issues concerning Turkish tardigrades.