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Abstract While adaptive immune responses have been studied extensively in SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), there is limited and contradictory evidence regarding the contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to disease pathogenesis. There is even less evidence about the role of NK cells in the more severe phenotype with juvenile-onset (J)SLE. In this study, analysis of the phenotype and function of NK cells in a large cohort of JSLE patients demonstrated that total NK cells, as well as perforin and granzyme A expressing NK cell populations, were significantly diminished in JSLE patients compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The reduction in NK cell frequency was associated with increased disease activity, and transcriptomic analysis of NK populations from active and low disease activity JSLE patients versus healthy controls confirmed that disease activity was the main driver of differential NK cell gene expression. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed an upregulation of interferon-α responses and a downregulation of exocytosis in active disease compared to healthy controls. Further gene set enrichment analysis also demonstrated an overrepresentation of the apoptosis pathway in active disease. This points to increased propensity for apoptosis as a potential factor contributing to NK cell deficiency in JSLE.

Changes that accompany older age can alter the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and likelihood of adverse effects (AEs) of a drug. However, older adults, especially the oldest or those with multiple chronic health conditions, polypharmacy, or frailty, are often under-represented in clinical trials of new drugs. Deficits in the current conduct of clinical evaluation of drugs for older adults and potential steps to fill those knowledge gaps are presented in this communication. The most important step is to increase clinical trial enrollment of older adults who are representative of the target treatment population. Unnecessary eligibility criteria should be eliminated. Physical and financial barriers to participation should be removed. Incentives could be created for inclusion of older adults. Enrollment goals should be established based on intended treatment indications, prevalence of the condition, and feasibility. Relevant clinical pharmacology data need to be obtained early enough to guide dosing and reduce risk for participation of older adults. Relevant PK and PD data as well as patient-centered outcomes should be measured during trials. Trial data should be analyzed for differences in PK, PD, effectiveness, and safety arising from differences in age or from the presence of conditions common in older adults. Postmarket evaluations with real-world evidence and drug labeling updates throughout the product lifecycle reflecting new knowledge are also needed. A comprehensive plan is needed to ensure adequate evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of drugs in older adults.

Acoustic features of speech are promising as objective markers for mental health monitoring. Specialized smartphone apps can gather such acoustic data without disrupting the daily activities of patients. Nonetheless, the psychiatric assessment of the patient’s mental state is typically a sporadic occurrence that takes place every few months. Consequently, only a slight fraction of the acoustic data is labeled and applicable for supervised learning. The majority of the related work on mental health monitoring limits the considerations only to labeled data using a predefined ground-truth period. On the other hand, semi-supervised methods make it possible to utilize the entire dataset, exploiting the regularities in the unlabeled portion of the data to improve the predictive power of a model. To assess the applicability of semi-supervised learning approaches, we discuss selected state-of-the-art semi-supervised classifiers, namely, label spreading, label propagation, a semi-supervised support vector machine, and the self training classifier. We use real-world data obtained from a bipolar disorder patient to compare the performance of the different methods with that of baseline supervised learning methods. The experiment shows that semi-supervised learning algorithms can outperform supervised algorithms in predicting bipolar disorder episodes.

Objectives The study aims to examine the relationships between the different national culture dimensions presented by Hofstede and innovation data by selected Eastern European countries to analyze which characteristics of national culture dimensions contribute to the improved innovation adoption. Material and methods In order to analyze the proposed relationship between national culture dimensions and innovation the secondary data have been used. The independent variables for this study are Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. The scores for each of the five dimensions have been used in the model. The Global Innovation index from 2021 was used as the dependent variable for this study. Multiple regressions were used to identify the relationship between the independent variables (Hofstede’s culture dimensions) and dependent variable -The Global Innovation index. Results Higher values of long term orientation, individualism and uncertainly avoidance have a positive impact on innovation. On the other hand, the proposed relationship between power distance and innovation as well as masculinity and innovation were not confirmed and require further research. Conclusions The study has achieved a part of its main research goal in proving that the proposed relationships between some national culture dimensions and innovation hold true for Eastern Europe countries. In addition, the study has also opened some new questions regarding the relationship between masculinity and power distance and their influence on innovation adoption that require further research. One of the propositions for future research would be to enlarge the number of national cultures taken into the sample and try analyzing different clusters of national cultures.

AbstractBackground In manufacturers’ trials, vaccination against COVID-19 proved to be safe and effective. The officially reported frequency of vaccine adverse events (VAEs) in Poland is lower than that declared by the manufacturers. The anti-vaccination activists questioned the trustworthiness of official data.Objectives The aim was to explore the real-life prevalence of VAEs in general practice settings and the factors that may influence it.Methods In this pragmatic, mixed prospective and retrospective study, patients vaccinated against COVID-19 between May and October 2021 in three GP practices in Krakow, Poland, were enrolled. Their demographic (age, sex, level of education) and clinical data (weight and height, smoking status, history of allergies, COVID-19 and chronic diseases) were collected. Then, they were interviewed about VAEs they experienced.Results Out of 1530 patients invited to participate, 1051 (69%) agreed and were eligible for analyses. Only 8.8% did not report any VAE. Pain at the injection site was the most frequently reported reaction (800, 76.2%). The most prevalent systemic ones were excessive fatigue/lethargy (527, 50.6%), sleep/circadian rhythm disturbances (433, 41.6%) and headache (399, 38.3%). Fifty required medical assistance − 39 experienced presyncope (3.7%) and 11 loss of consciousness (1.1%). Only two others were hospitalised. Females, younger adults, those with higher education and with a history of COVID-19 reported systemic VAEs more frequently, while those who were older and obese were less likely to report local reactions.Conclusion Although more than 90% of patients vaccinated against COVID-19 in general practice settings may experience VAEs, in short-term observation, the vast majority are localised and mild.

This paper investigates the fact that construction projects, due to their specificity, are complex, temporary and dynamic. Over their course, participants change, successive construction works are done and new information becomes available. This carries over to difficulties in communication. In the literature, numerous studies note the fact that a network-based approach to the analysis and monitoring of communication as a part of complex construction projects is commendable. Relations between agents, knowledge and tasks in the context of communication within a construction project can be visualized in the form of a meta-network, and suitably developed structural measures can be used to analyze them. In this paper, the authors used meta-network theory to analyze relations between project participants, knowledge and tasks in the context of communication within a construction project, on the basis of the construction of a housing estate located in Katowice, Poland. Meta-network structural analysis allowed for a deeper understanding of these relations and the detection of essential information about the level of communication in the project under investigation, which was a basis for further discussion. The authors also stress the benefits from the approach presented and argue that it should be a starting point for effective management in the sphere of communication in construction companies.

Amorphous Fe77Cu1Si13B9 ribbons were treated with pulsed laser interference heating (PLIH). The research results will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the impact of PLIH on crystallisation and magnetic properties in precisely defined micro-areas of Fe77Cu1Si13B9 (FeCuSiB) ribbons, which has not yet been described in the literature. It was confirmed here that the use of the laser heating process allowed for the achievement of two-dimensional crystallised micro-areas, periodically distributed (at a distance of 17 µm) on the surface of the amorphous ribbons. The correlation between structural changes (SEM, TEM, HRTEM) and the distribution of magnetic field lines of heated amorphous Fe77Cu1Si13B9 ribbons is presented. Particular attention is paid to structural changes in micro-areas where, by controlling the laser interference heating process, the partial crystallisation of amorphous alloys and the formation of clusters or single nanocrystallites (α-Fe(Si)) embedded in an amorphous matrix occur. The addition of copper to the FeSiB alloy promoted the inhibition of grain growth. Electron holography of micro-areas confirmed shifts in the magnetic field lines in the areas of nanocrystallites, the presence of which in the structure caused the magnetisation of the surrounding amorphous matrix.

The aim of this paper is to present the results of a survey on green roofs among potential real estate developers and users, concerning knowledge about, awareness of the benefits of, and interest in green roofs. The survey sample consisted of 151 persons – potential owner-builders from Poland. This is not a large number, but it is significant. The research sample was purposive and statistically insignificant, and the study was an initial part of a larger project. Greenery in urban settings positively affects human quality of life and health and contact with nature improves well-being and reduces stress. Roofs covered with greenery are also a sign of growing environmental awareness. In Poland, green roofs are usually a feature of public and commercial buildings. The low popularity of this solution in single-family housing has its source in potential owner-builders being unaware of the benefits of the roofs’ application, funding opportunities, and benefits in the form of a greater amount of biologically active surfaces. Currently, the technology of covering roofs with greenery is highly developed, and there are many experienced contractors who operate on the Polish market. However, there is a deficiency in knowledge about green roofs among real estate developers and prospective owner-builders, which constitutes a demand barrier. Many people are anxious about using a green roof out of fear of high construction costs and necessary greenery maintenance. This is due to misinformation, as it is possible to use an extensive, low-maintenance roof type. In the case of an intensive roof, the maintenance largely resembles that of a traditional domestic garden. The costs of creating a roof garden are higher than in the case of traditional roofing materials, but a smaller plot could be bought as a result, as a greater amount of biologically active surfaces can be obtained to meet zoning regulations. In Poland, there are currently no legal regulations that obligate or incentivise the use of green roofs. The popularity of this solution is growing, which gives hope for making cities greener. In an era of progressing climate change, building additional green spaces, including those on roofs, is a crucial remedy for the severe consequences of unsustainable urbanisation.

This paper presents an approach to estimate demand in the Polish Power System (PPS) using the historical electricity usage of 27 thousand commercial customers, observed between 2016 and 2020. The customer data were clustered and samples as well as features were created to build neural network models. The goal of this research is to analyze if the clustering of customers can help to explain demand in the PPS. Additionally, considering that the datasets available for commercial customers are typically much smaller, it was analyzed what a minimal sample size drawn from the clusters would have to be in order to accurately estimate demand in the PPS. The evaluation and experiments were conducted for each year separately; the results proved that, considering adjusted R2 and mean absolute percentage error, our clustering-based method can deliver a high accuracy in the load estimation.

Communication and information flowduring construction project execution is often discussed in the literature. Numerous scholars note the presence of problems with communication and information flow and highlight that these problems also affect construction project completion time and cost. The vast majority of studies on the impact of communication on construction project completion time and cost takes on a qualitative character and there is a lack of quantitative analyses of this subject. To address these deficiencies, the authors of this paper propose a quantitative approach to assessing communication between construction project participants in the aspect of its impact on said project’s completion time and cost. The authors used meta-network theory to model and analyse the problem, as it can fully depict the problem’s complexity. The method proposed allows for dynamic identification of key information flow paths between project participants, which determine its performance in an essential way. The proposed approach can support decision-makers in effective management of communication between a construction project’s participants, which has a positive carryover to achieving planned project goals. The method was tested on a real-world development project that featured the construction of a housing complex in Katowice, Poland.

Nearly 60% of commercial customers are connected to a low-voltage network in Poland with a contractual capacity of more than 40 kW and are assigned a fixed tariff with flat prices for the whole year, no matter the usage volume. With smart meters, more data about how businesses use energy are becoming available to both energy providers and customers. This enables innovation in the structure and type of tariffs on offer in the energy market. Customers can explore their usage patterns to choose the most suitable tariff to benefit from lower prices and thus generate savings. In this paper, we analyzed whether customers’ electricity usage matched their optimal tariff and further investigated which of them could benefit or lose from switching the tariff based on the real dataset with the hourly energy readings of 1212 commercial entities in Poland recorded between 2016 and 2019. Three modelling approaches, i.e., the k-nearest neighbors, classification tree and random forest, were tested for optimal tariff classification, while for the benchmark, we used a simple approach, in which the tariff was proposed based on the customers’ previous electricity usage. The main findings from the research are threefold: (1) out of all the analyzed entities, on average, 76% of them could have benefited from the tariff switching, which suggests that customers may not be aware of the tariff change benefits, or they had chosen a tariff plan that was not tailored to them; (2) a random forest model offers a viable approach to accurate tariff classification; (3) the policy implication from the research is the need to increase the customers’ awareness about the tariffs and propose reliable tools for selecting the optimal tariff.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, recurrent functional disorder of the intestine diagnosed based on the Rome IV criteria. Individuals suffering from IBS often associate the severity of their symptoms with the food they consume, leading them to limit the variety of foods they eat and seek information that could help them determine the appropriate selection of dietary items. Clear nutritional recommendations have not been established thus far. NICE recommends a rational approach to nutrition and, if necessary, the short-term implementation of a low FODMAP diet. Currently, the FODMAP diet holds the greatest significance among IBS patients, although it does not yield positive results for everyone affected. Other unconventional diets adopted by individuals with IBS lack supporting research on their effectiveness and may additionally lead to a deterioration in nutritional status, as they often eliminate foods with high nutritional value. The role of physical activity also raises questions, as previous studies have shown its beneficial effects on the physical and mental well-being of every individual, and it can further help alleviate symptoms among people with IBS. Supplementation can be a supportive element in therapy. Attention is drawn to the use of probiotics, vitamin D, and psyllium husk/ispaghula. This review aims to analyze the existing scientific research to determine the impact of various food items, physical activity, and dietary supplementation with specific components through dietary supplements on the course of IBS.

Novel, structurally stable hybrid magnetic materials based on polymers of natural origin and containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were obtained. SPIONs coated with the chitosan derivative were linked with the chitosan-collagen hydrogel matrix by the covalent bonds formed between the macromolecules of nanoparticles' coating and matrix on their crosslinking with genipin. The systems obtained were structurally stable as confirmed by turbidity studies. Their microstructure was determined by electron microscopy studies (SEM). The homogenic distribution of SPIONs in hybrid materials was observed by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) confirmed the magnetic properties of hybrids and SPIONs distribution within the samples. The rheological studies allowed to determine the effect of hybrid material composition on their mechanical properties (storage modulus). Magnetic characterization confirmed that SPIONs preserved their superparamagnetic properties in the hybrid materials fabricated.

Recenzja ksiązki: Władysława Szulakiewicz, Piotr Gołdyn, Wychowanie i opieka. Perspektywa historyczna [Upbringing and Care: Historical Perspective], Kalisz Kaliskie Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk, Kalisz 2021, pp. 237

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. HF results not only in cardiovascular dysfunction, but also numerous pathologies in the oral cavity and salivary glands. The present study is the first to evaluate whether salivary inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors may be related with the occurrence of hyposalivation in HF patients. We also evaluated the potential of salivary biomarkers in the diagnostics of HF. The study included 30 women with HF and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. We demonstrated significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, Th1, Th2, Th17, chemokines and growth factors in unstimulated saliva of HF patients compared to controls. However, the results do not indicate dominance of either branch of the immune response. The concentration of selected biomarkers is significantly higher in patients with HF and salivary gland dysfunction compared to patients with normal saliva secretion and healthy subjects (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-7, IL-13, INF-γ, IL-12, IL-15, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17, MCP-1/CCL-2, EOTAXIN/CCL11, RANTES/CCL5, GM-CSF, VEGF, FGF basic, PDFG-BB). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the content of salivary cytokines, chemokines and growth factors is highly dependent on salivary gland function, i.e. salivary flow rate, total protein content and amylase activity. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we showed that salivary TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-12 and EOTAXIN/CCL11 differentiated patients with HF and hyposalivation with the highest sensitivity and specificity compared to patients with normal salivary secretion and controls. Interestingly, the content of some pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in saliva significantly exceeds their concentration in plasma. In addition, salivary biomarker levels do not reflect their plasma content, which may suggest a different nature/severity of inflammatory changes at the central (blood) and local (salivary) levels. Although our study was purely observational, the significantly higher concentration of inflammatory parameters in saliva compared to plasma, as well as the lack of saliva-blood correlation, may suggest increased production/secretion of these compounds in salivary cells of HF patients. ROC analysis did not confirm the diagnostic utility of salivary cytokines and chemokines in the differential diagnosis of HF patients.

Sto lat temu w pruskim Olsztynie powstało Polsko-Katolickie Towarzystwo Szkolne na Warmię. Wydarzenie to było szczególne w dziejach ziemi warmińskiej, gdyż chodziło o pierwszą lokalną inicjatywę ruchu polskiego na tym terenie, która oficjalnie, mając podmiotowość prawną, zajęła się organizacją szkolnictwa dla mniejszości polskiej w obrębie państwowości niemieckiej. Towarzystwo jako organizacja społeczna poprzez zapewnienie nauczania języka ojczystego zmierzało w kierunku wychowania narodowego oraz wychowania opartego na zasadach religii katolickiej.

Preterm newborns are babies born before the end of the 36th week of gestational life. They are at increased risk of infection and death from infectious diseases. This is due, among other things, to the immaturity of the immune system and the long hospitalisation period. One common infectious disease in the paediatric population is rotavirus (RV) infection. We now have specific vaccines against this pathogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of rotavirus vaccination in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting and to determine the tolerance of this vaccine in low- and extremely low-weight children. The study carried out at a single centre, the University Hospital in Kraków, also allowed the assessment of vaccination trends during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. During the observation period, 126 premature newborns received the RV vaccine. We observed no adverse effects, and our analysis shows safety and good tolerance of the vaccine among preterm babies. In addition, we observed an increase in vaccination rates between 2019 and 2021, partly explained by parents’ anxiety about infectious diseases in the era of pandemics and partly explained by a change in vaccination policy in Poland and the introduction of refunding for RV vaccination.

In the literature, researchers present construction projects as temporary self-organising coalition networks, composed of specialist entities that work towards set goals. The number of parties involved in the various processes during construction causes communications relations to be exceedingly complex and to change. The environment of a construction project is dynamic and complex, and self-organising communication networks are sensitive to institutional and social change. It becomes necessary to identify situations rooted in both insufficient communication during the carrying out of a project and its excess, which generates unnecessary cost. Effective control of information flow within self-organising communication networks through its planning and monitoring by project management can contribute to achieving project goals. This paper presents a proposal of an optimisation approach (in terms of minimising communication costs) to information flow planning that accounts for various constraints, on the example of a real-world case of building a housing complex in Poland.

Abstract The wild boar Sus scrofa is one of the widely spread ungulate species in Europe, yet the origin and genetic structure of the population inhabiting Central and Eastern Europe are not well recognized. We analysed 101 newly obtained sequences of complete mtDNA genomes and 548 D-loop sequences of the species and combined them with previously published data. We identified five phylogenetic clades in Europe with clear phylogeographic pattern. Two of them occurred mainly in western and central part of the continent, while the range of the third clade covered North-Eastern, Central and South-Eastern Europe. The two other clades had rather restricted distribution. In Central Europe, we identified a contact zone of three mtDNA clades. Population genetic structure reflected clear phylogeographic pattern of wild boar in this part of Europe. The contribution of lineages originating from the southern (Dinaric-Balkan) and eastern (northern cost of the Black Sea) areas to the observed phylogeographic pattern of the species in Central and Eastern Europe was larger than those from the regions located in southern France, Iberian, and Italian Peninsulas. The present work was the first mitogenomic analysis conducted in Central and Eastern Europe to study genetic diversity and structure of wild boar population.

Mieczysław Iwanicki należał do pedagogów oddających się profesjonalnie badaniom z zakresu historii wychowania. Podejmując w 1980 roku zatrudnienie w Wyższej Szkole Pedagogicznej w Olsztynie w charakterze dziekana Wydziału Pedagogicznego i kierownika Zakładu Historii i Teorii Wychowania, miał za sobą lata pracy zawodowej w szkolnictwie podstawowym, średnim i w zakładach kształcenia nauczycieli. Celem artykułu jest próba zaprezentowania sylwetki historyka wychowania Mieczysława Iwanickiego oraz wskazanie, jakie formy działalności Iwanickiego przyczyniły się do rozwoju środowiska olsztyńskich historyków wychowania w latach 1980–1990 w uczelni kształcącej nauczycieli. W celu przedstawienia problematyki badawczej zastosowano jakościową analizę materiału źródłowego oraz studia nad literaturą przedmiotu badań. Ustalono, że Iwanicki w czasie pracy w WSP w Olsztynie poprzez zabezpieczenie ciągłości procesu dydaktycznego i rozwoju kadrowego oraz naukowego przyczynił się do stworzenia organizacyjnych struktur dla rozwoju refleksji naukowej nad historią oświaty i wychowania w ramach samodzielnej jednostki naukowej. Trzeba zdawać sobie sprawę, że dzieło Iwanickiego ukształtowało olsztyński akademicki zespół badaczy historii wychowania, którzy wnieśli liczący się wkład do tej subdyscypliny pedagogicznej.

Abstract Background Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) are associated with a significant sex-bias, which becomes more evident post-puberty. This systematic review aims to elucidate the bidirectional relationship between puberty and ARD-related outcomes. Methods Studies published in English until October 2019 were identified using a systematic search of endocrinology and rheumatology literature. Information was extracted on study design, sample size, demographics, puberty outcome measures, disease outcome measures, and main findings. The methodological quality of the studies included was analysed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results Sixteen non-randomised studies reporting on the impact of puberty on ARD outcomes (n = 7), ARD impact on puberty-related outcomes (n = 8), or both (n = 1) have been identified. The impact of puberty on ARD outcomes were investigated in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis (n = 1), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) (n = 5) or in healthy controls who developed adult-onset SLE (n = 1) or had non-specific symptoms (n = 1). The impact of ARD on puberty outcomes was explored in JIA (n = 4) and JSLE (n = 3). Quality assessment of studies showed a small to moderate risk of bias overall (NOS 4–9/9). Due to large heterogeneity of the studies it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis. Multiple studies reported on delayed puberty in patients with JIA/JSLE, menstrual and hormonal abnormalities, and lower height and weight than controls. Earlier (pre-pubertal) onset of JSLE was correlated with more severe disease and more need for systemic treatment. Conclusion A bidirectional relationship exists between puberty and ARDs; however, more and better research is required to elucidate the complexity of this relationship. We propose puberty-related clinical assessments in patients with ARDs, which can improve patient outcomes and facilitate future research.

Abstract Beta-2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is a blood protein and the major antigen in the autoimmune disorder antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). β2GPI exists mainly in closed or open conformations and comprises of 11 disulfides distributed across five domains. The terminal Cys288/Cys326 disulfide bond at domain V has been associated with different cysteine redox states. The role of this disulfide bond in conformational dynamics of this protein has not been investigated so far. Here, we report on the enzymatic driven reduction by thioredoxin-1 (recycled by Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine; TCEP) of β2GPI. Specific reduction was demonstrated by Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses confirming majority targeting to the fifth domain of β2GPI. Atomic force microscopy images suggested that reduced β2GPI shows a slightly higher proportion of open conformation and is more flexible compared to the untreated protein as confirmed by modelling studies. We have determined a strong increase in the binding of pathogenic APS autoantibodies to reduced β2GPI as demonstrated by ELISA. Our study is relevant for understanding the effect of β2GPI reduction on the protein structure and its implications for antibody binding in APS patients.

Amorphous Fe77Cu1Si13B9 ribbons were treated with pulsed laser interference heating (PLIH). The research results will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the impact of PLIH on crystallisation and magnetic properties in precisely defined micro-areas of Fe77Cu1Si13B9 (FeCuSiB) ribbons, which has not yet been described in the literature. It was confirmed here that the use of the laser heating process allowed for the achievement of two-dimensional crystallised micro-areas, periodically distributed (at a distance of 17 µm) on the surface of the amorphous ribbons. The correlation between structural changes (SEM, TEM, HRTEM) and the distribution of magnetic field lines of heated amorphous Fe77Cu1Si13B9 ribbons is presented. Particular attention is paid to structural changes in micro-areas where, by controlling the laser interference heating process, the partial crystallisation of amorphous alloys and the formation of clusters or single nanocrystallites (α-Fe(Si)) embedded in an amorphous matrix occur. The addition of copper to the FeSiB alloy promoted the inhibition of grain growth. Electron holography of micro-areas confirmed shifts in the magnetic field lines in the areas of nanocrystallites, the presence of which in the structure caused the magnetisation of the surrounding amorphous matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anecdotal reports suggest potential severity and outcome differences between sexes following infection by SARS-CoV-2. Here, the authors perform meta-analyses of more than 3 million cases collected from global public data to demonstrate that male patients with COVID-19 are 3 times more likely to require intensive care, and have ~40% higher death rate.

HVAC systems use a substantial part of the whole energy usage of buildings. The optimizing of their operation can greatly affect the power use of a building, making them an interesting subject when trying to save energy. However, this should not affect the comfort of the people inside. Many approaches aim to optimize the operation of the heating and cooling system; in this paper, we present an approach to steer the heat pumps to reduce energy usage while aiming to maintain a certain level of comfort. For this purpose, we employ a market-based distributed method for power-balancing. To maintain the comfort level, the market-based distributed system assigns each device a cost-curve, parametrized with the current temperature of the room. This allows the cost to reflect the urgency of the HVAC operation. This approach was tested in a real-world environment: we use 10 heat pumps responsible for temperature control in 10 comparable-sized rooms. The test was performed for 3 months in summer. We limited the total peak power, and the algorithm balanced the consumption of the heat pumps with the available supply. The experiments showed that the system successfully managed to operate within the limit (lowering peak usage), and - to a certain point - reduce the cost without significantly deteriorating the working conditions of the occupants of the rooms. This test allowed us to estimate the minimal peak power requirement for the tested set-up that will still keep the room temperatures in or close to comfortable levels. The experiments show that a fully distributed market-based approach with parametrized cost functions can be used to limit peak usage while maintaining temperatures.

This paper presents the European market of transparent insulation materials as viewed by manufacturers. The objective of the study was to analyse the application of transparent insulation materials in the construction sector across Europe, determine the popularity of various technologies and materials used to manufacture them, the competition among transparent insulation manufacturers, investment in the development of new transparent insulation technologies, and trends in demand for transparent insulation in Europe. The analysis was performed on the basis of a survey of manufacturers. The use of transparent insulation is associated with high cost, yet the potential return on investment in the form of savings over the course of a building’s life-cycle convinces many potential developers to apply these materials. Based on the results of the survey, it can be concluded that European companies follow the increase in energy-efficiency and the transparent insulation market is prosperous, yet differs from country to country. It was observed that the positive perception of indirect heat gain transparent insulation systems was the most prevalent in Germany. The paper also explores the situation on the author’s domestic market – the Polish transparent thermal insulation market.

In the article, the authors presented the results of microbiological air quality studies in selected buildings with additional thermal insulation applied from the inside using a silicate and lime system, as well as the results of a survey study concerning the comfort of use of said buildings. The microbiological air quality studies, conducted in buildings immediately prior to and after the application of additional thermal insulation using silicate and lime sheets, demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of mould spores in interior spaces. This was also reflected in the results of a survey study. The survey study was conducted with users of public and commercial buildings and municipal housing buildings in Krakow. Thanks to the additional insulation applied from inside using the silicate and lime system, all of the utilitarian parameters of internal spaces had improved. The most significant changes concerned parameters like comfort of use, the aesthetic of the spaces and breathing comfort. According to experts, the silicate and lime system was also rated highly in terms of the analysed parameters.

BackgroundSmartphones allow for real-time monitoring of patients’ behavioral activities in a naturalistic setting. These data are suggested as markers for the mental state of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). ObjectiveWe assessed the relations between data collected from smartphones and the clinically rated depressive and manic symptoms together with the corresponding affective states in patients with BD. MethodsBDmon, a dedicated mobile app, was developed and installed on patients’ smartphones to automatically collect the statistics about their phone calls and text messages as well as their self-assessments of sleep and mood. The final sample for the numerical analyses consisted of 51 eligible patients who participated in at least two psychiatric assessments and used the BDmon app (mean participation time, 208 [SD 132] days). In total, 196 psychiatric assessments were performed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were applied to quantify the strength of the relation between the daily statistics on the behavioral data collected automatically from smartphones and the affective symptoms and mood states in patients with BD. ResultsObjective behavioral data collected from smartphones were found to be related with the BD states as follows: (1) depressed patients tended to make phone calls less frequently than euthymic patients (β=−.064, P=.01); (2) the number of incoming answered calls during depression was lower than that during euthymia (β=−.15, P=.01) and, concurrently, missed incoming calls were more frequent and increased as depressive symptoms intensified (β=4.431, P

Summary: Women have a reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with men, which could be partially driven by sex hormones influencing lipid levels post puberty. The interrelationship between sex hormones and lipids was explored in pre-pubertal children, young post-pubertal cis-men/women, and transgender individuals on cross-sex-hormone treatment (trans-men/women) using serum metabolomics assessing 149 lipids. High-density lipoproteins (HDL, typically atheroprotective) were significantly increased and very-low- and low-density lipoproteins (typically atherogenic) were significantly decreased in post-pubertal cis-women compared with cis-men. These differences were not observed pre-puberty and were induced appropriately by cross-sex-hormone treatment in transgender individuals, supporting that sex hormones regulate lipid metabolism in vivo. Only atheroprotective apolipoprotein (Apo)A1 expressing lipoproteins (HDL) were differentially expressed between all hormonally unique comparisons. Thus, estradiol drives a typically atheroprotective lipid profile through upregulation of HDL/ApoA1, which could contribute to the sexual dimorphism observed in CVD risk post puberty. Together, this could inform sex-specific therapeutic strategies for CVD management.

The purpose of this study is to develop an effective control method for a hybrid energy storage system composed by a flow battery for daily energy balancing and a lithium-ion battery to provide peak power. It is assumed that the system operates behind the meter, the goal is to minimize the energy cost in the presence of a PV installation (as an example of a local renewable source) and energy prices are determined by 3-zone tariffs. The article presents the application of an optimization method to schedule the operation of each battery in the system. The authors have defined an optimization method aimed at minimizing the total cost of the system, taking into account energy costs and batteries depreciation. The techno-economical model of the system, including battery degradation, is constructed and the cost optimization methods are implemented in Python. The results are validated with real energy and price profiles and compared with conventional control strategies. The advantages of optimization in terms of energy cost are discussed. The experiment shows that not only is a hybrid energy system successful in lowering the total operation cost and in increasing self-consumption but also that the implemented methods have slightly different properties, benefits and issues.

Historic buildings constitute a specific group of buildings where the possibilities of improving energy efficiency and comfort are significantly limited because of the existing construction features and heritage values. Each building has a different history so the scope of renovation and/or retrofitting must be determined individually for each building. This article presents the methodology of measurement and diagnosis of features of particular importance for energy performance and comfort improvements, based on the example of a historic masonry building located in southern Poland. The first research question was which of the comfort conditions have been exceeded according to measurements. The second issue concerned the necessary extension of the basic determinants of comfort, beyond measurable qualities. A multi-faceted approach to the comfort assessment is proposed, including qualitative research that applies the additional criterion of aesthetic comfort. During the case study diagnosis, the acceptable level was exceeded in thermal, acoustic and aesthetic comfort. The first two may be addressed by optimized technical measures whilst the latter through a research-through-design that addresses the complex relationship between the perceiver and what the environment affords. The solution reflects the need to meet demands for retrofits that are energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing while minimizing any negative impacts on the heritage and the environment.

Nie udało się dotychczas ustalić, czy wiejska pieśń, na którą Adam Mickiewicz powołuje się w przypisie do ballady To lubię, rzeczywiście istniała. Lista bajek ludowych (opowieści wierzeniowych) rozważanych jako pokrewne jest za to dość długa. Podobieństwo pomiędzy poszczególnymi utworami oralnymi a balladą wykazywano na podstawie występowania tych samych wątków, a szczególnie motywu kary za nieczułość i odrzucanie miłości. Żadna z bajek nie okazała się jednak na tyle podobna do To lubię, by rozwiać wątpliwości badaczy, skłaniających się do wniosku, że Mickiewicz pomysł zaczerpnął z tradycji literackiej, a przypis zmistyfikował. Przyjęcie innych kryteriów podobieństwa umożliwi sięgnięcie do bardzo popularnej i rozbudowanej grupy bajkowej — dusze na pokucie. Zespół ten łączy stały schemat morfologiczny, w którym największej wariantywności podlega typ grzechu. Do grupy dołączyć powinna bajka zanotowana w Pcimiu (woj. małopolskie) w 2019 r. W wersji tej pokuta polega na straszeniu kichaniem do momentu, gdy ktoś odpowie pożyczeniem zdrowia. To lubię i bajkę z Pcimia łączy podobieństwo na tle morfologicznym — taka sama sekwencja wątków, ułożonych w identycznej kolejności, oraz zastosowanie retrospekcji. Kierunek pokrewieństwa nie jest jednak jasny. Mickiewicz pomysł na To lubię mógł zaczerpnąć z folkloru lub ballada ta już po powstaniu zbłądziła pod strzechy i na nowo zainspirowała kulturę ludową.

CD8+ T cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that destroy pathogen infected and malignant cells through release of cytolytic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. Although the role of CD8+ T cells in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) has not been explored as thoroughly as that of other immune cells, research focusing on this key component of the immune system has recently gained momentum. Aberrations in cytotoxic cell function may have implications in triggering autoimmunity and may promote tissue damage leading to exacerbation of disease. In this comprehensive review of current literature, we examine the role of CD8+ T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis with specific focus on comparing what is known about CD8+ T cell peripheral blood phenotypes, CD8+ T cell function, and CD8+ T cell organ-specific profiles in adult and juvenile forms of these disorders. Although, the precise role of CD8+ T cells in the initiation of autoimmunity and disease progression remains to be elucidated, increasing evidence indicates that CD8+ T cells are emerging as an attractive target for therapy in CTDs.