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The aim of the paper is to discuss CLIL and non-CLIL teachers’ language fossilisation in terms of speaking. Firstly, there is a brief overview of fossilisation, focusing on its definition and scope. Secondly, the spoken discourse of CLIL and non-CLIL teachers in the classroom is described. Thirdly, there is a discussion of current research and the data collected through a questionnaire conducted among CLIL and non-CLIL teachers in Poland. This shows that slight differences in terms of language repertoire have been found between CLIL and non-CLIL teachers, placing the former at the forefront due to the strategies they tend to use frequently and the language areas they do not consider to be difficult or problematic at all.

Tadeusz Kałużewski,1,2 Iwona Pinkier,1 Urszula Wysocka,1 Jordan Sałamunia,2 Łukasz Kępczyński,1,2 Małgorzata Piotrowicz,1 Bogdan Kałużewski,2 Agnieszka Gach1 1Department of Genetics, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, 93-338, Poland; 2R&D Division, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, GENOS Sp. z o.o., Lodz, 91-033, PolandCorrespondence: Tadeusz Kałużewski, Email tadeusz.kaluzewski@iczmp.edu.plAbstract: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the androgen receptor gene (AR), leading to impaired androgen signaling and resulting in varying degrees of undermasculinization in individuals with a 46,XY karyotype. This study aimed to expand the molecular landscape of AIS by identifying and characterizing pathogenic variants in the AR gene via next-generation sequencing (NGS). Molecular diagnostics revealed eight distinct variants within the AR gene, two of which had not been previously described. These include the following novel variants: c.3G>A, and c.1344_1345insTA. This study broadens the spectrum of known AR gene mutations associated with AIS and highlights the critical role of molecular diagnostics in the accurate classification of variants. These findings will aid in enhancing the clinical management and genetic counseling of individuals affected by AIS.Keywords: androgen insensitivity syndrome, AIS, androgen receptor gene, AR gene, next-generation sequencing, NGS, disorders of sex development, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, CAIS

The unique project “Health Steps – education and learning as a determinant of a healthy and open society” was implemented as part of the “Social Responsibility of Science” programme funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. This innovative initiative was led by the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (SUM), the Regional In-Service Teacher Training Centre “Metisˮ and the Iskierka Foundation. The project aimed to increase the responsibility of teachers and legal guardians of healthy children and to instil in each group the awareness that taking care of physical health, mental health, and proper nutrition significantly impacts the quality of life. The project identifies eight broad tasks to enhance knowledge, practical skills, and social competencies in three thematic areas: physioprophylaxis, diet prevention, as well as mental health and oncology prevention. As part of physio prophylaxis, educational films on correct posture were realised, preventive posture examinations were conducted among children, and training workshops on ergonomics and adopting correct body positions while learning and playing were held. During the stage related to diet prevention, screening tests for overweight and obesity were carried out, including anthropometric tests, i.e. measurement of body height, body weight and body composition analysis among children. Eating behaviour and attitudes towards nutrition among children and their parents were studied, and a dietary intervention combined with nutrition education was implemented. Workshops conducted for teachers on the educational method of drama and supervision were aimed at enhancing educators’ competence in using these methods in health education. Extending care to children and adolescents is justified because their lifestyle habits depend on the environment in which they are raised (parents, teachers, peers). Informed participation in such projects allows them to take conscious control of their health in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of professionals.

Introduction: There are many modifiable risk factors that disrupt proper motor development, including the development of body posture. Abnormal body positions taken repeatedly, frequent use of electronic devices, and motor passivity are all implicated in postural abnormalities. In the post-pandemic period, sedentary behavior is quite common among children and adolescents, contributing to increased overweight and obesity, as well as changes in lifestyle, which consequently lead to many health problems. The main aim of this study was to assess the quality of children’s body posture and attempt to estimate the relationship between the occurrence of postural abnormalities and the level of physical activity. Material and methods: A pilot study was conducted on a sample of 200 children from early elementary school classes in the Silesia region, aged 6–10 years (x = 8.25 ± 1.06). The respondents were classified into two subgroups of equal size of 100 girls (group I) and 100 boys (group II). The study groups did not have any differences in age (p = 0.07). Body posture was assessed in all three planes using a plumb line, scoliometer, and inclinometer, as well as functional status with Thomayer and Matthias tests. Body weight and height were measured using a Tanita analyzer and stadiometer with conversion to centile charts for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Postural defects in the sagittal plane in both the thoracic and lumbar segments were found in approximately 20% of the subjects in both groups, regardless of the level of physical activity. In both study groups, excessive screen time and time spent in a sitting position were observed. Physical activity was largely below World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Conclusions: Children of younger school age are noted to have numerous postural abnormalities that are unrelated to their level of physical activity. Children use screen time and spend too much time sitting and do not meet WHO recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity.

The aim of the study was to present the basic principles of ergonomics during a child’s learning and play, taking into account the principles of physiotherapy regarding the positions adopted by the child. Biomechanical and kinesiological aspects of sitting posture and additional support points were described in detail. Correct and incorrect sitting positions were illustrated in the figures, with detailed descriptions provided in the text of the study, supported by legal regulations. The study can serve as a guide for children and parents on the discussed topic, but only for children and adolescents without existing postural abnormalities. In case of any postural defects or spinal deformities, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapist to approach each case individually.

Complex socio-ecological challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss have resulted in an increased focus on the co-creation of knowledge to increase the diversity of those represented by and within research, make research more accessible and ensure research has impact outside of academic contexts. However, guidance and dialogue around the many processes that underpin co-created research remain limited. This perspective piece is informed by practical experience in the co-creation of research with historically underrepresented communities and represents a culmination of our experience and perspectives as academics, artists, community development officers and project workers. First, we share methodological insights, including tools used to identify community concerns and promote engagement in the co-creation process. We then present key guiding principles that we believe are important underpinnings of co-creation including: 1) valuing the entire co-creation process; 2) identifying conditions needed for inclusive co-creation; and 3) participatory evaluation. We also share recommended practices that provide illustrative examples of how guiding principles were addressed in practice across each of our case studies. Recommended practices include - but are not limited to - valuing people not ‘check boxes’, understanding safe spaces, shared language, and integrating evaluation throughout the research process. Our Findings inform future empirical work on co-created initiatives that have meaningful impact for both society and the environment.

Transcriptional regulation exhibits extensive robustness, but human genetics indicates sensitivity to transcription factor (TF) dosage. Reconciling such observations requires quantitative studies of TF dosage effects at trait-relevant ranges, largely lacking so far. TFs play central roles in both normal-range and disease-associated variation in craniofacial morphology; we therefore developed an approach to precisely modulate TF levels in human facial progenitor cells and applied it to SOX9, a TF associated with craniofacial variation and disease (Pierre Robin sequence (PRS)). Most SOX9-dependent regulatory elements (REs) are buffered against small decreases in SOX9 dosage, but REs directly and primarily regulated by SOX9 show heightened sensitivity to SOX9 dosage; these RE responses partially predict gene expression responses. Sensitive REs and genes preferentially affect functional chondrogenesis and PRS-like craniofacial shape variation. We propose that such REs and genes underlie the sensitivity of specific phenotypes to TF dosage, while buffering of other genes leads to robust, nonlinear dosage-to-phenotype relationships.

Previous studies have suggested that parents may support the development of theory of mind (ToM) in their child by talking about mental states (mental state talk; MST). However, MST has not been sufficiently explored in deaf children with cochlear implants (CIs). This study investigated ToM and availability of parental MST in deaf children with CIs (n = 39, M[subscript age] = 62.92, SD = 15.23) in comparison with their peers with typical hearing (TH; n = 52, M[subscript age] = 52.48, SD = 1.07). MST was measured during shared storybook reading. Parents' narratives were coded for cognitive, emotional, literal, and non-mental references. ToM was measured with a parental questionnaire. Children with CIs had lower ToM scores than their peers with TH, and their parents used more literal references during shared storybook reading. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of cognitive and emotional references between groups. Parental emotional references contributed positively to children's ToM scores when controlling for the child's age and receptive grammar only in the CI group. These results indicated some distinctive features in parents of deaf children with CIs' MST and highlighted the role of MST in the development of ToM abilities in this group.

Fallen leaves in cities are often treated as waste; therefore, they are collected, transported outside urban areas, and composted, which contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Instead of this conventional management approach, fallen leaves could be utilized as a feedstock in biogas production, helping to reduce GHG emissions, increase renewable energy generation, and provide fertilizer. The aim of this study was to compare the mono-digestion of fallen leaves from three tree species commonly found in parks and along streets—northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.)—in both wet and dry anaerobic digestion (AD) systems. A biochemical methane potential (BMP) test was conducted in batch assays for each of the three substrates in both AD technologies at a temperature of 38 ± 1 °C. The highest specific methane yield (SMY) was obtained from Quercus leaves in wet AD technology, with a methane yield of 115.69 ± 4.11 NL kgVS−1. The lowest SMY (55.23 ± 3.36 NL kgVS−1) was observed during the dry AD of Tilia leaves. The type of technology had no significant impact on the SMY of Acer and Tilia leaves; however, the methane yield from Quercus leaves in wet AD was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that from dry AD. Studies on the use of fallen leaves from Tilia cordata, Quercus rubra, and Acer platanoides as substrates in mono-digestion technology have shown their limited suitability for biogas production. Nevertheless, this feedstock may be more effectively used as a co-substrate, mainly due to the low concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the biogas produced from these leaves, both of which are considered inhibitors of the AD process.

Abstract Progress in research on high‐performance electrochemical energy storage devices depends strongly on the development of new materials. The 0‐dimensional carbon nanomaterials (fullerenes, carbon quantum dots, graphene quantum dots, and “small” carbon nano‐onions) are particularly recognized in this area of research. Their unique properties beneficial for batteries and supercapacitors application are the result of their small and controllable size, ranging from 1 to 10 nm, and their structure. Fullerenes stand out for the particularly precise structure and rich redox properties. Carbon‐based quantum dots and “small” carbon nano‐onions provide a bridge between molecular fullerenes and larger nanostructured carbon systems. For the electrochemical energy storage, 0‐dimensional carbon structures are usually present in nanostructured composites, which ensure high efficiency of devices. In this review, issues related to the contribution of 0‐dimensional carbon materials in improving batteries and supercapacitors. Particular attention has been paid to progress resulting from the use of composites of these carbon nanostructures with other electroactive materials. Much attention has also been devoted to issues related to the synthesis of 0‐dimensional carbon nanostructures enabling the control of their size, chemical composition and surface morphology. Finally, issues requiring additional research are highlighted.

W artykule podjęto problematykę funkcjonowania poznawczego dzieci z niedokształceniem mowy o typie afazji. Zwrócono uwagę na bardzo duże zróżnicowanie tej grupy dzieci, uzależnione w znacznej mierze od głębokości i rozległości zaburzeń neurologicznych w aspekcie ruchowym i/lub percepcyjnym. Przedstawiono istotne z tego punktu widzenia modele i teorie dotyczące procesów pamięciowych, które mogą stanowić wyjaśnienie trudności w funkcjonowaniu poznawczym, symptomatycznych dla dzieci z niedokształceniem mowy o typie afazji.

Artykuł stanowi próbę uporządkowania problematyki związanej z diagnozą sprawności prozodycznych u osób z dysfonią. Zagadnienia w nim poruszane dotyczą cech charakterystyki prozodycznej mowy, głównie w odniesieniu do języka polskiego, funkcji pełnionych przez prozodię w komunikacji, związku określonych cech fonacji z realizowaniem przez mówcę tych funkcji oraz zaburzeniami ich realizacji u osób z dysfonią. Wymieniono w nim również metody i narzędzia wykorzystywane w opisie i ocenie ekspresji prozodycznej, które można wykorzystać w praktyce klinicznej.

W artykule zostały przedstawione wyniki badań nad percepcją akcentu wyrazowego u dorosłych kobiet, które posługują się językiem polskim jako ojczystym. Materiałem językowym wykorzystanym w zadaniach percepcyjnych były trójsylabowe wyrazy i logatomy. Akustycznymi korelatami akcentu były wzrost wartości częstotliwości podstawowej oraz intensywności samogłoski akcentowanej. Uzyskane wyniki pokazują, że osoby biorące udział w badaniach nie miały trudności w różnicowaniu miejsca akcentu w prezentowanych bodźcach, natomiast gorsze wyniki osiągnęły one w zadaniach określania miejsca akcentowanej sylaby, szczególnie w zadaniach, w których bodźcami były wyrazy znaczące, nie zaś logatomy.

Abstract The cranial vault in humans is highly variable, clinically relevant, and heritable, yet its genetic architecture remains poorly understood. Here, we conduct a joint multi-ancestry and admixed multivariate genome-wide association study on 3D cranial vault shape extracted from magnetic resonance images of 6772 children from the ABCD study cohort yielding 30 genome-wide significant loci. Follow-up analyses indicate that these loci overlap with genomic risk loci for sagittal craniosynostosis, show elevated activity cranial neural crest cells, are enriched for processes related to skeletal development, and are shared with the face and brain. We present supporting evidence of regional localization for several of the identified genes based on expression patterns in the cranial vault bones of E15.5 mice. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive overview of the genetics underlying normal-range cranial vault shape and its relevance for understanding modern human craniofacial diversity and the etiology of congenital malformations.

Currently, the EU is focusing on less intensive agrotechnology and sustainable development. It is important to minimize the occurrence of mycotoxins (including Fusariotixins) in food, and to monitor mycotoxin concentration in the food chain. Therefore, this study evaluated Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, specifically type A and B trichothecenes and ergosterol concentration, in wheat grain from a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) conducted at IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland), along with its byproducts (bran, flour, bread). Four wheat cultivars were grown under different farming systems: organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV). Ergosterol was analyzed using HPLC with an absorbance detector while Type A and B trichothecenes were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results showed that the farming system significantly influenced type B trichothecenes concentration in grain, with the highest concentration established in ORG-grown wheat. However, the grain concentration from the INT farming system was comparable to that from CONV. Type A trichothecenes concentrations were low and not significantly affected by the farming system. Bran exhibited the highest ergosterol and mycotoxin concentration, while flour and bread exhibited the lowest.

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) populations in Poland are characterized by low productivity, which is why their reproductive potential was investigated. The presence of corpora lutea (CL) on the ovaries of females hunted in autumn and winter in the years 2015 and 2016 was assessed. Most animals were post-rut and most often had multiple ovulations. However, in early autumn 2015, 60% of the females had no CL. Therefore, they did not participate in mating at the turn of July/August. Those that did ovulate were found to have one CL. In late autumn, 97% of the females were post-rut, mostly with twin ovulations. This confirmed the occurrence of a late autumn rut. This phenomenon had been suggested in studies but not confirmed. In contrast, almost 100% of roe deer ovulated in summer in 2016. It was hypothesized that the reason for the low mating activity of roe deer in the summer of 2015 was heat stress and limited food resources. The summer was exceptionally hot, with many days in July and August when temperatures exceeded 30 °C. The heat combined with low rainfall led to extreme drought. Meanwhile, July and August are the months of mating activity for roe deer. The late autumn rut allowed the roe deer—a monoestrous species—to limit the consequences of a decrease in mating activity or fertility during the hot summer. Global warming may affect roe deer reproduction, so climatic conditions should be considered in population studies, not only in terms of food availability.

Introduction: Although aging is a natural phenomenon, in recent years it has accelerated. One key factor implicated in the aging process is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress also plays a role in frailty (frail) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: A total of 66 elderly persons (65 years old and older) with no acute or severe chronic disorders were assessed for waist circumference (WC), arterial blood pressure, glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma lipids, and activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1). Patients were classified as NonMetS-Nonfrail (n = 19), NonMetS-frail (n = 20), MetS-Nonfrail (n = 17), or MetS-frail (n = 10). Results: There were no significant differences in superoxide dismutase activity among investigated elderly groups. However, the data suggest that MetS individuals, both frail and nonfrail, have higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease compared to NonMetS individuals. The correlations analyses of SOD-1 and other metabolic indices suggest that SOD-1 levels may be influenced by age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels in certain groups of seniors. Conclusions: Aging is associated with decreased antioxidant enzyme SOD-1 activity with glucose alteration in frailty syndrome as well as with lipids disturbances in metabolic syndrome. These factors provide a nuanced view of how frailty and metabolic syndrome interact with various health parameters, informing both clinical practice and future research directions.