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Methods of medical image segmentation analysis to improve the effectiveness of diagnosing lung diseases. The article aims to review selected methods for segmenting lung medical images based on computed tomography (CT) image data analysis. Included in the analysis are 11 different approaches, including edge algorithms such as Canny, Prewitt, Roberts, Sobel and Log, clustering-based algorithms such as Fuzzy C-means, genetic K-means, k-nearest neighbours, and neural networks such as perceptron, neural and fuzzy sets, and edge binarization techniques, among others. Each method was evaluated for its ability to segment lung structures on CT images accurately. Finally, the contour of the heart from the CT image was determined using the maximum entropy thresholding method. The juxtaposition of different approaches to medical image segmentation is an important contribution to developing medical diagnostic techniques, which can help improve the efficiency of diagnosing lung diseases.

The article presents a method for detecting and analysing disease entities associated with lung diseases. The results are related to work on the design of a medical diagnostic system based on impedance tomography. One of the key features of the solution is its ability to diagnose respiratory diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumothorax (PTX). The article describes the results of a classification model that effectively distinguishes between healthy and sick patients, achieving an impressive accuracy of 99.86%. This result underscores the robustness and reliability of the model. The conclusions of the presented research can serve as a basis for further work on improving diagnostic methods and introducing innovative healthcare solutions for patients with respiratory diseases, which may enable faster and more accurate diagnoses of lung diseases and provide more effective treatment and care for patients.

The aim of the study was evaluation of the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-12β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the serum and milk of cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.

The purpose of this work was to study the influence of feed stations on behavioral indicators of high-yielding cows. The research was conducted at two farms of TDV “Terezine” (Kyiv region) with different options for feeding fodder: from a feed table and a feed table + at feed stations. On each farm, a group of unpregnant high-yielding cows of the Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed (II lactation and older) with a daily productivity of 30 kg and above during the calving period (2–3 months of lactation) was formed. Using feed stations for concentrated feeds affected the daily behavior of high-yielding cows. With this option of feeding, lower values of the duration of walking and standing were observed (by 16.3 and 9.6 min), as well as a slightly longer duration of lying down rest – by 17.4 min. The total feeding duration was longer due to the consumption of concentrated feeds at feeding stations, which was 25.6 minutes. At both farms, the peak of daily foraging activity occurred at 08:00 and 18:00. On average, during the day, cows approached the feed table and ate feed 8.7 times (maximum 12, minimum 6). At the farm with concentrated fodder feeding at feed stations, the average hourly duration of fodder consumption from the feed table was slightly lower (by 1–8 min) than at the farm where cows were fed only with fodder mixtures. At the farm, with the use of feed stations, the values of the indices of comfort, use of stalls, and feeding were 3.14, 1.62, and 0.03 % higher compared to the option where cows were fed only with feed mixtures. This trend is explained by a slightly higher duration of rest and general feed consumption and, accordingly, a lower duration of walking and standing of animals. Somewhat lower values were for the index of standing, discomfort, and drunkenness, which were higher for feeding feed from the feed table – by 1.79, 0.04, and 0.008%, respectively

Uncertainty is an essential feature of many concepts, data sets, and operations encountered in various applications related to computer science and engineering, and medical diagnostics. This paper introduces an extension to the Simpful library, enhancing it with capabilities for interval-valued fuzzy sets (IVFSs) and generalized fuzzy inference. Addressing the need for comprehensive uncertainty modeling in various applications, this extension offers intuitive definitions and operations for interval-valued fuzzy sets, facilitating advanced reasoning in uncertain environments.

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the influence of different regimes of patient’s preparation before trabeculectomy on the markers of healing process in Tenon’s fibroblast cultures.The studied group consisted of 66 patients with open angle glaucoma undergoing primary trabeculectomy. The patients were divided into 5 groups with different regimes of preparation before the surgery based on application or withdrawal of topical antiglaucoma medications and steroids (G1—patients using antiglaucoma drops until the day of the surgery; G2—patients using antiglaucoma drops until the day of the surgery and additionally dexamethasone for 4 weeks before surgery; G3—patients who stopped using antiglaucoma drops 4 weeks before the surgery and introduced dexamethasone for 4 weeks before surgery; G4—patients who stopped using antiglaucoma drops 4 weeks before the surgery; G5—control group, patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma in whom trabeculectomy was the first treatment option without medical treatment). During trabeculectomy the samples of Tenon’s capsule were obtained. Tenon fibroblasts were isolated directly from the explants to test their proliferation ability and the level of released healing markers. Following factors typical of healing process were evaluated using commercially available ELISA kits: IL 1-β, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF-A, TGF-β1 and MMP-9. Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the group obtaining antiglaucoma drops. Additionally, in this group the fibroblasts revealed the highest proliferation potential, indicating the active healing process. The levels of IL-8, VEGF-A and MMP-9 were similar between the groups. Our study shows that for the best conjunctival anti-inflammatory control, the most influential factor is the withdrawal of antiglaucoma medications.

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of changing the way of keeping and milking equipment on ergonomic and economic indicators. The research was carried out at «Ostriykivske» LLC, Bilotserkivskyi district, Kyiv region, where the milking herd was transferred from a capital-type room with tethered housing and milking into the milk pipeline to an easy-to-assemble room with loose housing and milking in the milking hall at the «Carousel» plant. The material for the research was lactating cows of the Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed of II and III lactations. In order to accurately determine the duration of the technological operations of the milking process through the milk pipe and at the «Carousel» milking plant, it was filmed during the morning milking of cows. The change in the method of keeping (from tethered to loose housing) and the milking option (in the stall to the milk pipeline to the milking hall) had a significant impact on the time spent when performing the technological operations of one cow milking. The total time spent by machine milking operators in the slope decreased by 31.35 seconds. When moving the animals to the milking parlor, the duration of such operations as washing, wiping and massaging of the udder decreased by 4.8 s, milking of the first trickles of milk – by 0.6 s, and putting milking cups on the udders – by 1.3 s. The duration of preparatory and final milking operations decreased by 7.2 seconds, and other operations related to milking decreased by 58.2 seconds. At the same time, the complex indicator of the ergonomics of the milking installation when transferring cows to the milking parlor increased significantly (by 0.60) and met the requirements of the standard. The total labor costs when the conditions of keeping and milking were changed decreased by 52.96 man hours/year per cow. Labor costs for the following types of work decreased most significantly: milking and primary processing of milk; cleaning of stalls and manure passages; making litter and operating costs: 22.00; 19.40; 2.60 and 6.60 man hours/year per cow, respectively. Electricity consumption per cow per year increased by 22 kWh, and water for the milking process increased by 560 liters.

Abstract. The research was carried out in IE «Babyni kozy» of Kyiv region at a goat farm where a stable-pasture system of goats is used. In winter, goats are kept at free-stall housing on a deep litter and during the grazing period, on a forage area. Goats are milked on a milking parlor into the milk line. The article presents the results of researches of the influence of ambient temperature during the thermo neutral period and during the period of high temperatures on the productivity, daily behavior and bioenergetic characteristics of Saanen goats. A group of goats of the Saanen breed of the 3rd lactation was formed during the period of the milk yield increasing. The research was performed in thermo neutral period (average daily air temperature was up to + 22.3 °C) and during the period of temperature load at an average daily air temperature of + 27.6 °C. Each period lasted 12 days. It has been found that goats responded to the change in temperature by reducing of productivity by 10.70 % (0.35 kg). Hereby, the mass fraction of fat in goat's milk during this period increased by 0.09 %. During the period of high temperatures, goats spent a little less time eating food, watering and walking, but rested more in a supine position compared to the thermo neutral period. In general, in both temperature periods, the duration of the main acts of behavior in goats corresponded to physiological norms. The decrease in the duration of feed consumption during the temperature load caused a decrease in the number of feed reactions and the duration of chewing the cuddy in goats. The energy index, i.e. the amount of net energy consumption of feed, which transfers into milk energy during the temperature load decreased by 1.42 MJ %. Net energy consumption per 1 MJ of milk energy during the period of high temperatures has increased by 0.62 MJ.

This research investigates the performance of small concrete beams that are reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars, and traditional steel bars. It addresses the limitations of traditional steel reinforcement, emphasizing the need for alternative strategies. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials, including GFRP and BFRP, are examined for their mechanical characteristics compared to steel. The experimental program focuses on ultimate load-bearing capacity, deflection, deformation at different load levels, and failure modes. The concrete specimens, prepared according to Eurocode, consist of six small concrete beams measuring 80 × 120 × 1100 mm with varied reinforcements. The study reveals that GFRP-reinforced beams outperform BFRP and steel reinforcements in ultimate load-bearing capacity, showcasing enhanced structural performance. The GFRP-reinforced beams exhibit capacity and resilience characteristics surpassing those of both BFRP and steel, whereas the deflection observed was higher on both fiber-reinforced beams than on the steel-reinforced beams. The examination of failure modes reveals that the concrete beams that were reinforced with FRP bars showed a bending property before failure, while those reinforced with steel broke easily without bending much. This comprehensive research contributes to advancing our understanding of FRP materials’ application in concrete structures, paving the way for further optimization and overcoming limitations in reinforcement materials.

The adsorption kinetics of human serum albumin (HSA) on bare and poly-L-arginine (PARG)-modified silica substrates were investigated using reflectometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Measurements were carried out at various pHs, flow rates and albumin concentrations in the 10 and 150 mM NaCl solutions. The mass transfer rate constants and the maximum protein coverages were determined for the bare silica at pH 4.0 and theoretically interpreted in terms of the hybrid random sequential adsorption model. These results were used as reference data for the analysis of adsorption kinetics at larger pHs. It was shown that the adsorption on bare silica rapidly decreased with pH and became negligible at pH 7.4. The albumin adsorption on PARG-functionalized silica showed an opposite trend, i.e., it was negligible at pH 4 and attained maximum values at pH 7.4 and 150 mM NaCl, the conditions corresponding to the blood serum environment. These results were interpreted as the evidence of a significant role of electrostatic interactions in the albumin adsorption on the bare and PARG-modified silica. It was also argued that our results can serve as useful reference data enabling a proper interpretation of protein adsorption on substrates functionalized by polyelectrolytes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in milk and serum of healthy cows (HE) and cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp. The blood and milk samples were obtained from Holstein-Friesian cows (Lublin region, Poland). A total of 43 milk and serum samples from 28 cows with mastitis and 15 healthy cows were selected for study. IL-6 levels in milk from HE cows ranged from 6.09–80.24 pg/mL (median 26.6 pg/mL) and were significantly lower than in milk from both cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis (487.09 pg/mL vs. 26.6 pg/mL in CM, p < 0.001; and 165.31 pg/mL vs. 26.6 pg/mL in SCM, p < 0.001). The IL-6 concentration in the serum of HE was not significantly different from the serum IL-6 of the entire group of mastitis cows, regardless of whether the inflammation proceeded in a clinical or subclinical form (44.37 pg/mL vs. 78.09 pg/mL; 128.29 pg/mL vs. 78.09 pg/mL, respectively). The present study indicates that cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp. develop a local immune response in the mammary gland in response to the pathogen. Monitoring of IL-6 levels in milk can allow early detection of mastitis, which is especially important in cases of subclinical inflammation.

The cursus honorum is a Latin phrase which translates to “course of honour”. It refers to the sequential order of public offices that were held by aspiring politicians in the Roman Republic and Empire. It was the Roman idea about the order of public offices which were held by citizens. One of the requirements for taking office was the age of the candidate to hold it. Over the centuries, Roman law changed the age limits required to take up a specific office. Starting from republican times, there were regulations in Rome that required candidates for office to reach a certain age. The aim of this paper is to present the importance of the age criterion for holding offices in ancient Rome. For this purpose, the available source texts were analysed and the existing literature on the subject was examined and presented. The research used the historical method, which includes the analysis of source texts, and the dogmatic and empirical research method, which includes the critical analysis of legal sources and literature on the subject. Thanks to the research conducted, the available sources and literature on the age limits used in the cursus honorum were discovered and unified. As a result of the conducted research, the results were presented, which made it possible to identify the age limits required for a civil servant career in ancient Rome. Research in this area is of theoretical importance. Secondly, such an analysis is important for further comparative legal research. In modern legal systems, each country sets certain age requirements for participation in public life in the broadest sense (e.g., the age at which one may vote or run for office). Thanks to the ongoing research on Roman law, it will be possible to make comparative analyses and thus search for the Roman sources of contemporary laws. In this part, the research has a practical (comparative law) meaning.

The aim of the article was to present a systematic review of research and development projects that included research tasks and proposals relevant to digitalization of agriculture in Poland. The transformation towards digital agriculture is currently one of the most important developmental challenges facing farms in Poland. The use of digital technologies and smart devices designed to optimize agricultural production and farm management processes is no longer just a matter of choice, but a necessity determined by the need to achieve climate, environmental and sustainable development goals. Research and development works carried out in the wide agri-food innovation ecosystem are of fundamental importance for the prospects of exploiting the opportunities offered by the current technological and digital revolution. However, information on ongoing and past research and development projects financed from the public funds is dispersed. The conducted review shows that although the number of projects and actions that support digital transformation in the Polish agricultural sector has increased in recent years, their scope remains limited. There is an insufficient number of interdisciplinary projects that encompass not only technological, but also socio-economic aspects of digitalization processes. Taking into account the need to both accelerate digital transformation in agriculture and to promote responsible research and innovation practices, it would be advisable to increase outlays for research and development projects that would support digitalization of Polish farms in holistic and systemic ways.

Objectives Within the commercial law the most important regulations are those which define when and what kind of business activities could be undertaken. In every legal system, regardless of whether we mean antique or modern law, there have always been and there are regulations that have specific effects depending on the age of a given person. Such regulations are known in all contemporary legal systems of the world in every branch of law. In the presented article the author has elaborated the influence of human age on persons’ trade rights in ancient Rome. Consequently it has occurred that in Roman law there were two age limits which played a significant role in commerce. The first one was the age of 14 years when a boy got full legal capacity, and the second one was the age of 25 years when he was becoming fully independent from any restrictions and special protection. Material and methods Materials - ancient legal sources e.g. Roman legal texts etc., books, articles, Methods - critique analysis Results Comparative remarks between Roman law and modern Polish law was achieved. Conclusions Commercial rights are incorporated in private right, so there should not be any differentiation when we talk about availability to run business. But in practice, in ancient Rome gaining full legal capacity with the day of 14th birthday was not enough to act successfully in the trade market as a business partner. Such possibility was coming when a person reached the age of 25 years and become able to act independently. In modern Poland, even though limited legal capacity is sufficient to undertake legal acts with the consent of legal guardians, acting in business effectively with all necessary concessions and licenses, is possible if a person has full legal capacity.

Abstract In buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) reproductive seasonality, causing cycles of milk production, is one of the major factors affecting farming profitability. Follicular fluid (FF) contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) playing an important role in modulating oocyte developmental competence and carrying microRNAs (miRNAs) essential for in vitro fertilization outcomes. The aim of this work was to characterize the FF-EVs-miRNA cargo of antral (An) and preovulatory (pO) follicles collected in the breeding (BS) and non-breeding (NBS) seasons, to unravel the molecular causes of the reduced oocyte competence recorded in buffalo during the NBS. In total, 1335 miRNAs (538 known Bos taurus miRNAs, 324 homologous to known miRNAs from other species and 473 new candidate miRNAs) were found. We identified 413 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) (FDR

The myth of the fallen angels, as it is known from the intertestamental literature, narrates the story of the angels who break the divine law, marry earthly women, and beget malevolent hybrid progeny. The latter element of this narrative can be found in the Babylonian Talmud, where it is invested with new significance: these are the distinguished rabbis who are the heavenly messengers’ offspring. I start this paper by outlining the traces of the rabbis’ familiarity with the myth of the fallen angels and then move on to an analysis of the tradition about the angelic origins of the sages found in bShabb 112b. I offer that this passage should be read as exemplifying the practice of associating rabbis and angels that permeates the whole Babylonian Talmud. I base on two methodological paradigms: cognitive linguistics, which allows for the translation of this problem into two conceptual metaphors (SAGES ARE ANGELS and ANGELS ARE SAGES), and the Elyonim veTachtonim – a system of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the traditions involving supernatural entities, which permits to locate all the Talmudic passages utilizing these metaphors and to interpret their place in the broader conceptual network. The data show that the sages and rabbinized biblical figures are frequently juxtaposed with angels, and the main dimension of comparison is their intellectual proficiency. When it comes to the mapping of specific rabbinic competencies onto the angels, the most popular is the ability to engage in halakhic scrutiny and teaching. In sum, this presentation of the sages as angels can be taken as an expression of the sense of elitism entertained by the Babylonian sages and, as such, sheds additional light on the interpretation of the passage in bShabb 112b.

Background and Objectives: The nature of multilevel lead-related venous stenosis/occlusion (MLVSO) and its influence on transvenous lead extraction (TLE) as well as long-term survival remains poorly understood. Materials and Methods: A total of 3002 venograms obtained before a TLE were analyzed to identify the risk factors for MLVSO, as well as the procedure effectiveness and long-term survival. Results: An older patient age at the first system implantation (OR = 1.015; p < 0.001), the number of leads in the heart (OR = 1.556; p < 0.001), the placement of the coronary sinus (CS) lead (OR = 1.270; p = 0.027), leads on both sides of the chest (OR = 7.203; p < 0.001), and a previous device upgrade or downgrade with lead abandonment (OR = 2.298; p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of MLVSO. Conclusions: The presence of MLVSO predisposes patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) to the development of infectious complications. Patients with multiple narrowed veins are likely to undergo longer and more complex procedures with complications, and the rates of clinical and procedural success are lower in this group. Long-term survival after a TLE is similar in patients with MLVSO and those without venous obstruction. MLVSO probably better depicts the severity of global venous obstruction than the degree of vein narrowing at only one point.

Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) is a medicinal plant species with therapeutic potential officially listed in the pharmacopoeias of many European, Asian and American countries. It has had many uses in natural medicine since ancient times and it is collected mostly from wild populations. The aim of this study is to investigate the trace element composition of C. erythraea using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results of the performed investigations show that INAA has proved to be an efficient analytical technique for the determination of trace elements in medicinal plants. The studied plant contains elements important to the human diet and metabolism that are needed for growth, development and the prevention and curing of disease. A comparison with the reference levels of elements for plants shows that the concentrations of most elements in C. erythraea collected from all types of sites exceed those regarded as the reference. Compared to the values of the elements in C. erythraea from rural areas (LP), the concentrations of most of the investigated elements in C. erythraea collected from the lignite basin, urban areas and in the vicinity of the A4 highway (MP) were significantly higher. The results obtained can be used for control and monitoring in the production of pharmaceuticals based on natural medical plants.

Marek Czajkowski,1 Wojciech Jache&cacute;,2 Anna Polewczyk,3,4 Jaros&lstrok;aw Kosior,5 Dorota Nowosielecka,6 &Lstrok;ukasz Tu&lstrok;ecki,7 Pawe&lstrok; Stefa&nacute;czyk,6 Andrzej Kutarski8 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland; 2Department of Cardiology, Zabrze, Faculty of Medical Science in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland; 3Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Collegium Medicum of Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland; 4Department of Cardiac Surgery, &Sacute;wi&eogon;tokrzyskie Center of Cardiology, Kielce, Poland; 5Department of Cardiology, Masovian Specialistic Hospital of Radom, Radom, Poland; 6Department of Cardiology, The Pope John Paul II Province Hospital of Zamo&sacute;&cacute;, Zamo&sacute;&cacute;, Poland; 7Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Pope John Paul II Province Hospital of Zamo&sacute;&cacute;, Zamo&sacute;&cacute;, Poland; 8Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PolandCorrespondence: Anna Polewczyk, Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Collegium Medicum of Jan Kochanowski University, Aleja IX Wieków Kielc 19A, Kielce, 25-317, Poland, Tel +48600024074, Email annapolewczyk@wp.plBackground: Lead-related venous stenosis/obstruction (LRVSO) may be a major challenge in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) when device upgrade, insertion of central lines, or creation of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis is indicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and severity of LRVSO.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 3002 venograms from patients awaiting transvenous lead extraction (TLE) to assess the occurrence, severity, and extent of LRVSO.Results: Mild LRVSO occurred in 19.9%, moderate in 20.7%, severe in 19.9% and total venous occlusion in 22.5% of the patients. Moderate/severe stenosis or total occlusion of the subclavian and brachiocephalic veins was found in 38.2% and 22.5% of the patients, respectively. LRSVO was not detected in 16.9% of the patients. Moderate and severe superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction and total SVC occlusion were rare (0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively). Lead insertion on the left side of the chest contributed to an increased risk of LRVSO compared to right-sided implantation. Major thoracic veins on the opposite side may be narrowed in varying degrees.Conclusion: A total of 60% of the patients with pacemaker or high-voltage leads have an advanced form of LRVSO. Any attempt to insert new pacing leads, central lines, venous ports, or catheters for hemodialysis, or to create dialysis fistula on the same side as the existing lead should be preceded by venography. Furthermore, venography may provide useful information, if it is planned to implant the lead or the catheter on the opposite side of the chest.Keywords: lead-related venous obstruction, risk factors, abandoned leads

Abstract Additive manufacturing transforms the landscape of modern microelectronics. Recent years have witnessed significant progress in the fabrication of 2D planar structures and free-standing 3D architectures. In this work, we present a much-needed intermediary approach: we introduce the Ultra-Precise Deposition (UPD) technology, a versatile platform for material deposition at micrometer scale on complex substrates. The versality of this approach is related to three aspects: material to be deposited (conductive or insulating), shape of the printed structures (lines, dots, arbitrary shapes), as well as type and shape of the substrate (rigid, flexible, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, substrates with pre-existing features). The process is based on the direct, maskless deposition of high-viscosity materials using narrow printing nozzles with the internal diameter in the range from 0.5 to 10 µm. For conductive structures we developed highly concentrated non-Newtonian pastes based on silver, copper, or gold nanoparticles. In this case, the feature size of the printed structures is in the range from 1 to 10 µm and their electrical conductivity is up to 40% of the bulk value, which is the record conductivity for metallic structures printed with spatial resolution below 10 µm. This result is the effect of the synergy between the printing process itself, formulation of the paste, and the proper sintering of the printed structures. We demonstrate a pathway to print such fine structures on complex substrates. We argue that this versatile and stable process paves the way for a widespread use of additive manufacturing for microfabrication.

Background: Safe discontinuation of pacemaker therapy for vagally mediated bradycardia is a dilemma. The aim of the study was to present the outcomes of a proposed diagnostic and therapeutic process aimed at discontinuing or not restoring pacemaker therapy (PPM) in patients with vagally mediated bradycardia. Methods: The study group consisted of two subgroups of patients with suspected vagally mediated bradycardia who were considered to have PPM discontinued or not to restore their PPM if cardioneuroablation (CNA) would successfully treat their bradycardia. A group of 3 patients had just their pacemaker explanted but reimplantation was suggested, and 17 patients had preexisting pacemakers implanted. An invasive electrophysiology study was performed. If EPS was negative, extracardiac vagal nerve stimulation (ECVS) was performed. Then, patients with positive ECVS received CNA. Patients with an implanted pacemaker had it programmed to pace at the lowest possible rate. After the observational period and control EPS including ECVS, redo-CNA was performed if pauses were induced. The decision to explant the pacemaker was obtained based on shared decision making (SDM). RESULTS: After initial clinical and electrophysiological evaluation, 17 patients were deemed eligible for CNA (which was then performed). During the observational period after the initial CNA, all 17 patients were clinically asymptomatic. The subsequent invasive evaluation with ECVS resulted in pause induction in seven (41%) patients, and these patients underwent redo-CNA. Then, SDM resulted in the discontinuation of pacemaker therapy or a decision to not perform pacemaker reimplantation in all the patients after CAN. The pacemaker was explanted in 12 patients post-CNA, while in 2 patients explantation was postponed. During a median follow-up of 18 (IQR: 8–22) months, recurrent syncope did not occur in the CNA recipients. Conclusions: Pacemaker therapy in patients with vagally mediated bradycardia could be discontinued safely after CNA.

This paper presents an overview of representative up-to-date research and the authors’ own experimental results from tests of wall elements and a horizontally loaded timber-framed modular building. The research has been conducted in connection with the development of timber-based structures in recent years. In the present research, wall elements and modules of timber-frame construction with life-size dimensions were used. So far, these types of structures have mainly been tested in laboratories—especially with regard to anchoring and cyclic loading. An experimental testing was carried out on a natural scale in two stages based on the standard procedure described in EN 594. In the first stage, wall panels were tested. In the second stage, tests were carried out on a complete four-storey building. Dowel fasteners were used to fix the sheathing to the load-bearing wall structures. Additionally, the sheathing was glued to the timber frame of the walls. The same type of wall element was used for the construction of the tested building. Horizontal loads were applied at the height of the top of the walls in both stages. The building loads were applied in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the modules. Based on test data, the stiffnesses of the wall panels and the whole building were derived, as well as the type of interaction between the modules and the influence of the walls on the spatial work of the building. On the basis of the conducted studies, both the stiffness of the walls in different configurations and the stiffness of the complete building were determined, as well as the nature of the interaction of neighbouring modules and the influence of wall connections on the 3D working of the building. The results show that the stiffness of the building in the horizontal plane in the direction of the applied load is almost twice as high as the sum of the stiffnesses of the building walls in the same direction.

Abstract Background Strawberries are a common crop whose yield success depends on the availability of pollinators. Invasive alien plants, such as Impatiens glandulifera and I. parviflora, are also attractive for bees and hoverflies, respectively, and occur in close proximity to strawberry cultivation areas. The aim of the study was to test whether alien plants may decrease pollination of strawberry cultivation. However, even if the pollinators are abundant, efficiency of their pollination may decrease as a result of revisits of flowers that were already probed. It is addressed by pollinators by scent marking. Moreover, such revisits can be determined by nectar replenishment, which may occur rapidly in nectar-rich flowers. We studied revisits to I. glandulifera by bumblebees and defined the factors that influence the probability of revisits (air temperature; pollinator species; family caste and size; flower area; sun radiation; and time of day). Results We found that the two alien species decreased the number of pollinators visiting strawberries. Apoidea, Bombini and Syrphidae significantly decreased on Fragaria × ananassa when alien Impatiens were present. We also revealed the influence of increasing air temperature on bumblebee foraging, which was particularly significant for female workers. At very high temperatures (> 37°C), bumblebee males revisited probed flowers less often than female workers. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that in experimental conditions attractive alien species decrease pollination of strawberries, which may negatively affect production of this crop. Although the results have not been verified in real-life strawberry fields yet, we recommend that alien plant species that share the same pollinators and occur in close proximity of strawberries are controlled. Moreover, we found that revisits of probed flowers may weaken feeding efficiency of bumblebees. If revisits are not induced by nectar replenishment, then global warming may pose a serious threat to the survival of colonies, which may have consequences also for the plants that attract them, e.g., for strawberries.

In flotation, a bubble acts as a carrier for attached particles. The properties of the gas–liquid interface of the bubble are one of the main factors determining the bubble motion and flotation efficiency. Monitoring of the bubble motion may deliver interesting information about the state of the gas–liquid interface. In the case of pure liquids, a bubble surface is fully mobile, while the presence of surface-active substances (e.g., surfactants) causes diminishing bubble velocity due to the retardation of the interface fluidity. The theoretical prediction of the terminal velocity value for the bubble has been investigated for over a century, delivering a number of various models describing bubble motion in a liquid. This narrative review is devoted to the motion of the bubble in stagnant liquids and is divided into three main sections describing: (i) experimental techniques for tracking bubble motion, (ii) bubble motion and shape deformation in clean water, and (iii) bubble motion in solutions of surface-active substances.