The European Union's current pressure on Member States to adopt the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package is leading to an accelerated drive to put in place measures to meet the 2030 climate targets. At the same time, many discussions at international bilateral meetings of EU country representatives raise the question of the realism of setting climate targets and therefore the ability to meet these commitments. The results elaborated in this analytical study offer a realistic picture of the possibilities of meeting strategic climate targets using the example of the use of forest dendromass for the ability to achieve a 22% share of renewable energy sources (RES) in gross final energy consumption by 2030 in the Czech Republic. The study points out that at present the use of forest dendromass from primary pro-duction is at its maximum and meeting the climate targets for increasing the share of RES in the energy mix represents a major problem in the long term. The findings published in this study also point to the objective threat of increased use of dendrmass in the energy sector to the maintenance of sustainable forest management and the preservation of forest quality.

The silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is among the most valuable conifers in Europe for ecological and economic reasons. In the course of history, primarily in the 20th century, its share in stands has been declining due to ill-suited management practices, especially clear-cut management, air pollution, and wildlife-induced damage. Based on recent knowledge of fir ecology and population dynamics, small-scale shelterwood and selection management have been introduced in fir stands, which have also stabilized them. Fir is an essential species for maintaining high stability and biodiversity, especially on planosols and in waterlogged habitats. Due to its shade tolerance and environmental flexibility, particularly at higher altitudes, it can coexist very well with many tree species in mixtures, which can increase the productive potential of stands. It can form stands of heterogeneous structure, ranging from single to multi-layer to selection. For its successful natural regeneration, it is essential to reduce cloven-hoofed game and thus prevent bud browsing damage. On the other hand, fir is a species relatively resistant to bark stripping and the spread of secondary rot compared to Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). During global climate change, fir is expected to shift to higher elevations with sufficient precipitation, while in the southern part of its natural range or at lower elevations, outside water-influenced habitats, it is likely to decline. This paper essentially reviews the description and distribution of the species, its ecological requirements, threats and diseases, habitat and stand conditions, and close-to-nature forest management practices with emphasis on ongoing climate change.

UV-digital printing belongs to the commonly used method for custom large-area substrate decoration. Despite low surface energy and adhesion, transparent polymer materials, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC), represent an ideal substrate for such purposes. The diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) in a novel compact configuration was used for substrate activation to improve ink adhesion to the polymer surface. This industrially applicable version of DCSBD was prepared, tested, and successfully implemented for the UV-digital printing process. Furthermore, wettability and surface free energy measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy evaluated the surface chemistry and morphology changes. The changes in adhesion of the surface and of ink were analyzed by a peel-force and a crosscut test, respectively. A short plasma treatment (1-5 s) enhanced the substrate's properties of PMMA and PC while providing the pre-treatment suitable for further in-line UV-digital printing. Furthermore, we did not observe damage or significant change of roughness affecting the substrate's initial transparency.

Biofuels have become an integral part of everyday life in modern society. Bioethanol and fatty acid methyl esters are a common part of both the production of gasoline and diesel fuels. Also, pressure on replacing fossil fuels with bio-components is constantly growing. Waste vegetable fats can be replacing biodiesel. HVO seems to be a better alternative. This fuel has a higher oxidation stability for storage purposes, a lower temperature of loss of filterability for the winter time, a lower boiling point for cold starts and other. Viscosity, density, cold filter plugging point of fuel blend, and flash point were measured to confirm that a fuel from HVO is so close to a fuel standard that it is possible to use it in engines without modification. The objective of this article is to show the properties of different fuels with and without HVO admixtures and to prove the suitability of using HVO compared to FAME. HVO can also be prepared from waste materials and no major modifications of existing refinery facilities are required. No technology in either investment or engine adaptation of fuel oils is needed in fuel processing.

3D/4D printing technologies are currently among the fastest growing, cutting edge fabrication technologies. The scale of their applications is vast and applicable to nearly all industries. 3D printing technologies are particularly popular in robotics, and especially in advanced design innovative solutions for areas such as manufacturing, space technology and medicine. The development of robotics, and in particular of the precision of manufactured components, such as actuators, pneumatic muscles, power transmission units, etc., means that new prototypes are still being made, where the use of 3D printers reduces the production time severalfold and allows for completing the necessary simulations and tests. In addition, the use of 3D printers allows for the production of thin-walled and cellular structures, which is a great advantage compared to conventional fabrication technologies. In the range of 3D printers available on the market, only a few selected technologies allow for actual use in the construction of advanced robot elements (muscles, vibration dampers, etc.). In the era of rapid growth of the precision of the available 3D printers and modern materials, 3D printing may soon become a major tool in robotics. This article presents an overview of 3D printing technologies and materials in terms of their application in robotics and provides examples of the use of 3D and 4D printing in prototyping and fabrication of robotic elements with particular emphasis on the current state of the art. The study considered the possibilities of using 3D/4D printing in robotics with the use of polymeric materials. The review of the literature and the research work currently being carried out in this area is very promising and it seems that 3D/4D printing in robotics is widely used and is still developing, which allows to conclude that in the near future the number of research works in this field will increase rapidly.

Kininogens are multidomain glycoproteins found in the blood of most vertebrates. They are important in the blood coagulation cascade pathways - in intrinsic pathway activation leading to thrombin generation partially independently from tissue factor dependent extrinsic pathway, connecting blood coagulation with the kallikrein-kinin system. Nothing is known about the shape on atomic level therefore the endeavor to obtain the good-quality spatial structure of kininogens is important for a better understanding of their role in disease and treatment. Application of cryo-EM is important for solving the spatial structure of kininogens, drawing new frontiers in understanding the function and opening new pathways for drug development.

Accurate geometric modeling of blood vessels lumen given their 3D images is a basis for vessel quantification in support of cardiovascular diseases diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Unlike other approaches, which assume circular or elliptical vessel cross-section, the proposed method employs parametric B-splines combined with the image formation system equations to accurately localize the highly curved lumen boundaries. No image segmentation is involved which might reduce the localization accuracy in effect of spatial discretization. It is shown that the model parameters can be reliably identified by a feedforward neural network which, driven by the cross-section images, predicts the parameter values many times faster than a reference least-squares (LS) model fitting algorithm. Two example applications: modeling the lower extremities artery-vein complexes visualized in steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images (MRI) and the coronary arteries pictured in computed tomography angiograms (CTA), are presented and discussed to demonstrate the method potential. Besides application to medical diagnosis, blood-flow simulation and vessel-phantom design, it can serve as a tool for automated annotation of image datasets required to train machine-learning algorithms.

Apple red flesh coloration is a result of the performance of biochemical pathway involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. Based on apple genome analysis, high number of regulatory genes, mainly transcription factors such as MYB, which are components of regulatory complex MYB-bHLH-WD40, and several structural genes (PAL, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, ANS, UFGT) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis have been identified so far. In this study, we investigated previously unrecognized genes involved in the constitution of red-flesh apple phenotype. These genes could be concerned as molecular markers for early selection of new apple cultivars. Based on comparative transcriptome analysis of apples with different fruit flesh coloration, we successfully identified and characterized ten genes from plant hormone transduction pathway of: auxin (GH3); cytokinins (B-ARR); gibberellins (DELLA); abscisic acid (SnRK2 and ABF); brassinosteroids (BRI1, BZR1 and TCH4); jasmonic acid (MYC2); and salicylic acid (NPR1). In presented studies an analysis of their expression profiles was performed in immature and ripe fruits of red-fleshed cultivars. Generally, we have uncovered, the set of the novel genes, mediating regulation of the abscisic acid, salicylic acid, cytokinins and jasmonic acid signaling and preliminarily described their role in anthocyanin biosynthesis, accumulation and degradation. Their expression was not characterized in apple fruits so far. Presented study, allowed to underline the relationship of genes from hormone signal transduction pathway with UFGT gene, directly responsible for anthocyanin color transformation as well as confirmed their crucial role of plant hormone regulation and anthocyanin accumulation during apple fruit ripening.

Different variants of thinning for discrete random variables are studied. The thinning procedure allows to introduce an analog of scale parameter for positive integer-valued random variables. Sufficient and necessary conditions for the existence of such a scale are given.

The paper presents results from investigation focused on toxicity content in the exhaust gases emitted by the internal combustion compression ignition engine fueled with glycerol-ethanol blends at ratio of 50/50% by volume. Innovative issue of this engine is application of 2 high pressure injectors for glycerol-ethanol blend and diesel fuel direct injection at high pressure over 200 MPa. As known, glycerol is considered is by-product from biodiesel production technologies, hence its cost is relatively low to other renewable alternative fuels, which can be applied as a fuel to the reciprocating piston engines. Tests on exhaust gases toxicity were performed. It was found that the toxic components UHC, NOx and CO were below the maximal allowed limits. Both NOx and smoke emissions were strongly reduced with increase in glycerol-ethanol fraction in the fuel. Summarizing, such a fueling strategy proposed in this paper made it possible to effectively and environmentally friendly combust crude glycerol in the compression ignition engine working in a heat and power cogeneration unit. Exhaust gas emission tests conducted in this case confirmed usability of this technology to be implemented into practice.

Panel data of our interest consist of a moderate number of panels, while the panels contain a small number of observations. An estimator of common breaks in panel means without a boundary issue for this kind of scenario is proposed. In particular, the novel estimator is able to detect a common break point even when the change happens immediately after the first time point or just before the last observation period. Another advantage of the elaborated change point estimator is that it results in the last observation in situations with no structural breaks. The consistency of the change point estimator in panel data is established. The results are illustrated through a simulation study. As a by-product of the developed estimation technique, a theoretical utilization for correlation structure estimation, hypothesis testing, and bootstrapping in panel data is demonstrated. A practical application to non-life insurance is presented as well.

The change in the value of the breaking energy is discussed here for selected steel grades used in building structures after subjecting the samples made of them to episodes of heating in the steady-state heating regime and then cooling in a simulated fire conditions. These changes were recorded based on the instrumented Charpy impact tests, in relation to the material initial state. The S355J2+N, 1H18N9T steels and also X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 duplex steel were selected for detailed analysis. The fire conditions were modelled experimentally by heating the samples and then keeping them for a specified time at a constant temperature of: 600°C (first series) and 800°C (second series), respectively. Two alternative cooling variants were investigated in the experiment: slow cooling of the samples in the furnace, simulating the natural fire progress, without any external extinguishing action, and cooling them in water mist simulating an extinguishing action by a fire brigade. The temperature of the tested samples was set at the level -20oC and alternatively at the level + 20oC. The conducted analysis is aimed at assessing the risk of sudden, catastrophic fracture of load-bearing structure made of steel degraded as a result of a fire previously occurred with different development scenarios.

Phytoseiidae inhabit a wide range of herbs, shrubs and trees. Aesculus hippocastanum is an important ornamental tree in Europe and is likely reservoir of these mites. We therefore assessed the species composition and the spatial and seasonal variability in the abundance of Phytoseiidae in city parks in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Leaf samples were randomly collected from horse chestnut tree branches at eight sites, five times during the vegetation season in 2013. The mites were collected by washing technique and mounted on slides for identification. In total, 13,903 specimens of phytoseiid mites were found, and eight species were identified: Amblyseius andersoni, Euseius finlandicus, Kampimodromus aberrans, Neoseiulella tiliarum, Phytoseilus macropilis, Paraseiulus talbii, Paraseiulus triporus and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri. Paraseiulus talbii and P. macropilis were recorded on the leaves of horse chestnut trees for the first time in the Czech Republic in this study. The predominant species was E. finlandicus (96.25%). The number of mites per compound leaf was, on average, 2.53, 10.40, 23.54, 11.59 and 9.27 on the sampling dates in each month between May and September, respectively. The mite density was significantly affected by the sampling site and date.

Mammals have two insulin-like growth factors (IGF) that are key mediators of somatic growth, of tissue differentiation and cellular responses to stress. Thus, the mechanisms that regulate the bioavailability of IGFs are important in both normal and aberrant development. IGF-I levels are primarily controlled via the growth hormone-IGF axis, in response to nutritional status, and also reflect metabolic diseases and cancer. One mechanism that controls IGF bioavailablity is the binding of circulating IGF to a number of binding proteins that keep IGF in a stable, but receptor non-binding state. But even before IGF is released from the cells that produce it, it undergoes an obligatory association with a ubiquitous chaperone protein, GRP94. This binding is required for secretion of a properly folded, mature IGF. This chapter reviews the known aspects of the interaction and highlights the specificity issues yet to be determined. The IGF-GRP94 interaction provides a potential novel mechanism of idiopathic short stature, involving the obligatory chaperone and not just IGF gene expression. It also provides a novel target for cancer treatment, as GRP94 activity can be either inhibited or enhanced.

Modern mobile devices are replete advanced sensors that expand the array of possible methods of locating users. This is often viewed in a positive light, as a tool to gather and use spatial information, but it also brings with it the problem of “geosurveillance” in which the “Location” becomes a product in itself. In the realm of software developers, this has been reduced and discretized to a set of coordinates, devoid of human experiences and meanings. To function in such digitally augmented realities, people need to adopt specific attitudes, often accompanied with anxiety. We explored attitudes toward locational data collection practices using questionnaire surveys (n = 280) from Poznan and Edinburgh. The prevailing attitude is neutral with a strong undertone of resignation, in which surrendering personal locational information is viewed as a digital currency. A smaller number of people had stronger, emotional views, either very positive or very negative, based on uncritical technological enthusiasm or fear of privacy violation. Such a wide spectrum of attitudes is not only produced by interaction with technology but can also be viewed as a result of different perceptions and values associated with space and place itself.

Heusler Ni-Mn-Ga alloys with martensitic transformation being multiferroic materials are touted for magneto- and multi-caloric effect (MCE) and moreover, they exhibit magnetic shape memory (MSM) phenomena. MCE benefits from high saturation magnetization and also large variability and sensitivity of transformation temperatures on alloying. In contrast, MSM phenomena are limited by low temperatures of both ferromagnetic and ferroelastic transformations. In an attempt to increase the transformation temperatures and to understand the physical fundamentals beyond transformation variations and magnetic ordering, we experimentally investigate the magnetic and transformation properties in Ni2MnGa alloyed with transitional elements spanning from Cr to Cu. These elements are consecutively substituted on Ni, Mn, and Ga sites, to establish the effect of positional substitution and elemental evolution. The elemental dependence of saturation magnetization, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, Curie temperature, and martensitic transformation temperatures are compared with (non-)stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler compounds. The observed behavior is complex and there are no clear trends of transformation temperatures as a function of the number of valence (non-bonding) electrons per atom, however, the saturation magnetization at 10K and Curie temperature seems to follow the Pauli-Slater curve. Obtained results can serve as useful rectification for the theoretical prediction of new Ni-Mn-Ga-X Heusler alloys.

In two previous papers, we calculated the dielectrophoresis (DEP) force and corresponding trajectories of high- and low-conductance 200-µm 2D spheres in a square 1x1mm chamber with plane-versus-pointed, plane-versus-plane and pointed-versus-pointed electrode configurations by applying the law of maximum entropy production (LMEP) to the system. Here, we complete these considerations for configurations with four-pointed electrodes centered on the chamber edges. The four electrodes were operated in either object-shift mode (two adjacent electrodes opposite the other two adjacent electrodes), DEP mode (one electrode versus the other three electrodes), or field-cage mode (two electrodes on opposite edges versus the two electrodes on the other two opposite edges). As in previous work, we have assumed DC properties for the object and the external media for simplicity. Nevertheless, every possible polarization ratio of the two media can be modeled this way. The trajectories of the spherical centers and the corresponding DEP forces were calculated from the gradients of the system’s total energy dissipation, described by numerically-derived conductance fields. In each of the three drive modes, very high attractive and repulsive forces were found in front of pointed electrodes for the high and low-conductance spheres, respectively. The conductance fields predict bifurcation points, watersheds, and trajectories with multiple endpoints. The high and low-conductance spheres usually follow similar trajectories, albeit with reversed orientations. In DEP drive mode, the four-point electrode chamber provides a similar area for DEP measurements as the classical plane-versus-pointed electrode chamber.

The article discusses the role of humanistic values in the contemporary configuration of cities. Today's times put us in a privileged position as we can observe deep and clear changes happening very quickly. Visible changes are reflected not only in society and culture, but also in the space of developing cities, towns, and metropolises. While characterizing contemporary urban trends and ideas, the philosophical trends that contribute to them and the values on which they are based were discussed. Corrections are also shown, which usually start with slight dissonances and initially slight differences in the content of theses, and as a result lead to completely different views on the world. Contemporary determinants of postmodernism, deconstructivism, ecological ideas, sustainable development, social integration and participation, high-tech, digital, and smart city are discussed in detail.

We present the results of calculations of magnetic properties of 3 compounds from Laves phase C15 family: DyAl2, HoAl2 and ErAl2 performed with a new computation system called ATOMIC MATTERS MFA. We compare these findings with the recently published results for TbAl2, GdAl2 and SmAl2. The calculation methodology was based on the localized electron approach applied to describe the thermal evolution electronic structure of rare-earth R3+ ions over a wide temperature range and to compute magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Thermomagnetic properties were calculated based on the fine electronic structure of 4f9, 4f10 and 4f11 configurations of the Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+ ions, respectively. Our calculations yield the magnetic moment value and direction; single-crystalline magnetization curves in zero field and external magnetic field applied in various directions of m(T, Bext); the 4f-electronic components of specific heat c4f(T, Bext); and temperature dependence of the magnetic entropy and isothermal entropy change with external magnetic field -S(T, Bext). The cubic CEF parameter values used for DyAl2 calculations are taken from earlier research of A.L. Lima, A.O. Tsokol and recalculated for universal cubic parameters (Amn) for the RAl2 series. Our studies reveal the importance of multipolar charge interactions when describing thermomagnetic properties of real 4f electronic systems and the effectiveness of an applied self-consistent molecular field in calculations for magnetic phase transition simulation.

Modernist planners were given the opportunity to apply the idea of ​​the Modern Movement in the implementation of cities transforming after World War II, which was not possible before in long-term evolving structures. Usually, however, it was impossible to change everything: some urban and even architectural elements were necessary to be preserved. As a result, the elements of the ancient landscapes of these cities - historical objects and spaces - necessary for the continuity of evidence of history and identity have been preserved, sometimes through reconstruction. Finally, in some of these cities, both old and new elements contribute to the contemporary urban landscape. The aim of the research is to examine two key categories of urban structure in this perspective: 1. landmarks 2. urban network nodes. For this purpose: 1. the changes in the number and rank of the space with which the landmarks exhibition was carried out were compared; 2. the changes in the rank of nodes in the urban structure functioning both in the pre-war and in the present structure, as well as changes in their distribution and concentration areas were analyzed. The numbers of individual elements were balanced and the changes in the structure of their arrangement were analyzed with the use of a polygon grid. The analyzes were based on the case of a medium-scale European city (Białystok). Research shows that as a result of post-war reconstruction, the number of elements of the urban grid decreased, especially those of lower rank, the rank of others decreased.

Elevated circulating triglyceride levels have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, although the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) for insulin resistance, and C-reactive protein served as mediators in this association across a sample of 18,435 US adults. Mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS Version 4.3 Macro for SPSS. Simple medi-ation analysis revealed that all three potential mediators played a role in mediating the associa-tion. However, in the parallel mediation analysis, where all three mediators were simultaneously included, HOMA for insulin resistance remained a significant mediator (indirect effect coefficient, 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43—0.52; p < 0.05) after adjusting for all tested confounding factors. Conversely, LDL cholesterol (indirect effect coefficient, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.31—0.05; p > 0.05) and C-reactive protein (indirect effect coefficient, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.003—0.02; p > 0.05) ceased to be significant mediators. HOMA for insulin resistance accounted for 49% of the association between triglycerides and diabetes. In conclusion, HOMA for insulin resistance was the dominant mediator underlying the association between triglycerides and diabetes. Therefore, reducing triglyceride levels may hold promise for improving insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients.

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the relationship between rotary kiln liner loss and steel structure ovality. As measurement apparatus, a terrestrial laser scanner was used. The interior and exterior of the rotary kiln were measured. The primary focus object was inner-lining loss and the geometric characteristics of cylindrical shells. The research uncovered significant disparities in inner lining loss between sections. A correlation was found between ovality and elimination of inner lining. Due to the hypothesis of constant inner linig loss from the middle of the rotary kiln, the investigation found that the loss of brick lining was less than the value reported from the boreholes. The study offers significant information on maintenance and repair strategies for rotary kilns, which have the potential to increase their efficiency and useful life.

The DEP force is usually calculated from the object’s point of view using the interaction of the object’s induced dipole moment with the inducing field. Recently, we described the DEP behavior of high- and low-conductive 200-µm 2D spheres in a square 1x1mm chamber with a plane-versus-plane electrode configuration from the system’s point of view. Here we extend our previous considerations to the plane-versus-plane and pointed-versus-pointed electrode configurations. The trajectories of the sphere center and the corresponding DEP forces were calculated from the gradient of the system’s overall energy dissipation for given starting points. The dissipation’s dependence on the sphere’s position in the chamber is described by the numerical “conductance field”, which is the DC equivalent of the capacitive charge-work field. While the plane-versus-plane electrode configuration is field-gradient free without an object, the presence of the highly or low-conductive spheres generates structures in the conductance fields, which result in very similar DEP trajectories. For both electrode configurations, the model describes trajectories with multiple endpoints, watersheds, and saddle points, very high attractive and repulsive forces in front of pointed electrodes, and the effect of mirror charges. Because the model accounts for inhomogeneous polarization within the objects, the approach allows the modeling of the complicated interplay of attractive and repulsive forces near electrode surfaces and chamber edges. Non-reversible DEP forces or asymmetric magnitudes for the highly and low-conductive spheres in large areas of the chamber indicate the presence of higher-order moments, mirror charges, etc.

Translation of basic animal research to find effective methods of diagnosing and treating human neurological disorders requires parallel analysis infrastructures. Small animals such as mice provide exploratory animal disease models. However, many interventions developed using small animal models fail to translate to human use due to physical or biological differences. Recently, large-animal minipigs have emerged in neuroscience due to both brain similarity and economic advantages. Medical image processing is a crucial part of research as it allows researchers to monitor their experiments and understand disease development. However, although many algorithms are created and optimized for MR analysis of human data, those tools are not directly applicable or sufficiently sensitive to measure minipig data. In this work, we propose PigSNIPE - a pipeline for the automated handling, processing, and analyzing of large-scale data sets of minipig MR images. The pipeline allows for image registration, AC-PC alignment, landmark detection, skull stripping, brainmasks and intracranial volume segmentation (DICE 0.98), tissue segmentation (DICE 0.82), and caudate-putamen brain segmentation (DICE 0.8) in under two minutes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first automated pipeline tool aimed at large animal images.

The primary purpose of this article is to present a maturity model dealing with environmental manufacturing processes in a company. First, a theoretical approach is presented where evolution from the first industrial revolution to the present (Industry 4.0.) is outlined with a need to implement environmental initiatives. Chapter two contains a detailed literature review, which resulted in the creation of our own maturity model presented in the next chapter. According to some authors, Industry 4.0 is based on characteristics that have already been the focus of “lean and green” concepts. The practical part of the article is a case study that shows which areas of the manufacturing process have “environmental” potential. The goal was to move from resource consumption, pollutant emissions and more extensive manufacturing towards environmentally responsible manufacturing (ERM). Using environmental materials and methods reduces energy consumption, which generates cost savings and higher profits. Here, VSM (Value Stream Mapping) was applied to identify core processes with environmental potential. The final part of the article summarizes the work and presents future possibilities. This paper provides an understanding of the role of environmental manufacturing in the era of the 4th industrial revolution.

The corrugated board is a versatile and durable material that is widely used in the packaging industry. Its unique structure provides strength and cushioning, while its recyclability and bio-degradability make it an environmentally friendly option. The strength of corrugated board depends on many factors, including the type of individual papers on flat and corrugated layers, the geometry of the flute, temperature, humidity, etc. This paper presents a new approach to analysis geometric features of corrugated boards based on the images. It allows for precise determination of the geometry of the corrugated layer, as well as the thickness of individual papers in all cardboard layers. The experimental set used in the work and the created software are characterized by high reliability and precision of measurement thanks to the use of an identification procedure based on image analysis and evolutionary algorithms. This allows to quickly find the main geometric characteristics of the corrugated board, which in turn leads to the possibility of performing numerical analyzes taking into account the real model of the corrugated board. Calculations made on a real (correctly mapped geometrically) model allow, for example, a more reliable analysis of the composition of the cardboard, and thus also to obtain greater savings in the optimization process.

The article focuses on derivation of simplified predictive models for identification of overall compressive stiffness and strength of corrugated cardboards. As a representative example an unsymmetrical 5-ply sample (with E and B flute) was used in this study. In order to exclude unreliable displacement measurement in the standard edge crush test, the virtual strain gauges are used. Video extensometry is employed here to collect measurements from the outer surfaces of the sample on both sides. Additional data allows for obtaining real force-displacement curves, which are used in the validation procedure. To emulate the experimental results, beside simple analytical model, also a 3D numerical model fully reflecting the geometry of the corrugated board, based on finite elements method was also built. In both cases a good agreement between the experimental results and the analytical and numerical calculations was observed. This proves that the proposed analytical model can be successfully used to determine the overall stiffness and compressive strength of the corrugated board, provided that the geometry and properties of all the layers of the board are known. The simple model presented in this work enables quick and reliable design and prototyping of new assemblies without the need to manufacture them.

Corrugated board, widely used in the packing industry, is a recyclable and durable material. Its strength and cushioning, influenced by geometry, environmental conditions like humidity and temperature, and paper quality, make it versatile. Double-walled (or five-ply) corrugated board, comprising two flutes and three liners, enhances these properties. This study introduces a novel approach to analyze 5-layered corrugated board, extending a previously published algorithm for single-walled boards. Our method focuses on measuring layer and overall board thickness, flute height, and center lines of each layer. Integrating image processing and genetic algorithms, the research successfully developed an algorithm for precise geometric feature identification of double-walled boards. Images were recorded using a special device with a sophisticated camera and image sensor for detailed corrugated board cross-sections. Demonstrating high accuracy, the method faced limitations only with very deformed or damaged samples. This research contributes significantly to quality control in the packaging industry and paves the way for further automated material analysis using advanced machine learning and image sensors. It emphasizes the importance of sample quality and suggests areas for algorithm refinement to enhance robustness and accuracy.

The horse chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is an invasive pest of horse chestnut and has spread through Europe since 1985. The horse chestnut leaf blotch Guignardia aesculi (Botryosphaeriales: Botryosphaeriaceae) is a fungal disease that also seriously damages horse chestnut trees in Europe. The interaction between the leaf miner and the fungus has not yet been sufficiently described. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess leaf damage inflicted to horse chestnut by both C. ohridella and G. aesculi during the vegetation season and to model their interaction. The damage to leaf area was measured monthly from May to September 2013 in České Budějovice, the Czech Republic. A simple phenomenological model describing the expected dynamics of the two species was developed. The study revealed a significant effect of sampling site and sampling period on the damage caused by both the pest and the fungus. The mathematical model indicates that infestation by C. ohridella is more affected by G. aesculi than vice versa. The possible mechanisms affecting the relationship between G. aesculi and C. ohridella are discussed.

Objectives: We compared housing and the eating habits of Roma. Contemporary findings (2013) were compared with those from the first monothematic work on Roma (1775) depicting their housing and eating habits. Methods: Data come from a journal (1775) and from semi-structured interviews (2013) with more than 70 Roma women and men who live segregated in excluded settlements at the edges of villages or scattered among the majority. Data were collected in two villages and one district town in the Tatra region, where data from the 1775 measurements originate. We used classical sociological theory and new ethnography to interpret the obtained data. Results: The main findings showed differences between specific social classes then and now regarding housing as well as eating habits, related to both conditions among Roma in the Tatra. The national Roma foods gója or marikľa are traditional foods of Slovak ancestors living in poverty in the country. The houses of Roma do not greatly differ from those of the majority. Conclusions: We conclude that life strategies of the citizens of poor settlements now are similar to two centuries ago, typical for the culture of poverty in various countries of the world even after the centuries.

Simple Summary: This review explores the origin of Leukemic Stem-Like Cells (LSLCs) from (Very) Small Leukemic Stem-Like Cells ((V)SLSLCs) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) from trans-formed Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELSCs). Understanding this relation is a step toward uncovering the mechanisms behind cancer and leukemia initiation and development. We explore how these very small precursor cell stages might contribute to the initiation and progres-sion of cancer as well as leukemia with a focus on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) as a model. Abstract: Recent experimental findings indicate that CSCs originate from transformed VSELSCs, which are early precursor stages of healthy stem cells. This discovery marks a crucial step in understanding the mechanisms that drive cancer development and initiation. Our team's follow-up studies on leukemia, lung cancer, and healthy embryonic kidney cells have, for the first time, identified stag-es resembling very small precursor stem cells in continuously growing cell lines. These findings suggest the existence of (Very) Small Cancer Stem Cells ((V)SCSCs) or (V)SLSCs within respective subpopulations of CSCs and LSCs in vivo. In this review, we explore theoretical examples of how leukemia progresses through various stages, highlighting the role of these very small precursor cells as fundament primitive stages. We also discuss the potential implications of further research into these unique cellular stages for advancing cancer and leukemia treatment and prevention strategies.

The article presents the stages of modeling and simulation of a new design of a wheelchair with the option of moving up and down stairs. These analyzes were aimed at the synthesis of the de-sign parameters and parameters of the sensor and control systems. The simulation results were verified by experimentally testing the prototype.

The article is focused on detailed framework process for hierarchized construction of periodic freight train paths (PFTPs) – allocation of pre-arranged railway capacity to freight rail operators. The framework process considers fluctuations in demand for capacity from freight rail opera-tors, so the quality of a freight train path is related with its construction priority. Introduced framework process aims to offer freight rail operators attractive train paths, with low number of scheduled stops, and this way enhance competitiveness and decrease energy consumption of freight railway as a factor for sustainable development. The proposed generic process is in-tended for all time horizons of capacity allocation. Correctness of the framework process is tested on the example of mainline Prague – Dresden, in the context of prospective (denser) mod-el passenger timetable.

Mycobacterium abscessus is a non-tuberculous mycobacteria notoriously known for causing severe, chronic infections. Treatment of these infections is challenging due to either intrinsic or acquired resistance of M. abscessus to multiple antibiotics. Despite prolonged poly-antimicrobial therapy, treatment of M. abscessus infections often fails, leading to progressive morbidity and eventual mortality. Great research efforts are invested in finding new therapeutic options for M. abscessus. Clofazimine and rifabutin are known anti-mycobacterial antibiotics, repurposed for use against M. abscessus. Novel antimicrobials active against M. abscessus include delamanid, pretomanid and PIPD1 and the recently approved beta-lactamase inhibitors avibactam, relebactam and vaborbactam. Previously unused antimicrobial combinations e.g. vancomycin-clarithromycin and dual beta-lactam therapy have been shown to have synergistic effect against M. abscessus in experimental models, suggesting their possible use in multiple-drug regimens. Finally, engineered phage therapy has been reported to be clinically successful in a severe case of disseminated M. abscessus infection. While many of these experimental therapeutics have shown activity against M. abscessus in vitro, as well as intracellular and/or animal models, most have little if any evidence of effect in humans infections. Clinical studies of M. abscesssus treatments are needed in order to reliably determine the value of their incorporation in therapeutic regimens.

Viruses are the most prevalent infectious agents, populating almost every ecosystem on earth. Most viruses carry only a handful of genes supporting their replication and the production of capsids. It came as a great surprise in 2003 when the first giant virus was discovered and found to have a >1Mbp genome encoding almost a thousand proteins. Following this first discovery, dozens of giant virus strains across several viral families have been reported. Here, we provide an updated quantitative and qualitative view on giant viruses and elaborate on their shared and variable features. We review the complexity of giant virus proteomes, which include functions traditionally associated only with cellular organisms. These unprecedented functions include components of the translation machinery, DNA maintenance, and metabolic enzymes. We discuss the possible underlying evolutionary processes and mechanisms that might have shaped the diversity of giant viruses and their genomes, highlighting their remarkable capacity to hijack genes and genomic sequences from their hosts and environments. This leads us to examine prominent theories regarding the origin of giant viruses. Finally, we present the emerging ecological view of giant viruses, found across widespread habitats and ecological systems, with respect to the environment and human health.

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids have been known to react to magnetic fields of sufficient magnitudes. While in the presence of the field the material develops a yield stress. The tunable property has made it attractive in e.g. semi-active damper applications in vibration control domain in particular. Within the context of a given application the fluids can be exploited in at least one of the fundamental operating modes of which the so-called gradient pinch mode has been least explored. Contrary to the other operating modes, the MR fluid volume in the flow channel is exposed to a non-uniform magnetic field in such a way that the Venturi-like contraction is developed in a flow channel solely by means of a solidified material in the regions near the walls rather than mechanically driven changes of the channel’s geometry. The pinch mode rheology of the material has made it a potential candidate in developing on a new category of MR valves. By convention, a pinch mode valve features a single flow channel with poles over which non-uniform magnetic field is induced. In this study the authors examine ways of extending the dynamic range of pinch mode valves by employing a number of such arrangements (stages) in series. To accomplish this, the authors developed a prototype of a multi-stage (three-stage) valve, and then compared its performance against that of a single-stage valve across a wide range of hydraulic and magnetic stimuli. To summarize, improvements in the pinch mode valve dynamic range are evident, however, at the same time it is hampered by the presence of serial air gaps in the flow channel.

Background: Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1) is expressed in trigeminal neurons and brain regions important in migraine pathogenesis and is activated by many migraine triggers. Epigenetic regulation of TRPA1 expression is important in pain transmission and neurogenic inflammation.Findings: TRPA1 channels change noxious stimuli into pain signals with the involvement of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and effects of micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs. TRPA1 may change epigenetic profile of many pain-related genes as it may modify enzymes establishing the epigenetic profile and expression of non-coding RNAs. TRPA1 may induce the release of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), from trigeminal neurons and dural tissue. Therefore, epigenetic regulation of TRPA1 may play a role in efficacy and safety of anti-migraine therapies targeting TRP channels and CGRP. TRPA1 is also involved in neurogenic inflammation, important in migraine. The fundamental role of TRPA1 in inflammatory pain transmission may be epigenetically regulated. Conclusions: Epigenetic connections of TRPA1 may play a role in efficacy and safety of anti-migraine therapy targeting TRP channels or CGRP and they should be further explored for efficient and safe antimigraine treatment.

The interactions of metal ions with fulvic acids resulted in changes in the particle size and charge. Particle size distribution was trimodal for fulvic acids, bimodal for fulvic complexes with calcium and magnesium, and copper-fulvic complexes had only one size fraction. The compensation of negative charge of carboxylic and phenolic functional groups by positive charged metal ions resulted in the increase in zeta potential which was getting closer to zero in the case of copper-fulvic complexes. However, all metal humic complexes behaved as colloidally unstable which resulted in visually observable sedimentation. Calorimetric measurements provided positive values of changes in enthalpy which indicated endothermic processes. In contrast quantum chemical calculations as well as experiments with model compounds provided negative values indicated exothermic processes. Changes in Gibbs energy were determined as negative and changes in entropy as positive which meant spontaneous processes.

Perforating dermatoses are dermatologic disorders with transepidermal elimination (TE) of dermal substances. While TE is typically associated with collagen and elastin, it can also occur as a secondary event in other processes, and it is important to keep a broad differential. We present a case of perforating tophaceous gout, which underscores the need for a thoughtful approach to perforating disorders. An updated review of recent literature is also presented.

An extensive thermodynamic study of N-methylformamide (CAS RN: 123-39-7) and N,N-dimethylformamide (CAS RN: 68-12-2), is presented in this work. The liquid heat capacities of N-methylformamide were measured by Tian–Calvet calorimetry in the temperature interval (250 – 300) K. The vapor pressures for N-methylformamide and N,N-dimethylformamide were measured using static method in the temperature range 238 K to 308 K. The ideal-gas thermo-dynamic properties were calculated using a combination of the density functional theory (DFT) and statistical thermodynamics. A consistent thermodynamic description was developed using the method of simultaneous correlation, where the experimental and selected titerature data for vapor pressures, vaporization enthalpies, and liquid phase heat capacities and calculated ide-al-gas heat capacities are treated together to ensure overall thermodynamic consistency of the results. Resulting vapor pressure equation is valid from the triple point to the normal boiling point temperature.

Recently it was found from Cassini data that the mean recession speed of Titan from Saturn is v = 11.3 ± 2.0 cm/yr which corresponds to a tidal quality factor of Saturn Q ≈ 100 while the standard estimate yields Q ≥ 6 · 10⁴ . It was assumed that such a large speed v is due to a resonance locking mechanism of five inner mid-sized moons of Saturn. In this paper, we show that an essential part of v may come from a local Hubble expansion, where the Hubble-Lemaˆıtre constant H0 recalculated to the Saturn-Titan distance D is 8.15 cm/(yrD). Our hypothesis is based on many other observations showing a slight expansion of the Solar system and also of our Galaxy at a rate comparable with H0. We demonstrate that the large disproportion in estimating the Q factor can be just caused by the local expansion effect. [Accepted for publication in "Gravitation and Cosmology". The paper is to appear in Vol. 28, Issue 2 (2022) of the journal Gravitation and Cosmology.]

This paper continues the review study on antimicrobial properties relevant to the periodontal diseases. Inflammation as a major response of the periodontal tissues attacked by pathogenic microbes can significantly exacerbate the condition. However, the bidirectional activity of phytochemicals that simultaneously inhibit bacterial proliferation and proinflammatory signaling can provide a substantial alleviation of both cause and symptoms. The modulatory effects on various aspects of inflammatory and overall immune response has been covered, including confirmed and postulated mechanisms of action, structure activity relationships and molecular targets. Further, the clinical relevance of flavan-3-ols and available outcomes from clinical studies has been analyzed and discussed. Among the numerous natural sources of flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins the most promising are, similarly to antibacterial properties, constituents of various foods, such as fruits of Vaccinium species, tea leaves, grape seeds, and tannin-rich medicinal herbs. Despite a vast amount of in vitro and cell-based evidence of immunomodulatory there is still much less studies using animal models and only a few clinical studies. Most of the studies, regardless of the used model indicated efficiency of these phytochemicals from cranberries and other Vaccinium species and tea extracts (green or black). Other sources such as grape seeds and traditional medicinal plants, were seldom. In conclusion, the potential of flavan-3-ols and their derivatives in prevention and alleviation of periodontitis is remarkable but clinical evidence is urgently needed for issuing credible dietary recommendation and complementary treatments.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease consistently associated with repetitive traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which makes multiple professions, such as contact sports athletes, especially susceptible to its onset. There are currently no approved biomarkers to diagnose CTE, thus it can only be confirmed through a post-mortem brain autopsy. Several imaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have shown promise in the diagnosis. However, blood-based biomarkers can be more easily obtained and quantified, increasing their clinical feasibility and potential for prophylactic use. This article aimed to comprehensively review the studies into potential blood-based biomarkers of CTE, discussing common themes and limitations as well as suggesting future research directions. While the interest in blood-based biomarkers of CTE has recently increased, the research is still in its early stages. The main issue for many proposed biomarkers is their lack of selectivity for CTE. However, several molecules, such as tau phosphorylated on different epitopes, were able to discern CTE from different neurodegenerative diseases. Further, results from studies of exosomal biomarkers suggest that exosomes are a promising source of biomarkers reflective of the internal environment of the brain. Nonetheless, more longitudinal studies combining imaging, neurobehavioral and biochemical approaches are warranted to establish robust biomarkers of CTE.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived benefits of community gardening. A garden colony is a collection of adjacent plots of land primarily for the purpose of gardening. The methodology of this research consists of observations, interviews, questionnaires, and focus group. As a result of this research we found that gardening is a natural and safe way to meet the lifelong demands for a healthy life. We found specific mental and physical benefits as a result of this community gardening. We encourage communities to allow people to buy plots of land away from their homes to promote this healthy activity. The garden colony provides a place for individual renewal and restoration; this urban oasis offers a way to maintain and promote lifelong healthy living, and they are an important contribution to one’s life by adding a sense of meaning and purpose.

Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs), which contained cellulose tri-acetate used as a polymer base, a plasticizer in the form of o-NPOE, and meso-tetra methyl tetrakis-[methyl-2-(4-acetlphenoxy)] calix[4]pyrrole (KP) used as a carrier, were prepared and tested for the effective purification of aqueous solutions of methylene blue dye. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) were used to define the microstructure and surface of PIMs. Experimental results showed that with the increased concentration of methylene blue in an aqueous solution, the removal percentage also increased. Further observation also showed that the flux increased with the rise of the source phase pH values from 3 to 10. The carrier and plasticizer content in the membrane significantly influenced the membrane’s transport properties. The optimal composition of the membrane in per cent by weight was for KP: 74% plasticizer; 18% support; 8% carrier. It was shown that the membrane with optimal composition showed good reusability and enabled the easy and spontaneous separation of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.

The increasing deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources necessitates effective methods for balancing the electrical grid to ensure stability and safety. Energy storage systems that can store excess electrical power during periods of low demand and release it during high demand are crucial for both short-term and long-term applications. Power-to-Gas is an innovative energy storage solution that converts surplus renewable electricity into gas fuels, such as hydrogen, which can be stored and used later. This hydrogen can serve multiple purposes, including energy storage and as fuel for transportation modes like cars, trams, trains, and buses. While most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels, solid-oxide electrolysis (SOE) offers a cleaner alternative by producing hydrogen without harmful emissions. SOE is also the most efficient method of electrolysis. This study aims to determine the operational parameters for an SOE system, including lower heating value (LHV)-based efficiency and total input power, using a mathematical model. Results are presented for three different operating temperatures and four different steam utilization ratios. The paper is structured as follows: the introduction provides the context and motivation for the study; the second section outlines the fundamentals of electrolysis and its various types; the third section delves into solid-oxide electrolysis and electrolyser systems; the fourth section describes the methodology, including the mathematical formulation and simulation software used; the fifth section presents the calculation results and conclusions; and the final section summarizes the findings.

The majority of current methods for measuring the angular deflection of a laser beam enable measurement only in one selected plane. However, there are tasks in which measurements of laser beam deflections in 3D are required. In this paper, we present a way of enabling two-axial measurements of the deflection of a beam based on a single-axis sensor. The key idea is to direct a laser beam alternately into one of two arms of a measurement system. In the first arm, the beam is transmitted directly to the angular sensor, while in the second, the beam is directed to the sensor via a special optical element that rotates the plane of the beam deflection; in other words, this element changes the deflection in the horizontal plane into a deflection in the vertical plane, and vice versa. To alternate the path of the beam, a variable phase retarder and a polarising beamsplitter are used. The proposed technique is experimentally verified, and the results confirm its effectiveness.

Loss of photoreceptors in retinal degenerative diseases also impacts the inner retina: bipolar cell dendrites retract, neurons rewire and protein expression changes. ON-bipolar cells represent an attractive target for optogenetic vision restoration. However, above-described maladaptations may negatively impact the quality of restored vision. To investigate this question, we employed human post-mortem retinas and transgenic rd1_Opto-mGluR6 mice expressing the optogenetic construct Opto-mGluR6 in ON-bipolar cells and carrying the retinal degeneration rd1 mutation. We found significant changes in delayed rectifier potassium channel expression in ON-bipolar cells of degenerative retinas. In particular, we found an increase in Kv1.3 expression already in early stages of degeneration. Immunohistochemistry localized Kv1.3 channels specifically to OBC axons. In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, ON-bipolar cells in the degenerated murine retina were less responsive, which could be reversed by application of the specific Kv1.3 antagonist Psora-4. Notably, Kv1.3 block significantly increased the amplitude and kinetics of Opto-mGluR6-mediated light responses in ON-bipolar cells of the blind retina and increased the signal-to-noise ratio of light-triggered responses in retinal ganglion cells. We propose that reduction of Kv1.3 activity in the degenerated retina, either by pharmacological block or by KCNA3 gene silencing, could improve the quality of restored vision.

This article is devoted to the issues of thermal softening of materials in the surface layer of forging tools. The research covers numerical modeling of the forging process, laboratory tests of tempering of nitrided layers and the analysis of tempering of the surface layer of tools in the actual forging process. Numerical modeling was supported by measuring the temperature inside the tools with a thermocouple inserted into the tool to measure the temperature as close to the surface as possible. The modeling results confirmed the possibility of tempering the die material. The results of laboratory tests made it possible to determine the influence of temperature on tempering at different surface layer depths. Numerical analysis and measurement of surface layer microhardness of tools revealed the destructive effect of temperature during forging on the tempering of the nitrided layer and on the material layers located deeper below the nitrided layer.

The study presents a comparison of the common Child Restraint Systems (CRS) which reduces the value of dynamic loads affecting the child's body during car accidents. The analyzed systems were: child seats, Combi Booster Seats, and straps adjusting vehicle seat belts to children's sizes. The effectiveness of the analyzed devices was assessed on the basis of experimental tests carried out in the accredited laboratory approving the Child Restraint Systems. The tests were carried out accordingly to the new Regulation No. 129 UN / ECE. Whether the tested devices meet the guidelines of the new Regulations No. 129 despite approval in accordance with Regulation No. 44. Based on the research result, better safety parameters of some new solutions dedicated to children’s safety could be observed. The final results show that there is still space for improving the safety of young vehicle passengers.

The study presents a comparison of the common Child Restraint Systems (CRS) which reduces the value of dynamic loads affecting the child's body during car accidents. The analyzed systems were: child seats, Combi Booster Seats, and straps adjusting vehicle seat belts to children's sizes. The effectiveness of the analyzed devices was assessed on the basis of experimental tests carried out in the accredited laboratory approving the Child Restraint Systems. The tests were carried out accordingly to the new Regulation No. 129 UN / ECE. Whether the tested devices meet the guidelines of the new Regulations No. 129 despite approval in accordance with Regulation No. 44. Based on the research result, better safety parameters of some new solutions dedicated to children's safety could be observed. The final results show that there is still space for improving the safety of young vehicle passengers.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing disorder belonging to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is manifested by relapsing transmural inflammation found in any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic fatigue is a common and underrecognized symptom of CD, which prevalence is much higher in the population of CD patients as compared to healthy population. It stems from an intricate web of interactions between various risk factors, and its pathophysiology is still not fully understood. Implementation of routine screening and holistic, multidisciplinary approach involving psychological support may be crucial in management of CD patients with chronic fatigue. There is currently no single intervention aimed at decreasing fatigue alone, and its treatment is especially difficult in patients with fatigue persisting despite clinical and endoscopic remission. Extensive research is still needed in order to be able to predict, prevent, identify and ultimately treat fatigue associated with CD. The aim of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic fatigue in CD patients.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease associated with the overproduction and accumulation of amyloid-β peptide and hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in the brain. Despite extensive research on the amyloid-based mechanism of AD pathogenesis, the underlying cause of AD remains poorly understood. No disease-modifying therapies currently exist, and numerous clinical trials have failed to demonstrate any benefits. The recent discovery that the amyloid-β peptide has antimicrobial activities supports the possibility of an infectious aetiology of AD and suggests that amyloid-β plaque formation might be induced by infection. AD patients have a weakened blood-brain barrier and immune system and are thus at elevated risk of microbial infections. Such infections can cause chronic neuroinflammation, production of the antimicrobial amyloid-β peptide, and neurodegeneration. Various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites have been associated with AD. Most research in this area has focused on individual pathogens, with herpesviruses and periodontal bacteria being most frequently implicated. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential role of multi-pathogen infections in AD. Recognition of the potential coexistence of multiple pathogens and biofilms in AD's aetiology may stimulate the development of novel approaches to its diagnosis and treatment. Multiple diagnostic tests could be applied simultaneously to detect major pathogens, followed by anti-microbial treatment using antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-biofilm agents.

A multi-tool analytical practice was used for characterization of 16^th century carpet manufactured in Cairo. Mild extraction method with hydrofluoric acid enabled isolation of intact flavonoids and their glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins and indigoids from fibre samples. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to spectroscopic and mass spectrometric detectors was used for identification of natural dyes present in the historical samples. Weld, young fustic and brazilwood were identified as the dye sources in yellow thread samples. Red fibres have been colored with lac dye, whereas green fibre shades were obtained with indigo and weld. Tannin-containing plant material in combination with indigo and weld were used to obtain brown hue of thread. Four uncommon and thus-far unknown dye components were also found in the historical samples. These compounds probably represent unique fingerprint of dyed threads from this region. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for identification and characterization of substrates and mordants present in the historical carpet. Carbon and oxygen were detected in large quantities as a part of the wool protein. The presence of aluminum, iron and calcium indicated their usage as mordants. FT-IR analysis showed bands characteristic to woolen fibres and SEM micrographs definite structure of wool.

Microglia activation causes neuroinflammation, which is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders, brain injury, and aging. Ladostigil, a bifunctional reagent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reduced microglial activation and enhanced brain functioning in elderly rats. In this study, we studied SH-SY5Y, a human neuroblastoma cell line, and tested viability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and Sin1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine), which generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Both stressors caused significant apoptosis and necrotic cell death that was attenuated by ladostigil. Our results from RNA-seq experiments show that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) account for 30% of all transcripts in SH-SY5Y cells treated with Sin1 for 24 hours. Altogether, we identify 94 differently expressed lncRNAs in the presence of Sin1, including MALAT1, a highly expressed lncRNA with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic functions. Additional activities of Sin-1 upregulated lncRNAs include redox homeostasis (e.g., MIAT, GABPB1-AS1), energy metabolism (HAND2-AS1), and neurodegeneration (e.g., MIAT, GABPB1-AS1, NEAT1). Four lncRNAs implicated as enhancers were significantly upregulated in cells exposed to Sin1 and ladostigil. Finally, we show that H2O2 and Sin1 increased the expression of DJ-1, a redox sensor and modulator of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2). Nrf2 (NFE2L2 gene) is a major transcription factor regulating antioxidant genes. In the presence of ladostigil, DJ-1 expression is restored to its baseline. The mechanisms governing SH-SY5Y cell survival and homeostasis are highlighted by the beneficial role of ladostigil in the crosstalk involving Nrf2, antioxidant transcription factor DJ-1, and lncRNAs. Stress-dependent induction of lncRNAs represents an underappreciated regulatory level that contributes to cellular homeostasis and the capacity of SH-SY5Y to cope with oxidative stress.

The rapid urbanization that takes place in developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa is associated with a large range of environmental and social issues. In this context, remote sensing is essential to provide accurate and up-to-date spatial information to support risk assessment and decision making. However, mapping urban areas remains a challenge because of their heterogeneity, especially in developing regions where the highest rates of misclassification are observed. Nevertheless, urban areas located in arid climates --- which are among the most vulnerables to anthropogenic impacts, suffer from the spectral confusion occurring between built-up and bare soil areas when using optical imagery. Today, the increasing availability of satellite imagery from multiple sensors allow to tackle the aforementioned issues by combining optical data with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). In this paper, we assess the complementarity of the Landsat 8 and Sentinel-1 sensors to map built-up areas in twelve Sub-Saharan African urban areas, using a pixel-level supervised classification based on the Random Forest classifier. We make use of textural information extracted from SAR backscattering data in order to reduce the speckle noise and to introduce contextual information at the pixel level. Results suggest that combining both optical and SAR features consistently improves classification performances, mainly by enhancing the differentiation between built-up and bare lands. However, the fusion was less beneficial in mountainous case studies, suggesting that including features derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) could improve the reliability of the proposed approach. As suggested by previous studies, combining features computed from both VV and VH polarizations consistently led to better classification performances. On the contrary, introducing textures computed from different spatial scales did not improve the classification performances.

Despite the recognized influence of body mass on combat techniques, the relationship between body segment mass (BSM) and combat moves remains unexplored. This study aimed to examine the relationship between striking arm mass (SAM), kicking leg mass (KLM), and body mass (BM) with the dynamic forces of the direct punches (DP), palm strikes (PS), elbow strikes (ES), front kicks (FK), and countermovement jumps (CMJ) performance. Sixteen male military cadets (22.3 ± 1.8 years, 181.4 ± 7.0 cm, 82.1 ± 8.5 kg) performed combat techniques, with performance measured by using a force plate and body segment mass assessed by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Spearman's correlation analysis, the Wilcoxon test, and Cohen's d were applied. Results indicated the relationship between KLM or BM and FK impulse (r = 0.64, p = 0.01; r = 0.52, p = 0.04, respectively) and CMJ impact force (r = 0.80, p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.70, p ≤ 0.01, respectively). Moreover, FK peak and impact forces were moderately correlated with CMJ jump height (r = 0.74, p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.77, p ≤ 0.01). The highest relationship was found between KLM and FK impulse; however, the difference in variability explained by KLM versus body mass is only 12%. This suggests that knowledge of BSM did not provide a significantly better estimate of the dynamic forces of the punches and FK than BM.

Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective life-saving medical interventions, and the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was intended to prevent the serious implications of COVID-19. The objectives of the study were: i) to observe the humoral immune response to BNT162b2 vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 infection (mainly breakthrough infections), ii) to demonstrate the persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over time in relation to the number of received vaccine doses and the course of infection, and iii) to determine adverse effects after primary vaccine doses. Methods: To assess the humoral response, IgG and IgA anti-S1 antibodies were quantified by ELISA assays. In total, the tests were carried out seven times in almost two years. Results: We demonstrated strong immunogenicity (compared to levels before primary vaccination, 150- and 20-fold increases in IgG and IgA, respectively) of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Over time, we observed a systematic decline in antibody levels, which may have contributed to breakthrough infections. Although they caused seroconversion similar to the booster, antibody levels in such patients fell more rapidly than after re-vaccination. On the other hand, in individuals who did not receive booster(s) and who did not present breakthrough infection, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies returned to pre-vaccination levels after 20 months. The most commonly recognized adverse effects were injection site redness and swelling. Conclusion: Vaccination is highly effective in preventing the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 and should be performed regardless of prior infection. Booster doses significantly enhance anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and, in contrast to those obtained by breakthrough infection, they remain longer.

One of the major challenges in the post-genomic era is elucidating the genetic basis of human diseases. In recent years, studies have shown that polygenic risk scores (PRS), based on aggregated information from millions of variants across the human genome, can estimate individual risk for common diseases. In practice, the current medical practice still predominantly relies on physiological and clinical indicators to assess personal disease risk. For example, caregivers mark individuals with high body mass index (BMI) as having an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D). An important question is whether combining PRS with clinical metrics can increase the power of disease prediction in particular from early life. In this work we examined this question, focusing on T2D. We show that an integrated approach combining adult BMI and PRS achieves considerably better prediction than each of the measures on unrelated Caucasians in the UK Biobank (UKB, n=290,584). Likewise, integrating PRS with self-reports on birth weight (n=172,239) and comparative body size at age ten (n=287,203) also substantially enhance prediction as compared to each of its components. While the integration of PRS with BMI achieved better results as compared to the other measurements, the latter are early-life measurements that can be integrated already at childhood, to allow preemptive intervention for those at high risk to develop T2D. Our integrated approach can be easily generalized to other diseases, with the relevant early-life measurements.

Graph visualization has evolved significantly over time, offering various methods to effectively represent complex data structures. This study introduces a novel force-directed algorithm for 3D data visualization, specifically tailored for commonly used datasets in linked data visualization. Leveraging the power of graph theory and methods, the algorithm aims to address the challenge of creating visually appealing and easily interpretable visualizations, which often necessitate advanced user interaction. By utilizing 3D space and the Unity Engine, the research successfully visualizes data and develops interactive visualizations, overcoming limitations of basic force-directed implementations. The main contribution of presented research is in the force-directed algorithm with springs and controlled placement as a visualization technique that combines the use of springs and attractive forces to stabilize a graph in a 3D environment. The combination of these two techniques also helps prevent the formation of a single large cluster within the graph, enhancing the overall visualization quality.

Changes in the atomic and electronic structure of silicon carbide 3C-SiC (β-SiC), resulting from lead adsorption, have been studied within the density functional theory. The tests were conducted for three representative surfaces with varying degrees of lead coverage. Results indicate that chemisorption occurs, with the strongest binding, found on the hexagonal surface (111) in interaction with three dangling bonds. The adsorption energy rises with increasing coverage, especially as the surface approaches saturation. Analysis of the data was focused on parameters important for corrosion processes such as bond distances, binding energies, Bader charges and charge density difference.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented acceleration in scientific production across multiple disciplines. The vast number of publications available makes it challenging for healthcare professionals and researchers to keep up with the current state of knowledge regarding COVID-19. This article presents covid19-help.org, a free expert-curated database designed to increase the availability of relevant original data related to COVID-19 treatment and prevention via immunization. To accelerate the process of identifying relevant original scientific publications and to simplify annotation of their content, the database uses our artificial intelligence in medical literature (AIM.lit) tool. The article provides an overview of the covid19-help.org database design, the criteria used to select publications, and the use of the AIM.lit tool. The database allows users to easily search and filter records, provides concise information on individual substances and their mechanisms of action, lists relevant original scientific publications with annotations, and offers links to external resources. The AIM.lit tool increases the speed of publication selection and extraction of basic relevant information, without compromising the validity of the data. The technology and experience gained from creating the covid19-help.org database and its tools could also be useful in other areas where scientific information organization is a challenge.

The importance of zinc for male fertility only emerged recently, propelled in part by consumer interest in nutritional supplements containing ionic trace minerals. Here, we review the properties, biological roles and cellular mechanisms that are relevant to zinc function in the male reproductive system, survey available peer-reviewed data on nutritional zinc supplementation for fertility improvement in livestock animals and infertility therapy in men, and discuss recently discovered signaling pathways involving zinc in sperm maturation and fertilization. Emphasis is on the zinc-interacting sperm proteome and its involvement in the regulation of sperm structure and function, from spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation to sperm interactions with the female reproductive tract, capacitation, fertilization and embryo development. Merits of dietary zinc supplementation and zinc inclusion into semen processing media are considered with livestock artificial insemination (AI) and human assisted reproductive therapy (ART) in mind. Collectively, the currently available data underline the importance of zinc ions for male fertility, which could be harnessed to improve human reproductive health and reproductive efficiency in agriculturally important livestock species. Further research will advance the field of sperm and fertilization biology, provide new research tools, and ultimately optimize semen processing procedures for human infertility therapy and livestock AI.

Despite the recognized influence of maximum or acceleration strength on combat techniques and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, the relationship between body segment weights and combat techniques remains unexplored. This study aimed to examine the impact of body segment weights, including striking arm weight (SAW), kicking leg weight (KLW), and trunk weight (TW), on the dynamics of direct punches (DP), palm strikes (PS), elbow strikes (ES), front kicks (FK), and CMJ performance. Sixteen male military cadets (22.3±1.8 years, 181.4±7.0 cm, 83.0±8.1 kg) performed combat techniques, with performance measured by using a force plate and body segment weights assessed by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Spearman's correlation analysis was applied. Results indicated a strong correlation between KLW and FK impulse (r = 0.64, p ≤ 0.01) and CMJ impact force (r = 0.80, p ≤ 0.01). SAW showed moderate correlations with DP impulse (r = 0.53, p ≤ 0.05) and ES impulse (r = 0.54, p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, FK peak and impact forces were strongly correlated with CMJ jump height (r = 0.74, p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.77, p ≤ 0.01), and FK peak force moderately correlated with CMJ peak velocity (r = 0.63, p ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest targeted arm strength training could enhance striking abilities, while improvements in leg acceleration strength may directly boost kicking performance and vertical jump capabilities, which are crucial in combat scenarios.

This work examines the effects of two problematic trends in diesel passenger car emissions – increasing NO2/NOx ratio by conversion of NO into NO2 in catalysts and a disparity between the emission limit and the actual emissions in everyday driving – on ambient air quality in Prague. NO2 concentrations were measured by 104 membrane-closed Palmes passive samplers at 65 locations in Prague in March-April and September-October of 2019. NO2 concentrations measured by city stations during those periods were comparable with the 2016-2019. The average measured NO2 concentrations at the selected locations, after correcting for the 18.5% positive bias of samplers co-located with a monitoring station, were 36 µg/m3 (range 16-69 µg/m3, median 35.3 µg/m3), with the EU annual limit of 40 µg/m3 exceeded at 32% of locations. The NO2 concentrations have correlated well (R2=0.76) with the 2019 average daily vehicle counts, corrected for additional emissions due to uphill travel and intersections. In addition to expected “hot-spots” at busy intersections in the city center, new ones were identified, i.e. along a six-lane road V Holešovičkách. Comparison of data from six monitoring stations during March 15-April 30, 2020 travel restrictions with the same period in 2016-2019 revealed an overall reduction of NO2 and even a larger reduction of NO. The spatial analysis of data from passive samplers and time analysis of data during the travel restrictions both demonstrate a consistent positive correlation between traffic intensity and NO2 concentrations along/near the travel path. The slow pace of NO2 reductions in Prague suggests that stricter vehicle NOx emission limits, introduced in the last decade or two, have so far failed to sufficiently reduce the ambient NO2 concentrations, and there is no clear sign of remedy of Dieselgate NOx excess emissions.

This article discusses the fabrication of pullulan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA blends as carrier polymers for drug delivery. This study utilized coaxial electrospinning to encapsulate doxorubicin (DOX), a common anticancer drug, within nanofibers, which helped mitigate the adverse effects of DOX on normal cells. The study also demonstrated that the coaxial electrospinning technique using PVA/pullulan cores was effective in inhibiting the attachment and proliferation of HeLa cells, a type of cervical cancer cell. The use of pullulan/PVA and PVA blends as carrier polymers in conjunction with coaxial electrospinning could provide a safe and effective drug delivery system for the treatment of cervical and other solid malignancies. The study concluded that nanofibers showed promising results in inhibiting the growth of HeLa cells, indicating their potential as safe and effective drug delivery systems for treating cervical cancer and other solid malignant tumors.

Impact force and maximum velocity are important indicators of kick efficiency in fighting activities. Therefore, this systematic review compared the front kick (FK) and roundhouse kick (RK), including maximal and impact force, maximum velocity, maximum angular velocity, and execution time, at different target types and experience levels. The Web of Science, SportDiscus, and PubMed were systematically searched from January 1982 to May 2022, according to PRISMA guidelines. The normalized kicking values were compared using one-way ANOVA. Eighteen articles, including FK with a pooled sample of 113 elite men, 109 sub-elite men, and 46 novices, and 25 articles, including RK with a sample of 238 elite men, 143 sub-elite men, and 27 novice men, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The primary findings were that the impact forces of FK were higher than RK for the novice, sub-elite, and elite groups by 47% (p<0.01), 92% (p<0.01), and 120% (p<0.01), respectively. Moreover, the maximum foot velocity of RK was faster than FK for the sub-elite and elite groups by 44% (p<0.01) and 48% (p<0.01), respectively. The Elite group had 65% (p<0.01) higher knee extension angular velocity within RK than FK, and 138% (p<0.01) higher hip extension angular velocity within FK than RK.

In this study, Ni50Ti50 powder was coated on the surface of graphite substrate (C) by plasma spraying process using a radio frequency inductively coupled plasma reactor. The coating was carried out by using 12- and 9-kW power under Ar atmosphere. The cross-section of coating layers and the surface were examined with SEM, EDX, XRD analysis and microhardness test. The thickness and quality of the coating increased with input power. Many pores were detected in the cross-sectional surface areas. Higher input power caused a better coating layer in NiTi alloy. The hardness of the coating layer decreases with higher input power.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material that recently received attention due to its increasing agronomical potential. The agricultural utilization of biochar relates to its potential to act in the soil as a soil conditioner, nevertheless, the complex information on the direct dependence of biochar physical properties (texture, particle size) and corresponding leaching and availability of organic molecules (e.g. the polycyclic and heterocyclic organic compounds) and inorganic mineral salts (based on micro– and macroelements) are still not consistent. These aspects were addressed in our study. A multi-elemental analysis (ICP-OES) was used to access the information on the aqueous-extractable and total contents of inorganic macro- and macroelements in used commercial biochar samples (purchased from Sonnenerde GmbH, Novoterrra Sonnenerde GmbH, Biouhel.cz, s.r.o.). Potassium (K) was identified as the major macroelement, responsible for alkaline pH and the conductivity of biochar extract. Our results indicate an indirect relation between the size fraction of biochar and the content of extractable K, sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca) and a direct relation with the contents of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). As the total determined amounts of inorganic elements were significantly higher compared to aqueous-extractable amounts, we believe it could indicate the potential for repeated release to the surrounding soil. These findings were also confirmed by the analysis of biochar samples obtained after the cultivation (duration of 2 years) in selected representative soil samples from the Czech Republic (Cambisol, Fluvisol, Regosol, Chernozem). Moreover, gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectroscopy (MS) was further used to reveal the concentrations of available polycyclic aromatic and heterocyclic compounds in biochar samples. The detected concentration of these types of organic compounds were far below the certified limits. We believe our in-depth analysis could provide the necessary insight into the description of biochar mineral content, its connection to biochar texture, corresponding physicochemical properties and potential availability to leach nutrients to the soil. These findings could help in further assessment of the potential applications of biochar in modern agriculture as a soil conditioner.

One of the richest natural sources of resveratrol - the rhizome of Reynoutria japonica in East Asia is a well-known traditional herb (Hu zhang) used in various inflammatory diseases, infections, skin diseases, scald, hyperlipidemia. Although, it has been recently included in the European Pharmacopoeia, still in Europe is an untapped resource. Some of the therapeutic effects are likely to be influenced by its antioxidant properties and this in turn is frequently associated with a high stilbene content. However, some literatures suggested that other compounds than stilbenes may add to the total antioxidant capacity. Hence, the aim of this research was to examine rhizomes of R. japonica and less studied, morphologically similar species, R. sachalinensis and R. x bohemica for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity and to clarify the relationship between the antioxidant activity and compounds by statistical methods. HPLC/UV/ESI-MS studies of three Reynoutria species revealed 171 compounds comprising stilbenes, carbohydrates, procyanidins, flavan-3-ols, anthraquinones, phenylpropanoids, lignin oligomers, hydroxycinnamic acids, naphthalenes and their derivatives. Our studies confirmed the presence of procyanidins with high degree of polymerization, up to decamers in the rhizomes of R. japonica and brings new data on the presence of these compounds in other Reynoutria species. A procyanidin trimer digallate was described for the first time in the studied plants. Moreover, we suggested a presence of new for these species, dianthrone glycosides and previously unrecorded phenylpropanoid disaccharide esters and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, mainly in R. sachalinensis. Furthemore, compounds tentatively annotated as lignin oligomers were observed for the first time in studied species. The rhizomes of all Reynoutria species exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Statistical analysis demonstrated that proanthocyanidins should be considered as important contributors to the total antioxidant capacity.

This paper describes some of the challenges that need to be addressed in order to develop collaborative spectrum sharing systems. The importance of these challenges stems from the assumption that rules for spectrum sharing can change after the deployment of radio networks and the whole system must be able to adapt to them. To address such a requirement, we used a policy-based approach in which transmissions are controlled by a policy interpreter system, and the policies can be modified during system operation. Our primary goal was to develop a prototype of such a system. In this paper, we outline the implementation of policy interpretation, automatic generation of transmission opportunities in case a request for transmission is denied by the policy reasoner, and the generation of rendezvous channels for the synchronization of otherwise asynchronously running software defined radios.

Due to the ongoing climate change plants face multiple stress factors (mainly the abiotic ones) simultaneously, which means that the reduced yields of critical crops (including wheat, rice, or barley) can be expected. Therefore, our understanding of the light and temperature sensing mechanisms and related signaling is of primary importance. Herein we present a review focused on the direct sensing (ensured via photoreceptors) of light, which is the main abiotic factor driving the development, phenology, and especially resistance against oxidative stress via the increased accumulation of protective metabolites of crops. Thus, in the following text, special attention is paid to the description of the plant photoreceptors, their mode of action, ranges of perception, and related signaling pathways leading to the activation of target transcription factors. These finally lead to alterations in the expression of target genes related to photoprotection. Due to the focus of our research, genes related to the production of phenolic compounds (PheCs) were selected as a representative group of target genes having a UV-screening, and antioxidative function meaning that their activation and activity of resulting proteins can significantly contribute to the increased tolerance of plants against stress cues.

In recent decades, large-scale forest disturbances such as windthrow and bark beetle infestations have significantly impacted the carbon balance of Earth and forest ecosystems, mainly by altering soil respiration (SR) in addition to decreased gross primary productivity. SR is considered the second highest flux on Earth, emitting 78-98 Gt C yr-1 to the atmosphere, thus contributing to global warming. Post-disturbance development is marked by changes in the size of SR. To investigate the impact of bark beetle (Ips typographus) infestations in mountain spruce forests on SR, we measured SR at infested sites by bark beetles and adjacent undisturbed stands in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia). The measurements were conducted during the vegetation period (May-September) in 2016 and 2017, five to six years after the initial attack by bark beetles, at an altitudinal gradient (1100-1400 m a.s.l.). SR varied throughout different months and altitudes, and we observed that SR at infested sites reached higher values (in most cases) than at uninfested stands. Average monthly and altitude SR rates during both vegetation periods showed higher values at infested sites, but not all of them were statistically significant. We observed an insignificant change in SR rate between 2016 and 2017 at both infested and uninfested sites. The highest rates of SR were observed in 2016 from July to August at both infested and undisturbed sites. On the other hand, in 2017 the highest SR rates were observed in June and July at undisturbed sites and from June to August at infested sites. However, yearly SR from May-September at infested sites showed significantly higher rates than uninfested ones in both years. SR showed a decreasing pattern with elevation gain in 2016 at infested sites. However, this pattern was not observed in 2017. Based on our observation and results we postulate that SR rates at infested sites are boosted by needle fall and debris from dead and dying trees, which increases heterotrophic SR and compensates the decrease of autotrophic SR from tree roots. This study provides important insights into the impact of bark beetle infestations on SR and highlights the need for further research on the long-term effects of forest disturbances on carbon cycling.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in various branches of engineering. In this article, artificial neural networks are used to predict the crush resistance of corrugated packaging. Among the analysed packages were boxes with ventilation openings, packages with perforations, and typical flap boxes, which makes the proposed estimation method very universal. Typical shallow feedforward networks were used, which are perfect for regression problems, mainly when the set of input and output parameters is small, so no complicated architecture or advanced learning techniques are required. The input parameters of the neural networks are selected so as to take into account not only the material used for the production of the packaging, but also the dimensions of the box and the impact of ventilation holes and perforations on the load capacity of individual walls of the packaging. In order to maximize the effectiveness of neural network training process, the group of input parameters was changed so as to eliminate those to which the sensitivity of the model was the lowest. This allowed the selection of the optimal configuration of training pairs for which the estimation error was on the acceptable level. Finally, models of neural networks were selected, for which the training and testing error did not exceed 10%. The demonstrated effectiveness allows to conclude that the proposed set of universal input parameters is suitable for efficient training of a single neural network model capable of predicting the compressive strength of various types of corrugated packaging.

The advent of AI in medicine has transformed various medical specialties, including orthodontics. AI has shown promising results in enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses, treatment planning, and predicting treatment outcomes. With the growing number of AI applications and commercially available tools, there is an increase in their usage in orthodontic practices worldwide. This review aims to explore the principles of artificial intelligence (AI), its applications in the diagnostic process of modern orthodontic practices, and concerns associated with the implementation of AI algorithms in clinical practice. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, focusing on five categories where AI has been applied in orthodontics: dental diagnostics, cephalometric evaluation, skeletal age determination, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation, and extraction decision making. AI has demonstrated high efficacy in all those fields. However, variations in performance and the necessity of manual supervision indicate that AI should be used cautiously in clinical settings. Nevertheless, the high complexity and potential unpredictability of AI algorithms call for cautious implementation and regular manual validation of results. Continuous AI learning, proper governance, and addressing privacy and ethical concerns are crucial for the successful integration of AI into orthodontic practice.

Cancer cells utilize a number of mechanisms to increase their survival and progression as well as their resistance to anticancer therapy: deregulation of growth regulatory pathways by acquiring grow factor independence, immune system suppression, reducing the expression of antigens activating T lymphocyte cells (mimicry), induction of anti-apoptotic signals to counter the action of drugs, activation of several DNA repair mechanisms and driving the active efflux of drugs from the cell cytoplasm and epigenetic regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). Due to the fact that it is commonly diagnosed late, lung cancer remains a major malignancy with a low five-year survival rate; when diagnosed, the cancer is often highly advanced and the cancer cells may have acquired drug resistance. This review summarizes the main mechanisms involved in cisplatin resistance and in interactions between cisplatin-resistant cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. It also analyses changes in the gene expression profile of cisplatin sensitive vs. cisplatin resistant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cellular model using the GSE108214 Gene Expression Omnibus database. It describes a protein-protein interaction network that indicates highly-dysregulated TP53, MDM2 and CDKN1A genes as they encodes the top networking proteins that may be involved in cisplatin tolerance, these all being upregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells. Furthermore, it illustrates the multifactorial nature of cisplatin resistance by examining the diversity of dysregulated pathways present in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells based on KEGG pathway analysis.

In the lowland forests of south-western Poland, the effect of the fencing of forest regeneration stages, aged up to 20 years, upon the level of damage inflicted by red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in non-fenced patches of this age class of forest was studied. In the studied forest districts (n=4), there was the highest proportion of the mixed coniferous‑deciduous forest types, where the main forest‑forming tree species were pine (Pinus sylvertris), birch (Betula sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica), and spruce (Picea abies). At the forest district level, the percentage of fenced areas in young forest plantations (1‑10‑year old) ranged, on average, from 9.1-30.9%, and that in tickets (11-20‑year old) ranged from 0.0%-10.2%. The percentage of areas of severely damaged young plantations fluctuated between 5.7 and 14.2%, and that of tickets fluctuated between 0.3-12.9%. For young plantations, a statistically significant correlation (“r” ranged from 0.51-0.75) was obtained between percentage of area in fenced plots and the level of damage caused by deer. For thickets, this correlation was obtained solely in Pieńsk Forest District (r = 0.646). In the studied forest districts, the fencing of young plantations and thickets resulted in the reduction of average potential food base for cervids, from 2.9 to 10.0 %. An attempt was made to interpret the level of deer damage on the basis of an index, taking into account the standing crop of deciduous browse and forbs, and the population density of cervids.

Combined systems for power production and thermally activated cooling have a high potential for improving the efficiency and utilisation of thermal systems. In this regard, various configurations have been proposed and are comprehensively reviewed. They are primarily based on absorption systems and the implementation of multiple levels of complexity and flexibility. The configuration of the absorption power and cooling combined cycle proposed herein has wide commercial applicability owing to its simplicity. The configuration of the components is not new. However, the utilisation of aqueous salt solutions, the comparison with ammonia chiller and with absorption power cycles, the focus on parameters that are important for real-life applications, and the comparison of the performances for constant heat input and waste heat recovery are novel. The proposed cycle is also compared with a system based on the organic Rankine cycle and vapour compression cycle. An investigation of its performance proves that the system is suitable for a given range of boundary conditions from a thermodynamic standpoint, as well as in terms of system complexity and technical feasibility. New possibilities with regard to added power production have the potential to improve the economics and promote the use of absorption chiller systems.

The study focuses on the impact of new methods for inhibiting malolactic fermentation in white wines on their analytical and sensory properties. Enological preparations with different mecha-nisms of effect were tested: fumaric acid, chitosan, Estaan (a preparation based on tannin inhibi-tion), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), sulphur dioxide and a control variant where malolactic fermentation (MLF) was performed. The samples underwent analysis through HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) to determine concentrations of malic and lactic acid, as well as biogenic amines. GC (gas chromatography) analysis was used to monitor volatile sub-stances, alongside sensory evaluation. The study demonstrated a significant influence of indi-vidual enological preparations on the aromatic profile of the examined wines. The SO2 and MCFA variants exhibited the highest concentrations of volatile substances within the esters group, spe-cifically isoamyl acetate, 1-hexyl acetate and phenylethyl acetate. Conversely, the fumaric acid and Estaan variants displayed the lowest concentrations of these esters. The most notable disparities were observed in acetoin concentration, with the MCFA variant exhibiting the lowest values. Additionally, the chitosan variant showed higher concentrations of putrescine and spermidine compared to the MCFA and fumaric acid variants, which presented the lowest levels.

Background/Objectives: The aim of the project is a longitudinal assessment of body image and mental health in scoliosis females pre-, postoperatively and in a follow-up, and implementation (one group-CBT scoliosis sample, CBTSS) or not (second group-control scoliosis sample, CSS) of CBT interventions. A healthy female sample (HFS) was also selected for comparative purposes. Methods. 36 in total AIS patients participated in the 1st and 2nd study phases, whereas 23 were eligible in the follow-up. Regarding HFS, 18 participants were included in the study. The CBT intervention took place pre- and postoperatively, during the patients' stay in hospital. Participants completed the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ), Body Esteem Scale (BES) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-25 (SDQ-25). Body image was also assessed using a virtual reality-based application “Avatar Scoliosis 3D”. Results: The difference between the desired and objective, actual body shape is significant preoperatively both in the CBTSS and CSS at p

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension significantly contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these conditions. This systematic review conducts a thorough analysis of the literature, with a specific focus on investigating miRNA expression patterns in patients with CAD and hypertension. The review encompasses an unspecified number of eligible studies that employed a variety of patient demographics and research methodologies, resulting in diverse miRNA expression profiles. This review highlights the complex involvement of miRNAs in CAD and hypertension and the potential for advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Future research endeavours are imperative to validate these findings and elucidate the precise roles of miRNAs in disease progression, offering promising avenues for innovative diagnostic tools and targeted interventions.

In ore regions impacted by mining and metal smelting emissions, distinguishing between geogenic anoma-lies and anthropogenic contamination poses a significant challenge. In a study from two areas with different mining histories in the Ore Mountains, Czech Republic, we demonstrate that targeted sampling of topsoils and subsoils respecting local geology and correct soil data treatment respecting soil textural variability effects are indispensable to correctly construct and interpret geochemical maps and identify anthropogenic contam-ination by As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The list of analysed elements must include both potentially toxic and lithogenic elements, otherwise natural controls of soil composition cannot be deciphered. By using empirical cumulative distribution functions, we found that local backgrounds for As/Fe and Pb/Ti are significantly naturally ele-vated (5.7 to 9.8 times and 2.1 to 2.7 times higher, respectively) compared to the global averages. We con-structed geochemical maps with topsoil minus subsoil concentrations to show the main directions of spreading anthropogenic contamination. The anthropogenic diffuse contamination contribution was calcu-lated (1.12·10-4 and 1.42·10-4 for As/Fe and 16.5·10-4 and 16.2·10-4 for Pb/Ti, respectively), which corresponds to topsoil enrichment by ca. 15 and 14 mg kg-1 for As and ca. 35 and 42 mg kg-1 for Pb in the two study areas. Our study thus provided the first published quantitative estimates of geogenic and anthropogenic contribution to this well-known montane area. The obtained estimates were comparable to the results obtained previously from the local peat archives. The approach we used is efficient in deciphering natural and anthropogenic controls of PTEs in geochemically complicated areas.

Background: Abdominal migraine (AM) is a clinical diagnosis specified by Rome IV and ICHD III as a functional gastrointestinal disease (FGID) and a migraine associated syndrome, respectively. AM is undiagnosed and undertreated, and thus far the FDA has not approved any drug for AM treatment. We and others showed that changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism played an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of FIGDs. Changes in the KYN pathway were shown in migraine. Findings: Abdominal migraine reflects impairments in communication within the gut-brain axis. Treatment approaches have not been sufficiently documented and are based on experience of physicians, presenting personal rather than evidence-based practice and including efficacy of some drugs used in adult migraine. Non-pharmacological treatment of AM is aimed preventing or ameliorating AM triggers. Modulations within the KYN pathway of TRP metabolism induced by changes in TRP content in the diet, may ameliorate FGIDs and support their pharmacological treatment. Pharmacological manipulations of brain KYNs in animals have brought promising results for clinical applications. Conclusions: In conclusion, controlled placebo-based clinical trials with dietary manipulation to adjust the amount of the product of the KYN pathway of TRP metabolism are justified in children and adolescents with AM. Further preclinical studies are needed to establish details of these trials.

In this work we present a study of impact of textile materials used in health care facilities on microbial colonization of textile surfaces. Polypropylene yarns doped with silver phosphate glass and zinc pyrithione were prepared and used for production of bed sheets and clothing for healthcare personnel. Subsequently measurements of airborne particles and viable microorganisms on given textiles were conducted in a private surgery clinic during 3 weeks comparing the counts of viable microorganisms before and after replacing of staff clothing and bedding on examination and surgical bed with said polypropylene cloth. In this study a significant reduction of viable airborne fungi and viable microorganisms on monitored textiles was observed by multiple methods.

The global pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has largely changed established business practices. The aim of the study is to present the results of eighteen-month intensive research into the effects of the pandemic on e-consumer behavior. In one of the most active e-commerce markets in Europe, the Czech Republic, we analyzed a sample of more than one and a half million Facebook users in terms of their C2B interactions on the B2C activities of the five major e-commerce market players. The measurements were carried out in three periods, which corresponded to the onset of the first wave, peak, and fading of the second wave of the pandemic. This enabled us to monitor the effect of seasonality and the stabilization of patterns of consumer behavior during the coronavirus crisis. The results suggest that a specific panic pattern of e-consumer behavior was developed at the time of the onset of the pandemic. However, as the pandemic progressed, the market has adapted to a new normal, which, as evidenced by the change in trends, appears to be a combination of the pre-pandemic and pandemic behavioral patterns. Using a statistical analysis, it was possible to identify delta of changes within the patterns of consumer behavior, thus fulfilling the final condition for creating an empirical model of the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on e-consumer behavior presented in this study.

The connection of two phenomena - non-conservative friction forces and dissipation-induced instability can lead to many interesting engineering problems. The paper studies general material-dependent damping influence on dynamical instability of disc brake systems leading to brake squeal. The effect of general damping is demonstrated on a minimal and complex model of a disc brake. A complex system including material-dependent damping is defined in the commercial finite element software. The finite element model validated by experimental data on the brake-disc test bench is used to compute the influence of a pad and a disc damping variations on system stability by complex eigenvalue analysis. Analyzes show a significant sensitivity of the experimentally verified unstable mode of the system to the ratio of the damping between the disc and the friction material components.

COVID-19 pandemic that started in China has spread within 3 months to the entire globe. We tested the hypothesis that the vaccination against tuberculosis by BCG correlates with a better outcome for COVID-19 patients. Our analysis covers 55 countries complying with predetermined thresholds on the population size and number of deaths per million (DPM). We found a strong negative correlation between the years of BCG administration and the DPM along with the progress of the pandemic, corroborated by permutation tests. The results from multivariable regression tests with 23 economic, demographic, health-related, and pandemic restriction quantitative properties, substantiate the dominant contribution of BCG years to the COVID-19 outcomes. The analysis of countries according to an age-group partition reveals that the strongest correlation is attributed to the coverage in BCG vaccination of the young population (0-24 years). Furthermore, a strong correlation and statistical significance are associated with the degree of BCG coverage for the most recent 15 years, but no association was observed in these years for other broadly used vaccination protocols for measles and rubella. We propose that BCG immunization coverage, especially among the most recently vaccinated contributes to attenuation of the spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation time is described. Experiment was carried out by the use injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were determined. The performed experiments clearly show difference impact of selected degradation condition on the macroscopic, supramolecular and molecular parameters of studied aliphatic polyesters. The structural changes in PBS and PBSA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained injection molded samples.

To obtain drop-in fuel properties from non-feed biomass, we herein report the catalytic hydrotreatment of microalgae biocrude, produced from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of Spirulina. Our contribution focuses on the effect of temperature, initial H2 pressure, and residence time on the removal of heteroatoms (O and N). In contrast to common hydrotreating experimental protocols at batch scale, we devised a set of two-level factorial experiments and studied the most influential parameters affecting the removal of heteroatoms. It was found that up to 350 °C, the degree of deoxygenation (de-O) is mainly driven by temperature, whereas the degree of denitrogenation (de-N) also relies on initial H2 pressure and temperature-pressure interaction.Based on this, complete deoxygenation was obtained at mild operating conditions (350 °C), reaching a concurrent 47 % denitrogenation. Moreover, three optimized experiments are reported with 100 % removal of oxygen. In addition, the analysis by GC-MS and Sim-Dis gives insight to the fuel quality. The distribution of heteroatom N in lower (<340 °C) and higher (>340 °C) fractional cuts is studied by a fractional distillation unit following ASTM D-1160. Final results show that 63-68 % of nitrogen is concentrated in higher fractional cuts.

Background: To investigate the distribution of refractive errors and their characteristics in older adults. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional study. A total of 1107 men and women were interviewed and underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations, 998 subjects underwent refraction. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SER) refraction ≤ −0.5 dioptres (D) and hyperopia was defined as SER ≥ +0.5 dioptres (D). Results: Among those who were refracted the distribution of myopia and hyperopia was 24.1% (95% CI 21.4–26.7) and 37.5% (95% CI 34.5–40.5), respectively. Myopia decreased from 28.7% in subjects aged 35-59 years to 19.3% in those aged 60 years or older and hyperopia increased from 21.8% at 35–59 years of age to 53.3% in subjects aged ≥60 years. Multiple regression analysis showed decreasing age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00), female gender (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.18–2.95) and presence of cataract (OR 2.40 , 95% CI 1.24–4.63) were independent risk factors associated with myopia. Conclusions: The distribution of refractive errors found in our study is similar to those reported in other Caucasian populations and differs from Asian populations. Myopia was positively associated with younger age, female gender and presence of cataract.

Staphylococcal bacteriophages of Kayvirus genus are candidates for therapeutic applications. One of their proteins, Tgl, is slightly similar to staphylococcal virulence factors, secreted autolysins of lytic transglycosylase motifs, IsaA and SceD. We show that Tgl is also a lytic enzyme secreted by bacterial transport system and localizes to cell peripheries, like IsaA and SceD. It caused lysis of E. coli cells expressing the cloned tgl gene, but could be overproduced when depleted of signal peptide. S. aureus cells producing Tgl lysed in the presence of nisin, which mimics the action of phage holin. In vitro, Tgl protein was able to destruct S. aureus cell walls. The production of Tgl decreased S. aureus tolerance to vancomycin, unlike the production of SceD, which is associated with the decreased sensitivity to vancomycin. In the genomes of kayviruses, the tgl gene is located a few genes away from gene lysK, encoding the major endolysin. While lysK is a late phage gene, tgl can be transcribed by a host RNA polymerase, as are phage early genes. Taken together our data indicate that tgl is a part of kayviruses lytic module and encodes an additional endolysin which can act in concert with LysK in cell lysis.

This paper provides a data set collected with an underground shaft mobile mapping system equipped with rotated Velodyne VLP-16, Velodyne Ultra Puck VLP-32c, Livox Tele-15, and IMU Xsens MTi-30. The ground truth data was acquired with a geodetic survey including 15 ground control points and 6 Faro Focus 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanner stations of a total 273,784,932 of 3D measurement points. The aim of the paper is to describe the data set of a mining shaft. Obtained mobile mapping data can be the basis for detailed analyzes of the technical condition of the shaft. This data set provides an end-user case study of realistic applications in mobile mapping technology. It provides ground truth data, mobile mapping data and software tools for manipulation and visualization. The project is released and maintained at https://michalpelka.github.io/mine-mapping-dataset/.

Unsupported sleepers or void zones in ballasted tracks are one of the most recent and frequent track failures. The void failures have the property of intensive development that, without timely maintenance measures, can cause the appearance of cost-expensive local instabilities like subgrade damages. The reason of the intensive void development lies in the mechanics of the sleeper and ballast bed interaction. The particularity of the interaction is a dynamic impact that occur due to void closure. Additionally, void zones cause inhomogeneous ballast pressure distribution between the void zone and fully supported neighbour zones. The present paper is devoted studying the mechanism of the sleeper-ballast dynamic impact in the void zone. The results of experimental in-situ measurements of rail deflections showed the significant impact accelerations in the zone even for light-weight slow vehicles. A simple 3-beam numerical model of track and rolling stock interaction has shown the similar to the experimental measurements dynamic interaction. Moreover, the model shows that the sleeper accelerations are more than 3 times higher than the corresponding wheel accelerations and the impact point appear before the wheel enters the impact point. The analysis of ballast loadings shows the specific impact behaviour in combination with the quasistatic part that is different for void and neighbour zones, which are characterised with high ballast pre-stressed conditions. The analysis of void sizes influence demonstrate that the impact loadings, wheel and sleeper maximal accelerations appear at certain void depth after which the values decrease. The ballast quasistatic loading analysis indicates more than twice increase of the ballast loading in neighbour zones for long voids and almost full quasistatic unloading for short length voids. However, the used imitation model cannot explain the nature of the dynamic impact. The mechanism of the void impact is clearly explained by the analytic solution using a simple clamped beam. A simplified analytical expression of the void impact velocity shows that it is linearly related to the wheel speed and loading. The comparison to the numerically simulated impact velocities shows a good agreement and the existence of the void depth with the maximal impact. An estimation of the long-term influences for the cases of normal sleeper loading, high ballast pre-stress and quasistatic loading in the neighbour zones and high impact inside the void are performed.

Bioactive compound profiles in organic and conventional sweet basil were analyzed by HPLC, and the enzymatic status and antioxidant status of plants cultivated with the two systems were also examined. Unique chemical compound locations in the basil leaves were also estimated by fluorescence microscopy. The experiment was conducted from 2019-2021. Organic and conventional basil samples were obtained directly from the largest Polish herb producers. The results showed that the chemical structures of organic and conventional basil leaves are different. Not only cultivation method but also experimental year had a significant impact on the antioxidants content in basil leaves. Organic basil contained significantly more dry matter (11.97 g 100 g-1 FW) compare to conventional one (10.54 g 100g-1 FW) and showed a higher tendency for total phenolic (5.24 mg g -1 DW) concentrations than conventional basil (4.99 mg g-1 DW). The higher bioactive compound content reflects the antioxidant activity ( 61.0%, 54.33% and 46%) in organic basil compare to conventional 46.87%, 38.055 and 39.24%), respectively to analysis method (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP), as well catalase activity (39 µmol H2O2 min-1 mg-1) in organic compare to conventional (23.19 µmol H2O2 min-1 mg-1) of examined basil plants. The obtained results are a very unique and could be used by herbs producers as a key for q high quality basil production.

The observation of persons in the acute phase of ischemic stroke (IS) allowed to select a group of patients whose spontaneous motor activity stood out from the typical clinical picture of the hemiplegia syndrome. It has been noticed that these persons have presented tendency to shift the body weigh toward more affected side and the tendency to move the upper and / or the lower limb (not covered by the neurological syndrome) in simple, repetitive patterns. The purposes of this study were: to define noted kind of behavior, and to select symptoms which can predict the occurrence it. Persons (n=222) hospitalized due to first-time IS were as-signed to 3 groups. A: 78 persons with no lateralization of the neurological syndrome (LoNS). B: 109 persons with LoNS, O+: 35 persons, who at the beginning of hospitalization presented, apart from LoNS, charac-teristic motor symptoms. Persons underwent therapy depending on the neurological symptoms. If the pa-tient demonstrated the potential symptoms for overactivity of the less affected side (OLAS), to confirm it, trial therapy was performed. The predictive symptoms, selected among these from the index day, for the occurrence OLAS in sitting were distinguished: asymmetry in supine and simple, repetitive movements of nonparetic upper extremity.

The main scope of the presented paper is an assessment of the potential repellent effect of selected essential oils (EOs) against Alphitobius diaperinus, which can cause economic losses in storages and poultry industry. Due to development of pesticide resistance in A. diaperinus populations, as well as an attempt to limit extensive usage of potentially harmful pesticides in food-related industries, there is a strong need for development of alternative methods of management of A. diaperinus infestations. Because of cost-effectiveness, availability and low vertebrate toxicity EOs are promising agents in pest management. In presented paper four of-the-shelf EOs: mint, vanilla, lemon and citronella (and their mixtures) were tested as a potential repellents. Moreover, novel preference assay providing an extended analysis of preference and the locomotor response was used. The most effective EOs were, respectively: citronella and lemon. EOs mixtures were generally more repellent than single EOs, with lemon and vanilla 1:1 mixture acting as the strongest repellent. Few of tested EOs caused significant alterations in locomotor activity, although direct relation wasn’t observed. In conclusion, EOs can be potentially used as a repellent agents in A. diaperinus management. Additionally, data on locomotor activity may lead to better design of pull-push strategies in pest management.

Although migraine belongs to the main causes of disability worldwide the mechanisms of its pathogenesis are poorly known, which is among the reasons that this disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated. As migraine diagnosis is based on the subjective assessment of symptoms, there is a need to establish objective markers of its occurrence and severity. Tryptophan (TRP) metabolism has been associated with the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the present work, we investigated an association between migraine and the urine concentration of TRP and its metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA) and quinolinic acid (QA) in 21 low-frequency episodic migraine patients and 32 controls. Migraine patients displayed lower urinary levels of 5-HIAA and KYNA, but KYN and QA were enhanced as compared with the controls. Consequently, the patients were characterized by different values of the 5-HIAA/TRP, KYN/TRP, KYNA/KYN, and KYNA/QA ratios. Furthermore, urinary concentration of 5-HIAA was negatively correlated with Migraine Disability Assessment score, monthly migraine, and monthly headache days. A negative correlation between Patient Health Questionnaire 9 scores assessing depression. In conclusion, the urinary 5-HIAA level may be an easy-to-determine marker of migraine occurrence and severity and may contribute to the identification of migraine patients with depression.

Flavan-3-ols and their oligomeric forms called proanthocyanidins are polyphenolic compounds occurring in several foodstuffs and in many medicinal herbs. Their consumption is associated with numerous health benefits. Their bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, as well as antimicrobial. The latter property is important in prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Periodontitis is a multifactorial polymicrobial infection characterized by a destructive inflammatory process affecting the periodontium. Using non-toxic and efficient natural products such as flavanol derivatives can significantly contribute to alleviating of periodontitis symptoms and prevent the disease progress. In this paper, we systematically review the state-of-the art in antibacterial effects of these compounds from the viewpoint of gum health. There is a significant evidence supporting an importance of antibacterial action exerted by proanthocyanidins from edible fruits, tea and medicinal herbs in inhibition of periodontitis-causing pathogens.

Al has very good corrosion resistance and corrosion properties. The corrosion resistance of Al cast alloys is different because these alloys contain a lot of elements. Especially in secondary alloys which contain more impurity elements from which Fe is the most common. This study deals with secondary AlSi7Mg0.3 cast alloys which contain more Fe and are affected by a chloride corrosion environment. This environment was selected based on the application of castings in the automo-tive industry. The main object was to research the effect of such an environment on basic me-chanical properties and fatigue properties. The results show that a higher Fe content does not lead to a significant reduction in the properties of the casting and the chloride environment is not so harmful. Therefore, can be stated that the investigated secondary sand-cast experimental materials can replace the primary alloys without losing the required corrosion and mechanical properties.

Experimental quantification of retention factors related to post-fire strength as well as post-fire ductility of intentionally selected stainless steel grades applied in construction is the objective of research presented here. These steel grades are characterized by a two-phase austenitic-ferritic microstructure of the duplex type. In this context two mutually corresponding chromium-nickel-molybdenum steel grades have been subjected to analysis, namely X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 steel belonging to the standard duplex group (DSS 22% Cr) and X2CrMnNiN21-5-1 steel belonging to the lean duplex group (LDSS). The similarities and differences in the mechanical properties exhibited by these steel grades after effective cooling, following more or less prolonged simulated fire action conforming to several development scenarios, have been identified and indicated. The resistance of given steel grade to permanent structural changes induced by the heating program proved to be the critical factor determining these properties and resulting in many cases in increased susceptibility to brittle fracture.