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ObjectiveClass III malocclusion represents one type of anterior malocclusions, characterised by a longer face and a more prominent chin. Class III malocclusions are a type of malocclusion related to the relationship between the maxilla and mandible. They are often characterized by mandibular protrusion relative to the maxilla, and in some cases, features such as elongation of the lower facial third or a more prominent chin may also be present. Due to their appearance, patients experience a range of psychosocial and emotional difficulties, which have also been identified as risk factors for problematic internet use (PIU), including depression, negative body image, and lower self-esteem.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted and 170 fully completed questionnaires were obtained, 85 from people with Class III malocclusions aged between 18 and 42 years, and 85 from individuals without Class III malocclusions aged between 18 and 40 years.ResultsParticipants with Class III malocclusions obtained statistically significantly more PIU points than participants without Class III malocclusions (p < 0.001). Among people with Class III malocclusions 45.9% showed a high or very high risk of Internet addiction, while in the comparison group, it was only 9.4% (p < 0.001). Among participants with Class III malocclusions, there was a statistically significant, although weak, correlation between the PIU score and feeling uncomfortable when being the centre of attention (rho = 0.284; p < 0.01), and between the PIU score and concern with appearance (rho = 0.272; p < 0.05).ConclusionIndividuals with Class III malocclusion are at a much higher risk of problematic Internet use than people without the disorder. This problem especially concerns patients who feel discomfort when being the centre of attention and are more concerned about their appearance. Therefore, it seems that people suffering from disorders that cause changes in appearance should have access to extensive psychological support, including the prevention of problematic Internet use.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to establish the relationship between attitudes towards persons with disabilities and personality traits among Polish students, and whether sociodemographic factors moderate this.MethodsA cross-sectional self-report online survey was conducted on 595 Polish students, aged 18–29, from different fields of study: 1) natural science and engineering technology; 2) social science and humanities; 3) medical and health sciences; 4) law, economics, and management. Polish adaptations of the scales were used in the study: Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons With Disabilities (MAS) and the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).ResultsA significant correlation was demonstrated between attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities and a range of personality traits, including agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness, among Polish students. The strongest attitude predictors were openness to experience, agreeableness, and extraversion, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.06 to -0.19, -0.14 to -0.22, and -0.09 to -0.15, respectively. As scores increased in these personality traits, attitudes towards people with disabilities became more positive. However, conscientiousness (-0.07 to -0.09) and emotional stability (-0.02 to 0.12) were poor predictors. The supplementary analyses indicate that contact with a person with a disability and socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, mode, and field of study, assessment of one’s health, and material conditions, did not moderate the relationships between personality dimensions and attitudes towards persons with disability.ConclusionPolish students’ attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities are associated with personality traits such as agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness. However, the strength of these relationships is relatively weak. This relationship is not moderated by contact with a person with a disability or sociodemographic factors. It seems that undertaking educational interventions to strengthen the indicated personality traits is particularly important. The results indicate the need for further research into factors that modulate attitudes towards persons with disabilities, including a theoretical deepening of the problem and cultural aspects.

In this study, 3D-printed reinforced concrete beams were tested for flexural performance and compared with the analytical model based on the material test results. Two cementitious mixes (PSU and GCT) were designed for concrete printing and were mechanically tested and compared. Anisotropies in the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of printed concrete were observed, applied to the analytical prediction of flexural bending behavior, and validated by actual test results. Significant differences between analytical predictions and experimental tests of the bending behaviors of the printed concrete beams were observed. Furthermore, higher compressive strengths and moduli of elasticity were observed when the loading direction was perpendicular to the printed layers or with the PSU mix. The effect of anisotropic mechanical properties on a reinforced beam was compared to the flexural bending tests for both mixes. The analytical model based on the material test results was compared to the flexural bending test results. The significant errors in the prediction of printed concrete’s structural performance, from 10% to 50%, suggest that factors other than reduced compressive strengths may influence the structural behaviors of printed concrete beams.

Abstract Background Problematic Internet use (PIU) can have detrimental effects on physical, emotional, psychological, and social functioning. Besides well-described PIU correlations in psychological domains such as personality traits, or life satisfaction, and self-assessment, the social aspect of PIU risk also appeared to be important. This study aimed to investigate the association between PIU and attitudes towards persons with disabilities. Methods A total of 595 Polish students aged 18–29 participated in this research by completing the Internet Addiction Test, Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons With Disabilities, and personal information form. Results The findings revealed that 30.6% of the respondents were at high risk for PIU. Moreover, heightened levels of PIU were more prevalent among male participants and students in technical fields of study than in those in medical and social fields of study. Increased PIU was also associated with more negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities in general and in the domains of emotions and behaviours. Additionally, prior personal contact with individuals with disabilities was related to both PIU rates and attitudes towards persons with disabilities in the domain of emotions and beliefs. Conclusions This study highlights the prevalence of PIU among Polish students and emphasizes the need for preventive measures, particularly targeting male students and those in technical fields of study. The results indicate a relationship between PIU and attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. Further research is required to determine the direction of the relationship. It is recommended that educational programs provide opportunities for interaction with individuals with disabilities to promote understanding and acceptance.

Objective: The study aimed to establish the relationship between attitudes towards persons with disabilities and personality traits among Polish students, and whether sociodemographic factors moderate this. Methods: A cross-sectional self-report online survey was conducted on 595 Polish students, aged 18–29, from different fields of study: 1) natural science and engineering technology; 2) social science and humanities; 3) medical and health sciences; 4) law, economics, and management. Polish adaptations of the scales were used in the study: Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons With Disabilities (MAS) and the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Results: A significant correlation was demonstrated between attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities and a range of personality traits, including agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness, among Polish students. The strongest attitude predictors were openness to experience, agreeableness, and extraversion, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.06 to -0.19, -0.14 to -0.22, and -0.09 to -0.15, respectively. As scores increased in these personality traits, attitudes towards people with disabilities became more positive. However, conscientiousness (-0.07 to -0.09) and emotional stability (-0.02 to 0.12) were poor predictors. The supplementary analyses indicate that contact with a person with a disability and socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, mode, and field of study, assessment of one's health, and material conditions, did not moderate the relationships between personality dimensions and attitudes towards persons with disability. Conclusion: Polish students' attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities are associated with personality traits such as agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness. However, the strength of these relationships is relatively weak. This relationship is not moderated by contact with a person with a disability or sociodemographic factors. It seems that undertaking educational interventions to strengthen the indicated personality traits is particularly important. The results indicate the need for further research into factors that modulate attitudes towards persons with disabilities, including a theoretical deepening of the problem and cultural aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic transformation following the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and the accession of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to the European Union (EU) are milestones that have set the current course for their agricultural sectors. With their accession to the EU, the CEE countries obliged, among other things, to adapt their agricultural activities to the requirements of the common organization of agricultural market and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In 2004, the agricultural sectors of Central and Eastern European countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia), and in 2007, the agricultural sectors of Bulgaria and Romania, were significantly different from those of the EU countries. After almost two decades in EU structures and in the face of climate challenges, it is interesting to discuss the assessment of changes that have taken place in the agricultural sectors of CEE countries and their future. Based on FADN data, the structure of agricultural sectors in Central and Eastern Europe and selected EU countries for 2004–2021 was estimated in terms of types of farming and economic size classes. The agricultural sectors of CEE countries have become similar to those of EU countries in terms of agricultural production structure, and in 2021 will be characterized by a higher level of production specialization than when they accessed the EU. There was also an increase in the economic size of their production, but it was still significantly lower compared to the economic size of farms in EU countries. In light of the goals of the European Green Deal (EGD), this observation may be useful for moving into the next stage of development of the agricultural sector in Central and Eastern Europe. Indeed, achieving the EGD's goals will require setting adopted development directions, i.e., formulating agricultural practices that facilitate the transition to more sustainable agriculture, such as practices based on the concept of sustainable intensification or ecological intensification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Concrete, as the most widely used construction material, is inextricably connected with human development. Despite conceptual and methodological progress in concrete science, concrete formulation for target properties remains a challenging task due to the ever-increasing complexity of cementitious systems. With the ability to tackle complex tasks autonomously, machine learning (ML) has demonstrated its transformative potential in concrete research. Given the rapid adoption of ML for concrete mixture design, there is a need to understand methodological limitations and formulate best practices in this emerging computational field. Here, we review the areas in which ML has positively impacted concrete science, followed by a comprehensive discussion of the implementation, application, and interpretation of ML algorithms. We conclude by outlining future directions for the concrete community to fully exploit the capabilities of ML models.

Introduction and objective: One of the important factors that affect body perception is the beauty and body standards promoted by media and culture. Social media use can affect users' self-perception and sense of coherence. The study aimed to assess whether and how social media impact for body perception and sense of coherence. Materials and methods: The study was conducted using an online questionnaire with a sample of 190 individuals, differentiated by gender. The Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA), and a questionnaire developed for the study were utilized. Results: In the study group, as the daily time spent on social media increased, the sense of manageability (rho = -0.171, p = 0.018) and meaningfulness (rho = -0.166, p = 0.022), as well as the overall coherence score (rho = -0.155, p = 0.033), decreased. Longer usage of social media platforms was associated with lower scores on the appearance scale (rho= -0.260; p0.05). Conclusions: The study shows that excessive use of social media can lead to a deterioration in body image and the amount of time spent on social media can contribute to the level of coherence. Conclusions highlight the need for implementing measures for the safe use of social media platforms and introducing psychoeducation on self-worth, body acceptance, and a sense of coherence, especially among young individuals.

Abstract Background Problematic Internet Use is defined as a use of the Internet which leads to various difficulties. The aim of this study was to check whether Problematic Internet Use is associated with health risks, such as: anti-health behaviors, depressive symptoms, abnormal body weight or eating disorders. Methods This cross-sectional study included 540 medical school students of Polish descent (83.5% females; 16.5% males), whose mean age was 22.49 years (SD = 5.20). The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire set, including the Problematic Internet Use Test, Juczyński’s Health-Related Behavior Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Eating Attitudes Test and a self-designed demographic survey. Results Increased Problematic Internet Use scores were observed in male, full-time students, persons who use the Internet on the computer (compared to those who mostly use it on the phone), and those who go online mainly for entertainment purposes (compared to those who indicated another main purpose of using the Internet). 47.6% of the sample reported poor health behaviors, while 27.1% met the criteria of a depressive episode and 6.9% of an eating disorder. High risk of Problematic Internet Use was observed in 2.8% of the sample, particularly those who reported having more free time during the day, engaged in fewer health protective behaviors, manifested more severe depressive symptoms and scored higher on the Eating Attitudes Test. Conclusion Such results indicate that students with Problematic Internet Use lead an unhealthy lifestyle and more often show symptoms of depression and eating disorders than students without Problematic Internet Use.

Introduction: The objective of this research was to identify legal and practical challenges in the application of means of coercion based on the opinions of medical staff. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an original survey questionnaire among 205 medical staff (nurses and doctors) from 3 hospitals in Poland in 2019-2020. Results: The vast majority of survey participants found the use of coercion in their workplace to be challenging (38% always difficult, 51% sometimes difficult). Immobilization was identified as the most difficult measure to apply (45.86%). The majority of respondents rated the preparation for the use of coercion in their workplace as "poor", "very poor", or nonexistent in terms of procedures, personnel numbers, training, and equipment (with ratings ranging 60-90%). Most respondents expressed a desire for more frequent cooperation with external institutions. Among the socio-demographic variables analyzed, only age was significantly associated with difficulty in using coercive measures, with older participants (M = 50.00 years) reporting more difficulty. Conclusions: The respondents generally applied coercion in accordance with Polish legislation, though several difficulties were noted in practice. These challenges may be due to shortcomings in workplace preparation for the use of coercion or inadequate cooperation with external institutions. Consequently, medical staff may resort to coercive measures that are not ideally suited to the patient but are feasible to apply. The greater difficulty reported by older respondents may reflect a higher awareness of practical issues in applying coercion. There is an urgent need to align legal requirements with practical realities, ensuring adequate funding for services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 3D-printed reinforced concrete beams were tested for flexural performance and compared with the analytical model based on the material test results. Two cementitious mixes (PSU and GCT) were designed for concrete printing and were mechanically tested and compared. Anisotropies in the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of printed concrete were observed, applied to the analytical prediction of flexural bending behavior, and validated by actual test results. Significant differences between analytical predictions and experimental tests of the bending behaviors of the printed concrete beams were observed. Furthermore, higher compressive strengths and moduli of elasticity were observed when the loading direction was perpendicular to the printed layers or with the PSU mix. The effect of anisotropic mechanical properties on a reinforced beam was compared to the flexural bending tests for both mixes. The analytical model based on the material test results was compared to the flexural bending test results. The significant errors in the prediction of printed concrete's structural performance, from 10% to 50%, suggest that factors other than reduced compressive strengths may influence the structural behaviors of printed concrete beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferons (IFNs) produced by airway epithelial cells are crucial in defending against pathogens. Fluctuations in IFN-λ levels may influence coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) severity. However, conflicting data have been reported regarding serum IFN-λ concentrations in COVID-19 patients. To address this, we evaluated serum IFN-λ levels over time in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients and their association with cytokine production and clinical parameters using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 17-plex Assay. Results from testing 51 COVID-19 patients showed that 68% lacked detectable serum IFN-λ. Among non-IFN-λ secretors, severe COVID-19 predominated. In contrast, IFN-λ secretors displayed stable IFN-λ levels in moderate cases, while severe cases showed a decline over time, which persisted even after recovery. A negative correlation was observed between IFN-λ levels and inflammatory markers. This, combined with an increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and clinical improvement, suggests a regulatory role for IFN-λ in promoting faster recovery. Despite this, survival rates were similar between the groups, indicating that while IFN-λ influences the course of the disease, it does not directly affect overall survival. In conclusion, IFN-λ is vital, but not unique, for the antiviral response and COVID-19 recovery. Simultaneously, serum IFN-λ deficiency signifies severe COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrimination based on gender is commonly observed on labor markets, although its scale and symptoms are different with regard to country and are subject to changes over time. Gender-related diverse flows on the labor market constitute one of its symptoms. The paper’s main objective was to answer the question whether women on the labor market were still secondary workers. The analysis was conducted based on general models of flows on the labour market, examining connections between changes in a number of unemployed and changes in a number of employed men and women. There were applied data for eight OECD countries from various regions of the world. The obtained results were highly diversified depending on the analysis period and country. However, they confirmed that in the past women had been more secondary workers despite no differences in the unemployment rate. Gender impact was noticeable especially in the employment decrease periods. For data after the year 1990, gender-related differences disappeared or significantly decreased in four countries (Australia, Denmark, United Kingdom, United States), but in two of them (Canada, South Korea) – differences increased. First published online 29 October 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to create a Polish adaptation of the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) by performing a statistical psychometric analysis in a sample of Polish students. Material and methods The study included 540 person (82.0% of students and 18.0% of workers), whose attitudes towards the disabled were measured with the Polish version of the MAS (MAS-PL). Mean age of respondents was 24.72 years (SD = 5.7), with a significant majority of women (n = 455, 84.3%). Data was collected during university classes and via an online survey. Results Factor analysis yielded a three-factor structure of the MAS-PL, including affective, cognitive, and behavioural domains, which explained almost 45% of the total variance. Further factor-based solutions increased this percentage only slightly (0.8). Conclusions The Polish version of the MAS scale (MAS-PL) has been developed and presented as a reliable instrument for studying the attitudes of Poles towards people with disabilities. The scale can be used as a preliminary assessment tool when creating educational programmes, including those for training and social Policy, as well as assessing the effectiveness of programmes. Studies with the use of the MAS-PL will allow comparisons of research findings conducted with the use of MAS scales in other English-speaking (original/English MAS) or Spanish-speaking (Spanish MAS) populations and German (G-MAS), Korean (MAS-K), Serbian (Serbian MAS), Turkish (Turkish MAS) and French populations (French MAS autism).

Introduction and objective The aim of the study is to discuss the legal framework for telemedicine services in Poland, and to present telemedicine solutions used in selected European countries. Material and Methods The analysis of legal cts was chosen as a research method in order to determine legal possibilities for medical professionals to use telemedicine services. A literature review was undertaken to demonstrate the possibilities of telemedicine as used in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands and Sweden. Results The Act on the professions of a doctor and a dentist states that the doctor and the dentist can perform their profession via ICT systems or communication systems. The doctor is obliged to practice in accordance with current medical knowledge and available methods. ‘Available methods’ include considering information and communication measures that may allow prevention, recognition or treatment. The Act on the profession of a nurse and a midwife states that the nurse and midwife perform the professions using current medical knowledge and the mediation of ICT systems or communication systems. Thus, the legislator has clearly authorized persons performing these professions to provide services in the field of telemedicine. However, despite the existence of a legal basis for using telemedicine, its development in Poland is not as high as in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands or Sweden. Conclusions The legislator gradually introduces legal solutions necessary for the development of telemedicine services, although the pace of these changes, as well as building the technical infrastructure that is the basis for the proper provision of telemedicine services, are too slow.

Alkali activated Cement (AAC) is one of the alternatives to ordinary portland cement (OPC) and recently attracted a lot of attention due to its environmental benefits as a sustainable construction material for building and infrastructures. However, one area of significance is related to long-term durability, especially in time-dependent deformation such as shrinkage and creep. The previous results of shrinkage tests of AACs validated the importance of curing temperature and creep in the volumetric stability of AACs. Thus, this work measured creep characteristics of four different AAC mortar cylinders over 20 months. The results were compared with the predicted creep values for ordinary portland cement mixtures calculated according to the ACI 209 method. The creep coefficient of fly ash-rich and slag-rich mixtures after 20 months of loading was about 2 and 4 times, respectively, larger than the predicted coefficient for portland cement mixtures. By applying nonlinear least squares estimation, a reliable equation (with R2 > 96%) was proposed to predict the viscous response of each studied AAC mortar. The findings of this paper signified that slag-rich mixtures were much more prone to viscoelastic deformation under constant load, which resulted in larger drying shrinkage under internal drying stresses—as such, increasing the slag content in AACs led to a larger time-dependent (viscous) response. Additionally, it was observed that high curing temperature changed the creep response (different variables in the estimated equation), increased the maturity, and lowered the viscous response of AACs.

This article aims to highlight the importance of climate and environmental challenges for agricultural economics and policy. Empirical research based on the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method determined the average technical efficiency and scale efficiency of farms in the European Union in total and in economic size classes in the period 2004–2020. The results indicate that agriculture is generally characterised by high technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Analysis by economic size classes of farms, defined by the standard sum of their agricultural output, shows that the relationship between the scale of production and technical efficiency of farms is U-shaped. The highest technical efficiency and scale efficiency are characterised by small, large and very large farms economic classes. Economies of scale shift the burden of food production to large farms, which provide food security and are technically efficient but excessively burdensome for the climate and the environment. Small farms produce environmentally friendly food but on a small scale. Therefore, increasing the technical efficiency of medium-sized farms can contribute to more sustainable food production that meets both food security and climate and environmental objectives. The Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 provides greater access to financial support for moderate-scale farms and farms undertaking ecosystem restoration activities. This may affect the strength and direction of the relationship between farm scale and productivity, including technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at the assessment of the status and conditions of employment of foreigners in agriculture, in Poland, in the years 2010-2018. The analysis concerns assessing how the level of employment of foreigners in agriculture has been changing and what considerations determined the direction of such changes. For some years now the employment of foreigners in Poland has lost its marginal nature and is permanently integrated into some industries, mainly Polish agriculture. Agriculture absorbs a significant number of foreigners. Reasons for this phenomenon may be found in formal conditions for obtaining work permits by foreigners, social and economic conditions of agriculture and features of immigrants. The research covers the economic and social conditions for agriculture in Poland. Empirical analysis encompasses reports and data of the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs concerning the number and structure of granted work permits for foreigners, declarations of intention to commission work to foreigners, as well as data of the Centre of Migration Research of Warsaw University. Results of analysis show that the number of employed foreigners was significant in Polish agriculture in the years 2010-2018. Simplification of foreigner employment procedures in the migration policy was assigned to the agricultural industry. Initially, procedures facilitating employment in agriculture should be assessed positively. By 2014, the participation of foreigners employed in agriculture was increasing on a year-to-year basis. It resulted from economic and social conditions for Polish agriculture and personal features of immigrants. After 2014, the participation of employment in agriculture regularly decreased.

A consequence of similar institutional conditions of domestic labor markets in Europe is the permanent occurrence of the “labor hoarding” phenomenon, which entails non-immediate adaptation of employment to production changes. The article verifies whether the phenomenon of labor hoarding occurs in the European Union countries and what is its level and the direction of changes between 1996 and 2016. The empirical study of employment adjustments to the production volume showed that in the examined period the phenomenon of labor hoarding occurred in all countries of the European Union (excluding Spain). Labor hoarding was accomplished through a slight adjustment of the number of employees to production changes. At the same time, it was noticed that the companies were more flexible with adjusting the number of hours worked. This was particularly evident during global crises and was the consequence of other vital changes in national economies.