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The gene IGF1 has been shown to have a significant influence on the size of individuals, including animals of the Canidae family. In this study we determined SNP mutations of the IGF1 gene in dogs, raccoon dogs and farmed and free-living red foxes from Poland and Canada. No SNP mutations were noted in dogs or raccoon dogs, but a total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in foxes, including 12 substitutions, as well as one new mutation missense variant (exon 6) in wild Polish foxes and one synonymous mutation variant in wild foxes from Canada. We identified specific SNP profiles characteristic only for farmed foxes and only for wild foxes, as well as specific SNP profiles or wild foxes from North America (Canada) and from Europe (Poland).

Introduction and objective Aleutian Disease is a significant biological factor causing substantial losses in mink farming. The virus inducing the disease also infects wild populations which may constitute an asymptomatic reservoir. To compare genetic variants of the AMD virus occurring in wild and farmed mink populations, an analysis was performed on a fragment of the VP2 protein sequence of the virus infecting both populations, taken from different living environments. Material and Methods Genetic material was isolated from 11 farmed animals in which anti-AMDV antibodies had been detected and from 20 wild animals. The DNA obtained was amplified using primers specific for the fragment encoding the VP2 protein. The product obtained was sequenced and bioinformatic analysis was performed. Results Viral material was detected in 11 farmed and 7 free-living animals. Similarity of sequences averaged 99% within groups and 94% between groups. The sequencing results made it possible to identify characteristic changes for each group. In the isolates from the wild animals, the following changes were observed in the epitope region with respect to the reference sequence: C3704T, G3710A, T3722C, T3746C and A3749G. In the isolates from the farmed animals a G3779A transition was noted. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the variants infecting the two groups occupy separate branches of the phylogenetic tree. Conclusions The variants of the virus infecting the two groups may have a common origin, but at present they constitute two separate groups, with characteristic differences making it possible to recognize their genotype.

Seeing of emptiness and mystical experience — the case of Madhyamaka: The problem of Buddhist religiosity is one of the most classic problems of Buddhist studies. A particular version of this issue is the search for mystical experience in Buddhism. This is due to the conviction that mystical experience is the essence of religious experience itself. The discovery of such an alleged experience fuels comparative speculations between Buddhism and the philosophical and religious traditions of the Mediterranean area. Madhyamaka is the Buddhist tradition which many researchers saw as the fulfillment of such mystical aspirations in Buddhism. In this paper I specify the standard parameters of mystical experience (non‑conceptuality, ineffability, paradoxicality, silence, oneness, fullness) and I conclude that they either cannot be applied to Madhyamaka or that the application is only illusory.

The paper presents the idea of cross­‑cultural philosophy, which have inspired the organizers of the cyclic global conferences held at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, USA, since 1939. First, the author discusses some definitions of the comparative method applied in contemporary philosophy and promoted, among others, through the project of the “East­‑West Philosophers’ Conference”. Then, she reports the major themes and panel topics raised during the eleventh conference organized in Honolulu, May 25–31, 201

Problemem poruszonym w artykule jest zjawisko greenwashing, które jest coraz częściej stosowane przez biznes, aby wprowadzić konsumentów w błędne przekonanie o wizerunku firmy lub produktu, jako przyjaznego środowisku naturalnemu. Celem artykułu jest analiza strategii greenwashing stosowanych przez sklepy dyskontowe w ofercie produktów spożywczych i na ich opakowaniach przez producentów. Przeanalizowano kilkadziesiąt produktów żywnościowych organicznych oraz "udających" organiczne w dwóch popularnych sieciach dyskontowych w Polsce. Analiza wyników potwierdza, że w wybranych sieciach stosuje się nieodpowiedzialnie społecznie praktyki sprzyjające stosowaniu strategii greenwashing.

Point-of-use (POU) water treatment systems and devices play an essential role in limited access to sanitary safe water resources. The filtering materials applied in POU systems must effectively eliminate contaminants, be readily produced and stable, and avoid secondary contamination of the treated water. We report an innovative, 2D Ti3C2/Al2O3/Ag/Cu nanocomposite-modified filtration material with the application potential for POU water treatment. The material is characterized by improved filtration velocity relative to an unmodified reference material, effective elimination of microorganisms, and self-disinfecting potential, which afforded the collection of 99.6% of bacteria in the filter. The effect was obtained with nanocomposite levels as low as 1%. Surface oxidation of the modified material increased its antimicrobial efficiency. No secondary release of the nanocomposites into the filtrate was observed and confirmed the stability of the material and its suitability for practical application in water treatment.

Maren Röger, Wartime Relations: Intimacy, Violence, and Prostitution in Occupied Poland, 1939-1945, translated by Rachel Ward (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2021), 224 pp., illustrations, bibliography, index. Parts II and III analyze the intimate relationships between Polish women and German men that, according to Röger, fit into the "consensual" part of her typology. Providing new insights into the everyday life of the German occupation, Maren Röger's monograph makes an important contribution to modern Polish history. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The objective of the study was immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from equine bone marrow and foal umbilical cords during in vitro culture.

Fibre metal laminates (FML) are the modern hybrid materials with potential wide range of applications in aerospace technology due to their excellent mechanical properties (particularly fatigue strength, resistance to impacts) and also excellent corrosion resistance. The study describes the resistance to low velocity impacts in Ti/CFRP laminates. Tested laminates were produced in autoclave process. The laminates were characterized in terms of their response to impacts in specified energy range (5J, 10J, 20J). The tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D7137 standard. The laminates were subjected to impacts by means of hemispherical impactor with diameter of 12,7 mm. The following values have been determined: impact force vs. time, maximum force and the force at which the material destruction process commences (Pi). It has been found that fibre titanium laminates are characterized by high resistance to impacts. This feature is associated with elasto-plastic properties of metal and high rigidity of epoxy - fibre composite. It has been observed that Ti/CFRP laminates are characterized by more instable force during impact in stage of stabilization of impactor-laminate system and stage of force growth that glass fibre laminates. It has been observed more stable force decrease in stage of stress relaxation and withdrawal of the impactor. In energy range under test, the laminates based on titanium with glass and carbon fibres reinforcement demonstrate similar and high resistance to low-velocity impact, measured by means of failure initiation force and impact maximum force.

This article presents selected aspects of an interlaminar shear strength and failure analysis of hybrid fiber metal laminates (FMLs) consisting of alternating layers of a 2024-T3 aluminium alloy and carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Particular attention is paid to the properties of the hybrid FMLs with an additional interlayer of glass composite at the metal-composite interface. The influence of hygrothermal conditioning, the interlaminar shear strength (short beam shear test), and the failure mode were investigated and discussed. It was found that fiber metal laminates can be classified as a material with significantly less adsorption than in the case of conventional composites. Introducing an additional layer of glass composite at the metal-composite interface and hygrothermal conditioning influence the decrease in the interlaminar shear strength. The major forms of damage to the laminates are delaminations in the layer of the carbon composite, at the metal-composite interface, and delaminations between the layers of glass and carbon composites.

The purpose of the work was the effect of metal volume fraction of fiber metal laminates on damage after dynamic loads based upon the example of innovative hybrid titanium−carbon composite laminates. The subject of the study was metal−fiber hybrid titanium−carbon composite laminates. Four types of hybrid titanium−carbon laminates were designed with various metal volume fraction coefficient but constant thickness. Based on the results, it can be stated that changes in the metal volume fraction coefficient in the range of 0.375−0.6 in constant thickness titanium−carbon composite laminates do not significantly affect their resistance to impacts in the energy range of 5−45 J. It was concluded that there were no significant differences in maximum force values, total contact time, and damage range. Some tendency towards a reduction in the energy accumulation capacity was observed with an increase in thickness of the metal part in relation to the total thickness of the laminate, especially in the lower impact energy range. This can result in the lower bending stiffness of laminates with lower metal content and potential elastic strain of the composite part before the initiation of the fiber damage process.

The paper discusses the issue of psychophysical agency in the context of Indian philosophy, focusing on the oldest preserved texts of the classical tradition of Sāṃkhya-Yoga. The author raises three major questions: What is action in terms of Sāṃkhyakārikā (ca. fifth century CE) and Yogasūtra (ca. third century CE)? Whose action is it, or what makes one an agent? What is a right and morally good action? The first part of the paper reconsiders a general idea of action — including actions that are deliberately done and those that ‘merely’ happen — identified by Patañjali and Ῑśvarakṛṣṇa as a permanent change or transformation (pariṇāma) determined by the universal principle of causation (satkārya). Then, a threefold categorization of actions according to their causes is presented, i.e. internal agency (ādhyātmika), external agency (ādhibhautika) and ‘divine’ agency (ādhidaivika). The second part of the paper undertakes the problem of the agent’s autonomy and the doer’s psychophysical integrity. The main issues that are exposed in this context include the relationship between an agent and the agent’s capacity for perception and cognition, as well as the crucial Sāṃkhya-Yoga distinction between ‘a doer’ and ‘the self ’. The agent’s self-awareness and his or her moral self-esteem are also briefly examined. Moreover, the efficiency of action in present and future is discussed (i.e. karman, karmāśaya, saṃskāra, vāsanā), along with the criteria of a right act accomplished through meditative insight (samādhi) and moral discipline (yama).

The Buddhist philosophical school of Madhyamaka is famous for its statement that things do not have their own inherent nature, essence or self‑nature (svabhāva). As a result, it is said that there is no objective foundation of the identity of things. Thus, the identity of things is not grounded in things themselves but is solely imputed and externally imposed on them. Things are what they are only for us, whereas for themselves, or from their ‘own side’ they are empty (śūnya). That is why Madhyamaka philosophy is often compared to the philosophical conceptions inspired by a linguistic reflection (from Ludwig Wittgenstein to Jacques Derrida) which defines the problem of identity in terms of cognitive subjectivism and constructivism. Starting the analysis from the Abhidharma Buddhist tradition I will show that this reading of Madhyamaka view is too narrow. I will demonstrate that it is a result of an assumption, shared by Parmenides and Plato and wrongly ascribed to this Buddhist school, that the identity of being must be grounded in the self‑existing, self‑defined and (relatively) permanent ontological foundation. This tacit assumption, if rejected, makes any identity a completely subjective and relative construct. The point I am going to argue for, however, is that the Madhyamaka school sticks to an alternative understanding of objectivity; the foundation of all things is nothing but pure relation that precedes, in the ontological sense, all co‑related elements (i.e. things). Therefore, the question comes up: how being‑in‑relationship or ‘relationality’ may be the foundation of identity and what kind of identity it endows. I will try to answer these questions.

Values are the main factor of people’s aspirations and motivations. They are also favourable to creation of man’s self-identity, which is understood as a competence to acting and solving problems. These are the main reasons for values’ leading role in the social life. There is no consensus between authors how to define a value term. Each of them has his/her own idea for describing a value problem. Despite of these discrepancies, the authors of this article take an endeavour to search values preferred by students of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Jan Kochanowski University’s Branch in Piotrków Trybunalski. This article contains only preliminary conclusions according to our empirical research. The fundamental elaboration is already being prepared. The general results of our research show that values preferred by our respondents are similar to the rest of population. The family is the most important value in our students’ lives. Parents and grandparents have the biggest influence on shaping their values hierarchy. But most of all, our respondents are convinced that being able to relay on oneself, own thoughts and ideas is the most important value in today’s life.

Gen MYO15A je uključen u stvaranje proteina iz grupe motornih proteina - miozina. Miozin XVA je lociran u unutrašnjem uhu, hipofi zi i drugim tkivima, i značajno utiče na slušni proces. Mutacije u ovom genu izazivaju supstitucije aminokiselina u konzervisanom motornom domenu lanca miozina, što dovodi do skraćenja stereocilija slušnih ćelija, a kao posledica dolazi do poremećaja funkcije XVA miozina. Postavljena je istraživačka hipoteza koja je pretpostavljala da mutacije u genu koji je odgovoran za slušni proces kod životinja familije Canidae mogu da izazovu hipoakustiku kao i značajne promene u ponašanju pasa, od povučenosti i straha do agresivnosti. Ispitivanjem je determinisan SNP polimorfi zam u fragmentu gena MYO15A koji može da dovede do poremećaja sluha kako kod divljih tako i kod farmski uzgajanih životinja familije Canidae.

The paper starts with some textual distinctions concerning the concept of God in the metaphysical framework of two classical schools of Hindu philosophy, Sāṃkhya and Yoga. Then the author focuses on the functional and pedagogical aspects of prayer as well as practical justification of “religious meditation” in both philosophical schools. A special attention is put on the practice called īśvarapraṇidhāna, recommended in Yoga school, which is interpreted by the author as a form of non-theistic devotion. The meaning of the central object of this concentration, that is puruṣa-viśeṣa, is reconsidered in detail. The subject matter is discussed in the wider context of yogic self-discipline that enables a practitioner to overcome ignorance ( avidyā) and the narrowness of egotic perspective ( asmitā), recognized in the Hindu darśanas as the root-cause of all suffering or never-fulfilled-satisfaction ( duḥkha). The non-the¬istic devotion and spiritual pragmatism assumed by the adherents of Sāṃkhya-Yoga redefines the concept of “God” ( īśvara) as primarily an object of meditative practice and a special tool convenient for spiritual pedagogy.

A comparative perspective in the study of religion has recently been taken up more and more often. It goes along with a growing awareness of cultural and religious plurality as well as of the importance of religion in terms of its role in the social, political, and economic processes of the contemporary world. This also gave an impulse to organize the two-day international seminar on “Comparative Methodology in Religious Studies” held in Kraków on 23–24 May 2013, at the Pedagogical University of Cracow, Department of Philosophy and Sociology, in co-operation with the Editors of Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal. During the seminar a variety of methods applied in the comparative study of religion were discussed. The participants considered which of them seemed to be most beneficial or useful for a better inderstanding of the subject matter, and for capturing the uniqueness and divergence between Abrahamic, Indian (Dharmic), and other religious traditions. Some criteria for a proper comparison in the field of religion were defined and justified during this discussion. The presenters took into account both the sociological context of the analysis and philosophical consideration of the most fundamental questions within comparative methodology.

Facing the current banking crisis which can be described as a confrontation between governing powers, private banks enjoying political and legal privileges and the rest of the society, the issue of international terrorism seems to be less attractive for the mass media. Bad economic results in the countries of western civilization were caused by reckless activities of big national companies and speculative capital rather than by terrorism. In recent years all western countries have been engaged in the fight against terrorism, there is no government which would not address the threat of terrorism in its security strategy. Moreover, many countries wrote long chapters devoted entirely to action plans counteracting terrorism. Terrorism is not an extraordinary phenomenon characteristic only for the contemporary times. It has a tradition which is centuries long – the only difference is that today we have wide access to information via mass media, it is so much easier to spread the word. Terrorism should be treated as a political phenomenon and as a consequence of exercising power in a certain way. This phenomenon affects security understood in global, national and regional sense. On all levels it has similar effects. Last but not least, it has an impact on the defence of international structures, in particular of national nature. At the moment Poland is not in a position to guarantee security of its territory by military means and is not capable to conduct anti-terrorist operations in case of necessity.

The aim of the study was to assess the selected properties of a hybrid organic−inorganic silane sol−gel coating (HSG) used in hybrid fiber metal laminates (FML) in a corrosion environment. The HSG coating on the aluminum alloy was produced using 3M™ AC130-2 formulation consisting of 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and tetra-n-propoxyzirconium (zirconium(IV) propoxide) (TPOZ). Laminates consisted of aluminum alloy AA2024-T3 sheets, with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) and a glass fiber reinforced metal−composite structure (GFRP). Potentiodynamic and polarization curve and impedance (EIS) tests were carried out on HSG at ambient temperatures after 1 h and 150 h of soaking. Neutral 0.5 M NaCl and 0.8 M NaCl solutions were used for open circuit potential (OCP) and potentiodynamic tests, and 0.5 NaCl was used for the EIS test. A neutral salt spray (NSS) test was applied to laminates with a 12 week exposure period. The results obtained revealed that the HSG coating did not provide sufficient protection against corrosion of the aluminum alloy in direct contact with an aggressive environment but was effective as an interlayer. Local aluminum sheet perforation did not lead to delamination at the metal−composite interface regardless of the type or configuration of the composite. This confirms the durability of HSG used in FMLs.

The key goal of work was to study of basic information possibilities of the Japanese Candles method and to present its usefulness to make decisions on agricultural markets. The method is a result of the evolution of methods of technical analysis, which lasted for centuries. The usefulness of this method to make decisions is high, but significantly affect have the ability to interpret the observed signals and taking into account the specificities of agricultural markets.Celem opracowania bylo zbadanie podstawowych mozliwosci informacyjnych metody swiec japonskich oraz przedstawienie jej przydatnosci do podejmowania decyzji na rynkach rolnych. Zaprezentowano zwiezla ewolucje metod analizy technicznej oraz scharakteryzowano podstawowe narzedzia metody swiec japonskich, takie jak objecie bessy i hossy, pojedyncze swiece i ich formacje dajace sygnal do wycofania z rynku, doji , luki oraz formacje kontynuacji trendu.

In this study, the BOX-PCR fingerprinting technique was evaluated for the discrimination of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. All isolates were typeable and nearly half showed unique banding patterns. According to our results, BOX-PCR fingerprinting is applicable for typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and can be considered a useful complementary tool for epidemiological studies of members of this genus. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 734–738)

The author of this paper discusses three major points: (1) a significant feature of linguistic analysis in the classical Indian philosophical tradition; (2) the role of the religious practice (īśvara-pranidhāna) in the search for true self-identity in Sāṁkhya and Yoga schools (darśana-s) with special reference to their gnoseological purposes; and (3) some possible readings of “ahaṁkāra” and “asmitā” displayed in the context of Sāṁkhya-Yoga phenomenology and metaphysics. The collision of language and metaphysics refers to the risk of paralogism caused be the common linguistic procedures making the subject define its identity within the semantic order (that is verbal conventions and grammatical rules) which do not reflect the actual metaphysical situation of the self, though it determines one’s self-understanding in the empirical sense. Whereas Sāṁkhya-Yoga aims at recognizing, reorganizing and, finally, going beyond these procedures regarded as the obstacles on the path towards selfknowledge and liberation from metaphysical ignorance.

The key goal of work is to estimate the economical effectiveness of the enterprises in the divisions in manufacturing in Poland. The compound measure constructed of economical indicators have been used. This methodical way has been useful so as to put in order examined objects by economical and financial situation. Divisions of manufacturing have been allocated to four groups of economical effectiveness and the differentiation of economical effectiveness has been estimated.

Problemem badawczym opracowania była jakość życia mieszkańców obszarów wiejskich. Jako, że obszary te, szczególnie po okresie intensywnych zmian systemowych, które trwają do dnia dzisiejszego, przeszły wiele bardzo głębokich przeobrażeń obejmujących zarówno sferę gospodarczą jak i społeczną, obserwuje się liczne następstwa w odniesieniu do poziomu jak i jakości życia mieszkańców wsi. Są to obszary stale monitorowane i objęte wsparciem Państwa i Unii Europejskiej dlatego istotne jest poznanie efektów dotychczasowych działań na rzecz poprawy warunków i jakości życia ich mieszkańców. Analizą objęto ludność wiejską z trzech celowo wybranych województw, które reprezentowały różny poziom życia. W badaniach empirycznych posłużono się metodą CATI, wybór respondentów był celowo-losowy. Podstawowymi kryteriami doboru ankietowanych był wiek, wykształcenie, miejsce zamieszkania. Przeprowadzona analiza poczucia jakości życia mieszkańców obszarów wiejskich w połączeniu z poziomem życia umożliwiła ustalenie występowania zróżnicowania jakości życia. Określono sfery życia, z których mieszkańcy wsi są najmniej zadowoleni. Ustalono, że poziom zadowolenia z jakości życia jest różny w zakresie terytorialnym.

W pracy określono wpływ etefonu na komponenty plonu linii izogenicznych pszenicy zwyczajnej: ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1a (wysokie – kontrola), ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1b, ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1d i ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1e. Linie te badano w latach 2000/2001–2002/2003 w Gospodarstwie Doświadczalnym w Czesławicach. Uzyskane wyniki badań poddano analizie wariancji. Na pod-stawie trzyletnich badań stwierdzono, że zastosowanie etefonu powodowało redukcję wysokości roślin w badanych liniach izogenicznych. Największą redukcję wysokości roślin obserwowano w liniach ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1a i ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1d, co przyczyniło się istotnie do zmniejszenia wylegania w tych liniach. W krótkosłomych liniach pszenicy zastosowanie regulatorów wzrostu zawierających etefon nie wpływało niekorzystnie na liczbę ziarniaków w kłosie. Zastosowanie preparatów zawierających ten związek w liniach ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1b i ‘Bezostnaja’ Rht-B1d powodowało najczęściej wzrost wartości tej cechy. Wykazano ponadto niewielki wpływ etefonu na masę 1000 ziarniaków oraz plon ziarna z poletka analizowanych linii izogenicznych.

W pracy badano linie rekombinacyjne odmiany Mercia z genami niewrażliwości na fotoperiod (Ppd-A1) oraz formy kontrolne wrażliwe na długość dnia (ppd-A1). Doświadczenie przeprowadzono w Gospodarstwie Doświadczalnym w Czesławicach. Analizowano liczbę dni od 1 maja do pełni kłoszenia, wysokość roślin, liczbę kłosków w kłosie, liczbę ziarniaków w kłosie, ciężar ziarniaków z kłosa, masę 1000 ziarniaków, płodność kłoska, plon ziarna z poletka oraz oceniono porażenie przez choroby. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że geny Ppd-A1 istotnie wpływały na przyspieszenie terminu kłoszenia roślin. W trzyletnich badaniach wykazano, że rośliny linii rekombinacyjnych, zawierających geny Ppd-A1 były niższe w porów-naniu z roślinami linii kontrolnych (ppd-A1). Wartości analizowanych cech ilościowych, a także porażenie przez choroby w liniach rekombinacyjnych oraz w formach kontrolnych były zbliżone.