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The article presents an economic analysis of a supercritical combined heat and power plant integrated with a carbon dioxide chemical absorption unit. The authors describe first the thermodynamic performance boundaries that result from the integration with a carbon capture unit as a function of its heat and electric power consumption rate. These limits refer to the heat and electric power annual production which is essential in the economic analysis. Secondly, the influence of a set of di erent parameters on the break-even price of electricity is studied. The main focus for examination is the e ect on the break-even price of electricity of: carbon dioxide emission allowance price, fuel price, investment costs, overhaul and other maintenance costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate sentence-level reading circuits in deaf native signers, a unique group of deaf people who are immersed in a fully accessible linguistic environment from birth, and hearing readers. Task-based fMRI, functional connectivity and lateralization analyses were conducted. Both groups exhibited overlapping brain activity in the left-hemispheric perisylvian regions in response to a semantic sentence task. We found increased activity in left occipitotemporal and right frontal and temporal regions in deaf readers. Lateralization analyses did not confirm more rightward asymmetry in deaf individuals. Deaf readers exhibited weaker functional connectivity between inferior frontal and middle temporal gyri and enhanced coupling between temporal and insular cortex. In conclusion, despite the shared functional activity within the semantic reading network across both groups, our results suggest greater reliance on cognitive control processes for deaf readers, possibly resulting in greater effort required to perform the task in this group., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A large suite of floral signals, and environmental and biotic characteristics influence the behavior of pollinators, affecting the female success of food-deceptive orchids. In this study, we examined the many factors shaping the reproductive output of three orchid taxa: Dactylorhiza majalis , D. incarnata var. incarnata , and D. fuchsii . We applied a statistical model to correlate female success (number of fruit sets) with individual characteristics (plant and inflorescence height, number of flowers, and spur length), number of pollinaria removed, flowering time, and density of floral units of co-flowering rewarding plants. Our findings suggested that the broad spectrum of variations in Dactylorhiza's morphological traits, floral display, and flowering phenology within different environmental contexts has a significant impact on their reproductive success. The number of fruits increased with an increase in the number of pollinaria removed in the studied Dactylorhiza taxa. In contrast, a higher number of flowers per inflorescence and higher inflorescences in relation to individual height always decreased fruit set. We observed that low number of co-flowering rewarding plants in populations could affect the Dactylorhiza reproductive output as magnets and competitor plants. The synchronization of flowering, or lack thereof, between Dactylorhiza and rewarding plants can limit reproductive success. This demonstrates that the food deception strategy is multidirectional, and reproductive output can vary considerably both spatially and temporally within the context of this strategy., Competing Interests: None declared., (© 2024 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study is twofold: To examine if deafness is invariably associated with deficits in executive function (EF) and to investigate the relationship between sign language proficiency and EF in deaf children of deaf parents with early exposure to a sign language. It is also the first study of EF in children acquiring Polish Sign Language. Even though the mothers of the deaf children (N = 20) had lower levels of education compared with the mothers of a hearing control group, the children performed similarly to their hearing peers (N = 20) on a variety of EF task-based assessments. Only in the Go/No-go task were weaker inhibition skills observed in younger deaf children (6-9 years) compared with hearing peers, and this difference was not seen in older children (10-12 years). Hence, deafness does not necessarily impair EF; however, attentional and inhibition abilities may be acquired via a different route in deaf children. Sign language receptive skills predicted EF in deaf children. In conclusion, we highlight the importance of deaf parenting building the scaffolding for EF in deaf children., (© Crown copyright 2023.)

Animal testing was and remains the only method of introducing a certain treatment and medical procedure on humans. On the other hand, animals have their rights resulting from applicable legal acts, including Directive 2010/63/EU and, indirectly, the World Medical Association International Code of Medical Ethics (Helsinki Declaration, 1975, amended 2000). Thus, the question arises whether the credibility of the results of hormonal and orthodontic tests obtained so far and their usefulness for the human population is scientifically justified and worth sacrificing laboratory animals for. Especially that, according to statistical data, about 50% of laboratory animals are euthanized at the conclusion of the experiments. The aim of this article was to determine whether animal experiments are scientifically or morally justified in bringing significant evidence in studies that may validate the influence of changes in the concentration of female hormones secreted by the ovaries in various phases of the menstrual cycle in young patients on the duration of an increased tooth movement rate in orthodontic treatment. Papers reporting the results of the original research into female hormones, either natural or exogeneous ones, likely to alternate the orthodontic tooth movement rate were critically evaluated in terms of animal selection. Thorough analysis supported by veterinary knowledge proved that none of the publications enabled an extrapolation of the results to humans. The evaluation of the relation between the rate of tooth movement upon loading with orthodontic forces and hormones either secreted during the menstrual cycle of women or released from the contraceptives already present in the market, does not require sacrificing laboratory animals., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Linguoverted mandibular canines are relatively rare among craniofacial abnormalities, and they are an isolated anomaly. They are most often caused by non-genetic factors such as persistent deciduous canine teeth or trauma coinciding with the eruption of permanent teeth. Another factor may be mandible narrowing or underdevelopment in the transverse dimension and vestibular inclination of the maxillary canine teeth. This article presents a procedure based on three cases where the position of the mandibular canine tooth was corrected using human orthodontic appliances modified to affect the canine dental system. The incline of the appliance was made to stimulate the protrusion of the mandible while the teeth were closing. After approximately 4 weeks, the lower canine teeth moved along the incline of the appliance, and tilt toward the flews was achieved.

Several reports indicate that mild hyperglycemia (plasma glucose level [PGL] ≥7.0 and ≤10.0 mmol/L [≥126 and ≤180 mg/dL]) is associated with poor prognosis in nondiabetic patients who sustain acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Insulin therapy to maintain PGL <7.0 mmol/L (<126 mg/dL) has been reported to be beneficial in critically ill patients, but the safety and efficacy of this approach in patients with AIS are not well established. In a prospective, open-label study, 50 consecutive nondiabetic patients with AIS admitted within 12 hours of ictus and with a PGL ≥7.0 and ≤10.0 mmol/L (≥126 and ≤180 mg/dL) were randomized to receive either a 24-hour intravenous (IV) insulin infusion (ISI) adjusted to maintain PGL within 4.5-7.0 mmol/L (81-126 mg/dL) (ISI group; n=26) or treatment with subcutaneous insulin if PGL was >10.0 mmol/L (>180 mg/dL) (control group [CG]; n=24). Patients' neurologic status was assessed based on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, 24 hours and 30 days. The 2 groups did not differ in terms of risk factors for stroke. The mean PGL measured at admission was 8.25±0.9 mmol/L (149±16 mg/dL) in the ISI group and 8.1±0.8 mmol/L (146±14 mg/dL) in the CG (P=.8). After 24 hours, these values dropped to 4.9±0.5 mmol/L (88±9 mg/dL) and 5.5±0.45 mmol/L (99±8 mg/dL), respectively (P < .01). Two patients from the ISI group (8%) required IV glucose infusion for symptomatic hypoglycemia. There was no significant between-group difference in neurologic status at admission (median NIHSS score, 10±3 vs 10±2) and 24 hours later (8±2 vs 9±3). At 30 days, the median NIHSS score was 4±3 in the ISI group and 7±4 in the CG (P=.04). Our findings indicate that in nondiabetic AIS patients with mild hyperglycemia, IV insulin therapy aimed at maintaining strict glycemic control (PGL 4.5-7.0 mmol/L [81-126 mg/dL]) is relatively safe and may improve stroke outcome., (Copyright © 2011 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: High blood pressure is frequent in patients with acute stroke. It frequently returns back to normal values within the first days after onset. It is not yet established whether it requires treatment or not. The Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke (ENOS) trial aims to assess the efficacy of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) patches versus control and stopping or continuing antihypertensive treatments in stroke. The rationale for the study is presented and characteristics of patients recruited in Poland and elsewhere compared., Material and Methods: Patients were recruited to the ENOS study by 1 November, 2007. Baseline characteristics and outcome at 90 days were compared., Results: Of 783 patients overall, 78 patients were recruited in Poland. The age of the patients was similar in the two groups (70.0 vs. 69.1 years). There were fewer males among Polish patients (46.8% vs. 58.3%) and fewer intracranial haemorrhages (3.8% vs. 16.7%). There were more patients with no lesions on CT (41.8% vs. 19.3%). Polish patients more frequently had hypertension (76.0% vs. 66.4%) and subsequently more frequently had antihypertensive treatment (60.8% vs. 45.3%) and nitrates (10.1% vs. 5.0%). The number of patients independent after 3 months was similar., Conclusions: Polish patients are slightly different from those treated in other countries, but at the moment the patient groups are too small to fully compare patient characteristics in different countries. The trial is ongoing and more centres are welcome to join.

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmia met in clinical practice. Nonregular heart rhythm leads to haemodynamic disturbances and favors thromboembolic complications--most frequently ischemic strokes. Cardioembolic strokes have different symptomatology compared with atherothrombotic strokes. They are characterised by more sudden onset, frequent haemorrhagic transformation and worse prognosis. Until now there is no clear explanation of unfavourable course of stroke in these patients. Concomitant diseases and sudden artery closure in subjects with undeveloped collateral circulation are considered as resulting in more extensive infarct size. Also impact of different forms of atrial fibrillation on the course of cerebrovascular events is not established. Paroxysmal and chronic atrial fibrillation have different influence on haemodynamic and hemostatic parameters what may play an important role in course of acute phase of ischemic stroke. Based on the results of clinical and preclinical studies, the set of data concerning the effects of different forms of atrial fibrillation on acute stroke outcome and actual guidelines of cardioembolic acute stroke treatment are presented.

A novel desmin R355P mutation has been identified in a patient with familial cardiac and skeletal myopathy. Two types of desmin storage were observed in the skeletal muscles. The spheroid-like bodies dominated in type 2 fibres while extensive accumulation of granulofilamentous material was found in type 1 fibres and in cardiomyocytes. A novel missense mutation R355P in the rod domain located in the C-terminal part of the 2B subunit is the eighth missense mutation, which changes the original aminoacid into proline. Proline is known to disrupt the alpha-helix and distort a unique stutter sequence that is critically important for proper filament assembly.

Intravenous immunoglobulin has been used generally as a supplement therapy in hypogammaglobulinemia patients. Then it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with thrombocytopenic purpura, and in the last decade, IVIG has been used in the treatment of many autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases. In neurologic diseases intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) exhibits immunomodulatory properties, depending on the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G. The number of diseases in which IVIG therapy is effective has been demonstrated by controlled clinical trials. The indications for IVIG therapy in neurologic diseases are in four groups: A+ - the basic indication, they have been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials, A - recommended but they have not been proved by clinical trials, B - confirmed by singular trials, C - recommended as a last resort: the indications have not been confirmed any trials. IVIG clinical effect has been shown in trials in patients with GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, dermatomyositis and multiple sclerosis. An optimal dose and the frequency of IVIG administration depend on the knowledge of the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases and the mechanism of IVIG action.

Sudden, acute headache occurring for the first time in life may represent subarachnoid or perimesencephalic haemorrhage but it can also occur in the absence of pathologic conditions. This headache is widely named as "thunderclap" (TCH) or "stroke headache". Pathogenesis, diagnostic evaluation and headache characteristics is presented basing on retrospective evaluation of such patients admitted to Neurological Department between 1990-2002 with symptoms of TCH. The diagnosis of idiopathic TCH was established in 74 (21%) of 368 patients. No clinically significant difference between clinical manifestation of idiopathic and symptomatic TCH was observed. The most common concomitant diseases in idiopathic TCH patients were acute or chronic infections and hypertension. 40% of those patients had elevated inflammatory markers which normalised during hospitalisation in 20% of cases. We observed seasonal incidence with the highest incidence in summer and winter. 20% of patients presented to Neurological Dept with TCH consist of idiopathic, benign condition of unknown aetiology. Observed seasonal incidence with coexisting signs of infection may suggest the role of inflammatory process in benign TCH pathogenesis.

Potential damage of central and peripheral nervous system expressed as micro-organic brain damage (MOBD) was investigated in 27 unrelated heterozygotes with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Arylsulfatase A (ARSA) was determined in peripheral blood leukocytes and sulfatide excretion was estimated in 24-hour urine collections. Genomic DNA was analyzed for the ARSA pseudodeficiency (PD) allele by a PCR method. Clinical investigations included examination of hyper-reflexia, Babinski reflex, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Benton test, evoked potentials, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). In our study, a higher incidence of evident or possible micro-organic brain damage was observed in true MLD/PD and MLD heterozygotes (NO/MLD, where NO means the wild allele) than in controls. On the basis of the Benton test, MOBD was suggested or indicated in 67% of MLD heterozygotes, 50% of MLD/PD heterozygotes, and 26% of controls. In our small group of carriers with MLD and PD mutations, persons NO/MLD(PD) with one wild-type allele did not show MOBD and displayed higher ARSA/beta-galactosidase ratios, unlike true MLD/PD compound heterozygotes who carry MLD-causing mutation in one allele and the ARSA-PD polymorphism in the second. Theoretically, this is a shift from autosomal recessive to autosomal dominant-like inheritance, especially when one cannot exclude the influence of polymorphisms (like ARSA-PD) in the wild allele. Since all psychological tests were age-matched, it can be assumed that the MOBD observed in MLD carriers does not have a progressive character unlike in MLD patients. However, it should be mentioned that MOBD appears to have no overt clinical consequences., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

A patient was observed who came with the following symptoms persisting for six months: paraesthesia in the lower and upper limbs, weakening of muscle strength, difficulties in walking. The high value of the mean cell volume in blood morphologic examination called attention to the possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency which had not yet manifested itself as anaemia. Further studies confirmed this suggestion. As the result of the treatment with vitamin B12 full normalization of the nervous system condition and results of examinations was achieved.