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Graphene oxide was functionalized with simultaneous reduction to produce phosphonated reduced graphene oxide in a novel, fully scalable, one-pot method. The phosphonic derivative of graphene was obtained through the reaction of graphene oxide with phosphorus trichloride in water. The newly synthesized reduced graphene oxide derivative was fully characterized by using spectroscopic methods along with thermal analysis. The morphology of the samples was examined by electron microscopy. The electrical studies revealed that the functionalized graphene derivative behaves in a way similar to chemically or thermally reduced graphene oxide, with an activation energy of 0.014 eV.

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a damage-associated molecular pattern with key proinflammatory functions following tissue injury. Moreover, HMGB1 neutralization was shown to alleviate LPS-induced shock, suggesting a role for the protein as a master therapeutic target for inflammatory and infectious diseases. Here, we report that HMGB1 neutralization impedes immune responses to Listeria monocytogenes, a wide-spread bacterium with pathogenic relevance for humans and rodents. Using genetic deletion strategies and neutralizing antibodies, we demonstrate that hepatocyte HMGB1, a major driver of post-necrotic inflammation in the liver, is dispensable for pathogen defense during moderately severe infection with listeria. In contrast, antibody-mediated HMGB1 neutralization and HMGB1 deficiency in myeloid cells effectuate rapid and uncontrolled bacterial dissemination in mice despite preserved basic leukocyte functionality and autophagy induction. During overwhelming infection, hepatocyte injury may contribute to increased HMGB1 serum levels and excessive inflammation in the liver, supporting context-dependent roles for HMGB1 from different cellular compartments during infection. We provide mechanistic evidence that HMGB1 from circulating immune cells contributes to the timely induction of hepatic immune regulatory gene networks, early inflammatory monocyte recruitment to the liver and promotion of neutrophil survival, which are mandatory for pathogen control. In summary, our data establish HMGB1 as a critical co-factor in the immunological clearance of listeria, and argue against HMGB1 neutralization as a universal therapeutic strategy for sepsis.Author summaryHigh-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an abundantly expressed nucleoprotein with signaling properties following secretion or release into the extracellular space. Given its central immune-regulatory roles during tissue injury and LPS-induced septic shock, interventions aimed at HMGB1 signaling have been advocated as therapeutic options for various disease conditions. Here, we show that antibody-mediated HMGB1 neutralization interferes with immunological defense against Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive bacterium with high pathogenic relevance for rodents and humans, effectuating uncontrolled bacterial growth and inflammation. Using conditional knockout animals, we demonstrate that while leukocyte functionality is preserved in HMGB1-deficient myeloid cells, HMGB1 released in response to Listeria triggers hepatic inflammatory monocyte recruitment and activation of transcriptional immune networks required for the early control of bacterial dissemination. Hepatocyte HMGB1, a key driver of post-necrotic inflammation in the liver, is dispensable for the immune response during moderately severe infection, but likely contributes to excessive hepatitis when infection is uncontrolled and cellular injury is high. We demonstrate a critical and non-redundant role for HMGB1 in the immune-mediated clearance of listeriosis and argue against HMGB1 neutralization as a universal therapeutic option in the context of infection.

Background An analysis of the changes in the quality of edible fats used in the process of frying food products is a crucial issue for both food safety and consumer health. The purpose of this paper is to compare the dynamics of oxidation of selected fats during the frying of French fries at a temperature of 180dC, in an open and closed vessel. Methods The subject of the study was the following frying media: rapeseed oil, coconut oil, frying fat and lard, for which characteristic numbers, fatty acid profile and oxidisability were determined. The fats were fried with 20 portions of French fries. The total frying time was 5 hours. In order to determine the oxidative stability of the fats, changes in the Totox index during frying were examined. The results of the research were elaborated by applying kinetic analysis methods. Orders, constant speeds and the speeds of fat oxidation processes were determined. Results The dynamics of fat oxidation during frying varied, which was proven by the values of the orders of processes, ranging from 0.2 to 0.7. The rates of oxidation processes were compared on the basis of velocity constants and it was found that rapeseed oil oxidised 1.35 times faster than frying fat, 1.55 times faster than lard and 1.72 times faster than coconut oil. The order of fat oxidisability calculated on the basis of fatty acid profiles was confirmed by the results of the kinetic analysis. Conclusions The methods of kinetic analysis applied in this study are well-suited for determining the dynamics of fat oxidation processes during frying. Thus, they can be used as a criterion for selecting an appropriate frying medium.

International audience; A cycloparaphenylene-based molecular lemniscate (CPPL) was obtained in a short synthesis involving masked p-phenylene equivalents. The strained figure-eight geometry of CPPL is sustained by the incorporated 9,9'-bicarbazole subunit, which also acts as a stereogenic element. The shape of the distorted [16]cycloparaphenylene nanohoop embedded in CPPL is accurately approximated with a Booth lemniscate. The structure of CPPL, investigated using NMR and Raman spectroscopic methods, revealed strain-dependent features, consistent with the variable curvature of the ring. The electronic and optical properties of CPPL combine features more characteristic of smaller cycloparaphenylenes, such as a reduced optical bandgap and red-shifted fluorescence. CPPL was resolved into enantiomers, which are configurationally stable and provide strong chiroptical responses, including circularly polarized luminescence.

Wszelkie dzialania zmierzające do osiągniecia zrownowazonego rozwoju w Europie (w rolnictwie) pociągają za sobą szereg roznych czynności. Jedne z nich nie wiązą sie z wydatkami, jak na przyklad zmiana świadomości spoleczenstw, inne muszą byc związane ze wzrostem kosztow. W pracy przedstawiono dzialania unijnych rolnikow na rzecz osiągniecia zrownowazonego rozwoju w rolnictwie, sposoby wyceny owocow ich pracy oraz przyczyny i metody wsparcia dzialan rolnikow w UE.

W artykule poruszono kwestie wsparcia fi nansowego rolnikow i obszarow wiejskich przez Unie Europejską i rząd Polski. Nastepnie porownano poziom uzyskanej pomocy z rozmiarami dzialalności produkcyjnej rolnikow. Horyzont badawczy obejmowal ostatnie 10 lat, tj. od 2007 do 2016 roku. Jednocześnie probowano wskazac, jak rosla produkcja towarowa przy owym wsparciu i czy środki, ktorymi zasilana jest polska wieś, przyczyniają sie do wzrostu wolumenu bezpiecznej produkcji na rynek. Nastepnie przedstawiono czynniki i zjawiska, ktore utrudniają znalezienie odpowiednich zalezności pomiedzy omawianymi zmiennymi.

The paper presents the current state of research on superconducting devices for the electrical power system, i.e. transformers, fault-current limiters, and energy storages. In particular, it describes scientific achievements of the Laboratory of Superconducting Technologies of Electrotechnical Institute. The development of distributed and renewable energy sources, as well as the increasing number of receivers with low power factor will rise interest in superconducting fault-current limiters and superconducting transformers rated below 1 MVA. Previous studies were focused on the largest power transformers and highest current superconducting fault-current limiters. ReBCO coated conductors allow to build efficient superconducting AC devices. Superconducting tape of a layered structure (second generation HTS tape) enables the construction of transformer rated up to a few MVA without the usage of parallel conductors. Relatively high resistance of the tape in normal state allows to build fault-current limiters and fault-current limiting transformers. Superconducting transformers and superconducting fault-current limiters can help to increase connected power of distribution stations and thereby accelerate development of renewable energy sources.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lycopene addition to the curing mixture for steamed and grilled breast muscles on the chemical composition, sensory attributes and physicochemical parameters of the final products. The experimental material comprised a total of 48 breast muscles of Hybrid XL turkeys aged 15 weeks and fed commercial pelleted diets. The material was divided into three groups (control, experimental groups I and II). Sixteen breast muscles (8 left and 8 right) were assigned to each group. Control group samples were immediately transported to a laboratory. The remaining 32 muscles were steamed and grilled, where 16 samples were cured before heat treatment. The curing brine contained tomato peel extract standardized for 5% lycopene content. The results of the study indicate that the lycopene increased vitamin E levels and decreased the ash and vitamin A content of the final products. Lycopene also lowered the aroma and flavour scores, and increased the shear force values of the final products. The addition of lycopene lowered the pH of the products measured in a water homogenate and deteriorated the hydration properties of meat. Lycopene increased the darkness and the contribution of redness, which led to an increase in colour saturation and hue values of the evaluated samples. It can be concluded that lycopene exerted antioxidant effects and improved the colour parameters on the external surface and along the cross-section of processed meat. However, the specific flavour of tomatoes deteriorated the sensory attributes of the final products.

Current approved nucleoside analogue treatments for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are effective at controlling viral titer but are not curative and have minimal impact on the production of viral proteins such as surface antigen (HBsAg), the HBV envelope protein believed to play a role in maintaining the immune tolerant state required for viral persistence. Novel agents are needed to effect HBV cure, and reduction of HBV antigenemia may potentiate activation of effective and long-lasting host immune control. ARB-1740 is a clinical stage RNA interference agent composed of three siRNAs delivered using lipid nanoparticle technology. In a number of cell and animal models of HBV, ARB-1740 caused HBV RNA reduction, leading to inhibition of multiple elements of the viral life cycle including HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAg viral proteins as well as replication marker HBV DNA. ARB-1740 demonstrated pan-genotypic activity in vitro and in vivo, targeting three distinct highly conserved regions of the HBV genome, and effectively inhibited replication of nucleoside analogue-resistant HBV variants. Combination of ARB-1740 with a capsid inhibitor and pegylated interferon-alpha led to greater liver HBsAg reduction which correlated with more robust induction of innate immune responses in a human chimeric mouse model of HBV. The preclinical profile of ARB-1740 demonstrates the promise of RNA interference and HBV antigen reduction in treatment strategies driving toward a cure for HBV.

Our aim was to propose simple extraction process to obtain phospholipids along with yolk-derived vitamins and fats. Five extracts marked as ethanol/acetone, methanol-chloroform/acetone, hot ethanol, hexane, and cold ethanol were developed and compared. Extracts' compositions were analyzed in terms of phospholipid, polar and nonpolar fraction, cholesterol, carotenoids, and tocopherols content. Further, liposomes prepared from extracts were characterized. The highest extraction efficiency was achieved by a one-step hexane procedure. However, that sample, in contrast to the other four extracts, revealed distinctively lower permeability when used for liposomes membrane formation. Principal component analysis proved that major components contents were decisive for liposomes membranes permeability, whereas minor constituents' content controlled zeta potential and Z-average size.Liposomes are nanocarriers widely used in pharmaceutical industry. Due to intravenous route of administration, they have to be produced from phospholipids of very fine purity. On the other hand, there is increasing interest in nanoencapsulation of labile, bioactive substances for manufacturing of health promoting food. Unfortunately, high-price pure phospholipids are prohibitive for food applications. The use of raw material obtained by simple extraction procedure instead of highly purified phospholipids could be an attractive alternative for food industry.

Cel – sprawdzenie na ile finansowanie dzialalności rolnej z funduszy Unii Europejskiej mialo i ma wplyw na rozwoj rolnictwa ekologicznego w Polsce. Metodyka badania – dokonano przeglądu literatury naukowej korespondującej z tematem pracy, zebrano i przeanalizowano raporty i ekspertyzy z Ministerstwa Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi, Glownego Inspektoratu Jakości Artykulami Rolno-Spozywczymi (IJHARS), Instytutu Ekonomiki Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi PAN, a takze opracowania instytucji zagranicznych do spraw rolnictwa, takich jak Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Miedzynarodowej Federacji Rolnictwa Ekologicznego (IFOAM).Wykorzystano wspolczynnik korelacji Pearsona do przedstawienia zalezności pomiedzy wydatkami z funduszy unijnych a przyrostem gospodarstw ekologicznych w Polsce oraz policzono wskaźniki dynamiki obrazujące zmiany w wydatkach z funduszy unijnych. Wynik – znaczące fundusze unijne zasilające ekologiczne gospodarstwa rolne w Polsce po 2004 roku sprawily, ze rolnicy coraz chetniej dostosowywali swoje gospodarstwa do tych metod produkcji, ktore dawaly najwyzsze dotacje. Tak m.in. wywolano lawinowy wzrost liczby i powierzchni ekologicznych gospodarstw rolnych na terenie Polskie w latach 2004–2013. Po roku 2010 niewielki przyrost środkow finansowych przypadający na gospodarstwo i/lub na 1 ha wprowadzil jednak niepokoj wśrod rolnikow. Ten czynnik i niepewnośc co do dalszej polityki wsparcia rolnictwa przez UE sprawilo, ze od 2013 roku obserwuje sie regres rolnictwa ekologicznego. Wartośc – wraz ze spadkiem wsparcia finansowego ekologicznych gospodarstw rolnych spadkowi ulegnie ich liczba i powierzchnia gospodarowania.

Celem opracowania bylo zaprezentowanie relacji wystepujących miedzy rolnikami prowadzącymi ekologiczne gospodarstw rolne (egr) a mieszkancami regionu i przedstawicielami wladz terenowych, a takze podkreślenie wagi jaką pelnią egr w rozwoju gospodarczym i spolecznym danego miejsca. Do badan wybrano wojewodztwo zachodniopomorskie, w ktorym na koniec 2014 roku zarejestrowanych bylo 3526 egr. Do badan zakwalifikowalo sie ostatecznie 2098 gospodarstw. Za pomocą ankiet rozeslanych do rolnikow zebrano material, ktory posluzyl za źrodlo danych do prezentowanych w pracy treści.

W pracy przedstawiono charakterystyke uslug świadczonych przez ekologiczne gospodarstwa rolne na przestrzeni prawie 10 lat i wskazano te rodzaje uslug, ktore bedą sie silnie rozwijaly rowniez w przyszlości. W tym celu w ramach badan wlasnych zgromadzono pierwotny material empiryczny, ktory posluzyl dalszym rozwazaniom naukowym. Badania wśrod rolnikow byly przeprowadzone w roku 2006, nastepnie w 2011 i ostatecznie w I kwartale 2015.

The purpose of this paper is to present the evolution of views on a role of the environmental factor in theories of economy. It also aims to define the role of this factor in building the strong economic and social development. It was pointed, that the base of sustainable economy development (that assumes equality of orders: economic, ecological, social, institutional and spatial) was created as a result of long process of maturity of thought of many economists and societies.

To assess the soil quality of Phaeozems and Luvisols from Kujawy region (Kujawy-Pomerania Province, Poland), the soil quality indicators such as: content of organic matter and nutrients, as well as bulk density were used. The soils showed similar inherent properties (soil texture, depth to parent material, type of clay) and management practices (tillage, crop rotation, nutrient application). The following properties were determined: bulk density, grain size composition, exchangeable acidity, concentration of available forms of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, and the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (Nt). The amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DN) were measured in the solution obtained after extraction with 0.004 M CaCl2. The stock of TOCs, Nts and DOCs, and DNs were calculated. The total organic carbon content in surface horizon of Phaeozems was significant higher (13.9-20.1 g·kg-1) than in Ap horizon of Luvisols (8.3-11.0 g·kg-1), which is a consequence of their origin. The stock of organic carbon in Ap horizon fell within 5.89 to 8.49 kg·m2 in Phaeozems and 3.80 to 4.81 kg·m2 in Luvisols. Although Phaeozems demonstrated a significant higher content of TOC, as compared with Luvisols, the amount of dissolved organic carbon was similar in both soil types, which points to a higher share of DOC in the total organic carbon content in Luvisols (up to 17.5% in Et horizon). The amounts of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen and their stock do not depend on the type of soils if the management practices are similar.

We have carried out the preparation of reduced graphene oxide aerogels using eco-friendly method that is based on the Hummers method of graphite oxidation without the use of NaNO3 that produces toxic gases. To obtain a porous 3D structure of reduced graphene oxide, we performed the hydrothermal reduction at elevated temperature. We also prepared the rGO aerogel/CNT composite using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as linkers. The rGO aerogels are promising materials as they possess good electrical conductivity (up to 100 S/m) and high surface area and porous structure (~500 m2/g). The main goal was to obtain the material for electrodes in enzymatic biofuel cells. Thus, the proper modification was performed using free radical functionalization. It was shown that in order to synthesize rGO aerogels modified with anthracene, the proper order of reactions needs to be provided. The morphology of anthracene modified electrodes was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed their porous structure with non-uniform pore size distribution that ranged between few nanometers to microns. Data obtained by Raman spectroscopy confirmed the successful oxidation and reduction of analyzed materials. UV-Vis spectra revealed the presence of anthracene moieties in examined materials. We also recorded preliminary cyclic voltammograms that confirm an electric conductivity of the obtained structures.

Subject and purpose of work: The subject of the study is to show that the method of managing a municipality, taking into account the marketing philosophy, creates additional values for a given municipality. The purpose of the work is to show that Dobra Szczecińska Municipality, being a territorial unit, has developed a certain manner of managing and directing local resources, which, using territorial marketing, has created a unique and inimitable character of the location. Materials and methods: Scientific literature, source materials from the Municipal Office of Dobra Szczecińska as well as all statistics and studies available online were used. Literature review and analysis, as well as deductive and inductive methods were applied as research tools. Results: It has been proved that Dobra Szczecińska is a municipality with its own identity, possesses its own unique image, cares about the municipality’s product and satisfies the needs of its residents and entrepreneurs. Conclusions: The municipality was justifiably ranked 23rd in the 2016 Ranking, because the local authorities make every effort to ensure that the residents and entrepreneurs believe that they live and operate in the best place in West Pomeranian Province. The analysis of the collected material confirmed that Dobra Szczecińska municipality is rightly called a good one because it develops in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Nonclassical nanotube end-caps have been constructed from strain-free heterocyclic precursors using a one-step synthetic procedure, involving multiple nickel-mediated Ullmann couplings. These systems consist of tubular macrocyclic sections that are tightly capped on one side with a bridging benzene ring, forming deep, chemically accessible cavities. The end-caps are characterized by exceptionally high internal strain energies reaching 144 kcal/mol. The optical absorption and emission properties of these molecules show a marked dependence on conjugation length and geometrical factors. The mechanism of end-cap formation, investigated using DFT calculations, relies on precise timing of transmetalation and reductive elimination events.

The paper concerns the superconducting energy storage on the example of the device physical model with the HT S-Bi-2223 electromagnet built in Lublin. The main purpose of this work is to examine the impact of superconducting winding configuration to the value of the stored energy in a minimum of high magnetic induction space exceeding the limit values. The problem considered in applies value of the magnetic field generated in the solenoid configuration of around the storage unit in comparison with the magnetic field limit values contained in the Polish standards. Possible configurations of the windings were analyzed with particular focus on the solenoid and the toroidal configuration. The results of magnetic field distribution calculations and the energy accumulated in the coil for the considered shield configuration have been described. Two configurations of shielding elements have been chosen as optimal in terms of energy and reduce the field intensity outside the device. It has been shown that for the investigated 34 kJ SMES physical model is possible to select the configuration of shielding elements, so that while maintaining or increasing the value of accumulated energy by 14% reduction in area of strong fields for limits intensity is possible.

The exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g. poor nutrition) may lead to increased disease risk in an individual and their descendants. In some cases, the results may be sexually dimorphic. A range of phenotypes has been associated with deficiency in or defective metabolism of the vitamin folate. However, the molecular mechanism linking folate metabolism to development is still not well defined nor is it clear whether phenotypes are sex-specific. The enzyme methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is required for the progression of folate metabolism and the utilization of methyl groups from the folate cycle. Previously, we showed that the hypomorphic Mtrrgt mutation in mice results in metabolic disruption, epigenetic instability, and a wide spectrum of developmental phenotypes (e.g. growth defects, congenital malformations) at midgestation that appear in subsequent wild-type generations. This transgenerational effect only occurs through the maternal lineage. Here, we explore whether the phenotypes that result from either intrinsic or ancestral Mtrr deficiency are sexually dimorphic. We found that no sexual dimorphism is apparent in either situation when the phenotypes were broadly or specifically defined. However, when we focused on the group of phenotypically normal conceptuses derived from maternal grandparental Mtrr deficiency, we observed an apparent increase in placental efficiency in each subsequent generation leading to F4 generation female embryos that weigh more than controls. These data suggest that ancestral abnormal folate metabolism may lead to male grandprogeny that are less able to adapt or female grandprogeny that are programmed to become more sensitive to folate availability in subsequent generations.

Direct alkylation of 9,9',9''-triethyl[2.2.2](2,7)carbazolophane with dimethoxymethane or paraformaldehyde affords a belt-like heteroaromatic structure, which forms as a kinetic product in acid-catalyzed condensations. In a competing, thermodynamically favored process, polymeric structures are formed by a largely regioselective condensation of stereochemically rigid "semi-belts". The relationship between these reactivity routes is rationalized in terms of strain release and differential reversibility of consecutive condensation steps.

A superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) reduces the short-circuit current level in a power system and thus provides protection for and significantly reduces the wear and tear of circuit breakers and other substation power equipment. This paper describes a design and test results of a model of a transformer-type superconducting fault current limiter (TrSFCL) with a 1-phase 10 kV copper transformer and a secondary winding shorted by a superconducting current limiting coil made of 2G HTS tape. Special regard is given to the ability of this device to limit a short-circuit current thanks to the parameters of both the HTS coil and the 2G HTS tape used, and in particular to its resistivity in the resistive state at a temperature of 77 K.