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Anthropometric, functional and physical activity characteristics of contemporary adult descendants of Upper Silesian immigrants to Texas in the mid-19th century and current residents in Upper Silesia were compared. The sample included 45 residents in Central Texas, 25 women and 20 men, and 36 residents in rural Upper Silesia, 24 women and 12 men, 54-76 years of age. Variables included selected demographic characteristics, anthropometry, estimated body composition, several physiological indicators, strength and functional fitness, and physical activity. Sex-specific MANCOVA and Chi square were used for comparisons. Descendants of Silesian immigrants to Texas were taller, on average, while differences in other anthropometric variables were variable. All residents in Silesia and the majority of descendants of Silesian migrants to Texas were overweight or obese. Differences in hemodynamic and respiratory functions and responses to a 6-minute walk were inconsistent, while none of the fitness variables differed significantly between the samples. Although residents in Upper Silesia were significantly more physically active descendants of Silesians in Texas, >80% of the men and women in both samples scored below the criterion-reference standard for the maintenance of physical independence in the 6-minute walk.

Zofia Ignasiak,1 Malgorzata Radwan-Oczko,2 Krystyna Rozek-Piechura,3 Marta Cholewa,4 Anna Skrzek,5 Tomasz Ignasiak,6 Teresa Slawinska1 1Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland; 2Department of Periodontology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 3Department of Physiotherapy and Occupation Therapy in Internal Diseases, University School of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland; 4DENTARAMA Dentistry Center, Walbrzych, Poland; 5Department of Physiotherapy and Ocupation Therapy in Motor-System Dysfunction, University School of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland; 6Karkonosze State Higher School in Jelenia Gora, Jelenia Gora, Poland Objective: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and tooth loss in conjunction with periodontal disease is not clear. The suggested effects include alteration in bone remodeling rates as well as the multifaceted etiology of edentulism. There is also a question if other body-related variables besides BMD, such as body composition, may be associated with tooth number and general periodontal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate if tooth number and marginal periodontal status are associated with body composition and BMD in a sample of elderly women. Materials and methods: The study involved 91 postmenopausal women. Data included basic anthropometric characteristics, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis, and BMD analysis at the distal end of the radial bone of the nondominant arm via peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A dental examination was performed to assess tooth number, periodontal pocket depth (PD), and gingival bleeding. Results: In nonosteoporotic women, a significant positive correlation was found between BMD and lean body mass, total body water, and muscle mass. The indicators of bone metabolism correlated negatively with PD. Such relationships did not appear in osteoporotic women. In both groups, basic anthropometric characteristics and body composition were significantly and positively correlated with PD and bleeding on probing. Conclusion: The results suggest that body composition and BMD are not significantly correlated with tooth number and gingival bleeding. Keywords: tooth number, bone mineral density, fat mass, lean body mass

Falls may occur in each ontogenesis phase, but they become more frequent in the elderly and lead to serious health consequences. Dynamic changes in senior citizens’ environment and lifestyle makes studies of risk for falls necessary. To determine the relationship between the risk for falls and the objective functional and structural examination in the elderly living in Poland. The research consisted of 196 females and 61 males aged 60-88 recruited from health clinics, senior citizen centers and Universities of the Third Age between 2009-2012. Following parameters were collected: functional physical tests “30 second Chair Stand Test” and Timed Up and Go Test”, the flexor muscles and knee extensors force, the bone mineral density was measured in distal radius of the forearm with the EXA - 3000, the total risk for fall assessed by 5 tests by abbreviated version of Fallscreen test. Multiple linear regression and linear correlation were used for assessment of relationship with total estimated risk for fall and other parameters. The subjects displayed significant dimorphic differences within the range of the functional parameters and bone mineral density to the advantage of males. Only in women results revealed a significant link between the risk for falls and the dynamic balance, as well as the maximum quadricep muscle force equal. Strength of the lower limb muscles seems to be critical for decreasing the risk for fall. Special programs for strengthening this part of the body for older people should be elaborate.

Anna Skrzek,1 Zofia Ignasiak,2 Teresa Sławińska,2 Jarosław Domaradzki,2 Jarosław Fugiel,2 Anna Sebastjan,2 Krystyna Rożek11Faculty of Physiotherapy, 2Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, PolandObjective: To comparatively analyze the rate and magnitude of age-related changes between two groups of elderly women with different lifestyles living in Poland: women attending a University of the Third Age (active lifestyle) and less-active peers not involved in any seniors association.Methods: The study was conducted in 2010–2012. The study design was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee for Scientific Research of the University School of Physical Education. In total, 417 women were recruited. Basic somatic characteristics, body composition, bone mineral density, physical fitness, respiratory function, postural stability, and body posture were measured. Regression analysis and Student’s t-tests for independent samples were calculated.Results and conclusion: The best results among the tests assessing functional biological markers of health were found in the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age. The rate of change was larger in the group of seniors leading a less-active lifestyle, indicating the important role of a preventive gerontological approach and the participation of seniors in programs that accentuate the need for physical activity. Keywords: age-related changes, bone mineral density, markers of health, lifestyle, elderly women

Study aim: the aim of the study was to observe the dynamics of changes in postural symmetry in infants during the first year of life, undergoing a therapy using the NDT-Bobath method.

Purpose The main objective of the study was to evaluate the correlations between fine movements of the hand, the tissue composition of the upper limb, and the occurrence of frailty syndrome in elderly people in the Polish population. Methods The study included 998 individuals living alone aged 60 to 87 years. Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements were taken, tests of motor skills of the upper limbs and functional efficiency were performed, and the phenotype of physical weakness was assessed. Results Participants identified as pre-frailty were observed to score less favourably in motor skills tests compared to other participants. The significance of the differences between the males and females was confirmed for most tests of precision, coordination, and speed of the upper limbs, in addition to the number of aiming errors. A correlation was observed between reduced fine movements of the hand and age, reduced functional efficiency, and low muscle mass of the upper limbs. Of all the included hand motor tests, only hand tremor scores in the stability test did not affect the risk of pre-frailty. Conclusions The study showed a significant, positive correlation between the fine movements of the hand, mainly with the weight and strength of the muscles of the upper limb, and negative in the case of the risk of frailty syndrome. It is advisable to focus on programs to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity, which translates into health and quality of life.

We report the fabrication and characterization of a plasmonic metasurface comprising electrically-contacted sub-wavelength gold dipole nanoantennas, conformally coated by a thin hafnia film, an indium tin oxide layer and a backside mirror, forming metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitors, for use as an electrically-tunable reflectarray or metasurface. By voltage biasing the nanoantennas through metallic connectors and leveraging the carrier refraction effect in the MOS capacitors, our measurements demonstrate phase control in reflection over a range of about 30°, with a constant magnitude of reflection coefficient of 0.5, and the absence of secondary lobes. Comprehensive electromagnetic and quantum carrier models of the structure are developed and are in excellent agreement with the measurements. The metasurface holds promise for use as an optical phased array.

Purpose Regular physical activity is recommended by the WHO for women in the perinatal period as one of the basic factors determining the physiological course of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The study aimed to identify the relationship between regular physical training of pregnant women, carried out in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and postural stability during the perinatal period. Methods 58 women in the first trimester of pregnancy took part in the study and were divided into two groups according to their own choice. The exercise group participated in physical training three times a week during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The non-exercise group did not engage in additional physical activity. All subjects underwent three postural stability tests using a stabilograph. Results In assessing posture stability parameters, significant differences were found only in body coordination in the active group of women. The exercise group showed statistically significantly lower values of the stabilogram parameters (better postural stability) obtained postpartum compared to those taken during pregnancy. There were no significant differences between the results taken during pregnancy. In the group of non-exercising women, no significant differences were observed between the second measurement during pregnancy and the measurement made postpartum. Conclusions It has been shown that physical activity has a significant impact on improving the coordination of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Women participating in regular physical training were characterised by smaller stabilogram deflections and better postural control compared to the control group.

Abstract During the world energy transformation, using some vegetable oils as fuel enables the production of clean and inexpensive energy with the application of the well-known technology of the CI engine. The common rail (CR) fuel system gives many opportunities related to creating an air–fuel mixture and its efficient combustion. Can the system dedicated to diesel oil be used to inject vegetable oil and control its combustion effectively? This paper presents some results of the application of the injection strategy for raw Camelina sativa (CS) oil fueling. The test was conducted on the AVL single-cylinder CI engine equipped with a CR system for engine speed n = 1500 rpm and different excess air coefficients (1.1

Purpose – This article aims to review critical thinking (CT) as a future skill in business. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed two research methods: science mapping analysis based on bibliometric keyword co-occurrence data and systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines. The application of two distinctive research methods meant that we could obtain a broad picture thematic overview as well as a detailed, fine-grained insight into the content of CT business research. Findings – Research in CT in business studies is dominated by themes related to education, university and learning that far outweigh CT business application, which focuses on three research axes. These are specific business functions (e.g. accounting, marketing, human resources and identifying business opportunities), certain skills used in business (e.g. decision-making and creativity) and other business-related topics (including ethics, stakeholder relations and individual employee performance). Practical implications – The article identifies new research gaps related to the link between CT and business performance, a firm’s ability to innovate and company characteristics. Moreover, the article highlights that CT positively influences business decision-making under the influence of cognitive biases and heuristics. Originality/value – The article provides the first literature review on CT in business research. It uses a novel method of science mapping analysis to show unbiased algorithmic-based insight into the structure of the research, followed by a systematic literature review.

The wafer-scale fabrication of deep channel microfluidics for lab-on-a-chip applications by reactive ion etching and wafer bonding is reported. The microfluidic channels are etched in B-stage bisbenzocyclobutene (BCB) and Cytop with the latter used as a bonding agent. The channels are hermetically sealed between Borofloat glass and Si wafers by wafer bonding. Fluidic coupling is achieved in the plane of the channels via inlets and outlets that are revealed on the end facets of chips after dicing. Process techniques and details are reported for uniform coating and curing of BCB and Cytop, defining the channels with high accuracy using photolithography, dry etching the polymers using a hard mask, and sealing the channels by wafer bonding. Fluidic measurements are carried out at various flow rates and compared with modeling. The low Reynold's numbers of the channels ensure laminar flow conditions. Deep fluidic channels are less difficult to align to fluidic interfaces, they support higher flow rates and are less susceptible to clogging. In-plane fluidic coupling precludes the need to etch holes through the substrate. Our wafer-scale process was applied to 4 in. diameter wafers yielding 195 precision-aligned and hermetically sealed microfluidic chips, but is readily scalable to larger diameter wafers for volume production.

We introduce the first dataset of harmful and offensive language collected from the Polish Internet. This dataset was meticulously curated to facilitate the exploration of harmful online phenomena such as cyberbullying and hate speech, which have exhibited a significant surge both within the Polish Internet as well as globally. The dataset was systematically collected and then annotated using two approaches. First, it was annotated by two proficient layperson volunteers, operating under the guidance of a specialist in the language of cyberbullying and hate speech. To enhance the precision of the annotations, a secondary round of annotations was carried out by a team of adept annotators with specialized long-term expertise in cyberbullying and hate speech annotations. This second phase was further overseen by an experienced annotator, acting as a super-annotator. In its initial application, the dataset was leveraged for the categorization of cyberbullying instances in the Polish language. Specifically, the dataset serves as the foundation for two distinct tasks: (1) a binary classification that segregates harmful and non-harmful messages and (2) a multi-class classification that distinguishes between two variations of harmful content (cyberbullying and hate speech), as well as a non-harmful category. Alongside the dataset itself, we also provide the models that showed satisfying classification performance. These models are made accessible for third-party use in constructing cyberbullying prevention systems.

Background: Neck pain (NP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, especially among individuals with sedentary occupations. The interplay between cervical and thoracic spine mobility is hypothesized to contribute significantly to NP severity, yet this relationship requires further exploration. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 179 young white-collar workers with NP lasting for at least six weeks. Participants were stratified into mild (n = 78) and moderate (n = 101) pain groups based on their scores on the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). Cervical and thoracic range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane was measured using inclinometers. NP severity was further assessed using the NPQ and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between cervical and thoracic ROM and NP severity. Results: Thoracic ROM was higher in the mild pain group (median: 47.35, IQR: 10.13) than in the moderate pain group (median: 42.10, IQR: 13.60; p < 0.001). The NDI had a negative correlation with thoracic ROM (r = −0.65; p < 0.05) and a positive correlation with cervical ROM (r = 0.84; p < 0.01). Additionally, thoracic ROM mediated the effect of cervical ROM on NP, particularly influencing NDI scores (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study found a significant association between reduced thoracic ROM and increased NP severity, highlighting the role of thoracic spine mobility in NP among young white-collar workers. Targeted interventions for thoracic dysfunction may reduce compensatory cervical strain and improve NP management, suggesting that thoracic spine assessments should be integrated into routine clinical evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Builder (1896-0642) is the property of PWB MEDIA Zdzieblowski sp.j. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Subject: The level of physical activity in the lifestyle of physical education students Introduction: Physical activity is defined as voluntary and spontaneous physical activity practiced during leisure time. Thanks to it, the body can function properly and develop on many levels. It plays an important role in social and physical development, as well as intellectual and emotional development. It finds its place in the fight against civilization diseases, it is also beneficial in resisting many other diseases. Aim: The aim of the article is to assess the level of physical activity of physical education students of various specializations. Material and methods: The research was conducted among students of physical education at the University of Rzeszów. 60 people took part in them - 38 women and 22 men aged 19-30. The respondents answered anonymously to 18 closed, single-choice questions. Results: The majority of students are engaged in physical activity outside a college, and 65% of it is at amateur level activity. The most common reason why respondents take up physical activity is to improve the functional fitness of the body. 58% of the respondents undertook physical activity more than 3 times a week. Conclusions: Most of the respondents do physical activity outside of their studies. The most common reason for taking up physical activity among the respondents was the improvement of the functional fitness of the body, and the factors influencing the fact that students are physically active were to the greatest extent sports activities Key words: physical activity; lifestyle; physical education; student.

Copyright of Business Administration Quarterly / Kwartalnik Nauk o Przedsiebiorstwie is the property of SGH Warsaw School of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to position self-employment within an entrepreneurship paradigm. The authors create a structured approach to the existing concepts and definitions of entrepreneurship and self-employment, as well as interrelations between them. The text proposes a framework to analyze these two phenomena by establishing their categorization. Methodology: An in-depth critical review of selected literature of the classical and contemporary entrepreneurship theories and definitions in the context of self-employment. Findings: The main results of the study show major discrepancies between existing definitions and approaches in entrepreneurship and self-employment theories and the official EU definitions. Practical implications: The findings offer a starting point for quantitative, methodologically sound, comparative studies on entrepreneurship and self-employment and their role in the contemporary labor market. The proposed categorization structures current terminological chaos and standardizes the terms and tools used in labor market statistics. Originality: The article comprises a set of notions related to the concept of both entrepreneurship and self-employment. The text positions self-employment within an entrepreneurship paradigm and offers new arguments in the discussion on their similarities and differences. The summary offers an original idea that confronts self-employment forms with selected entrepreneurship characteristics.