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3,4-Methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic substance commonly known as ecstasy, is a worldwide recreational drug of abuse. As MDMA and nicotine activate the same neuronal pathways, we examined the influence of co-administration of nicotine (0.05 mg/kg) and MDMA (1 mg/kg) on cognitive processes, nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization and on processes linked with oxidative stress and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expression in the brain of male Swiss mice. For behavioral study the passive avoidance (PA) test and locomotor sensitization paradigm were used. Also, the oxidative stress parameters as well as expression levels of α7 nAChRs in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice treated with MDMA alone or in combination with nicotine were assessed. The results revealed that MDMA injections as well as co-administrations of MDMA and nicotine improved memory consolidation in male Swiss mice tested in PA task. Furthermore, one of the main findings of the present study is that MDMA increased locomotor activity in nicotine-sensitized mice. Our study showed for the first time strong behavioral and biochemical interactions between nicotine and MDMA. Both drugs are very often used in combination, especially by young people, thus these results may help explaining why psychoactive substances are being co-abused and why this polydrug administration is still a social problem.

This article describes the processes of degradation of five engine oils belonging to the same SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) viscosity class but launched by different manufacturers. The direction and intensity of changes in the total acid number have been analyzed. As part of the experiment, the changes in engine oils occurring during operation have been examined. The operating conditions throughout the test can be described as “severe,” that is, frequent starting of the engine, short distance driving, and extended engine idling. All engine oils were operated in passenger cars of a uniform fleet of 25 vehicles. The total acid number was determined in accordance with the ASTM D664. The obtained results have led to the development of a statistical model enabling to calculate average predictive values of the total acid number for a given mileage. The results may facilitate decision-making regarding the service life of engine oils.

Persistent genus β-HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is a major co-factor for non-melanoma skin cancer in patients suffering from the inherited skin disease epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Malignant EV lesions are particularly associated with HPV type 5 or 8. There is clinical and molecular evidence that HPV8 actively suppresses epithelial immunosurveillance by interfering with the recruitment of Langerhans cells, which may favor viral persistence. Mechanisms how persistent HPV8 infection promotes the carcinogenic process are, however, less well understood. In various tumor types chronic inflammation has a central role in tumor progression. The calprotectin complex consisting of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins has recently been identified as key driver of chronic and tumor promoting inflammation in skin carcinogenesis. It induces chemotaxis of neutrophil granulocytes and modulates inflammatory as well as immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate that skin lesions of EV-patients are massively infiltrated by inflammatory cells, including CD15+ granulocytes. At the same time we observed a very strong expression of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins in lesional keratinocytes, which was mostly confined to the suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Both proteins were hardly detected in non-lesional skin. Further experiments revealed that the HPV8 oncoproteins E6 and E7 were not involved in S100A8/A9 up-regulation. They rather suppressed differentiation-induced S100A8/A9 expression. In contrast, the viral transcription factor E2 strongly enhanced PMA-mediated S100A8/A9 up-regulation in primary human keratinocytes. Similarly, a tremendous up-regulation of both S100 proteins was observed, when minute amounts of the PMA-inducible CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), which is expressed at low levels in the suprabasal layers of the epidermis, were co-expressed together with HPV8 E2. This confirmed our previous observation that C/EBPβ interacts and functionally synergizes with the HPV8 E2 protein in differentiation-dependent gene expression. Potent synergistic up-regulation of S100A8/A9 was seen at transcriptional and protein levels. S100A8/A9 containing supernatants from keratinocytes co-expressing HPV8 E2 and C/EBPβ significantly induced chemotaxis of granulocytes in migration assays supporting the relevance of our finding. In conclusion, our data suggest that the HPV8 E2 protein actively contributes to the recruitment of myeloid cells into EV skin lesions, which may support chronic inflammation and progression to skin cancer.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening disorder of liver function. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan metabolite formed along the kynurenine metabolic pathway, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its presence in food and its potential role in the digestive system was recently reported. The aim of this study was to define the effect of KYNA on liver failure. The Wistar rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver injury was used. Morphological and biochemical analyses as well as the measurement of KYNA content in liver and hepatoprotective herbal remedies were conducted. The significant attenuation of morphological disturbances and aspartate and alanine transaminase activities, decrease of myeloperoxidase and tumor necrosis factor-α, and elevation of interleukin-10 levels indicating the protective effect of KYNA in thioacetamide (TAA) - induced liver injury were discovered. In conclusion, the hepatoprotective role of KYNA in an animal model of liver failure was documented and the use of KYNA in the treatment of ALF was suggested.

The paper describes the current method of reactive energy billing in the tariffs of distribution grid operators in Poland. The current solutions are subject to critical assessment. Issues related to the motivation effect of the current solutions on consumers are analysed. Problems that occur in relation with connecting distributed generators to the distribution grid and challenges related to prosumer billing are indicated.

The phenomenon of deterioration of the quality of sperm in Poland and Ukraine has not been unequivocally evidenced by scientific research. Spermiogramms of males reporting for the first time to infertility treatment centres in both countries were examined, and trends in changes of selected sperm parameters analyzed during the period of study. Analyses covered the spermiograms of 6,278 men living in the examined regions for at least 3 years. It was found that mean sperm concentration of patients in the Lublin and the Lvov regions did not differ, but the total mean number of spermatozoa produced by Poles was higher than in Ukrainians. The quality of semen with respect to motility and sperm morphology was better in Ukrainian than Polish patients. Despite differences concerning concentration, the amount of sperm produced and percentage of spermatozoa showing progressive motility which occurred between individual years, no clear tendency was observed towards change of these parameters in a specified direction in both countries during the years examined. Among men examined in the Lublin Region, a tendency was noted towards decrease in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in the ejaculate, while among patients from the Lvov Region an opposite tendency was observed.

Wyszyński A. Wyniki ekonomiczne klubów sportowych o statusie pożytku publicznego w Polsce = Economic performance of sports clubs charitable status in Poland. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(11):466-480. eISSN 2391-8306. DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.35676 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%2811%29%3A466-480 http://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/684701 Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Original Text published © The Author (s) 2015. Wyszyński A. Wyniki ekonomiczne klubów sportowych o statusie pożytku publicznego w Polsce. Quality in Sport. 2015;1(1):7-20. eISSN 2450-3118. http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/QiS/article/view/QUALITY%20IN%20SPORT%201%20%281%29%202015%2C%20s.%207-20 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 755 (23.12.2015). 755 Journal of Education, Health and Sport (null) 2391-8306 7 © The Author (s) 2015; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 15.11.2015. Revised 20.11.2015. Accepted: 30.11.2015. Artur Wyszyński[1] Katedra Finansów i Bankowości, Wydział Nauk Ekonomicznych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie Wyniki ekonomiczne klubów sportowych o statusie pożytku publicznego w Polsce Economic performance of sports clubs charitable status in Poland Streszczenie Głównym celem artykułu jest ocena kondycji i wyników finansowych polskich klubów piłkarskich mających status organizacji pożytku publicznego (OPP). Analizę przeprowadzono dla klubów, które rozgrywały mecze w sezonie 2013/2014 w rozgrywkach męskiej piłki nożnej na wszystkich szczeblach rozgrywek oprócz najwyższej tj. Ekstraklasy (brak klubów mających status OPP) na szczeblach: I, II, III, IV ligi oraz klasy okręgowej, A, B i C. Wszystkie kluby poddane analizie funkcjonują jako stowarzyszenia. Na podstawie przeprowadzonej analizy wynika, że kluby znajdują się w złej sytuacji finansowej. Większość klubów, niezależnie od poziomu klasy w jakiej rozgrywały mecze charakteryzowały się niską wartością zasobów majątkowych. Średnie zadłużenie było bliskie 100%. W rezultacie blisko jedna trzecia klubów wykazała ujemną wartość kapitału własnego. U blisko połowy klubów obserwowano ujemną wartość rentowności majątku ogółem oraz rentowności sprzedaży. W strukturze przychodów podstawowym źródłem są środki publiczne. Do innych źródeł przychodów klubów zaliczono środki prywatne, pozostałe oraz przychody z 1% podatku od osób fizycznych. Słowa kluczowe: klub sportowy, analiza finansowa, przychody klubów piłkarskich Abstract The main aim of this article is to assess the financial condition and results of Polish football clubs who have the status of public benefit organizations (OPP). The analysis was conducted for clubs that were played matches in the 2013/2014 season in the men's football tournament at all levels except the highest such competitions. Ekstraklasa (no clubs having the status OPP) for levels I, II, III, IV league and class district, A , B and C. All the clubs analyzed as a function of the association. The analysis shows that clubs are in a bad financial situation. Most clubs, regardless of the grade level in which the matches were played were characterized by a low value of wealth. Average debt was close to 100%. As a result, nearly one-third of the clubs showed a negative equity value. About half of the clubs observed a negative value total return on assets and return on sales. In the structure of revenues are the primary source of public funds. Other sources of income included clubs, private funds, other and income from the 1% tax on individuals. Key words: club sports, financial analysis, income football clubs [1] e-mail artur.wyszynski@uwm.edu.pl

The objective of the study was determination of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood and placental tissues of pregnant women with pregnancy complicated by diabetes, pregnant women with physiological pregnancy, and non-pregnant women, as well as a comparative analysis of blood and placental tissue parameters in the groups of women examined. The material for the study was blood and placental tissue from 50 pregnant women who received treatment due to insulin-dependent diabetes (PD). For the control group, 50 pregnant women without diabetes (HP), and 30 non-pregnant women (NP) were selected. SOD activity in erythrocytes was evaluated by the method of spectrophotometry with the use of RANSOD kit (RANDOX Laboratories Ltd., UK). The activity of GPx activity in erythrocytes was determined according to the method by Paglia and Valentine using RANSEL kit (RANDOX Laboratories Ltd). The results were subject to statistical analysis. Insulin-dependent diabetes in pregnancy affects the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes. In the blood of women with pregnancy complicated by diabetes, the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes – SOD and GPx is higher than in the blood of women with physiological pregnancy and the control group. In the placental tissue from pregnancy complicated by diabetes, the activity of SOD significantly decreases, while the activity of GPx increases, compared to women in physiological pregnancy.

The main aim of this article is to assess the financial condition and results of Polish football clubs who have the status of public benefit organizations (OPP). The analysis was conducted for clubs that were played matches in the 2013/2014 season in the men's football tournament at all levels except the highest such competitions. Ekstraklasa (no clubs having the status OPP) for levels I, II, III, IV league and class district, A , B and C. All the clubs analyzed as a function of the association. The analysis shows that clubs are in a bad financial situation. Most clubs, regardless of the grade level in which the matches were played were characterized by a low value of wealth. Average debt was close to 100%. As a result, nearly one-third of the clubs showed a negative equity value. About half of the clubs observed a negative value total return on assets and return on sales. In the structure of revenues are the primary source of public funds. Other sources of income included clubs, private funds, other and income from the 1% tax on individuals

The paper provides results of analysing the superficial variability of electrical power using two geostatistical methods – lognormal kriging and ordinary kriging. The research work was to provide detailed characterization and identification of the electrical load variability structure at nodes of a 110 kV network over the whole territory of Poland having been analyzed on the basis of results from kriging techniques applied. The paper proposes the methodology using two techniques of modelling and estimating average values Z* of electrical powers, i.e. lognormal kriging and ordinary kriging. The input data for calculations were electrical powers at nodes of 110 kV network related to the same time moment, i.e. 11:00 a.m. in summer and winter seasons. Kriging calculations were made for various variants of examinations. Filtering was carried out for assumed complex theoretical models of semivariograms of electrical powers, which means their dividing into several models components of the covariance (nugget effect, 1 spherical model, 2 spherical model), which were filtered out successively. Then, estimations were made for average values Z* of powers while particular components are passed over. The results of analyses made with considering particular components of semivariograms models were shown in raster maps providing distributions of estimated average values Z* of electrical powers. This allowed the orientation of variations in values of this parameter, both over the territory of the whole country and in time domain, for two seasons – summer and winter, and also when various models components were assumed of semivariograms of the loads. Detailed analysis of spatial-time variability of average values Z* of electrical loads over the country allowed to identify their range and nature of variability.

Optical technologies call for waveguide networks featuring high integration densities, low losses, and simple operation. Here, we present polymer waveguides fabricated from a negative tone photoresist via two-photon-lithography in direct laser writing, and show a detailed parameter study of their performance. Specifically, we produce waveguides featuring bend radii down to 40 μm, insertion losses of the order of 10 dB, and loss coefficients smaller than 0.81 dB mm−1, facilitating high integration densities in writing fields of 300 μm×300 μm. A novel three-dimensional coupler design allows for coupling control as well as direct observation of outputs in a single field of view through a microscope objective. Finally, we present beam-splitting devices to construct larger optical networks, and we show that the waveguide material is compatible with the integration of quantum emitters.

Podstawowe zagadnienie podjęte w tym opracowaniu, tj. przebaczenie, dotyczy kwestii bardzo ważnej dla rozwoju relacji międzyludzkich i budowania społeczeństwa. Problem przebaczenia jest dość często analizowany z perspektywy teologii, filozofii czy psychologii, ale nadal w niewielkim stopniu z perspektywy socjologii. Tymczasem, teorie społeczne nie powinny unikać tego zagadnienia, które odgrywa tak istotną rolę w relacjach społecznych. Przebaczenie ma specjalny charakter korekcyjny w budowaniu społeczeństwa, ludzkich relacji, jak również w kształtowaniu ludzkiej osobowości. Dynamika przebaczenia z zachodzącym w nim procesem morfogenetycznym w sposób szczególny przekształca osobę i jej relacje.

Various species of the Carlina genus have been used in traditional medicine in many countries to treat numerous skin disorders, including cancer. The objective of this work was to assess the anticancer properties of root and leaf extracts from Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens and C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka. Anti-tumor properties of the extracts were explored using a tetrazolium-based cell viability assay and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis, followed by immunodetection of phosphoactive ERK1/2 in UACC-903, C32, and UACC-647 human melanoma cell lines. Normal human fibroblasts were used as a control. Leaf extracts inhibited the viability of all tested melanoma cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion while the fibroblasts were less sensitive to such extract. The root extracts inhibited the proliferation of UACC-903 and UACC-647 cells only at the highest doses (300 μg/mL). However, the C32 and fibroblast cells exhibited an increase in the cellular proliferation rate and no caspase activity was observed in response to the root extracts (100 μg/mL). An increase in caspase activity was observed in melanoma cells treated with the leaf extracts of both Carlina species. Leaf extracts from C. acaulis subsp. caulescens (100 μg/mL) inhibited proliferatory ERK1/2 in UACC-903 and C32 cells, as demonstrated by the decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. No reduction in phospho-ERK1/2 was observed in the tested cell lines treated with the root extracts, apart from UACC-647 after incubation with the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka root extract (100 μg/mL). There was no change in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the fibroblasts. The extracts from the leaves and roots were analyzed by HPLC and the analysis showed the presence of triterpenes and phenolic acids as the main extract components. The research demonstrated that the extracts from the leaves of the plants were cytotoxic against the human melanoma line and induced apoptosis of the cells. The triterpene fraction present in the tested extracts may be responsible for this activity.

Tree saps are nourishing biological media commonly used for beverage and syrup production. Although the nutritional aspect of tree saps is widely acknowledged, the exact relationship between the sap composition, origin, and effect on the metabolic rate of human cells is still elusive. Thus, we collected saps from seven different tree species and conducted composition-activity analysis. Saps from trees of Betulaceae, but not from Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, nor Juglandaceae families, were increasing the metabolic rate of HepG2 cells, as measured using tetrazolium-based assay. Content of glucose, fructose, sucrose, chlorides, nitrates, sulphates, fumarates, malates, and succinates in sap samples varied across different tree species. Grade correspondence analysis clustered trees based on the saps’ chemical footprint indicating its usability in chemotaxonomy. Multiple regression modeling showed that glucose and fumarate present in saps from silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), black alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.), and European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) are positively affecting the metabolic activity of HepG2 cells.

Here we report time differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) results of Co-doped SnO2 thin films. Making use of stable Co and radioactive 111In implanted at the Bonn Radioisotope Separator with energies of 80 keV and 160 keV, respectively, it was possible to study the dopant incorporation and its lattice location during annealing. The hyperfine parameters have been probed as a function of temperature in vacuum. Two quadrupole interactions were observed. At high temperatures the dominant fraction for the probe nuclei can be assigned to the Cd-incorporation at the cation substitutional site in a highly disordered structure, obtained after implantation, to high crystallinity for the measurements at 873 K and 923 K. The similarity in TDPAC spectra obtained in undoped SnO gives indirect evidence that In and Co diffuse to different depths during the annealing process. Other interpretations will be discussed.

The T allele of rs7927894 (at 11q13.5) was associated with atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases. Our purpose was to replicate the association with allergic phenotypes and explore the role of rs7927894 in predisposing to persistent allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma. We also wanted to explore if other SNPs at 11q13.5 contributed to effect of rs7927894. We studied patients with atopic dermatitis (N = 270), atopic asthma (N = 486), persistent allergic rhinitis (N = 589) and controls matched for age, sex and region (N = 540, N = 372 and N = 1178, respectively). We found that rs7927894 T was associated with atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.39, CI: 1.12-1.73, P = 0.003) and independently with persistent allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.24, CI:1.07-1.43, P = 0.0043, Pcorrected = 0.013) but not atopic asthma. Analysis of additional tagging SNPs (rs7930763, rs2513517, rs7125552) showed that effect of rs7927894 T was limited to haplotypes encoding G at rs7125552. In conclusion, rs7927894 T is associated not only with atopic dermatitis but also persistent allergic rhinitis. Since these effects are haplotype dependent rs7927894 alone does not account for the association between 11q13.5 and atopic dermatitis/persistent allergic rhinitis.

Introduction : The perimenopausal age is a time of many changes in women’s health. Changes in women’s health affect all spheres of life, because health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but full psychological, physical and social well-being. Presentation and comparison of the biopsychosocial functioning of women of different races and nationalities in perimenopause, identification of the most common menopause symptoms occurring among women and their needs. Material and methods : Work supported with research examples. Using the PubMed database, the medical literature was searched for works that contain the key words menopause and race or ethnicity published between 1996 and 2013 and available in English. Literature in Polish is a supplementary issue. Results : Various demographic processes taking place in the countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe are the basis for observing the situation in perimenopausal women in these countries. Caucasian women living in North America and Europe most often experience the negative symptoms of menopause, hindering daily functioning, and women living in urbanized countries in Asia best assess their health condition, both psychosocial and physical. Conclusions : Biopsychosocial functioning of women varies among countries. Developing countries should be given the necessary support and financial information to ensure the health and quality of life in perimenopausal women. In most countries of the world there has been observed the need to promote women’s health, particularly research aimed at prevention, increasing physical activity and attention to nutrition.

[b]Objective[/b]. The objective of the study was retrospective analysis of self-reported perception and acceptance of changes related to menopause among women 1–10 years after the occurrence of their last menstrual period. The selected aspects covered social contacts with the family level (social wellbeing), perception of own physicality and inner feelings concerning sex life (psychological wellbeing). [b]Materials and methods[/b]. The study covered 204 postmenopausal women 1–10 years after the last menstrual period. Analysis was performed based on a self-designed questionnaire and the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Relationships were detected using the χ [sup]2[/sup] test. The p values p

introduction. Infertility is defined as a state when a couple fails to conceive a pregnancy after one year of regular intercourse without the use of contraception. Alcohol consumption is one of the main stimulants which negatively affect the female and male reproductive system. objective. The objective of the study was analysis of the effect of alcohol consumption by the examined women on the quality of embryos obtained during in vitro fertilization programmes. material and methods. The study covered 54 women who received treatment due to infertility. The database and statistical analyses were performed using computer software STATISTICA 7.1 (StatSoft, Poland). results. The study showed that 42.59% from among 100% of the women in the study consumed alcohol. In the group of women who consumed alcohol, class A embryos constituted 4.35%, class B embryos – 86.96%, while embryos of class C – 8.69%. A statistically significant difference was observed between the classes of embryos and alcohol consumption by the women examined (p=0.001). In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between the amount of alcohol consumed and the classes of embryos (p=0.005). A significantly larger number of class B embryos came from women who consumed more than 25 grams of ethyl alcohol daily (72.72%), compared to those who consumed alcohol sporadically (44.44%), or those who abstained entirely from alcohol (30.00%). conclusions. Alcohol consumption causes the development of poorer quality embryos. Significantly more embryos of class B came from oocytes of women who consumed alcohol, compared to class A. An active campaign against alcohol consumption should be carried out among women at reproductive age to safeguard their fertility and future motherhood.

This paper presents the methodology and results of impact assessment of renewable energy policies on atmospheric emissions of mercury in Europe. The modeling exercise described here involves an interaction of several models. First, a set of energy scenarios has been developed with the REMix (Renewable Energy Mix) model that simulates different levels of penetration of renewable energies in the European power sector. The energy scenarios were input to the GAINS (Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies) model, which prepared projections of mercury releases to the atmosphere through 2050, based on the current air pollution control policies in each country. Data on mercury emissions from individual sectors were subsequently disaggregated to a fine spatial resolution using various proxy parameters. Finally, the dispersion of mercury in the atmosphere was computed by the chemistry transport model, implemented to the air quality system, Polyphemus. The simulations provided information on changes in concentrations and depositions of various forms of mercury over Europe. Scenarios that simulate a substantial expansion of renewable energies within the power sector indicate extensive co-benefits for mercury abatement, due to the restructuring of the energy system and changes in the fuel mix. The potential for mercury reductions in Europe depends on the rate of fuel switches and renewable technology deployment, but is also influenced by the stringency and timing of the air quality measures. The overall scope for co-benefits is therefore higher in regions relying on coal combustion as a major energy source.

Pulsed light (PL) is one of the most promising non-thermal technologies used in food preservation and processing. Its application results in reduction of microbial load as well as influences the quality of food. The data about the impact of PL on bioactive compounds is ambiguous, therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of PL treatment of a gallic acid aqueous solution—as a model system of phenolic abundant liquid food matrices. The effect of PL treatment was evaluated based on colour, phenolic content concentration and antioxidant activity measured by DPPH assay using a design of experiments approach. The PL fluence (which is the cumulative energy input) was varied by varying the pulse frequency and time. Using Response Surface Methodology, prediction models were developed for the effect of fluence on gallic acid properties. It was demonstrated that PL can modify the optical properties of gallic acid and cause reactions and degradation of gallic acid. However, application of PL did not significantly alter the overall quality of the model gallic acid solution at low fluence levels. Cluster analysis revealed that below 3.82 J/cm2, changes in gallic acid were minimal, and this fluence level could be used as the critical level for food process design aiming to minimize nutrient loss.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a pretreatment, performed by a combined method based on blanching, ultrasound, and vacuum application, on the kinetics of osmotic dehydration and selected quality properties such as water activity, color, and bioactive compound (polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) content. The pretreatment was carried out using blanching, reduced pressure, and ultrasound (20 min, 21 kHz) in various combinations: Blanching at reduced pressure treatment conducted three times for 10 min in osmotic solution; blanching with reduced pressure for 10 min and sonicated for 20 min in osmotic solution; and blanching with 20 min of sonication and 10 min of reduced pressure. The osmotic dehydration was performed in different solutions (61.5% sucrose and 30% sucrose with the addition of 0.1% of steviol glycosides) to ensure the acceptable taste of the final product. The changes caused by the pretreatment affected the osmotic dehydration process by improving the efficiency of the process. The use of combined pretreatment led to an increase of dry matter from 9.3% to 28.4%, and soluble solids content from 21.2% to 41.5%, lightness around 17.3% to 56.9%, as well as to the reduction of bioactive compounds concentration until even 39.2% in comparison to the blanched sample not subjected to combined treatment. The osmotic dehydration caused further changes in all investigated properties.

Beetroot is a root vegetable rich in different bioactive components, such as vitamins, minerals, phenolics, carotenoids, nitrate, ascorbic acids, and betalains, that can have a positive effect on human health. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the pulsed electric field (PEF) at different electric field strengths (4.38 and 6.25 kV/cm), pulse number 10−30, and energy input 0−12.5 kJ/kg as a pretreatment method on the extraction of betalains from beetroot. The obtained results showed that the application of PEF pre-treatment significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the efficiency of extraction of bioactive compounds from beetroot. The highest increase in the content of betalain compounds in the red beet’s extract (betanin by 329%, vulgaxanthin by 244%, compared to the control sample), was noted for 20 pulses of electric field at 4.38 kV/cm of strength. Treatment of the plant material with a PEF also resulted in an increase in the electrical conductivity compared to the non-treated sample due to the increase in cell membrane permeability, which was associated with leakage of substances able to conduct electricity, including mineral salts, into the intercellular space.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that one of the authors’ name was spelled incorrectly.

Kontrola w relacjach społecznych budzi wiele skrajnych emocji. Właściwe jej rozumienie i wykorzystanie jest jednak istotne w perspektywie budowania porządku i ładu społecznego. Tym niemniej, kontrola nie może ogarniać w maksymalnym możliwym stopniu przestrzeni funkcjonowania podmiotów życia społecznego. Inaczej, będzie bardziej ograniczała i hamowała rozwój niż go odpowiednio stymulowała i ukierunkowywała. Podstawą relacji społecznych, także w biznesie, muszą być relacje oparte na zaufaniu, które należy wzmacniać poprzez odpowiednie wykorzystanie instrumentów kontroli. Szczególne znaczenie kontrola ma w biznesie żywnościowym, którego produkcja w sposób bezpośredni oddziałuje na życie i zdrowie konsumentów. W Polsce działa wiele instytucji zajmujących się urzędową kontrolą żywności, których działania jednak nie do końca są skoordynowane i wymagają korekty. Istotne jest zwłaszcza wzmocnienie autorytetu tych instytucji, a także większe ich ukierunkowanie na działalność edukacyjną i kształtowanie odpowiedniej kultury żywnościowej w społeczeństwie, która pozwoli także na lepsze współdziałanie konsumentów w procesie kontroli i wzmacniania pozytywnych więzi społecznych.

The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of myoinositol, in a court of 217 PCOS women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), on pregnancy rate, embryo development, estradiol, and progesterone concentration in blood serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in follicular fluid. Concerning the court of patient, 112 (groups I and II) out of 217 were PCOS women, whereas group III consisted of healthy subjects (not PCOS). Group I patients were treated with 400 μg of folic acid per day for 3 months before ICSI, whereas group II patients received 4000 mg of myoinositol and 400 μg of folic acid per day for 3 months before ICSI. Group II revealed a shorter embryo/blastocyst development period between microinjection and 5-cell stage compared to group I. The difference in SOD concentration between groups I and II and between groups II and III was statistically significant. In group II, 34.62% of pregnancies were obtained, whereas in group I this number reached 20% (NS). Myoinositol increased embryo development dynamics and accelerated blastocyst stage reaching time; however, no effect was shown on clinical pregnancy. Furthermore, it restored SOD concentration, lowered in PCOS women, but did not exert any effect on CAT concentration.

Introduction: Contemporary psychology of health pays a lot of attention to issues of personal and social resources, perceiving them as factors which favour the individual’s health and quality of life. Scientific studies confirm a posi‑ tive sense of the possibility to express emotions during hospitalization, operative treatment and convalescence. Stud‑ ies on the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) in women during the perioperative period, treated for gynaecological ailments, may enable identification of patients exhibiting deficits in this respect, who should be cov‑ ered by a special psychopreventive care. Methods: The studies involved 232 women treated surgically for various gynaecological ailments and were carried out in two stages: on the day preceding the surgery and on the third day after the surgery. The studies were carried out using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale. The obtained results were analysed statistically. Results: The level of negative emotions control was higher in patients aged over 40, as compared to that in younger women. The category of operative procedure did not condition the level of emotion‑ al control, whether in the Total scale or in subscales of Anger, Depression and Anxiety in the preoperative period. On the other hand, in the postoperative period a higher suppression of emotions within the Anxiety subscale was found in women after operation with a major injury of tissues, as compared to the patients after operation with a minor injury of tissues. Conclusions: The values of the total level of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (total CECS) obtained in our studies, as well as in the subscales of Anger, Depression and Anxiety point to women’s ten‑ dency to suppress negative emotions in the perioperative period.

Elblag is the second largest city in Warmia-Mazury region, which suffers mainly from high unemployment. The increase in unemployment occurred after the loss of the provincial capital city status due to the country's administrative reform and the restructuring of enterprises. The city authorities, wanting to improve the social and economic situation of the inhabitants, brought to life Elbląg Technology Park. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of logistic aspects in order to enhance the competitiveness of the region.

The rate of depression among women during the life is about 21%. The level of anxiety and depression in infertilewomen seems to be similar to these experienced by women suffering from cancer or coronary disease.The aim of the study was to determine the intensity and the risk factors of anxiety and depression in womentreated because of sterility. The group consisted of 104 women treated of infertility. In the work we applied the followinginvestigative methods: questionnaire consisting of social and demographical data, Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 33.65% women confirmed minor depression disorder, 10.58%moderate depression. The only essential variable which influenced anxiety and depression was the lack of familiarsupport. The high essential positive relationship was confirmed among the anxiety as a trait and the anxietysymptoms. Women with depression had more anxiety symptoms in comparison to women without depression.

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of osmotic solutions and temperature on the osmotic dehydration (OD) of two cultivars of kiwiberry. OD was carried out in sucrose, xylitol and maltitol solutions at 30 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The process of osmotic dehydration was described by the means of water loss (WL), solid gain (SG), weight reduction (WR), and water content changes. Moreover, dehydration was described by mathematical models often used in the literature. The highest WL, WR and SG values were observed for samples treated by xylitol and maltitol at 50 °C. The statistical analysis of the mathematical modelling of the process showed that in most cases, the Peleg’s equation exhibits better fitting for the experimental data.

The dynamic laser speckle (biospeckle) method was tested as a potential tool for the assessment and monitoring of the maturity stage of tomatoes. Two tomato cultivars—Admiro and Starbuck—were tested. The process of climacteric maturation of tomatoes was monitored during a shelf life storage experiment. The biospeckle phenomena were captured using 640 nm and 830 nm laser light wavelength, and analysed using two activity descriptors based on biospeckle pattern decorrelation—C4 and ε. The well-established optical parameters of tomatoes skin were used as a reference method (luminosity, a*/b*, chroma). Both methods were tested with respect to their prediction capabilities of the maturity and destructive indicators of tomatoes—firmness, chlorophyll and carotenoids content. The statistical significance of the tested relationships were investigated by means of linear regression models. The climacteric maturation of tomato fruit was associated with an increase in biospckle activity. Compared to the 830 nm laser wavelength the biospeckle activity measured at 640 nm enabled more accurate predictions of firmness, chlorophyll and carotenoids content. At 640 nm laser wavelength both activity descriptors (C4 and ε) provided similar results, while at 830 nm the ε showed slightly better performance. The linear regression models showed that biospeckle activity descriptors had a higher correlation with chlorophyll and carotenoids content than the a*/b* ratio and luminosity. The results for chroma were comparable with the results for both biospeckle activity indicators. The biospeckle method showed very good results in terms of maturation monitoring and the prediction of the maturity indices of tomatoes, proving the possibility of practical implementation of this method for the determination of the maturity stage of tomatoes.

New geochronological investigations for the Slănic Formation, correlated with previous bio- and lithostratigaphical information, allow for a better succession of events for the Middle Miocene, including the absolute age of the Badenian salinity crisis in the bend sector of the Eastern Carpathians. Within the green Slănic Tuff, white tuff layers were in evidence. The main element distribution of the white and green tuffs indicates a dacitic composition, with higher SiO2 content for the white tuff. The white tuff has a distinct mineralogical composition with quartz, plagioclase, biotite and clinoptilolite. From such a tuff layer a biotite concentrate gives a 40Ar/39Ar age of 13.7 ± 0.2 Ma. As above these tuff layers discrete levels of gypsum occur, the age documents the beginning of the restrictive circulation and formation of evaporites in this sector of Carpathians during Badenian times.

Starting from the detailed catalytic mechanism of a biocatalyst we provide a coarse-graining procedure which, by construction, is thermodynamically consistent. This procedure provides stoichiometries, reaction fluxes (rate laws), and reaction forces (Gibbs energies of reaction) for the coarse-grained level. It can treat active transporters and molecular machines, and thus extends the applicability of ideas that originated in enzyme kinetics. Our results lay the foundations for systematic studies of the thermodynamics of large-scale biochemical reaction networks. Moreover, we identify the conditions under which a relation between one-way fluxes and forces holds at the coarse-grained level as it holds at the detailed level. In doing so, we clarify the speculations and broad claims made in the literature about such a general flux–force relation. As a further consequence we show that, in contrast to common belief, the second law of thermodynamics does not require the currents and the forces of biochemical reaction networks to be always aligned.

Activism and power: new directions in research for a general theory of public relations The article presents one of the newest proposal in research for a general theory of public relations. The most popular general theories of public relations, i.e. the excellence theory, the contingency theory, the relationship management theory are corpocentric. They assumes, that organizations “invented” public relations. One of the newest approach based on the stakeholder theory shows that the discipline derives from the group standing vis-a-vis organization, mainly activists. Moreover, it particularly emphasizes the role of ethics and power within the process of creating and maintaining of relationships. Key words: public relations, activism, power, ethics

Ekonomiczne skutki procesów demograficznych (przede wszystkim rosnącego obciążenia demograficznego) wymagają rozważenia kryteriów implementacji zasady równego opodatkowania. Wobec zwiększania się politycznej dominacji osób w wieku emerytalnym konieczna staje się fiskalna ochrona osób wychowujących dzieci w związku z obciążeniem ich dochodów nie tylko składkami emerytalnymi, ale także podatkami stanowiącymi źródło finansowania deficytu systemu emerytalnego. Dochód tych osób jest również źródłem finansowania konsumpcji dzieci. Respektowanie zasady równego opodatkowania w warunkach starzejącego się społeczeństwa wymaga więc rekonstrukcji podatku od dochodów osobistych lub podatków konsumpcyjnych. W przypadku opodatkowania dochodów osobistych niezbędne jest zastosowanie preferencyjnych rozwiązań pozwalających zmniejszyć ciężar podatkowy osób wychowujących dzieci w związku z mniejszą zdolnością do ponoszenia ciężaru fiskalnego. W przypadku opodatkowania konsumpcji akceptacja zasady równego opodatkowania będzie się wyrażać w niższym opodatkowaniu lub nawet zwolnieniu z opodatkowania dóbr konsumowanych przez dzieci.

Results applying ordinary kriging and cokriging techniques as well as the turning bands simulation method to the survey of heavy metal pollution of the superficial layer (at the depth of 0-20 cm) of soil in a selected mining region of Upper Silesia (S Poland) are presented. The multivariate structural analysis, estimation and conditional simulation was performed on data coming from the regional monitoring of soils. Based on estimated and the simulated cadmium and zinc heavy metal soil concentrations, the most polluted zones and places in the Dabrowa Górnicza region, where environmental monitoring should be instituted again, were determined.

This article presents a bottom-up approach for calculation of the useful heat demand for space heating and hot water preparation using geo-referenced datasets for buildings at the city level. This geographic information system (GIS) based approach was applied in the case study for the city of Krakow, where on the one hand the district heat network is well developed, while on the other hand there are still substantial number of buildings burning solid fuels in individual boilers and stoves, causing air pollution. The calculated heat demand was aggregated in the grid with 100 m × 100 m spatial resolution to deliver the heat map depicting the current situation for 21 buildings types. The results show that the residential buildings, in particular one- and multi-family buildings, have the highest share in overall demand for heat. By combining the results with location of the district heat (DH) network, the potential areas in its close vicinity that have sufficient heat demand density for developing the net were pointed out. Future evolution in heat demand for space heating in one-family houses was evaluated with the use of deterministic method employing building stock model. The study lays a foundation for planning the development of the heating system at the city level.

W artykule przedstawiono rolę akademickich inkubatorów przedsiębiorczości oraz dokonano krytycznej oceny ich funkcjonowania. Jako główne narzędzie badawcze zastosowano przegląd i krytykę piśmiennictwa oraz analizę dokumentów, w tym aktów prawnych oraz raportów z funkcjonowania tego typu jednostek w Polsce. Artykuł omawia funkcję akademickich inkubatorów przedsiębiorczości na tle pozostałych instytucji otoczenia biznesu. Szeroko omówiono akty i ramy prawne funkcjonowania akademickich inkubatorów przedsiębiorczości, poświęcając sporo uwagi zadaniom, jakie realizują w obszarze edukacji i promocji przedsiębiorczości. Na podstawie występujących form organizacyjno-prawnych działania akademickich preinkubatorów i inkubatorów przedsiębiorczości, zaszeregowano je w dwie grupy – inkubatory działające w sieci ogólnopolskiej Fundacji „Akademickie Inkubatory Przedsiębiorczości” (AIP) oraz inkubatory działające w strukturach uczelnianych jako ich jednostki organizacyjne lub podmioty zależne (np. spółki prawa handlowego). W artykule omówiono różnice podstaw prawnych i zasad ich powoływania i działalności. Na podstawie tak dokonanej, szczegółowej charakterystyki przedstawicieli form organizacyjnych akademickich inkubatorów wskazano mocne i słabe strony ich działalności. Artykuł uzupełniono o wyniki badań przedstawiające rzeczywiste oczekiwania przedsiębiorców względem tego typu ośrodków oraz społeczności akademickiej zrzeszonej w tego typu instytucjach.

In the investigation reported in this paper a modified thermal decomposition method was developed to produce very small Er2O3 nanoparticles (NPs). Particles structure, shape and size were characterized by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy which showed that the synthesis by thermal decomposition under O2 atmosphere produced very small and monodisperse NPs, allowing the investigation of finite-size and surface effects. Results of magnetization measurements showed that the smallest particles present the highest values of susceptibility that decrease as particle size increases. Specific heat measurements indicate that the sample with the smallest NPs (diameter ∼5 nm) has a Néel temperature of 0.54 K. The local structure of particles was investigated by measurements of hyperfine interactions with perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy using 111Cd as probe nuclei replacing the cationic sites. Results showed that the relative population of sites 8b increases in both the core and surface layer of particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on image processing techniques and experimental procedures to determine the lattice-site positions of single atoms in an optical lattice with high reliability, even for limited acquisition time or optical resolution. Determining the positions of atoms beyond the diffraction limit relies on parametric deconvolution in close analogy to methods employed in super-resolution microscopy. We develop a deconvolution method that makes effective use of the prior knowledge of the optical transfer function, noise properties, and discreteness of the optical lattice. We show that accurate knowledge of the image formation process enables a dramatic improvement on the localization reliability. This allows us to demonstrate super-resolution of the atoms’ position in closely packed ensembles where the separation between particles cannot be directly optically resolved. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimental methods to precisely reconstruct the point spread function with sub-pixel resolution from fluorescence images of single atoms, and we give a mathematical foundation thereof. We also discuss discretized image sampling in pixel detectors and provide a quantitative model of noise sources in electron multiplying CCD cameras. The techniques developed here are not only beneficial to neutral atom experiments, but could also be employed to improve the localization precision of trapped ions for ultra precise force sensing.

The amount of secondary metabolites in plants can be enhanced or reduced by various external factors. In this study, the effect of strontium ions on the production of phytoestrogens in soybeans was investigated. The plants were treated with Hoagland’s solution, modified with Sr2+ with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mM, and were grown for 14 days in hydroponic cultivation. After harvest, soybean plants were separated into roots and shoots, dried, and pulverized. The plant material was extracted with methanol and hydrolyzed. Phytoestrogens were quantified by HPLC. The significant increase in the concentration of the compounds of interest was observed for all tested concentrations of strontium ions when compared to control. Sr2+ at a concentration of 2 mM was the strongest elicitor, and the amount of phytoestrogens in plant increased ca. 2.70, 1.92, 3.77 and 2.88-fold, for daidzein, coumestrol, genistein and formononetin, respectively. Moreover, no cytotoxic effects were observed in HepG2 liver cell models after treatment with extracts from 2 mM Sr2+-stressed soybean plants when compared to extracts from non-stressed plants. Our results indicate that the addition of strontium ions to the culture media may be used to functionalize soybean plants with enhanced phytoestrogen content.

BACKGROUND: FLG null variants of which 2282del4 and R501X are the most frequent in Caucasians are established risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD) with an effect probably mediated through impairment of epidermal barrier. Among subjects with AD FLG defects are also consistently associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) but it is less clear to what extent these associations are also present independently from skin disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of 2282del4 and R501X in predisposing to these allergic phenotypes in a Polish population. METHODOLOGY: 2282del4 and R501X were typed among 3,802 participants of the Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland (ECAP) survey, a cross-sectional population-based study using ECRHS II and ISAAC questionnaires, and ambulatory examination. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The FLG null variants were associated with AD (OR = 2.01, CI: 1.20-3.36, P = 0.007), allergic rhinitis (in particular persistent form, OR = 1.69, CI:1.12-2.54, P = 0.011), and asthma (in particular atopic asthma, OR = 2.22, CI:1.24-3.96, P = 0.006). Association with atopic asthma (but not persistent allergic rhinitis) was also present in the absence of AD, (OR = 2.02, CI: 1.07-3.81, P = 0.027) as well as in the absence of AD and history of broadly defined inflammatory skin disease (OR = 2.30, CI: 1.07-4.93, P = 0.03). Association to atopic asthma would have not been found if diagnosis was made by questionnaire only (OR = 1.15, CI: 0.58-2.32, P = 0.8). We did not observe an association between FLG variants and allergic sensitizations (P = 0.8) or total IgE. (P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In a Polish population FLG 2282del4 and R501X carriage increases risk for development of AD and atopic asthma (also in the absence of AD or history thereof). This suggests that interventions aimed at restoring epidermal barrier may have a general role in asthma prophylaxis/treatment.