Search

The most important function of the skin is to protect the body against harmful mechanical, physical and chemical factors. Its regenerative capacity is sufficient for self-repair in the event of damage, for example, during tattooing, which can be treated as an invasive procedure introducing pigment molecules into skin layers. In the present research on tattoo pigment deposition, the structure of the dermis and epidermis was evaluated using the standard histological technique with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, statistically significant differences between the depth of pigment deposition on the one hand and age, dermis and epidermis thickness and tattoo location on the other were demonstrated.

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) fluxes from the land to ocean have been quantified for many rivers globally. However, CO2 fluxes to the atmosphere from inland waters are quantitatively significant components of the global carbon cycle that are currently poorly constrained. Understanding, the relative contributions of natural and human-impacted processes on the DIC cycle within catchments may provide a basis for developing improved management strategies to mitigate free CO2 concentrations in rivers and subsequent evasion to the atmosphere. Here, a large, internally consistent dataset collected from 41 catchments across Great Britain (GB), accounting for ∼36% of land area (∼83,997 km2) and representative of national land cover, was used to investigate catchment controls on riverine dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), bicarbonate (HCO3−) and free CO2 concentrations, fluxes to the coastal sea and annual yields per unit area of catchment. Estimated DIC flux to sea for the survey catchments was 647 kt DIC yr−1 which represented 69% of the total dissolved carbon flux from these catchments. Generally, those catchments with large proportions of carbonate and sedimentary sandstone were found to deliver greater DIC and HCO3− to the ocean. The calculated mean free CO2 yield for survey catchments (i.e. potential CO2 emission to the atmosphere) was 0.56 t C km−2 yr−1. Regression models demonstrated that whilst river DIC (R2 = 0.77) and HCO3− (R2 = 0.77) concentrations are largely explained by the geology of the landmass, along with a negative correlation to annual precipitation, free CO2 concentrations were strongly linked to catchment macronutrient status. Overall, DIC dominates dissolved C inputs to coastal waters, meaning that estuarine carbon dynamics are sensitive to underlying geology and therefore are likely to be reasonably constant. In contrast, potential losses of carbon to the atmosphere via dissolved CO2, which likely constitute a significant fraction of net terrestrial ecosystem production and hence the national carbon budget, may be amenable to greater direct management via altering patterns of land use.

The main aim of this work is to present a new method of political evaluations that is grounded in Tversky’s contrast theory of similarity. The current study tested how comparisons to an ideal or anti-ideal politician moderated the evaluation of candidates whose images were defined by the strength and structure of positive and negative associations. Our study accounts for two key aspects of political behavior: the dependence on the point of reference and the associative structure of candidate image. Our approach was tested in the context of the 2016 US presidential elections, where Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump ran for the Presidential office. Although the study was conducted almost three years after the elections, its results still resembled the electoral behavior during the presidential campaign. The findings showed no differences between two politicians with regard to their similarity to an anti-ideal politician, however, they differed when compared to an ideal politician, with Clinton having more commonality with the ideal politician. Moreover, the activated category (ideal/ anti-ideal) moderated the evaluation of two opposing politicians. The results are discussed within the contrast model of similarity, pointing to the validity of our approach when used to analyze behavior in a political context.

The study tested which attentional networks can be improved using cognitive training and whether this effect is mediated by gender differences. 181 young participants (50% woman) were randomly assi...

Abstract. The current study assessed memory performance for perceptually similar environmental sounds and speech-based material after short and long delays. In two studies, we demonstrated a similar pattern of memory performance for sounds and words in short-term memory, yet in long-term memory, the performance patterns differed. Experiment 1 examined the effects of two different types of sounds: meaningful (MFUL) and meaningless (MLESS), whereas Experiment 2 assessed memory performance for words and nonwords. We utilized a modified version of the classical Deese–Roediger–McDermott ( Deese, 1959 ; Roediger & McDermott, 1995 ) procedure and adjusted it to test the effects of acoustic similarities between auditorily presented stimuli. Our findings revealed no difference in memory performance between MFUL and MLESS sounds, and between words and nonwords after short delays. However, following long delays, greater reliance on meaning was noticed for MFUL sounds than MLESS sounds, while performance for linguistic material did not differ between words and nonwords. Importantly, participants' memory performance for words and nonwords was accompanied by a more lenient response strategy. The results are discussed in terms of perceptual and semantic similarities between MLESS and MFUL sounds, as well as between words and nonwords.

The aim of the study was to present skin diseases that occur during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic, especially among healthcare workers. Literature data on skin symptoms associated with COVID-19, frequently reported, e.g. by healthcare workers in the last months of the pandemic. Properly built, healthy, undamaged skin is our protection. It is extremely important for our health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially for people working in the health service. There is an increasing number of reports of irritating dermatitis among healthcare workers due to the increased need to wear personal protective equipment and more frequent hand washing than before the pandemic. Overzealous use of disinfectants and frequent hand washing can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the skin barrier, which in turn can lead to diseases such as hand eczema. This systematic review focuses on all skin problems related to COVID-19, including primary and secondary COVID-related cutaneous presentations. Skin diseases caused by Sars-CoV-2 virus should be monitored.

There is a lack of research investigating associative memory errors in sign language. Thus, the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was used to test recall and recognition errors in deaf signers following four types of encoding: written words, signs, written words presented along with signs, or written words combined with self-produced signs. The results revealed poor memory for studied material along with a relatively low level of false memory for critical items. However, dual coding appeared to enhance veridical memory. Interestingly, a high rate of noncritical intrusions was noticed across all four encoding conditions. Similar results were obtained for recognition, however, there were no differences between encoding conditions in the false alarms rate toward critical lures. The results point to difficulties in accessing the meaning of words in deaf participants. To test this hypothesis a follow-up study was conducted where false recall and recognition of words or signs were tested in hearing participants fluent in sign language. The second experiment revealed semantic memory errors comparable to previous studies with hearing participants. The results from both experiments are discussed in light of previous studies on vocabulary knowledge in deaf individuals.

The flux of terrigenous organic carbon through estuaries is an important and changing, yet poorly understood, component of the global carbon cycle. Using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and fluorescence data from 13 British estuaries draining catchments with highly variable land uses, we show that land use strongly influences the fate of DOC across the land ocean transition via its influence on the composition and lability of the constituent dissolved organic matter (DOM). In estuaries draining peatland-dominated catchments, DOC was highly correlated with biologically refractory “humic-like” terrigenous material which tended to be conservatively transported along the salinity gradient. In contrast, there was a weaker correlation between DOC and DOM components within estuaries draining catchments with a high degree of human impact, that is, relatively larger percentage of arable and (sub)urban land uses. These arable and (sub)urban estuaries contain a high fraction of bioavailable “protein-like” material that behaved nonconservatively, with both DOC removals and additions occurring. In general, estuaries draining catchments with a high percentage of peatland (≥18%) have higher area-specific estuarine exports of DOC (>13 g C m−2 yr−1) compared to those estuaries draining catchments with a high percentage (≥46%) of arable and (sub)urban land uses (

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3methylgultaryl-coenzyme A reductase (statins) are one of the main groups of drugs used in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases worldwide. They are widely available, cheap, and well-tolerated. Based on statins’ pleiotropic properties, including improvement of endothelial dysfunction, antioxidant properties, atherosclerotic plaque stabilization, and inhibition of inflammatory responses, it can be hypothesized that the use of statins, at least as an adjuvant in antiviral therapy, may be justified. All these effects might be especially beneficial in patients with COVID-19, suffering from endothelial dysfunction, microvascular and macrovascular thrombosis, and cytokine storm. Here, we review the recent data regarding the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 activity in host cells, proposed COVID-19 therapy, the pleiotropic activity of statins, and statins in clinical trials in respiratory infections. According to the guidelines of the European and American Cardiac Societies, in patients with cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk with concomitant COVID-19 it is recommended to continue statin treatment. However, the initiation of statin therapy de novo in COVID-19 treatment should only be done as part of a clinical trial.

Little is known about chemical and ecological recovery following red mud leachate pollution in fresh waters. This deficiency is confounded by a lack of knowledge on the chemical composition of red mud leachate and the changes in composition that occur as a result of interactions with sediments and freshwater organisms during transport through aquatic ecosystems. We used over 30 years of data from a shallow lake (Kinghorn Loch, Fife, Scotland) with a well-documented history of several decades of red mud leachate pollution to characterise the chemical loads (during a pollution period from 1981 to 1983), resultant impacts on surface water chemistry (comparison between 1983 and 2009), and recovery trajectories following leachate diversion (1983–2010) of constituents that pose a risk to the environment. Between 1981 and 1983, the input of leachate resulted in loads of total aluminium (Al), total arsenic (As), total vanadium (V), and phosphate (PO4-P) to the lake of 107, 2.3, 3.3, and 2.3 g m−2 (lake surface area) yr−1, respectively. During the same period, the lake acted as a sink of Al, As, V, and PO4-P, retaining 63.6, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.6 g m−2 yr−1, respectively. We used generalised additive modelling to assess the response trajectories and recovery end points of these constituents. Our results demonstrate the complexity of sediment–pollutant interactions during pollutant transport through the aquatic environment and provide insight into likely recovery trajectories in other aquatic ecosystems following red mud contamination. The PO4-P, total As, and total V surface water concentration recovery times, defined statistically as the point on the time series beyond which no further significant decrease in concentrations was observed, ranged from 18 to 26 years. Total Al concentrations continued to decrease significantly following the end of the monitoring period in 2010. In Kinghorn Loch, the legacy of red mud pollution continues to represent an environmental risk, demonstrating the importance of long-term monitoring and management strategies following similar pollution events.

Introduction Previous studies using semantically related words revealed more accurate memory when the items were encoded visually rather than auditorily and when mental images were created during encoding. However, how the level of memory distortion is affected by the creation of different mental imagery formats or by techniques that should suppress generation of mental images has rarely been investigated. Objective The aim of the present studies was to investigate the ways in which the encoding strategy affects the accuracy of memory reports for two presentation formats of semantically related words: verbal and pictorial. Method In experiment 1, the participants were asked to memorize either pictures or their verbal equivalents (words) from the same category, using one of two encoding strategies: uttering the words or counting backwards. In experiment 2, pictorially or auditory presented material was encoded together with the creation of either visual or auditory mental images of the items. The results of the experimental groups were compared to control groups that received no specific instruction. Results Higher levels of false recognition, together with lower rates of correct recognition, were observed for words, presented either visually or auditory, relative to pictures. Moreover, self-generation of additional code during the processing of information favored the reduction of false recognitions. Conclusion Encoding strategies that engaged dual coding reduced false recognition. The results are discussed within the distinctiveness heuristic phenomenon.

The current work shows the extension of similarity theory to open sets of features. Increasing similarity between two objects while deleting distinctive features and adding common features results in different effects depending on the original similarity. When the similarity is greater than 0.5, deleting distinctive features is more effective. When the similarity value is less than 0.5, adding common features is more effective. When we compare an object with its ideal, common features are positive and distinctive features are negative, whereas when we compare an object with its anti-ideal, common features are negative and distinctive features are positive. Consequently, greater strength of negative or positive features in increasing similarity depends on both the value of original similarity and whether the object is compared with its ideal or to its anti-ideal. In this way the positive–negative asymmetry is revealed. Theoretical simulations and a brief empirical demonstration of how the model works have shown that for similarity exceeding 0.5 of a compared object to its ideal, deleting negative features had a stronger effect on the positive image of a particular object than adding positive features of the same value. The mechanism presented is universal and refers to estimation and comparison of all natural stimuli, which can be defined by means of open sets of features.

Świadomośc roznic kulturowych pozwala efektywnie budowac relacje biznesowe i styl komunikacji oraz odpowiednio dobierac narzedzia i rozwiązania w procesie zarądzania. Celem artykulu jest pokazanie, na jakim gruncie wyroslo wspolczesne podejście do kultury organizacyjnej, co zdecydowalo, ze w taki, a nie inny sposob podchodzimy kontekstu kultury narodowej w kulturze organizacyjnej.

The painting ‘The Allegory of Life’, from the collection of Professor Litewski, the University Museum in Torun. History, technology, and technique

Eutrophication affects many lakes and reservoirs worldwide. It is caused by excessive amounts of nutrients entering waterbodies from their catchments, mainly due to human activity. The main sources of these nutrients are discharges from industry and wastewater treatment systems, and agricultural runoff. The water quality problems caused by eutrophication, such as harmful algal blooms, affect the sustainable use of lakes for agriculture, fisheries, recreation, tourism and water supply. They also degrade habitat quality and threaten biodiversity. A range of methods for improving lake water quality are explored, including catchment management and in-lake restoration measures. The potential impacts of these on lake biodiversity are explored, including species interactions and ecosystem feedbacks that may confound the recovery process. A particular challenge is the fact that achieving sustainable recovery may take many years, mainly due to the impact of legacy pollution problems. This must be taken into account when planning and implementing eutrophication management options, because these slow recovery periods can exceed the timescales that people are willing to accept. While this review focuses on the many well documented studies of restoration and recovery processes in temperate lakes, it also highlights the need for similar research on tropical and sub-tropical systems.

W artykule podjeta zostala proba określenia kierunku zmian kolorystyki warstw malarskich obrazu Ukrzyzowanie Pietera Coecke’a van Aelst (1502–1550), ktory znajduje sie w zbiorach Muzeum Narodowego w Warszawie. Na podstawie wynikow kompleksowych badan techniki i technologii obrazu wykonano probki warstw malarskich zawierających zidentyfikowane pigmenty i spoiwa. Badaniami objeto szesnaście zestawow probek w dwoch rodzajach spoiw: olejnym oraz temperowym. Wykonane probki poddano sztucznemu starzeniu pod wplywem światla w środowisku imitującym warunki panujące we wnetrzach muzealnych oraz wykonano instrumentalne pomiary barwy przed i po starzeniu. Analiza wynikow zmian barwy rozpatrywana byla w przestrzeni barwnej CIE L*a*b* oraz CIE L*C*h*. Kierunek zmian w badanych zestawach porownywano wizualnie z obecnym stanem zachowania obrazu Ukrzyzowanie.

Specjalistyczne badania, przeprowadzone na XVII-wiecznej, dwustronnej tarczy zegarowej, ze zbiorow Muzeum Warmii i Mazur w Olsztynie, pozwolily nie tylko na identyfikacje pigmentow zastosowanych to wykonania oryginalnej polichromii oraz materialow warstw wtornych, ale takze na rozpoznanie typow i określenie zakresu wystepowania produktow chemicznej degradacji warstw barwnych. Dzieki analizie historycznej i stylistycznej, mozliwe bylo rowniez ulokowanie badanego obiektu w kontekście dziejow sztuki zegarmistrzowskiej, a takze odtworzenie jego losow od pol. XX wieku to czasow obecnych. Zgromadzony material stal sie podstawą do stworzenia szczegolowej dokumentacji na temat stanu zachowania obiektu, a takze odegral kluczową role w trakcie podejmowania kolejnych decyzji w trakcie prowadzonych prac konserwatorskich.

Artykul prezentuje techniki mazerunkow z wybranej i reprezentatywnej dziewietnastowiecznej stolarki kościelnej z terenow Pomorza Zachodniego. Mazerunek, czyli zdobniczą technike malarską stosowano na roznych podlozach dla imitowania uslojonej powierzchni szlachetnego drewna. Na Pomorzu Zachodnim odwzorowywano glownie uslojenie drewna debowego, rzadziej orzechowego. W celu doglebnego poznania techniki mazerunkow, wybrane obiekty zabytkowe poddano specjalistycznym badaniom laboratoryjnym. Wykonano zestaw badan chemicznych i instrumentalnych, szczegolnie pomocne okazalo sie zastosowanie energodyspersyjnej analizy rentgenowskiej z uzyciem mikrosondy elektronowej SEM–EDS.

To date most studies within the misinformation paradigm have used the visual presentation of a to-be-remembered event that is later tested verbally or visually. However, the well-established encoding specificity hypothesis predicts that congruence between encoding and test phases should lead to fewer memory errors. In Study 1, we examined the susceptibility to misinformation after encoding original information in 1 of 4 different formats: as a film, slides, and as a written or auditory narrative. All participants were tested verbally, and those who encoded original information pictorially (as a video or slides) were more likely to incorrectly accept verbally suggested information. This might be a consequence of encoding–retrieval format match. In Study 2, using either verbal or pictorial modality during encoding, postevent information, and test (fully crossed design), we partially supported the encoding–retrieval format match hypothesis; however, auditory presentation of original or postevent information modified the effect, showing that a memory trace created after auditory description was the strongest.

False working memories readily emerge using a visual item-recognition variant of the converging associates task. Two experiments, manipulating study and test modality, extended prior working memory results by demonstrating a reliable false recognition effect (more false alarms to associatively related lures than to unrelated lures) within seconds of encoding in either the visual or auditory modality. However, false memories were nearly twice as frequent when study lists were seen than when they were heard, regardless of test modality, although study-test modality mismatch was generally disadvantageous (consistent with encoding specificity). A final experiment that varied study-test modality using a hybrid short- and long-term memory test (Flegal, Atkins & Reuter-Lorenz, 2010) replicated the auditory advantage in the short term but revealed a reversal in the long term: The false memory effect was greater in the auditory study-test condition than in the visual study-test condition. Thus, the same encoding conditions gave rise to an opposite modality advantage depending on whether recognition was tested under short-term or long-term memory conditions. Although demonstrating continuity in associative processing across delay, the results indicate that delay condition affects the availability of modality-dependent features of the memory trace and, thus, distinctiveness, leading to dissociable patterns of short- and long-term memory performance.

This research brief summarises the views of a group of early career freshwater researchers on 3 questions: What are the greatest threats to freshwater resources and how will they change over the next century? Is freshwater science effectively utilised to help society adapt to these threats? How will we ensure the benefits of freshwater science are reaped by society into the future? To address these questions we reviewed the current literature and discussed our findings in a series of group meetings. We concluded that freshwater resources will be most threatened by population growth, climate change, and eutrophication in the future. We provide examples of how the utilisation of freshwater science by society is reliant on effective monitoring systems, data sharing, and effective communication of topical scientific evidence to both the public and policy makers. Developments in these fields increase the likelihood of society benefitting from past and future research in freshwater science.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy under visible and ultraviolet light were applied to characterize the pigments, state of conservation, and painting techniques used in the 17th century panel painting ‘Servilius Appius’, attributed to Isaac van den Blocke. This Golden Age work of art is located at the Gdansk History Museum. Briefly, individual layers of six samples from different parts of the aforementioned painting were analyzed. A rich palette of white, yellow, red, blue, and black pigments was identified using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Optical microscopy was also employed to observe and analyze these layers. The obtained results were compared with the art history knowledge of the painting. Consequently, these studies enabled precise characterization of the type of lead tin yellow, the admixture of pigments used in the painting layers, and the type of ground layers, as well as the determination of the pictorial technique used in the process of creating this work of art. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was used to investigate consumer confusion between original and look-alike brands. The results showed that look-alike brands were falsely recognized at a higher rate than original brands and that modality (audio, visual, and audiovisual) had no effect on false recognition rates. The results suggest that the DRM paradigm provides a useful tool for analyzing consumer confusion, brand substitution, and trademark infringement.

Vanadium (V) is a contaminant which has been long confined to the annals of regulatory history. This follows the reduction of its historical primary source (fossil fuel emissions) since the 1970s (e.g., by 80% in the UK). However, V is quickly becoming an important strategic resource which promises its return to environmental prominence because of changing industrial practices and emerging waste streams. We discuss below (i) what makes V a re-emerging environmental and human health hazard of global interest, (ii) the knowledge gaps that currently restrict prediction of environmental effect and mitigation, and (iii) opportunities for the community to address these gaps toward reducing the risk of an impending environmental hazard.

Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and optical microscopy were applied to identify pigments, binders, fillers and degradation products in the 17th century painting 'The Coronation and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’. This piece of art is located in the Convent of the Sisters of St. Catherine in Orneta (Poland). The main important aspect is the non-destructive character of the examination and the small amount of sample necessary for analysis. Individual layers of five micro-samples cross-sections and powder samples taken from discrete and representative areas of the painting were studied. The combination of a linear array detector with a micro-ATR imaging accessory provides the possibility to overcome the diffraction limit and deliver a spatial resolution of about 5 microns (pixel size at the sample equal to 6.25 μm). Noteworthy, a rich palette of white, blue, red, and black pigments was characterized in the analyzed areas. Additionally, the mapping mode provided information about the distribution of individual components in the paint cross-sections. The analysis made it possible to identify binding media, such as proteins, triglycerides, fatty acids or resin acids, and degradation products, including whewellite, moolooite, and lead soaps.

One of the most widely applied techniques used to examine associative memory errors is the Deese-RoedigerMcDermott (DRM) paradigm. The aim of the present studies was to demonstrate a Polish version of the DRM paradigm and to test the characteristics of memory illusions evoked by this procedure for both recall and recognition. A normative study was conducted to prepare Polish stimuli material sharing similar characteristics as the lists in the English language version. Subsequently, the lists were applied to examine the effect of prior recall on recognition, as well as the influence of retention interval on recall. The results revealed that the Polish version of the DRM paradigm induced a robust effect of false recall and recognition. Moreover, it was revealed that immediate recall of a single list led to a higher rate of both correct and false recall and that prior recall positively influenced recognition, leading to a higher rate of hits. * Institute of Applied Psychology, Academy of Special Education, ul. Szcześliwicka 40, 02-353 Warszawa, julatowska@aps.edu.pl ** Institute of Applied Psychology, University of Social Sciences, ul. Sienkiewicza 9, 90-113 Łodź, justynao@umich.edu This research was supported by The National Science Centre Grant DEC-2011/01/D/HS6/05482

The research presented in the article is aimed at recognizing the techniques of gilding in painting from the region of the former Royal Prussia (the paintings come from the present provinces: Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries on the basis of a selected representative paintings. The analysis included 12 paintings: two epitaphs, two paintings by Anton Möller, two from his circle, dated to the 17th century and six paintings depicting protestant clergymen from the 18th century. The performed research of the materials used, with an attempt to clarify their characteristic features determined on the basis of mineralogical and geochemical tests will complement the knowledge on applied gilding techniques in the modern era in the present regions of Pomerania and Kujawy. Badania przedstawione w artykule mają na celu rozpoznanie techniki wykonania złoceń w powstałych w XVII i XVIII wieku dziełach malarskich z terenu dawnych Prus Królewskich (obrazy pochodzą z obecnych województw: pomorskiego i kujawsko-pomorskiego) na podstawie wytypowanego reprezentatywnego zespołu obrazów. Grupę tę tworzy dwanaście dzieł: dwa epitafia, dwa obrazy autorstwa Antona Möllera, dwa obrazy wiązane z kręgiem oddziaływania jego sztuki datowane na wiek XVII oraz sześć portretów przedstawiających protestanckich duchownych z XVIII stulecia. Wykonane analizy użytych materiałów, z próbą doprecyzowania ich charakterystycznych cech ustalonych w wyniku badań mineralogicznych i geochemicznych, uzupełnią wiedzę na temat technik złotniczych stosowanych w epoce nowożytnej na terenach Pomorza i Kujaw.

The state of preservation of smalt in the selected Gdansk paintings by Anton Moller (1563/5–1611), Hermann Han (1580–1627/8) and Isaac van den Blocke (before 1589 – after 1624) This works presents energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis in a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) and optical microscopy under ultraviolet light (VIS-UV) analysis of painting layer containing the blue pigment smalt of selected panel paintings by the Gdansk artists of the 17th century Golden Age: Anton Moller, Isaac van den Blocke and Hermann Han. Application of SEM-EDS and VIS-UV methods allowed to analyze individual layers containing smalt and to determine the state of preservation of this pigment. The results helped to understand the process of deterioration of blue layer painted with smalt

Samples were obtained from two world-famous 17th century panel paintings of the Gdańsk school of panting: 'Seven Acts of Charity' (1607, in St. Mary's Church in Gdańsk, Poland) by Anton Möller and 'Angelic Concert' (1611, in Diocesan Museum in Pelplin, Poland) by Hermann Han. Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS), optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy studies of the samples were performed to characterize the pigments present in the individual painting layers (a rich palette of white, black, blue, red, and yellow pigments) and the pictorial techniques used by the artists.

Painting with the use of impasto has been known for ages. Using a considerable amount of paint for aesthetic and artistic purpose requires certain knowledge which would protect the work of art from damage. The aim of the undertaken research was to define the usefulness of 49 self-chosen types of binders typical of a few painting techniques applied on textile support covered with mortar of various capacity to absorb (emulsion like ‘water in oil’ and ‘oil in water’, gaining the so called mortar ‘slim’, ‘semi-fat’ and ‘fat’). A crucial aspect was to define the influence of the base on the quality of the painting texture. In order to enrich knowledge concerning possibilities of gaining impasto painting layer, the ability of easy application of paint having a different consistency: liquid and thick looking like ‘paste’ has been examined. Moreover, the quality of application and capability of spreading the paint with the use of a brush or a painting spatula has been studied. Additionally, two types of fillers: chalk and sand were added to the paint in order to acquire the desired form of impasto structure. Due to the purpose of using the research for the benefit of a contemporary artist and a conservator, as well as taking into consideration the complex nature of recipes found in literature, part of ingredients of binders has been modified and supplied with the ones accessible on the contemporary market. In the composition of binders of complex structure sets of a few binders can be found. They have been divided with regard to the type of the main binder and the capability to dilute and not dilute it with water.

Treatise Het Groot Schilderboek (“The Great Book on Painting”) of Gerard de Lairesse (1640–1711) belongs to important works which apart from theoretical issues include relevant information concerning painting technique. In the 17th and 18th century theoretical papers on the painting enjoyed great interest in the whole of Europe. The treatise by de Lairesse was well-known also amongst the artists active in Gdańsk, Toruń, and Elbląg in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Up to the 18th century artists in Poland-Lithuania received their professional training within the framework of a guild system. The system of learning required copying of the famous ancient and modern works from prints. In Gdańsk and Toruń the works by de Lairesse enjoyed considerable popularity and were often copied. Given the significance of the work of the Dutch artist in Royal Prussia a project was initiated to recreate the painting technique described in his treatise. A copy of a painting by the artist was made fallowing available literature and an in-depth study of the treatise itself. The aim was to recreate in a practical way the technical details of the old workshop practice. The results of the analyses and of technological reconstructions can be used in conservation practice as well as in artistic activity. Traktat Het groot schilderboek („Wielka księga malarska”) Gerarda de Lairesse (1640–1711) należy do znaczących dzieł, w których oprócz zagadnień teoretycznych zawarto istotne informacje dotyczące techniki malarskiej. W XVII i XVIII wieku prace teoretyczne o malarstwie cieszyły się dużym zainteresowaniem w całej Europie. Traktat de Lairesse’a znany był na przykład wśród artystów Gdańska, Torunia, Elbląga. Do wieku XVIII artyści polscy zdobywali doświadczenie głównie w ramach systemu cechowego. System nauki wymagał m.in. kopiowania znanych dzieł antycznych i nowożytnych reprodukowanych w postaci sztychów. W środowisku gdańskim i toruńskim dużym powodzeniem cieszyły się reprodukcje dzieł de Lairesse’a, które były często kopiowane. W związku ze znaczeniem pracy holenderskiego artysty w środowisku malarskim ówczesnych Prus Królewskich zajęto się badaniami, które umożliwiły odtworzenie techniki malarskiej opisanej w jego traktacie. Opierając się na dostępnej literaturze i dogłębnych studiach nad traktatem wykonano kopię wybranego obrazu artysty. Praca miała na celu praktyczne poznanie tajników dawnego warsztatu, praktyki. Wyniki analiz i rekonstrukcji technologicznych mogą być wykorzystane w praktyce konserwatorskiej oraz przy wykonywaniu prac artystycznych.

This work presents spectroscopic (optical microscopy, OM; micro-Raman, Raman; and Fourier-transform adsorption infrared, FT-IR) and gas chromatographic studies of two famous panel paintings from the Gdańsk artists of the 17th century Golden Age, “Servilius Appius” by Isaac van den Blocke and “Allegory of Wealth” probably by Anton Möller. Application of the aforementioned methods allowed us to identify pigments and binders used in the panel paintings. In particular, it was determined that the yellow pigment used by both artists is lead-tin yellow type I (2PbO·SnO2), the white pigment is lead (II) carbonate hydroxide (2PbCO3·Pb(OH)2), and the ground layer material consist of chalk (CaCO3). The analysis showed also that in the case of “Allegory of Wealth,” the red layer consists not only of cinnabar (HgS) but also of lead-tin yellow type I.

The identification of old organic lake types used in painting techniques is a crucial research issue. Over the centuries, a rich diversity of methods and manners in obtaining organic dyes, including lakes, was utilized for art purposes. In order to fill in the specimen indispensable to precise analysis of art masterpieces, the reconstruction technology of chosen red organic dyes such as: dyer’s madder ( Rubia tinctorum L.), red wood of Pernambuco ( Caesalpinia crista L.) as well as American cochineal ( Dactylopius coccus Costa) was applied. The experiments were conducted based on the set of historical prescriptions (15th– 17th) found in written sources. The attention was shifted towards issues such as: the type of material used and the manner of obtention, which were not neutral for the final colour or properties of obtained lakes. The painting layer was also examined with infrared radiation by means of false colour technique (IRFC). Lakes were mixed with water and resin-oil binder to check how the change of the lake’s colour has been influenced by the binder, the way of coating and the obtention technology.

The technique of blue painting layers was analyzed on the example of selected 27 panel paintings made in Gdansk workshops and origin from the churches and the museums of Gdansk, Pelplin and Poznan. The general aim of this work was to analyze and systematize of how the technique and the technology of painting the blue layers had been changing from the mid-sixteenth to the end of the eighteenth century. The commonly used blue pigments were natural azurite, natural ultramarine and smalt, and since the beginning of the eighteenth century the only one blue pigment was organic indigo. The performed analysis is a database on ways of developing the blue painting layers in Gdansk School of Painting and it will be helpful when comparing with other works both schools of Gdansk, as well as the other European schools.

The vanilliod receptor subfamily belongs to the transient receptor potential family of ion channels. Vanilloid receptors are calcium-permeable channels highly expressed in many different cells, both excitable and nonexcitable, in invertebrates (nematodes, insects) and vertebrates (mammals). These receptors are sensitive to a wide range of stimuli (chemical, mechanical, osmotic and temperature) that often activate the same channel. This review focuses on recent information, both bibliographic and experimental evidence of the author, concerning the structure and functions of vanilloid receptors, especially those connected with thermoregulation.

The article describes definition of image as a mental picture of organizations, that people have in their minds. Exactly an image is the impression of the person, company or institution that is held by one or more publics. An image is not a picture, that is it is not a detailed representation it is rather a few details softened with the fuzziness of perception. The image is a strategic tool for companies, organizations, communes of creating competitive advantage. A subject has it when it can deliver to customers the offer becomes aware of them as unique. An image is not equal to identity. Image is a projection of people's minds, not a real picture. Therefore two different minds may held different image of commune but identity remains the same. Limited access to market and capital and inclination to gain tourists and investors segments give occasion to competitive battle between regions that is similar to battle between companies. Because of that communes look for new sources of competitive advantage. One of them is an image. Image may be an effective tool of creating advantage, but it is necessary to introduce strategy of creating image based on marketing and market research. The article describe several stages' process of creating image based on marketing research. It mentions the tools of creating reputation (personnel, promotion-mix, price, corporate design) and their application for commune. In article we present customers and subjects of creating image and their part in the process.

The aim of this article is to study some technology and technique of casein tempera aspects. Most information in former written sources refers to lime casein, which was used as a binder in wall painting or as a joiner’s wood glue. Some already carried out research of the old painting technique indicates that beginning in the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and the Baroque, in the composition of binders casein could be identified. This fact proves that the importance of this binder in old painting was larger than known treatises and manuscripts reveal. The paper contains the results of some practical technology and technique studies of some selected, used in easel painting (on wood and on canvas), casein temperas. On the basis of that research, the way of the selected binders performance and their properties are presented. They can be used for artistic purposes as well as in the conservation and restoration work.

This paper discusses the issues related with the painters’ workshop of the first half of 17th century, originating from the territory of Duke’s Prussia. The technology and technique of two paintings is being presented: an epitaph painting of Hans Gronau from Our Lady’s Basilica in Gdansk, related with the circle of followers of Anton Moller (1563/65 Krolewiec – 1611 Gdansk) and a painting with the representation of Coronation of Virgin Mary from the Holy Trinity Church in Jezewo, attributed to the atelier of Herman Han (1574 Nysa – 1627 Chojnice).

The paper presents technical structure of the epitaph painting of Hans Gronau from Our Lady’s Basilica in Gdansk. The painting was executed in Gdansk painter’s workshop in the year 1612. Basing on the integrated physical, chemical and instrumental research artists’ materials applied have been identifi ed. In relation with historic and technological knowledge the most characteristic features of painters’ workshop, that executed the painting have been characterised. Artists’ technique and technology employed while executing the epitaph painting of Hans Gronau has been rooted in the tradition of 17th century painting. The results of presented research contribute to the history of technology of painting of the Gdansk school of the period from 17th to 19th century.