Search

We generalize the Zermelo navigation on Riemannian manifolds (M; h), admitting a space dependence of a ship's speed 0 < |u(x)|h ≤ 1 in the presence of a perturbation W̃ determined by a strong (critical) velocity vector field satisfying |W̃ (x)|h = |u(x)|h, with application of Finsler metric of Kropina type.

The aim of the study was to analyse precipitation, subsurface runoff and concentrations of nutrients in water (NH4+-N, NO3--N and PO43- ions). The study was conducted at the lysimetric station in Jaworki (Małe Pieniny, Nowy Targ district, Malopolska province, 600 m a.m.s.l.). Measurements were carried out during vegetation periods, from April to September. The paper consists of an analysis of data in two periods - 2001-2018 and 2019-2022. Data in the historical years (2001-2018) showed that water quality as well as its quantitative variability was low, mainly until 2015. The year 2018 indicated slow changes in this regard. Analysis of the years 2019-2022 indicated that the outflow was almost identical. The years 2019 and 2022 were characterized by significantly higher leachate concentrations. Ammonium ion contents were similar. Analysis of nitrate ions in leachate showed an increasing trend over the years. Phosphates, on the other hand, showed a similar trend to nitrate ions. The study showed which types of land use have the greatest impact on both subsurface runoff volume and leachate water quality. In mountainous conditions, the type of use, as well as the climate and soil, have an extremely significant impact on the volume and quality of runoff, which affect the quality of groundwater and surface water.

Amber has been used to create decorative items for centuries, but its degradation presents challenges for conservators. This study identifies substances historically used to protect amber objects, especially those from 17th and 18th century Gdansk workshops. Despite their historical value, information on amber conservation is scarce. Traditional substances are noted, but their exact compositions and effects on amber remain unclear. Synthetic resins, introduced in the late 19th century, also degrade, complicating conservation due to their removal difficulty and interference with amber identification. This research aimed to develop methods for detecting and analyzing protective coatings on amber objects using macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Initial methods included analytical photography under visible and UV light and reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS) to assess the surface. Raman spectroscopy (RS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were used for detailed analysis. RS provided precise layer-specific information but was sensitive to surface conditions, while XRF quickly identified inorganic compounds but not organic materials. Examining amber objects from Polish collections using this methodology revealed various protective substances, including synthetic resins and nitrocellulose varnishes. This research contributes to amber conservation by proposing a comprehensive material analysis approach, essential for developing effective conservation strategies for these historic objects.

The aim of this study is to provide a retrospective assessment of the possibility of determining the severity of atherosclerosis based on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), autopsy protocols and histopathological examination results. In the first stage of the study, 200 cases were evaluated of persons over 40 years of age in whom postmortem computed tomography and autopsy were performed. In the second stage, the cases were divided into a study group (cardiovascular deaths) and a control group, as well as divided by age and, in addition to autopsy protocols and PMCT results, histopathological findings were evaluated. The results of stage I demonstrated that the best detection of atherosclerosis was in the advanced stage with a predominance of detection in PMCT. Atherosclerosis detection in autopsy was highest in the coronary arteries, aorta and cerebral arteries; while in PMCT it remained equal in all evaluated locations. Autopsy showed higher detection of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries and aorta compared to PMCT. The results of stage II of the study revealed that attaching the results of the general histopathological examination to the retrospective evaluation does not provide an opportunity to increase the accuracy of the evaluation of atherosclerotic lesions. The results obtained indicate the need for prospective studies. Conclusions: autopsy allows macroscopic evaluation of a very broad spectrum of atherosclerotic lesions, but often without precise determination of their nature, and with limited localization; PMCT allows accurate and reproducible evaluation of calcified atherosclerotic lesions in large and medium-sized vessels, but is unsuitable for the evaluation of non-calcified lesions and small vessels; targeted histopathological examinations allow very accurate, but local assessment of atherosclerotic lesions.

BackgroundCleaved high-molecular-weight kininogen (HKa) is a disease state biomarker of kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) activation in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1INH), the endogenous inhibitor of plasma kallikrein (PKa).ObjectiveDevelop an HKa-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to monitor KKS activation in the plasma of HAE-C1INH patients.MethodsA novel HKa-specific antibody was discovered by antibody phage display and used as a capture reagent to develop an HKa-specific ELISA.ResultsSpecific HKa detection following KKS activation was observed in plasma from healthy controls but not in prekallikrein-, high-molecular-weight kininogen-, or coagulation factor XII (FXII)-deficient plasma. HKa levels in plasma collected from HAE-C1INH patients in a disease quiescent state were higher than in plasma from healthy controls and increased further in HAE-C1INH plasma collected during an angioedema attack. The specificity of the assay for PKa-mediated HKa generation in minimally diluted plasma activated with exogenous FXIIa was demonstrated using a specific monoclonal antibody inhibitor (lanadelumab, IC50 = 0.044 µM).ConclusionsAn ELISA was developed for the specific and quantitative detection of HKa in human plasma to support HAE-C1INH drug development. Improved quantification of the HKa biomarker may facilitate further pathophysiologic insight into HAE-C1INH and other diseases mediated by a dysregulated KKS and may enable the design of highly potent inhibitors targeting this pathway.

Celem parku kulturowego jest obszarowa ochrona dziedzictwa miejskiego połączona z celami rozwoju społecznego i gospodarczego w relacji ze środowiskiem miejskim i przyrodniczym. U podstaw leży szerokie rozumienie dziedzictwa kulturowego, uwzględniające jego niematerialny aspekt. Artykuł jest analizą dokumentów związanych z procesem stanowienia Parku Kulturowego Nowa Huta oraz zestawieniem z ideą parku kulturowego wg. UNESCO. W artykule wykorzystano także autorskie badania etnograficzne.

Introduction and purpose Air pollution, stemming from natural occurrences and human activities, significantly threatens global health, particularly impacting respiratory conditions like asthma. Air pollution substantially influences asthma exacerbation in athletes, a group particularly vulnerable due to their high physical activity levels and increased respiratory demands. Key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), play critical roles in asthma development and exacerbation. The State of Knowledge Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors like air pollution, is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, and chronic inflammation, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Research highlights the link between air pollution exposure and asthma development, with PM2.5 exposure associated with increased asthma risk and pollutants exacerbating symptoms, especially in children. Athletes inhaling air pollutants during exercise face increased airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchospasm, worsening asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic exposure decreases lung function, increasing reliance on medication and limiting outdoor training on polluted days. Summary Effective asthma management amidst air pollution requires personal, community, and governmental measures. Patients should minimize exposure by wearing N95 masks and choosing low-traffic routes. Governments must monitor pollution, inform the public, and control emissions through alternative fuels and technologies. Adhering to WHO air quality guidelines could prevent many new asthma cases, emphasizing comprehensive air quality management's importance, especially among vulnerable populations like children.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) remains a significant clinical challenge in otorhinolaryngology, characterized by prolonged inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid space, accompanied by a perforated tympanic membrane and persistent discharge for a minimum of two weeks. Despite its often viral origin, bacterial colonization is common, with frequent involvement of pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. CSOM affects over 300 million individuals worldwide, primarily in low socio-economic communities, and is prevalent among children due to acute otitis media (AOM) or congenital disorders. In adults, it is often associated with conditions such as cholesteatoma or polyps. Approximately 60% of CSOM patients suffer from conductive hearing loss, which can impair speech development in children. This review discusses the etiological factors, associated complications, and treatment options for CSOM, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management, including potential surgical interventions. The persistent and recurrent nature of AOM, anatomical abnormalities, presence of polyps, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and cholesteatoma are highlighted as significant contributors to the development and perpetuation of CSOM. To complete discussion, there is a brief review of management in recovery after elaborated conditions with special regards to returning to physical activities.

Corneal disease and damage can arise from various causes, including infections, corneal dystrophies, trauma and improper contact lens use. These factors can lead to corneal blindness which greatly decreases the patient’s quality of life. Although corneal transplantation is a viable treatment option for many patients, the risk of rejection after corneal transplantation remains a concern. Severe corneal damage requires special methods of treatment, which are still sought after. This narrative review aims to summarize the use of stem cells and keratoprosthesis in the treatment of corneal diseases. Stem cell therapy, particularly limbal stem cell transplantation, shows promise in corneal regenerative therapy, especially the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cells have been successfully used in cornea transplantation, offering a novel approach to restoring vision in patients with corneal diseases. Keratoprosthesis, such as the Boston keratoprosthesis and osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, provides an alternative for patients who cannot undergo traditional corneal transplantation. Artificial prostheses are also an alternative to corneal transplantation in cases of extensive trauma or in the absence of donor tissue. Continued research and development in stem cell therapy and keratoprosthesis hold the potential to improve the outcomes, accessibility of corneal disease treatment and reducing the global burden of corneal blindness.

Introducion and purpose Millions of people use contact lenses every day. Their primary and most common use is correcting refractive errors. Despite their beneficial purpose, contact lens use has many complications. It is estimated that 5 to 50% of patients may develop at least a single complication. The state of knowledge Contact lens-related complications are multifactorial. One of the main reasons for contact lens discontinuation is contact lens discomfort. Patients most often report dryness, burning, and irritated eyes. Other disorders can be briefly divided into conjunctival and corneal complications. The most common conjunctival and allergic complication of contact lens use is giant papillary conjunctivitis. Other significant conditions involving the conjunctiva can also be superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis or allergic or toxic conjunctivitis. Corneal complications, on the other hand, seemed to be much more severe. These include superficial punctate keratitis, peripheral corneal ulceration, and contact lens-related keratitis. Also, abrasion can occur due to improper eye hygiene or mechanical damage during lens replacement. It should also be remembered that prolonged use of lenses can lead to hypoxia and corneal edema. Summary This paper briefly outlines the possible complications of contact lens use. It is important to remember that despite their appropriate use, sometimes significant complications can occur. Noteworthy, corneal, or conjunctival complications require discontinuation of the lenses and appropriate treatment.

Introduction and purpose Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common causes of baldness worldwide. It affects up to 80% of men by the age of 70 and up to 40% of postmenopausal women. In AGA etiology and pathogenesis, the three essential components play a key role - genetic inheritance, patient age and hormonal effects of androgens. In the following review, we have described the available FDA-approved and off-label treatments for AGA, along with their efficacy and potential side effects that should always be considered to prevent treatment discontinuation by the patients. The state of knowledge The pathogenesis of AGA is based on inherited dihydrotestosterone (DHT) sensitivity in the scalp skin, which leads to progressive hair loss. The literature documents the effectiveness of several treatments with different mechanisms of action in AGA therapy, but only topical minoxidil and oral finasteride gained FDA approval so far. Minoxidil acts by the blood vessels dilatation that increases the flow of oxygenated and growth factor-enriched blood to the hair follicles in the skin. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride and dutasteride are another threapeutic option. Thy act by the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT - the main causative agent of androgenetic alopecia. Recently, topical applications of minoxidil and finasterid, along with completely new emerging treatments for androgenetic alopecia are gaining popularity among doctors and patients. Summary This review describes current treatments for AGA, considering their efficacy, optimal doses, and the most common side effects. An important fact to emphasise is that androgenetic alopecia is based on a genetic predisposition, and treatment requires long-term use. For this reason, when choosing a medication, it is essential to cooperate with the patient and combine different therapeutic methods to achieve the desirable outcome while avoiding adverse reactions.

Social network analysis is a rapidly evolving research area having several real-life application areas, e.g. digital marketing, epidemiology, spread of misinformation. Influence maximization aims to select a subset of nodes in such manner that the information propagated over the network is maximized. Competitive influence maximization, which describes the phenomena of multiple actors competing for resources within the same infrastructure, can be solved with a greedy approach selecting the seed nodes utilizing the influence strength between nodes. Recently, deep reinforcement learning methods were applied for estimating the influence strength. We train a controller with reinforcement learning for selecting a node list of given length as the initial seed set for the information spread. Our experiments show that deep Q-learning methods are suitable to analyze the competitive influence maximization on trust and distrust based social networks. Received by the editors: 1 March 2023. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. 68T05. 1998 CR Categories and Descriptors. G.2.2 Discrete Mathematics: Graph Theory – Network problems; G.3. Probability and Statistics: Markov Processes; I.2.6 Artificial Intelligence: Learning – Connectionism and neural nets.

This narrative review examines current and emerging treatment strategies for diabetic macular edema (DME), a complication of diabetic retinopathy characterised by fluid accumulation in the macula, which can lead to vision impairment. The incidence of DME is particularly high in patients with long-standing diabetes and advanced retinopathy. The current treatment options for DME include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents, corticosteroids, and laser therapies. Anti-VEGF agents, including bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and the more recently developed brolucizumab and faricimab, have been demonstrated to reduce macular thickness and improve visual acuity. Brolucizumab offers the advantage of fewer injections due to its longer duration of action, although it carries a higher risk of ocular inflammation compared to other anti-VEGF agents. The dual inhibition of the VEGF and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) pathways by faricimab may enhance vascular stability and reduce inflammation, potentially improving patient outcomes. Steroid therapies, including dexamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide, and triamcinolone acetonide, represent an alternative for patients who do not respond adequately to anti-VEGF treatment. Laser therapies, including focal, navigated, and subthreshold laser treatments, remain a crucial component in the management of DME, with the ability to seal leaking vessels and reduce fluid accumulation. In order to achieve the best outcomes for patients, it is essential to continue to advance these treatment modalities and adopt a personalised, multifaceted approach.

General education science courses strive to promote scientific literacy and the development of scientific process skills. However, research shows that many general education courses are still designed to stress content mastery. In this study, the number of topics in five semester-long introductory atmospheric science courses was reduced to increase time for the development of scientific process skills, a critical component of scientific literacy. The Atmospheric and Climate Science Literacy Frameworks and a general science education skills rubric were used to guide the course redesign and development of course activities. Details of the course structure and sample course activities are described. A pre-post-test was developed to evaluate attainment of five scientific process skills and the efficacy of the course redesign. Preliminary validity and reliability studies suggest that the majority of the assessment questions are reliable, though further validation of the assessment is required.

IntroductionMixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) is a rare disease with poor prognosis. So far, no standard approach has been established as the “know-how” of MPAL is based only on retrospective analyses performed on small groups of patients.Materials and methodsIn this study, a retrospective analysis of the outcomes of adult MPAL patients included in the PALG registry between 2005 and 2024 who received the CLAG-M hybrid protocol as induction or salvage therapy was performed.ResultsSixteen of 98 MPAL patients received CLAG-M: eight as first-line and eight as salvage therapy. In the first line, two patients achieved partial response (PR), and six achieved complete remission (CR), of whom four successfully underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Two patients who did not undergo alloHSCT promptly relapsed. Within the whole group, the overall response rate (ORR) was 75% (n = 12/16). With the median follow-up of 13 months, six out of eight patients remain in CR, however, two of them died due to acute graft versus host disease. Out of eight patients who received CLAG-M in the second line, four patients (50%) obtained CR. AlloHSCT was conducted in seven cases, six of which were in CR. Only two patients remained in CR at the time of the last follow-up. Tolerance to treatment was good. The median times for severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 22 days (range, 16–24) and 17 days (range, 12–24), respectively. Overall, grade 3-4 infections were observed in 12 cases, and all infections presented successful outcomes.ConclusionsCLAG-M is an effective first-line salvage regimen for MPAL with an acceptable safety profile. Early achievement of CR with prompt alloHSCT allows for satisfactory disease control.

Introduction The rising prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has prompted concerns regarding its potential health implications. While much attention has focused on respiratory and cardiovascular effects, injuries, oral trauma, and bone fractures linked to e-cigarette use have received less scrutiny. This paper aims to comprehensively review the landscape of injuries, oral trauma, and bone fractures induced by e-cigarettes, shedding light on this underexplored facet of e-cigarette-related harm. Material and Methods This literature review has analyzed 16 papers. Inclusion criteria: researches and case reports published after 2015. PubMed and Google Scholar has been searched to identify the papers. Analysis of the Literature Existing literature suggests a growing incidence of injuries, oral trauma, and bone fractures associated with e-cigarette use, albeit with limited systematic investigation. Mechanisms underlying these injuries range from device malfunctions to inadvertent impacts during use. Case reports highlight a spectrum of injuries, including oral burns, dental trauma, and skeletal fractures, often involving the face and mouth regions. Conclusions Despite the lack of comprehensive epidemiological data emerging evidence underscores the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to mitigate e-cigarette-related injuries. Enhanced education, regulation of e-cigarette devices, and promotion of safer usage practices are crucial steps towards reducing the burden of e-cigarette-related harm on oral and skeletal health.

Introduction Heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a non-invasive marker to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation on cardiac rhythm. Its link with sleep quality, particularly in the context of insomnia, posits HRV as a potential indicator of autonomic state variations during sleep disturbances. The prevalence of insomnia, affecting up to 20% of the general population, emphasizes the need to understand its extensive impact. Material and Methods For this review - 41 relevant titles from 1985 to 2024 were selected Analysis of the Literature: Recent studies highlight a bidirectional relationship between insomnia and ANS function, with increased sympathetic activity indicated by physiological and subjective measures in individuals with insomnia. The role of medications like beta-blockers in disrupting ANS and leading to sleep deprivation further connects measurable and perceived aspects of sleep quality, impacting health negatively. Moreover, HRV's application has expanded beyond professional athletics to daily activity and sleep quality monitoring by the general population, emphasizing its potential in evaluating stress and training intensity. Conclusion: The complex interplay between HRV, insomnia, and health outcomes necessitates further research. However, integrating HRV measurements into clinical and everyday monitoring may offer a promising avenue for improving sleep disorder management and enhancing quality of life.

Autism is an abnormality in functioning that influences how people interact with others, communicate, learn new things and behave. According to the WHO, autism already occurs in 1 in 100 children. Although it affects people of all ages it is mostly diagnosed in children. This makes the essence of autism management to support the child's development. Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD) has become a target of research and interest in modern medicine, especially psychiatry pediatrics and psychology. Help and support during the development of a child with ASD have big influence in alleviating symptoms and developing functioning. The multitude of modern therapies makes it available to provide comprehensive care for the child. According to a recent analysis, therapies such as music therapy have positive effects. They can boost a child's communication, interpersonal, social and language skills. They improve the child's overall functioning which converts into his quality of life in adulthood. The profits of occupational or individual therapies are a new case in the context of people with ASD. It requires more extensive randomized studies, but it offers great hope and optimism for the improvement of therapies and a multifaceted support system for children with ASD.

INTRODUCTION: Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes (PNS) represent a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with the presence of neoplasm. The appearance of PNS can precede cancer diagnosis. The estimated frequency amongst cancer patients is about 1%. Malignant tumors represent a serious health problem and are the second leading cause of death in Poland. The aim of this study is to collect information about PNS focusing on cancers mostly diagnosed in Polish adults. REVIEW METHODS: The analysis was conducted based on information regarding PNS gathered from PubMed and Google Scholar within the context of selected cancers. THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: PNS develop from an autoimmune reaction in which onconeural antibodies are produced. The recent classification divides PNS to high risk, indicating a likely paraneoplastic origin and intermediate risk, if this association is less evident. Diagnosis is difficult and usually relies on exclusion methods. The symptoms described are non-specific and the diagnostic process may require the involvement of various specialists. The main approaches include cancer treatment, especially tumor removal and immunotherapy, which in certain may prove to be effective. SUMMARY: Although PNS is relatively rare, its detectability has recently increased. Many syndromes are especially associated with lung cancer (mainly small cell carcinoma). Breast and prostate cancers have also shown associations with certain syndromes. They can present with nonspecific symptoms related to different organ systems. Awareness and understanding of this phenomenon can be helpful amongst many specialists.

In Poland, independent evaluations under the auspices of the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHTM) are mandated for any new device, assay, systems for screening samples from whole blood and plasma donors prior to implementation by Blood Transfusion Center (BTC). In last 5 years, two new systems were introduced to the market by Abbott GmbH, namely the Alinity s and the Alinity i. The evaluations performed for these two systems included the assessment of sensitivity, specificity and precision for each of the four mandatory serological screening markers in Poland: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C virus antibodies (Anti-HCV), HIV antibodies (anti-HIV) and Syphilis antibodies (anti-Treponema pallidum, anti-TP). Sensitivity was assessed by testing seroconversion panels, HBsAg international reference standard, well characterized local samples, and dilution panels. Specificity was assessed by testing routine donor samples. The results from Alinity i assays were compared to the results from Abbott ARCHITECT i2000SR and Ortho VITROS 3600 assays, while the results from Alinity s assays were compared to the results of ARCHITECT i2000SR assays. The evaluation of the Alinity s and Alinity i assays for sensitivity (100 %), specificity (99,92–100 %) and precision generated results that were as good as or better than generated by routinely used systems, were within acceptance criteria, and met all requirements for screening blood donor samples in accordance with Polish regulations. The specificity of the assays in routine use by BTCs, analyzed after approximately 150,000 donations on both systems, was comparable to the specificity observed during the evaluations at IHTM.

Water erosion in mountainous areas is a major problem, especially on steep slopes exposed to intense precipitation. This paper presents the analysis of the topsoil loss using the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model. The SWAT model is a deterministic catchment model with a daily time step. It was designed to anticipate changes taking place in the catchment area, such as climate change and changes in land use and development, including the quantity and quality of water resources, soil erosion and agricultural production. In addition to hydrological and environmental aspects, the SWAT model is used to address socio-economic and demographic issues, such as water supply and food production. This program is integrated with QGIS software. The results were evaluated using the following statistical coefficients: determination (R2), Nash–Sutcliff model efficiency ( NS), and percentage deviation index ( PBIAS). An assessment of modelling results was made in terms of their variation according to different land cover scenarios. In the case of the scenario with no change in use, the average annual loss of topsoil (average upland sediment yield) was found to be 14.3 Mg∙ha –1. The maximum upland sediment yield was 94.6 Mg∙ha –1. On the other hand, there is an accumulation of soil material in the lower part of the catchment (in-stream sediment change), on average 13.27 Mg∙ha –1 per year.

A case is presented of a newborn with tetralogy of Fallot and aortic coarctation. Progressive right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction required urgent surgical therapy. Coronary artery crossing the outflow tract made ventriculotomy impossible. Hybrid RVOT stent implantation was performed, providing effective pulmonary flow and enabling postponing of corrective jumping graft implantation.

Abstract Skin allergies and diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), affect millions worldwide. Current treatments for AD are often expensive, leading to a need for cost‐effective solutions. Here, using fiber‐based patches to maintain and increase skin hydration is explored, which helps treat eczema and AD. Nanofiber membranes are manufactured via electrospinning of eight different polymers: nylon 6 (PA6), polyimide (PI), poly(3‐hydroxybuty‐rate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polystyrene (PS), and two molecular weights poly(vinyl butyral‐co‐vinyl alcohol‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PVB). Further, their morphology is examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fibers, and pores diameter, wettability, and membrane thickness. Additionally, water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) are measured, and notably, skin hydration tests are conducted before and after using evening primrose oil‐infused patches. The comparison and findings highlight the flexibility of electrospun patches, demonstrating their potential in maintaining skin hydration for 6 h and enhancing skin moisture, which are necessary in AD treatment. These insights, which focus on selecting the most effective performance patches, help improve skin moisture, leading to tailored treatments for AD, which can significantly impact the efforts to reduce healthcare costs and simplify skincare steps.

Exhaustive run induced a biphasic oxidative response of circulating phagocytes in 16 amateur sportsmen. The first phase involved an increment just after exercise of enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence normalized per phagocyte count, whereas in the second phase a decrement from 1 h post-exercise and ongoing till 24 h. We tested whether plasma Interleukin IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor α concentrations change in response to exhaustive run and whether there are associations between their levels and delta resting. Moreover, IL-8 and IL-10 significantly increased immediately post-exercise and after 1 h, but later normalized. Tumor necrosis factor α rose by 1.1-times only just after exercise. However, none of these cytokines showed any correlation with the investigated chemiluminescence. Exercise did not alter plasma concentrations of IL-4. However, pre-exercise IL-4 negatively correlated with measured luminescence just after exercise (ρ = −0.54, p < 0.05), and also tended to be negatively associated with decrements of the second phase at 1 h post-exercise ρ = −0.45, p = 0.08. It is suggested that plasma IL-4, by a negative association with blood phagocytes oxidants production, could be involved in the maintenance of proper balance between oxidants and anti-oxidants during strenuous exercise and post-exercise recovery.

The intensification of agricultural production is one of the factors determining economic development. Increasing mechanisation and use of fertilisers in agriculture lead to higher yields, but at the same time they can pose a threat to the environment. The overuse of chemical fertilisers contributes to increased concentration of nutrients in agricultural runoff. One of such areas is the Szreniawa River catchment, the study area located in the southern part of Poland. In this catchment, intensive mostly mechanical ploughing is applied in, for instance, vegetable production. The area has loess soils, which with intensive ploughing are susceptible to erosion. The study aims to determine changes in the quality of flowing waters against the background of agricultural production and land-use characteristics. Surface waters were classified as class II and occurred at all analysed points. The highest concentrations of N-NO3, N-NH4 and P-PO4 were found at a point in the middle of the catchment (lower part of research area). There, the lowest concentrations were recorded in 2018, which was related to the amount of precipitation during the growing season. On the other hand, the volume of plant and animal production closely correlated with the quality of surface water in the area. This was also confirmed by the land use structure. In conclusion, intensive agricultural production, mainly in terms of plough tillage causes significant hazards associated with soil erosion especially on agriculturally sensitive soils, although it provides good yields.

W ostatnich latach media coraz częściej poruszane są przypadkami śmierci młodych zazwyczaj osób, w trakcie zatrzymywania przez policję. Śmierć w tych przypadkach dotyka zazwyczaj osoby pobudzone psychoruchowo, obezwładniane z użyciem siły, a badania pośmiertne nie wykazują jednoznacznej urazowej przyczyny zgonu. Celem pracy jest próba ustalenia mechanizmu i okoliczności zgonów w trakcie obezwładniania osób pobudzonych psychoruchowo. Analizie poddano przypadki opiniowane od 2010 roku, zarówno jako sekcje zwłok, jak i oceniane na podstawie materiału aktowego. W analizowanym okresie ZMS w Krakowie wydał opinie w 10 tego typu przypadkach, w dziewięciu na podstawie własnych sekcji zwłok, w jednym na podstawie materiału aktowego. We wszystkich nastąpiło nagłe zatrzymanie krążenia lub utrata przytomności, a resuscytacja okazywała się nieskuteczna. W sześciu przyczyną pobudzenia była ostra psychoza, w czterech działanie narkotyków, zazwyczaj w wysokim stężeniu. Tylko w pięciu przypadkach stwierdzono obecność wybroczyn w spojówkach. Najbardziej prawdopodobną przyczyną śmierci było współistnienie nasilonego wysiłku fizycznego spowodowanego patologicznym pobudzeniem psychoruchowym, z przymusowym unieruchomieniem pogarszającym funkcjonowanie układu oddechowego. Mechanizm ten jest określany jako asfiksja restrykcyjna.

Audience analysis is essential for creating successful messages across communication fields. The audience persona is an effective tool for understanding the characteristics and needs of a target audience. Through this unit activity, students experience the process of persona development, build skills in data collection and analysis, and gain in-depth understanding of a specific audience in preparation for subsequent messaging assignments. Courses: Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Content Marketing, Advertising, Public Speaking, Mass Communication, Social Media Communication, Mass Communication Research Methods. Objectives: Through this unit activity, students will be able to (1) apply the principles of audience persona development, (2) build skills in data collection and analysis, and (3) gain in-depth understanding of a core audience group as the basis for crafting effective messages.

The increase in the share of renewable energy sources (RES) leads to a growing need for sources or systems/actions to stabilize the national energy grid. Such stabilizing actions include market tools, such as prices and demand-side response (DSR) tools, as well as flexible energy sources (e.g., gas). In addition, energy storage, where pumped storage hydroelectricity (PSH) accounts for 90% of global storage capacity, plays an important role. Therefore, the authors presented a detailed analysis of PSH in the context of the dynamic growth of installed capacity in renewable energy sources. They analyzed the economic viability of this type of power plant, with a particular emphasis on operational costs, energy production, and revenue. The Młoty case study and market data, including historical data on various PSH, were presented and analyzed. This study uses copulas, simulation, and statistical analysis. The authors proved that market prices and arbitrage actions alone are not sufficient to achieve profitability of the investment; however, additional benefits, such as fees for available power, enable the achievement of economic profitability. The reason for this is the fact that one of the main goals of PSH is to serve as a power reserve. In addition, this paper presents the analysis of the utilization of existing PSH in the form of full pumping and energy generation cycles (charging and discharging storage).

The scientific examination and comparative investigation of pigments are fundamental for further understanding and analysis of historic and artistic works, and particularly useful for conservators. In fine art authentication, investigations are strongly focused on the identification of the painting materials used by the author. This study is focused on the use of non-invasive analytical techniques to increase the knowledge of the painting technique of Olga Boznańska. The aim of this study was to assess the technology, painting technique, and materials used by Olga Boznańska. The pallets, tubes with the paints, and several oil paintings were studied. For each painting, a series of images were recorded using various ranges of electromagnetic radiation, including near-infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays. In order to characterize the pigments present in the paint layer, measurements of the elemental composition by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were carried out. The ground layers and paints were measured with infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This allowed us to identify the artist’s painting technique and determine how she executed her painting, how she applied the paints, and what pigments she used.

This paper investigates the current sink capacitor technique as a method to minimize the turn-off power losses of SiC MOSFETs operated with zero-voltage switching (ZVS). The method is simple and is based on adding auxiliary capacitors in parallel to the transistors, allowing the sink capacitor to take over part of the channel current, thus limiting the power loss while also advantageously lowering the dvds/dt ratio. The technique is validated and experimentally studied based on a single-pulse test setup with 1200 V-rated SiC MOSFETs, with several capacitances and gate resistance values, at various switched currents up to roughly 60 A. It is shown that by employing even very small capacitances, in the range of nanofarads, the turn-off power loss can be reduced by over tenfold, with a negligible impact on the volume and complexity of the system. Thus, the presented method can be effectively employed to improve soft-switched power converters.

This paper discusses the potential use of hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer for solid rocket propulsion. While hydrogen peroxide is a liquid in normal conditions, it may be used in solid rocket motor grains. Use of hydrogen peroxide of HTP class (High Test Peroxide) is proposed. It has been known for many decades but its utilization has been historically limited to liquid propellants. Until recently is application even in liquid state in rocket propulsion for space and defence has been limited due to storability and safety issues. With the availability of new grades of HTP with higher purity and concentrations, enhanced performance, safety and storability are possible. This results in HTP being considered for a wide range of rocket propulsion systems: as oxidizer in bipropellant and hybrid propulsion systems, as well a monopropellant. To ensure proper analysis of the potential of using HTP in next-generation solid rocket propellants, this paper reviews existing rocket propulsion applications of HTP. Modern use requires high performance and common current composite propellant compositions utilize ammonium perchlorate (AP) as oxidizer, what has several disadvantages, which are discussed. Alternative oxidizing compounds include ammonium dinitiramide (ADN), ammonium nitrate (AN), hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF), hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) and several other secondary explosives. Key properties of solid propellant oxidizers are listed and discussed. The need for further alternatives, despite numerous recent advances in solid rocket oxidizer technology is justified. The global push forward high performance green propulsion is one of the main motivations behind considering HTP for solid rocket propulsion. Theoretical performance of solid rocket motors using solid grains containing a high mass fraction of HTP is presented. This includes performance considering several fuels and additives and different oxidizer loadings. Up to date concepts of using hydrogen peroxide in solid propellants are reviewed. Solid cryogenic propellants using hydrogen peroxide are mentioned, but focus is given to solid propellants which could ensure flexible operations, thus use in state-of-the-art solid rocket motors. Challenges of HTP application as an oxidizer for solid propulsion are listed. This includes a discussion concerning its reactivity, thus limited compatibility with organic materials. Recommendations for further experimental work are proposed. Potential technology applications are listed with explanations why these particular niches may benefit from utilization of the new solid propellant technology.

The objective of this paper is to present a background for a concept of situation-dependent adjustment of environmental regulations for the prevention of ship-generated sewage pollution. Unlike the standard rules based only on a constant distance from the nearest land that routinely disregard the effect of drift caused by local surface currents, tidal streams, or winds, we consider taking into account the situational dependence in addition. This includes the available hydrometeorological data on the seawater flow, the initial position and time of disposal, and ultimately, sea state, the physical and biochemical properties of the substances (sewage, wastewater) discharged overboard. Computing the approximate dynamics of drifted sewage yields estimated information on the prohibited (permitted) zones of discharge and the boundary subareas of the predicted distribution or the maximum (minimum) concentrations of contaminants, respectively. This can be further applied to the innovative decision support systems aimed at preventing local pollution, involving stakeholders on both sides: ship masters and shore services on marine environment protection, as well as to developing local legislation. In order to justify the proposed approach and to emphasize the relevance of situational dependence concerning the natural motions of sea water bodies, our study is illustrated with some examples based on real-world data including various drift effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trust represents a complex emotion and interpersonal concept which assumes abandoning control over a given situation or set of circumstances, in turn yielding such control to another party. Advances in our knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury have underscored the need to more closely examine how trust stands to impact health outcomes in these disorders. The aim of the present study is to examine and identify relationships linking general trust with select health outcomes in a mixed sample of Veterans and Service members with a self-reported history of deployment to a combat theater and PTSD symptomatology. Methods: This study applied a cross-sectional methodology, surveying n = 427 participants recruited across six sites. This included 373 Veterans and 54 active duty Service members in the United States. Measures included demographic characteristics, combat exposure, general trust, post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology, depressive/anxiety symptomatology, alcohol use, social involvement, religiosity, and physical health. Data were analyzed descriptively as well as using Pearson correlations, Student's t-test, and multivariate regression. Results: Several significant relationships were identified, indicating an inverse relationship between trust and PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptomatology. Greater levels of trust were also significantly associated with increased social interaction and religiosity. Lastly, no significant associations were identified with either physical functioning or pain level. Conclusion: The findings suggest that trust is correlated with a variety of health outcomes in Veterans and Service members affected by combat-related PTSD. Additional, hypothesis-driven research, informed by longitudinal data, is needed to better understand how trust stands to impact health outcomes, including the development of strategies and intervention options for repairing trust.

This paper presents the status of developments worldwide regarding use of hybrid rocket motors for space transportation. Historical roots are presented and reasons for revisiting hybrid technology after a few decades of limited interest are examined. Modern developments in sounding rockets, reusable suborbital systems and launch vehicles are discussed with particular focus on propellant technology. Various propellant combinations include use of liquid oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide-oxygen mixtures as oxidizers. Different fuels are considered, taking into account performance, as well as inter alia obtainable regression rates. Results of preliminary calculations for vehicles using different propellant combinations are presented and analysed. This is compared with proposed configurations of hybrid rockets worldwide. Unresolved problems and several unknowns are pointed out, including hybrid rocket motor scalability issues, large motor combustion instabilities, combustion efficiency of metalized fuels, propellant volumetric performance and mass of fuel residuals in case of wagon wheel grain geometry. It is discussed whether new-space hybrid launch vehicles, while typically with limited stage reusability, may be cost-competitive in regard to other chemical rocket propulsion system developments. The paper is summarized with a list of potential future advances and technical opportunities. The main purpose of the conducted research is to provide a comparison between different hybrid propulsion technologies available, or currently under development, worldwide.

Celem opracowania jest przedstawienie analizy dotyczącej aktywności turystycznej seniorów w Kielcach w latach 2015–2019. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na preferencje, motywy oraz ewentualne ograniczenia dotyczące podejmowania aktywności turystycznej przez osoby starsze. Przyjęto, że senior to osoba w wieku co najmniej 55 lat. W artykule prezentowane są wyniki badań ankietowych przeprowadzonych w 2020 r. wśród kieleckich seniorów (n = 371). Sporządzona analiza wykazała zależności między wiekiem, wykształceniem, sytuacją materialną oraz kondycją zdrowotną a aktywnością turystyczną osób starszych, a także dowiodła, że w dzisiejszych czasach aktywność ta jest dla seniorów bardzo istotnym elementem stylu życia.